REACH Indigenous Advocacy
A Collaborative Call to Action
R.E.A.C.H (h)
Each letter is a two fold action plan that focuses on the Indigenous/Native American community, paired with opportunities for actionable community/agency support
R - REPRESENTATION
RECONCILIATION
E - EDUCATION
EQUITY
A - ADVOCACY IN WATER, LAND AIR
ALLYSHIP
C - CEREMONY - OUR CULTURE
COMMUNITY SUPPORT
H - HEALING
HEALTH INITIATIVES
(h) The epidemic of Human Trafficking
Click the Link Below to see R.E.A.C.H. in the NEWS
R.E.A.C.H. Community Allies, Partners & Supporters
Inaugural REACH Empowered Ally Award
Jeffrey Trzeciak
Executive Director Dayton Metro Library
2023 Empowered Ally Award
Dr. Nicolyn Woodcock
Director, Asian and Native American Heritage center.
Nicolyn is the advisor for Wright State IACSA, Indigenous American Cultural Student Association.
Her work in supporting the Indigenous student community is not limited to Wright State University, and includes collaborations throughout the Greater Dayton Region and beyond. One tenant of her work is to ensure that all Indigenous events are cross-promoted and supported to the fullest extent, by making sure scheduling does not compete with existing events. This brings more opportunity for community support for the entire Indigenous population, and expands cultural relationships across the region.
Nicolyn exemplifies the definition of what it means to be an Empowered Ally; REACH I.A. acknowledges her as a co-creater for our community!
In honor of her work, REACH Indigenous Advocacy is donating $500 to the Native American Scholarship Fund at Wright State University.
Check back for during the month of November to see and hear more from Nicolyn and IACSA.
Would you like to help us identify Allies that are doing the work like Dr. Nicolyn Woodcock and Jeffrey Trzeiak at Dayton Metro Library?
Let's work together to strengthen our collective community!
FOUNDER OF REACH INDIGENOUS ADVOCACY
Stephanie Van Hoose
Stephanie is a tribally enrolled citizen of The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte T-MT. Originally from Buffalo NY, the early beginnings of her Indigenous advocacy and educational work began during her time in service with the U.S. Air Force, where she established the first Native American heritage committee at Little Rock AFB, AR. She has been a culture bearer now for almost 30 years. A responsibility that is not taken lightly.
Stephanie is the granddaughter and niece of residential school survivors and has been given the sacred honor of carrying their stories. Generations of cultural genocide, and trauma bring stories of unspeakable pain and yet on the other side of that is the legacy of incredible determination, and resilience in the women of her family.
Her families experiences, along with her own, are the driving force behind her life's work. After living in different communities as a military spouse and mother, she recognized the need for Indigenous Cultural programming, and educational support. A private group of women leaders in the Dayton region encouraged and supported her vision to build a more inclusive community. In the summer of 2020, she visited Sunwatch Indian and Archeological village, and felt an immediate connection to the land and the ancestors there. She began collaborating with DSNH, and continues to assist the site with the seed blessings before the spring planting as well as the gathering of medicines prior to the harvesting seasons. It is extremely important for the community to understand the sacred responsibility they carry as stewards of the land. It's a call to action for the entire region, and one that invites city wide involvement.
In 2022, with the support of Judge Walter H. Rice, and key community sponsors, Stephanie organized Dayton’s Inaugural Indigenous Peoples Day. This event was the launch of the REACH initiative. Unveiled to the Dayton community, with key speakers from across the country and the local region, to address each letter; R – Reconciliation & Representation, E – Educational Equity, A- Advocacy & Ally-ship, C – Ceremony & Community, H – Healing & Health. The silent “H” for human trafficking, discusses the epidemic of MMIW and violence against women. The entire platform reinforces the vital importance of community building and interagency commitment.
After 3 years of sharing the REACH vision, collaborations are expanding across the region. The Dayton Metro Library continues to lead the way with intentional cultural programming. We getting ready for the 3rd Annual REACH Fest! Our Native American Festival is growing and will be a 3 day event! This year, we are welcoming a new partner, in Wright State University's Asian and Native American Center. We could not be more excited! Our new location will be at the Student Union on Wright State's Campus. Dayton Metro Library is our Platinum Plus Partner and with that, some exciting news is on the way!
Stephanie currently serves on MVRPC’s Institute for Equitable communities sub-committee, She serves on the Board for DUHR, Dayton United for Human Rights, the Upstander Project community outreach team, and is on Dayton Public Health’s Minority Health Advisory Council. In April 2024, Stephanie received the Ohio Commission on Minority Health's Community Action Award, and attended and spoke before the United Nations, at the UNPFII23 Conference.
She supports and endorses the Dayton Collaboratory's Well Being Project, and the organization DREAM, Diversity Recruitment Educators Association for Miami Valley, and the Levitt Pavilion for World Indigenous Day 2024.
Note:
Stephanie's is a two time cancer survivor, with a lifetime of surgeries (25), an Autism mentor Mom, a "FREE Mom Hugs" Mom for Dayton Pride, and is passionate about improving health care, support services, advancing doctor-patient care, and closing the gap in underserved communities.