Dr. Brooke Beaverheart Gondara (Tsististas and Suhtai) is deeply rooted in the Northern Cheyenne reservation, with a strong connection to her ancestors and the sacred lands they cherished, such as the Wolf Mountains and Kirby Creek.

Most of Brooke’s career has been in service to higher education institutions. One of her most meaningful achievements was serving as the President at Iḷisaġvik Tribal College in Barrow, Alaska, where she successfully managed a multimillion dollar budget across eight villages; ultimately supporting hundreds of Alaska Native students by increasing access to higher education in the state. 

Brooke is called to support those who are systemically underserved and marginalized. Her own consulting business, Raven Feathers, made a state-wide impact by assisting in creating a policy agenda for early childhood education in New Mexico, which resulted in universal pre-k in the state. With a background supporting Native youth suicide prevention and LGBTQI2S+ organizations , Raven Feathers supported pregnant and parenting teens and young families by managing the “Sacred Blessings'' program for the State of Montana. Brooke continues her consulting journey at Indigenous Impact Co, where she serves as Operations Director, contributing consulting, leadership, and educational expertise.

Brooke brings her humble, anti-racist, and Northern Cheyenne belief-based leadership to the Indigenous Impact Co. Brooke aims to connect resources for collective, Indigenous, community growth through her expertise: strategizing internal operations, talent management, organizational culture, planning, and progress and impact monitoring. Brooke represents the organization and our leadership team with regional and national clients, partners, and funders; primarily working with the Mountain Plains Regional Native CDFI Coalition as a facilitator, and coach to deepen funding and operational strategies, monitor project deliverables, and collect and share performance data. 

Brooke strives to nurture and empower future generations by building up the places she serves in, and leaving them better than she found them. Brooke has made an apparent impact in the communities she has had the privilege of serving through her passion for her work, and her tenacity as a change maker.

Brooke’s powerful resilience can be seen in her educational journey; as a high school dropout and young single mother Brooke faced unique obstacles. Nevertheless, she received a GED, pursued higher education, and built a higher education administration career at several Institutions. Momentously, Brooke was the first Northern Cheyenne woman to receive a Doctorate; supported by her community and ancestors. Brooke earned a bachelor's degree in Sociology and Native American studies at Montana State University Billings (MSUB). She went on to earn her master's degree in Multidisciplinary Education, and Curriculum Design and Instruction at MSUB as well. Brooke researched and wrote her dissertation, Testimonio: Ne`aahtove– Listen to Me! Voices From the Edge- Educational Stories of Northern Cheyenne Women, which she defended to obtain her doctorate at Oregon State University in Educational Leadership, focusing on community college leadership. This accomplishment led to Brooke being the first Northern Cheyenne woman to receive a Doctorate as a result of support from her community and ancestors. Brooke also earned a postdoctoral certificate in Presidential Leadership from the Graduate School of Education at Harvard University.