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Native American Jump Start (NAJS) adds four new directors to board leadership and appoints a new vice-chair. Represented by a strong group of professionals, the Native American Jump Start board helps drive key long-term initiatives, campaigns charitable giveback and impact to amplify NAJS’s mission of providing opportunities for education and employment to Native peoples.

Native American Jump Start is a Jackson, Wyoming based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with a mission to provide opportunities of growth and success for Native American individuals and families through education and employment. Ray Southworth, board chair for the organization said, “we are excited and honored to have four great professionals join our team to help drive growth in the organization in the coming years.”

Joining the board of directors is Avanelle “AJ” No Braid, an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of North Dakota who resides in Rockyford, South Dakota on the Pine Ridge Reservation. AJ earned her Bachelor’s degree from Oglala Lakota College and her Master’s degree in organizational leadership from Colorado State University – Global. Mrs. No Braid said, “I’m looking forward to helping to support young Native people in their pursuit of education and employment opportunities.”  Also joining the board is December Ariwite, from Fort Hall, Idaho and a member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe. Ms. Ariwite earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Workplace training & Leadership from Idaho State University.  She is currently employed with the University in the Native American Student Services department.  She as most recently the president of the Native American Student Council.  She is looking forward to bringing her knowledge and experience to support NAJS. Additionally, Jim Charlton from St. Petersburg, Florida is joining the board for Native American Jump Start. Mr. Charlton recently retired after working thirty-five years in the engineering division of the Department of Veterans Affairs. Jim spent more than forty years involved with Native American causes and looks forward to giving back and supporting NAJS, whose mission closely matches his passions. The final addition to the board is Beverly Medhaug, an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota, Rosebud Sioux Tribe in South Dakota. Mrs. Medhaug is one of the co-founders off the organization and played a significant role in creating the concept of Native American Jump Start to address critical needs of young Native people working towards employment and educational opportunities. Mrs. Medhaug will officially join the organization as a member of the Advisory Committee.

In addition to the new directors joining the board, Hunter Old Elk, from Cody, Wyoming, a member of the Apsa’alooke (Crow) and Yakima nations is an existing board member and has been appointed as vice-chair of the organization. As a student, Ms. Old Elk received grant funding from Native American Jump Start to help in her pursuits of furthering her education.  Ms. Old Elk received her Bachelors of Arts in Native American History and achieved her Masters in Arts in Cultural Heritage Management from John Hopkins University in May 2024. She brings a unique perspective as a student alumnus of NAJS. Professionally, she is the assistant curator at the Buffalo Bill Center of the west.  “Native American Jump Start has been an important part of my journey as I pursued my under-grad and graduate degrees.  I hope that my experience as a NAJS alumni will allow me to leave a tangible impact to the Native community,” said Ms. Old Elk.

“Native American Jump Start has been an important part of my journey as I pursued my under-grad and graduate degrees.  I hope that my experience as a NAJS alumni will allow me to leave a tangible impact to the Native community,” said Ms. Old Elk.