Stephanie Van Hoose

Founder, REACH Indigenous Advocacy

Stephanie Van Hoose, a passionate advocate and community leader deeply rooted in Indigenous culture and service, is the founder of REACH Indigenous Advocacy and a Kettering Foundation 2026 Dayton Democracy Fellow. She is a tribally enrolled citizen of Kenhte:ke, The Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, and brings a unique perspective shaped by her experiences as an Air Force veteran, retired military spouse, autism mentor parent, LGBTQ+ mom, and breast and colon cancer survivor. With over 30 years of cultural education experience, Van Hoose’s commitment to a more inclusive democracy took her to the United Nation’s Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) to highlight the challenges Indigenous mothers face living in states without tribal territories or representation. A gap of support she seeks to close for urban and rural Natives is by ensuring intertribal educational opportunities, which is the main goal of REACH Fest, a program Van Hoose created. In its four years, REACH Fest has welcomed Indigenous leaders, artists, and educators from across the region and the country to the Dayton area, representing over 50 different tribal nations. The key to its success is the collaboration of key community allies, which fosters bridges of meaningful dialogue while providing Indigenous youth opportunities to learn about civic engagement. In April 2024, she was honored with the Ohio Minority Health Commission’s Community Action Award for her unwavering commitment to Indigenous advocacy and community health. Van Hoose’s vision for 2026 includes training programs for an Ohio youth delegation to attend the UNPFII, World Indigenous Day events, and celebrations to mark the fifth anniversary of REACH Fest with the theme “Democracy IS Indigenous.”