Grace B. Gillette
As Executive Director, Grace
B. Gillette brings a combination of management and traditional
experience to the organization. Grace moved to Denver over 30
years ago. Her daughter, Avanelle Jo is married to Asay No Braid
and they have two daughters, Larissa Evelyn and Lara Jewell.
Ms. Gillette was born and raised on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota. Her father, George Gillette was a full-blood Arikara. Her mother, Evelyn Wilkinson-Gillette was 3/4 Arikara and 1/4 Norwegian. Her father had the life-time position of Tail Feather Carrier for the Arikara Tribe. This position has been passed on to her brother Russell. Her sister Barbara was inducted into the "War Sister Society." As a result, she has actively participated in the planning of numerous ceremonies and celebrations/dances her entire life. Her tribe refers to powwows as such -- celebrations or dances. During a ceremony, Ms. Gillette was given her Indian name and an eagle plume. She also received the right to dance. Even though Grace resides in Denver, she maintains close ties to her family in Fort Berthold, ND. She has been called upon twice to participate in Warbonnet Dances. She was asked by two granddaughters, Ashleigh Indian Star Heavy Gun for Four Bears Princess and Cassidy Smith for White Shield Traveling Princess
Grace has one brother and five sisters. Russell, a well-known traditional dancer, is a Program Director for the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND. Shirley Smith is a teacher for Black Lodge Headstart in New Town, ND. Aurelia Gillette is retired and raising her grandchildren in New Town, ND. Florence Brady works for the Three Affiliated Tribes in New Town, ND. Barbara Roy works for the Indian Health Service in Oklahoma City. Dr. Sandra Fox retired from the BIA and lives in Albuquerque, NM.
Professionally, Grace has more than 40 years of management experience, which includes several years of conference coordination. She has been employed by prominent national organizations, e.g., Manager of Operations for the Council of Energy Resource Tribes. (CERT); Business Manager/Corporate Officer for the Native American Rights Fund (NARF); Office Manager, American Indian Commission on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse; Logistical Support Coordinator/Office Manager, Osoro and Associates. She has been actively involved with this powwow for 25+ years. Grace was named in the Denver Business Journal's "Who's Who in Denver Business". She was also named in Strathmore's Who's Who for 2006-2007. Ms. Gillette is a graduate of Berea Foundation School, Berea, KY and Haskell Institute, Lawrence, KS. Her background is unique and invaluable in guiding the successful operation of the Denver March Powwow.