Board of Directors
The AIANTA Board of Directors is composed of two representatives from six identified regions: Alaska, Pacific Northwest, Southwest, Plains, Midwest, Eastern and two At-Large positions to represent all of Indian Country. Each representative is elected by their respective region to serve a three year term. At-Large representatives are elected by the entire AIANTA membership. Each member of our Board of Directors brings a multitude of varied expertise and resources to the organization.
OFFICERS
Tina Osceola, President
Seminole Tribe of Florida
As one of seven Executive Officers for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and its Chief Historic Resources Officer, Tina Osceola oversees the Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Florida Seminole Tourism, the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum - the nation’s first tribally-governed museum to receive accreditation from the American Association of Museums, and Seminole Heritage Events & Promotions. She is also the Operating Manager for First American Music and Entertainment, LLC, a Florida corporation created by the Seminole Tribe of Florida to promote native artists. Tina is President of the Board of Directors for the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association. An AIANTA member since 2005, she has served as Board Secretary and an At-Large Board Member, representing all of the nation’s tribal regions. Tina serves on other national boards including the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian and the U.S. Travel Association. She also represents her region on the Southeast Tourism Society and works closely with its leadership. Tina is also involved on the state level as an Ex-Officio Board Member of Visit Florida. Prior to becoming an executive officer with the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Tina spent nine years as the Public Affairs Supervisor under Sheriff Don Hunter (retired) of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office. Tina received her Master’s in Public Administration from Nova Southeastern University and her B.S. from Rollins College. Tina, a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida, is a resident of her hometown, Naples, Fl, and is the proud mother of two children, Dakota and Brody. She is the daughter of OB and Joanne Osceola, and the granddaughter of the late Cory and Juanita Osceola.
Mary Jane Ferguson, Vice President
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Director of Marketing & Promotions for the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, is a life-long resident of Cherokee, North Carolina and an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI). A graduate of Swain County High School, Bacone Jr. College, AA; Western Carolina University, BAED, MAED. She taught public school for 5 years in the Jackson County Schools, and has served as a school board member for the Cherokee Schools from the Painttown Community.
She was a small business owner/operator with her husband of 37 years in contracting and hospitality operations. Mary Jane is a Certified Lodging Manager (CLM) and previously held the Hotel Operations Manager position for the Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel. Mary Jane received the Travel Marketing Professional (TMP) designation from Southeast Tourism Society (STS) after completing the three-year marketing college requirements in 2006.
Mary Jane served as a two-term Governor-appointed Trustee for Southwestern Community College, a Carolina Day School Trustee and co-chair of the Economic Development Task Force appointed by former Chief Joyce Dugan.
She is currently Vice-chair of the Cherokee Historical Association, serves on the Executive Board for the Museum of the Cherokee Indians and is a board member for the Sequoyah Birthplace Museum.
Mary Jane and her husband, Donald have two children, Savannah and Samantha and is “Nana” to Justin Alexander Gilleland.
Selena Chino, Secretary
Mescalero Apache
Selena L. Chino is a member of the Mescalero Apache Tribe and is also part White Mountain Apache, Laguna and Hopi. Selena lives on the Mescalero Apache Reservation which is located in southeast part of New Mexico. Selena grew up in Grants, New Mexico and then moved back to Mescalero in 1978, where she graduated from Ruidoso High School and has resided there until the present date. Selena is married to Mark R. Chino and has one son, Jesse A. Reed, from a previous marriage. Jesse A. Reed is in the Air Force and is stationed at MacDill AFB, Tampa; FL. Selena worked for the Inn of the Mountain Gods Resort and Casino for 18 years, until recently when she changed careers. Selena is the Outreach Coordinator for The Nest/HEAL, a domestic violence shelter located in Ruidoso Downs. She is the liaison between the Mescalero Apache Tribe and The Nest, since quite a few Tribal members utilize the facilities at The Nest. She is also the only American Indian Outreach Coordinator for the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Selena is also a Tourism Commissioner for the State of New Mexico, appointed by Governor Richardson in 2006 and she is also the Secretary for AIANTA and the SW Regional Board Member. In her free time she likes to scuba dive, sew, travel and visit with family and friends.
Roseanne “Mikki” LaRoche, Treasurer
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, SD
Roseanne is an enrolled member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe. She completed her education at the Lower Brule Community College, receiving two Associates degrees; continuing her education at Sinte Gleska University, she received her Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Computer Science and is teaching part time at the Lower Brule Community College. Roseanne has worked for the Public Relations and Cultural Resources Department for the past ten years.
Tribal and Community Involvement:
American Indian/Alaska Native National Tourism Association – Current Alternate Alliance of Tribal Tourism Advocates – 1998 to present – Alternate
Native American Scenic Byway - 2000 to present – Secretary Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Infrastructure Board – 1998 to present - Secretary Lower Brule Sioux Tribe Solid Waste Board – 1999 to present – Chairperson Lower Brule Community College Board – 2001 to 2004 – Secretary 9th Annual Missouri River Natural Resources Conference – 2003-2004 – Co-Organizer/LBST
MEMBERS
Camille Ferguson, Alaska Region Representative
Sitka Tribe of Alaska
Economic Development Director for Sitka Tribal Enterprises is a Tlingit Alaska Native born and raised on a beautiful island community in Southeast Alaska known as Sitka.
Camille has 22 professional years experience in the tourism industry as well as 10 years in the public transit arena; she serves as the certified “Alaska Host” customer service trainer in Sitka, and tourism development consultant for small communities through out the State of Alaska. Since 1997, Camille has been employed with the Sitka Tribe of Alaska developing small business enterprises. Her achievements include; expanding Sitka Tribal Tours cultural tour program, Community House Convention Facility, establishing Community Ride Public Transit System, Tribal Travel, STA Bingo & Alaska Wild Game Pull Tab Parlor, Made in Sitka Artist Co-op & Gifts, and obtaining the funding for establishing the tribes transportation department including the successful applications for the tribal transit program. Actively involved in the community she has served on board if directors for Sitka Convention & Visitors Bureau, (President)Sitka Native Education (President), Sitka Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Sitka Public Transit System (Co-Chair) Sitka Economic Development (Tribal Representative)
Currently, Camille serves on the American Indian/ Alaska Native Tourism Association (as Alaska Representative and past President) and the Governors Coordinated Transportation Task Force (Tribal Representative)
Ivan Gamble, Southwest Region Representative
Navajo Nation
Ivan Gamble lives in LeChee/ Lake Powell on the Navajo Nation. He is Hashkaan Hadzo'i (Yucca Fruit People) Clan born for Bitahni (Under His Cover) Clan. He is a writer and small business owner. He has been working to develop the first constitution in the history of the Navajo Nation. Ivan has traveled the globe, speaks several languages, and enjoys a good sunset.
George Lambert, Eastern Region Representative
Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
George Lambert was born and raised on the Qualla Boundary, home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), where he is an enrolled member. For the past 16 years, George dedicated his time and expertise to EBCI, working in various capacities including Travel and Tourism Manager, a position he held from 2004 until 2009 when he started his own marketing and public relations firm, Wolf Clan Marketing. Under George’s management at EBCI, the Tourism office received many awards, including Southeast Tourism Society’s “Destination of the Year” and “Visual Excellence in Advertising,” and he has had three special events named in the “Top Twenty Events in the Southeast.” George’s education includes an Associate’s Degree from Southwestern Community College, a Bachelors Degree from Montreat College, and he is currently obtaining his Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Western Carolina University. Additionally, George has received his Tourism Marketing Professional diploma from Southeast Tourism Society (STS) Marketing College.
Mike Metoxen, Midwest Region Representative
Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin
Mike Metoxen has been employed as the director of special events for the Oneida Nation of Wisconsin for more than 15 years. Mike has vast technical experience in video projection systems, sound, lighting and production for the events he produces. He had spent many years locally and nationally as a professional drummer, touring with various rock, country and show bands before retiring to establish his own production company in partnership with his brother Pat. PM Productions is a successful audio/video production company based in Oneida, Wisconsin.
Mike has more than 25 years of experience and training in the entertainment industry and some of the hottest shows to appear in the area have been produced or co-produced by Metoxen. Among the talents he has booked and presented are Denny Dent portrait of Brett Favre at Fox Family Night 2000 at Lambeau Field, Robbie Knievel's World Record Jump, Michael Bolton concert at Timber Rattlers Stadium, Clay Walker, Crystal Gayle, Indigenous and many more.
The Oneida Nation first expanded its showcasing ability under the direction and assistance of Metoxen. They partnered with the Radisson Inn to present the highest caliber of entertainment in northeast Wisconsin. Mike also lends his fund-raising, contracting and proposal development expertise to other area festivals and has produced shows on behalf of many professional organizations. Mike has experienced tremendous personal and professional growth during his employment with the Oneida Nation. He has aspired to applying his technical expertise and experience as a musician to become the Oneida Nation's first Director of Special Events in 1991. Mike is a CFEE (Certified Festival and Event Executive) through Purdue University and the International Festivals & Events Association and Past President of the Wisconsin Festivals and Events Association.
Mike is a life-long resident of the Green Bay area and he and his wife, Kathy, are the proud parents of three daughters, Loren, Dana and Abbey. He has been involved in the following associations over the past years: International Entertainment Buyers, International Festivals & Events Association, and the Association for Performing Arts Presenters.
Cassie Molkentin, Midwest Region Representative
Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans
Cassie currently serves as the Public Relations Manager for the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans located in Bowler, WI. providing the Public Relations and marketing efforts for Tribal Government, including: the18 hole golf course Pine Hills, Mohican LP Gas Company, and Little Star C-Store. She also serves as our community’s Public Information Officer for the National Incident Management System.
A large portion of her position entails creating and sustaining tourism efforts for the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. She serves on the Shawano Country Tourism Council, and currently serve as the Chairwoman of Native American Tourism of N.A.T.O.W., a consortium of all of Wisconsin’s eleven Tribes working collaboratively to promote Native Tourism in Wisconsin.
She has worked in the gaming industry for numerous years beginning with Bingo, Table Games, Slots, Player Development, Surveillance, Customer Service Training, and Casino Shift Manager in supervisory and Management level positions. She also serves her community as a trained mediator/Peacemaker; working with our Tribal Court System along with participating in Wisconsin’s 11 Tribe’s Peacemakers efforts.
Karen Sitting Crow, Plains Region Representative
White Weasel Woman-Hidatsa, Tribal Tourism Development & Curriculum Specialist, Three Affiliated Tribes Tourism, New Town, ND
Karen Paetz Sitting Crow is an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of Fort Berthold, North Dakota. She is Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara and belongs to the Prairie Chicken Clan, her mother’s and grandmother’s clan. Her Hidatsa name is White Weasel Woman. Karen is the daughter of Josephine (Grinnell) Paetz, and Granddaughter of the late Maggie (Old Dog) Grinnell and George Grinnell.
Karen is currently the Tribal Tourism Development and Curriculum Specialist for the Three Affiliated Tribes Tribal Tourism Department. Her formal career in Tribal Tourism began in 2001 while employed at United Tribes Technical College (UTTC) in Bismarck, North Dakota as the Tribal Tourism Director and Curriculum Development Specialist. She wrote and delivered one of the first in nation, curricula in Tribal Tourism. Karen previously held the AIANTA “at-large” board position while working at UTTC.
Karen’s educational journey began in the late 1960s as a classroom aid, has completed her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education & Special Education, completed her Master’s in Education and is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in Leadership in Higher Education. Karen feels strongly, that Tribal Tourism is an excellent and appropriate educational venue to share our Native American culture and oral traditions as well as maintain and sustain our traditional values and beliefs while educating our youth.
Karen actively participates in her culture as co-chair for UTTC International Powwow, Parade Coordinator, head staff for local community powwows and competes in the Golden Age Women’s Traditional Northern Buckskin category. Karen comes from a traditional family and has been dancing and participating in a number of committees at an early age as well as traveled throughout Indian Country performing at cultural events, including All American Indians Days in Sheridan, Wyoming in the 1950s-60s. Karen is a proud mother, grandmother and wife. She has three children: one son, twin daughters, and 5 grandchildren with one on the way in December, 2009. Karen is married to Murphy Sitting Crow, and both are currently, Head Woman & Head Man Dancer for the 2010 Arikara Celebration in White Shield, North Dakota.
Karen looks forward to serving the AIANTA Plains Region as Representative along with Roseanne LaRoche from Lower Brule, South Dakota.
Ruth Whitener, Pacific Northwest Region Representative
Ruth Whitener is currently assisting in the implementation of Cultural Tourism assisted in establishing the Tourism Department for the Squaxin Island Tribe. Her current job is Cultural & Tour Coordinator with the Squaxin Island Museum, Library & Research Center (MLRC). She has held the position since February 2006. Ruth provides tours to groups from K-12, colleges, universities, local, state and federal government organizations. Previously, she worked in the Shelton School district for three years as Indian Education Tutor and as a Hostess in the casino restaurant. She graduated from Olympic Community College Ruth has been married for nearly 20 years to Andy Whitener and is the mother of one son and one daughter. Ruth is a traditional weaver utilizing fibers from the Northwest, she has taught numerous traditional classes (rawhide drums, wool button robes, moccasins). She is an avid golfer. She is skilled at preparing salmon cuisine.
Brian Zepeda, Eastern Region Representative
Seminole Tribe of Florida
Brian Zepeda is a member of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. He has been involved in tourism for 20 years. He is an accomplished artist and public speaker. His photographs, beadwork, and woodcarvings can be seen in museums and private collections around the world. He is married, and has three great children. Brian was appointed to the Florida Governor’s Council on Indian Affairs in 1998 to present. He has served on the board for numerous museums and currently serves as the Southeastern representative for AIANTA (American Indian Alaskan Native Tourism Association).
Brian is a traditional teacher of Seminole culture among his people. Brian is currently employed by the Seminole Tribe of Florida as the Community Outreach Coordinator for the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum.
