Board of Directors
The NUIFC is continuing to evolve and grow under the leadership and guidance of the board of directors, which was once its “Steering Committee” before it formally incorporated as a 501c3 nonprofit organization. The board of directors is intentionally comprised of Executive Directors and representatives from Urban Indian organizations.
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Laura Harris (Comanche)
Executive Director | Americans for Indian Opportunity
Laura Harris, enrolled citizen of the Comanche Nation, has led the national nonprofit advocacy organization Americans for Indian Opportunity for 20 years where she coordinates an international network of Indigenous leaders and organizations. Harris developed the curriculum and implements the award-winning Ambassadors Program, the only national Indigenous values-based leadership and community development training. Harris is an experienced community engagement facilitator and has provided an AIO-crafted cultural competency transformational learning experience, “Indian 101” that builds relationships and garners allies. In 1997, President Clinton appointed Harris senior consultant to the President’s Initiative on Race. Currently, Harris serves on the boards of the National Urban Indian Family Coalition, the Latin American Working Group, and the Albuquerque Zoo & BioPark Community Board. She is elected secretary of the Toyah Band of Comanche and active huutsi (Comanche paternal grandmother).
SECRETARY, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sheri Riemers (White Earth Nation of Ojibwe | Pine Point Community | Bear Clan)
Executive Director | Ain Dah Yung Center
Sheri has over 34 years of experience in program development, management and community outreach around social services and culture revitalization in community-based services creating innovative, nationally recognized models within the American Indian community. As a dedicated member of numerous national, statewide, local boards, and advisories she works hard advocating and fostering change that positively impacts American Indian children, youth, families, and individuals that are impacted by historical trauma and the social impacts around Indian Child Welfare, chemical and substance abuse, and criminal justice inequities that have compounded over time. Her years of dedication, visionary leadership and executive oversight experience allow her to navigate complex systems and advocate system change that impact our community today. With her proven ability to work collaboratively and effectively to be the best advocate she can be for our community. .
TREASURER, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ramon Vasquez
Executive Director | American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions
Ramon has been the Executive Director of the American Indians in Texas at the Spanish Colonial Missions since 1998. AIT is a non-profit organization located in San Antonio. The American Indians of Texas serves the indigenous population of Central and South Texas.
Ramon has spent the last 6 years specifically working on community mobilization and Community/Academic partnerships. Primarily focusing on the mobilization of men in the areas of domestic violence, promoting positive images on fatherhood and confronting male stereotypes and falsehoods.
He is the Co-Founder and Vice President of the Land Heritage Institute Foundation, Co-Founder of the American Indians in Texas Institute and Co-Founder of the National Urban Indian Family Coalition.
MEMBER AT LARGE, BOARD OF DIRECTORS
WILLIAM MILLER (BLACKFEET), Executive Director | NAYA ACTION FUND
William “Will” Miller (Blackfeet & Cherokee), has been involved with advocacy, policy, and systems change since he was 11 years old. He has an extensive background in outreach, engagement, policy, advocacy, and social justice. You can find him lobbying critical issues impacting communities during legislative sessions in Washington, D.C., in Salem and Olympia, and for local budgets during City and County budget seasons. Over the past 5+ years, he has worked to pass hundreds of laws and continues to be a fierce advocate for underrepresented communities. He currently serves as the Government Affairs Manager at the Native American Youth and Family Center located in Portland, OR and serves as the Executive Director of the NAYA Action Fund.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a focus in Law and Politics from Oregon State University and is a Ford Family Foundation Scholar. William believes that our communities must work together to be bold, progressive, and make positive impacts for generations to come.
For a complete list of the board of directors, please contact Janeen Comenote, Executive Director.