Our Consultants

Melanie Fourkiller

Cherokee

Consultant

Advocates for Native Issues, LLC

Background: 

Melanie has extensive experience working in several areas of tribal government.  She served as the first Secretary of State of the Cherokee Nation. 

Areas of expertise

• Self Governance Law and Policy
• Tribal Resources
• Indian Education
• Tribal Administration
• Tribal Governmental Operations

Melissa Gower

Cherokee

Consultant

Advocates for Native Issues, LLC

Background: 

Melissa has a Bachelor's of Science in Health Care Administration (Magna Cum Laude) from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. 

Melissa also completed the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation Native American Health and Welfare Policy Fellowship, where she served as a fellow for the United States Sentate, Indian Affairs Committee, working for Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell. 

Areas of expertise

• Leadership and Management of Indian Health Programs
• Health Policy and Planning
• Federal Contracting, Compacting and Grants
• Construction Administration for Health Facilities
• Strategic Planning
• Government Relations at Federal, State and Local Levels
• Long Term Care, including PACE Program in Tribal Setting
• Tribal Partnerships with Private and Community Health Providers
• Negotiation of Health-Related Agreements and Joint Ventures

Pamela Iron

Cherokee/ Laguna Pueblo

Consultant

Advocates for Native Issues, LLC

Background: 

Pamela has spent over 35 years working in tribal communities.  She has spent her career working with tribal clients in many areas, including health, self governance, youth programming and cultural revitalization.  She has a Master's degree in Guidance and Counseling from Northeastern State University, and also has a Bachelor's degree in Speech Pathology and Special Education from Northeastern State University. 

Areas of expertise

• Grant Writing
• Public and Private Fundraising
• Strategic Planning
• Cultural Competency Training
• Event Planning

Callie Catcher, CPA

Cherokee

Consultant

Advocates for Native Issues, LLC

Background: 

Callie has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Business
Administration from Northeastern State University and is a licensed CPA in the
State of Oklahoma. Callie has over 30
years experience in both for profit and governmental operations.

Areas of expertise

• Financial systems implementation and process documentation
• Strategic Planning and Process improvement analysis and documentation
• Bond Financing and Leveraging Federal Dollars for Tribal Health Care
• Acquisition and New Business start-up Due Diligence Services
• Financial Policies and Procedures documentation
• Indirect cost proposals and system implementation
• Interim Executive Leadership for Finance and Accounting
• Activity Based Costing and Cost Analysis for Manufacturing

Kym Cravatt

Seminole

Consultant

Advocates for Native Issues, LLC

Background: 

Kymberly has a Bachelor's degree in Health and Sport Sciences from the University of Oklahoma, a Master's in Public Health from University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and a Juris Doctor from the Oklahoma City University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma, and is admitted to practice in the Eastern District of Oklahoma and various tribal courts in Oklahoma.

Areas of expertise

• Estate Planning
• Family Law
• Tribal Law
• Program Management
• Policy Development
• Public Health

J.T. Petherick

Muscogee (Creek)/ Cherokee

Consultant

Advocates for Native Issues, LLC

Background: 

J.T. has a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Northeastern State University, a Master's in Public Health from University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center  and a Juris Doctor from the University of Oklahoma.  He is licensed to practice law in the State of Oklahoma.

Areas of expertise

• Healthcare
• Public Health
• Policy Development
• Compliance
• Tribal Health Systems
• Legislative Advocacy