Over the first three days of June, the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho tribes, in collaboration with the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, hosted the Wind River Inter-Tribal Gathering to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the creation of Yellowstone National Park. Almost two hundred and fifty people traveled to the Wind River Reservation to honor, nourish, heal, and celebrate Indigenous peoples. 

The Inter-Tribal Gathering acknowledged the dark history associated with the creation of the park. Native American people were killed and forcibly removed from the area to create Yellowstone, and these actions were not celebrated by Native Americans. What can be celebrated, however, is the fact that we are still here despite the federal policy of assimilation in existence at that time. Today, 49 tribes have ancestral connections to the park. 

The gathering included presentations from Indigenous activists, Tribal leaders, National Park Service superintendents, and the director of the National Park Service. The gathering also featured panels and discussions on topics such as Tribal-federal consultation, increasing Indigenous presence on public lands, the future of buffalo on the landscape, and many more. I moderated a panel titled “Indigenous Women’s Leadership,” an immensely powerful and eye-opening conversation for all those present.  

For many Indigenous peoples, the matriarchal and cultural responsibilities of women play an especially significant role in protecting and nurturing the well-being of the community and surrounding ecosystem. In this panel, we heard how the matriarchy — and women leaders — were replaced by patriarchy and men with the arrival of colonists and how that impacted Indigenous communities and the landscapes they cared for. 

The conference room filled quickly with Wind River community members, state agency representatives, nonprofit organizers, Tribal leaders, and Indigenous activists intent on hearing the stories of three Indigenous women: Judith LeBlanc, Lyla June Johnston, and Ruth Miller. Judith, Lyla June, and Ruth generously shared their unique journeys, yet through all the differences, notes of commonality were offered — ideas and experiences that every woman in that room had felt, lived through, and carries with them. 

Judith LeBlanc is a citizen of the Caddo Tribe of Oklahoma and the executive director of Native Organizer’s Alliance, a national Native training and organizing network. Lyla June Johnston is an Indigenous public speaker, artist, doctoral student, and community organizer of Diné (Navajo), Tsétsêhéstâhese (Cheyenne) and European lineages from Taos, New Mexico. Ruth Miller is a Dena’ina Athabaskan woman and a member of the Curyung Tribe. She is the climate justice co-director of Native Movement, a matriarchal grassroots Indigenous organization. Sitting alongside these strong women warriors was incredibly empowering.  

A key distinction set forth at the start of the panel was the difference between matriarchy and patriarchy. Ruth clarified that patriarchy is vertical. It operates in a system of hierarchy and is extractive. Matriarchy is not about putting women on top; it’s horizontal, circular, and emphasizes reciprocity in relationships over exploitation. Part of Indigenous sovereignty and healing is returning women to a place of power. Ruth asked us to think about all the systems in white western society that are patriarchal – including many conservation organizations. How do we align conservation with Indigenous sovereignty? How can we rebuild communities? Start by restoring a matriarchal existence and honoring women, all women. 

An indication of recent progress is seeing Native women in positions of leadership. Judith spoke about the appointment of Deb Haaland, United States secretary of the Interior, saying “it isn’t a destination, it’s a reflection of where we are going.” While federal appointments are going to be key in the rediscovery of Indigenous women's leadership, Judith noted that it’s also about women’s roles as leaders in communities. Lyla June pointedly stated, “if you cripple women, you cripple the whole community.”  

In other dimensions, the reawakening of Indigenous women’s leadership has far to go. There is continuing violence against women, especially Native women. Judith shared that for all women, pain and possibility are woven together – you can’t have one without the other. There was a palpable moment of unspoken understanding between members of the audience and the presenters.  

We all seem to have our own story of pain and possibility. I grew up having a mother with an extraordinarily strong grassroots activism background. My mother grew up in Oklahoma and is a boarding school survivor. I was raised by not only my mother, but my sisters, Aunties, and Grandmothers who told me many stories of their experiences and what it takes to survive as a Native woman in this world full of colonial attitudes and oppression we face. The strength and matriarchal power I was raised with has taught me a lot as a Native woman leader in my community. Having these strong women visit our homelands was very empowering and encouraging. My Native sisters are warriors. These panelists brought strength and courage to our Native women and girls during the gathering, and they will continue to share their power and strength throughout Indian Country.   

I am incredibly grateful to have been a part of the Wind River Inter-Tribal Gathering and to have moderated the immensely powerful Indigenous Women’s Leadership panel. For me, this panel was personal. To be sitting next to these amazing strong women warriors was so empowering. I was able to have conversations with each one of them. Each one of the ladies gave me so much encouragement and advice. I was so happy to hear their feedback about how much I was able to teach them as well. As I naturally walk-through life, I tend to forget what I too bring to the table, as I focus being humble and modest with anything I do for my family, Tribe, and communities. So, to hear the words of support and strong messages they were able to share with me, I will carry it for a lifetime and pass it to my daughters and my son. 

The experiences shared at the Inter-Tribal Gathering will forever be a part of history in my community and throughout Indian Country. To have so much support from the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Northern Arapaho Tribe, Tribes in attendance, all attendees, and all sponsors was so amazing. This is what unity is about. It was truly an honor to stand with so many strong leaders and teachers. The education and training that was available to those who attended is only the beginning of a bigger story that will soon be shared throughout our communities and Indian Country. 

As we move forward and continue to work together to protect and heal this landscape, we must confront how patriarchal systems that emphasize power and exploitation keep us behind. For far too long, Native communities have been formed around colonialism and patriarchy. My Native Sister Warriors are leading the fight to keep the peace and protect our traditions, culture, and language for their communities and homelands. 

While the event has come and gone, I carry with me a feeling of hope and possibility. We as women have so much to face day today. To have the opportunity to share each other's experiences and stories was so powerful. It was inspiring to hear and feel the support we hold for one another. As Native women leaders, we have so much to teach and protect. That is part of our matriarchal existence and responsibility. We are modern-day warriors of our homelands and resources. We are still here. We are strong.  We are Native Women Warriors. 

—Letara Lebeau, Wind River Conservation Organizer

The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is the land of 49+ Indigenous Tribes who maintain current and ancestral connections to the lands, waters, wildlife, plants, and more.