Introducing the Members of the 2026 Tribal Professionals Cohort
The 10 individuals selected to participate in the year-long professional development program represent 10 unique Native nations across North America.
The Native Nations Institute (NNI) is thrilled to welcome 10 new members to the 2026 Tribal Professionals Cohort (TPC)!
Now in its 11th year, the TPC has provided a framework for Indigenous professionals looking to gain experience, build networks, and serve their communities through a year-long commitment to professional development since 2016. The program begins on the University of Arizona campus at the James E. Rogers College of Law during NNI’s annual accelerated Indigenous governance education event, January in Tucson (JIT).
Designed to provide Native Nation Building content that is actionable in Indian Country today, the TPC was created to help address the realities and challenges facing Native communities by providing a select group of service-minded Indigenous professionals with access to the knowledge and experience of NNI’s Indigenous governance experts.
Cohort members receive a registration waiver to attend three accelerated graduate-level courses during JIT – an output of the Indigenous Governance Program held in partnership between NNI and the law school’s Indigenous People’s Law and Policy Program. TPC members also participate in quarterly seminars and other networking events with NNI faculty and staff throughout the year to help them find creative solutions to the most pressing issues in Indigenous governance.
This year’s TPC welcomes 10 professionals representing 10 Native nations with expertise in government administration, healthcare, higher education, economic development and more!
Read on to learn more about the members of this year’s NNI TPC:
Jordan Big Plume (Tsuut’ina Nation)
Jordan Big Plume’s traditional name translates to “Red Cloud Thunder Woman.” She currently serves as the executive director of governance and administration for the Tsuut’ina Nation, located in Treaty Seven territory in Canada. In addition to her matrilineal bloodlines from Tsuut’ina Nation, Big Plume also has paternal heritage from the Rocky Boy Chippewa Cree Nation, as well as Blackfeet Nation lineage from her paternal grandmother.
Big Plume is a devoted mother of two who credits her children as “the inspiration behind (her) commitment to building a stronger future for the children of our Nation.”
As a leader, Big Plume is passionate about mentorship, capacity building, and empowering others – especially women and youth – to step into their own leadership journeys. Her vision is to help shape a nation where every member feels seen, heard, and supported, and where the nation’s cultural identity continues to thrive alongside sustainable development. Her primary goal is to help create foundational pillars for her nation such as a constitution, citizenship laws, land laws, and data sovereignty infrastructure that will help strengthen and support her community’s efforts to assert its sovereignty for generations to come.
Outside of work, Big Plume finds peace and connection through traveling, dancing in powwows, and “embracing the gifts of our Mother Earth.” She also enjoys beading, reading, and designing in her personal time – creative outlets which she says keep her “grounded and connected to (her) culture.”
Christina Flint-Lowe (Poarch Creek Indians)
Christina Flint-Lowe, DNP, MSN, MS, BSN, is currently elected to serve on the Tribal Council of the Poarch Creek Indians as its newest at-large Tribal Council member, bringing a unique combination of healthcare expertise and Indigenous leadership to the role.
Dr. Flint-Lowe holds a Doctor of Nursing Practice, a Master of Science in nursing, and a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Florida. Over the past 22 years she has served as a nurse practitioner in the Home-Based Primary Care Program for her Tribe, including 14 years with the Veterans Health Administration, delivering comprehensive care to high-risk geriatric veterans in their homes.
In addition to her clinical credentials, Dr. Flint-Lowe earned a master’s in Native American leadership from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, reflecting her commitment to culturally informed governance. She has also served as the American Indian/Alaska Native special emphasis program manager at the Bay Pines Veterans Health Administration, where she worked to improve representation and support for Indigenous communities within federal healthcare systems.
Dr. Flint-Lowe previously served on her Tribe’s ethics board and was selected as the 2023–2024 Poarch Creek Indian Senior Adult Princess. Her long-standing engagement in service roles underscores her commitment to the Tribe and its citizens.
Outside of her professional and council roles, Dr. Flint-Lowe is a devoted wife and mother who values time with her family. Her deep commitment to both family and community reflects the grounded, people-first approach she brings to her work in Tribal governance.
Jarom Harlan (Omaha Tribe of Nebraska)
Jarom Harlan is the director of nation building and public relations at Nebraska Indian Community College. He has nearly a decade of professional experience serving Tribal nations and communities, including three years working as a realty specialist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
In his current role, Harlan focuses on preparing and empowering others to make an impact and thrive in today’s world through access to higher education. He holds a Bachelor of Science in business management and plans to pursue a master’s in public administration.
A proud father of three, Harlan stays active by weightlifting, running, and boxing with his sons while also coaching and encouraging them to love all sports. He enjoys traveling and has visited nearly every U.S. state. Harlan also completed a life-changing, two-year mission in central Mexico, an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to serving others. Known for his approachable style and genuine enthusiasm, he blends professionalism with personality to ensure people feel seen, heard, and supported.
Sage Mountainflower (Ohkay Owingeh)
Sage Mountainflower was promoted to the position of tribal administrative and general services division director for the Pueblo of Tesuque in May 2025. In this critical leadership role, she is responsible for overseeing the essential operational functions and strategic planning for the Native nation, with a focus on building resilient, self-governing administrative foundations. Before this most recent promotion, Mountainflower served as the director of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources at the Pueblo of Tesuque since June 2021.
Mountainflower holds a Bachelor's of Science in environmental science with a minor in business management from the University of New Mexico (UNM). Her postsecondary education also includes advanced coursework in UNM’s water resources master's program.
This combined background in environmental expertise, resource management, and high-level government administration provides Mountainflower with a unique, holistic perspective on achieving Tribal self-determination and strengthening community welfare through robust governance.
Essence Oyos (Mesa Grande Band of Diegueño Mission Indians)
Essence Sage Oyos (Iipay/Yoeme) is committed to advancing Indigenous-led economic and community development and has proudly served as volunteer secretary of the board of directors for the Mesa Grande Business Development Corporation since 2017.
With extensive experience in project management, cultural heritage tourism, and organizational/servant leadership, Oyos has successfully directed initiatives that promote sustainable growth, food sovereignty, and Tribal resilience.
Oyos currently works within her Tribal community as a fellow in the Economic Recovery Corps, a new and collaborative initiative designed to accelerate recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in distressed communities and regions throughout the U.S. Additionally, she serves as volunteer project director for Mesa Grande’s The Golden Eagle Farm, San Diego County’s only Native-owned-and-operated USDA certified organic farm.
Oyos formerly served as a Tribal representative on the regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy Steering Committee, a local designation of the U.S. Economic Development Administration designed to create an economic road map to diversify and strengthen regional economies through collaborative efforts across San Diego County.
Oyos earned an Associate of Arts in Kumeyaay studies from Kumeyaay College, a Bachelor of Arts in psychology with a minor in anthropology from CSU San Marcos, and a master’s in public administration from National University. An enthusiastic, lifelong learner with more than 25 years of experience in business and service in the holistic health and wellness field, Oyos brings a collaborative, strategic approach to building partnerships, empowering communities, and nurturing future generations.
Willa Powless (Klamath Tribes)
Willa Powless is a Klamath Tribal council member-at-large and Tribal treaty rights advocate with more than two decades of experience advancing Indigenous sovereignty, governance reform, and treaty literacy. Her work centers on strengthening Tribal institutions, defending reserved treaty rights, and building long-term capacity for Tribal governance.
Powless holds a bachelor’s in organizational leadership from the University of Wyoming and an associate’s in paralegal studies. Her executive and professional education includes the Harvard Business School/NCAI Tribal Leaders Program, Portland State University’s Tribal Relations Certificate, the George Washington University School of Business Cultural Heritage Tourism Certificate, and UCLA School of Law’s Working with Contemporary Native Nations program. Collectively, this training grounds her work in federal Indian law, intergovernmental relations, and practical nation-building strategies.
A U.S. Navy veteran and justice-systems–impacted Indigenous leader, Powless brings a lived, systems-level understanding of accountability, public safety, and governance failure experience that informs her advocacy for restorative, sovereignty-centered approaches to Tribal governance and institutional reform. She is known for her clear-eyed analysis of how treaty rights are eroded through policy, settlements, and administrative practices, and for her insistence on education as a tool of resistance and protection.
In addition to her governance work, Powless leads Honor the Treaty of 1864, a nonprofit focused on treaty education, community preparedness, and land-based learning. She is also launching a family fishing business rooted in intergenerational teaching, cultural continuity, and connection to place. She is currently writing on the Klamath Tribes' political history, treaty rights, and contemporary governance challenges.
Nicolas A. Reynolds (Oneida Nation)
Nicolas A. Reynolds is a strategic leader and systems thinker with over 15 years of experience serving the Oneida Nation in roles spanning organizational development, human resources, cultural heritage, and government administration.
He currently serves as the nation building strategy manager for the Nation, where he oversees 11 long-term initiatives aligned to principles of Tribal sovereignty, economic development, organizational improvement, and government efficiency. Reynolds brings a balanced approach to change management, stakeholder engagement, and policy development by consistently applying Native Nation Building principles to his work.
Reynolds earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Stevens Point, as well as a Master of Business Administration from Saint Norbert College.
In addition to his work within Tribal government, Reynolds is the founder and Chief Strategist of Standing Stone Consulting LLC, where he supports Native organizations and small businesses through strategic planning, leadership coaching, and operational execution. His expertise includes workforce planning, financial analysis, and the facilitation of culturally grounded leadership development programs.
Reynolds is deeply committed to the long-term vitality of Indigenous nations and communities and his work reflects a passion for excellence, cultural relevancy, and Seventh-Generation thinking. He is honored to join the Native Nations Institute cohort to collaborate, learn, and contribute to the advancement of Indigenous governance and self-determination.
Christine Serrano (Ysleta del Sur Pueblo)
A results-oriented executive with a passion for sustainable development, Christine Serrano excels at translating strategic vision into impactful action.
As the director of economic development for the Ysleta del Sur Pueblo, Serrano leverages her expertise in governance and policy to enhance community self-sufficiency through comprehensive workforce and entrepreneurial programs.
Serrano previously served as the director of human resources for Tigua, Inc., where she demonstrated strong leadership in talent acquisition and administration.
An alumna of St. Mary’s University and the University of Chicago’s Executive Education program, Serrano earned a Master’s of Business Administration and holds multiple advanced professional certifications.
When she’s not driving strategic growth, Serrano enjoys yoga, golf, reading, nature and community activities.
Dillon Shije (Pueblo of Zia)
Dillon Shije is the deputy director of the Office of Equity and Inclusion for the City of Albuquerque and a councilman for the Pueblo of Zia.
In addition to his governance work, Shije is also a partner at Zia Impact, a consultancy focusing on Tribal infrastructure and economic development, as well as a founding board member of the Pueblo Development Commission. He holds federal appointments under the U.S. Department of Interior’s Tribal Interior Budget Council and the Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Shije is also the chairman of the Native American Caucus of New Mexico and previously served as the membership liaison for the National Congress of American Indians.
Shije is a former professional runner and Division I cross country national champion who was honored at the Obama White House and featured in the award-winning documentary Run to the East. He holds a Harvard Business School executive education certificate in leading people and investing to build sustainable communities, a certificate from Dartmouth's Tribal Leadership Academy, as well as dual bachelor's degrees in history and integrative physiology from the University of Colorado - Boulder and a pre-med post-baccalaureate from the University of Arizona and the University of New Mexico.
Shije is a graduate of Leadership New Mexico's “Connect” program and ASU's Indigenous Leadership Institute. He is also recognized as an Aspen Institute 'Future Climate Leader,' an NCAI Wilma Mankiller Fellow, and a Schusterman Philanthropies International Reality Sports Fellow. He served for more than two years as a health committee member for the All Pueblo Council of Governors and currently aspires to attend medical school to become the first medical doctor from his Reservation.
Along with his dedication to public service, community advancement, and cultural observance, Shije finds fulfillment in his role as a devoted husband and father.
Edith Renee Starr (San Carlos Apache)
Edith Renee Starr is an enrolled member of the San Carlos Apache Tribe. She is also affiliated with the Te-moak Tribe of Western Shoshone.
An advocate for Native American voting and an experienced coordinator with skills in strategic planning, Starr’s educational background includes advanced Native leadership candidate training with the Native Leadership Institute, fellow training with the Native Organizers Alliance, a Bachelor’s of Science in public service and public policy from Arizona State University, and service as a member of the San Carlos Apache College student government. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s of Science in law from the University of Arizona.
Her career has included roles as the San Carlos prosecutor’s secretary intern, service as a Gila County voting outreach assistant, and nearly five years working as a billing specialist for San Carlos Apache Healthcare and San Carlos Apache Healthcare Pharmacy.
Starr’s interest in becoming an innovative Tribal leader developed from trauma but became a passion to seek social justice for Native Peoples and reinvigorate Tribal government. She is particularly interested in Tribal legal struggles such as the fight by the organization Apache Stronghold to protect the sacred Apache site known as Oak Flat, as well as issues around Arizona Tribal water rights, Colorado River water rights, voting rights, and gaming rights.
Starr says she endeavors to move these and other causes forward in an effort to become “the leader (her) ancestors dreamed of.”
Learn more about the Tribal Professional Cohort program here.