2019-2020 Legacy of Leadership Cohort
Sarah Anderson, Esselen
Misix Naya, I am Sarah the daughter of Lisa Anderson, the granddaughter of Emil Villanpando and great granddaughter of Theresa Soto. I am an enrolled member of the Esselen Tribe of Monterey County, my people are people of the coast, and I am also of the Chumash people. I have two daughters, 10 year old Bria Carmel Calhoun and 18 month old Leah Aiyana Calhoun.
I have worked at the Seattle Indian Health Board (SIHB) for over eight years. I worked on the clinic floor as a Medical Assistant for the first six years, and I am currently the Administrative Assistant to our Chief Medical Officer and her division, and the interim Workforce Coordinator and Scheduling Coordinator. I am passionate about serving and working to provide the best care for our relatives in the work I do each day at SIHB, driven by our mission and values.
I appreciate living in Seattle within the greater community of Urban Indians in the area, including numerous tribes, affiliations, and Alaskan Indians who come together to support one another. My family and I enjoy getting outdoors in the Pacific Northwest - camping, hiking, powwowing and just spending time outside. I have been learning the protocol of drumming and singing, and am working with a few drummers to build a group.
Breanna Foulkes, Puyallup
Breanna is a Court Clerk for the Puyallup Tribal Court where she assists the Chief Judge and other associate judges with scheduling and supporting their docket.
Chelsea Hendrickson, Northern Arapaho and Cup'iq
Chelsea Hendrickson (Nookhoosei Hisei/Angarar) is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe (Hinono'eino) from Ethete, Wyoming and a shareholder of the Calista Corporation of the Cup'iq people from Mekoryuk, Alaska (Nuniwarmiut). Chelsea was born in Seattle, Washington, and has been raised, back and forth, between Washington and her Tribal communities her whole life. She graduated from James A. Garfield High School in 2007 and has most recently lived in Tukwila for the last six years. Prior to that she was living and working in Riverton, Wyoming.
Her Grandmother is Lillian Amos (Coouxceneihii Hisei) of Ethete, Wyoming. Lillian is Northern Arapaho and Gros Ventre. Lillian's parents were Orlo Amos (kookuteeneiht) and Mary Hendricks. Chelsea was gifted her Hinono'eitiit (Northern Arapaho) name by her grandfather Felix Returns To War Sr. Her Hinono'eitiit name is Nookhoosei Hisei which translates to Sweet Sage Woman.
Chelsea's Grandfather is Phillip Hendrickson Sr. (Dachilkar) of Mekoryuk, Alaska. Phillip's parents are Kay Hendrickson Sr. (Qiawgar) and Bernice Hendrickson (Jukuq). Chelsea was gifted her Cup’iq name by her "Uppa" Dachilkar. Her Cup’iq name is Angarar. This is a common Cup’iq name and has been passed down in her family. It was her grandmother's name. Chelsea knows that she has big Mukluqs and Moccasins to fill - both sides of her family were keepers of ceremony, language, culture, and stories. She descends from master mask carvers, authors, board directors, and quillwork matriarchs.
Chelsea works full-time as a Program Coordinator for the Pathways to Healing Program at Cowlitz Tribal Health in Tukwila. She has worked there for two years. Chelsea has focused her work on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW). She has created a workshop that she uses to educate her community about the injustices Indigenous women face every day. As a survivor of DV/SA and a family member of a murdered Indigenous woman, she uses her platform to bring awareness to these issues. Chelsea is very grateful to work for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and learn more about Coast Salish cultures. Although, she misses her maternal homelands, she knows the invaluable knowledge she is gaining by working for the tribe will help her pursue her lifelong goals.
She also works part-time as a Youth Advocate at Labateyah Youth Home in Ballard. She has worked there for five years. She understands what it means to be a homeless youth and does her best to inspire and uplift the residents at the youth home in what ways she can. She is inspired by United Indians of All Tribes’ history and the American Indian Women's Service League.
Chelsea is currently pursuing an Associate of Arts Degree from South Seattle College with hopes of eventually getting a Bachelor’s in Social and Human Services. Chelsea hopes to one day serve her own Tribal communities in a leadership position, whether that is running for her Tribal Council in Wyoming or serving on the Board of Directors for the Calista Corporation.
Kateri Joe, Swinomish and Halalt
I am a multiracial urban Native living in Seattle. I am an enrolled Swinomish and Halalt tribal member. I was born and raised in Seattle, and attended West Seattle High School. While there I began pursuing my interest in social justice, specifically undoing institutional racism. High School was also the start of my reconnection to my Indigenous culture.
I started by joining the West Seattle Native American club, which lead me to amazing Indigenous mentors that encouraged my self-identity growth. I started to dance fancy shawl at local pow wows and participated in Canoe Journeys. This started my lifelong love for culture and sense of healing in those traditional teachings and spaces.
I attended Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado where I obtained a Bachelor’s in Sociology and a minor in Native American Indigenous Studies. I was able to return to my Tribal community of Swinomish working in the cultural department. I then worked for several years in community mental health and realized the gaps of cultural competence in the mental health system. I started at the University of Washington, Tacoma, Master's of Social Work program. I currently work at Treehouse as Senior Education Specialist stationed at the Muckleshoot Tribal School, Enumclaw High School and Auburn High School.
Zintkala Johnson, Nez Perce
My name is Zintkala Johnson. I’m an In-Home Caregiver for the Muckleshoot Indian Tribal Elders. I have obtained my CNA for this job and all the additional training that I needed for this job. My vision is that our Native communities can see the work that organizations like ours do, and that it continues to expand. I already see myself contributing with my voice, ideas, and leadership. I want to continue to build on myself as well as build others up.
Britany Lindley, Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Tahltan
Britany Kee' ya aa. Lindley is the daughter of Elsie Kalkins Lindley and Jody Lindley of Wrangell, Alaska. She represents the Tlingit yéil (raven) moiety, Kaach.ádi (raven-frog) clan, and Shtax'héen Kwáan (Stikine River People). Her Tlingit name, Kee' ya aa., means 'the dawn rising' and was given to her by elder Esther Shea and her maternal aunt, Rose Johnson. Her maternal family hail from Kaalch'al aan and are direct descendants of Chief George Shakes VI, Gushtlien II. She is Alaska Native of Tlingit, Tsimshian, and Tahltan descent and is an enrolled member of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska and the Wrangell Cooperative Association.
Britany has lived in Washington for nearly eight years while pursuing her Juris Doctor. She graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from Tacoma's Pacific Lutheran University in January of 2013 and earned her Juris Doctor from Seattle University School of Law in May 2018. She gained admittance to the Washington State Bar Association in November 2018. Currently, she is proud to work for the Puyallup Tribal Court and enjoys living in West Seattle.
Britany is inspired by her ancestors’ ability to adapt as the world rapidly changed around them and strives to follow in their example by serving her tribal community as a zealous advocate and driven Indigenous woman. As an Indigenous islander, she is passionate about Indian law and environmental law. She is an active participant and leader in her tribe's cultural events. She spends time with her family and tribe singing, drumming, dancing, sewing, and painting. In her down time, Britany enjoys getting lost in a good book, cooking and critiquing food, playing volleyball, creating art, and traveling with friends and family.
Karen Lizzy, Bay Mills Chippewa
I am an enrolled member of the Bay Mills Indian Community, a band of Chippewa in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. I consider myself bi-racial, being mixed with Irish and German heritage. I was once a homeless teen who struggled with addiction and trauma. I was a teen mom who was not capable of caring for my own child due to that addiction and trauma. I now walk the Red Road of recovery with a passion to serve Native Americans and Alaskan Natives (NA/AN) on their own journey of healing. I embrace all parts of the journey including being in the deep end of the pool of Harm Reduction. We first must keep people alive for the journey. And most importantly, all parts of the story are Sacred.
I was first licensed as an SUD Professional and discovered, without the distractions of trauma and addiction, and with the support of my tribe, that I could learn. So I continued my education and got a BA of Liberal Arts with a focus on NA/AN and Substance Use Disorders from Evergreen State College’s Tacoma Program. I then continued on to a MA of psychology at Saybrook University/Lio's. I am now working on my degree in Native American Studies at Bay Mills Community College, my tribe’s school.
I was given an award from Family Treatment Court in 2014 for my service and dedication to serving Native families within their court system. I am currently a Dual Credential Provider working for the Cowlitz Tribe's Medically Assisted Treatment Program in Tukwila, Washington. I have previously worked in both their Mental Health and SUD programs, and have a passion for serving Native people with both mental health and substance use disorders. I see it as unraveling the web of trauma, and addiction born from historical trauma. It's not about changing people into something different than they are, but reclaiming and restoring what was always there waiting for them to claim. We are a gift born from our ancestors and Creator.
Tanya Marceau, Blackfeet and RedLake
My name is Tanya Marceau, I am a Blackfeet and RedLake Native woman. I was adopted by a Puyallup family and have grown up in the Pacific Northwest my whole life. All my life I have looked up to my mom and grandma, both powerful women with PhD's who went back and served their Native community. My mom pushed me to get my education and still pushes me to this day to start my PhD journey. I grew up watching her give her all to everyone she came in contact with, and that is where I believe my drive to help my people came from. I hope to one day change policies that have negative impacts on Native rights and lands.
Francesca Murnan, Shawnee and Cherokee
Francesca Murnan (Shawnee) is an enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation. Born and raised in southeast Kansas, Francesca spent much of her childhood learning to quilt, cook, and craft with her grandparents, great grandparents, and great-great grandparents.
Since moving to Seattle, she has found a home at the Seattle Indian Health Board, where she has volunteered, interned, and is currently employed to support research and public policy initiatives. She aspires to build more inclusive and equitable policies and systems for Indigenous communities by addressing oppression and institutional racism, and supporting culturally relevant and community driven approaches. She received her Master of Public Administration degree from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Public Affairs from Seattle University.
Candi Ruckman
Candi is an enrolled member of the Cowlitz Tribe. She was raised by her mother and grandmother in the small town of Yelm, Washington. Candi is the middle child with two siblings. She is now married to her husband of nine years, Dennis, and together they have a three year old son Kamden. Candi currently works for her tribe in their Substance Use Disorder Program and Medically Assisted Treatment Program. Candi participates in a lot of outreach in the Native community and is a Tribal Assistor that helps clients get Healthcare benefits, along with managing various administrative tasks. Candi plans to start at Bay Mills College soon to pursue a degree in Business Administration, and hopes to focus her skills and knowledge towards helping her Native community become stronger and united.
Julia Wilson-Peltier, Turtle Mountain Chippewa
Julia Wilson-Peltier is a Masters in Public Health student at North Dakota State University. She is currently Administrative Assistant for Urban Native Education Alliance in Seattle, Washington.
Edna Wyena, Yakama
My name is Edna Wyena and I am an enrolled member of the Yakama Tribe. I have 3 daughters. I currently work as a Site Manager for Northwest Indian College at Muckleshoot Tribal College. It is a dream of mine to excel to the highest degree and make my ancestors proud. My passion to complete higher educational goals is driven by my desire to become a great leader and make positives changes in the Native American community, as my grandparents did.
I earned an Associates of Arts General Transfer and a Bachelor’s of Arts Tribal Governance & Business Management-Tribal Entrepreneurship from Northwest Indian College. I earned my executive Master of Public Administration from Evan School of Public Policy & Governance, University of Washington.
I love training cohorts because they are a way to connect with great minds and learn. I am very excited to be part of the Legacy of Leadership Cohort! Over the years I have volunteered with nonprofits and really love the work that nonprofits do. Someday, I hope to transition my career towards a nonprofit industry that works to make positive impacts within tribal communities.
