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  • A personal message about my journey and commitment to “do good”.

    As Salaamu wa alalikum (Peace be Upon You)

    (Us- Sa-laam-muwa- lay- kuum)

    My name is Aliya Jaffer (Uh- LEE- yah Jah-fer).

    As the founder of Get Rooted, my work is deeply rooted in both professional expertise and the teachings of my ancestors. With nearly a decade of experience supporting Tribal Governments, my approach goes beyond just systems and strategies—it's about honoring the sovereignty, culture, and values of each Tribe I work with.

    A deep spiritual view that was passed down to me from my elders is, "that we were made by our creator as a diverse people from different Tribes, and nations so that we may know one another." This message is about diversity, pluralism, sovereignty, and a deep commitment to these values in any service, consultation, or support we may be blessed to provide during our short time on this earth. This, coupled with my father's lifelong message and most valuable teaching, in this world you will have opportunities in front of you, you may choose to commit to any career, you may walk alongside many people, but the most important commitment you have, and the greatest thing you can do, is "to do good."

    Beyond my professional experience, my passions lie in the exploration of spiritual practices across cultures, holistic healing, and consciousness studies. These interests fuel my personal journey and align with my belief that transformation is possible when we honor our shared humanity, respect cultural diversity, and work in solidarity to heal and strengthen communities.

    When I'm not working with Tribal Nations, I enjoy cooking, writing, yoga, and meditation—practices that allow me to center myself and stay grounded. I am also dedicated to developing educational materials that empower youth, particularly in the areas of anti-bullying and personal growth. I believe strongly in the power of education to change lives and work towards building a future where the next generation is empowered and connected to both their heritage and the world around them.

    At Get Rooted, we’re not just about consulting—we’re about partnership, respect, and a shared vision for strengthening the communities we serve. We work from a place of understanding, collaboration, and a deep commitment to the values that make each Tribe unique.

Meet the Founder & Principal Consultant

Aliya Jaffer (Uh- LEE- yah Jah-fer).

Aliya Jaffer, Founder and Principal Consultant at Get Rooted, brings nearly a decade of executive leadership experience in Tribal Government Administration. With a deep-rooted commitment to sovereignty and cultural relevance. Aliya has supported Tribal Nations develop and strengthen systems, policies, and programs that support sustainable growth and empowerment.

As a former Tribal Academic and Human Services Administrator, Aliya was responsible for the administration and fiscal oversight of over 16 Tribal departments, including Tribal Head Start, Child Care Development Fund (CCDF), Elder Services, Foster Home, Clinic, PRC, and Tribal Food Services. She led significant organizational changes, including organizational capacity building, HR policy writing, needs assessments, policy alignment, program development, compliance, strategic planning, and capacity building for various departments.

Aliya’s expertise spans strategic and organizational planning, policy writing, fiscal oversight, grants management, and program development. Throughout her career, she has managed complex portfolios, including Tribal Education, Human Services, Social Services, and Community Health, working across multiple divisions. Aliya has been instrumental in overseeing the design, development, and construction of multi-million-dollar Tribal education facilities, including cultural labs, libraries, and the Tribal Student Services Center, with a focus on integrating cultural relevance into Early Childhood and Academic Services. She has led educational initiatives in PK-12 and Post Secondary, language and culture preservation, and youth empowerment.

In addition to her leadership in education and human services, Aliya played a key role in leading the Tribe’s response to the CARES and ARPA funding initiatives, ensuring programs were aligned with Tribal priorities and community needs. Aliya developed and implemented systematic response and relief efforts, including policy writing, compliance measures, and immediate on-the-ground interventions to address the needs of the community during these critical times. Her work has included compliance systems and oversight, grant management, and the development of policies that align with federal requirements and Tribal needs.

Aliya’s leadership extends beyond administration. She served as a Tribal Subject Matter Expert for Fiscal Management and Internal Controls, supporting the Tribal Child Care Capacity Building Center. Supporting Tribal Lead Agencies across the United States with training and technical assistance, developing national conference, webinar materials, onsite training, and served on federal work groups for Tribal Lead Agencies in the area of fiscal and internal controls.

Aliya holds a Master’s Degree in Cross-Cultural Studies from the University of Houston-Clearlake, with a focus on race, gender, ethnicity, social inequality, systemic oppression, and conflict resolution. She also earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Texas at Austin. Additionally, she is a certified mediator and was certified as a Tribal Human Resources Professional by NAHRA.

Throughout her career, Aliya has emphasized collaboration and communication across Tribal, federal, and state levels, ensuring that the needs of Indigenous communities are met with respect and efficiency. Her personal commitment to the principles of sovereignty, cultural integrity, and social justice is central to her work.

At Get Rooted, Aliya brings these principles into practice, offering tailored, culturally informed consulting services to Tribal Governments. She is committed to helping Tribes navigate complex systems while honoring sovereignty and the unique needs of each Nation served.