Date and Time: 9am - 1pm (ET) - lunch provided at 1pm
Dawn’s maternal clan is Ye’ii Dine’e Tachii’nii, born for Kiiya’aanii (paternal clan), and she is the baby of Asdzaa Naadleehi (Changing Woman). She comes from a lineage of resilient survivors of western colonization and the Navajo Long Walk of HwéeldÍ. Dawn is working to reclaim Navajo cultural practices alongside her family to carry forward for future generations.
Dawn worked as an Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant on the Navajo Nation for 8 years. She brings this experience and the cultural perspective to the work and trainings she provides about Infant Mental Health, and Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. Dawn provides trainings for early childhood agencies in states and Tribal communities. She currently works under private contracts and is part-time faculty at Georgetown University.
Kelsey Wabanimkee (“Morning” or “Eastern” Thunder - Anishnaabemowin, the language of the First People) (She/Her), CBD.,Turtle Clan, Anishnaabe from Northern Lower Michigan is a member of the Michigan and greater area Anishnaabek- Ojibwe and Odawa of the Three Fires Confederacy, and resides in Peshawbestown, Michigan with her family. She is a traditional birthworker, a certified Doula, Indigenous Lactation Breastfeeding Counselor, mother and leader in Anishnaabek Community Health and Wellness.
A citizen of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, Kelsey’s work is rooted in creating a system of honor and respect in family care- meeting others where they are and committed to the inclusion of Indigenous people in modern work and health spaces and conversations. Kelsey believes in establishing a solid foundation for future generations- with attention to mindfulness in everyday living, while working to reclaim the culture and traditions of the First People. Through advocacy, representation and leadership, she uplifts the voices of the Anishnaabek to improve the resources and systems that aim to serve her community in their capacity.
Wabanimkee currently works with Miigwech Inc (a fully Indigenous lead and staffed non-profit organization) as the Doula Policy Community Coordinator- serving Doulas seeking reimbursement through the MI Medicaid system and is an active board member of Sacred Waters Birthworkers Collective- a non-profit dedicated to the reclamation of traditional birth practice in Native communities. She is currently serving a fellowship under the Kellogg Foundation, in collaboration with the Center for Creative Leadership to grow the work closest to her. Kelsey also works independently, consulting, and working to serve organizations like MI-AIMH through trainings, collaboration and organized understanding of the Indigenous population they serve. Acting as a bridge between community and systems, she provides impactful connection that reflects on historical trauma, culturally inclusive care and Indigenous ways of being as a means to a better and brighter future for children and families.