Jill Holt, MSW, MPA

Education and Training Director 

Jill has served as the Assistant Director of NICWC since July, 2019.  Prior to coming to NICWC, she served as a Program Coordinator at Nebraska DHHS working with the tribal nations and working to improve ICWA compliance in the State of Nebraska.  Jill also served as the ICWA Specialist for the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska.  Jill has her Master’s in Social Work and Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Omaha.

Samantha Magpie, MSW

Administrative Assistant 

Samantha is Oglala Lakota from the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, she grew up in New York and moved to Iowa at 15 years old. Samantha graduated from the University of Northern Iowa in 2015 with a Bachelor’s in Social Work. Samantha recently graduated from the University of Iowa with her Master’s in Social Work. She currently works for the State of Iowa as the ICWA/ Cultural Equity Manager. 

Cheyenne Robinson

Administrative Manager

 Cheyenne is a member of the Umoⁿhoⁿ (Omaha) Tribe of Nebraska. She holds an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Haskell Indian Nations University and a graduate degree in Business Administration from Bellevue University. Her unwavering dedication to advocating for the rights of Indigenous Peoples and her profound understanding of legal and administrative procedures make her a valuable asset to the coalition’s endeavors to ensure culturally sensitive and effective practices in Indian Child Welfare.

Kitty Washburn, BSW

Tribal Liaison

Kitty Washburn has been with NICWC since November of 2021. Previously, she worked for the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska’s Child and Family Services Program for 11 years.  In her current role as a Tribal Liaison, she is working to develop supports and access to services for tribal youth who are aging out of the child welfare system. Kitty has a bachelor’s degree in social work from Briar Cliff University and is currently enrolled in the University of Iowa’s MSW program.

Rebecca Whitesell

Intern

Yá’át’ééh Rebecca Whitesell yinishyé. Kinlichíi’nii nishłį́. Bilagáana bashishchiin.

Hello, my name is Rebecca Whitesell. I was born for the Redhouse people and born to the White people. 

I am a member of the Diné Tribe but reside in Polson, MT on the Flathead Indian Reservation. The Flathead Indian Reservation consists of the Kootenai, Salish, and Pend d’Oreilles. I work for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes as the Foster Care Licensor Supervisor. I am also in my last year of graduate school. I am obtaining a Master’s in Social Work at the University of Montana. I am beyond excited to embark on this new opportunity to complete my practicum with Nebraska Indian Child Welfare Coalition. My goal and focus has always been to protect and provide for the Tribe’s greatest resource– our Native children. 

A little personal about me is that living in Montana for a majority of my life has allowed me to appreciate the outdoors and nature. My family of three are hardly home– in the warmer months we are more than likely out on the Flathead Lake catching fish, boating, backpacking throughout the mountains, or golfing. During winter, every weekend we are still out in the mountains just on snowmobiles. 

Again, I am so grateful to be given the opportunity to expand my knowledge and work alongside NICWC and their amazing team!

Ahéheeʼ (thank you)