Launching Next Gen Matriarchs: Ep. 1 Breaking the Silence

Welcome to the launch of Next Gen Matriarchs, a podcast highlighting the journeys, challenges, and achievements of remarkable Montana women in leadership. In each episode, host Mariah Omeasoo sits down with trailblazing women to uncover their personal stories and impactful work. Today, we're thrilled to introduce Episode 1: Breaking the Silence with special guest Haley Omeasoo, a dedicated forensic anthropologist and advocate for Indigenous communities. 

Episode Highlights: 

In this premiere episode, we hear from Haley Omeasoo, founder and Executive Director of Ohkomi Forensics. With expertise in forensic anthropology and a commitment to addressing the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons (MMIP) crisis, Haley shares her journey, from academic pursuits to leading a nonprofit with purpose. 

Key topics discussed in this episode include: 

• The Foundation of Ohkomi Forensics: Haley dives into the origins of Ohkomi Forensics and her motivation for addressing the MMIP crisis. Hear about the story and challenges that inspired her to become a leader in forensic science with a missing. 
• Cultural Heritage in Leadership: Haley discusses the influence of her Indigenous heritage on her work and leadership. Learn how she bridges traditional knowledge with scientific rigor in a field that often overlooks these invaluable perspectives. 
• Prioritizing Self-Care: Balancing nonprofit work and advocacy can be emotionally and physically taxing. Haley shares her personal approaches to self-care and mental health, including insights into overcoming challenges like ADHD, and emphasizes the importance of breaking down mental health stigmas. 

Favorite Quote from Haley: 

Mariah: "As a Next Gen Matriarch, what is one piece of wisdom or guidance you'd like to pass on to future generations of Indigenous women in business and leadership?"

Haley: "Be true to who you are. Never forget where you come from and always carry your traditional values with you in the everything that you do." 

Key Takeaways: 

This episode encourages listeners to reflect on the importance of cultural representation, self-care, and resilience in leadership. Haley's story exemplifies how personal identify and professional passion can combine to create meaningful change. 

How to Listen: 

Episode 1, Breaking the Silence, is available now on Spotify and Apple Podcasts. Tune in to join the conversation and be inspired by Haley's story of purpose-driven leadership. 

Call to Action: 

Follow Native Women Launch for more stories from inspiring women leadership across Montana. 

Listen to Next Gen Matriarchs on Spotify 

Listen to Next Gen Matriarchs on Apple Podcasts