About
The dawn star has always meant a new day.
Dawn Star Consulting was founded on a simple conviction: Tribal Nations and mission-driven organizations deserve advisors who know the regulations from the inside — and who respect sovereignty as the starting point, not an afterthought. Our name comes from Aŋpó Wičháȟpi, the morning star — the light that signals the day’s beginning.
Misty Dawn Lakota
Founder & Managing Member, Principal Consultant
Enrolled Oglala Lakota Tribal member. U.S. Army combat veteran with 17 years of service as an officer, including deployment supporting a four-star multinational command. 24+ years in the federal workforce spanning Congressional affairs, federal audit compliance, national-level policy authorship across six federal law enforcement programs, federal contracting, and intergovernmental relations — including operations oversight across Indian Country.
Marsha Whiting
Co-Founder & Senior Advisor, Grants & Program Operations
20+ years of leadership within Native-controlled organizations serving urban, rural, and reservation-based communities. Currently administers $14 million in annual regrants and $1.5 million in scholarship and fellowship funds, with deep experience in fundraising strategy, grants process improvement, and audit-supporting record retention.
Our Values
Sovereignty First — every engagement honors Tribal self-governance and self-determination.
Cultural Competence — our work is grounded in respect for Tribal cultures and governance traditions.
Integrity — honesty, transparency, and accountability in every engagement.
Service — rooted in our military ethic of duty to community.
Capacity Building — we transfer knowledge so your team grows stronger with every engagement.
Dawn Star Consulting, LLC 