Hi, Let Me Tell You About Myself
I was born and raised in Sisseton, SD to Marsha Renville. My grandmother is Alma Renville, and my great-grandparents were James Wanna and Nora Greeley. As a child we would visit "Gunna" at his place outside of Veblen. We would help gather the chicken eggs, play with the baby chicks, get chased by the dog, and run around in the yard. Gunna's house didn't have running water, plumbing or electricity. Today, I cherish those memories because that's when I first experienced gardening, harvesting, and canning food. We actually went to bed with the sunset and woke with the sunrise.
At age sixteen, I started my first job at the A & W and continued working there through my first year of college. I participated in track and cross-country and several high school clubs and graduated from the Sisseton High School.
I've attended the University of Minnesota in Morris, the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks, and the Sisseton Wahpeton College. I've studied accounting, criminal justice, political science, and computers. I graduated from Interstate Business College, Fargo, ND as a Computer Operator.
District & Tribal Experience
I believe that a person should be involved in their district if they want to represent the membership on Council.
I've been involved with our district since I moved home permanently in 2005 . I first started by attending meetings but over the years I've served on the Youth Committee, the District Election Board, the District Pow Wow Committee, the District Constitution Revision Committee, the Judicial Committee and as District Secretary. I've also served on the JOM Board.
I've worked at Dakota Connection as a Cage Cashier, at Dakota Magic as an Interviewer/Recruiter and as an IT Technician. I was the Assistant Manager at Dakota Nation Art & Gift Store, an Accounts Payable Clerk in tribal finance, and the Wellness Coordinator in SWO Community Health Education Program.
It was while working in the Community Health Education Program that I found my true passion, which is helping people become aware of anything that can help them make healthier choices. While working in this program I became a Certified HIV/AIDS Educator, a Hepatitis C Instructor, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician, a Tobacco Prevention Specialist and a Certified Employee Wellness Specialist. I shared what I learned by providing training to community members and tribal employees.
It was also while working in the Community Health Education Program that I collaborated with so many other people and programs to help improve the health of tribal members. I was a member of the Diabetes Team, the Safety Committee, the First 1000 Days Interagency Group, and a subcommittee that focused on reducing childhood tooth defects. I was also part of the group that drafted and implemented the previous 5-year SWO Health Plan.
Other Work Experience
I lived in three different towns in Alaska: Kotzebue, Nome, and Barrow; all above the Arctic Circle. While living in Kotzebue and Barrow, I worked as the Medical Staff Coordinator. My most important duty was to verify the qualifications of licensed medical professionals and assess their background and legitimacy. I also tracked their continuing medical education requirements and coordinated their travel.
While living in Nome, I worked for GCI, a telecommunications company. At the time they were the main provider of internet and telephone service in Alaska and are one of the major sponsors of the Iditarod Sled Race. I had the opportunity to help work at the half-way point of the Iditarod, which was in the middle of nowhere in the mountains! We set up the satellite dish for internet and telephone service, set up the tents and the woodstove for the mushers to rest and recuperate before moving on to the finish line. It was an experience I will never forget.
After returning home, I worked at the IHS as the Administrative Assistant in the Maintenance Department from 2006 to 2009. I learned so much; during my time at the IHS I had training and did work as a Federal Time Keeper, Federal Agency Travel Administrator (FATA), I had training to be a Project Manager, how to write Scope of Work documents, Quarters Management, training on the procurement software, and I assisted with the coordination of the move from the old IHS to the new IHS.
I'm always willing to learn new things and share what I learn, especially if it helps the overall goal of the program or organization I work for.
As I write this, I came across an old Facebook post from 2015, from when I was working in the Community Health Education Program (2012-2020):
"Much of the time I tend to devalue myself and the work I do. Like am i helping people or am i making a difference? Then I found this award I received 9 years ago. I received it the FIRST year I worked at IHS in Sisseton. Its noteworthy for me even now because i got the award for believing in the work I did; all jobs are important because they are part of the whole. Every job done is worth doing well. My job at that time was as the Administrative Assistant for the Facilities Department. I had many duties in that position that have now been divided between several other positions. It was challenging and kept me busy.
Now I work for the tribe as the Wellness Coordinator. God, the Creator of the universe has brought me to this position; i believe in and love the work I do. My prayer is that people will learn and make use of the information we(Community Health Education Program) provide to improve their health, the health of their families, and the future of our tribe. Thanks for "listening". (reading)"
Part of what helped me get the reward was working long hours.
Fun fact:
I had entered over $1 million worth of purchase requests for the new equipment at the new IHS!
My prayer is still for the people and our tribe.