Meet the Team

Sarah White

Oglala Lakota - Executive Director

Sarah is the Founder & Executive Director of the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC). Sarah transitions into this role as a direct result of her work in serving as the facilitator for SDEEC during the first 2 years of its informal stages of development. She has 8 years of experience working and advocating for Title VI Indian Education Programs, working at Rapid City Area Schools in South Dakota and at Omaha Public Schools in Omaha, Nebraska. She holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a Master’s of Education degree from Creighton University, and a PK-12 Administrator endorsement from the University of South Dakota. Sarah is a passionate advocate of Indigenous education whose work seeks to elevate the urgent narrative of Indigenous education through the lens of community. Her desire in this role is to create a cohesive and collaborative effort to identify and implement solutions that address our shared concerns regarding Indigenous education. Sarah is a mother to 4 sons.

Oglala Lakota - Director of Operations

Billie White

  • Billie White (she/her), Oglala Lakota, is the Director of Operations of the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC). Billie has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 8 years in numerous capacities. With a fundraising and grantmaking infrastructure background, Billie deeply understands nonprofit organizations’ unique challenges and opportunities. She continuously seeks to expand her knowledge in the ever-evolving landscape of nonprofit infrastructure. Billie holds a Bachelor of Science in Human Services & Sociology from Black Hills State University. Her role is to support the SDEEC team and ensure the organization’s efficiency and effective functioning internally. Billie is passionate about positively impacting her two daughters and community. Billie enjoys roller skating, swimming and spending time with her partner, daughters and two dogs.

Jaye Conrad

Oglala Lakota - Director of Finance

  • Jaye Conrad, the Director of Finance for the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition, is a seasoned accounting professional with a rich history in financial management and organizational support. Holding an Associate Degree in Accounting from Western Vocational Technical Institute, complemented by further studies at Black Hills State University, Jaye has continually expanded her expertise, particularly in QuickBooks and Microsoft Office. Her career has seen a diverse range of roles, including significant stints as an Accountant at Deadwood Frontier Club and Buffalo Bodega Complex/BB Cody’s, and as a Controller at Lode Star Casino. Prior to her current role, Jaye excelled as the Lead Collaboration Specialist at the South Dakota Science & Technology Authority in Lead, SD, where she was pivotal in asset management and implementing the Manager Plus system for the Procurement Department. Jaye's exceptional listening skills, goal-oriented mindset, and adaptability in various finance-related roles underscore her capability as a leader in the financial sector, particularly in her current role driving the fiscal strategy and operations at the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition.

Oglala Lakota - Administrative
Support Specialist

John “JJ” Wilson

  • John "JJ" Wilson, (he/him), Oglala Lakota, is the Administrative Support Specialist at SDEEC. JJ is a proud alumnus of Red Cloud Indian School on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. After high school and a brief collegiate experience, JJ enlisted in the U.S. Air Force where he gave 11 years of service. JJ credits his military career for providing opportunities abroad that would not have otherwise been accessible to him. However, as a father and uncle, JJ believes that opportunities are possible to students without the personal sacrifice of military enlistment. He feels hopeful about what SDEEC can do to increase educational opportunities for students in South Dakota. When he isn’t working or attending school, JJ enjoys hiking, helping his brother out on the ranch, and spending time with his significant other.

Myriam Rama

Oglala Lakota - Special
Projects Coordinator

  • Myriam Rama, an Oglala Lakota and first-generation college graduate, is the Special Projects Coordinator at the South Dakota Education Equity Coalition (SDEEC). With a B.A. in Psychology and a Minor in Communications from the University of New Mexico, she is preparing to start her Master's in Social Work at Columbia University in the fall of 2024. Myriam's career is marked by her commitment to educational equity, highlighted by her experience teaching freshmen physics at Mahpiya Luta Owayawa (Red Cloud Indian School). Her work at SDEEC and prior contributions to community behavioral health at the Great Plains Tribal Leaders Health Board reflect her dedication to addressing the educational and mental health challenges of today's youth. Myriam looks forward to learning from the resilient, passionate women leading the coalition and aspires to create lasting, positive change for future generations. Outside her professional life, she enjoys basketball, reading, and time with her family and her pet, Nugget.

Rachel White Buffalo

Lee Fellow

  • Rachel is a dedicated advocate for Indigenous educational equity, known for her academic achievements and a strong commitment to community advancement. A magna cum laude graduate of the University of South Carolina, she earned her BA with Distinction in International Studies, along with a minor in Anthropology, and was a standout athlete in the NCAA Division I Equestrian program. A Teach For America alumna from 2015, Rachel's career has primarily focused on interstate and intertribal policy research and writing. Her work is centered on exploring how tribal sovereignty, respected and operationalized between state and tribal education offices, can lead to Indigenous educational equity. This commitment was recognized with the 2022 NCEA Distinguished Alumni – Education Award, and she currently holds the 2023-2024 Leadership for Educational Equity Policy and Advocacy Fellowship with S-DEEC. Beyond her professional pursuits, Rachel enjoys sports, particularly women's college basketball and the WNBA, and loves to travel and cook in her free time. Her passion and dedication make her a remarkable figure in the field of educational advocacy and policy development.

Consultants

Marlin Kingi

  • As an Oglala Lakota and Maori educator, I am proud to be part of the S-DEEC team, advocating for improved outcomes for children. Raised on the Pine Ridge reservation, my heritage is deeply rooted in my Ina, Elizabeth Mousseau Kingi, and my Ate, Marei Kingi. I bring five years of teaching experience as a Social Studies teacher at Lakota Tech High School in Pine Ridge, complemented by six years in social services with the Soboba and Morongo Tribes in Southern California. My academic journey includes a Bachelor's Degree in History Education from Utah Valley University (2013) and a Master's Degree in Education from Claremont Graduate University (2019).

    Sharing my life with my wife, Tara Kingi (Yakima, Tulalip, and Lumbee), and our four daughters, we have made Mni Luzahan (Rapid City) our home since 2020, cherishing the He Sapa (Black Hills) and our community. Outside of work, I enjoy reading, burgers and fries, soda, pick-up basketball and rugby, board games, reggae music, watching football, and engaging in community service and volunteer work.

Matt Brix


  • Matt is an executive leader with 20 years of experience building effective national nonprofit organizations, state-based networks, business systems, and philanthropic organizations. He's been an executive director, CEO, and managing director in three different organizations. In each instance, he oversaw organizational growth, going from startup phase to established phase. He has a unique blend of campaign, operations, and management experience.

    In his free time, Matt enjoys traveling, being outside, cooking, reading, coaching fastpitch softball, suffering as a fan of Minnesota professional sports, and spending time with family and friends. Matt has a BA from Saint John's University in Minnesota and an MA from the University of New Mexico. Matt started his independent consulting business in 2020.

SDEEC Board

Deborah Bordeaux

Oglala Lakota - President

  • Deborah Bordeaux, enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, is the Director of the Commission for Oceti Sakowin Accreditation (COSA). Deborah has worked to develop and promote Native Education to be included in the primary curriculum for Native Children. She holds a B.S. in Elementary Education from Oglala Lakota College and a Master’s degree in Education Leadership from South Dakota State University/Sinte Gleska University. Deborah also has an LPN degree from the United Tribes Educational Center. Deborah has worked in the capacity of a teacher aide, special education teacher, and elementary principal. Deborah has 40+ years working in and with tribally-controlled grant schools and was instrumental in the passing of federal law to establish Tribal Education Departments. She has developed and delivered testimony in DC to congressional leaders, developed and implemented budgets, policies/procedures, relationships with schools and education, and was key in development and implementation of the Tribal Accreditation process.

Oglala Lakota & Ojibwe of Leech Lake Band - Vice President

Tashina Banks-Rama

  • Tashina is Oglala Lakota and Ojibwe of the Leech Lake Band. Tashina and her husband Matt are parents to ten beautiful children; they live on 30 acres on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Tashina holds a BBA from the University of New Mexico and an MBA from Gonzaga University. As Executive Vice President at Red Cloud Indian School, Tashina strongly advocates and promotes Lakota leadership within the organization, holds up Lakota values across the organization, and actively engages the community in ways that continue to transform our multi-faith organization. In her 14th year at Red Cloud, Tashina provides leadership and oversight of Finance, Facilities, Human Resources, Communications, Advancement and the Food Sovereignty departments. Tashina is a current board member of Friends of South Dakota Public Broadcasting and the Catholic Climate Covenant. Tashina is in her 5th year of the Lakota Language Adult Learner program at Red Cloud.

Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate -
Secretary/ Treasurer

Dr. Sherry Johnson

  • Dr. Sherry Johnson is the Tribal Education Director for the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate for the past 9 years. She is the administrator over numerous grants and programs. She networks with the tribal and public school districts and all programs dealing with education, facilitates communication and promotes educational excellence for the members of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate. Her past experiences include being a Superintendent at a school district for 15 years and working as a Teacher for 10 years at a tribal school. She earned her Doctorate from the University of South Dakota in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Educational Leadership. Others: Masters in Science Education. Bachelors in Elementary Education. School Improvement Certification from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, along with various certifications and publications. Dr. Johnson is married to Louie and they have 8 children. They make their home in Buffalo Lake near Eden in the Northeast corner of South Dakota.

Mary Bowman

Hunkpapa/Oglala Lakota - Member

  • Mary Bowman (She/Her), NISN Fellow and Education Equity Team Member, is Hunkpapa/Oglala Lakota from Rapid City, South Dakota. Mary has 17 years of experience working with Indigenous students in schools located around the Rapid City area. She believes that students deserve to see themselves in their curriculum and as a teacher has worked in classrooms helping students achieve academic success through cultural lessons in math, literacy, science, and social studies. Mary is the lead designer for the Oceti Sakowin Community Academy, an Indigenous School grounded in the language, thought and philosophy of the Oceti Sakowin which opened in the fall of 2022. Mary has a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Elementary Education and her Master’s Degree in Lakota Leadership at Oglala Lakota College.

Allied Advisory Board Members

Sage Fast Dog

Sicangu - Titunwan Oyate - Member

  • Sage D. Fast Dog Sr. is Sicangu (Burnt Thigh) under the Titunwan Oyate (Prairie Dwellers People) of the Oceti Sakowin (Seven Council Fires). He was raised on the Rosebud Sioux Reservation, home of the Burnt Thigh people, also where he attended elementary school, secondary school, and graduate school. He is a graduate of St. Francis Indian School and completed undergraduate and graduate school at Sinte Gleska University, where he was awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education and Lakota Studies, alongside a master’s degree in Education. He taught Lakota Studies at Todd County Middle School for 11 years, prior to applying for a fellowship with NISN in 2016. He successfully completed 13 years as an educator for Todd County School District and left the district in 2019 to become the first ever Director and Head of School for the Wakanyeja Ki Tokeyaci Lakota Immersion Elementary School Program, located on the Rosebud Reservation, which opened its doors in Fall of 2020. This school has always been a dream of his– to be able to share the richness of the Lakota language, history and culture today with you; he is beyond excited! He is very active in the community and has most recently been elected by the people into a leadership role on the TCSD school board. Sage is a traditional dancer on the powwow trail and takes part in Lakota spiritual way of life along with his 4 children. He proudly shares his home with his wife in Mission, S.D.

Abby Menter

Member

  • Nora’s official title is Education Rabble Rouser for the Wend Collective, a social impact fund that supports learner-centered, student fit experiences for all youth. Nora joined Wend after serving for nine years at the Colorado League of Charter Schools, first as the Vice President of School Services and then as President. Nora has over thirty years of experience in education as a teacher and principal in international, traditional public, charter public, and private schools. She was the co-founder of The Classical Academy in Minneapolis, served as Head of School of Madison Country Day School and as Director of Sonoma Charter School. Nora’s passion is ensuring equity, access, and opportunity for all families to meet their priorities and their children’s needs. Her work supports innovative school and program designs, collaborating with local, state, national and international pedagogues and practitioners, and exploring partnerships with like-minded organizations to create systems change from the bottom up.

Matt Kull

Member

  • Matt Kull has spent the last decade-plus working in Indigenous education, with a focus on the homelands of Sicangu and Oglala Lakota. Matt’s educational background is in community development and working to build power through organized people. When not working, Matt enjoys reading, spending time on the water, and watching his dogs chase birds. Matt is proud to be a member of the South Dakota Education Equity Association, and looks forward to the continued fight for equitable education in the region.

Nora Flood

Member

  • Abby Menter is a Public Policy Fellow with the Education Equity Team at NDN Collective, an Adjunct Faculty member at Sinte Gleska University, and co-chair of the community organizing coalition 4Rosebud. As an auntie, sister, daughter, granddaughter, teacher, student, and friend, Abby is committed to relational practices that deepen our collective ability to co-create a world where all creation is honored. She believes that the work of educational equity requires the return of Indigenous land to Indigenous peoples as well as the reclamation of our dignity, creativity, and spirituality from the many manifestations of white supremacy. Abby is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She studies Self-Determination policy enactments including how policies are resisted, negotiated, and implemented across time, positionality, and place.