Native American Guardian's Association
NAGA
NAGA Leadership Team
Eunice Davidson - Board Member
Wicanhpiwastewin (Good Star Woman)
Eunice Davidson is a Native American Guardians Association Board Member. She was the first presiding President and a founding member of the NAGA grassroots movement. Eunice is a full-blood Dakota Sioux and an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe from North Dakota. She grew up on the Spirit Lake reservation and attended school there and at Flandreau Indian school. She is married to David Davidson, Sr. and has two children, three grandchildren, and one great granddaughter. Eunice returned to receive her education after her children were married and on their own. She received a two-year degree in Liberal Arts and Dakota Studies from Cankdeska Cikana Community College from Spirit Lake, ND. After attending a year at Fort Berthold Community College, she went unto receive her BA degree in Education from Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD. Eunice is now a certified Genealogist from IAP Career College and works for many around the world in helping clients finding their roots and history. She says this is her passion and dream job. Eunice was an active member of the Spirit Lake Committee for Understanding and Respect and was instrumental in gathering names on a petition and putting the Fighting Sioux name and logo issue on the ballot, where Spirit Lake tribal members had a chance to vote on the Sioux name. The Spirit Lake Tribal members voted in the largest election turnout ever and voted by a margin of 2 to 1 in April of 2009 at 67% to keep the Sioux name at UND. She also authored a book “Aren’t We Sioux Enough” ironic she got the idea of the title of her book from a federal judge who presided over their case against the NCAA. Eunice believes in education not eradication. Eunice is a direct descendent of ancestors who earned a place in history. Her ancestor Waanatan has a distinguished history as a Yankton leader who earned his name Waanatan (Charger) during an attack on Fort Stevens in Ohio in 1813 where he was wounded numerous times but kept on charging. Inkpaduta who declared war on the white’s in 1857 and was at every major battle the Sioux fought including Little Big Horn and was never captured even though he was on the most wanted list from 1857 till 1882 when he passed away in Sioux Valley, Canada. Tiyowaste (Goodhouse) who was the very first head chief of the Devils Lake Sioux Tribe beginning in 1867. She received her Indian name from her Uncle who was a spiritual leader on the reservation in a naming ceremony, she was honored to be given the name of her 5th generation Grandmother who was interned at Fort Snelling, Minnesota between 1862 – 63 just after the Dakota Sioux Uprising.
Pretty Deer Eagleman -
Associate Board Member
Pretty Deer Flower Eagleman
(Tacha wastewin wacha)
Brown owl woman
(Heyankagagi gi win)
Pretty Deer was born in Devils Lake North Dakota. She grew up on the Spirit Lake reservation and attended elementary school in Devils Lake then transferred to Four Winds High School and graduated in 1996. Pretty Deer continued her education at Lake Region State College and started her nursing career as a CNA. She continued her education in the medical field and moved to Fargo, ND where she decided to attend NDSU and the Rasmussen College then graduated in 2006. Pretty Deer states she chose the career to work in retirement homes and loves working with the elderly because of their storytelling, knowledge, and history they would share with her. She mainly works with the Native American elderly. In 2014, Pretty Deer Eagleman decided to make a geographical move to Oregon with her four children. She teaches her children about the Dakota Sioux culture. Living in Oregon the Native American culture has different traditions from what she is used too. She doesn’t want her children to get confused of the Indian cultural differences. In 2015, Pretty Deer became aware of what was going on with Native American names and images in sports due to the Sioux name taken away at the University of North Dakota. She knew Eunice Davidson because they both came from the same reservation. Through Facebook they talked about what was happening and Eunice asked her if she would want to become a member of Native American Guardian’s Association (NAGA)? Pretty Deer was intrigued & more than happy to join because she felt it would someday all of our names would be eradicated. Since then she started attending meetings at schools that were in danger of losing their Indian names and images in Oregon. She said she could see how much pride the students and parents took in having a Native identity to represent their school. Pretty Deer states there’s always that one question, why? I kept thinking to myself there’s no one to help support these people and said I always believed if it’s not broken, why try to fix something that isn’t broke, I’ve seen the sadness in the students when their pride was taken away & they lost their Indian name and image at the school. That is why Pretty Deer joined forces with NAGA to fight back against the destructive eradication movement going on in the nation. That is why she is up for the challenge. #educatenoteradicate
Ila R. McKay -
Associate Board Member
HintunkansanWastewin (Pretty Weasel Woman)
(Cuthead/Ihanktowan/Sissitowan Dakota)
Ila McKay is of the Cuthead/Ihanktowan and Sisseton/Sissitowan Dakota Bands and is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Sioux Tribe at Fort Totten, ND. Her Dakota name is Hintunkansan Wastewin (Pretty Weasel Woman), a name that she carries forward from her great-grandmother. She is a descendant of Chief Little Fish (Sisseton / Sissitowan / Dakota). Ms. McKay possesses a high level of community organizational skills and has exemplary grant writing skills that have provided funds for community, economic, and program development. She has worked in various settings throughout her career; from an Associate Counselor that provided a caring heart and a listening ear to young girls in an alcohol/drug treatment center to being an Editor for Indian Country Today, a Training and Technical Assistance (TTA) provider to tribes and villages seeking answers to youth suicide, a Adjunct Professor/American Indian Studies, a Tribal Chairman, and administrative roles related to diversity and strategic planning. Ms. McKay is a Bush Fellow/Native Nations Rebuilders (Cohort 6) of the Bush Foundation/Native American Governance Center. She has dedicated her career and her heart to improving the lives of American Indian/Alaska Native people. Her formal education includes a BA (Bachelor of Arts) degree in American Indian Studies/Business and Public Administration from the University of North Dakota and a Masters in Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) from Eastern Washington University
Chief Walt Brown III -
Associate Board Member
Chief Walt Brown III served eighteen years as Chief of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe and fifteen years as Chairman of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribal Heritage Foundation; to include, eight years on the Southampton County Board of Supervisors; to include, twenty-three years of service in the US Army, as a Commission officer, LT Colonel, US Army (Ret), with a wealth of leadership, managerial, supervisory, and policy execution experience in a wide array of duties germane to logistics, management, operations, project management, contract administration, public relations, and team building. Positions held were related to community consensus building and implementation of policy, guidance, and procedures requiring research and attention to “safety” and detail. Additionally, formerly positioned as Census 2000 Manager for Congressional District #4 equipped with the necessary tools to contribute to organization’s short and long-range goals. Leadership style, project management experience, and interpersonal skills, coupled with a unique blend of administrative, operational, safety, with a superlative knowledge of Virginia Native American History, and teaching experiences, makes a candidate suited for a position within the organization. Gave Native American History presentations to Elementary School Students, Teachers, Historical Societies, Museums, Archeological Society of Virginia, Libraries, and Military Installations throughout Southside Virginia / Hampton Roads Virginia; to include, the Smithsonian, totaling some 500,000 individuals over a 7- year period. As Tribal Historian, researched, documented and wrote the history of the tribe now captured under the byline “Creator My Heart Speaks” an “Ethno-Historic Snapshot” of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe currently depicted in six tribal journals – the Waskehee, all of which are archived in the Library of Virginia; to include, on the tribe’s website. Appeared on a number of Televisions networks; to include, Wavy TV 10, Andy Fox’s “My Hampton Roads” presenting the History of the Cheroenhaka (Nottoway) Indian Tribe – more than 1 million viewers, coordinated / setup 26 Native American Powwows throughout Southside Virginia, lead the Tribal Government/Council and Tribal Heritage Foundation Board of Directors in the coordination and reclaiming, by way of purchase, 263 Acres of Tribal Land that was once part of the former 41,000 Acres of Reservation Land granted by the House of Burgess in 1705 in Southampton County Virginia, coordinated and setup annual School Days for visits to Cattashowrock Town, a Tribal Iroquoian replica 17 Century Palisade Fort/Village, averaging some 1,000 Elementary School Students and Teachers per School Day. Instrumental in obtaining VA State Recognition in 2010 as a Virginia State Recognized Iroquoian Indian Tribe of Southampton County Virginia – SJR 127 and HJR 171.
Jonathan Tso - Board Member
Crystal Tso - Board Member
Crystal Tso is a full blood Navajo enrolled with the Navajo Nation. She is of the Near the Water Clan and born of the Salt people clan. Jonathan Tso is from the Sioux Nation (Naalani) of the Bitter Water Clan. He is an enrolled member of the Assiniboine Sioux Tribe located on the Fort Peck Reservation in Montana. Both Jonathan and Crystal continue to be active as two the original 5 founding members of the 505 Redskins Fan Club developed in the Four Corners region of the Southwest. The idea for the groups founding started as nothing more than fellow Washington Redskins fans joining together for a game. As years went by and word got around about the club, more and more fans wanted to join the club, and the rest is history. It was always a founding principal to represent a club, who is comprised largely of Native Americans, to support the Washington Redskins name and imagery. Over the years Jonathan has educated about the background and history of the Redskins name and image believing that Native Americans should not be offended but rather honored by it. Both he and Crystal have proudly joined forces with NAGA to help educate not eradicate.
Jeffery Charley -
Associate Board Member
My name is Jeffery Charley and I'm a Navajo from Farmington, NM. Just outside the Navajo Reservation. I'm a single father of three kids. I was born and raised by my mother, along with my seven siblings. Yes, I was the youngest and smartest. Lol. I have been a Redskins Fan for over 30+ years along with my brother and two sisters. It was sad that we lost two of my brothers because they were Cowboys Fans - that meant parties and celebrating a rival game. They were bigger than the super bowl parties we had. I started a Fan Club awhile back. It's the 505 REDKINS FAN CLUB. We have almost 500 members from the Southwest area: NM, CO, AZ, UT, AND TX. We have tribal members from the Navajo Nation, Sioux Nation, Apache, Pueblo, and Zuni. I'm proud of my group. We are HTTR4LIFE. DIE HARD REDSKINS FANS. AND NO, WE ARE NOT OFFENDED BY THE IMAGE AND NAME. STAND UP AND BE COUNTED...
David Finkenbinder -
Board Member
My name is David Finkenbinder – Wanblee Ohitika (Brave Eagle).I am a enrolled member of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, South Dakota. My Uncle, also enrolled with the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe gave me my name. I was born in Denver Colorado and lived there until I moved to a family farm in Yuma Colorado. I graduated from Yuma High School as a proud Yuma Indian. I received my AAS from Aims Community College in Electronic Data Processing – EDP/BIS. After graduating from Aims they offered me a programming position. I was employed by Aims for 9 years. Then moved on to an animal health care distributer and built their EDI system to be in compliance with the Animal Health Industry – EDI – Electronic Data Interchange. I was there for 11 years. Then did contract programming for FedEx Freight for 2.5 years before joining Spyder Active Sports as their EDI Programmer Analyst for 6 years. Then I joined Versant Health as a Sr. EDI Data Analyst Programmer. I’m in a unique position and I can speak for both Native and non-Natives alike. My Great Grandfather – 11 generations back - came to America on the Mayflower. While my family on my father’s side came to America by ship, my family on my mother’s side was already here with trusting open arms. I joined NAGA in 2021. I believe in what we stand for. To fight against today's cancel culture trying to erase all Native history by using scare tactics to get schools and sports teams to remove Native names and imagery. This is wrong. I am proud to be represented by schools and sports teams, as long as it is not demeaning or derogatory in any way. I have yet to come across any like that. There have been some caricature images that I agree should not be used. This is one reason why NAGA is here. To Educate and not Eradicate. To educate on the proper way to honor all Native Americans.
Frank Blackcloud -
Board Member
Frank Blackcloud is a tribally enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Tribe in North Dakota. He was a spokesperson for the Committee to For Understanding & Respect to save the Fighting Sioux Name in 2008-2012. Frank is a former Senior Planner of the Spirit Lake Nation (answered to Tribal Council). He is currently a automotive sales professtional.
Andre Billeaudeaux - Associate Board Member
Andre Billeaudeaux was an award-winning research student of Stanford Psychologist Dr. Phil Zimbardo. He is journal published on such topics as “Communications Inoculation”, National Identity and Race. He is considered an "Expert" on the history and traditions of the Redskins - Redskin Warriors - by the State of Pennsylvania. In 2019 he concluded an 18 month fellowship with the US Government where he cofounded the Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security “think tank” in Monterey Ca where he focused on issues and themes of PTSD recovery, school shootings, climate change and national unity - all as national priorities. His research on Redskins & Redmen provided for the core arguments provided in the successful 1st Amendment Federal Court Amicus “REDSKINS” Brief (along with 4 Time Navajo President and Code Talker Peter MacDonald & others) in helping protect native culture based on a philosophy of “Educate not Eradicate”. Similarly, he lead in the successful defense of Neshaminy REDSKINS in their recent “keep” decision of their name against their state’s Human Relations Council’s three year long investigation into the name. In this instance he was both deposed and subject to public hearings where he diffused arguments from the state’s - and the “Not Your Mascot” leading experts on name change. The goal of Educate not Eradicate is to propagate positive Native American education in schools, to include modification of imagery where necessary and to promote traditions among all culture groups as part of an education enhancement movement based on nation’s vision of E. Pluribus Unum or “From many we are one”. He is, like a majority of Americans, part Native American and seeks to maintain the rich cultural history and traditions of Native America in the public; - especially at and within public schools which he believes should be “centers of excellence” in teaching and sharing the quickly disappearing history of the continent’s first people.
William Brotherton -
Associate Board Member
William J. Brotherton is an enrolled member of the Abenaki Nation of Missisquoi in Swanton, Vermont, where he serves on tribal council. His grandmother Nellie Boss (Bourgeois) Lamphere, born in Québec, was full-blooded Abenaki. He is also an adopted member of the Spirit Lake Sioux, where he received the Sioux name of Tasunka Masa (Iron Horse) in a ceremony conducted by medicine man John Chaske. He is active in preserving and reclaiming the respectful use of Native American names in sports, place names and wherever they can be used to promote the heritage of the American Indian. William is an attorney, an entrepreneur, and an author. He was a brakeman, conductor and trainmaster 40 years ago for the Burlington Northern Railroad and worked freight trains all across the West. His book, Burlington Northern Adventures; Railroading in the Days of the Caboose, was published in 2004 (South Platte Press). He is the principal of the Brotherton Law Firm, a civil litigation firm headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and received his BA from the University of North Dakota, his MS in Environmental Sciences from the University of Texas at Dallas, and his JD from Texas Wesleyan University School of Law (now Texas A&M University School of Law). He taught environmental law for 12 years at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth. In addition to being licensed with the Texas Supreme Court, and the Supreme Court of the State of North Dakota, he is also licensed with the Supreme Court of the United States, the Northern and Eastern Federal District Courts in Texas, and the Eastern and Western Federal District Courts in North Dakota. He spearheaded the suit against the University of North Dakota, the State of North Dakota, and the Board of Higher Education on behalf of Sioux tribal members who objected to changing the Fighting Sioux name of the University of North Dakota. While the University prevailed, and adopted the name “Fighting Hawks”, the University, its students, its alumni, the citizens of the state and the Sioux of North Dakota have all lost a common bond that brought everyone together and made the University of North Dakota the premier educational institution in the Midwest. Since losing the Fighting Sioux name, the University has been forced to drop sports programs, closed or razed 13 buildings, many historic, and suffered historic drops in alumni giving and revenue. He is a frequent speaker, and recently spoke on the topic of Native American Names in Sports at the State Bar of Texas American Indian Law Conference and at the Conference on Native American Imagery in Sport hosted by the Robert Zicklin Center for Corporate Integrity at Baruch College in New York City.
Michael D. Larrañaga -
Associate Board Member
Dr. Michael Larrañaga's Native American heritage is Tewa Pueblo. His ancestry relates to the San Ildefonso Pueblo. Dr. Michael Larrañaga is Co-Founder, President, and managing Principal of R.E.M. Risk Consultants remrisk.com, a comprehensive environmental, safety, and health consulting firm with experience in strategic decision-making, risk management, business continuity, process safety, and operational excellence. Dr. Larrañaga is co-founder of the Advanced Thinking in Homeland Security Initiative at the United States Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) Center for Homeland Defense and Security and is an appointed member of the Scientific/Technical Advisory Committee of the World Trade Center Health Program (formerly the 9/11 Medical Monitoring Program) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Opioid Working Group. He previously served as an appointed public member on the Board of Scientific Counselors for the CDC’s National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health and the DHS First Responders Group. Previously, Dr. Larrañaga was Simplex Professor and Department Head of the School of Fire Protection and Safety at Oklahoma State University (OSU). He is a graduate of NPS, OSU, Texas Tech, and the University of Houston Clear Lake.
Mark Yellowhorse -
Associate Board Member
Mark Yellowhorse Beasley is a member of the Navajo Nation and hails from a family who has distinguished itself nationally by promoting the Navajo culture through unique jewelry, dynamic art and via cutting edge mass communications. Beasley is a long-time philanthropist promoting the health and well being of Navajo children. Beasley has used his sales and business experience to take a leadership role in promoting charitable initiatives. He routinely appears at events (in person) or as part of his broadcast work while as a producer or as broadcasting personality on a national Native American-themed radio program. Beasley’s editorial and historic work has been published in several newspapers around the nation as well as publications such as the American Thinker, Gateway Pundit and the Media Research Center among others.
Tony Henson -
Associate Board Member
Tony Henson founded the not for profit Illinois Pride USA in 2015 to educate the public about the original tribes of Illinois. That same year he co-founded Crossroads Church in his hometown of Bement. An alum of Lincoln Christian University, he has served in the area of youth ministry to this day. Mr. Henson secured his first United States patent in the 1990s before venturing into real estate in the early 2000s, becoming a successful investor while serving as a volunteer in his church and in politics as a 2004 Regional Coordinator for the Bush/Cheney presidential campaign. Henson currently serves as a county election judge and was previously a commissioner for his counties' housing authority. Part Cherokee, Henson is passionate about his Native ancestry, becoming a volunteer then eventually serving as a board member of NAGA in 2017. It was in 2017 that he organized a bus load of Dakota Sioux from North Dakota to perform a pow wow dance demonstration outside the stadium, pre-game during the homecoming game at the University of Illinois. This event garnered front page coverage, and was widely seen as a watershed, next steps moment for the Fighting Illini fan base in the post Chief Illiniwek era. Mr. Henson developed the NAGA certification process for Native themed schools and other entities who respectfully use their platforms to educate about Native Americans, certifying them as "Centers of Excellence" for Native American remembrance and education. He continues to serve in leadership for NAGA, believing the struggle to save Native names, imagery, and other icons is vital to the preservation of the great heritage of the American Indian.
Demetrius Marez -
Associate Board Member
My name is Demetrius Marez. I am 39% Dine’ (Navajo). I was born and raised in Ft. Collins Colorado. I graduated from Lamar High School (Savages) in 1993. Three days after graduating I enlisted in the United States Marine Corps where I stayed until 1997. I am a 4th generation military member. Over the years I have had several careers to include Pharmacy, CNA, Ma, Computer Board Manufacturing, Crane Operator, Wind Turbine Manufacturing, Condominium Management, and Handyman Business. My parents told me at a young age that nobody can offend you unless you value their opinion. I have passed this down to my children and now my grandchildren. This simple saying has taught me over the years that no matter what anyone calls me, it should not ruffle my feathers because they do not know the road I have traveled and have not seen the struggles I have surpassed. We are all entitled to our opinions and opinions are not facts. My heart is near and dear to my family, my country, and my creator. I joined NAGA to fight against the woke liberalism trying to erase my culture from todays schools. Native American imagery and verbiage is not offensive if used respectfully and dignified. Over the years there has been some imagery used improperly, but that is why NAGA is here. To educate schools and individuals the proper way to show honor and tribute to Native Americans.
Ivan A. Dozier -
Board Member
ᎤᏃᎴ ᎠᎢᏎᏍᏗ
Unole Aisesdi
“Racing Wind”
Ivan has been a member of NAGA since 2018, serving as Regional Director for the Midwest based out of Champaign, Illinois. Ivan is of Cherokee ancestry and belongs to the Anigilohi (ᎠᏂᎩᎶᎯ) Clan, whose members traditionally served as Peacemakers and the Keepers of Good Medicine. He grew up on multi-generation family farm in Southern Illinois, and credits much of what he learned to his father: Ivan N. Dozier, who recently retired from a 40-year career with the US Department of Agriculture serving as a conservationist, Native American Liaison, and Civil Rights Leader. Ivan is currently following in his father’s footsteps, working to make sure we preserve the good things in our world for another generation, both as a conservationist and guardian of Native American names and images. He Graduated with a Master’s Degree from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Agriculture, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences in 2016. During his time at the University, Ivan led Students of Chief Illiniwek – a student organization dedicated to supporting the school’s former “Chief Illiniwek” symbol against the same movement of “Cancel Culture” that NAGA battles on a National Scale. Ivan also serves as President of the Honor the Chief Society , a Not-for-Profit organization based in Champaign that encourages high schools and Universities to laud and respect their Native imagery rather than bow to pressure from violent extremists. Ivan is an active volunteer in the Champaign community, also serving on the board of the Champaign County Republicans and Barnhart Prairie Restoration Project. Currently, Ivan works as a Resource Conservationist for the Champaign Soil & Water Conservation District and is recognized as a Certified Crop Advisor. He is also a Professor of Agriculture at Heartland Community College in Normal, IL. He is an avid fan of the Chicago Blackhawks & Kansas City Chiefs, and a vocal supporter of the partnership between the Atlanta Braves & The Eastern Band of the Cherokee.