Sadie Hill Kelley, Yewelahawi, “she brings the wind with her” in Oneida, was born and raised on the Oneida reservation in Wisconsin. She comes from the people of the Oneida, Kiowa, Comanche, Mvskoke, Shoshone Paiute, Cherokee and Absentee Shawnee. Sadie was taught from a young age to be a strong resilient Indigenous woman, who knows her people, traditions and community. She upholds those responsibilities every day, she takes pride in her multi-tribal identity and makes sure to lead a good life wherever she goes. Sadie is passionate about creating a sustainable future for the next seven generations, either by implementing more resources to support youth with education, sports or discussing alternatives to blood quantum requirements to ensure the future of her people.  

Sadie recently graduated from Colorado Mesa University in May of 2024 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Sport Management. She is proud of completing her undergraduate degree while being a student-athlete on the Women’s golf team, as it took a lot of sacrifices and determination. Sadie was part of the first cohort of Native Youth Grantmakers, and she was a policy fellow last year after she graduated. Aside from her professional and academic life, Sadie enjoys sewing, attending ceremonies, photography and going to concerts of her favorite music artists.