Dr. Brenda Dial Deese is a member of the Lumbee Nation and a resident of Pembroke, North Carolina. She is a retired educator from the state of North Carolina. Other professional experiences include working with AmeriCorps Vista at the Boys & Girls Clubs- Lumbee Country, Program Coordinator with the Intertribal Talking Circle for the Prevention of Substance Abuse in Native Youth and adjunct faculty with the University of North Carolina Pembroke in the Educational Leadership and Counseling Department. Action research was a major focus in her work as Director for Student Services in the Public Schools of Robeson County. The public schools district is in Robeson County; distinguishing factors include poverty, student and employee diversity, and inclusive indicators such as social, emotional and academic challenges. This work offered direct insight to decision-making practices and reckoning principles with leadership styles among leaders that represent lived experiences in historical trauma and institutional oppression. The work led to the design and development of the OBED Indigenous Leadership Styles (OILS) assessment. She designed the assessment tool to specifically identify and characterize strengths and weaknesses of Indigenous leadership styles in relation to collectivistic, ancient practices, worldview, intergenerational trauma, internalized oppression and the metaphysical connections to Indianness. OILS reflect more than thirty-three years lifework and professional practice with Indigenous leaders, application of research and theory, and tribal community experiences. Brenda Dial Deese holds a PhD in Curriculum, Instruction and Counselor Education from North Carolina State University and earned licenses as a North Carolina Licensed Professional Counselor Supervisor (LPCS) and a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). She has a master’s degree in School Counseling, certification in Educational Administration and Supervision and a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education.