Nate, TRIBE’s founder, is a citizen of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and a lifelong advocate for Native visibility, culture, and sovereignty.

 

During his time at university, he founded the first Native American student organization on campus in over a decade—creating a space for Indigenous students to gather, organize, and be heard. He has spoken on NPR about Native issues in Illinois and has led countless events aimed at educating the public and uplifting Native cultures throughout the region.

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Nate remains deeply connected to his tribal community and actively participates in cultural life, from ceremonial gatherings to educational outreach. Whether speaking in classrooms or leading community initiatives, his work centers on cultural reclamation, intergenerational knowledge, and the ongoing fight for Indigenous self-determination.

Gerald, TRIBE’s Co-President and Community Relations Manager, is an enrolled citizen of the Pee Dee Indian Tribe of South Carolina and a dedicated advocate for cultural and linguistic revitalization. His work focuses on preserving and renewing Pee Dee traditions.

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Originally from Texas, Gerald has been instrumental in building Native organizing efforts across the Southeastern United States, working to strengthen intertribal relationships and uplift the visibility of tribes too often overlooked. Gerald has a particular interest in reviving the languages of the PDIT.

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Now living in Portugal, Gerald continues to represent his people internationally, often engaging in cultural exchange with communities across Europe while centering the stories and struggles of Native nations. For him, every conversation is part of the larger work of survival, memory, and Indigenous self-determination.