Jana Schmieding
Keynote Speaker
Actress/Writer/Comedian
Jana Schmieding is known for her breakout role as "Reagan," opposite Ed Helms on Peacock's groundbreaking comedy series, RUTHERFORD FALLS. The Lakota Native comedian, writer, and fat-positive content creator is also a writer on the series. She has been featured in various publications including, New York Magazine's Vulture, NPR, Paste, Bustle, Bon Appétit and Vanity Fair, where she describes her trajectory from struggling artist to her co-lead role on the series. Jana performed improv, sketch and solo comedy in New York City for ten years before moving to Los Angeles. She directed over 30 sketch and solo shows and collaborated in several different indie writers rooms. Jana is a vocal advocate of Indigenous visibility and social justice, and she discusses these issues regularly in her comedy and writing.
Lillian Sparks Robinson
Master of Ceremonies
CEO and owner of Wopila Consulting, LLC
Lillian Sparks Robinson is the CEO and Owner of Wopila Consulting, LLC, an American Indian and woman owned small business that provides a wide range of specialized consulting and strategic development services to federal, state, and tribal government clients.
A member of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, Lillian has worked in Washington, D.C. for nearly 20 years, devoting her career to supporting the educational pursuits of Native American students, protecting the rights of indigenous people, and empowering tribal communities. In 2010, Lillian was appointed by President Obama, and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, to serve as the Commissioner for the Administration for Native Americans. In this role, she worked on programs and policy impacting Native languages and education, social development, and economic development for American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities. Prior to her service at ANA, Lillian served as the Executive Director of the National Indian Education Association (NIEA), where she worked extensively on education policy and appropriations impacting American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students. A former staff attorney at the National Congress of American Indians, Lillian has received numerous awards and recognition, including being named as one of seven young Native American Leaders by USA Today Magazine, one of “40 Under 40” from the National Center for American Indian Enterprise Development, and American Indian Woman of the Year.
A graduate of Morgan State University and Georgetown University Law Center, Lillian resides in Baltimore, Maryland with her husband, Corey and son, Connor.
Sage Cornelius
Closing Banquet Entertainer
Native Musician
Sage Cornelius is young native musician from Topeka, Kansas, whom effortlessly puts a unique mean spin on the traditional violin as well as his 7-string electric violin. Sage first started playing music at eight years old upon hearing “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” by Charlie Daniels and hasn’t stopped since. Since then, Sage has been seen busking on the streets, playing in symphonic orchestras, shredding in metal bands, accompanying mariachi bands, playing alongside hip hop artists as well as completing multiple US and European tours with national recording soul singer Shawn James and most recently collaborating with world renowned internet YouTube vlogger, Jared Dines.
Sage’s catalogue of music embodies multiple genres ranging from classic rock ballads, cinematic movie themes, EDM anthems, acoustic jams, hip hop tributes and heavy metal head-banging originals. He hopes that his musical performances will have something for everyone of all ages that attends his show.
Sage has also spent time as a private music teacher and has done various workshops with native youth over the years over concepts of entrepreneurship and marketing as an independent artist. On his artist page, his mission states, “With the right tools provided, we have overwhelmingly large amounts of potential.” Sage wishes to empower and be an inspiration to all that hears and sees his performances. Get ready to rock!
Dj Element
Student Social DJ
Native Musician
el•e•ment [el-uh-muhnt] – noun. A component or constituent of a whole or one of the parts into which a whole may be resolved by analysis.
DJ Element is an eclectic DJ from Phoenix, Arizona with a repertoire to encompass hip-hop, funk, soul, neo-soul, reggae, EDM, moombahton, trap, twerk, 80's, electro and everything in between. He has guested at worldwide events and venues in Korea, Japan, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy to name a few. He has opened for heavy hitters such as James Brown, A Tribe Called Quest, Nas, Krs-One, De La Soul, Big Daddy Kane, Rakim, Slick Rick, The Roots, Jane's Addiction, Incubus, and Audioslave. DJ Element was named the B-Boy City King of Scratch Champion in 2019 and recognized in 2015 by the Native American Heard Museum in Phoenix, Arizona for his contribution and dedication to music. Notably, DJ Element is the official 2020-2021 official tour DJ for Supaman. DJ Element is a member of the Salt River Indian Community and began his career in 1996.
Click here to view a complete list of accolades, discography and past events.