Bio of Chelaine Knudsen
Iha Nanji Win (Standing Smiling Woman)

Chelaine Knudsen is an enrolled member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe and also represents the Rosebud Sioux & Ponca nations. She is a descendant of Chief Pretty Boy & Chief Pretty Rock of the Yankton Sioux. She is also a fourth-generation military veteran & first woman combat veteran in her family.

Chelaine enlisted in the South Dakota Army National Guards May 31, 2002 immediately after her High School Graduation. She completed her Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. She then attended her Advanced Individual Training at Fort Lee, Virginia as a 92A – Automated Logistical Specialist. She then returned to Mitchell South Dakota’s National Guard 665th Maintenance Company full-time. In April 2004, she volunteered for a deployment spot in Bagram, Afghanistan with the 109th Engineer Group out of Rapid City, SD.

Upon return to the States, Chelaine enrolled in College at Sinte Gleska University. She completed her Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration with a minor in Accounting.

Chelaine was honorably discharged from the military May 2010.

Currently she is employed with the Yankton Sioux Tribe as the Development Trust Fund Director. She sits on various boards in her community and enjoys serving her nation.

Chelaine is a loving mother to three children and is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Business Administration.