Veronica Willeto DeCrane

Faculty/Co-Director, Master of Education in Curriculum & Instruction, Integrative Indigenous Education

Stevenson Rm. 106

(406) 275-4056

BA History, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA.
BA Race and Ethnic Studies, Whitman College, Walla Walla, WA.
MEd Curriculum and Instruction, Salish Kootenai College, Pablo, MT.
Current Doctoral Student

Veronica Willeto DeCrane is a Diné asdzaan (Navajo woman), of the Many Hogans Clan and born for the Mexican Clan. Her maternal grandfather is of the Tangle Clan, and her paternal grandfather is of the Bitter Water Clan. A citizen of the Navajo Nation, Veronica was raised by her parents Harry & Virginia Willeto in Ojo Encino, New Mexico, on Navajo land. She now resides in Montana with her husband and children.

Veronica has been an advocate for Indigenous children in the fields of education, youth development, and child trauma for fifteen years. She previously served as the Senior Tribal Programs Specialist at Friends of the Children and as a Training and Technical Assistance Manager for the National Native Children’s Trauma Center at the University of Montana. She volunteers her time to various state-wide and national level boards focused on child trauma, out-of-school time programs, maternal health, child development, and juvenile justice.

Veronica believes in giving back to Indigenous communities, as they have helped her grow into the wife, mother, and educator she is today. She carries the prayers of her ancestors who have passed down to her generational love, resilience, and wisdom. She aspires to be an educational leader “who thinks of the people,” living out the values of community, respect, relationship, compassion, service, reciprocity, love, humility, integrity, and responsibility.