Our Board & Staff

Tammie Touchine, Grant Writer and Special Projects Manager, is Diné (Navajo), from the small Navajo communities, Iyanbito and Church Rock, New Mexico. Her clans are Ts’ah yisk’idnii (Sage Brush Hill Clan), born for Bit’ahnii (Under His Cover Clan), her maternal grandfather is Tsin sikaadnii (Clamp Tree Clan), and her paternal grandfather is Naasht’ezhi dine’e (Zuni People Clan). She resides with her children Raven, Imani and Adan in Albuquerque, NM.

Tammie is a graduate from ASU, where she received her Bachelor of Science degree in sociology, and a graduate from the University of Phoenix where she received a master’s in business administration. Tammie has more than 25 years of experience working with non-profit organizations that assist and support Native American people and their communities. Her work includes fundraising, grant writing, event planning, and program development for Indigenous youth, families, and communities. Tammie is a community advocate for the Indigenous community, focusing on securing equitable housing, human rights, funding and access to capital. Her community work involves engaging with state agencies and philanthropic organizations to address systemic underfunding and create sustainable, community-led solutions. Tammie is committed to a positive future for the Indigenous community, and this deep personal passion is the foundation of the work she does.

Emma Tsosie grew up in Santa Fe and is a member of the Pueblo of Picuris. She graduated from Dartmouth College in 2025 with her BA in Native American and Indigenous Studies with a focus on Indigenous Language Revitalization, and now attends the University of New Mexico for her Masters in Native American Studies. Her desire to work for and with Indigenous community brought Emma to the Indigenous Center where, as Programs Assistant, she helps with event planning and advertising, social media, food distribution, and the SFIC’s Honoring Native Nations Powwow.

Karen taught Social and Developmental Psychology at Haskell Indian Nations University, University of Nebraska, and University of North Dakota. Buller founded and Directed the National Indian Telecommunications Institute.  Buller also lobbied for the State PTA in the New Mexico Legislature.  Buller has served on many boards, including, the Universal Service Administrative Company, Verizon Advisory Board, New Mexico ACLU, Libraries for the Future. Karen is now retired and serves as Chair of the Santa Fe Indian Center Board.

Wanda is from Oklahoma and a member of the Muscogee Creek Nation, (Wind Clan). After working with several large corporations in California as Executive Secretary and Event Planner and upon retirement moved to Santa Fe. Being in the land of art and cultural,  Wanda decided to join in and became a jeweler attending IAIA and Santa Fe Community College to hone her skill.  She has participated  in Indian Market and Native Treasures until traveling got in the way.  As Charter member of the California-Muscogee Creeks At-Large, Wanda was instrumental in forming the Muscogee-New Mexico Creeks At-Large group. Her other activities included volunteering for several non-profit organizations. She served a term as Executive Council for AARP of New Mexico, and as a NM-Legislature Advocate for seniors.

Born in Phoenix, AZ in 1947, Linda Lomahaftewa (Hopi/Choctaw) has maintained a thriving career as both a working artist and art educator throughout her life. She earned her high school diploma from the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in 1965 with a focus on painting. She was awarded a full scholarship to attend the San Francisco Art Institute from 1965-1971, where she earned her BFA and MFA in Painting.

Currently in her retirement she is a member of the Board of the Santa Fe Indian Center, serves on the Santa Fe Council for the Uncertain Human Future, and a National Advisor for the Americans for Indian Opportunity’s Ambassador Program. Kathryn has been married to her law school sweetheart, Manuel, for 50 years. She loves people, teaching, movies, reading, and gardening.