Our Board Members

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 Advisory Board | Keeper of Teachings & Cultural Wisdom 

Jolene Silk is an enrolled member of the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians whose life has been shaped by resilience, faith, and a deep commitment to preserving Indigenous teachings. Through personal experiences, traditional knowledge, and a lifelong relationship with Creator, Jolene has become a quiet yet powerful voice for healing, cultural preservation, and community.

Throughout her life, Jolene has embraced the teachings of the natural world, finding wisdom in plants, water, stones, and the sacred traditions passed down through generations. Her journey has strengthened her belief that some of life's greatest lessons come not through books, but through listening with an open heart and honoring the guidance that Creator provides.

Jolene was the beloved wife of the late Gary A. Silk (Tatanka Chante, Buffalo Heart), a respected Lakota cultural advocate, spiritual guide, and treaty rights activist. Together they shared a life rooted in ceremony, service, and the preservation of Indigenous knowledge. Gary recognized Jolene's intuitive gifts and encouraged her to trust the Teachings that naturally came to her heart, a legacy she continues to honor today.

As a member of the Voices of the Fire Council Advisory Board, Jolene serves as a bridge between lived experience and cultural preservation. Through storytelling, reflection, and heartfelt conversations, she helps ensure that Indigenous voices, traditions, and personal histories are remembered, respected, and carried forward for future generations. Her quiet strength, humility, and compassionate spirit remind us that healing often begins by listening, sharing our stories, and honoring those who walked before us.

Jolene believes every person carries a story worth preserving. By remembering our ancestors, protecting our traditions, and walking with kindness, we leave a path for future generations to follow.

"Creator speaks in many ways. We only need to quiet ourselves long enough to listen." ~ Jolene Silk

Non-Voting Board Member | Artist | Cultural Educator | Blogger

Derek Fiddler is a Lakota artist, cultural educator, and lifelong advocate for Indigenous youth and community empowerment. As a non-voting Board Member of Voices of the Fire Council, he brings decades of leadership, cultural knowledge, and hands-on experience dedicated to preserving and sharing Indigenous traditions.

A skilled artisan, Derek creates handcrafted Native American drums using traditional techniques while honoring the cultural significance each drum represents. Through his artwork, storytelling, and educational outreach, he helps preserve ancestral teachings and encourages others to reconnect with their Indigenous identity.

Growing up on the Cheyenne River Reservation as the sixth of seven children, Derek developed a passion for community leadership early in life. He served as president of his high school's Indian Club, mentored youth through the Cheyenne River Boxing Club, and co-founded the 7 Generation Youth Council, uniting youth councils from 19 tribal communities to cultivate future Indigenous leaders.

Following his service in the United States Navy during the events of September 11, 2001, Derek returned home to continue serving his community through construction, environmental stewardship, and public service projects that strengthened life across the reservation. His work later expanded into nonprofit community arts, where he discovered another avenue for preserving culture through creativity.

For more than two decades, Derek has shared Indigenous culture with thousands of young people. He has taught over 4,000 children throughout the Houston area through after-school programs, using art, storytelling, and drum making to foster creativity, confidence, and cultural understanding.

As a community advocate, Derek also contributed to efforts recognizing Indigenous Peoples' Day, reflecting his ongoing commitment to honoring Indigenous history and ensuring future generations understand the resilience and contributions of Native peoples.

Today, Derek continues to write, create traditional drums, mentor youth, and serve Indigenous communities with humility and purpose. His work reflects a simple yet profound belief: that culture lives when it is shared, practiced, and passed from one generation to the next.

"Every drum carries a heartbeat. Every story carries a responsibility. When we share them, our ancestors continue to speak." ~ Derek Fiddler