Chase Iron Eyes
Executive Director
Chase Iron Eyes is a life long advocate for Indigenous rights and environmental justice. Former director of the Lakota People’s Law Project and co-founder of LastRealIndians.com, Chase was a key figure in peaceful resistance against the Dakota Access Pipeline. A member of the Oglala Nation from Standing Rock, he holds degrees in political science, American Indian studies, and law with a focus on Federal Indian Law. Chase’s work emphasizes the intersection of Indigenous sovereignty and environmental protection.
Darren Thompson
Director of Media Relations
Darren Thompson is an award-winning journalist, artist, and organizer from the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe Reservation in Wisconsin. For over 15 years he has championed tribal sovereignty and environmental justice through media work, including the National Congress of American Indians and Native News Online. Darren studied Criminology & Law Studies at Marquette University, where he also began his journey as a traditional Native American flute player.
Dov Korff-Korn
Director of Advocacy, Managing Attorney
Dov focuses on legal advocacy and movement building to safeguard Indigenous sovereignty and environmental health. His work involves federal Indian law cases heard before the Supreme Court and proceedings on behalf of cultural practitioners and water protectors. Dov supports Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) food justice and community health programs as a board member of Hui Hoʻoleimaluō. He holds a bachelor’s in government from Dartmouth College and a law degree from the New York University School of Law, where he was a member of the American Indian Sovereignty Project. Dov is admitted to practice law in New Mexico.
Tokata Iron Eyes
Spokesperson & Organizer
Tokata (Future) Iron Eyes is a fierce climate activist and member of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe, advocating for Indigenous sovereignty and environmental justice from an early age. Raised on Standing Rock and Pine Ridge Reservations, she blends Western and Indigenous teachings to challenge colonization and capitalism. Tokata continues to inspire global action against the climate crisis and fights for land back to Indigenous people.
Jiah Dzentu
Grants & Administrative Manager
Jiah Dzentu (Dene) is a traditional hide tanner, youth advocate, and cultural facilitator from Liidlii Kue, NWT, Canada. They have worked with non-profits around the circumpolar Arctic to build impactful on-the-Land cultural programming for the last decade. Jiah helps ensure that Sacred Defense Fund operates smoothly and efficiently, managing resources and supporting funding initiatives.
Henry “Ozuya” Crow
Director of Community Empowerment & Cultural Health
Ozuya is a passionate community organizer and advocate dedicated to the empowerment of Native communities and revitalization of traditional practices, from language preservation to land stewardship. With nearly a decade of experience, he has secured numerous grants to support initiatives for preserving traditional practices, improving the wellbeing of Indigenous people, and fostering cultural resurgence. Driven by a deep commitment to community, land rights and the unmeasurable potential of Indigenous people, Ozuya stood at the frontlines during the Standing Rock protest. He is focused on creating spaces for the next generation to step into their power. Ozuya inspires Native youth to reconnect with their traditions, ensuring that the knowledge and values of their ancestors are passed down for future generations.