Stacey White

Stacey White is the Forest County Potawatomi Community Regional Organizer. She educates and registers voters by spreading information at community events and canvassing door-to-door with volunteers in the Forest County Potawatomi Community.

My Story

Bozho (hello), my Native American name is Ba Ma Shi Kwe – it means Lady Gliding Eagle. I’m Eagle clan and a tribal member of the Forest County Potawatomi (FCP) Community. I grew up on the Stone Lake reservation near Crandon where the seasons of the Northwoods always brought us many adventures as children. Summer, of course, was the best season for swimming in the beautiful natural lakes and playing in the lush woodland area in our backyard. Cousins from the Menominee reservation and Milwaukee would come up to spend the summer months with my grandmother Mary Daniels. Building trails in the woods, tree forts, bike races and trying not to get lost in the woods were all things we enjoyed doing together. As we grew older, our elders made sure to teach generation after generation about our culture, religion and the importance of making sure our Neshnabé elderly and children always came first. Understanding the Spiritual World was taught with great respect to all living and nonliving things native to our lands. 

As a youth, the battle to stop the proposed Crandon mine opened my eyes to the urgency our tribal leaders faced to protect the land, water, and air near our reservation lands. Luckily, the mine was stopped with the site’s purchase in 2003 by the Forest County Potawatomi and Mole Lake Sokaogon Chippewa tribes. But the experience had a lasting impact on me. The importance of preserving Mother Earth through Native American culture and religion drives my appreciation and dedication to conservation work. 

I joined Native Vote in July of 2022 to become more active within the Forest County Potawatomi Community and promote voter registration and turnout in our community. Giving back and serving my community is one of my main priorities. Education, awareness, and resources to be able to exercise our right to vote as Native American people strengthen our voices for our future generations and conservation of our native lands. 

Background

  • YWCA Madison Volunteer

  • Potawatomi Carter Casino Hotel (2011-2022)

    • General Manager

    • Assistant General Manager

    • Lead Graphic Artist

    • Assistant Graphic Artist

  • The Illinois Institute of Art – Schaumburg Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (Graphic Design)

Interests

In my free time, I love to travel, paddle board, hike, swim, dance, sing, play the ukulele, and spend quality time with family.

I'm a conservation voter because I was taught to respect and honor the Earth by my ancestors for future generations who depend on us to do what we can to conserve the land, water, and air.

Favorite Place in Wisconsin: Star Lake Hiking Trail

Email: stacey@conservationvoices.org