Staff: Thomeya Doney

Thomeya D. Doney-Giago (‘íítaanɔ́ɔ́néθaa – Buffalo Woman) is an enrolled member of the Fort Belknap Indian Community, who is from the A’aniiih/Gros-Ventre (Ɔɔ́ɔ́'ɔ́ɔ́ɔ́níííh) and Nakoda Nations. She is originally from the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation located in rural North Central Montana. Thomeya resides with her husband and two children in Rapid City, South Dakota, in the traditional lands of the Oceti Sakowin. Thomeya earned her A.A. in American Indian Studies from A’aniiih Nakoda College, a B.A. in Lakota Studies with an emphasis in Lakota Language from Oglala Lakota College, and is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Lakota Leadership and Management at Oglala Lakota College.

Thomeya is passionate about grassroots organizing in Indigenous communities as well as supporting the advancement of Indigenous peoples. She has worked with Native nonprofit organizations that support and serve Indigenous youth and communities for over six years. Her passion is creating opportunities for youth in her communities. Thomeya serves as a mentor to fellow Indigenous scholars and is an ally for Indigenous youth. She strongly advocates for culture and language revitalization and preservation. She spends her free time attending traditional ceremonial doings with her family, as well as perfecting her craftsmanship in Native traditional wear.