Chelsea Bellon (she/her) is the great-granddaughter of Alyce Highrock, and the granddaughter of LuAnne Hulett (Highrock) and Cheryl Judd (Niewald). While her lineage is Yankton Nation of South Dakota, Chelsea was born and raised on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation in Washington State. In 2010, at the age of 18, Chelsea left her home reservation to attend college in Missoula, Montana, where she began building her life and career. Today, Chelsea and her husband Aaron raise their three daughters in another valley—one that has played an important role in shaping her identity and experiences.

As an Indigenous woman, community advocate, and professional, Chelsea brings a wealth of lived experience to her work. Growing up on a reservation, being a fair-skinned Native person, and receiving a predominantly white education outside her reservation from grades 7 through 12, Chelsea understands the complex dynamic of living in “two different worlds.” Her unique perspective helps her navigate and address the gaps in service that often affect students, professionals, and racially diverse communities. While Chelsea acknowledges her privilege, she continually works to understand it more deeply, all while honoring her cultural and ancestral lineage that has faced systemic discrimination.

Chelsea has over a decade of experience working within American Indian and Alaska Native communities, spanning public health, higher education, and non-profit sectors. Her professional journey has given her profound insight into the racial inequities embedded in systems that are meant to support Tribal Nations. She focuses on identifying health disparities within rural populations, advocating for community-driven solutions, culturally-centered research, and equitable approaches to improving health outcomes.

A passionate advocate for Indigenous perinatal health, Chelsea is deeply committed to the Birthwork movement in Montana’s tribal communities, both urban and rural. Since 2024, she has been certified in Indigenous Postpartum Birthwork and has supported dozens of families and birthing people in their journeys. Chelsea’s work reflects her dedication to empowering communities and fostering health and wellness grounded in culture and ancestral knowledge.

Education

• Bachelor of Arts, Native American Studies & Cultural Anthropology, University of Montana, 2023
• Diversity Equity and Inclusion, Certificate Program, Cornell University, 2023
• Indigenous Postpartum Doula Certificate Program, The Center for Indigenous Midwifery, 2024
• Master of Public Health specializing in Indigenous Health, University of North Dakota, pending (2025)