By Kassidy Arena , Senior Reporter Nebraska Public Media News
Healing Ribbons, a nonprofit for intergenerational and intertribal women in Nebraska and Iowa, is aiming to help them emotionally heal through sewing.
The group has been around for almost three years, and now has its very first executive director, Janelle Whipple.
Whipple said she looks forward to the role and expanding Healing Ribbons’ impact.
“I think it’s a beautiful mission and purpose, and I can’t wait to see them build more partnerships, find more donors, find more people to work with and then also just kind of be more announced and acknowledged,” she said.
Whipple added she has a few plans for the expansion, including a community cultural garden and getting a physical building. The group currently rotates to different locations.
Whipple is of Santee Sioux, Sicangu (Rosebud Sioux Tribe) and the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska. She is passionate about traditional plant medicine and hopes to bring that knowledge to Healing Ribbons and its participants.
“We are confident that Janelle’s leadership will greatly enhance our efforts to serve the Indigenous community and fulfill our mission,” Founder and President Tami Buffalohead-McGill said in a statement. “We look forward to the impactful work we will achieve together under her guidance.”
Whipple will officially start next week. One of her goals is to add more regalia-making workshops for powwows throughout the state so Indigenous culture is more prominent and celebrated.
“Healing Ribbons provides a safe space for people to want to learn,” Whipple said. “So when I look at that, I’ve always wanted to be able to just give back in how, you know, I’ve been so fortunate, so how can I teach others how to learn their identity and be comfortable in learning their identity.”
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