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The Board of Directors

 

Dr. Ruby Gibson

Executive Director of Freedom Lodge/ Treasurer of the Khonmadi Project

 

Dr. Ruby Gibson (Mediterranean/Lakota) is the founder of Freedom Lodge and the creator of Somatic Archaeology©, a recovery model rooted in 35 years of global practice in historical trauma reconciliation. An accomplished author and researcher, her work focuses on translating transgenerational burdens into spiritual advantage and generational harmony.

As the visionary behind the Khonmadi Project, Dr. Gibson is dedicated to honoring the "Heartbeat of Mother Earth." Her leadership ensures that the project remains a sacred space for cultural integrity, earth-centered resourcing, and the collective healing of Indigenous communities across Turtle Island and beyond.

Rhonda Akin

President

 

Rhonda Akin, RN is third-generation Japanese American, from a convergence of Indigenous, Hispanic, Asian and European cultures. Her early adulthood experiences of foster-mothering children from Pine Ridge Reservation opened up a lifetime mission to work within the fields of spirituality, holistic health, education, environmental and social justice. Her professional and volunteer experience ranges from delivering nursing care in hospital and community settings, mentoring health care professionals, facilitating community organizations and meditation communities.

Susan Nemcek

Vice President

 

Susan Nemcek is a Social Worker, Classical Homeopath, and dedicated advocate for social change with over four decades of experience in service and healing. A graduate of the University of Minnesota, Susan’s career spans youth advocacy and therapeutic foster care to interfaith chaplaincy. In 2015, she founded the Willow Farm Contemplative Center, where she hosts retreats and rituals focused on healing grief, trauma, and end-of-life transitions. Currently, Susan also serves as an interfaith chaplain and trauma support specialist for The Natural Funeral, specializing in green burial and holistic grief support. She lives in Hygiene, Colorado, where she is a passionate flower farmer and animal lover.

Alexia Delgado

Secretary

 

Alexia is a professional photographer, brand strategist, and educator with a profound dedication to global service and cultural storytelling. With a diverse background that includes serving as a Montessori teacher in Lagos, Nigeria, and an English teacher in Italy, Alexia brings a unique, international perspective to her work, rooted in adaptability and a deep respect for diverse educational methodologies.

As Secretary for the Board of Directors, Alexia integrates her expertise in visual communication and branding. Her role involves managing essential documentation for the Khonmadi Project, researching sacred sites, and supporting the mission of cultural integrity and Somatic Archaeology©.  Alexia is passionate about the intersection of holistic wellness and environmental stewardship, utilizing her creative skills to document and amplify the vital connection between land, ancestry, and collective healing.

Laurelyn Baker

Member at Large

 

Laurelyn Baker is a ceremonially active person who is an enrolled member of the Little Shell Tribe of Chippewa Indians of Montana. She has spent the last 35 years gathering and implementing multiple methods for enhancing and activating the healing potential of built interior and natural spaces we inhabit. She is widely known for her business Visions of Home which provides Feng Shui Interior Design consultations and professional mentorship.

 As a member of the Inner Council for the Gaia Mandala Tibetan Treasure Vase Organization, she practices with an international collective that visualize increasing World Peace germinating from  from the specifically placed “seed” vessels at planned nodes around the Globe in the form of physical prayer known as Treasure Vases.

 “Dr. Ruby’s invitation to join the board of Freedom Lodge to help bring her dream of Khonmadi chanting for harmonic activation in sacred caves to life is both an honor and an exciting opportunity to share skills from my medicine bundle that will hopefully inspire many good hearted people to join us at this time of collective transformation.”

Laura Fragua-Cota

 Elder Advisor

From Jemez Pueblo, New Mexico. After she graduated from high school she attended the University of Albuquerque where she heard of Art Therapy to help people heal. She loved that idea and thought she would get more experience with the arts and attended the Institute of American Indian Arts, IAIA where she learned as many of the art mediums they had to offer. Laura lived off her art in Santa Fe until she decided to see what Art Therapy was all about. Southwestern College in Santa Fe offered a Masters in Art Therapy and Counseling.

After receiving her Masters Laura worked at the public school near her village for 15 years and also was Adjunct Faculty at IAIA teaching Introduction to Art Therapy for 7 years. She became interested in the process of Sandplay Therapy and began to learn how that process worked and received the Registered Sandplay Practioner, RSP from the Sandplay Therapist of America.

 

 

Jeff Iron Cloud

 Elder Advisor

 

Mr. Iron Cloud is the Cultural Consultant for Freedom Lodge, and has been with the organization for 8 years. He is the creator of FireStarters, and delivers wood to Pine Ridge Reservation for Elder and disadvantaged tribal members. Jeff has worked in Human Services, counseling men with drug and alcohol addictions, and has provided talking circles at Rapid City Juvenile County Detention for incarnated youth. Jeff is the father of one daughter and one son, he has 2 grandsons, 2 granddaughters, 2 great-granddaughters and 1 great-grandson. Jeff also has 3 Hunka sons and 2 Hunka daughters. The name Iron Cloud comes from the Knife Chief Tiospaye and Locke Tiospaye (Crow). Jeff has 2 brothers and 5 sisters.