Shelley Buck

Shelley Buck is president of Owámniyomni Okhódayapi, a Dakota-led organization in Minneapolis that is creating a place of healing, restoration, education, and connection at the Upper Lock on Minneapolis’ Central Riverfront that is a sacred area to the Dakota people. Buck is an enrolled member of the Prairie Island Indian Community and served 12 years on the Prairie Island Tribal Council, including 6 years as president. Shelley was also a member of The Falls Initiative Native Partnership Council. Buck has a Bachelor of Science in business accounting from Indiana University, a Master of Art in sports management from Concordia University, and a Master of Jurisprudence in Tribal Indian law from the University of Tulsa. Buck currently serves on the boards or councils of the Minnesota Wild Foundation, Great River Passage Conservancy, Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi, Meet Minneapolis, Metropolitan Council Regional American Indian Advisory Council, Minneapolis Park & Recreation Native American Parks Council, Macalester University Indian Advisory Group, University of Minnesota Indigenous Education for All Community Advisory Council, as well as a Minnesota DFL CD4 State Delegate (State Executive Committee). She also held the position of Alternate Regional VP for the National Congress of American Indians during her time on Tribal Council. Buck was awarded the Minnesota Lynx Inspiring Women’s Award (2019), Goodhue County Citizen of the Year Award (group award 2019), Minnesota 500 The Most Powerful Business Leaders in Minnesota (2020), Minnesota Indian Education Association’s Tribal Leader of the Year Award (2022), and Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal’s Women in Business Honoree (2025).