In this episode we talk with Pamala Silas:
A Leader for Native American Fair Housing
Development and Empowerment.
Native Americans exist as a sovereign nation within the borders
of the United States and, as such, have special treaties that govern
the relationship they share with the federal government. This
often puts them in a precarious position and, sometimes, at a
disadvantage,particularly in regards to housing. Executive Director
of the Native American Indian Housing Council (NAIHC), Pamala
Silas, who is a descendant of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin, shares
her perspective.
Pamala Silas
O
ver the past 25 years, Pam has been a
recognized leader in successfully leading
national, professional and grassroots membership
organizations serving underrepresented
communities. She holds a B.S. in Economics from
DePaul University and is a Certified Association
Executive (CAE). She is Native American, an
enrolled member of the Menominee Tribe of
Wisconsin and descendant of the Oneida Tribe of
Wisconsin.
Pamala currently serves as the Executive Director
of the National American Indian Housing Council
(NAIHC) with members primarily Tribal based
Housing Authorities who develop and manage
affordable housing. Before joining NAIHC, Pam was
providing executive management and consulting
services to national groups including serving
as Executive Director for the Native American
Journalist Association with a membership consisting
of professional journalists and tribal newspapers and
radio stations across the country.
She served as CEO of American Indian Science &
Engineering Society and AISES Publishing Inc.’s
national operation for over 8 years, a membership of
3,000 students and professionals pursuing education
and careers in the Science, Technology, Engineering
and Math field. In Chicago, she worked on housing
issues facing low-income renters, leading housing
campaigns and aggressive direct organizing efforts at
the Metropolitan Tenants Organization.
She has provided leadership on numerous boards,
committees and task forces including , the board of
Chicago’s Low Income Trust Fund, a founding board
member of Streetwise Newspaper and was a Gaming
Commissioner for the Menominee Indian Tribal
Gaming Commission.