Meet Our Dream Team!
Meet our Board of Directors and Staff! We are dedicated to the mission of empowerment and love being able to spread that through our events.
Our Board of Directors
Shannon Beshears - President
Shannon Beshears was recently recognized for her work as an Emmy Award nominee stuntwoman for a popular Netflix series. She graduated from Oklahoma City University with a BFA in Dance Performance. When she is not performing graceful aerial ballets and amazing stunts, she is committed to developing programs for the children of Pine Ridge Reservation. She believes that self-expression in the arts is a key component in helping others heal from traumatic experiences. Shannon and co-founder Yolanda Swalley (see below) continuously work towards the goals of empowering and nurturing the creative talents of the youth of Pine Ridge Reservation. By providing a safe and loving environment for all participants and instructors, the goal is to help heal and uplift a new generation of children who have been severely affected by decades of historical traumas.
Lawrence Swalley - Vice President
Lawrence (Larry) Swalley is a proud tribal member of the Lakota Nation and a lifelong resident of the Pine Ridge Reservation. He has a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Dakota Wesleyan University and served in the US Navy from 1987-1991. He pursued an acting career and appeared in several movies and productions including SKINS and Crazy Horse, a TBS production. Larry has spent his life serving the people of Pine Ridge Reservation in numerous ways. He currently works with traumatized children at the Oglala Lakota Children’s Center. Larry’s dedication to helping others is apparent as he nurtures and celebrates the customs and cultural heritage with the participants of Upijata Arts Company. His teachings, wisdom, and knowledge honor the traditional ways of the Lakota people and is a gift to everyone willing to learn.
Yolanda Cordova Swalley - Secretary
Yolanda (Yoli) Swalley was born in Roswell, New Mexico. Growing up she learned that her love for dancing was a form of self-expression and spent 19 years learning and honing dance skills. In 1998 she moved to Pine Ridge Reservation with her partner Larry and raised their children a source of pride and happiness in her life. Yoli met Shannon on Pine Ridge Reservation when Shannon volunteered for a non-profit organization. A dream was born when they realized that dance and artistic expressions could be used as therapeutic tools to help heal trauma-related wounds on many different levels. Their goal is to help alleviate the pain of generational traumas so prevalent in Native communities by instilling a sense of self-worth and pride in the children of Pine Ridge Reservation. Yoli’s abilities as a nurturing Mother, creative crafts person and innovative instructor, combined with her love of the community make her a valuable asset to Upijata Arts and a much appreciated advocate for the children
Olivia Myles - Board Member
Has worked for Re-Member for several years and met Yolanda and Shannon through that nonprofit. She is currently a therapist full time and helps our team by researching grants.
Amanda Morrisette - Board Member
Our board member and also on our social media team.
Stephanie Apple - Our chef!
One of the most sought after Indian Taco makers on the Rez. Because she works with the community in so many ways, she is pioneering our community affairs branch.
Sheila Slow Bear - Board member
An advocate for sexual and domestic assault survivors for over 7 years both on and off the reservation.
Brandy Lewis - Board Member
Our summer 2022 Jiu-Jitsu instructor