About Us
Mission
Kenah Consulting supports communities across Indian Country to increase capacity, economic opportunity, and sovereignty. Our work aids tribal communities in enhancing and protecting land and natural resource rights and preserving valued cultural resources. We work with Federal Institutions to help them better engage with tribes.
Approach
We take a holistic approach that combines a deep understanding of federal laws and regulations pertaining to Indian Country and expertise in history, politics, economics, and anthropology. Our work is collaborative, and our goal is to provide services that aid tribes to fulfill their objectives.
Who We Work With
Indian Tribes
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Tribal Organizations
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Museums
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Educational Institutions
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State Agencies
Meet Our Team
Michelle Lea Kiel, PhD
Senior Executive Director
Dr. Kiel is a political anthropologist whose research focused on the intersection of state bureaucracy and Indigenous populations. Michelle’s academic and professional experience gives her a unique perspective on how to mobilize data to aid indigenous communities to achieve their goals. Dr. Kiel specializes in federal acknowledgment, land into trust, natural resource rights, community and economic development, historic and ethnographic research and analysis, capacity building, and program development. Dr. Kiel has been working with Indigenous communities for over 20 years.
Ashley Atkins Spivey, PhD
Executive Director
Dr. Spivey is a historical anthropologist specializing in the archaeology and culture of Powhatan Algonquian communities in Tidewater Virginia. Her academic and professional work centers on supporting Tribal sovereignty through cultural and natural resource management and historic preservation. She has partnered with Tribes, universities, museums, and government agencies to implement programs that reflect Tribal priorities. A member of the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, she maintains a close connection to Virginia’s Indigenous communities, developing Indigenous-led preservation strategies and consulting to build administrative capacity.
Stephanie Rose Hasselbacher, PhD
Associate Anthropologist
Dr. Hasselbacher is a linguistic anthropologist specializing in ethnographic research and program development, with expertise in community-driven language and literacy reclamation efforts. She has 15 years of experience working with Indigenous communities on projects that support tribal sovereignty and protection of linguistic, cultural, and historic resources. Dr. Hasselbacher’s current efforts focus on organizational capacity building in the areas of federal acknowledgment, language reclamation, anthropological research and analysis, program management, grant writing, and grant management.
Catherine Hill, MA
Research Associate
Mrs. Hill is a cultural heritage and archaeological professional whose work has focused on ethical considerations in museum collections. With an academic background in archaeology, she is skilled in Program Development, Historic Research and Analysis and Museum Management. Catherine has played a leading role in international repatriation efforts and facilitating collaboration with underrepresented communities in Indian Country and abroad. Her work with the National Museum of Natural History and Tribal communities has advanced efforts to address colonial legacies and secured $1 million in grants for Tribal initiatives.
Katie Gibson, MA
Research Associate
Ms. Gibson is a public historian with extensive experience in research, archives, genealogy, and federal acknowledgment. Her previous work includes support in various roles with local historical organizations and is dedicated to preserving underrepresented histories. Formerly, she has served as Archive and Collections Specialist with the Mattaponi Indian Tribe and Reservation on their petition for federal acknowledgment. She continues to focus on advancing inclusive historical documentation and Tribal representation in public history spaces.
Olivia Garcia
Research & Administrative Assistant
Mrs. Garcia is an experienced research and administrative professional with a background in tribal enrollment management, genealogical research, and federal acknowledgment. She served as Enrollment Specialist for the Mattaponi Indian Tribe & Reservation, overseeing workflows, maintaining records, and supporting policies and procedures. She has worked as an independent contractor for Kenah Consulting and is dedicated to preserving Indigenous culture. Olivia is an enrolled tribal citizen of the Mattaponi Indian Tribe and Reservation.