Meet our IMAGEN Girl Society Fellows!
Michaela Parrot, MS
Michaela Parrott is a pediatric dietitian at the Oklahoma City Indian Clinic. She received her undergraduate degree in Food Science and Nutrition from Central Washington University and did her Master’s in Nutritional Science at Oklahoma State University. She develops after-school programs and camps for Native youth patients. She is proud of her work where she shares her knowledge of her tribes (Chickasaw, Choctaw, Seminole, Muscogee Creek). Additionally, she sees patients one-on-one from for various nutrition-related problems. Her patients are aged from 4 months to 17 years and she is able to help with introduction to first foods, overweight/obesity, and much more!
The OKCIC hosts weekly after-school programs called MISS and Jr MISS, they are co-taught by Michaela and Courtney Reeder. They teach girls self-esteem and help build their confidence as young Indigenous adolescents. The program also includes guest speakers from the community to teach the girls different skills and show that there are opportunities to show pride for their culture and heritage. Activities include traditional crafts from various tribes and the mentors sharing personal experiences with the girls. Topics taught at the program include MMIW movement, self-defense, gardening, medicine wheel, and traditional dancing.
Courtney Reeder, MPH
Courtney is of the Kiowa and Muscogee Creek Tribes. Courtney has a bachelor’s from U of Oklahoma with a major in Native American Studies and Health/Exercise Science. She earned her MPH from Baylor U in 2022. Courtney is a Certified Personal Trainer, Zumba, Yoga, and prenatal yoga instructor at Oklahoma City Indian Clinic (OKCIC). Courtney helps lead OKCIC’s MISS and Jr. MISS programs, adolescent Indigenous girls’ empowerment programs for OKCIC patients that provide a safe environment for girls to engage in talking circles while completing beadwork and other Native cultural activities. Girls are presented with educational opportunities to learn about topics such as MMIW, intergenerational learning, self-defense, relationship skills, cultural knowledge, and well-being. Given OKCIC’s urban environment, Courtney encompasses intertribal approaches in her lessons. She grew up in the powwow circle as a fancy shawl dancer and incorporates traditional dancing, physical activity, shawl making, applique work, and beadwork into her lessons for girls.
Aimee Pond, MSW
Aimee is an Oglala Lakota tribal member. After graduating with a degree in Social Work from the University of Wyoming, she worked for Laramie Head Start as a Family Advocate until applying for a graduate degree in Social Work. Aimee returned to her hometown, Pine Ridge, where she worked as a K-12 School Social Worker. After, she joined Thunder Valley CDC, a native led non-profit grassroots organization. There, she developed and managed various youth programs as the Youth Leadership Development Initiative Director. In March 2023, she became the Director of Programs and Partnerships for Friends of the Children He Sapa, Oglala Lakota Nation site. Aimee is committed to building partnerships, fostering relationships and serving her community with the goal to improve the health and wellbeing for youth and families on the Reservation. She enjoys other activities such as adjunct teaching with Oglala Lakota College, coaching youth softball, baseball, and basketball. Aimee is passionate about counseling, mental health, and wellbeing and is currently working to become a licensed CSW-PIP.
Kaity Spider
Kaity lives and works on the Pine Ridge Indian reservation. She is a teacher at the Porcupine School and for two years, she has been facilitating Thunder Valley CDC’s Girl Society. She began working in the mentorship program 2020, right before the pandemic. Kaity loves being able to assist young girls in their growth and provide them with resources and opportunities to learn more about their culture. According to Kaity, the friendship bonds and trust that are built during Girl’s society time, are incredible. Some of the activities that they have done so far are: self-defense classes, ribbon skirt making, parflesh knife holders, and medicine pouches.