NDN Collective Staff

Gene Swallow (He/Him), Front Desk Executive, is an enrolled citizen of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Gene has a Bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education, Early Childhood Education, and Cosmetology. Before joining NDN Collective Gene spent 10 combined years of rewarding experience working in the Oglala Lakota County and Rapid City Area School Districts implementing the Oceti Sakowin Essential Understandings. Outside of work, he is also a textile artist who creates fabric sculptures and Lakota inspired dolls. Gene recently won the Best of Division III: Three Dimensional Award in the 2021 Native POP People of the Planes Art Show. He was also recognized as a 2021 First Peoples Fund Artist in Business Leadership Fellow.