Deborah Painte, Project Director, Medicine Moon Initiative/ System of Care Specialist debp@nativeinstitute.org Deborah Painte (Arikara) is the project director for MMI. Ms. Painte is the former Director of the Sacred Child Project, a graduated (SAMHSA) Center for Mental Health system of care (SOC) site. Deborah has nine years of direct experience developing tribal SOC communities in partnership with the tribes of North Dakota, developing "Wraparound in Indian Country" in partnership with the NATI, SOC financing, and general SOC development. Previously she served as the Executive Director of the North Dakota Indian Affairs Commission under two gubernatorial administrations and has extensive experience in policy development, intergovernmental relations, capacity building, state legislative affairs and community/program development.
Joe Walker, Evaluator joew@nativeinstitute.org Joe Walker is an enrolled member of the Delaware Tribe of Western Oklahoma. Joe is the father of Kelly and Steven Walker. He has a varied background in providing evaluation services for tribal and nonprofit grant programs such as: Sacred Child Project (systems of care for children with mental health needs), Medicine Moon Initiative (systems of care for tribal child welfare), Oniyapi (suicide prevention), Clear Visions (adolescent substance abuse prevention and treatment), and SRST Mental Health First Aid Program. Joe is also currently providing evaluation services for the Mountain and Plains Child Welfare Implementation Center, Western Workforce Initiative, and the National Resource Center for Tribes. Joe has a Masters Degree in Management from the University of Mary and has extensive experience in code development, computer management information systems, and child protection investigation.
Camille Driver, Child Welfare Development Specialist/ Trainer camilled@nativeinstitute.org Camille Driver (Hidatsa, Arikara) received a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Minot State University and is a licensed social worker in the state of North Dakota and Minnesota. Camille has over eight years work experience in the field of Indian Child Welfare with tribes in North Dakota and Minnesota.
Monique Pleets, Business Manager moniquep@nativeinstitute.org Monique Pleets "Wiyaka Gleska Win"(spotted feather woman) is an enrolled member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. She has served for four years as Administrative Assistant to the Standing Rock School Superintendent/ Administrative Team and to the School Board, while at the same time, coordinating all aspects and complexities of a $26,000,000 elementary school/high school construction project. For nine years she served as the contracting officer for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, assuring compliance with all funding agency requirements. In addition Monique served as Program Assistant and Acting Director for the Standing Rock Sioux Higher Education Department while managing the Tribal Education Loan Program over seven years. Ms. Pleets earned her Bachelor’s degree at Minot State University and graduated from the University of Mary with a Masters Degree with a major in Management in 2006. Monique and her Significant Other Charles White Eagle are the parents of three children; Christopher, Jordan & Krystin who they are very proud of as they move forward into their adult futures. They have five grandchildren; Zaylise, Xaivon, Jae'Shawn, Kingston and Kailey.
