Speakers & Presenters - NMU Indigenous Perspectives Symposium

Jennifer K. Gauthier is the Director of the Sustainable Development Institute (SDI) at the College of Menominee Nation, a role in which she leads efforts to integrate Indigenous knowledge, cultural integrity, and sustainability into education, research, and community outreach. As an enrolled member of the Menominee Nation, she draws on her heritage and values to guide her work, especially through the Menominee Theoretical Model of Sustainability. 

Educated at the University of Wisconsin–Madison (B.A. in Political Science) and the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh (Master of Public Administration), Jennifer brings both academic rigor and lived experience to her leadership. 

Her professional journey includes years in tribal government, and extensive work with UW‑Extension where she focused on local government planning, health‑oriented community development, and Indigenous food sovereignty. In her current capacity she also serves as adjunct faculty for the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.

Beyond her institutional roles, Jennifer is deeply invested in cultural revival and community arts. She is a Menominee language learner, an artisan seamstress and beader, and an aspiring weaver—practices that inform and enrich her view of sustainable community development. 

Under her direction, SDI works toward strengthening resilient, equitable communities: fostering food systems, elevating Indigenous voices, and advancing sustainability initiatives rooted in place and tradition. Jennifer’s leadership exemplifies the intersection of cultural stewardship, academic inquiry, and community rooted action.

Photo Credit: College of Menominee Nation

Roger LaBine is a respected member of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and a leading voice in the restoration and preservation of Manoomin (wild rice) in the Great Lakes region, especially in Michigan. As a founder of the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative, he has played a central role in efforts to protect this sacred plant and develop stewardship plans for its sustainable harvesting. LaBine also teaches and practices traditional Anishinaabe methods of harvesting and processing wild rice, emphasizing its deep cultural, spiritual, and ecological significance.

Photo Credit: Sheri McWhirter | MLive.com

Stephanie Dodge is a citizen of the Oneida Nation and a dedicated advocate for Indigenous food sovereignty in the Great Lakes region. As a key figure in the Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition, she works to strengthen traditional food systems and support tribal communities in reclaiming ancestral foodways. Through her work, Dodge promotes intertribal collaboration, culturally grounded education, and the revitalization of Indigenous agricultural practices. Her leadership is rooted in a deep commitment to community health, cultural preservation, and environmental stewardship.

Photo Credit: Great Lakes Intertribal Food Coalition received the Non-Profit of the Year award from Indigenous Business Group at the 2024 Indigenous Biz Con! Stephanie Dodge and Daniel Cornelius accepted the award on behalf of GLIFC.

Chef Charles Catchpole is from Couchiching First Nation and is an Anishinaabe culinary artist based in Toronto, known for his work in revitalizing and celebrating traditional Indigenous foods. Drawing on ancestral knowledge and local ingredients, he creates dishes that honor the land and tell the stories of his heritage. Through public events, workshops, and community collaborations, Chef Catchpole is helping to reconnect people with Indigenous foodways and promote food sovereignty in urban and First Nations communities alike. His work reflects a deep respect for culture, sustainability, and the power of food as a tool for healing and connection.

Photo Credit: Chargerfoods

Michelle Reed is a co founder, lead dancer, and creative force behind Woodland Sky Native American Dance Company, whose style bring Indigenous stories to life through traditional and contemporary dance. 

The performance will feature dancers from Ojibwe, Lakota, Potawatomi, Menominee, Apache, and other Indigenous backgrounds, as they perform a wide range of Native American styles—such as jingle, grass, traditional, and fancy dance—weaving narrative, regalia, music, and cultural memory into their performances. 

Come enjoy a Decolonized Diet Project inspired lunch at the Indigenous Perspectives Symposium, and be immersed in a performance that offers a vibrant, embodied expression of Indigenous culture, storytelling, and connection to tradition—inviting attendees into a deeper sense of place and relationship through movement and song.
 

Photo Credit: Michelle Reed

Duane Bedell is a proud tribal community member of Gnoozhekaaning (the Place of the Pike), also known as the Bay Mills Indian Community, located in Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula. He currently serves as the President and CEO of Bay Mills Community College (BMCC), where he has dedicated over 20 years to advancing tribal education and creating opportunities for Indigenous communities.

Duane’s career reflects his unwavering commitment to his people and their future. Before becoming BMCC's President and CEO in 2020, he served in various impactful roles, including as Information Technology Director for the Intertribal Council of Michigan, an adjunct faculty member at BMCC, and as the college's full-time faculty and Computer Information Systems Department Chair. He also served as the Tribal Manager for the Bay Mills Indian Community for two years, further solidifying his leadership within the community.

Academically, Duane’s achievements are nothing short of remarkable. He began his educational journey at Haskell Indian Junior College in Kansas in the early 1990s before relocating to Michigan in 1998 to complete an Associate of Applied Science in Computer Information Systems at BMCC. He went on to earn a Bachelor of Information Technology and Security from Baker College in 2013, a Master of Arts in Educational Technology from the University of Michigan-Flint in 2015, and an Education Specialist degree from UM-Flint in 2018. Duane completed a Doctor of Education at the University of Michigan – Flint in November 2024. 

Duane’s influence reaches beyond Bay Mills. As a presidential appointee to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education, he advocates for the advancement of tribal education on a national scale, bringing attention to the needs and aspirations of Indigenous students and communities.

With every role he takes on, Duane Bedell exemplifies passion, vision, and dedication. He’s just a guy trying to make a difference in education.

Photo Credit: Bay Mills Community College

Richard Elm-Hill is a citizen of the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin and currently serves as the Associate Director of Native Agriculture & Food Systems Investments at First Nations Development Institute. In this role, Richard provides vital support to Native communities through technical assistance, training, and funding designed to strengthen Indigenous food systems and promote food sovereignty.

With a deep commitment to community well-being and sustainability, Richard brings years of experience working at the intersection of tribal governance, agriculture, and education. Prior to joining First Nations, he worked as an Operations Analyst in the Internal Services Division of the Oneida Nation, where he helped align strategic initiatives across technology, media, and food system programs. During his time there, he played a key role in expanding the Oneida Emergency Food Pantry, supporting aquaponics and farm-to-school programs, and assisting with grant-funded projects aimed at launching new tribal food enterprises.

Richard holds a graduate degree in Applied Teaching and Learning from the University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, where his studies focused on learning communities, oral traditions, and mindfulness. His work is rooted in a vision of revitalized Native foodways and culturally grounded education that empowers Indigenous youth and families.

Photo Credit: First Nations Development Institute

Dana Young is a proud Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribal Member who has served as the Cultural Resource Worker for the past three years. In this role, Dana is responsible for growing and harvesting sacred medicines and helping coordinate various culturally significant events. Dana also embodies the character “Dèmen Kwè,” a vibrant figure who engages with Tribal Members—especially children—at events through dance, games, photos, and leading fun activities. Through her work, Dana brings joy and cultural connection to the NHBP community.

Photo Credit: Dana Young

Kevin Harris is a Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribal Member who has worked as a Culture Specialist for eight years. His work is centered around revitalizing the culture, language, and history of the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. Kevin is active within the community as a Firekeeper, Rice Wgema, and knowledge keeper. His duties include public speaking, direct community support, and cultural education. Kevin also serves as Vice-Chair of the Ogitchedaw Society Board and is a proud member of the Society. 

His guiding principle is: “It is important to bring our ways back" — Neshnabé Zheskewen.

Kevin’s work honors the past while shaping a culturally grounded future for the Tribe.

Photo Credit: Kevin Harris II

Nickole Keith is a Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi (NHBP) Tribal Member with over 15 years of dedicated service to the Tribe. Her journey began as a Tribal Youth Specialist, then transitioned into the role of Tribal Elder Specialist. Today, Nickole serves as the Food Sovereignty Coordinator, where she advances NHBP cultural practices through food sovereignty initiatives. Her responsibilities include coordinating food-related events, managing the Food Sovereignty social media page, and supporting community engagement with traditional foodways. Nickole is passionate about uplifting Tribal health and cultural preservation through ancestral knowledge and sustainable practices.

Photo Credit: Nickole Keith

Erin Johnston is the Wildlife Biologist and Wildlife & Habitat Section Lead for the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC) Natural Resources Department in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. With over a decade of experience in tribal natural resource management, Erin leads initiatives focused on long-term monitoring and conservation of regional wildlife and habitat, including species like bats, waterfowl, amphibians, and wolves, as well as wetland and habitat restoration.

Erin holds a B.S. in Wildlife Ecology from Northern Michigan University and an M.S. in Natural Resources Management from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, where her research explored hunter risk perceptions related to chronic wasting disease. She has previously served as Chair of the Environmental Science Department at Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College and remains actively involved in regional and national collaborative groups, including the Intertribal Chronic Wasting Disease Working Group and the Michigan Wetland Association.

Erin brings a deep commitment to incorporating Indigenous knowledge and community priorities into wildlife conservation, and she continues to build partnerships that support ecological resilience across the Great Lakes region.

Photo Credit: Erin Johnston

Dr. Jason Corwin is a Professor at the University at Buffalo, where his work bridges Indigenous knowledge systems, environmental justice, and experiential education. A citizen of the Seneca Nation, Jason is deeply engaged in community-based research and teaching that centers on land, culture, and resilience. His interdisciplinary approach combines storytelling, environmental science, and traditional ecological knowledge to empower the next generation of land stewards.

With a background in media production, environmental studies, and Indigenous methodologies, Jason brings a unique voice to conversations about sustainability, decolonization, and education. He has collaborated extensively with Native communities across the Northeast and has been a strong advocate for culturally grounded approaches to climate action and land restoration.

Jason works at the intersection of academia and community, highlighting how land-based learning can foster healing, identity, and environmental stewardship.

Photo Credit: Cornell University

Frank Zomer is a biologist and the Co-Chair of the Michigan Wild Rice Initiative, where he plays a key role in advancing the restoration, protection, and cultural revitalization of wild rice across the Great Lakes region. With a strong foundation in ecological science and a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge systems, Frank’s work centers on collaborative stewardship of Manoomin (wild rice), a culturally and ecologically significant plant.

His efforts focus on building partnerships between tribal nations, state agencies, and local partners to support sustainable wild rice ecosystems and honor the plant’s vital role in Indigenous lifeways. Frank brings both scientific expertise and a community-driven approach to his work, helping to ensure that wild rice remains a living legacy for future generations.

Photo Credit: University of Michigan

David Nyberg serves as Executive Director of Business Engagement and Economic Development at Northern Michigan University, a role that focuses on advancing holistic partnerships with industry, economic and community leaders, and other mission-aligned institutions. 

Dave previously served as Deputy Legal Counsel and Tribal Governments Liaison for Governor Rick Snyder as well as director of the governor’s Northern Michigan Office. In public service roles, Dave currently serves as a Commissioner of the Michigan Natural Resources Commission, President of the Board of Build U.P., and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Innovate Marquette SmartZone. He was a charter member of the board of directors for InvestUP and recently served as a member of the Higher Education Workgroup of the Growing Michigan Together Council.

A native of Gladstone, Dave returned to the U.P. in 2011 and resides in Marquette with his wife, Dr. Tracy Nyberg, DVM, children Hazel, Harriet, and Aksel. He graduated from Michigan State University in 2004 (B.A., Political Science/Pre-Law) and Michigan State University College of Law in 2011 (J.D.) and is a member of the State Bar of Michigan.
 

Photo Credit: Northern Today

Dr. April Lindala (Grand River Six Nations) is the Department Head of the Center for Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University. She holds degrees in Speech Communication, English, and a Ph.D. in Rhetoric, Theory, and Culture. A longtime educator and advocate, Dr. Lindala has served NMU in multiple roles since 1993, including director of the Center for Native American Studies from 2007 to 2019. Her work focuses on Indigenous storywork, decolonization, and community-based initiatives. She co-produces Anishinaabe Radio News and co-directs the Northern Shores Storywork Writing Project.
 

Photo Credit: April Lindala