President - Weeya M. Calif

Weeya M. Calif is dedicated and creative within her community. As a citizen of the ​Echota Cherokee Tribe of Alabama, she brings a rich tapestry of experience and ​passion to her roles as a technology administrator, social media specialist, and ​webmaster for the Inter-Tribal Council of Alabama. With an impressive 24 years of ​experience as an educator, Weeya's impact extends far beyond the classroom, as ​she inspires and equips underserved communities with the skills to express ​themselves through digital art. Her commitment to preserving and sharing ​traditional stories, along with her role as a published author and gallery-featured ​artist, highlights her versatility and deep cultural roots. Weeya’s fervent advocacy ​for the Indian Arts and Crafts law showcases her dedication to fostering ​understanding and respect for the rich heritage of federal and state-recognized ​tribes. Through her tireless efforts and heartfelt storytelling, Weeya serves as a true ​ambassador for her cause, lighting the way for others to appreciate and celebrate ​the vibrant history and artistic contributions of Indigenous peoples.

Vice President - Sherry L. Gould

Sherry Gould is a co-founder of the Abenaki Trails Project and was elected ​as Representative to the NH House of Representatives for Merrimack ​District 8 in 2021. She is enrolled in the Nulhegan Band of Abenaki, ​recognized by the State of Vermont. New Hampshire has no recognized ​tribes and Sherry is working in the NH General Court to get her tribe ​recognized by the State of New Hampshire Sherry is an Abenaki basket ​maker, following the traditions of her family for many generations. She ​lives in Warner, NH with her husband Bill on their 220 acre farm. Her ​grandson Kaleb Ferland has a cabin on the farm and is learning basket ​making, canoe making and farming from his grandparents. Warner, NH is ​home to the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum and Sherry works closely on ​various matters with the Museum. She is a former Board member there. ​She was also appointed to the first NH Commission of Native American ​Affairs in 2010 where she was elected as Vice Chairman and went on to ​serve as Chairman. Sherry also serves on other nonprofit boards and ​committees and advises groups on matters affecting the Abenaki and ​other Native Americans in New Hampshire.

Treasurer- H. M. Bute

H. M. Bute is a citizen of the Echota Cherokee Tribe of ​Alabama and has a formal art education through the ​Flint Institute of Arts. She was the owner of Creative ​Images Design Studio, 1987-2001. She designed custom ​wall graphics and hand painted wallpapers for interior ​design firms. She is an independent artist doing ​commissioned fine arts and handpainted fired ​glassware from 2001 to the present. She served as a ​board member from 2012-2014 for Cowfolks Care and ​Ranchers Gathering Crisis Fund from 2014-2018. These ​are non profits dedicated to helping rural AG families in ​crisis.

Secretary - M.D. Freels

Michael D Freels is an active citizen of the Echota Cherokees of ​Alabama and a dedicated artist who enjoys expressing himself ​through a wide variety of arts, such as beadwork, weaving, jewelry, ​and digital art. He is a genealogist, specializing in census research ​and in Native American research and he as over twenty years of ​research experience and has assisted several people. He loves to ​write. He has, on occasion, written poetry and historical articles. He ​has been published in several genealogical journal and has written ​three books about his family. He has a strong passion for the ​preservation of historical sites, including cemeteries and he is the ​current President of the Washington County Cemetery Preservation ​Group of Washington County, Arkansas. He is also a member of the ​Benton County Cemetery Preservation Group in Benton County, ​Arkansas and the Jasper County Cemetery Preservation Society in ​Missouri. An avid photographer, Michael has taken well over 20,000 ​pictures of tombstones and other interesting historical sites. His ​love for history, culture, and the language of the Cherokee people ​has moved him to study the language closely and he specializes in ​the Cherokee Syllabary, which he considers an art on its own.

Board Member - Sadie C. Wilson

Sadie is an enrolled member of Oneida Nation and is part of ​the Wolf Clan. Her Oneida name is Kahʌtʌ́thɁ, which ​translates to “she drops meadows.” Sadie’s Oneida name ​represents her connection to art. Since childhood, Sadie has ​loved to create things and explore the world around her. Art ​is something that has always been a constant in her life. The ​dreamer in Sadie fuels her art. Photography, painting and ​beadwork are some of her favorite ways to satisfy her ​artistic hunger. Sadie shares her pieces of her imagination, ​creativity and attention to detail through her business, ​Sadie Cheyenne Art. In addition to being a member of ​SRTAG’s board, Sadie is the secretary for Woodland Indian ​Art, Inc. She is also a liaison for Green Bay’s Public Arts ​Commission. Sadie works full time as the Programming ​Coordinator for Oneida Nation Arts Program.

Board Member - Joshua Shumak

Joshua is an artist and South Carolina's Native American Affairs ​Program Coordinator. He is dedicated to preserving and promoting ​Native American culture through his work in beadwork, drum-​making, and painting. His art has been featured in venues such as ​the U.S. Department of State, Charles Towne Landing, the ​University of South Carolina’s Native American Studies Center, the ​South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs, and the Berkeley ​County Museum. With the support of the SC Arts Commission he ​was able to hone his skills under the mentorship of Tammy Leach, ​the Wassamasaw Tribe’s Cultural Preservationist. In his role as ​Native American Affairs Program Coordinator, Joshua works to ​enhance the visibility and representation of Native American ​communities. He leads efforts in cultural programming, legislative ​advocacy, and education, ensuring that Native voices are heard ​and their heritage is preserved. His work spans various sectors, ​from organizing cultural events to working with state agencies on ​policy initiatives that impact Native communities. Joshua is an ​enrolled member of the Wassamasaw Tribe of Varnertown Indians.

Board Member - Joseph Bruchac

Writer, musician, and traditional storyteller, Joseph Bruchac is a ​citizen of the Nulhegan Abenaki Nation. A best-selling author of ​over 180 books in several genres, his poems, essays, and stories ​have appeared in numerous anthologies and hundreds of ​magazines ranging from Akwesasne Notes, Cricket, and Highlights ​for Children, to the Paris Review, Smithsonian, and National ​Geographic. His poems, essays, fiction, and retellings of traditional ​Native stories have been translated into numerous European and ​Asian languages.

His many honors include a New York State Arts Council Poetry ​Fellowship, a National Endowment for the Arts Writing Fellowship, ​a Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship, an American Book Award, the ​Virginia Hamilton Award, the National Education Association Civil ​Rights Award, the National Wildlife Federation Award, and the ​Lifetime Achievement Award from the Native Writers Circle of the ​Americas. In 2023 he was chosen as the first Poet Laureate of ​Saratoga Springs, NY.