About
The dawn star has always meant a new day.
Dawn Star Consulting is a Native American woman-owned firm advising Tribal Nations and Native-serving organizations on governance, federal compliance, and grant readiness. We were 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.
Leadership
Misty Dawn Lakota
Founder & Managing Principal
Enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. U.S. Army combat veteran with 27 years of service, including a deployment supporting a four-star multinational command, and a Chief Warrant Officer serving as a Senior Legal Administrator in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Twenty-five years of federal law enforcement service, spanning Congressional reporting, federal audit compliance, national-level policy authorship across six federal law enforcement programs, federal contracting, and intergovernmental relations — including operations oversight across Indian Country. She began as a Tribal police officer, taught at the U.S. Indian Police Academy, served as an acting Chief of Police, and went on to author and audit against national policy. She holds a Master of Criminal Justice and is completing a Doctorate of Executive Leadership.
Marsha Whiting
Founding Advisor — Grants & Program Strategy
Marsha helped shape Dawn Star Consulting from its very first conversation — the idea, the direction, and the name itself. She remains the firm’s closest counsel on grants and program strategy, and works engagements alongside the principal.
Chippewa Cree and Sicangu Lakota, with 20+ years of leadership within Native-controlled organizations serving urban, rural, and reservation-based communities. Through her role outside the firm she 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.
Dawn Star Consulting, LLC is 100% owned and controlled by Misty Dawn Lakota, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Advisors and specialists are engaged by written subcontract on specific projects.
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.
