Our people.
Our shared purpose.
Meet the people supporting Indigenous-led land rematriation, cultural renewal, and community relationships across the Eastern Woodlands.
Our Team
Leadership & Staff
Alexandra Sutton, Ph.D.
Founder & Executive Director
Alexa guides Indigenous East’s vision, partnerships, and cultural, educational, and research work. Her leadership centers community priorities and Indigenous futures.
Alexa holds a Ph.D. in Environment from Duke University, an M.S. in Wildlife & Fisheries Science from Texas A&M, and a B.S. in Biology from Howard University. Prior to her current exclusive focus on Indigenous East and NDPonics, Alexa served as Chief of Staff at USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, Senior Advisor on Climate, U.S. Peace Corps, the Vice President of Conservation, Justice & Equity at Ocean Conservancy, and Senior Regional Director at The Wilderness Society.
Tribal Affiliation & Identity Statement
Alexa is an enrolled member of the Saponi Nation of Ohio (enrollment #178-011-11), a relationally/tribally recognized Yesàh community, and has served as a member of the tribal council since 2025. She is a granddaughter of Friedonia Berry, who was the daughter of Esther Bowman and granddaughter of Ella Jane Scott, whose mother Eliza Locklear and father John Scott made the migration in 1852 from the Haliwa-Saponi community to Ohio, where they joined the other Yesàh who had reconstituted there — later expanding from Ohio to the bordering counties of Indiana.
Her reflections on Afro-Indigenous identity appear in To Our Future Afro-Indigenous Kin (2021) and Ribbons of Color Along the Eno River (Eno Journal, 2021).
Her academic publications can be found on Google Scholar.
Arina Lekht
Chief of Staff
Arina supports coordination and operations across Indigenous East’s programs, helping connect the people and practical work behind our shared goals.
Tribal Affiliation & Identity Statement
Arina does not claim any Indigenous identity. She arrived to the United States as a refugee from Ukraine with her family in 1991.
Bria L. Young
Community Engagement Coordinator
Bria supports community relationships, listening, and engagement, including the conversations that shape Kì:li.
Tribal Affiliation & Identity Statement
Bria does not claim any Indigenous identity.
Our Advisors
Advisors & Consultants
Marvin “Marty” Richardson, Ph.D.
Yésah Linguist & Cultural Consultant
Marty brings language, community history, and cultural knowledge to Indigenous East’s learning and cultural renewal work.
Tribal Affiliation & Identity Statement
Marty is an enrolled member and the former Vice Chief of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, and was born and raised in Hollister, North Carolina.
Chief Cheryl Cail
Advisory Board Member
Cheryl supports and advises on the direction of Indigenous East’s programs and outreach in South Carolina.
Tribal Affiliation & Identity Statement
Cheryl is an enrolled member of the Waccamaw Indian People, and was elected to serve as Chief in 2026.
Crystal Cavalier Keck, Ph.D.
Advisory Board Member (ad hoc)
Crystal supports and advises on the direction of Indigenous East’s programs and outreach in South Carolina.
Tribal Affiliation & Identity Statement
Crystal is enrolled in the Occaneechi Band of the Saponi Nation, and was elected to serve on tribal council in 2026.