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

Mary Jane Ferguson, 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.

Ronald J. Solimon, At-Large Representative, Vice President
Indian Pueblo Cultural Center

Ron Solimon is the President & CEO of the Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, Inc., a state-chartered not-for-profit corporation, and Indian Pueblos Marketing, Inc., a federally-chartered for-profit corporation. Both corporations are owned & operated by the 19 Pueblo Indian tribes of New Mexico and headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Ron is a member of the Pueblo of Laguna Indian Tribe of New Mexico. His Native American heritage also includes Zuni Pueblo.

Ron earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in Marketing from New Mexico State University in 1973 and a Juris Doctor degree from the University Of New Mexico School Of Law in 1976.

Ron serves on several national, state and local boards and commissions, including:

National Board Roles

the U.S. Travel and Tourism Advisory Board (Washington, DC),
the U.S. Travel Association Board of Directors (Washington, DC, New York City, NY);
the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian Board of Trustees (Washington, DC, New York City, NY and Suitland, MD);
the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Board of Directors (Albuquerque, NM) – recently elected Vice President;
the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development Board of Directors (Mesa, AZ).

State of New Mexico Commission Roles

the New Mexico Commission on Community Volunteerism (NM); and
the New Mexico Economic Development Commission (NM)

Statewide/City/Tribal Boards of Directors

the Laguna Development Corporation Board of Directors (Laguna, NM);
the Creative Albuquerque Board of Directors; and
the Tourism Association of New Mexico Board of Directors

During his career Ron has received many honors and recognition. Recent awards and recognition include the following:

In 2008 the Junior Achievement of New Mexico inducted Ron into the New Mexico Business Hall of Fame as a “Business Laureate.”
In 2009 the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs gave Ron an “Outstanding Achievement Award for Educational Services Rendered Toward the Betterment of African Americans and Other Underserved Citizens of the State of New Mexico.”
In 2009 New Mexico Secretary of State Mary Herrera paid tribute to Ron “For His Devotion and Endless Dedication to the Native American Electorate, Native American Voting Rights, and the Native American Election Information Program.”
In 2009 Ron and his wife Elaine were selected as among “New Mexico’s Top 10 Power Duos” and were featured in “The New Mexico Business Weekly Power Book for 2009-2010.”

Ron’s past accolades and awards include:

U.S. Small Business Administration’s Small Business Person of the Year for the State of New Mexico in 1988; and
One of One-Hundred New Mexico State University’s Outstanding Centennial Alumni for the College of Business Administration & Economics in 1989.

Ron’s wife, Elaine, is the President & CEO of ARCA in Albuquerque, New Mexico – a not-for-profit organization that serves people with developmental disabilities. They have two grown children. Their daughter Kristin is a licensed physical therapist who is currently living abroad in Australia with her husband Dr. Judah Pifer and their son Preston and daughter Ella. Judah is a doing a fellowship in orthopedic surgery following his residency at the University of Arizona Medical Center in Tucson, AZ. Ron & Elaine’s son, Justin, is an attorney practicing in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Justin’s wife Lucy is also a practicing attorney in Albuquerque. Justin and Lucy have a son -- Isaac.

Ruth Whitener, Secretary
Squaxin Island Tribe

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.

Sherry Rupert, Treasurer
Indian Territory

Sherry is the Executive Director of the Nevada Indian Commission, appointed by Governor Guinn September of 2005. With over 20 years of tribal, public and private business experience, she possesses a strong background in accounting, finance, business administration and Indian Affairs.

Mrs. Rupert is a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration and is currently the President of the Native Alumni Chapter of the University of Nevada, Reno Alumni Association. She has presented at numerous tribal, state and regional conferences and was elected to her first term as President of the Governors’ Interstate Indian Council, and was formerly the Treasurer for two terms. The Governors’ Interstate Indian Council is a national organization promoting and protecting the various interests, welfare and well being of Indian people of the United States and in particular those Indian residents within the various participating states of the Governors’ Interstate Indian Council. Sherry is the Chairwoman of the Indian Territory, a marketing arm of the Nevada Commission on Tourism, and was awarded the 2009 and 2007 Excellence in Tourism Award from the Nevada Commission on Tourism for her success in promoting and advancing tourism in Indian Country. She was also awarded the 2009 Human and Civil Rights Award from the Nevada State Education Association. Most recently, Sherry was elected to serve a three year term as the Southwest Representative on the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association Board of Directors.

Sherry is an American Indian of Paiute and Washoe heritage and is proud to be a Women’s Jingle dancer. She is also a Native Nevadan, born in Carson City and raised on the Washoe Reservation in Gardnerville, Nevada. Now residing in Carson City, she is a wife and mother of two, with her eldest son proudly serving in the United States Navy.

MEMBERS

Tony Azure, Alaska Region Representative
Ketchikan Indian Community

Tony Azure is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Tribe of Nebraska and has been involved in the Alaska tourism industry for over 30 years as a business owner and now as the Economic Development Director for the Ketchikan Indian Community serving more than 5,500 tribal members in Southeast Alaska.

Tony’s experience in helping to grow and develop tourism in Alaska’s “First City” provides valuable knowledge in his oversight of the Ketchikan Tribes tourism which caters to the 900,000 cruise ship visitors to the community.

Tony attended Washington State University from 1975-79 where he worked on his B.S. in Business Administration.

Michelle Crank, Southwest Region Representative
Dine' Nation

Michele Crank is the Director of Public Affairs and Government Relations for the Heard Museum and is originally from Cameron, Arizona, a small community on the Navajo reservation. Ms. Crank, a member of the Diné Nation, has spent her career building and sustaining relationships between American Indian and non-Indian communities, businesses and public entities. Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Crank was instrumental in the development of homeownership educational programs for tribally designated housing programs throughout the United States and directed a branding campaign for the Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation’s government and enterprises.

She received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Phoenix while raising three children, two are ASU Alumni Verrin Kewenvoyouma of Kewenvoyouma Law, PLLC and Vachel Kewenvoyouma-Black, BSN her youngest son Marshall is a graduate of American Refrigeration Institute.

Of all her successful accomplishments, Ms. Crank says her greatest achievement is the pride she takes in being called "grandma" by her 7 grand children.

Janee' Doxtator, Midwest Region Representative
Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin

Janee’ Doxtator is a young marketing professional and enrolled member of the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Master’s of Science Management from Cardinal Stritch University and currently is a PhD candidate at Capella University.

She recently became the Tourism Development Director for Native American Tourism of Wisconsin (NATOW), an organization that was launched as a state wide initiative in 1994 by GLITC. Our focus is to promote tourism featuring Native American heritage and culture. The consortium of all of Wisconsin’s eleven federally recognized tribes encourages working collaboratively to promote Native Tourism in Wisconsin.

Doxtator is a resident of Milwaukee, WI but prior to coming on board with NATOW she has worked in the Oneida Tribe’s Tourism Department and lived in Green Bay while servicing her community for nearly three years. Having always worked in the marketing field, Doxtator brings a wealth of knowledge in the area of tourism, advertising and social media. Staying abreast of industry trends Doxtator is also a member of Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and has served on a number of marketing boards and committees. She was recently nominated for appointment to the Wisconsin Governor’s Council on Tourism and begun offering her expertise through her consulting business.

Camille Ferguson, At-Large 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 throughout 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)

William Lowe, Plains Region Representative
Muscogee (Creek) Nation

Kirby Metoxen, Midwest Region Representative
Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin

Kirby Metoxen has been employed by the Oneida Tribe of Indians of Wisconsin over 21 years of which 19 of those years in the Oneida Tourism Department. Kirby has served on other Boards, Committees, & Commissions during his tenor of employment with the Oneida Nation.

Native American Tourism Of Wisconsin (NATOW) a consortium of WI's 11 tribes
Past member of Green Bay Multi-Cultural Center Board
Past member Oneida Tribal Election Board
Past member of the Oneida Appeals Commission (Oneida Tribes Judicial Branch) 10 years
Past member of AIANTA representing the Midwest Region where he served as the AIANTA Treasurer

In keeping with his traditions, Kirby is a traditional dancer & has been singing with the Oneida Hymn singer for over 30 years. Kirby was born in Milwaukee Wisconsin and currently lives on his families original homestead allotment from the 1800's with his father. Has three children Elijah(31), Mercy(21) & Schuyler(19) & 6 grandchildren. Kirby's knowledge, experience and dedication continue to enhance the tourism efforts of the Oneida Nation community.

Teresa Meece, Pacific Region Representative
Tulalip Tribes of Washington State

Teresa serves her tribe as the Manager of Marketing and Events for Quil Ceda Village. In 2001 Quil Ceda Village became the only federally recognized, Indian owed city in the United States. She manages the Tulalip Amphitheatre property and sits on Tulalips Public Relations committee. She also serves as a Board of Director for the Snohomish County Tourism Board. Teresa also enjoys serving on charity committees, such as the Boys and Girls club, Tulalips Raising Hands, Darrington Sports boosters and other community events.

She resides in her hometown, Darrington Washington. She has been married for 20 years to a 4th generation tree faller and they have a 17 year old boy, who is a very dedicated athlete year round in and out of school. Teresa is honored that she has worked continuously for her tribe for 19 years, beginning as a poker dealer at the tribe’s first Tulalip Casino, which opened on July 19, 1992.

Rachel Moreno, Alaska Region Representative
Sitka Tribe of Alaska

Born in Sitka, Alaska. I have worked in retail in Anchorage for over 5 years as the manager of two Alaskan gift shops catering to visitors. I have taken many courses in marketing and business development. I served as the Public Information Officer and Marketing Specialist for the Denver Indian Center. I moved back to Alaska and started an office furniture business that received an SBA 8 A Certification. After selling the business, I worked for the Sitka Tribe of Alaska as the Youth Program Coordinator. I was named Sitka Woman of the Year in 2003 while working at a boarding school. I was elected to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska in 2009 and was named as a representative to our Tribal Health Consortium which employs over 1,000 people and has an annual budget of over $108,000,000. I was elected to the Executive Committee and Accreditation Governing Body for the SEARHC Board. I serve as chair on the following STA standing committees; Health Committee, Enrollment, the Boys and Girls Club, Sitka Tribal Enterprises, of Audit and Finance and I hold the position on the tribal council as Secretary/Treasurer. In 2010 I was named as one of two Women of Distinction by the Sitka Tribe of Alaska.

Everett Osceola, Eastern Region Representative
Seminole Tribe of Florida

Member of the Seminole tribe of Florida and residing on the Hollywood reservation, Everett has worked for the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum since 2006 under Tina Osceola in the Outreach Dept. While working for Outreach, Everett has made efforts to work with his community in Media such as Seminole Broadcasting and Boys & Girls club to try and reach the youth in a different way thru culture. Also, Everett has been a part AIANTA since 2006 and has represented the Seminole Tribe of Florida and AIANTA at ITB Berlin, Germany for the past two years.

Jackie Yellowtail, Plains Region Representative
Apsaalooke Nation Tourism

Jackie YellowTail was born on the Crow Reservation and raised by her grandparents, Tom and Susie YellowTail. She is an enrolled citizen of the great Apsaalooke Nation. Her Indian name is translated: “White Goose Woman” and was given to her by her paternal grandfather Tom. She was raised by her grandparents in a traditional home with traditional values. Her grandmother was the first Native American Registered Nurse in the United States and her grandfather was a Sundance Spiritual Leader among the Crow people for many years. This way of life prepared her for the work she is now doing among her people.

Jackie Yellowtail has served as the Tourism Coordinator for the Apsaalooke Tours while employed with Little Big Horn College. She was appointed as the Coordinator for Montana Tribal Tourism Alliance. While working for MTTA she completed the Seven Lodges Booklet which was distributed throughout Montana for visitor’s to enjoy.

In 2008/2009 the tourism agencies of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming partnered with the National Geographic Society to develop a geotourism map called the “Greater Yellowstone Region”. Jackie was a member of the Stewardship Council that oversaw the process for development of the map guide. It is available on the internet.

In May of 2008, Crow Tribal Chairman Cedric Black Eagle hired Jackie as the Director of Apsaalooke Nation Tourism for the Crow Tribe. He also submitted her name to Governor Schweitzer’s office as a representative from the Crow Tribe to serve as a member of the Montana Tourism Advisory Council. Governor Schweitzer accepted her nomination.

She was elected to serve on the AIANTA Board of Director’s representing the Plains Region during the AIANTA Native American Tourism Conference this year in Tulalip, Washington.