During the formation of the Native American Rights Fund, a governing board was assembled composed of Native leaders from across the country—wise and distinguished people who were respected by Native Americans nationwide. Since inception, the NARF Board of Directors has continued to provide the organization their leadership, wisdom, and vision.

Board Chair: Rebecca Crooks-Stratton, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Rebecca Crooks-Stratton, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, serves as the Secretary/Treasurer of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC). As a member of the SMSC Business Council, she oversees the day-to-day operations of the tribal government and its relationships with its members, other governments and elected officials, and its more than 4,000 employees. Ms. Crooks-Stratton also leads Understand Native Minnesota, the tribe’s strategic initiative and philanthropic campaign to improve the Native American narrative in Minnesota’s schools.

Ms. Crooks-Stratton previously served one term on the SMSC Gaming Enterprise Board of Directors and chaired its Audit Committee. She also served two terms on the SMSC Gaming Commission and worked for the tribal government in administration roles from 2007-2016.

Throughout her career Ms. Crooks-Stratton has been an active member of the broader community. She is the Midwest Area Vice President of the National Congress of American Indians, where she represents tribes in the Midwest. She also serves on Governor Walz’s Education Roundtable, the Minnesota Zoological Board and the University of Minnesota Foundation’s Board of Trustees. Recently she served as program director at the Native Governance Center, a nonprofit that provides leadership development and governance resources to tribal nations in Minnesota and the Dakotas.

In 2017, she received a Native American 40 Under 40 award from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development. She also participated in the Young American Leaders Program at Harvard Business School. Ms. Crooks-Stratton has a master’s degree in tribal administration and governance from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Her bachelor’s degree is in American Indian studies and political science from the University of Arizona.

Board Vice-Chair: Geoffrey Cravatt Blackwell, Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Geoffrey C. Blackwell, Muscogee (Creek) Nation, is the Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel of AMERIND, where he serves as executive supervisor of the Legal, Finance, IT, HR, Corporate Communications, and Critical Infrastructure teams. Blackwell contributes expertise in tribal corporate development, tribal economic diversification, and tribal broadband communications infrastructure deployment.

He serves as a Co-Chair of National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Economic, Finance & Community Development Committee, and Co-Chair of the NCAI Technology and Telecom Subcommittee. Blackwell is also the Vice-Chairman of the Board of Tribal Advisors for the American Indian Policy Institute of Arizona State University. He has testified before U. S. Congress on seven occasions, both as a Tribal representative and as a senior federal policymaker, and before the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights. In 2020, Public Knowledge honored him with the IP3 Internet Protocol Award for his telecom policy advocacy on behalf of tribal nations.

He has served on the boards of the National Small Business Association, the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, Native Public Media (Chair), Acoma Pueblo Business Enterprises, and the Indigenous Commission for Communications Technologies in the Americas. He chaired the Regulatory Committee of the National Small Business Association and served on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Advisory Committee on Diversity for Communications in the Digital Age.

He is the former founding Chief of the Office of Native Affairs and Policy at the FCC and the first enrolled member of a federally-recognized tribal nation to work at the Commission. Between his two periods of federal service at the FCC, he was a Corporate Director at Chickasaw Nation Industries, Inc. Raised in Oklahoma, New Mexico, and Washington, he is a graduate of Dartmouth College and the University of Virginia School of Law. Blackwell earned an executive MBA from the Tuck School of Business and an Associate’s degree in Insurance. He is Muscogee (Creek), Chickasaw, Choctaw, and Omaha.

Treasurer: Robert Miguel, Ak-Chin Indian Community

Robert Miguel, Ak-Chin Indian Community, is the Chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community in Maricopa, Arizona, and the Chair of the Arizona Indian Gaming Association.

He has served on the Ak-Chin Tribal Council since 2014 and was first elected as Chairman of the Ak-Chin Indian Community in 2016. Before serving on the Tribal Council, Chairman Miguel had an almost 30-year career working in various capacities within his Tribe. This includes working with Ak-Chin Farms, as the Director of the Ak-Chin Department of Parks and Recreation and most recently a 17-year stint as a photojournalist for the Tribe’s media publication, the O’odham Runner.

As Chairman and a Council Member, Robert Miguel has focused his energies on expanding educational opportunities for Tribal members, increasing services to the Tribe’s special needs community, and promoting healthy lifestyles for Community members through wellness and recreation programs. Chairman Miguel also has been a champion of growing and nurturing the Community’s cultural and traditional practices.

Chairman Miguel continues a legacy of service on the Ak-Chin Indian Community Tribal Council, following in his maternal grandfather Jonas Miguel’s footsteps who previously served as Chairman in the early 1970’s. Chairman Miguel lives on the Ak-Chin Indian Community reservation with his wife Connie and has seven children Robert, Jasmine, Yasmin, Jordyn, Joe, Yvonne and Stella.

Executive Board Member: Rebecca Miles, Nez Perce Tribe

Rebecca Miles, Nez Perce Tribe, has served  in several leadership positions on behalf of the Nez Perce Tribe including General Council Chairman for four terms, which preceded a successful campaign for an elected position on the Nez Perce Tribal Executive Committee, where she served as the first woman Chairman for two terms. Since 2009, she has served as Executive Director where she provides executive level management, policy recommendations, and strategic guidance for the Tribe.

Ms. Miles has testified in both the United States Congress and the Idaho State Legislature regarding  natural resources, endangered species, and treaty rights issues. She was the lead negotiator for the 2009 Federal Columbia River Power System Accords. With her strengths and background in leadership, negotiation, and communication, Ms. Miles has spent  most of her adult life advocating for Indian rights.

Ms. Miles has a B.A. in Criminal Justice from Washington State University and a M.A. in Professional Studies – Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University.

Alternate Executive Committee: Lori Madison Stinson, Poarch Band of Creek Indians

Lori Madison Stinson, a member of the Poarch Band of Creek Indians, has served her tribe as Attorney General and Chief Legal Officer since January 2014.

As Attorney General, she leads a team of in-house attorneys who provide legal services and representation to the tribe, the Tribal Council, Tribal government, PCI Gaming Authority (D/B/A Wind Creek Hospitality), and Creek Indian Enterprises Development Authority. Lori is most proud of the role she has played in protecting her tribe’s lands and sovereignty.

In addition to her work with the Tribe, Lori serves on United Bank’s Board of Directors and other committees within her community. Her favorite role is being a mom to her daughters. Lori stays busy year round cheering them on in their many sports activities.

Jamie Azure, Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa

Jamie Azure, Kitagasi Kinew (Spotted Eagle), Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, is Chairman of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (TMBCI). Chairman Azure attended the University of Minnesota and has degrees in Business Management, Advertising and Promotion, and Political Science. He has served on the TMBCI Tribal Council since December 2016 and as the Chair since January 2018. In April 2019, Chairman Azure was unanimously elected Chair of the United Tribes of North Dakota, United Tribes Technical College, and United Tribes Gaming Association.

In January 2019, Chairman Azure spoke to the masses assembled in front of the Lincoln Memorial (Washington, DC) as part of the Indigenous Peoples March. His focus was on Native Nations voting rights and the vision of unification of all tribes across this great country.

Chairman Azure owns J. Azure Construction, and as an entrepreneur, he is involved in the community through philanthropic efforts on behalf of his company. J. Azure Construction was one of the first companies to dedicate a percentage of profits to youth organizations in the Turtle Mountains. His involvement with the youth led him to becoming a leader in the community.

Chairman Azure resides in Belcourt, North Dakota, with his wife Denise and two daughters, Ashlyn and Sophia.

Gayla Hoseth, Curyung Tribal Council

Gayla Hoseth, Curyung Tribal Council, is an Alaska Native woman and a mother of two living on her ancestral lands in Dillingham, Alaska.Ms. Hoseth serves as a tribal chief for the Curyung Tribal Council, Director of Natural Resources for Bristol Bay Native Association, Native Co-Chair on the Alaska Migratory Bird Co-Management Council,  tribal representative on the EPA National Tribal Operations Committee and EPA Region 10 Tribal Operations Committee, At-Large Representative on the Alaska Department of Fish and Game Nushagak Advisory Council.

Gayla has a passion for protecting the rights of Alaska Natives and Native Americans and protecting the environment for future generations.

Michael Petoskey, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians

Michael Petoskey, Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians, served both as the founding Chief Judge for the Grand Traverse Band and on the bench for each of seven federally-recognized tribal communities in the Lower Peninsula of Michigan. He has served as the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians first Chief Judge since his appointment in February 2002. He also is a member of both the National Indian Justice Center Board of Directors and the American Indian Law Center, University of New Mexico, Board of Directors.

Chief Judge Petoskey began his judicial career with the planning and implementation of the Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians Tribal Court while he was a staff attorney for Michigan Indian Legal Services. Assisting newly affirmed tribes to develop their tribal court systems became one of his career-long interests. Today, he continues to connect Michigan tribal courts with peacemaking concepts and serves as a member of the Advisory Committee for the Native American Rights Fund’s Indigenous Peacemaking Initiative.

Chief Judge Petoskey has been recognized by the Michigan Bar Journal as a Citizen Lawyer (1992) for his contributions in law to the tribal community and was named 1997 Lawyer of the Year by Michigan Lawyers Weekly. In 2000, the American Indian Law Section of the State Bar of Michigan jointly honored Chief Judge Petoskey and Michigan Supreme Court Justice Michael Cavanagh with the section’s annual Tecumseh Peacekeeping Award for their leadership in moving State of Michigan courts and tribal courts away from conflict and toward cooperation. Additionally in 2013, he received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the National American Indian Judges Association in its inaugural year of making awards.

He studied law at the University of New Mexico School of Law. Upon graduating in 1983, he returned home to Michigan to practice law. He is a Viet Nam veteran, where he served as an infantry medic.

Louie Ungaro, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe

Louie Ungaro, Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, is member of the Muckleshoot Tribal Council. An avid outdoorsman his entire life, Ungaro exercises tribal treaty rights as a fisherman, hunter and forager.

He is a fervent advocate for treaty rights and chairs the Tribe’s Culture and Preservation committees. He serves as the Chairman of the Muckleshoot Tribal School Commission where his clear vision for culturally relevant and equitable education has helped double graduation rates in a few years. His leadership style personifies that of his ancestors–to be kind, generous, and a good friend to the land, water, and all those who live here.

Prior to his election, Ungaro fished the waters from Washington to Alaska as a commercial fisherman. As a Council member, he assists his tribe in diversifying the tribal economy sustainably to generate opportunities for tribal members.

Makalika Naholowa’a, Native Hawaiian

Makalika Naholowa’a, Native Hawaiian, joined the NARF Board of Directors in November 2025. Makalika Naholowaʻa is a lawyer and advocate for Indigenous Peoples. She serves as Executive Director of the Native Hawaiian Legal Corporation, a nonprofit law firm advancing Native Hawaiian rights. She sits on the boards of the Hawaiian Council (formerly CNHA), Awaiaulu, the Association on American Indian Affairs, and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society; is a past president of the National Native American Bar Association; and serves on the Indigenous advisory boards for PFLAG and the ACLU of Hawaiʻi. Makalika is also a Hawai’i Access to Justice Commissioner and Board Chair for the Women’s Fund of Hawai’i. An experienced intellectual property lawyer and technology professional, she previously worked at Microsoft, Perkins Coie LLP, and IBM. Makalika holds a J.D. from Columbia Law School and a B.S. in Mathematics from Arizona State University.

Reid Milanovich, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians

Reid Milanovich, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, joined the NARF Board of Directors in November 2025. Reid D. Milanovich was sworn in as Chairman of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians on April 5, 2022. He served as Vice Chairman of the Tribal Council for nearly two and a half years after being sworn in on Nov. 5, 2019 to fulfill the remaining two-year term for the late Larry N. Olinger, Vice Chairman who passed away in July 2019. Mr. Milanovich was first elected to the Tribal Council in April 2014 and served five consecutive terms as a Tribal Council Member.

Mr. Milanovich was named as one of Palm Springs Life’s 40 Under 40, a group of impressive young professionals with promise to achieve greatness in the Coachella Valley. In addition, he was also recognized by The National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development with a Native 40 under 40 Award. Prior to his service on Council, Mr. Milanovich served as a Tribal Council Proxy in 2013 and served for more than two years on the Tribe’s Scholarship Commission. In addition, he served for two years on the Board of Directors for the Agua Caliente Cultural Museum. Mr. Milanovich earned his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from California Baptist University and resides in Palm Springs.

Dr. Charlene Stern, Native Village of Venetie

Dr. Charlene Stern, Native Village of Venetie, joined the NARF Board of Directors in November 2025. Dr. Charlene Stern is Gwich’in Athabascan and an enrolled member of the Native Village of Venetie Tribal Government. Dr. Stern holds a bachelor’s degree in American cultural studies from Western Washington University, a master’s degree in community and regional planning from the University of New Mexico, and a doctorate in Indigenous studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF). She currently holds the position of Interim Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at UAF where she has worked for over a decade previously serving as Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education and as a tenured faculty member. Prior to her career in higher education, Dr. Stern worked as a professional planner providing technical assistance to tribal and municipal governments in Alaska. She has extensive experience served on a variety of boards including as the former Vice-President of Tanana Chiefs Conference (a consortium of 37 federally recognized tribes), the former President of the Fairbanks Native Association, and as a board member of the Arctic Research Consortium of the United States.

Geoffrey Standing Bear, Osage Nation

Geoffrey Standing Bear, Osage Nation, joined the NARF Board of Directors in November 2025. Geoffrey Standing Bear is the Principal Chief of the Osage Nation. Now in his third term as Osage Nation Principal Chief, he continues the work of protecting and enhancing the Osage culture, language, and lands.   

Before his election, Chief Standing Bear practiced law for 34 years. He concentrated on federal Indian law. He served as Assistant Principal Chief of the Osage Tribe from 1990 through 1994 and was a Member of the Osage Nation Congress from 2010 to 2014. While a practicing lawyer, he was involved in the first Indian gaming cases in Oklahoma. He also was General Counsel to the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association.

In 2017, Chief Standing Bear was recognized by Oklahoma Magazine as an Oklahoman of the Year for his leadership of the Osage Nation. He received his B.A. from the University of Oklahoma and his J.D. from the University of Tulsa College of Law.

He sees the Osage Nation expanding its land base, maintaining its vibrant traditions, and returning the Osage language to daily use. His belief is that this and much more can be done through the power of the Osage child, and it is, therefore, the duty of all his people to protect and nurture the children of the Nation.

National Support Council

The National Support Council assists NARF with fundraising and public relations efforts. Some members are prominent in the fields of business, entertainment, and the arts. Others are known advocates for the rights of the underserved. All are committed to upholding the rights of Native Americans.