Dr. Crystal A Cavalier

• Director
• 17 Rivers American Indian Movement

Dr. Crystal A. Cavalier is a dedicated advocate for environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and community empowerment. A citizen of the Occaneechi Saponi Nation, she resides in Mebane, North Carolina. She co-founded 7 Directions of Service, an Indigenous grassroots environmental nonprofit, and is the Director of the 17 Rivers American Indian Movement, making history as the first woman to hold this position in North Carolina.

With expertise in strategic intelligence and cybersecurity, Crystal worked as a Counterintelligence Analyst for the DOD and as an Intelligence Analyst for the Department of Homeland Security. She holds Certificates in Intelligence Studies from the National Intelligence University and Legislative Studies from Georgetown University.

Her commitment to leadership began early. In 1993, she sued her middle school for civil rights violations and won.

She played a key role in environmental advocacy, leading opposition to the Mountain Valley Pipeline and co-authoring NC House Bills 795 and 923 to protect the Haw and Dan Rivers. She serves on the boards of Movement Rights and the Haw River Assembly.

She holds a B.A. in Political Science from UNC Greensboro, an MPA from UNC Pembroke, and a Doctorate in Organizational Leadership from the University of Dayton. She is pursuing a Master of Legal Studies in Indigenous Peoples Law at the University of Oklahoma.

Crystal has been a leader in the Democratic Party, serving as President of the Cumberland County Young Democrats, Chair of the YDNC Military/Veterans Caucus, and founder of the NC Democratic Native American Caucus. She ran for U.S. Congress in NC’s 4th District in 2022, advocating for environmental justice and Indigenous rights.

Her advocacy earned her numerous awards, including the NC Governor’s Award and Army Spouse of the Year. Most recently, her work helped secure a spot for the Great Trading Path on the 2025 World Monuments Watch, highlighting Indigenous heritage and history.