Bosho — Greetings,

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My name is Starla Thompson, an enrolled citizen of the Forest County Potawatomi Nation and founder of Walks With a Good Heart, LLC. This company is named in honor of my son’s spirit name — a teaching and reminder to walk with kindness, accountability, and a good heart in all that we do. His name is the heart of this work and guides the way I move in the world, both personally and in community.

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I believe true change happens in community — in the spaces where we come together to learn, grow, and lead with purpose. Walks With a Good Heart is my commitment to walking in good relation with people, communities, and the land, offering culturally grounded consulting and education rooted in Indigenous knowledge systems.

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I am an alum of the University of Chicago’s Harris School of Public Policy (MA in Public Policy). My research focused on Indigenous sovereignty, truth-telling, and community-driven policy and program design—work that informs how I build culturally grounded strategies, evaluate impact, and translate research into practice with tribal nations, nonprofits, and institutions. I also served as Senior Researcher for the Native Chicago Project at the University of Chicago’s Neubauer Collegium, leading community engagement and cultural interpretation for public exhibitions on Indigenous presence in Chicago, developing tools and trainings grounded in Indigenous pedagogies, and coordinating collaborations with museums and civic organizations to ensure cultural accuracy and inclusivity.

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Throughout my journey, I have worked alongside tribal nations, nonprofits, educators, and institutions to build pathways that honor sovereignty, uplift cultural identity, and center community-led solutions. My work is guided by the understanding that our stories, knowledge, and ways of being are vital to shaping systems that protect, empower, and carry us forward.

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I am committed to restoring relationships, supporting leaders, and holding space for transformational growth that honors the wisdom and sacrifices of our ancestors while protecting the dreams of future generations.

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Through Walks With a Good Heart, LLC, I offer relational leadership, strategic advising, and cultural education to help communities and organizations walk toward a future grounded in care, accountability, and heart-led action.

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Migwetth — Thank you for your partnership.

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