Jewell Arcoren (Sisseton/Sicangu)
FNCI Interim Program Director
Jewell Arcoren has been with ACF since 2006. Currently Jewell is the Interim program director for the First Nations Composer Initiative. Jewell brings to ACF and FNCI a passion and background in working for the non-profit Twin Cities American Indian arts sector. Jewell has worked with local twin cities non profits and organizations such as Dream of Wild Health, Two Rivers Gallery, the Shakopee Mdewankanton Sioux Community and Dakota owned media company Allies media art. Jewell has been a video producer, associate producer, associate curator, media consultant and a program coordinator. Jewell Arcoren says that one of the lovely perks of working with the First Nations Composer Initiative program is having the opportunity to hear new music being created by American Indian composers and musicians through FNCI’s Common Ground program. Outside of working with FNCI Jewell provides presentations on traditional Indigenous foods in correlation with health and wellness for American Indian people and diabetes prevention. She loves to research, collect and cook old/new traditional recipes and in her spare time she does quill work and researches Dakota quillwork designs. Jewell Arcoren (Sisseton/Sicangu) is an enrolled member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe.
Lisa Yankton
Lisa Yankton joined ACF in 2010. She is the Program Intern at First Nations Composer Initiative. In past incarnations she has worked at Dream of Wild Health (an American Indian organic farm) and as a high school math teacher. Lisa is adept in communications and social networking. Look for more updates and interactive links on FCNI’s Facebook Page. Lisa says she adores working with the sagacious American Indian composers and being around the upbeat creative spirit at FNCI. She enjoys the outpouring of creative energy during FNCI’s Common Ground Program. She also takes abundant pleasure in assisting to bring savvy American Indian performers to the Twin Cities to delight the community. Lisa is fond of reading, research, ancient history, and is currently volunteering for the Dakota Conference and The Circle Newspaper. She loves to travel and is an extensive world traveler. Lisa is a member of the TGIFrybread Writing Group. She has served as a Board Member of Simpson Housing, and Brooklyn Historical Society. Lisa is an enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Dakota. Lisa Yankton may be contacted at 651.251.2825 and LYankton@composersforum.org.
