Veronica Krupnick, New Mexico House of Representatives Veronica Krupnick is a Child Welfare Youth and Tribal Advocate within the state, national, and international child welfare community. She is proudly from the State of New Mexico and is a Hopi tribal member with Jemez Pueblo and Diné lineage. Drawing on her personal experience navigating the child welfare system and her extensive professional background in the field, Veronica passionately advocates for preventative services, lived experience led policy, and for the holistic well-being of children, families, and their communities. Veronica currently serves as the Legislative Director to the House Majority Whip, Representative Dayan Hochman-Vigil, in the New Mexico House of Representatives. Veronica has been instrumental in developing, implementing, and safeguarding lived experience-centered resources, policy, legislation, and trainings throughout the nation, while also providing direct peer support and mentorship to young people of diverse backgrounds. Veronica is the recipient of the 2024 Casey Excellence for Children Alumni Award, a national honor in recognition of her work to strengthen protection of tribal children and families, the Federal Indian Child Welfare Act, and to safely reduce the need for foster care countrywide. She is also the recipient of the 2024 New Mexico Children’s Law Institute’s Child Welfare and Juvenile Justice Hope in Action Excellence Award, for her advocacy in her home state. Veronica’s current community roles include serving as the Vice President of the Board of Directors at CASA First and as a member of the New Mexico Partners – a collaborative tribal-led organization centered on the first Indian Child Welfare Court and the Indian Family Protect Act in New Mexico. Veronica aspires to be a role model, a supportive mentor, and a fiercely dedicated voice for those directly impacted by the child welfare system.
Navajo Nation Vice President visits FLC, highlights courage, connection and student support Richelle Montoya, the first woman elected to that office, toured campus with FLC leadership.
FLC alumna, Southern Ute linguist Stacey Oberly builds momentum for Indigenous language learning Fort Lewis College alumna and linguist Stacey Oberly (’92) helps revitalize Indigenous languages through teaching and collaboration with the Southern Ute and Ute Mountain Ute tribes.
Farming program yields robust crops on the grounds of former army post and Indian boarding school The FIT program provides a strong foundation for aspiring and beginning farmers through morning field work, afternoon classes, and field trips.
Tribal leaders, FLC join in dialogue on student success, reconciliation During the third annual FLC Tribal Convening, Ute Mountain Ute Chairman Manuel Heart, who has announced his retirement, was recognized for his 30 years of service.
FLC Indigenous language audio studio to empower cultural exchange, language preservation Funded through a grant from Apple, the studio blends technology and tradition to support Indigenous language revitalization and oral storytelling.