Our Board
Deanne Vitrac-Kessler
Founder/Executive Director
I was raised in South of France in a family that contributed to the establishment of Tibetan Buddhism in France. At an early age I was exposed to Indigenous culture and shown the value of all indigenous peoples wisdom and their strong connection to all that is, their respect of law of nature and knowledge of living in balance with Mother Earth and the elements. My life has been dedicated to help those who are the most “abandoned” and I quickly realized when I arrived in USA that the genocide committed on the original inhabitants of this continent is ongoing under different tactics but still continues. I saw the tremendous need to bridge the gap between the Native communities and the mainstream community. This is what AIF stands for, to bring awareness, education, respect and healing in both worlds so we can walk together as brothers and sisters in a more gentle and peaceful society.
Ross Douglas
In 1953 my family moved to the Seneca Indian Reservation, as my Cherokee father took an administrative position at the Thomas Indian School in Iroquois NY. My father, Thunder Pony, has been demonstrating Native dancing and lecturing about our history for over 80 years. Living in the shadow of such a staunch advocate of Native rights for over 65 years, this has provided me a unique perspective on America’s history. The last decade I have been advocating for Native rights in partnership with the Aspen Indigenous Foundation. I have actively contributed to spreading Indigenous culture and our traditional ecological values in the Roaring Fork Valley. I have also independently lectured around the State about the Doctrine of Discovery and our governments continued abuse of religious dogma throughout American Property law. As a founding member of the Roaring Fork Fire Circle, I have been supporting the continuation of the Haudenosaunee Long House tradition of gratitude in our valley. Though I am retired, I still do some Pow Wow dancing, Regalia making and traditional wood carving.
Vincent Franze
Vincent first became interested in Native American culture when he saw his first PowWow and visited Taos Pueblo as a young boy.
In college he received the Johns Hopkins Provost Award to fund his research and thesis- The Pluralistic Health Care Practices of the Navajo. During this time he gained a great appreciation for the knowledge that has been passed down through generations and is still applicable today.
Vincent remains a student of indigenous traditions and wisdom. He believes the spirituality and practices of these First Nations has great value for our society today. Vincent is an anesthesiologist at Aspen Valley Hospital.
Ella Bennett, Secretary
I am a sixth-generation settler Canadian and grew up on the traditional territory of Ojibwe (Anishinaabeg) and Huron (Petun/Wendat) peoples. I moved permanently to the Roaring Fork Valley (Ute territory) in 2016, and primarily work with a local mountain guide service in an administrative capacity, while also mixing in some work with youth in the valley. I hold a Masters degree in Environmental Studies, which was carried out in partnership with a
Mi’kmaw (First Nation of Nova Scotia, Canada) women’s collective. As part of a community-led research project I helped to collect and disseminate Elder’s knowledge of a culturally important area of land that the community lost the use of due to environmental degradation (environmental racism). For a few years in between, I worked in the remote and beautiful Tongass National Forest of Southeast Alaska with at-risk youth, many of whom came from various Alaskan Native communities. I look forward to continuing my ongoing aim of listening to and learning from Indigenous people across North America / Turtle Island.
Team Members
Diana Alcantara
Diana has lived the Roaring Fork Valley for 13 years and grew up on the Front Range. She teaches Spanish, English Language Learners, reading intervention, and is the director of the learning garden at the Carbondale Community School. She is dedicated to the ideals of Social Justice and Diversity, Indigenous Cultures, Regenerative Agriculture, and developing sustainable food systems. Diana lives by a personal truth that the human Collective Consciousness is evolving and this will be enhanced by allowing human expression to come forth through dance, art, music and culture. She is excited to be on the Board for the Aspen Indigenous Foundation, who's mission will help to bring people back to balance to living in harmony with the Earth and all life forms to evolve us into a future of peace a harmonious existence.
Tharyn Mulberry
Mr. Mulberry had been principal at Aspen High School since July 2015, and has grown a loyal following since his arrival. He was promoted to the Assistant Superintendent position last year and still serves in that role.
Prior to coming to Aspen, Mulberry, who earned his master’s degree in educational leadership and administration from the University of Colorado-Colorado Springs in 2000, had been principal of Centennial High School (Pueblo) since May 2009. He also was principal of WH Heaton Middle School from May 2007 to June 2009.
Mr. Mulberry is married to his wife Narendra and has two children Matty Mae and Tharyn Dean.
Alvin Long Soldier
Spiritual Advisor
LONG SOLDIER is from the Oglala Lakota Nation. He comes from a long line of tribal leaders including his grandfather who was a Chief at Standing Rock, ND, and a famous warrior at the battle of Little Big Horn. Long Soldier has been raised in a very traditional Lakota family, speaks his language fluently and has been dedicating his later years to helping people from all walks of life.
Long Soldier runs a traditional Lakota Sweat Lodge once a month in Carbondale, Colorado, teaching the authentic ways as he has been taught by his elders. He also has spiritual programs for incarcerated Native Youth in Carson City penitentiary to help them cope with their challenges and traumas.
Long Soldier makes himself available for anyone who wants to learn about the spiritual ways of the Lakota. He is the Spiritual Advisor of Aspen Indigenous Foundation.
Diane Godfrey
Student Coordinator
Diane Godfrey has lived in Aspen 25 years with her husband Andy and has raised her four children who are all now young adults living and working around the country. Diane attended Bowdoin College and USC- MBA. Her early career was in marketing and consulting and worked for the US Chamber of Commerce in France and the World Trade Center in Boston before moving to Aspen. Diane worked with Aspen Sister Cities creating the Student Exchange Programs for 10 years, and has been a Business & Community Projects Teacher at Aspen High School for over 10 years. Diane loves Outdoor Education & Ex Ed Programs, and creating student service learning and volunteer opportunities. In her free time she enjoys skiing, hiking and yoga.