• PDF: Stacy Bohlen v. National Indian Health Board

My name is Mikinuk Kwe, Turtle Woman. I am a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

On September 11, 2001, I was working in New York City. In the moments following the planes hitting the Twin Towers I could hear my Mother’s voice in my ear, as if she was standing next to me. As she had said so many times before, she whispered, “When are you going to do something for our People?”

I quit my job. Moved back to Washington, D.C., and only sought positions where I could be of service to Indian Country. I have had the privilege of working in service to the Tribes and our Peoples ever since.

Until August 20, 2024, when my time as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) with the National Indian Health Board (NIHB) ended.

I am profoundly grateful that I had the honor of standing in this sacred space, being a warrior for our Peoples, all Tribal Nations to improve our fight for laws that uphold our health status, access to quality health services and finally establish us as national leaders authoring and building our own public health systems.

Unlike so many Native people thrust into national leadership positions, when the NIHB Board asked me to be its Executive Director in 2005, I had the profound opportunity to work with some of our greatest leaders in Tribal Health. Leaders like H. Sally Smith, Chairman of the Board at that time; Buford Rolin, Vice Chairman and a lion of Native Health (there would surely be no Special Diabetes Program for Indians without his leadership and contributions), Deanna Bauman, who as Secretary of NIHB held all of the organizations history and documents and Mickey Peercy, who, as Treasurer, was brilliant, patient and unshakably supportive.

At that time, Jerry Freddie sat on NIHB’s Board and his mentorship and guidance in spiritual grounding as necessary to effective Tribal service has guided me every day of my life since. Others, Cathy Abramson, who chaired the Board and led with fairness, strength and wisdom despite her battle with cancer (Cathy walked on earlier this year) and Lisa Elgin, who led with grace, beauty and a ferocity that honors the sacrifices of our Ancestors (we also lost Lisa this year).

Andy Joseph, who was a leader on NIHB’s Board for more than a decade repeatedly asked us, “What will I say to my Ancestors when I meet them if I do not ask for all that we need? How will I explain to them that I did not ask for what our People needed?”

Those words continue to guide my work. I will forever be in the debt of these leaders and be forever grateful that I had the chance to learn about leadership from them. They are, indeed, who our ancestors dreamed into being.

When I took over NIHB in 2005, I was its only employee. The organization was over $400,000 in debt — and the work expected of those funds was incomplete, and NIHB had been the victim of embezzlement of nearly $50,000.

With the partnership, support and leadership of giants in Native health like those mentioned and others, we resurrected this organization and built it into a multi-million-dollar tribal force with over 50 employees, at its high point. We built it into a formidable, credible, effective national powerhouse of Tribal advocacy and leadership.

Just a few of the victories we experienced during my time as CEO include:

There are so many more achievements, systems changes and successful de-colonizing initiatives of Indian health we achieved and advanced together that it is humbling and awesome to contemplate.

To the many men and women who came to NIHB and gave your gifts, work, dedication and service to advance NIHB’s sacred mission, I am forever grateful to you and for you. Many of you have gone on to hold important leadership positions in other organizations, have become physicians, have earned PhDs or law degrees and serve at the highest levels of governments – federal, state and Tribal.

We are all so proud of you and the service for our Peoples that you continue. We need you. Chi Miigwech to each one of you.

In closing, when I accepted the Board’s unanimous decisions to serve as its CEO, I made three promises:

1. I will always tell you the truth.
2. I will fully dedicate myself to the success of NIHB.
3. NIHB will never again rely on the grace of one person to thrive.

I kept my promises.

To my nearly 91-year-old Anishinaabe Kwe Mother, Chi Miigwech for giving birth to me twice. First you gave birth to my body and brought me into this world. Then you gave birth to my life of purpose. Because of you I have had the sacred privilege to serve our beautiful Native People. No matter the challenges and fears I had to face, no matter the sacrifices that were required, I would not trade a single day of this sacred journey. Thank you forever, Mamma – I love you to my core. You are a great warrior for our People. You deserve every honor, and you deserve to heal.

To Lester Secatero, who was the NIHB Board Chairman when I was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer in 2015. Upon hearing the news, everyone was so supportive and promised that they would pray for me. It was only Chairman Secatero who said, “I am pulling over. Let’s pray right now.” Those prayers and that certainty of faith through the grace of God are why I am alive today. That example of refined, illuminated leadership is the best of us. Thank you – Chi Miigwech, Chairman Secatero.

And finally: My name is Turtle Woman – Mikinuk Kwe. This name was given to me by the Creator in Ceremony. Mikinuk Kwe has the responsibility to speak the truth for all the People. The Creator gave me this name, I did not seek it. And no one will take it from me.

I look forward to what is next in my life of service.

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Stacy Bohlen is a citizen of the Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She served as Chief Executive Office of the National Indian Health Board for 19 years. She was the longest continually serving executive leader of the organization. Her Indian name is Mickinuk Kwe, meaning “Turtle Woman.”

A version of this statement appeared on LinkedIn on September 11, 2024.

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