Ashley Phelps-Garcia teaches us about the importance and joy of living in ceremony and community. During the boarding school era, many of our relatives were made to feel ashamed of who they were as Native people. Indigenous practices and ways of knowing were banned. Today, we are proud to be Indigenous. Our ceremonies allow us to heal and grow individually and collectively, for the seven generations ahead. Ashley reminds us of the importance of learning from our Elders, and of holding good thoughts for things to fall into place.
Ashley Phelps-Garcia is an enrolled Member of the Oglala Lakota Nation. Residing in the Badlands of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota along with her husband Bino Garcia and their 5 beautiful children; Nevaeh, Maymangwa, Joaquin, Miksuya and Wasose. Ashley’s Lakota name is “Wíyukčaŋ Ománi Wiŋ”. A name that belonged to Chief Red Cloud’s Wife, passed down six generations. Ashley is currently the Director of Communications and Program Manager for a 501c3 nonprofit organization called First Families Now. Working alongside her family, FFN is committed to providing high-quality culturally and community-focused services towards the vital needs of children and families of the Pine Ridge Reservation. Some of the services provided include but are not limited to donation drives, cultural integration, community service projects, healthy food access, and life skills. Ashley is known in the community for her dedication to the preservation and revitalization of traditional Lakota women roles, responsibilities, and ceremonies. Ashley’s father Ted Phelps is the lead singer of the Eagle Mountain Drum group. Her mother Alice is a long time women’s jingle dress dancer so it is only right that Ashley has grown a love and passion for the powwow arena. She has been dancing the jingle dress style since she could walk. Her gift of dance has taken her across the U.S. and Canada competing against some of the best.
First Families Now: https://www.1stfamiliesnow.org/
Follow Ashley and First Families Now on Instagram:
@phelps_15 , @1stfamiliesnow
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Indigenae theme song: “Nothing Can Kill My Love For You” by Semiah
Instagram: @semiah.smith
Find her on Youtube, Spotify, Amazon Music, and Apple Music.