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Daniel Wolfshadow Winkler

Location: Tennessee, USA

Biography
I currently work at Natchez Trace Youth Academy as the Director of Marketing and Native American Programs. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology in rural North Carolina at Appalachian State University. Over my career, I have worked in schools, law offices, outdoor programs, nonprofit organizations and have a long history in the field of youth awareness.

Growing up, I am from the Pine Ridge Agency in South Dakota, and have often spoken to the critical need for gravesite protection laws in and throughout Illinois. Coming from an adopted family, I was mentored in my native culture and teachings by my father and his extended family. I am a proud member of the Lakota Nation, and have worked with many other tribal communities over the years to bring awareness for Native youth “at risk” issues. Now I focus my energies on helping the next generation of Native youth. I am still active in bringing about awareness to aboriginal issues and enjoy spending time with my family and practicing my skills as an artist.

How I came to be in this field
Well as a lot of people, I was looking to get into a field where I would hope to make a difference. I started out as direct care staff at a hospital emergency room. It was a very fast paced environment and I saw so many things that I wish I could forget. Many of the kids that came into the emergency room could have been helped before they even got to the hospital. The hospital I worked at had a residential treatment campus, that was associated with it, I was asked by the director of the campus if I wanted to come and work for him directly with the youth we served. That is where I started at and I moved on from there.

A favorite saying
“Justice is not a flexible tool. Unless we all do our part to ensure that justice is applied equally to all human beings, we are a party to its abuse.” — Leonard Peltier, Native American political prisoner

Last thing I read, watched, heard, which I would recommend to others
The Dull Knifes of Pine Ridge by Joe Starita. It was given to me by a very good friend. It is really something how her and I exchange books. I also have Deep Brain Learning by Larry Brendtro on the night stand so I am going back and forth depending on how I am feeling. Let’s see the last thing I watched was “Yes Man” With Jim Carrey It was pretty good. I listen to a lot of Shine Down and 3 Doors down so you’re always find that on my MP3.

This is the Angel that changed my life and makes me proud of her. She will also more then likely be the only girl that will break my heart someday. My daughter.

A favorite Child and Youth Care experience
I will not say this is my favorite experience but this really sticks out in my mind at this time. I was holding a Talking Circle on Monday (10/19/09) with some of the young men I have the honor of working with at NTYA. As one of the young men was talking about his experiences in his life all the loss and death that he has seen. He said “If I was a kid again I would change the way I treated those people in my life but it is too late to go back.” This child is all of 14.

A few thoughts for those starting out

• Always be proactive and not reactive with our students in crisis
• Crisis is always a chance to connect
• Find and remember the strengths in our kids that we serve, this will help us discover the strengths in ourselves
• It is always about Reclaiming

Influences on my work
My own 3 kids. Most likely a lot of my own behavior as a kid growing up. I would hope it is all the people that I have meet through Reclaiming Youth International and Circle of Courage.

Anything else
Enjoy life and visit all the museums you possibly can. Art is so very wonderful.