Cultural Competency & Considerations

This learning event discusses how cultural competencies and considerations can help us view differences as positives instead of challenges or obstacles. We will learn that those competencies can also help dispel negative stereotypes and personal biases about different groups. To do the hard work that we do every day, we need to build trust as we interact with others. A big part of that is to honor and show respect across cultures. Sensitivity to culture is important and we must first understand that generational trauma wasn’t generations ago. It continues to affect the families we work with daily.

TRAINER:

Tanya Grassel- Krietlow, Grant Manager of the FAST Grant, South Dakota Network Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault

Tanya, an enrolled member of the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe, and her younger twin brother and sister spent their early years on their grandparent’s farm in Eastern South Dakota. The farm was idyllic with red Herefords grazing on green grass, horses, chickens, and a big garden flanked with petunias and marigolds. Tanya, the twins and their mom relocated to the Lower Brule Reservation, where her mom grew up and her family remained. Tanya quickly adapted to prairie dog towns, longhorn/Charolais cattle, and the challenges of trying to garden in gumbo. From then on, Tanya has navigated living in two worlds and embraced every life experience on and off the reservation.

Tanya has two grown children, daughter Molly and son Dalton. Tanya is married to a real-life Daniel Boone named Kurt who hunts and fishes as hard as he works. The family enjoys all things outdoors and has had lots of wonderful adventures together.

Tanya has been privileged to work with Native Americans and their families for over 30 years. She has had experiences in human services, education, law enforcement, grants management, and direct services; most of her focus has been in Indian Country. Tanya currently works for the South Dakota Network Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault as a grants manager and works primarily with tribal partners across South Dakota.