About
Bethany is a Research Program Assistant II at the Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health, where she supports culturally responsive public health initiatives with Indigenous communities across the United States. Based in Montana, Bethany contributes to the ᐁ ᐊᐤᓂᐠ ᐅᑕ ᐊᐢᑭᐠ (Returning to the Land) intervention project with the Chippewa-Cree Tribe, which centers land-based healing and cultural revitalization. She also works with Diné communities in the Southwest through the Hózhǫ́ Horizons, Azhe’é Bidziil (Strong Fathers), and Hastiin Bidziil (Strong Man) programs, which promote family wellness, cultural identity, and holistic health.
With a Master’s degree in Anthropology, her career spans over a decade of leadership in higher education and research management. She has served as Director of Student Success at the University of Montana Western, where she oversaw academic advising and student support services, and served on the statewide American Indian / Minority Achievement Council. Her previous roles include Operations and Project Manager for DOD projects and Anthropology Collections Curator at the University of Montana, where she led interdisciplinary research projects integrating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), managed archaeological fieldwork, and facilitated tribal consultation and outreach.
Bethany’s work is grounded in a deep respect for Indigenous knowledge systems and community-driven research. She has contributed to multiple publications and training materials focused on tribal relations, cultural preservation, and Indigenous history. Her leadership in both academic and community settings reflects a commitment to equity, collaboration, and the empowerment of Indigenous voices.
Born and raised on the Flathead Reservation, home of the Séliš, Ql̓ispé, and Ksanka Nations, Bethany spends her free time with her family enjoying nature, volunteering in her community, and remodeling her nearly 100-year-old house.