FHWK Board Members 2023
president - mark jones
Vice-President – Steve Boyda
I am a semi-retired Attorney in Topeka, Kansas.
In fall of 2020 I proudly became a Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers Foundation Board Member. Our Gatherings bring Non-Natives and Natives and their Elders together to share wisdom, cultures and rituals. All are honored, and the fabric of our diverse peoples is enriched and interwoven. May the grace and goodwill radiate to all peoples.
In fall of 2020 I proudly became a Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers Foundation Board Member. Our Gatherings bring Non-Natives and Natives and their Elders together to share wisdom, cultures and rituals. All are honored, and the fabric of our diverse peoples is enriched and interwoven. May the grace and goodwill radiate to all peoples.
Treasurer – Byron Fry
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Byron Fry has two Masters Degrees one in Psychology/Art Therapy from Emporia State Universiy and the other in Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas. Byron was employed by the Menninger Clinic in Topeka for 13 years and worked as a therapist and treatment coordinator with patients. For the last 18 years he has been employed by Forest and Allergan Pharmaceuticals as a Medical Sales Representatiive. Byron is a student of World History and has a deep appreciation and passion for Native Americans and their ways. Byron has served on the FHWK board since 2014 and attended his first Gathering in 2010.
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Secretary – Brenda Volz
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My experience at the Wisdom Keepers Gathering has increased the vocabulary of my spirituality--and has gifted me with precious teachers. Since 2008, when I was asked to join the FHWK Board, I have worked to keep the Gathering true to its beginnings, helping to hold space for those who will come.
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Pat Embers
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I began attending Wisdom Keepers in 2002 when Doug Boyd brought the first group of elders from North Carolina to Council Grove, Kansas. I had met and worked with other Native people and was very impressed with the sincerity and knowledge of the elders Doug brought. When Doug passed in 2006, I felt called to join the small group of volunteers who committed to keeping this gathering of elders going. I have learned with gratitude and respect each year from the elders sharing their traditional knowledge. Through the spiritual guidance of one of our elders I became a Sundancer. This deepened my commitment to keep serving on the board to bring the elders and attendees together in a weekend ceremony, blessed by a sacred fire circle, in the beauty of the Flint Hills.
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Karen Reagle
Karen E. Reagle has been studying with Native American Elders for many years. She and her husband were initiated into the Wolf Clan of the Seneca Nation by Grandmother Twylah Nitsch. Karen’s additional Grandmothers include Sara Smith, Mohawk, of Six Nations Reserve in Canada; Bertha Grove, Southern Ute, Ignacio, Colorado; Grandfathers Ted Williams, Tuscarora, North Carolina; Buck GhostHorse, Lakota, Oregon; Mike Bastine, Algonquin, New York; Jay Clause, Tuscarora, New York; Rupert Encinas, Tohono O’odham among many others.
Karen has led study groups on Native American teachings for many years to keep Grandmother Twylah’s teachings alive. Since moving to Atlanta, Georgia, Karen has been a Civil Rights activist as Lay Minister and Executive Board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Women’s Organizational Movement for Equailty Now. She was honored to receive the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award in 2012 for being faithful to the values held by MLK. She counts many of the original Civil Rights Icons as friends. She works to bring black and white communities together to address issues and to share what she has learned from her Native American Elders. She has attended Asheville, NC Wisdom Keepers gatherings and numerous FHWK gatherings in Council Grove.
Karen has led study groups on Native American teachings for many years to keep Grandmother Twylah’s teachings alive. Since moving to Atlanta, Georgia, Karen has been a Civil Rights activist as Lay Minister and Executive Board member of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference Women’s Organizational Movement for Equailty Now. She was honored to receive the Martin Luther King, Jr. Drum Major for Justice Award in 2012 for being faithful to the values held by MLK. She counts many of the original Civil Rights Icons as friends. She works to bring black and white communities together to address issues and to share what she has learned from her Native American Elders. She has attended Asheville, NC Wisdom Keepers gatherings and numerous FHWK gatherings in Council Grove.
DIANE BARKER
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I first attended Wisdom Keepers in 2006 because a good friend recommended it, and I was curious about what the Elders might tell us. When I heard Grandfather/Dr. Lloyd Elm, New House (Onandaga) give the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, I knew that I had found a philosophy to guide me in living every day with Gratitude. Since then I’ve worked to providing a forum for Native Elders to share their teachings on how to live with humility and gratitude for the water, air, food, and shelter that we are given every day. Keeping the gifts circulating that the Elders want to share and telling the truth about the United States Government's treatment of Native people seems a good way to give back.
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JONI FORNELLI
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I am inspired by teachings of a Kanza elder, Curtis Kekahbah who was at the Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers Gathering several times I attended. His stories and words still guide me as I live. He spoke about how everything is alive and everything is related. So from knowledge he shared, I center relational healing with the land in my journey. Part of this work involves helping people understand the importance of building restorative relationships with Indigenous people. Returning land, revitalizing Indigenous culture and renewing the environment are important aspects of Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery. I am also passionate about music, movement and art at the Lavender House Renewal Center where I live.
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Consultants
Terri Delahanty (Cree)
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Flies with Bees Woman serves the FHWK Foundation Board of Directors as a consultant on Native issues. She is a presenter, has served as Mistress of Ceremonies, and teaches the Sacred Drum Workshop at the Gathering.
Terri holds her Native heritage in high esteem. She practices her traditions and Native Ceremonies and carries the women’s ways. She received the rights from elders to pour sweat lodge and has poured lodges for the past 20 years. She Sundanced for 11 years. Her Spirit journey is returning knowledge about the Sacred Feminine and Sacred Masculine that had been lost to the community. She leads workshops on creating personal Sacred Drums and Rattles as well as Spiritual workshops. Terri sits on the Board of Trustees at the Institute of American Indian Studies in Washington Depot, Connecticut. She is on the steering committee for creating a Commission on American Indian Affairs. She is a founding member of Women In the Spirit (WitS) and serves on the board. She facilitates workshops on “Meeting Death" at the Wisdom House Retreat Center. As an ordained minister she enjoys facilitating marriages, baby blessings, and funeral services. Always following her Native Traditions brings a richness of Spirit into her professional life. She has worked in an educational setting since 1991 with a focus on Multicultural Education for all students. Terri served as Secretary on the State Board for Multicultural Education and on the board for the annual New England Conference for Multicultural Education for 8 years. She is certified Level 2 in Braille. She is a Certified Parent Educator, Supervisor Level through the National Parents as Teachers organization. She is Director for Greater Hartford Even Start, a Family Literacy Program, and the Family Engagement Specialist at the University of Hartford Magnet School. |
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Mark Sampsel
Mark Sampsel became a Firekeeper upon teachings given him from Native American Elders who presented at historical Wisdom Keepers Conferences and Gatherings. Mark is a sculptor who created the Kanza, Kaw Nation “Guardian of the Grove” bronze statue at the park entrance of Council Grove, KS. His bronze busts of the “Last 5 Kaw Full-bloods” and 5 other Kaw Elders are in the Kaw City, OK, Kaw Nation Museum. A Kaw Elder ceremoniously adopted Mark as a Kaw Brother
Gathering Support
Chair Byron FrY
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Byron Fry has two Masters Degrees one in Psychology/Art Therapy from Emporia State Universiy and the other in Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas. Byron was employed by the Menninger Clinic in Topeka for 13 years and worked as a therapist and treatment coordinator with patients. For the last 18 years he has been employed by Forest and Allergan Pharmaceuticals as a Medical Sales Representatiive. Byron is a student of World History and has a deep appreciation and passion for Native Americans and their ways. Byron has served on the FHWK board since 2014 and attended his first Gathering in 2010.
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Steve Boyda
I am a semi-retired Attorney in Topeka, Kansas.
In fall of 2020 I proudly became a Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers Foundation Board Member. Our Gatherings bring Non-Natives and Natives and their Elders together to share wisdom, cultures and rituals. All are honored, and the fabric of our diverse peoples is enriched and interwoven. May the grace and goodwill radiate to all peoples.
In fall of 2020 I proudly became a Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers Foundation Board Member. Our Gatherings bring Non-Natives and Natives and their Elders together to share wisdom, cultures and rituals. All are honored, and the fabric of our diverse peoples is enriched and interwoven. May the grace and goodwill radiate to all peoples.
Rock Erichson
Steve Erichson
George LeRoux
Steve Strauss
Mark Jones
Publicity
Chair Pat EmberS
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I began attending Wisdom Keepers in 2002 when Doug Boyd brought the first group of elders from North Carolina to Council Grove, Kansas. I had met and worked with other Native people and was very impressed with the sincerity and knowledge of the elders Doug brought. When Doug passed in 2006, I felt called to join the small group of volunteers who committed to keeping this gathering of elders going. I have learned with gratitude and respect each year from the elders sharing their traditional knowledge. Through the spiritual guidance of one of our elders I became a Sundancer. This deepened my commitment to keep serving on the board to bring the elders and attendees together in a weekend ceremony, blessed by a sacred fire circle, in the beauty of the Flint Hills.
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Fundraising
Chair Diane Barker
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I first attended Wisdom Keepers in 2006 because a good friend recommended it, and I was curious about what the Elders might tell us. When I heard Grandfather/Dr. Lloyd Elm, New House (Onandaga) give the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address, I knew that I had found a philosophy to guide me in living every day with Gratitude. Since then I’ve been devoted to providing a forum for Native Elders to share their teachings on how to live with humility and gratitude for the water, air, food, and shelter that we are given every day. Keeping the gifts circulating that the Elders want to share with all people seems a good way for me to give back.
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Steve BoydA
I am a semi-retired Attorney in Topeka, Kansas.
In fall of 2020 I proudly became a Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers Foundation Board Member. Our Gatherings bring Non-Natives and Natives and their Elders together to share wisdom, cultures and rituals. All are honored, and the fabric of our diverse peoples is enriched and interwoven. May the grace and goodwill radiate to all peoples.
In fall of 2020 I proudly became a Flint Hills Wisdom Keepers Foundation Board Member. Our Gatherings bring Non-Natives and Natives and their Elders together to share wisdom, cultures and rituals. All are honored, and the fabric of our diverse peoples is enriched and interwoven. May the grace and goodwill radiate to all peoples.
Byron Fry
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Byron Fry has two Masters Degrees one in Psychology/Art Therapy from Emporia State Universiy and the other in Health Services Administration from the University of Kansas. Byron was employed by the Menninger Clinic in Topeka for 13 years and worked as a therapist and treatment coordinator with patients. For the last 18 years he has been employed by Forest and Allergan Pharmaceuticals as a Medical Sales Representatiive. Byron is a student of World History and has a deep appreciation and passion for Native Americans and their ways. Byron has served on the FHWK board since 2014 and attended his first Gathering in 2010.
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History
Chair Karen Reagle
PAT EMBERS
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I began attending Wisdom Keepers in 2002 when Doug Boyd brought the first group of elders from North Carolina to Council Grove, Kansas. I had met and worked with other Native people and was very impressed with the sincerity and knowledge of the elders Doug brought. When Doug passed in 2006, I felt called to join the small group of volunteers who committed to keeping this gathering of elders going. I have learned with gratitude and respect each year from the elders sharing their traditional knowledge. Through the spiritual guidance of one of our elders I became a Sundancer. This deepened my commitment to keep serving on the board to bring the elders and attendees together in a weekend ceremony, blessed by a sacred fire circle, in the beauty of the Flint Hills.
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