Let's Help Cecilia FireThunder

We’re calling on our Native wellness community to help our elder and founding board member, Cecilia Fire Thunder, whose home burned to the ground this week. She escaped with her cat and a few important items and is spending the weekend sorting through the burned rubble. She is safe and staying with friends at the moment and is figuring out next steps. The Native Wellness Institute is raising $30,000 to help pay for the clean up to remove the mess that is left from the fire and other immediate expenses related to this tragedy.


For those of you who don't know Cecilia, she has served Indian Country for nearly 50 years- first working as a nurse and opening clinics for Indian people living in Los Angeles and San Diego. Cecilia spent decades working in the domestic violence and sexual assault arena, assisting women to better understand violence and to seek shelter and healing. She is one of the original people who started the Native wellness movement in Indian Country back in the 1980s and has helped to give guidance to many national organizations and movements to better serve Native people. She has traveled to hundreds of tribal communities across the US and Canada, and through her words, laughter and hugs has touched the lives of thousands in a profound and powerful way. She was the first elected woman president of the Oglala Lakota Nation. Today, she still serves her people by directing their housing program. Wherever Cecilia goes, whether it's to a meeting of five people or speaking at an international conference of 5,000 people, she leaves people uplifted. Now it's our turn to uplift her during this challenging time. We know it’s an uncertain time for many and we are grateful for any contribution. All donations will go directly to Cecelia. Thank you!