Dr. Alayna Eagle Shield

Mitákuyapi, Alayna Eagle Shield emáčiyapi. Íŋyaŋ Woslál Háŋ Akíčita Háŋska-ta imáčaǧe. Húŋkpapȟa Malákȟóta, Isáŋyathi na Bdewákhaŋthuŋwaŋ Damákȟota, na Pȟaláni hemáčha. (Hello my relatives, my name is Alayna Eagle Shield. I grew up in the Long Soldier District on the Standing Rock Nation. I am Tip of the Horn Lakota, Lives on Knives and Dwellers of the Sacred Lake Dakota, and Arikara).

I am first and foremost Iná (mother) of five beautiful children, Tȟá Oníya Wakȟáŋ Wiŋ (Her Sacred Breath Woman), Waaruxti Nataree’ux Tawisa (Blue Thunder Returns), Tȟa-Čháŋgleška Lútǧ Hokšíla (His Red Hoop Boy), Ȟé Wígmuŋke Wakȟáŋgli Wiŋ (Rainbow Mountain Lightning Comes back Holy Woman), and Tȟašuŋke Ehákela (Last Horse) Perkins. I am married to a prayerful partner, Red Rock Perkins. They each inspire me as an artist and in my advocacy work. In our home we uplift and practice our ancestral teachings and lifeways. We reflect the beauty we see and interpret that in adornments such as clothing, jewelry, cradleboards and more. I have a rez education from home and an education in a mix of Tribal community college, state college and university settings. I hold a Masters of Public Health (MPH) from North Dakota State University and doctorate (Ph. D.) in Culturally Sustaining Education from the University of Washington- Seattle. 

I am a reactivated language warrior and health promotion worker. Our traditional languages are the center of who we are as Indigenous people. Working as a Language Specialist within the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and as a Language Activities Instructor for our language immersion school has equipped me with the knowledge and tools to create language videos and training materials to better share teachings and language with my people all over the world through social media and training settings. This has also impacted how I did work as the director for the Health Education Program on Standing Rock. I use language and traditions to guide my health promotion work. I am currently the Executive Director for the Mni Wichoni Health Circle where we are uplifting our ancestral teachings and practices to raise the level of health of our communities.

I am also the co-founder for the Mní Wičhóni Nakíčižiŋ Wóuŋspe (Defenders of the Water School), the co-founder of the Native Family Learning Lodge, and the co-founder of Ancestral Sisterhood which are all grassroots organizations that are leading educational spaces for children and community members as well as healing spaces for community members. Mitákuye Owás’iŋ! (We’re all related)