"There has been no greater journey than my journey of learning to love myself and work towards eternal healing. To be able look back and know that I have overcome rape, molestation, domestic violence, and alcoholism is a gift. To know I am one of the few who made it, who is here to tell her story means I have responsibility to now help others find that same gift. To help create spaces where they are safe to love themselves so completely it heals the deepest wounds and reveals their purpose." |
![]() Founder and Executive Director | Kristin Welch, Naeqtum Metaemoh, is Menominee, Irish, German and is of the Marten Clan. As founder and Executive Director of Waking Women Healing Institute, she hopes to help uplift traditional matriarchal roles through connection to identity and land. She is passionate about healing justice for Indigenous women and girls around the issues of sexual violence, Water protection, and MMIW. She has 8 years’ experience in systems change, resiliency and healing work, and Indigenous life-span models for wellness. Her work has involved creating safe spaces for survivors that are founded in indigenous ways of being, just, and equitable. She utilizes relationship based Indigenous wellness models that offer pathways to healing and recovery work within tribal communities and for those who serve Indigenous peoples. Read more/lessHer Her position as the Executive director of WWHI allows her to facilitate and coordinate land-based wellness services such as: Teaching Lodge, Women’s Circles, Resiliency Trainings, and Indigenous Wellness Workshops. Her strengths of strategic planning, group facilitation, and wellness knowledge have helped form instrumental partnerships with local agencies; and together they are working to create a new pathway to resiliency, wellness, and care for indigenous peoples. |
Renee Gralewicz is an enrolled member of and Peacemaker for the Brothertown Indian Nation. She is also a descendant of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohicans. Her journey started in Milwaukee, WI. She is also a retired US Army Major. Dr Gralewicz considers herself as a Humanist as her formal education degrees are within the social science realm and life experiences immersed her in a variety of cultures. Her BA is from UW Milwaukee; her MA from Jackson State University; and her PhD is from Washington State University. She is a Fulbright Scholar who conduct research with Canadian First Nations. After teaching with UW Colleges since 1997 and retiring from UW Oshkosh in 2020, Dr Gralewicz’s interests are now centered on all issues related to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and Two-Spirit peoples. Renee's role as MMIWG2S Outreach Helper will be to provide education, awareness, and engage in systems change and justice work for MMIWG2S. |
|
NORTHWOODS OUTREACH COORDINATOR | "Bozho, Mno Gishgek, Nicole Tomlin nde zhnëkas, Wasi o ndodém. Bodéwedmi ndaw. Crandon ndë wtthbya. I'm Nicole Tomlin, I am a wife, a mother of 4, and a member of the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe. Social and environmental justice has always been important to me. I'm a grassroots activist and advocate, and I hold a special place in my life and in my heart for our MMIW (Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women.)" Nicole's role as Northwoods Outreach Coordinator will be to help build spaces of healing and justice in the northern communities of Wisconsin for survivors of sexual violence and MMIWG2S families. She will also be working to provide direct peer supports and resources to community. |
DAUGHTER OF RAE ELAINE TOURTILLOTT |
Alysse Arce MMIW Advocate |
Crystal Love Holistic Practitioner, Survivor, MMIW Advocate | "My mission as a Coach; and Founder-Creator of Loveinmvmt Living programs, is to empower fellow survivors of human trafficking and sexual assault, and bridging the gap by removing barriers to harm reduction and prevention, by offering services in Yoga, breath-coaching and holistic and alternative, lifestyle habits. CO-CREATE - ELEVATE - INTEGRATE. " |
COMING SOON!!! |