Katie Shea is the National Parks Conservation Association’s Tribal Policy Fellow. Katie is a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation.
In her role, Katie advances education and advocacy around federal Indian law and its implications for federal land management agencies, with a focus on elevating Tribal priorities in public lands policy. Her work centers on strengthening Tribal engagement in land stewardship and fostering enduring partnerships between Tribal Nations and the National Park Service.
Katie’s commitment to this work was shaped by her experience as a contractor with the National Park Service Office of Native American Affairs (IR-1), where she supported Tribal-federal collaboration and shared stewardship initiatives. She also interned at Redwood National Park, gaining foundational experience in Tribal engagement and cultural resource management.
Katie holds a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law from the University of Oklahoma, where she deepened her understanding of Tribal sovereignty, federal Indian policy, and legal frameworks that shape Tribal-federal relations. Her academic training complements her hands-on experience in community engagement, policy research, and intercultural communication—informing her approach to fostering respectful, reciprocal relationships between Tribal Nations and federal agencies.
