Marisa Cummings (Miakonda) is Umonhon and belongs to the Buffalo Tail Clan of the Sky People as well as the Walker and Springer families. She is a relative to many and is constantly growing traditional knowledge of language, seed keeping, food systems, and building relationships with relatives. Marisa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in American Studies from the University of Iowa and a certificate in American Indian/Native Studies and a minor in African American World Studies. She earned her Master’s in Tribal Administration and Governance from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Marisa is the President/CEO of the Minnesota Indian Women’s Resource Center (MIWRC) in Minneapolis, MN.

Marisa is dedicated to Indigenous models of governance, education, food systems, ceremonies, and sovereignty. She studies and teaches knowledge rooted in matriarchy and advocates for dismantling systems of oppression that impact our Native communities, including resource extraction and personal violence. Marisa has worked across the U.S to consult on culturally specific healing practices and intentional and systemic equity regarding American Indian populations.