My family has been telling stories, making crafts, and passing down native music traditions since I was a child. My grandparents taught me to be self-sufficient and I can make just about any crafts I set my mind to. My native heritage has instilled pride and a constant drive to learn. With my background and considerable skills, I am known as a crafter in the community, whether it's leather, bead,
metal, or clay. I strive every day to become a better role model and teacher in my tribe and community. I am a member of the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation tribe. I was given the name Red Bear by my family. I am from Mebane, NC but have lived all over the United States duty to military life. I am from Pleasant Grove NC. My family is from the Orange, Alamance, and Caswell county area. I attended UNC-G and obtained my Bachelor's of Art in Political Science and attended UNC-P in 2011, and obtained my Master's of Public Administration. I am also a member of Alpha Pi Omega, the oldest American Indian sorority in the United States. While stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas in 2006, I needed an outlet for handling stress. I was majoring in Interior Design and Architecture at the Academy of Art and began making pieces of jewelry and selling them at local powwows in Kansas. Traveling to different states of the plains area, I felt connected with many cultures of native American Indians. I have worked toward promoting healing the native community, as well as engaging the youth with outreach and being an ambassador for our people. I currently volunteer to teach beginning beading through healing in our tribe once a month. I believe that healing is important and I believe wholeheartedly that building a health promotion foundation that embraces Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, and Mental ceremonial approaches and traditional medicine can help focus when your spirit is low. I look forward to working with each of my customers and taking this journey on our path together.