Erin Thin Elk is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate (Rosebud Sioux Tribe) and of Irish descendency. She earned a bachelor of arts in English and a certificate in Native American Studies (2002) and a masters of social work (2004) from the University of Iowa.  Ms. Thin Elk holds a passionate commitment to healing, wellness, and social justice for Indigenous children, youth, and families. She is a mother, sister, auntie, grandma, and daughter who loves her children, family, culture, and cooking! Her professional experience includes community-based participatory research and evaluation, suicide prevention and postvention training, culturally based programmatic development, restorative practices and peacemaking circles, and university teaching and educational outreach with Indigenous communities across the United States. She currently serves as Senior Tribal Evaluator with One Fire Associates, LLC and Consultant with the Tribal Youth Resource Center as a Training and Technical Assistance Specialist working with Tribal Juvenile Healing to Wellness Court programs.