Board of Directors

Board of Directors President

Confederated Tribes of Umatilla Indian Reservation

Don has been a Technical Specialist with the Intertribal Timber Council since 1995. He’s spent most of his 42-year career as a forest engineer and forest manager with the Bureau of Indian Affairs that included living and working with the Yakama Nation, Umatilla and Spokane Tribes.  He has been involved with Native youth through the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, Wisdom of the Elders, Inc., Washington Ag Forestry Leadership Foundation, Washington State University-Vancouver Native Advisory Council, Society of American Foresters, Big Brothers and Big Sisters. At home in Brush Prairie, WA, the family’s horse boarding business has evolved with Don and his wife Mary Beth, helping their daughter Jayme move into breeding and training reining horses.

Tsalagi and Chippawa heritage
Ph.D. Indigenous Studies
MS and BS in Watershed Natural Resource Restoration and Conservation. Minor in Ethnic Studies with a focus on applications of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) in collaboration with Western science in ecosystems conservation and restoration.

Valerie has been a Tribal Liaison, TEK curriculum developer, educator, TEK practitioner, mentor, intern trainer, and presenter. Valerie is a certified stream restoration practitioner and as a National Science Foundation Fellow, was selected to present her Ph.D. work in Washington DC.

In her spare time, she is a Mother, beader, native flute player, gardener, and storyteller.

Siletz

Previous Chairman for the Siletz Nesika Illahee & Restoration Powwow- fundraising, donations, and security. Served on Board for Siletz School District- fundraising at OSU & UO for continuing higher education opportunities. Developed a Mentoring Program with Elders and Tribal members, promoting programs and finance administration, and assisted with Johnson O’Malley funding for students. Presenter to Washington State Legislation for funding for Student Council. Cultural Consultant, Indian Education, Youth Coordinator/Parent Committee. Coordinate Youth activities and Culture Camps- Longview WA. Taught classes and held demonstrations for Tacoma Art Museum and Capital Museum and regional schools, Olympia WA. Business owner- J&J Traders, Native gifts, supplies, artwork, art appraisals, U.S. and Canada. USDA Director-Tribal, State and Government, 15 Counties in Oregon.