Wisdom Weavers Session 18: Celebration & Sacred Commitment

Elena Higgins has cultivated a dynamic career touring with her wife, Tash Terry (Diné), as part of the award-winning musical duo Indigie Femme. Together, they have garnered numerous international and national accolades for their powerful performances. Beyond her musical achievements, Elena is the co-founder and executive director ofIndigenousWays, a nonprofit organization devoted to fostering balance and unity through music, arts, outreach, and events. IndigenousWays serves as a bridge for cultural exchange, supporting Native American, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, andDeaf and Hard of Hearing communities with accessible programs and festivals.Through this work, the organization amplifies underrepresented voices, strengthens cultural resilience, and promotes holistic healing on a global scale.

Elena's dedication to community and cultural preservation is deeply rooted in her heritage. Born inAotearoa (New Zealand), she was raised in a Pākehā (white) foster family, while maintaining close ties with her Samoan matrilineal aiga (family) and Māoriwhānau (family). These connections have instilled in her a profound commitment to honoring cultural traditions and building meaningful community connections.

Giovianna Burrell (she/her) is committed to the work of education and healing with their ability to create authentic change. She has a Bachelor of Science in Family/Child Studies with a Minor in Dance. In 2019, she received her Masters of Art in Educational Leadership, Policy & Administration where she wrote her thesis on the mental health impacts of the education system on Black women and girls and it’s false promises of “liberation”. Both degrees are from the University of New Mexico.

Giovianna has worked in the field of education for over 10 years in various settings from public/community schools to non-profit. Giovianna’s work in education includes developing and managing educational programming for youth, teens, young adults, and in her previous role with adults as she was appointed to the City of Albuquerque Office of Equity & Inclusion as the first Culture Change Leader. She has recently transitioned to the Public Health Institute (based in Oakland, CA) as a Program Manager (Co-Lead) developing & implementing racial equity, anti-racism, and social justice curriculum for the Capitol Collaborative for Race & Equity (CCORE) that is a learning and capacity building program for California state employees. In August 2023, she visioned & launched a healing learning cohort for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color state employees and community members in California called the CCORE Transformative Leadership Cohort. Although, her work is based in California now, she is still lives and works in Albuquerque, New Mexico which she has been for the past 15 years. She also created and facilitated many meaningful workshop spaces to critically dialogue about race, gender, intersectionality, and other social justice topics. Supporting Black, Indigenous folx and communities of color to reach their greatest potential through education, embodiment, and healing is where her passion lies in this work. Through her consulting business Saff’s Sanctuary LLC she is actualizing this passion.

Marisa Page is an enrolled citizen of the Pawnee Nation ofOklahoma and descends from the Ponca and Comanche Nation. Marisa was born and raised in Albuquerque, NM and currently resides in Rio Rancho, NM with her family. Ms. Page’s education includes - Master of Legal Studies with a focus inIndigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma, Bachelor of Arts inAnthropology with a minor in Psychology from the University of New Mexico, and two Associates of Arts from Central New Mexico Community College. She is a current candidate for 2024 cohort for the Native American Studies, PhD. program at the University of New Mexico. For more than 20 years, Marisa has worked and advocated for Indigenous peoples throughout the world. She has been a fundraiser working with major gifts, planned giving, and grant writing; managed a pre-college education department; guest lectured at various universities; and participated in community organizing. BIPOC-led organizations she has worked for include - First Nations Development Institute, New Mexico Environmental LawCenter, Native Community Development Associates, Americans for IndianOpportunity, Campo Band of Kumeyaay, and the American Indian Science andEngineering Society. Ms. Page is currently the Executive Director for thePawnee Evening Star Fund, a tribal 501c3.