Melissa Goodblanket is a mother, healer, activist, and subject of the documentary Savage Land www.savagelandfilm.com

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She entered into this current life-walk through the Northwest and grew up in the South along the Appalachian on Tsalagi land. She currently resides on the forced relocation lands of the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho, where she has made her home for 31 years.

Melissa promotes cross-cultural relationship building and unity, and helps youth, adults, and families access traditional healing practices that prevent and address common community issues like substance abuse, mental health struggles, and violence.

Since her son was taken from her through police violence, she has worked tirelessly to seek justice, bring healing, and prevent other youth and families in Indigenous communities from experiencing a similar fate.

She lucidly connects the violence perpetrated against her son within the broader context of social justice and colonization, in a way that brings people into community, rooted in practices for healing and fostering unity. Melissa has helped catalyze action in local, state, and national arenas related to the pressing issue of police violence. 

In addition to her advocacy work, Melissa is a vessel and channel. She has always exhibited a strong intuitive persona that has served her healing work through many lifetimes.

She is a ceremonialist, storyteller, advocate for re-storying justice, elder, healer, spiritualist, mother, and grandmother who carries the deep soul-calling to share the wisdoms of Awakening the Human SOUL.

She is a guest teacher for Rights and Responsibilities/The Art of Growing Up with author Darcy Ottey. Current teacher devoted to educators in Nevada through nonprofit Mindful Sead.

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Melissa blends her life experiences with her knowledge of the Ancient Healing Arts, her N.D. degree and  brings forward the Spiritual practices that open human memory and awaken the orginal teachings given to humanity in the beginning of time.

Wilbur was born and raised on the forced relocation lands of his people, the Southern Cheyenne and Arapaho peoples of western Oklahoma. He is a direct descendant of Cheyenne Chief Black Kettle through his father and Arapaho Chief LittleRaven through his mother.

He understands the adverse effects  generational trauma has had on his relatives and community.

Wilbur, his wife and youngest son are subjects of the documentary Savage Land, www.savagelandfilm.com that has received both National and International awards. The film was birthed following the shooting death of 18yr old son, Mah-hi-vist Goodblanket by officers who entered the family's home.

The film shares historical accounts of colonization and the genocide perpetrated by organized religions and the US government on the orginal peoples of this land, shares the acts of genocide that continue today and the importance of healing the wounds we carry. 

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Wilbur is an active participant in the traditional Cheyenne Ceremonies, a  Cheyenne society member and chairman of NAC (Native American Church) Cheyenne Chapter#2.

Wilbur grew up in the Native American Church and has been an active member for well over 50yrs.He is dedicated to being of service through prayer.

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Wilbur honors and respects the teachings passed down to him through his elders and the spiritual oaths he has made.

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He and his wife Melissa reside in Western Oklahoma with their youngest son, Ahk-ta-na-hi. 

Mary & James come from the Four Corners region of Arizona, land of the Diné Navajo people. They have given their lives in the care of others. Mary & James serve the Native American Church, where peyote is a sacrament. They, as medicine people, care for the ceremonial fireplace and the sacred water of life.