Jody is the NDNV Board Chair. He began his journey in higher education as a student at Turtle Mountain College, where he developed a strong passion for learning and community engagement. Through dedication and persistence, he worked his way through various grant-funded positions, gaining valuable experience in tribal governance, research, and community development. Each role provided Jody with deeper insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Indigenous communities, strengthening my commitment to education and advocacy. Over time, he transitioned from these grant-based roles into academia, ultimately earning a faculty position in Social Science. Today, Jody says he takes pride in educating and mentoring students, using his experiences to bridge academic knowledge with real-world applications in tribal governance and social issues.

Jody’s favorite pastime is spending quality time with his wife, children, and grandkids. “Whether we are sharing stories, laughing together, or simply enjoying each other’s presence, these moments bring me the greatest joy. It is in these times, surrounded by family, that I feel truly at peace and happiest.”

Natasha Gourd is a mother of four children and has served five years as vice president of the Bismarck Public Schools Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee. She serves on the Native American Rights Fund Indigenous Peacemaking Advisory Committee. Natasha has developed a diversionary court system for tribal-affected youth and has been a peacemaking consultant for various tribes and organizations for ten years. She serves as the Restorative Practice Council Coordinator for the Consensus Council and a Leadership for Education Equity Public Policy Fellow for the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition. Served two years and was recently elected as Vice-Chair of the North Dakota Native Vote Board. 

Justin Young works in the Special Education Department at TJES on the United Tribes campus. Justin and his wife, Angel, are proud parents of five children and fifteen grandchildren.  

Justin initially served on the NDNV board when it was established in 2018 but stepped back to prioritize his family. “I’m grateful to return during these challenging times. My aim is to make a difference by empowering our Native community, amplifying our voices, and ensuring our communities are meaningfully represented. I’m eager to contribute and look forward to our future together.”

Wes is Anishinabe from Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Belcourt, North Dakota. Wes attended North Western Technical College in Bemidji, MN where he studied HVAC. His education has led him to designing a clean energy grid system called Exergy which has taken Turtle Mountain Community College almost completely off the coal fired energy grid. Beyond his technical achievements, Wes’s leadership extends to fostering community resilience and social cohesion. His advocacy for policies that prioritize clean energy initiatives and local economic development has empowered our communities to thrive amidst the challenges that are familiar across Indian Country. Wes’s ability to rally support and inspire action demonstrates his profound dedication to serving the people and ensuring their well-being. Wes has organized in his community on many issues including MMIW, MMIP, clean energy advocacy, voting rights, youth suicide prevention, and women’s self-defense.

Jonathan Catch The Bear-Leafe is Hunkpapa Lakota. Jonathan is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Business Administration at Sitting Bull College. Jonathan also volunteers his time as an at large board member of North Dakota Native Vote (NDNV) and has volunteered his time since the organization was founded in 2018. Jonathan also devotes his time to doing advocacy work for various causes he cares about and credits his time working with North Dakota Native Vote (NDNV) for preparing him to take on leadership positions.

During his scholastic career, Jonathan has earned an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration, an Associate’s Degree in Native American Studies, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration; all completed at Sitting Bull College. Jonathan had also restarted the Two Spirit Club at Sitting Bull College in September of 2021, with the assistance and guidance of club advisors, along with support from Sitting Bull College Student Government. Since the incorporation of the SBC Two Spirit Club, the club has provided many learning opportunities, social events, and outreach for the local community of Standing Rock to teach our tribal members about the importance and significance of our Two Spirit relatives in both the contemporary and traditional context.

Jonathan has participated in the inaugural NASA Minority University Research & Education Project (MUREP) Innovation Tech Transfer Idea Competition (MITTIC) from which he received an internship at NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, CA, within the Program Management Office (PMO) of the Small Business Innovation Research/ Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR) Program for the summer of 2019. Additionally, Jonathan has interned for NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton, VA, as the Minority University Research & Education Project (MUREP) Intern for the Office of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (OSTEM) Engagement which he completed virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the summer of 2020.

Jonathan has also participated in the Annual National American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) Business Plan Competition with Sitting Bull College where a group of students from Sitting Bull College were selected to write business plans that would have a positive impact for our Indigenous communities. We won third place in 2021 in Las Vegas, Nevada, first place in 2022 in Palm Springs, California, and second place in 2023 in Las Vegas, Nevada, for the Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCU) Division. 

Ultimately, Jonathan’s goal, once completing the MBA Program, is to open his own businesses located on his reservation of Standing Rock where he can help to generate revenue for the reservation, expand the job market and employ tribal members, and raise awareness on issues that impact Indigenous communities.    

Kirstin R. Cavanaugh is an enrolled member of Spirit Lake Nation, where she grew up and lived most of her life. She attended UND and graduated with her Bachelor’s in Psychology and minor in Criminal Justice. Kirstin enjoys attending her children’s extracurricular activities and tending to her flowers or plants.