Meet our communications team
Aha, relatives!
I would like to introduce you to the communications contractors who are helping provide necessary support to the ITKN Communications Department. Each of these contractors works with the Tribe in their spare time when not working their day-jobs. I appreciate their dedication and excitement to improve our communications, and am excited to share their work with all of you!
Wenawine,
Olivia Brien, Director of Communications
Michelle Weaver
Michelle Weaver is an ITKN Tribe Member. In addition to being on the Communications team for the Tribe she has owned Unifour Natural Pet Foods, LLC since 2012. Michelle has experience in photo and video editing, branding, print design, and digital marketing. Her biggest accomplishments are being married to her husband Scott for 28 years and her three adult children who are also ITKN Tribe Members (Bryanna, 26, attends Western Carolina University, David, 21, is dually enrolled at UNC Chapel Hill and Duke University, he is also the Vice Chairman for the White Cloud Health Center, and Conner, 19, attends NC State University).
In her free time, Michelle loves hiking with her dogs and traveling to see her children.
Christina Haswood
Christina Haswood is Diné (Navajo) and started her higher education journey at Haskell Indian Nations University where she earned her A.S. in Community Health, then transferred to Arizona State University where she earned her B.S. in Public Health, and then graduated from the University of Kansas Medical Center where she earned her Masters in Public Health (MPH) in May of 2020.
She was born and raised in Lawrence, Kansas but is originally from Inscription House, Arizona, where she grew up visiting family every year to keep in touch with her culture.
Christina is involved in government and politics in Kansas and has a passion for increasing Native American/ Indigenous and youth/young adult representation in leadership. She has previous experience working in public health in Arizona, Washington, D.C., and the Midwest in government spaces at the federal agency, state, and Tribal department levels.
Rebekka Schlichting
An enrolled member of the ITKN, Rebekka Schlichting is a filmmaker and owner of Native Storytelling Nation, LLC. In 2023, she directed, produced and wrote the documentary Seed Warriors, which will broadcast on Nebraska Stories and PBS Digital Studios on May 18. The world premiere was held at the world Indigenous Maoriland Film Festival in New Zealand, and it is playing at various festivals in the U.S.
Rebekka is also an assistant professor of the practice at the University of Kansas William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications where she teaches writing, ethics, and a variety of video classes. She’s an adjunct for Nebraska Indian Community College where she teaches multimedia journalism. She co-directs the KU School of Journalism summer Native Storytelling Workshop for Native American high school students. She serves on the Lawrence Arts and Culture Commission, the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Culture Committee and heads the Ioway Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska Annual Powwow.
Molly Roe
Molly (Chapple) Roe is a member of the ITKN and grew up in Falls City, NE. Roe has a Master of Arts degree in Media Communications from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Journalism and Mass Communications. She has nearly 10 years of experience in the writing and editing field as well as 7 years of experience in the media communications field. She currently works as a freelancer in brand management and communications, helping Native businesses build newsletters, manage social media accounts, write blog posts and grants, and more.
Her passion lies in working to restore food sovereignty for Native communities by creating and sharing recipes using traditional ingredients, and supporting Native-owned food businesses. She currently lives in Germany where her husband serves in the United States Air Force. In her free time, Molly enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her husband and their rescue cat, Max.
Kim Rudder
(Not photographed) Kim is an enrolled ITKN member and grew up in the mountains of North Carolina. Kim earned her Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of NC at Asheville, and her Master’s in Business from Western Carolina University. Kim’s career began in public accounting and expanded into manufacturing and real estate. Kim’s holistic approach to business has provided the opportunity to work not only on the financial side of business but in Human Resources, Operations, and Marketing.
Kim currently lives in North Carolina with her family and two very spoiled dogs. Kim loves to spend time outdoors and will often be found boating with her family during the Summer. She and her family also enjoy traveling anywhere they can find an outdoor adventure.
Karlee Liberty
Karlee Liberty is an enrolled ITKN member. Her great-grandmother was Ethil Liberty. She earned a Master's degree in English Literature and currently works as a data analyst. She enjoys read in her spare time.
“I have been raised always knowing I was Ioway, and the tribe has always had a special place in my heart; so I'm delighted to be helping out now.”
Contact Information
Olivia Brien
Director of Communications
3345 B Thrasher Rd.
White Cloud, KS 66094
785-850-8045
obrien@iowas.org
