Heather Demaray elected as Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee chairperson, new officers picked by majority vote

The roles of chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary, two members at large, a student and an elder representative were up for grabs. Members could nominate themselves or others, as long as they were present during the meeting. If someone accepted a nomination, then they had a few minutes to give a speech to introduce themselves and what they would bring to the position. IPAC used a general election procedure in which the majority vote from those in attendance would determine who won.

Parents or guardians of Indigenous students in the district, teachers and Native secondary school students are eligible to be IPAC officers. A minimum of five officers must serve, but no more than seven at a given time. The terms for each position will last two years, according to Title XI and Johnson O’Malley Bylaws.

Heather Demaray, a citizen of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation, was elected as the new Indigenous Parent Advisory Committee chairperson after receiving 16 votes. Demaray is a mother of three children, including a 15-year-old in high school, a 12-year-old in middle school and a 20-year-old who attended the district.

Demaray has lived in Bismarck with her family since 2008. She previously worked with children’s sports organizations as a way to participate more in her community. “I ask questions, I’m a parent who knows what’s going on in my children’s lives and I think it’s important to be involved,” Demaray said during her speech. “I am very dedicated, I take initiative and I’m confident.”

The mom of three didn’t anticipate running for the position of chairperson. Demaray recently resigned from her job as director of the Community Opiate Intervention Pilot Program for the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in January. She is in the process of changing careers and is currently in nursing school. Compared to before, Demaray said she has a lot more time on her hands, which contributed to her wanting to take part in the committee. “I just decided today to participate… I’m trying to see where the universe is going to take me and then this came up today,” Demaray said.

Wind Spirit Spotted Bear, a multimedia developer and cultural consultant at Agency MABU, a marketing company focused on serving nonprofit organizations, was nominated and elected as vice-chairperson during the meeting. The MHA Nation citizen is a mother to three children, including an infant. Spotted Bear has also worked with Bismarck Public Schools to host cultural events, including a fancy shawl workshop to teach powwow dancing back in November. Though she’s new to IPAC, Spotted Bear has attended a few meetings in the past and wants to continue to support Indigenous student education.

“I make sure a lot of the stuff [in programs] is being authentic and researched,” said Spotted Bear during her speech. “I make sure to bring my best to help our children and contribute to the next seven generations.”

In addition, Kayla Alkira-Stewart was elected as secretary, then Logan Anderson and Tamsen O’Berry were voted in as members at large. According to Title XI Bylaws, members at large are to be present at monthly meetings and perform other duties as prescribed by the Indian Education Committee from time to time.

Though the positions of chairperson, vice-chairperson, secretary and two members at large were filled during the election, the committee is still looking for student representatives and elders to gain additional perspectives. IPAC members are planning to elect people for these roles once the new officers schedule the next meeting. One of the requirements for nominating someone in this role is that they be present during the following gathering.

Towards the end of the meeting, former IPAC president Billi Jo Beheler and secretary Alicia Hegland Thorpe thanked departing officers for their contributions and encouraged the incoming ones to continue the good work.

“I’m excited for the new officers coming in,” said Hegland Thorpe. “This is huge. It’s a good feeling to know that there is just so much motivation, ambition and time for all the work we want to do here with our children and the school district.”