Our Services
The Noowuh Knowledge Center was founded in October 2019, by a group of community and spiritual leaders, elders, cultural holders and educators who share a common vision to establish an educational and cultural organization to fulfill a need for cultural preservation and information and resources for the Native community.
About
Our Founder
Mary Gibson, Executive Director
Mary is a citizen of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone/Elko Band. From vision to reality, her passion for the protection and preservation of Newe (Western Shoshone) language, culture and history, was actualized by the founding of NKC. She has a master's degree in Library and Information Science, with an emphasis in archives.
Board OF Directors
Fermina Stevens, Chairperson
Fermina was born and raised in Elko, Nevada, and attended local schools, and graduating from Elko High School in 1987. Fermina volunteers her time on various committees for the Elko Indian Colony to assist in the development of the community and to help preserve Newe history.
Chet Stevens, Vice Chairperson
Chet is a tribal member to the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone/Elko Band. Chet is an artist and respected spiritual leader. Chet's involvement in continuing his cultural practices and traditions are motivated by the importance of passing on Newe teachings. Chet stated, "Cultural preservation is key to perpetuating our beliefs and life-ways.
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Valarie Moon, Secretary/Treasurer
Valarie Moon joined the NKC Board of Directors in 2026.
Sarah Caligiuri, Director
Sarah Caligiuri is an enrolled member of the Yomba Shoshone Tribe. Sarah has served her community for the last 25 years within environmental, social, educational, and reproductive justice movements in partnership with Tribal governments, communities, and federal, state, and county government agencies. Sarah's work is rooted in protecting Mother Earth through community service, social justice, and education. She has a Master's Degree in Federal Indian Law, a B.A. in Native American Studies, and is a Doctoral Student of Educational Studies.
Teresa Garcia, Director
Teresa Garcia joined the NKC Board of Directors in 2026.
James Darrough, Director
James Darrough is a member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, descended from the
Mahakuhai Dikka Newene of Reese River and Smokey Valley, Nevada. James is also 1/4 Dine’ (Navajo),
descended from the Coal Mine Mesa area of Northern Arizona. He was raised in Elko, Nevada, with
traditional Newena and Dine’ values. After high school, James left Newe homelands moving to Reno,
Nevada where he attended college and met his wife. Together they have 5 children and 2 grandchildren.
James obtained an Associate of Science Degree in Engineering in 2005 and became licensed as a
Professional Land Surveyor in 2012. He has over 25 years of experience in the land surveying, civil
engineering, and project development fields and currently owns a land surveying and consulting
company in Reno, Nevada.
Emiliano McLane, Director
Emiliano joined the NKC Board of Directors in 2026.