Gwen Shunatona

MA Educational Administration/American Indian Studies
Enrolled Prairie Band Potawatomi
Pawnee and Otoe-Missouria descendent

“Taking care of each other” is what Gwen sees is the defining essence of a tribe. With a Masters degree in Educational Administration from the University of Minnesota and long experience in education and training with ORBIS Associates and other organizations, Gwen puts hope in change through knowledge gain.

As a tribal person, “taking care of each other” has been the basis for Gwen’s career choices as a teacher in public and BIA schools; as a higher education administrator for the Indian program at Stanford University and as an educational planner at the Institute of American Indian Arts (a national tribal college); and, as a manager for the USDE Office of Indian Education (from K-12 programs to higher education programs and fellowships as well as adult education programs) and for the Administration for Native Americans (SEDS Program Specialist and Director of Research, Demonstration and Evaluation). Developing the Professional Development Plan for the Pawnee Nation, conducting planning and coordinating grant writing for the Otoe-Missouria Tribe of Oklahoma, volunteering as a Trustee on the Board of the Pawnee Nation College, serving as the Interim President of the Pawnee Nation College, and directing the NETSTAR teacher training project for the American Indian Resource Center in Tahlequah, OK have most recently kept Gwen focused on taking care of others.  Community engagement and participation in tribal ceremonies, dancing at tribal events and powwows, and studying tribal languages also keep Gwen focused on taking care of her “self.”