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September 7, 2024

Blue Jay Wisdom: A Week of Webinars

Back by popular demand, we are honored to present Blue Jay Wisdom: A Week of Webinars. Please join us for one or all of these FREE virtual events in celebration of the Power of Vision we as Native people hold.

A Night of Traditional Storytelling and Poetry, Monday, September 23rd (6:00-7:30PM),

- Rena Priest, (Lhaq’temish/Lummi) WA Poet Laureate Emeritus
- Natosha Gobin (Tulalip) Lushootseed Language Teacher, The Tulalip Tribes
- Tai Simpson (Nimiipuu, Black) Matriarch | Black Revolutionary | Practicing Abolitionist
- Moderated by Na’ah Illahee Fund Board President, Bridget Ray (Ojibwe, Michif)

Indigenous Innovation: Energy, Climate and Education, Wednesday, September 25th (6:00-7:30PM)

- LaRae Wiley (Sinixt), Executive Director, and Chris Parkin, Principal, Salish School of Spokane
- Reuben Martinez (Makah), Energy Program Manager at ATNI
- Renea Perry (Tlingit,Inupiat) Executive Director of Portland All Nations Canoe Family
- Moderated by Education Director of the Swinomish Tribe, Michael Vendiola (Swinomish)

Sharing the Power of Vision Across Generations, Thursday, September 26th (6:00-7:30PM)

- Lovina Louie (Coeur d’Alene,Colville, Nez Perce), Board member of Native Wellness Institute
- Yufna Soldier Wolf (Northern Arapaho) MLS
- Moderated by Education Director of the Swinomish Tribe, Michael Vendiola (Swinomish)

Homepage Announcement

Shelly Vendiola

(she/her), Swinomish/Visayan, Community Engagement and Culture Director

Shelly Vendiola, (Swinomish/Visayan) is an enrolled member of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and Visayan. She has served as an educator, facilitator, activist, and peacemaker/mediator for over 30 years. Shelly co-founded the native Community Engagement and Peacemaking Project and offers consultation in the areas of community engagement and facilitation services including: leadership development, strategic planning, organization mapping, dispute resolution, interest-based negotiations and peacemaking circles throughout the country.

Currently she works as a Community Engagement & Culture Director for the Na’ah Illahee Fund, and serves on the board of the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Skagit YMCA. She continues to work in partnership with the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection, co-chairs the Protect Mother Earth Subcommittee, and is a member of the Swinomish Health, Education and Social Services Committee. Shelly developed a place-based curriculum about the history and culture of the Swinomish peoples and taught a series of cultural sovereignty courses for over 10 years at the Northwest Indian College – Coast Salish Institute within their Native Studies Leadership Program.

Previously her team provided leadership and consultation for the Lummi Cedar Project – Organized Generations Healthy Lifestyles Program. Ms. Vendiola served as President for the national Indigenous Women’s Network and a Campaign Director for the Indigenous Environmental Network. Shelly received several years of formal dispute resolution training from the Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc., and the San Francisco Community Boards Program. She is the recipient of the Native Action Network – Enduring Spirit Award, and a recognized educator and peacemaker in the Northwest region. Shelly has an M.Ed. in Higher Education and practices indigenous pedagogy and indigenous research methodology within all aspects of her work.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Shelly is passionate about gardening. She practices the ancient form of meditation known as Qi Gong for balance, energy, and resiliency, and is a certified Yoga instructor. Her motto is, “There is nothing permanent in the world but change, the key is how we flow with it!”