The Leadership
At the Blacksmith Institute, leadership is not defined by titles—it is shaped by responsibility to our ancestors, accountability to our communities, and vision for future generations.
Our founders, Nathan and Dr. Victoria Blacksmith, bring together Indigenous wisdom, lived experience, and systems-level expertise to guide transformational change. From tribal policy to healing practices, from boardrooms to ceremonial grounds, their leadership reflects a commitment to walk with purpose, where tradition informs action and culture leads innovation.
An enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, Nathan is a visionary Lakota leader with over a decade of experience driving systems change through Indigenous values, strategic planning, and community healing. He specializes in bridging policy and tradition to elevate tribal leadership, health equity, and environmental justice.
Nathan Blacksmith, MBA
A clinical psychologist shaped by the customs and community values of rural Mexico, Dr. Blacksmith brings a culturally grounded approach to healing and systems change. With deep experience in behavioral health, nonprofit leadership, and Indigenous scholarship, she weaves together trauma-informed care, cultural preservation, and decolonial practice.