Project Leaders & Our Shared Dream

Serene Thin Elk, MA, LPC-MH, LAC, QMHP is a L/Dakota clinical addiction and mental health therapist and mother to four beautiful children. She graduated with her Master’s degree in Expressive Therapies and Counseling from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA in 2008. Her clinical focus and trainings are in trauma based modalities, culturally focused counseling and art therapy.  She is a member of the Ihanktonwan (Yankton Sioux Tribe) and currently works at SD Urban Indian Health as the Community Programs Director. In her current role as a director, she is a part of tiospaye (kinship within an extended family) who are her colleagues and together they seek to integrate both culture and spirituality into community healing models. Her professional and personal passions focus on intergenerational healing along with educating others about historical traumas and how this translates to the present day experiences of Native people. She also is Clinical Supervisor for the TOR grant for the Ihanktonwan tribe where she works with a team who are focused building sustainable 

Janell Garcia, M.S. is a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, growing up on Pine Ridge Reservation. She attended Dakota Wesleyan University and graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Psychology. She then attended Utah State University and earned a dual Master's degree in School Psychology and School Counseling. Janell has worked as a School Psychologist/Counselor in many schools on and off-reservation in South Dakota for the past 33 years. She has extensive experience working in schools in the areas of Special Education, Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports, Attention Deficit Disorder, Emotional Freedom Technique, parent training, and many other areas within the school setting.

Janell enjoys spending time with her children, grandchildren, and Creator; cooking, sewing, beading, watching movies, and laughing😀!

Liliana Garcia, a Black Hills State University graduate. Liliana graduated this past December with a bachelor's degree in human services with an emphasis in community.  Liliana is our TOR Family Support Specialist which supports the lhanktowan Wowas'ake project through YST TOR Grant. Liliana will assist the Project Director JoMarie Garcia with enhancing the Tiwahe Hochoka Wakan initiative of the grant. The position will provide case management, emotional, social, and cultural support to families. Liliana is responsible for connecting families to resources and coordination activities and training. 

Janessa Picotte, an enrolled member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. Janessa attends Haskell University in pursuit of a Bachelor's degree in business administration. Janessa is the TOR programs administrative assistant. She helps support the TOR program with daily operations. Janessa also provides top tier support to the rest of our team and serves as a liasion between our program and many other tribal programs.  

Fun fact about Janessa: She is an Iná  (mom in Dakota) to twin boys!

Matagi Fatimu I’atala, currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Information Technology. She is an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Nakota Nation. She grew up on the Pine Ridge Reservation, where she worked as a computer specialist for the Lakota Immersion Daycare from ages 15-19. Working there has inspired Matagi to work in the technology field and with the youth. Matagi is the new Tech Support Specialist for the TOR program, she will help assist JoMarie with the Wowas’ake Podcast, and other forms of digital media. She will also assist in teaching and mentoring students.