Native Student Success Summit Inspires, Empowers Native Youth
Tuesday, May 21, 2024
8:30am-4pm
Coming Together - ləq’ʷuʔalikʷ (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:
Find encouragement and support with tools and resources for Native student success and leadership development.
an increased awareness of ways to identify, articulate and work toward actionable goals for personal and communal success in culturally rooted ways.
Make meaningful connections and gain a deeper sense of community with other Native student leaders in Western Washington.
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; Gonzaga University, 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 seventh 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. Jamilyn Penn, Vice President for Student Services of Highline College
Tribal representation: Helene Richardson, Tribal Language Director
9:05—9:50 a.m.: Morning Keynote: Lauren Nabahe
Location: Building 7
9:50—10:00 a.m.: Break
10:00—11:00 a.m.: Breakout Sessions
Session A: Morning Breakout Session 1: Listening Session
Real Talk: Unapologetically Native While Navigating Education and Careers After High School
Facilitators: Emily Devora, Olivia Morgan from Seattle Indian Health Board/Urban Indian Health Institute
Location: Mt. Constance, Building 8
Session B: Morning Breakout Session 2: Lushootseed Language & Storytelling
Facilitators: Archie Cantrell and Jill LaPointe
Location: Building 7
Session C: Morning Breakout Session 3: What is Your Medicine? Healthy Minds, Bodies and Spirits
Facilitators: John Reamer and Layla Yamabe
Location: Mt. Olympus, Building 8
Session D: Morning Financial Aid Session 4:
Facilitators: Nicole Robins
Location: Building 2
11:00—11:35 a.m.: Lunch/Student Networking & Evaluations (for high school students who need to leave early)
Location: Building 8
11:35—11:50 a.m.: Physical Movement/Community Builder — health & wellness
Location: Mt. Constance, Building 8
11:50—12:50 p.m.: Breakout Sessions
Session A: Afternoon Breakout Session 1:
We Are Here: Pathways for Us
Exploring our pathways and how to get there, self navigation and storytelling
Facilitators: Jeremy Rouse, Sara Marie Ortiz, Ken Tuckfield, Dean Kramer, Quinn Mount
Location: Mt. Constance, Building 8
Session B: Afternoon Breakout Session 2: Language
Games
Facilitators: Archie Cantrell and Family and Planning Committee
Location: Building 7
Session C: Afternoon Breakout Session 3: What is Your Medicine? Healthy Minds, Bodies and Spirits
Facilitator: John Reamer and Layla Yamabe
Location: Mt. Olympus, Building 8
Session D: Afternoon Breakout Session 4: Pro-Tips for Success in Higher Education
Facilitators: Alicia Finch, TRIO Program-UW,Victoria Gardner
Leander Yazzie and ISSC Student Leaders
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: Leander Yazzie
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
Archie Cantrell
Archie Cantrell was born and raised in Tacoma, Washington and is a member of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
After graduating with honors from Puyallup High School in 2004, Archie worked in Natural Resources for the Puyallup Tribal Fisheries Department as a Fisheries Sampler. In 2006, he changed positions to become a Fisheries Specialist. This work allowed him to participate in, and further his appreciation of all aspects of salmon culture, which is the Puyallup Tribe’s most valued natural resource.
Throughout his employment within the Puyallup Tribe, Archie has been active with tribal youth. He served on the Puyallup Tribal Youth Committee from 2005-2015, serving as Chairman for eight years. Archie then became a Youth Coordinator at the Puyallup Tribal Youth Center. The Language Department also being at the Youth Center sparked his interest in the Lushootseed movement. In 2016 Archie transferred departments and began working for the Puyallup Tribal Language Program. As a full-time advocate for the Lushootseed movement, Archie was able to work with tribal community members of all ages, and directly with Chief Leschi Schools. Starting in 2022, Archie began working for the Puyallup School District as their Native American Education Liaison.
In his spare time, Archie is an active hunter, and commercial harvester of salmon, crab, shrimp, and geoduck. Archie and his wife, Hope, have 3 children. Archie is a licensed foster parent, and holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration.
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.
Lauren Nabahe
penaho ne naniha Lauren Nabahe ne Kwinawetün newe diné mono, ne noompai nyet de san dykne sun aka aeshuN
Hello, my name is Lauren Nabahe. I am Paiute-Shoshone, Navajo and Mono from the traditional lands of my people in Lone Pine California. She/her pronouns. I serve as the Eastside Native American Education Program Manager for Bellevue, Lake Washington, and Northshore school district. Being able to serve Native youth in this capacity has long been a dream of mine as it had been my lifelong passion to give back to my Native community. I am honored to be able to work alongside who I consider to be the greatest people on mother earth, our native youth. When I am not at work you will find me beading, Pow-Wow dancing or some kind of outdoor adventure with my 5-year-old Aussie.
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.
Leander Yazzie
Leander Yazzie, Ed.D. is a Tribal Relations Manager within Green River College’s Indigenous Student Success Center. He is an enrolled Tribal member of the Navajo Nation, originally from Fort Defiance, Arizona. His clans are Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water), born from Tó’aheedlííníí (Water Flows Together), his maternal grandfather is of the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge), and paternal grandfather is of the Tsénjíkíní (Honey Combed Rock People of the Cliff Dwellers) clans. Dr. Yazzie has held positions at Green River College within Workforce Education, Career & Advising, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Throughout his career in Higher education, Dr. Yazzie has always advocated for Native American, Alaskan Native, Indigenous students, staff, and faculty within Washington state by attending state community and technical college (CTC) meetings and conferences. He has facilitated Native American student, faculty, and staff groups at the annual Student of Color Conference and the Faculty & Staff of Color Conference. He encourages students to use their voice to share their story. Also, at the foundation of the work, to bring visibility to our Tribal students and communities. He is currently active in Native & Indigenous educational programming as an Executive Board member of the Inaugural Washington State American Indian Indigenous Studies Advisory Board (WCAAB) and serves as Green River College’s Native American Working Group (NAWG) Chair. In the past, Dr. Yazzie served as the Native American Student Organization (NASO) staff advisor for three years. The creation and formation of these groups and organizations have been part of Yazzie’s workload for over five years. The key virtues of this work stems from patience and ambition, thus having faith and trust in institutions and its leaders.
Jeremy Rouse
Jeremy Rouse, Yankton Sioux, is the Coordinator of Native Student Accompaniment with the Office of Tribal Relations at Gonzaga University. His work focuses on fostering community among Native students on campus, as well as doing outreach and recruitment with Native students and communities throughout the Pacific Northwest. Prior to his role at Gonzaga, he worked for 8 years in the Title VI Indian Education Department of Spokane Schools.
He is a current doctoral student at the University of Washington in Education Leadership and Policy. He earned his master's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in Cultural Foundations of Education.
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.
Dean Kramer
Dean Kramer is an enrolled member of the Native Village of Eyak with roots in the Alutiiq community of Prince William Sound, Alaska. His journey has been shaped by his indigenous heritage, fostering a connection to the land and traditions of his people.
Victoria Gardner
Victoria Gardner ( she they siya pronouns) is Assistant Dean of Equity Diversity and Inclusion for the University of Washington School of Public Health and works with BIPOC students who are interested in public health and health care management. She is Filipino and lives in south Seattle on Coast Salish territory with her partner Alma. Victoria loves to answer questions about how to pursue a career in public health and the health professions.
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, Archie Cantrell, John Reamer, Rich Summer, Lauren Nabahe, Jeremy Rouse, Jill LaPointe, Victoria Gardner, Leander Yazzie, Kuwlkadim Jared Edge, Alicia Finch, Lokee Beaver, Mia Bull, Urban Indian Health Institute
Thank you to our sponsors including Highline College, University of Washington-Public Health, UW-Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity, and Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Community at Seattle Colleges!
A partnership between Highline Public Schools and Highline College.
