2015 Honorees

Congratulations to our 2015 Enduring Spirit Award honorees Robbie Paul (Nez Perce), Mary Ann Peltier (Chippewa & Assiniboine Sioux), Yvonne Peterson (Chehalis), and Frances G. Charles (Lower Elwha Klallam).

Dr. Roberta Paul, Nez Perce

Robbie is the life force for WSU’s recruitment and retention of minority students into health and science fields. Recognizing that it is imperative to reach students in middle school and high school, Robbie established a WSU summer camp, the Na-ha-shnee Health Science Institute for Native students and underserved populations. It has since served more than 340 students with 70% of participants going on to college and achieving their degrees as nurses, pharmacists, and doctors.

Mary Ann Peltier, Chippewa, Assiniboine Sioux

Mary Ann Peltier is Chippewa and Assiniboine Sioux, born on Turtle Mountain Reservation, North Dakota. She served our country and is now a retired Veteran of the United States Army. She attended Western International University. When her children were in middle and high school, she became an advocate for them by becoming a member of the Eastside Native American Education Program and a Legislative Representative at Highland Middle School and Interlake High School.

Yvonne Peterson, Chehalis

Yvonne is a faculty member at Evergreen Longhouse and a senior member of the Evergreen Longhouse's advisory board. Yvonne and her family organize several annual events to carry on the tradition of basket weaving - Generations Rising and Weavers Teaching Weavers. Generations Rising draws 250 youth, adults, and Elders to the Longhouse for a day of art-making focused on Native Youth. Yvonne and her family provide the meals, workshop supplies, and items gifted to the kids at the end of the event.

Frances G. Charles, Lower Elwha Klallam

Frances has been the Chairwoman for the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe for 16 years. She played a vital role in the recovery of the Tse-whit-zen, one of the largest archeological recoveries in the Northwest. She took a lead role in the recent removal of the Lower Elwha dam and the negotiation process for the ancient Klallam village on behalf of her people and ancestors. As a leader for her community, she does a great job in upholding Klallam cultural values.