Lily Mendoza

Lily Mendoza (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe) is influenced by the powerful matriarchs in her family and is committed to fostering a strong sense of cultural identity and resilience among the Lakota people. She believes her most significant contribution to her community is creating the Red Ribbon Skirt Society, an organization that addresses the difficult issues surrounding Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, helping families share their stories and influences national policies. With her Bush Fellowship, Lily will keep building on this work. She will seek teachings from Lakota elders, tribal leaders and sacred sites, and take time to heal herself so that she can lead from an informed Indigenous perspective and help more families find healing in Lakota lifeways.

What has informed your approach to leading change in your community?

I’m deeply inspired by my children and grandchildren. I am committed to modeling our community’s values for them, so they can continue to uphold and honor our identity through our songs and presence in sacred spaces even when I am no longer here.

Through my work with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, I am constantly inspired by the resilience of the women. These relationships and shared experiences reinforce my commitment to effecting change and providing support where it’s most needed in our community.

Who is your dream dinner guest?
It would be my great-grandmother, whom I never really knew, but who cared for me when I was a child. Over time, I’ve learned about her through the stories that have been passed down, and what I’ve heard has deeply influenced who I am today.

What is your favorite quote or expression?

I often heard these from my mother and now find myself saying to others, especially in moments of pride or concern: “Oh my, my girl, I am so proud of you.” These words carry deep personal significance for me, as they remind me of the loving and guiding presence of my mother. They reflect a tradition of familial support and accountability that I cherish and strive to pass down through the generations.

Another saying that resonates strongly with me is, “Anything is possible, it doesn’t matter how old you are.” This belief has been exemplified by my mother, who continued her community work well into her later years, until she passed away, and now by me, as a grandmother and great-grandmother.