About

Who are we?

This hub’s mission is to provide not only practical tools—like templates- but to do so in a manner that is rooted in frameworks such as OCAP (Ownership, Control, Access, Possession), CARE (Collective benefit, Authority to control, Responsibility, Ethics), and free, prior, and informed consent (FPIC).

We are a collection of fellows part of Emergence Circle’s cohort 2025. We are comprised of professionals, academics, and Indigenous community members who want to assess AI’s impact on tribal communities. The first iteration of this site was developed by the following fellows:

Christina Kracher

  • Christina (Little Shell Chippewa) is an attorney with over 15 years of experience in federal Indian law and policy, including environmental issues, gaming, treaty rights, and Indian education. Her current focus is on AI governance in Indian Country, centering sovereignty, cultural and intellectual property safeguards, and accountability. Through Emergence, she aims to help develop policies and tools that empower Tribal leaders to shape AI futures for their Nations, ensuring governance is designed by Indian Country, for Indian Country.

Shreeya Parekh

  • Shreeya, an Emergence Fellow and MIT tech policy grad student, researches older adults’ online experiences and digital surveillance. With a CS/Political Science background, she is interested in data sovereignty, technological justice, and overlooked communities. She also enjoys embroidery, films, and swimming.

Next Steps…

This site still growing and in development. We appreciate any input, insights, and inspirations from participants. As this project continues to grow, we plan to implement the following features:
- a community discussion board
- contact and social media platforms
- additional topics and articles
- webinars or zoom talks with community members
- recorded content/lectures
- and more…

Keyaanna “Kiko” Pausch

  • Keyaanna “Kiko” Pausch (Diné), from Phoenix, AZ, holds a B.A. in Digital Culture from ASU and 5 years’ IT experience with the Phoenix Art Museum and AZ Supreme Court. Now a Software Developer at InfoSol, she builds AI features and improves software and volunteers with Coding in Color.

Sky
Harper

  • Sky Harper is a 1st year Navajo PhD student at the Medical University of South Carolina, studying biomedical sciences – molecular pharmacology and experimental therapeutics. His goal is to address healthcare disparities faced by Indigenous communities by developing molecular-based therapeutics to tackle genetic diseases through agnostic innovation.

Tim
Benally

  • Tim Benally (Diné), born for Bit’ahni (Folded Arms Clan) and Todi’ozhí (The Salt Water Clan), is from Ganado, Arizona on the Navajo Nation. He serves as a Government & Legislative Affairs Associate at the Navajo Nation Washington Office, advancing policy to support the Navajo People. Tim earned his bachelor’s in Psychology and dual master’s in Recreation Management and Environment Research from Penn State University. Rooted in his upbringing herding sheep and strengthened by connections with his family in Pennsylvania, he carries forward values of discipline, balance, and responsibility.