I’m Dr. Marty Richardson, founder of Yesáh Solutions, a consulting firm rooted in Indigenous knowledge, cultural resilience, and sustainable planning. Yesáh is a word from the Yesa:sahį (Tutelo-Saponi) language meaning “the people,” and this name reflects both my heritage and my mission: to support Native communities through thoughtful, grounded, and empowering solutions. 

My journey began in Hollister, North Carolina, but I was raised in Baltimore, Maryland, where I grew up in the urban Indian community. My father served as director of the Baltimore American Indian Center, and I was surrounded by culture—dancing at powwows, singing at the drum, and navigating life as one of the few Native students in a city school. People often asked who I was. That question drove me to dig deep into my identity and history—and lit the fire that shaped my life’s work. 

By the time I was a teenager, I was studying Native history, language, and genealogy, not just for myself—but to help others understand who we are. That spirit of inquiry and advocacy led me to college at UNC Pembroke for American Indian Studies, and later to Indiana University for Anthropology and UNC-Chapel Hill for History, where I earned my Ph.D. in 2016.

Over the last 25+ years, I’ve worked in tribal planning, education, behavioral health, language revitalization, and historical research. I’ve been a grant writer, teacher, voiceover artist, project director, and cultural presenter. I’ve helped build food banks, broadband networks, youth wellness programs, museums, and language dictionaries. I've worked with tribes across the country—always with one goal: to strengthen our communities by honoring our past and building toward our future.

The turtle in my company’s logo is more than just a symbol. It’s a reflection of my personal philosophy: slow, steady, thoughtful, and protective. It represents wisdom, balance, and resilience—qualities I bring into every project I take on.

I don’t come into communities with all the answers. I come to listen, to learn, and to collaborate. Together, we create programs and plans that reflect your goals and values, because real solutions come from within the people themselves.

Whether you need help with a grant, a long-term plan, a language program, or just a trusted partner to help move your vision forward—Yesáh Solutions is here to support you.

Let’s work together.

Dr. Marty Richardson