Native Student Success Summit Inspires, Empowers Native Youth

Tuesday, May 21, 2025 

8:30am-3pm

Lifting the Sky and Speaking Together - yəhaẃ: ʔux̌ədəd tiʔa šəqulgʷədxʷ x̌udx̌ud čəɫ ʔəsdəč́uʔ (Lushootseed) 

Cultivating leadership skills among Indigenous students and providing opportunities for them to advocate for their educational rights and contribute to the advancement of their communities. Fostering partnerships between institutions. Strategizing to empower students through cultural celebration, identity, and pride.  

The Native Student Success Summit is designed to inspire and empower high school and college students to be successful in higher education and beyond. Registration is required. The summit will be offered in an in-person format.  

During the free summit, participants will:

The summit for American Indian and Alaska Native students is the result of a partnership between Highline Public Schools and Highline College.

Participating as presenters and organizers are Native educators, professionals and community leaders from the school districts of Auburn, Federal Way, Fife, Highline, Kent, Puyallup School District, Green River College, Highline College, University of Washington and the Muckleshoot Tribe. 

Sara Marie Ortiz

Sara Marie Ortiz and Dr. Tanya Powers are the founders and lead organizers of the summit, now in its seventh year.

Ortiz is a member of Pueblo of Acoma, a tribal community in New Mexico, and manages Highline Public Schools’ Native Education Program. Powers is of mixed heritage St. Lawrence Island Yupik/Siberian Yupik and Irish and is the Associate Dean of Workforce and Baccalaureate Education at Highline College.

“There’s nothing quite like the Native Student Success Summit. We’ve worked hard to create an opportunity that isn’t just about college or career access and success for Native students alone,” said Ortiz.

“We see it as an expansive, immersive, challenging, intergenerational learning opportunity; a chance to connect with each other, ask tough questions, challenge norms, have critical conversations and feel truly supported at the summit and far beyond by a powerful network of Native scholars, professionals, artists, advocates and visionary Native change-makers. This has never been more urgently needed in these very complex times.”

“This is our ninth annual Native Student Success Summit and we are pleased to have this event where we can nurture culture, identity and community,” said Powers, who completed her dissertation — “Giving Back, a Retention Influence of Urban American Indian and Alaska Native Women Community College Students” — at Seattle University, completing her doctorate in educational leadership.

According to Powers, the two were inspired by other successful Highline College events for students of color, such as the Black and Brown Male Summit, the Y.E.L.L. Female Summit and the Latinx Summit. Approximately 100 students are expected to attend.

Questions?

Mia Bull: mbull@highline.edu or (206) 592-4563

Dr. Tanya Powers: tpowers@highline.edu or (206) 592-3662
Sara Marie Ortiz: sara.ortiz@highlineschools.org or (206) 631-3162

Tanya Powers

Schedule

8:30–8:50 a.m.: Registration
Location: Building 7

8:50–9:05 a.m.: Welcome
Location: Building 7
Dr. Rolita Ezoneu, Vice President for Academic Affairs of Highline College
Tribal representation: Warren King George, Muckleshoot Historian

9:05—9:50 a.m.: Morning Keynote: Warren King George, Muckleshoot Historian

Location: Building 7

9:50—10:00 a.m.: Break

10:00—11:00 a.m.: Breakout Sessions

Session A: Morning Breakout Session 1: Take Home Medicine Bags with Lauren Nabahe, Paiute-Shoshone, Navajo and Mono 

Facilitators: 

Location: Mt. Constance, Building 8

Session B: Morning Breakout Session 2: Treaty Rights with Victor Begay,  Navajo and his cultural history begins with his tribal clans: ÁshĮĮhíí (Salt People Clan), Táchii’niiRed (Running Into The Water People Clan), Naakaidine’é (Mexican Clan), and Kiyaa’áanii (Towering House People Clan)
Facilitators: Alicia Finch,  Spokane
Location: Building 7

Session C: Morning Breakout Session 3:
Facilitators:
Location: Mt. Olympus, Building 8

Session D: Morning Breakout Session 4: 

Facilitators: 

Location: Building 2


11:00—11:45 a.m.: Lunch/Student Networking & Evaluations (for high school students who need to leave early)
Location: Building 8

11:50—12:50 p.m.: Breakout Sessions

Session A: Afternoon Breakout Session 1: Take Home Medicine Bags with Lauren Nabahe, Paiute-Shoshone, Navajo and Mono
Facilitators:
Location: 

Session B: Afternoon Breakout Session 2: Game On! Explore the Game Industry and Coyote & Crow Character Creation

Become familiar with the dynamic world of game industry through a tribal lens and unleash your creativity with an engaging exploration of Coyote & Crow! This workshop offers a dual experience: a behind-the-scenes look at the table top gaming industry followed by a hands-on walkthrough of creating your very own character in the acclaimed tabletop role-playing game Coyote & Crow. Learn how this groundbreaking game celebrates tribal culture and storytelling in a unique sci-fi/fantasy setting. Whether you're a gaming enthusiast, aspiring developer, or someone looking for a fresh perspective on interactive storytelling, this workshop is the perfect blend of knowledge and creativity. Come ready to learn, imagine, and bring a character to life!

Facilitators: Tanya Powers
Location: Building 7

Session C: Afternoon Breakout Session 3: Language Session with Elizah Dominy, Tlingit 
Facilitator:
Location:  

Session D: Afternoon Breakout Session 4: 

Facilitators: 

Location: Building 2


12:55—1:15 p.m.: Validation, Evaluations & Closing (for high school students who need to leave)
Location: Mt. Constance. Building 8

1:30—2:30 p.m.: Afternoon Workshop — Adult Learners/College Session
Facilitator:
Location: Building 7

Co-Founder Bios

Sara Marie Ortiz is a Seattle-based educator, Native arts, lit, and culture specialist and writer of creative nonfiction, poetry, and mixed-genre work. She is an enrolled citizen of the Pueblo of Acoma, a graduate of the Institute of American Indian Arts (BFA in creative writing) and Antioch University Los Angeles (MFA in creative writing). She has studied formally writing, law, Native studies, theater, and film. She has published widely, has been featured in such publications as the Kenyon Review, the Florida Review, Ploughshares, and she has presented widely from her beloved birthplace in New Mexico, throughout the Pacific Northwest, and all the way to Johannesburg, South Africa. Sara Marie is also a passionate Native educator and advocate in the realm of Native arts, culture, literature, tribal languages, education, and community. She currently serves as the Native Education Program Manager for Highline Public Schools in Burien, Washington, loves watching movies and listening to all kinds of music (especially chilled electronic, old timey bluegrass, and hip hop), and has a fluffy orange cat named Mr. Pickles.

Tanya Powers (St. Lawrence Island Yupik/Alaska Native) works on creating accessible pathways and serving students in our communities. After spending nineteen years working in the community college system, Tanya has a solid understanding of instruction, baccalaureate and workforce education, addressing barriers to education, community engagement and working with traditionally under-served students. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with family, playing roller derby and reading.

Speaker Biographies

Lauren Nabahe

Penaho ne naniha Lauren Nabahe Kwinawetün nümü Diné Mono ne noompai nyet et san dyne snunyka


I am Paiute-Shoshone, Navajo and Mono. I come from my ancestral lands of Owens Valley in Lone Pine California. I serve as the Eastside Native American Education Program Manager serving Bellevue, Northshore and Lake Washington School District. 


Bawaajigekwe Boulley 

Bawaajigekwe Boulley, turtle clan from the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe, taught for 13 years in public, charter, tribal, and language immersion schools in Wisconsin. A 2020 WI Teacher of the Year, she moved to Washington in 2021 and now serves in the Office of Native Education at OSPI with the Native Student Success Program.


 

Muttellokee Eros Beaver

My name is Muttellokee Eros Beaver  of the Muskogee Nation. I'm a youth native leader,I'm a part of nayla,nsss, nd the president of nasu I have talk to the b.I.A (buro of Indian affairs) and many more thing. I love to cook,do art work,and  skateboard.  


Derek Pounds

Derek is a writer and storyteller who cut his teeth one role playing games and choose your own adventure books since a young age. Derek began writing professionally in 2020 and has since had the honor of writing, developing, and editing for 7th Sea 2nd Edition, Rivers of London, and the Nebula Award Nominated Coyote & Crow.


A citizen of the Samish Indian Nation Derek is obsessed with the oral traditions of Indigenous communities. When he's not running or playing RPGs Derek is a stay-at-home father, a supportive husband, and a student of Native American Studies at The Evergreen State College in their Native Pathways Program.




Planning Committee Biographies

John Reamer

John Reamer is an enrolled Makah Tribal member, while also being Ihanktonwon (where his grandmother is enrolled). He graduated from The University of Washington – Seattle, with a major in American Indian Studies. John grew up on the reservation in Neah Bay, Washington, it was during his time growing up that he knew one day he would like to live in the Seattle area to learn more about American Indian education, urban Indian culture, while also connecting with and learning from all walks of life that find their way to the big city. John has goals to return to college in pursuit of a master’s degree in the near future, but wanted to spend some time working within the school system in order to fully understand the work that is needed to be done to secure a better future for our coming generations. In John’s free time he loves listening to music (edm especially), going to the gym, spending time with his friends and family, watching sports, reading, and playing video games. 

Jill LaPointe

Jill La Pointe is an enrolled member of the Nooksack Tribe and Upper Skagit descendant. Jill attended the University of Washington as a single mother of two and graduated with a master’s degree in social work.  She later met her husband, John, and together they raised their 5 children on the Swinomish reservation. Currently they reside in Tacoma and enjoy spending time with their grandchildren and extended family. Jill has worked in social services with Native youth and families for more than 30 years in both rural and urban communities. She also taught at the University of Washington, School of Social Work, where she received an award for Outstanding Practicum Instructor. In 2006, when her grandmother retired as Director of Lushootseed Research (LR), a nonprofit she founded in 1983, dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Lushootseed language and culture, Jill humbly agreed to carry on the work. Under Jill’s leadership, LR has successfully hosted an annual Lushootseed language conference since 2010, and recently completed a film on the Healing Heart of Lushootseed, about her grandmother’s dream to bring healing to the world through music. Jill celebrates a life in recovery and remains dedicated to serving others who seek healing and support in their journey. She draws strength and healing from her work with Lushootseed Research and envisions a day when all people who visit or live in Seattle and the surrounding area will be able to see and hear the beautiful Lushootseed language and learn and grow from the traditional culture and values of the first people of this land. 

Layla Yamabe

Layla Yamabe is an enrolled Quinault Tribal Member and Quileute/Squaxin descendant.


As the Traditional Medicine Program Director for Seattle Indian Health Board, Layla oversees the Traditional Medicine Department, providing Traditional Medicine services and programming to Relatives from over 250 Tribal Nations.

 

Layla is a graduate of Northwest Indian College with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Native Environmental Science and has spent years learning about plant medicine and coastal traditions/ceremonies.

 

Layla loves attending cultural gatherings like canoe journey, coastal jams, and coastal ceremonies. Layla spends her free time harvesting, weaving, clam digging, and exploring the woods, hills, and Salish Sea.

Alicia Finch

I was born and raised in Spokane , I am the granddaughter of a Spokane Tribal member. I attended Spokane Falls Community College where I received my AA, I transferred and graduated from Gonzaga University with a BA in Communications and a Minor in Political Science. I interned at the Washington State Legislature, as well as the Washington State Labor Council; I’ve worked for elected government officials, local non-profits, as well as Seattle based campaigns. Currently I am the Admissions Counselor for Native students at the University of Washington in the office of Multicultural Outreach and Recruitment (MOR). Beyond the work I do, I prioritize my connections to land, loved ones, and interior Salish history. 

SPECIAL THANKS to our community, our youth and our ancestors. Thanks are also in order for the contributions of Native Educators from South King County, Seattle Indian Health Board, Urban Indian Health Institute, Highline College, Muckleshoot and Puyallup Tribes, Highline College Foundation.


Thank you to our Planning Committee:
Sara Marie Ortiz, Tanya Powers, Amanda Rambayon, John Reamer, Rich Summers, Lauren Nabahe, Jill LaPointe, Victoria Gardner, Leander Yazzie, Alicia Finch, Lokee Beaver, Mia Bull,  Maria Reyes, Marcus Mose, Chloe Schierbeck, Ricaflor Fontillas, Lauren Hatch, Armando Ortiz, Asia Tail, Liza Dominy, Natalie Anderson, Garaline Tom, Nemasia Moala, Sui-Lan Ho'okano, Teiya Shimomura, Amen Tsegai, Sophie Afework, Levi Harter


Thank you to our sponsors including Highline College and Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Community at Seattle Colleges! 

A partnership between Highline Public Schools and Highline College.