This year, with the support of donors like you, the Buffalo Youth Nation Project made powerful strides toward restoring food sovereignty, cultural knowledge, and Indigenous-led stewardship across Native communities.
Catch the current at Trade Winds & Marketplace, a Native networking and marketplace where friends, professionals, and artists gather to share stories, ideas, and opportunities. Co-hosted by Na’ah Illahee Fund, NAWDIM, and Chief Seattle Club, this event aligns with the Pioneer Square First Thursday Art Walk to uplift Native artisans and makers.
As we enter the season of giving, we’re reminded that generosity is more than a gesture — it’s a practice of reciprocity. Giving that connects us back to the land, to one another, and to the kinship that sustains us.
At Na’ah Illahee Fund, we call this the Kinship Economy — an ecosystem of care where wealth is measured by what we share. Your gifts strengthen Native-led efforts to protect land and water, revitalize food systems, and grow the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
This year, with the support of donors like you, the Buffalo Youth Nation Project made powerful strides toward restoring food sovereignty, cultural knowledge, and Indigenous-led stewardship across Native communities.
Catch the current at Trade Winds & Marketplace, a Native networking and marketplace where friends, professionals, and artists gather to share stories, ideas, and opportunities. Co-hosted by Na’ah Illahee Fund, NAWDIM, and Chief Seattle Club, this event aligns with the Pioneer Square First Thursday Art Walk to uplift Native artisans and makers.
As we enter the season of giving, we’re reminded that generosity is more than a gesture — it’s a practice of reciprocity. Giving that connects us back to the land, to one another, and to the kinship that sustains us.
At Na’ah Illahee Fund, we call this the Kinship Economy — an ecosystem of care where wealth is measured by what we share. Your gifts strengthen Native-led efforts to protect land and water, revitalize food systems, and grow the next generation of Indigenous leaders.
The Healthy Environments for All (HEAL) Act was a historic step for Washington—making environmental justice a guiding principle by directing carbon tax revenues back to communities facing the greatest disparities. Yet this year, state budget cuts will reduce HEAL funding by nearly 90%. To keep this work alive, we must fill the gap and ensure Indigenous leaders and frontline communities have the resources they need to continue driving change
At Na’ah Illahee Fund, partnerships are at the heart of everything we do. The gatherings ahead are more than events—they are spaces to strengthen relationships, share knowledge, and celebrate the work we’re building together. We invite you to join us in showing up, learning, and being with one another.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to take a moment to reflect with gratitude on this past season of transformative transition at Na’ah Illahee Fund. Our organization has navigated significant changes, and it is the strength and dedication of our board, staff, and community that continue to guide us forward.
Earlier this year, Na’ah Illahee Fund was honored to attend the International Funders for Indigenous Peoples (IFIP) Global Conference in Naivasha, Kenya. Our session, Nurturing Pathways to Positive Indigenous Futures, uplifted the power of intergenerational leadership
Join us for the 13th annual event of the “Living Breath of wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ” Indigenous Foods Symposium! Our annual event draws over 300 people from the UW campus community, regional tribal and urban Indigenous communities, and throughout the U.S, Canada, Mexico, and Aotearoa, New Zealand.
In partnership with United Indians of All Tribes Foundation, and Green Seattle Partnership and Seattle Neighborhoods Na’ah Illahee Fund is kicking off our Community Forest Restoration Planting Parties with “Forest Week at Daybreak Star Cultural Center” Saturday November 4th, 10 am – 3 pm
On September 23rd, the Indigenous Leadership Program hosted the online event, Our Roots, Our Hearts: Food and Medicines Gathering, to celebrate the completion of the 2023 Sovereign Futures cohort and create a space to honor our traditional foods and medicines.
Join Na’ah Illahee Fund and Department of Neighborhoods Have you ever felt confused or frustrated when trying to engage with local government? Do you
Our Roots, Our Heart: Food & Medicines Gathering ONLINE – Saturday, September 23 · 9am – 2:30pm PDT Please join us on September 23rd for
Join us on July 10th as we make medicines for the 2023 Canoe Journey! We will have 3 Indigenous Herbalists teaching us how to make
Pride Month 2023 continues! – Here’s a list of events & activities near you! Celebrate the beauty and power of our Indigiqueer relatives! —–––––––––––– Indigiqueer
in WA, OR, ID, MT, WY & BC This is a list for you to peruse, Honoring our MMIWP Mothers, Sisters, Grandmothers, Aunties, Uncles, Brothers,
Here’s a list of events near you! Did you know that Washington State Parks are free on Earth Day 2023? This along with a generous
This year’s theme is “Health, Healing & Resilience”. Join us as Na’ah Illahee Fund partners with University of Washington American Indian Studies to sponsor the
Black Storytelling in Graphic Novels February 1st – March 1st, 2023 – M. Rosetta Hunter Art Gallery, Seattle Central College The M. Rosetta Hunter Gallery
Black & Tan Hall — Mark your calendars for our June party on the 26th around the theme of Liberation (for Pride and Juneteenth). More
(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!”