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. This year is her 30th year as a cultural educator and advocate.  It's a calling rooted in healing her family's generational trauma, that began during the boarding school era.

Stephanie is the granddaughter and niece of residential school survivors and has been given the sacred honor of carrying her family's stories. Generations of unspeakable pain have given way to an incredible journey of resiliency in the women of her family.  Their resolve, and determination to not only survive, but to thrive, is a core value that shines in her life today.

​Her families experiences, along with her own, are the driving force behind her life's work. 

After being stationed across the US and overseas, the Van Hoose family saw their last military assignment at Wright Patterson AFB, OH. Living in different communities as a veteran, military spouse and mother, always brought opportunities to share her Indigenous Culture, so when they decided to call Ohio home, she searched for cultural programming, and educational support in the Miami Valley region. Stephanie dreamt of expanding what was offered not only in the region, but the entire state of Ohio, but those plans were put on hold.

After six years, and two battles with cancer and dozens of surgeries, it was the pandemic that highlighted the critical need for community access to medicine and traditional Native American teachings.  Stephanie began sharing her "medicine" via social media, a saw her audience grow in size and need. 

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 2021, she visited SunWatch Indian and Archeological village, and felt an immediate connection to the land and the ancestors waiting to be laid to rest.  She began collaborating with DSNH, and shared traditional teachings such as seed blessings before the spring planting. Gathering medicines prior to the harvesting seasons, became an important cultural exchange. 

"The museum and everyone who visits, carries a sacred responsibility to be good stewards of the land, and respectful of the ancestors are buried in the village. Most importantly to me, are the ancestors found on site, many which are children. They need to be laid to rest, or buried through repatriation. It's a call to action for the entire region, and one that invites city wide involvement, along with over 50+ tribal nations that have historically traveled through the region".  

Vision Building Together

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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 with an interagency commitment to empowered allyship.

REACH Fest! 2024

After 4 years of sharing the REACH vision, collaborations expanded across the region.   The 3rd Annual REACH Fest!, Native American Festival became a 3 day event with support from Wright State University's Asian and Native American Center.  REACH Fest was held at WSU- Student Union, Dayton (Fairborn), OH.  Dayton Metro Library, a 3 year supporter, and  Platinum Plus Partner, offered their Edward S. Curtis historical portfolio collection, for a "FIRST LOOK" to the public in over 50 years". 

 Stephanie has arranged for "living relatives" of the Nations represented in the photos to share personal and generational knowledge and wisdom.

The entire event brought Inter-tribal families, representing over 35 different nations, offering 4-5 generations of Indigenous practices, still going strong today.  

REACH Fest! 2025

The laws in Ohio changed this year, and we saw all the closing of all student cultural centers in Ohio public universities.  This however, strengthened our commitment to our regional students and families, needing cultural connection, especially those living away from their families.  We worked with Dayton's Levitt Pavilion this summer, and Ohio's Minority health Council to provide community​ support along with school supplies, and a fun night at Dayton dragon's stadium.​

We've been working overtime to find a home for REACH Fest, and are happy to be able to have a space for 4 days of programing that will bring in another year of elders, cultural teachers, from dozens of different tribal nations.  We invite everyone to sit at our table, share a meal, and a truly meaningful cultural exchange. Success for us, is sharing and celebrating together! 
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Additional 

Bio notes;

Stephanie currently serves on MVRPC’s Institute for Equitable communities sub-committee, She serves as an Indigenous Advisor for DUHR, Dayton United for Human Rights, the Upstander Project community outreach team, and endorses the Dayton Collaboratory's Well Being Project.  She serves on the Dayton Public Health’s Minority Health Advisory Council, and has  received the Ohio Commission on Minority Health's Community Action Award (2024) for her advocacy work.  She shared her voice at the  United Nations, at the UNPFII23 Conference, NYC, and spoke about the need for mental health support for Native women and children.

 In August of 2025, She worked with Levitt Pavilion Dayton to create an outstanding pre-concert show to celebrate World Indigenous Day that showcased our local Indigenous Youth.