WE - PRESIDENT
Nancy C. Tsawayugah Maryboy, PhD is the WE Interim President. She is Navajo and Cherokee, and she lives in the San Juan Islands. Nancy is the Founder of the Indigenous Education Institute and she is a Affiliate Professor in the School of Environmental and Forestry Sciences. Nancy has been Principal Investigator for groundbreaking National Science Foundation projects such as “Cosmic Serpent: Bridging Native Ways of Knowing with Western Science." The work of Dr. Maryboy and her colleagues has opened a portal for collaborative science programming with traditional indigenous wisdom, which is invaluable for addressing environmental concerns of the present and future. Her pioneering work will leave a legacy for generations.
Nancy invited Whiteswan Environmental to present at her Indigenous Worldviews for Informal Science Conferences held in New Mexico and Washington DC at the National Museum of Natural History. WE are forever grateful to Nancy for her amazing mentorship and willingness to be on our board.
Nancy invited Whiteswan Environmental to present at her Indigenous Worldviews for Informal Science Conferences held in New Mexico and Washington DC at the National Museum of Natural History. WE are forever grateful to Nancy for her amazing mentorship and willingness to be on our board.
WE - CO VICE PRESIDENT
Paul Cheokten Wagner and his mother Sasayatha are Traditional Local Knowledge keepers who have been working with our youth and community members since 2015. Cheokten and Sasayatha are WSANEC Nation members who have generously shared a wealth of historical knowledge, cultural teachings, stories, songs, traditional healing remedies, and way of life in the archipelago of the Salish Sea as they remember lifeways before there was a International border. Cheokten also teaches our youth flute and drum making. Cheokten is the Founder of Protectors of the Salish Sea.
WE - CO VICE PRESIDENT
Bonnie Duran, PhD (mixed race Opelousas/Coushatta descendent) is a Professor in the Schools of Social Work and Public Health at the University of Washington, in Seattle and is on the leadership team at the Indigenous Wellness Research Institute (http://health.iwri.org ). She received her PhD from UC Berkeley School of Public Health in 1997. Bonnie teaches graduate courses in Community Based Participatory Research (CBPR), and Mindfulness. She has worked in public health research, evaluation and education among Tribes, Native Organizations and other communities of color for over 35 years.
WE - SECRETARY
Rachel Wilbur is of Tolowa and Chetco descent through her mother and lives on Lopez Island, Washington. She is currently a PhD candidate in human biology at the University of North Carolina (UNC) at Chapel Hill, where she studies the impacts of social determinants and historical trauma on the contemporary health of Native Americans. She previously served as the co-President of the First Nations Graduate Circle, UNC’s Native American graduate student organization. Rachel holds a BA in medical anthropology, a BS in public health, and an MPH in health behavior. She is passionate about addressing health inequality through Indigenous knowledge.
WE - TREASURER
Rayanne Morris is a member of the Lummi Nation. She has worked at the National Indian Gaming Commission (NIGC) since the opening of the Portland (Oregon) Regional office in May 1999. In addition to (25)+ years of Indian Gaming experience, Ms. Morris has dedicated most her life working in Indian Country. She enjoyed serving as a Police Officer, providing community policing on her reservation. In alignment with her passion for Indigenous rights, Ms. Morris’ formal education embodies the importance and respect of tribal culture, traditions, history and Indigenous governance.
She was the first graduate of the Bachelor of Arts Native Studies Leadership degree at the Northwest Indian College. She went on to obtain a Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Growing up, she witnessed her parents be active leaders of the Lummi Community, both having served on the Lummi Tribal Council. As an adult, she is in indebted and respects the magnitude of their efforts, the impact they and other traditional leaders have had in protecting Lummi culture and tribal sovereignty. Her teachings, formal education, and work experience motivates her to participate and contribute to her Tribe. Ms. Morris served as the Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Lummi Law & Justice Commission from June 2014 – August 2016. She is currently serving as the Vice-Chairman of the Lummi Commercial Company Board of Directors (May 2018 – current), Secretary of the Children of the Setting Sun Production Board of Directors, and a member of the Northwest Indian College Board of Trustees.
She was the first graduate of the Bachelor of Arts Native Studies Leadership degree at the Northwest Indian College. She went on to obtain a Master of Jurisprudence in Indian Law degree from the University of Tulsa College of Law. Growing up, she witnessed her parents be active leaders of the Lummi Community, both having served on the Lummi Tribal Council. As an adult, she is in indebted and respects the magnitude of their efforts, the impact they and other traditional leaders have had in protecting Lummi culture and tribal sovereignty. Her teachings, formal education, and work experience motivates her to participate and contribute to her Tribe. Ms. Morris served as the Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Lummi Law & Justice Commission from June 2014 – August 2016. She is currently serving as the Vice-Chairman of the Lummi Commercial Company Board of Directors (May 2018 – current), Secretary of the Children of the Setting Sun Production Board of Directors, and a member of the Northwest Indian College Board of Trustees.
WE - BOARD MEMBER
Shelly Black (Tsawout) is a Traditional Local Knowledge keeper as well as a primary school teacher on Vancouver Island, BC.
WE - BOARD MEMBER
Cheryl Bryce (Songhees) is a Traditional Local Knowledge keeper who educates and practices sustainable self-determination and Indigenous approaches to cultural restoration and revitalization.
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Whiteswan Environmental relies on donations from the community to make this vision a reality.
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