Administration

Ruth Buffalo, MBA, MPH, MMgt, CEO/President

Bio for grant requirement: Ruth Buffalo, MBA, MPH, MMgt, DONA-Trained Birth Doula
CEO/President

Ruth Buffalo serves as CEO/President of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC), leading the organization’s work to support Native women and families through housing, advocacy, healing, and community services. Her leadership emphasizes responsive services, strong partnerships, and long-term organizational sustainability.

A citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation and a descendant of the Chiricahua Apache, Ruth is originally from Mandaree, North Dakota. She brings more than 25 years of community advocacy experience and a background as an educator, public health professional, and community organizer.

Ruth previously served in the North Dakota House of Representatives, where she advanced legislation addressing public safety, human trafficking, missing and murdered Indigenous persons, and Native American history education. Her work reflects a longstanding commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of Native communities.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degrees in management, business administration, and public health. At MIWRC, Ruth brings this experience to a people-centered approach that honors community traditions and supports women and families in building stability and lasting well-being.

Jalisa McKee, Executive Assistant/Program Support Consultant

Candace Big Eagle, Facilities/Maintenance/Emergency Response Advocate

Randy Vickers, Director of Information Technology/Emergency Response Advocate

Amanda Browneagle, Emergency Response Advocate

Moses Mahto-Strong, Emergency Response Advocate

Travis Bush, Security/Emergency Response Advocate

Family Services

VACANT, Director

Leah LaChapelle, ICWA Kinship Worker

VACANT, ICWA Kinship Worker

Anecia Larsen, ICWA Liaison

VACANT, ICWA Liaison

Lacey Papasodora, Family Spirit Health Educator/Home Visitor

VACANT, Traditional Birthworker & ICWA Maternal Support Worker

Celine Morris, Life Skills Parenting Worker, DONA-Trained Birth Doula

VACANT, Foster Parent Licensure Worker

HOUSING SERVICES

Corey Baesler, Section 8 / Housing Manager

Denise Mlejnek, Tenant Case Manager

Hunter Cloud, Tenant Services Coordinator

Kinooamaage Wii’gaming- lEARNING cENTER

Zhawin Gonzalez, MSL, Coordinator

Noojimo& wAWOKIYE dROP IN cENTER

VACANT, Director

Allison Haro, Sexual Assault Advocate

Kyrin Skinaway, Victim Services Advocate

Dawn Laroque, Wawokiye Center Support Worker

Sasha Ross, Wawokiye Center Support Worker

Chazra Bruce, Wawokiye Center Support Worker, Lead Staff

Angelique Morgan, Outreach Advocate, DONA-Trained Birth Doula

Mariah Valenzuela, Outreach Advocate, DONA-Trained Birth Doula

EMERGENCY response

Amanda Browneagle, Emergency Response Advocate, Lead Staff

Moses Mahto-Strong, Emergency Response Advocate

Travis Bush, Security/Emergency Response Advocate

OUTREACH

Angelique Morgan, Outreach Advocate, DONA-Trained Birth Doula

Mariah Valenzuela, Outreach Advocate, DONA-Trained Birth Doula

Traditional Healing

George Googleye, Traditional Healing Practioner

RECOVERY CORP/AMERICORP

Jada Jansen, Recovery Project Coordinator

Uvalle Redknife, Recovery Project Navigator

Peer Support Recovery Specialists

Zhawin Gonzalez, Coordinator of Kinooamaage Wii’gaming - Learning Center CERTIFIED

Amanda Browneagle, Emergency Response Advocate, Certification in progress

Marlon Eagletail, Cultural Contractor, Certification in progress

Amber Newago, WEX Worker Alumni - Front Desk

Sasha Ross, Wawokiye Center Support Worker, Certification in progress

Angelique Morgan, Outreach Advocate, Certification in progress

Mariah Valenzuela, Outreach Advocate, Certification in progress