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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Dixie Jeffers, Secretary/Treasurer
Dixie Jeffers is a member of the Western Shoshone tribe.
Katherine Blossom, Director
Katherine is an elder of the Western Shoshone Nation. Katherine is a mother, grandmother and great grandmother who is dedicated to praying and speaking for the protection of mother earth. For 30 years, she worked as a counselor for the Elko High School. After retiring, Katherine joined Corbin Harney, revered and respected Newe spiritual leader, at Poo-Ha-Bah, or doctor water healing center. Katherine continues to attend ceremonies at home and surrounding states.
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.
James Darrough, Director
James is a member of the Te-Moak Tribe of Western Shoshone, descended from the Mohokai Dikka Newene of Reese River and Smokey Valley, Nevada areas. I am also 1/4 Dineh (Navajo), descended from the Coal Mine Mesa area of Northern Arizona. I was raised in Elko, Nevada, with traditional Newena and Dinah values, where I attended K-12th grade graduating from Elko
High School in 1994. I left home in 1996 and moved to Reno, Nevada where I met my wife,
attended college and obtained an Associate of Science Degree in Engineering, and became
employed at Summit Engineering corporation for 20 years.