Amanda Leivas-Sharpe
Tribal Council Member

After working in a number of different capacities for CRIT over the years, Amanda Leivas-Sharpe has figured out what she’s good at.

“I’m a task master,” she said. “I like to go in and get things done and move onto the next challenge.”

That attitude will serve her well in her role on the CRIT Tribal Council. Leivas-Sharpe was one of several new Tribal Council member elected in the December 6, 2008 election.

Leivas-Sharpe had been serving CRIT as Director of CRIT Head Start. Before that, she worked in law enforcement, Behavioral Health Services, Legal Aid and in several other capacities — mostly involving helping out the youth of CRIT.

“Anything having to do with kids, I’ve been right there,” she said.

The third time was a charm for Leivas-Sharpe when she ran for the Tribal Council, as she finally broke through after two previous tries. She said that the need for change was what inspired her to run again.

“There was a lot going on and people were finally banding together and wanted change,” she said. “I always had the desire to serve, but hearing what people were saying really made me want to do it.”

Leivas-Sharpe said that she will focus on many of the issues that face CRIT today, such as making sure the Tribes’ finances are in order.

She said she would advocate examining each department and making sure resources are being used effectively.

“There are a lot of things going on in the community, and we really need to take a close look where the funds are focused,” she said.

She also said she wants to restore the faith of Tribal members in their elected officials as well.

“I think we’ve lost some respect for what the Tribal Council does, so hopefully this new council can restore that respect in the public eye,” she said.

With such a history in the community, Leivas-Sharpe’s reputation as someone who is accessible to Tribal members is already known.

She said that approach to working with others will not change as she assumes her role on the Tribal Council.

“I will still work the same way,” she said. “People can come to me now as a council member and if they need help I will always do what I can to help them.

“There’s going to be a lot of changes, and some changes people will like, and some they won’t,” she added.

“But I would just tell people to weather the changes and see how things turn out. It will take some time.”