ABOUT
CHIPCO PRESERVE
The Full Story About How Chipco Preserve Came To Be
At A Glance
At Chipco Preserve, our mission rests on three interwoven pillars: Native allyship, Veteran advocacy, and environmental conservation. Though these may seem like distinct concerns, we understand them as expressions of a single, unified worldview—one that sees all life as interconnected, and all beings as kin.
We are guided by a traditional Indigenous understanding: that happiness, prosperity, and balance are achieved not through dominance, but through relationship. To walk in right relation with the world is to weave oneself into the living fabric of existence—to stand shoulder to shoulder, not above, all other beings. Air, water, stone—these are not resources, but relatives. The forest, the soil, the fish, the bird, the insect—all are our brothers and sisters.
This worldview also holds sacred the idea of service. There are many ways to serve one’s people and place. At Chipco, we honor all forms of service, but we focus our efforts on the well-being of Veterans—those who have given deeply to their communities and country. We recognize the toll that service can take—on health, on families, on livelihoods—and we advocate fiercely to ensure that Veterans are not forgotten once their uniforms come off. We believe Veterans bring unique strength, leadership, and resilience to their civilian lives, and we work to help communities recognize and uplift those gifts.
To us, these three commitments—Native allyship, Veteran advocacy, and environmental conservation—are not separate causes, but a single ecosystem. Each strengthens and supports the others. And within this ecosystem, we recognize the primacy of Indigenous knowledge: the land-based philosophies, languages, medicines, food systems, and cultural arts that have endured for millennia. These ways are still under threat—from cultural erasure, from environmental degradation, from systemic injustice. We are proud allies to Indigenous communities, and we work to support their sovereignty, amplify their stories, and preserve the traditions that hold the world in balance.
At Chipco Preserve, we do not seek to lead, but to stand beside—to listen, to learn, and to act in integrity with the earth and all our relations.
About Karen Hannel, PhD Dr. Karen Hannel earned her PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at Union Institute and University. Her dissertation advisor, Dr. Karsten Piep, is a well-known expert in the American experience of World War I. Dr. Hannel won the Marvin B. Sussman Dissertation Award for her work which she has published under the title Lost Voices of the First World War in Irish Art and Literature (McFarland, forthcoming). As her expertise focuses on the nexus of conflict and creativity, she has written and presented widely on the cultural impact of multiple conflicts, including the Civil War in the United States and World War I in France, Britain, Germany, and Ireland. She has also written on the connection between genocide, the confiscation and destruction of cultural artifacts in World War II, and the looting of art goods in the Iraq War. She is currently finishing a co-authored book with Dr. Eric Hannel titled The Colonizing Gaze: Critiquing Monocultural Portrayals of the Native American “Savage” in Popular Culture, which explores how formal conflicts (specifically the Indian Wars) and informal aggressions have shaped depictions of indigenous people in American ephemera. In the earliest stages of development, she and Eric Hannel are researching Lakota soldiers who participated in World War I. Dr. Hannel is the founding chair of the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. She has been with Saint Leo for more than fourteen years and has taught various courses in the Humanities, developed numerous interdisciplinary courses, and contributed to the creation of other programs, including the Women’s and Gender Studies minor and Medical Humanities major.
About Eric Hannel, PhD Dr. Eric Hannel (Lakota) is a retired combat Marine and published author who teaches, writes, and speaks on Native American and Veterans issues. He has served as the Staff Director/lead investigator for the Subcommittee on Oversight & Investigations in the House Veterans' Affairs Committee (2011-2016) where he investigated issues negatively impacting Native American Veterans, contributed to the amicus curiae brief presented to the Supreme Court of the United States Kingdomware Technologies, Inc. v. United States, spoken at length with the UK Defense Minister on Veterans’ issues, and as part of the House Democracy Partnership he addressed Members of Parliament from Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Liberia, Peru, and Timor-Leste. At the request of the Secretary General of the Sri Lankan Parliament, Hannel was also called on to discuss the process of congressional oversight in a democratic government. Still considered a national authority on Veterans Issues, Dr. Hannel’s assistance is sought out and his behind-the-scenes investigation with CBS Los Angeles in 2018 resulted in an Emmy for Flies in the Operating Room. Dr. Hannel earned his Ph.D. in 2014, with a dual major in both Humanities and Public Policy and he was the recipient of the Marvin B. Sussman Dissertation Award at Union Institute & University. He also completed a law degree specializing in Indigenous Peoples Law in 2017 from the University of Oklahoma, and he holds a M.A. in Humanities from California State University, Dominguez Hills, and a B.S. in History from Excelsior College. Dr. Hannel co-authored Stereotypical Indians: Misrepresenting Native Americans in Popular Culture (McFarland & Company, Inc.) and Reinterpreting a Native American Identity: Examining the Lumbee through the Peoplehood Model in 2015 (Rowman & Littlefield).
Board of Directors
The Chipco Preserve Board of Directors brings together a diverse group of leaders dedicated to advancing Indigenous rights, environmental stewardship, and sustainable development. Rooted in our mission and guided by deep cultural values, our board members provide strategic oversight, community representation, and organizational accountability. Their combined expertise in policy, advocacy, conservation, and education ensures Chipco Preserve remains a powerful force for positive change—locally, nationally, and at the United Nations.
Lewis Good Voice Eagle
Lewis Good Voice Eagle currently serves as Chief of Staff to the President of the Sicangu Lakota Oyate, bringing a wealth of experience in tribal governance and advocacy. He previously served as Executive Director of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe Legislative Affairs Office and as the elected Tribal Council Representative for District #12. A committed public servant, Lewis also contributes his leadership to numerous boards focused on advancing the rights and well-being of Indigenous peoples and youth. His work reflects a lifelong dedication to community empowerment and tribal sovereignty.
Tamara Alexander, PhD
With a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Social Change, Dr. Tamara Alexander brings a powerful interdisciplinary lens to human rights, conflict resolution, and public policy. She also holds master’s degrees in Political Science and in Negotiation, Conflict Resolution, and Peacebuilding. Her research focuses on how power structures can limit rights and reinforce institutional hierarchies—particularly impacting marginalized communities. Tamara has led and contributed to initiatives such as the Whitaker Peace and Development Initiative in L.A. schools, law student training at Chapman University, and the development of a Conflict Resolution Certificate program at Union Institute & University. She is also a former assistant editor for Penumbra: An Interdisciplinary Journal of Critical and Creative Inquiry.
Elisabeth Aiken, PhD
Dr. Elisabeth Aiken is an Associate Professor of English and Associate Director of the Honors Program at Saint Leo University. With advanced degrees in English, Literature and Criticism, and Social Work, her work bridges the humanities and social sciences. Elisabeth is passionate about interdisciplinary teaching that sparks creativity and critical thinking, often using literature as a lens for broader cultural dialogue. Her scholarship includes presentations on Southern literature, cultural stereotypes, and the role of technology in composition classrooms.
Steve Turner (USMC ret)
Born and raised in Decatur, Illinois, Steve Turner’s early years were shaped by teamwork and dedication—on and off the baseball field. After earning All-City honors his senior year, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, launching what became a distinguished 20-year career, retiring as a Master Sergeant in 2001. Since then, Steve has brought his leadership and work ethic to companies like General Motors, Ford, and Archer Daniels Midland. A lifelong learner, he proudly holds three college degrees—most notably his first from Vincennes University, which ignited his passion for education. Steve remains active in the Veteran community through the American Legion, VFW, and Marine Corps League. He and his high school sweetheart, Michele, are proud parents to their son, Paul.
Robert McQuade, Esq.
Rob McQuade brings a distinguished legal and public service background to the Chipco Preserve Board of Directors. He currently serves as Deputy Secretary of State for Idaho, following a career that has included roles as a Congressional Investigator, Deputy City Attorney for Boise, Legal Counsel to the State of Idaho, and General Counsel for the Association of Idaho Cities. Rob’s deep experience in government, law, and policy is matched by his commitment to community, transparency, and ethical leadership. Outside of work, Rob is devoted to his exceptional family and remains an avid athlete and fan of lacrosse.