A Dedicated Group with Deep Ties to Re-Member
Re-Member’s day-to-day operations are carried out by a dedicated, year-round core group working both on the Pine Ridge Reservation and remotely. Staff members have deep ties to the organization, most having first come to Re-Member as volunteers and grown steadily more involved.
From spring through fall, when volunteers are coming to Re-Member, our year-round staff is supplemented by a number of additional on-site staff members who help coordinate and supervise our construction and cultural programming. These seasonal staffers are also experienced volunteers.
Bill Bass, Sr. Construction Supervisor and Facility Manager
Bill has lived on the Pine Ridge Reservation since 2010. He was adopted by the family of Lakota elder Cornell Conroy (Brings Chasing) and was given the name “Wiconi Uonihan Wicasa” (man honors life). He started with Re-Member in May 2011. Bill has a heart for the Lakota People and over the years of living on the Reservation he feels more at home here, than in Cincinnati where he grew up.
Bill brings the experience he has gained being in the building trades most of his life. When he was thirteen, he worked summers mixing paint for a paint and decorating company. In high school he worked weekends and summers installing aluminum siding, built room additions, sheds, barns, homes and factories. He also did landscape design and installation. He attended Withrow HS in Cincinnati, majoring in environmental health. As a teen Bill served as a Cadet in the U.S. Air Force Auxiliary, Civil Air Patrol, where he learned discipline and search and rescue techniques.
Bill attended the University of Cincinnati. He also studied audio/video production at Southern Ohio College. As a Commander in the Royal Rangers he was trained in leadership, organizational skills, patience, and teaching techniques. Bill is an accomplished bodhran player (traditional Irish drum) and was an instructor at the Riley School of Irish Music for eight years. Bill performed in three Irish bands and competed in the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann (Irish music competition of Ireland) in Ireland several times.
In 2016 Bill was Knighted as a member of the Celtic Cross Templar Knights and is now a Sergeant At Arms in the OSMTJ (“Ordre Souverain et Militaire du Temple de Jérusalem”) Knights Templar of America. Bill has two daughters, four grandchildren, and one good horse. In his spare time, Bill enjoys horseback riding, fishing, camping, watching football (a Rams fan since 1968), and researching his ancestry.
Sidney Jealous of Him, Operations Manager
Sidney first worked for Re-Member in 2009, helping at the woodpile. He came back to work with Re-Member in the winter of 2021. As a Construction Assistant, Sidney splits and delivers wood during the winter season, and instructs and leads volunteers at the woodpile, in the shop, and out on job sites during the program season.
Sid grew up on the reservation, and now lives in Alliance, Nebraska when he is not at Re-Member. He has two nieces, Nayas and Frankie. Sidney loves to be active, and plays softball and volleyball in the summer.
Sidney likes working with Re-Member because he enjoys helping people out, and loves seeing them smile after a project has been completed. “Come say hi," he says, "and don’t be weird!”
Devorah Mlotkowski, Garden Coordinator, Transportation Specialist
Devorah is originally from Detroit, Michigan. She first came to Re-Member in 2004. She was captivated by the land and the graciousness of the people. She volunteered for two years, and ever since her first visit, she knew she wanted to be part of the Re-Member staff. Devorah was a program supervisor in 2016 and 2017, in 2018 she obtained a CDL, and began driving the Re- Member bus. She now lives in Porcupine at “Feather II,” managing our gardening program.
In her spare time, Devorah enjoys reading, watching Native-inspired documentaries, enjoying the outdoors and cooking and eating traditional healthy food.
William Paese, Executive Director
Will’s Re-Member story began as a volunteer in 2015 as part of a group from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He returned as a volunteer the following year before joining the staff as a program supervisor in 2017.
After graduating from UW in the fall of 2019 with a degree in creative writing, Will returned, again as a program supervisor. In the spring of 2020, he became Re-Member's Operations Manager. In this role, Will developed relationships with the community, led volunteer groups on construction projects and coordinated various Re-Member staff and operations. On January 1, 2024, Will assumed the role of Re-Member's Executive Director. He is humbled to serve and proud to work alongside the people of Pine Ridge.
Born and raised just outside of Milwaukee, in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, Will spent most of his childhood on a bike or shooting a basketball. He is a big fan of the Bucks, propagating rubber plants, and long runs across the prairie.
Nyla Red Cloud Frazier, Kitchen Manager
Nyla has been involved with Re-Member since it’s very beginning when Keith and Ginny Titus first came to Pine Ridge more than twenty years ago. She regularly attended the community dinner and craft night to display and sell her porcupine quill work.
Nyla was hired in 2015 as the kitchen manager and enjoys preparing our meals alongside Rhiannon and Michelle, her daughters. She is proud to be part of the Re-Member staff. Nyla enjoys meeting and hearing the stories of our Re-Member volunteers, learning about their families, and the many places they come from.
In her spare times she enjoys spending time with her daughters, and making jewelry. She can still be seen on craft night selling her jewelry and fresh-made fry bread and wojapi.
Michelle Roberts, Program Manager
Michelle first volunteered with Re-Member in 2011 with her church. She has been out to the Rez every year since then. She was a volunteer for six years before joining the staff in 2016 as a program supervisor. She now serves as the program manager.
Michelle directs all program activities at Re-Member, coordinates dozens of program supervisors, and can also be found helping to manage worksites for our volunteers. She loves getting to know the volunteers and enjoys being a part of their experience here at Re-Member.
Michelle graduated from Colorado Christian University in May of 2019 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She was born and raised in Southeastern Michigan and loves being outdoors, listening to music, and dogs. Her passion for people and for building relationships, both the Lakota and our volunteers, keeps her coming back to Pine Ridge and Re-Member.
Paula Sibal, Volunteer Trip Coordinator
Paula has been involved with Re-Member since 2005, having first come here as a volunteer from her home church, Plymouth UCC in Grand Rapids, Michigan. After her first trip, she knew that Pine Ridge Reservation and Re-Member were destined to be her life's work. She has been the volunteer trip coordinator since 2010.
Paula graduated from Suomi College (now Finlandia) in the upper peninsula of Michigan in 1977, with a degree in law enforcement. Prior to coming on staff with Re-Member, she spent 25 years as a medical secretary and medical transcriptionist.
Her heart is with this organization and the Lakota Oyate (people) on Pine Ridge. Paula is committed to do everything she can to educate our volunteers about the injustice that our government and many other people continue to heap on the indigenous peoples of this country, and specifically the Oglala Lakota Oyate. Héčhetu yeló (so it is).
Paula’s hobbies and interests outside of work include horses, skiing, farming, gardening, and pretty much anything that gets her outside.
Jennifer Sklener, Director of Finance & Administration
Jennifer was hired in December 2007 as our part-time financial manager. Thanks to the tremendous support of our donors and volunteers, the organization has grown substantially since 2007. Jennifer now serves as our director of finance and grants. She believes the work that Re-Member does is vital to the community and enjoys making a difference.
Jennifer works remotely from Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is married and has four children, three still at home. In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys biking and drawing. She recently become a certified Zentangle® teacher.
Kimberly Black Elk, Office Manager, Donation Coordinator
Kim has worked with Re-Member since January, 2018.
As office manager and donations coordinator Kim works closely with the entire staff to manage calls, record requests, and keep accurate records. She also coordinates the intake, sorting, and distribution of all donations.
Kim enjoys working with the Pine Ridge community, and meeting Re-Member staff and volunteers from across the country and around the world. She is known for her smile in person, and her friendly voice on the phone.
Kim was born and raised in Wounded Knee on the Pine Ridge Reservation. She has four children, Jayden, Allison, Layton and Taylyn.