Molly Leno

Co-Executive Director of Rooted Ways

Molly Leno is of Rogue River, Umpqua, and Oglala Sioux ancestry. Following in her mother’s footsteps—who was the first queen to represent the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde in the restoration era—Molly grew up representing her Tribe and Native organizations as Royalty throughout her youth and teenage years. For more than 18 years she was crowned Tribal Royalty, carrying the responsibility of representing her people with dignity, pride, and leadership. She has organized powwows, supported families through funerals and times of loss, and continues to serve as a spiritual leader and community helper.

Molly is also a women’s traditional and jingle dress champion powwow dancer, embodying strength, prayer, and the beauty of her people with every step. Beyond the arena, she is a mother, daughter, grandmother, and auntie whose life is dedicated to family, community, and cultural continuance. She practices traditional lifeways including making regalia, beadwork, hide processing, leatherwork, and working with feathers. She also prepares and uses traditional medicines, and pours water for the sweat lodge. Her hands create, heal, and teach, carrying forward the knowledge passed down through the old ones before her.

Molly was also present at the Standing Rock camps during the Dakota Access Pipeline resistance, where she lived her values by helping in camp and providing care, strength, and support to protect the land and water. Known for her honesty and generous heart, she is a spiritual leader who inspires others through both word and action.

Her vision is to reconnect Tribal members with the land and the ways of the ancestors, ensuring that traditional teachings are not only remembered, but lived. Through dance, ceremony, and daily practice, Molly continues to embody resilience, love, and the responsibility of carrying forward Indigenous lifeways.