The Rotary Club of Lincoln 14 is proud to honor Judi gaiashkibos as the 2022 Nebraskan of the Year. The Rotary 14 Nebraskan of the Year award was established to honor and recognize the accomplishments of a Nebraskan who has distinguished himself or herself through service to others in keeping with the ideals of Rotary International.Each year, one honoree from a statewide field of nominees is selected based on honesty, integrity and concern for others; service in charitable and civic causes; and leadership and significant accomplishments in his/her profession or volunteer activities.
An enrolled member of the Ponca tribe, gaiashkibos has distinguished herself as a highly effective cultural mediator and bridge builder between government and the private sector. Through her work, she has promoted several successful legislative bills in Nebraska including LB154, which tasked an in-depth study of missing and murdered Native women and children in Nebraska, allowing for greater understanding of the scope and causes of this national problem. Recently, gaiashkibos championed a bill that authorized the renaming of Columbus Day to Indigenous People’s Day, first celebrated on Oct. 11, 2021. Read more of Rotary's press release by Past President Randy Bretz, here.
