Protecting Water, Air, Earth & Spirit

More about our work

We’re an all-Indigenous organization. All of our board members as well as our youth and elders’ advisory council members are enrolled members of Tribal Nations. We lead cohorts of young students, plan cultural exchange trips to strengthen ties between our Indigenous Nations, and teach classes to make traditional medicines that we give away to elders, families and homeless communities. We are building our capacity to be able to return land to Indigenous peoples and create housing for our people who are homeless or experience housing insecurity. Read more about our projects and plans for expansion on our Programs page.

Who We Are

Our Mission

Honoring the traditions and knowledge of our Ancestors, People of the Confluence works primarily in Indigenous communities to rebuild the connection between our Youth and Elders. Doing our best, we lead by example to model ways to walk softly on Mother Earth and to be the most effective protectors of the Water, Air, Earth and Spirit.

Board of Directors

  • Pamela čəlalakəm SeaMonster

    President, Co-Founder, Coast Salish Snohomish

    info@peopleoftheconfluence.org

    Traditional Storyteller, Plant Medicine Specialist, Weaver, Cultural Educator, Film Director, Environmental Activist

  • Jennifer Bereskin

    Treasurer, Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska – Unangan & Coast Salish Snohomish Nation

    info@peopleoftheconfluence.org

    Human Rights & Policy Reform Activist, Environmental Activist, Advocate for housing justice and eliminating childhood poverty in Washington State. Currently pursuing her Masters & PhD in Tribal Law and Indian Policy to protect the sovereign and inherent rights of tribal communities.

  • Joel Christoe

    Co-Founder, Coast Salish Snohomish Nation

    Current Council Member for The Snohomish Tribe of Indians and a Board member for Sduhubs Cultural and Family Services, Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.

  • Carly Matthews

    DescriptionBoard Member, Secretary, Coast Salish Snohomish Nation, Puyallup, Klallam,Yakama, & Flathead

    Carly has worked in the Mental Health and Social Services fields for 27 years in a variety of roles in both private and public sectors. She was born and raised in the Puyallup valley and has resided in the Skykomish Valley for the last 22 years. goes here

  • "Duck" Donald LongSoldier

    Board Member, Tetawan Oglala Lakota

    Duck of all trades, Gardener, Carpenter, Cultural Educator, Environmental Activist and Traditional Protector.tion goes here

  • Chattell S. Wallace

    Board Member, Shoshone Paiute

    Indigenous Food Sovereignty Specialist, Nutritionist, Indigenous Food Fusion Culinary Educator, Environmental Activist. Chatell has a 28+ year conventional culinary career focusing on dietary needs and catering. Now she adds to conversations around “local” foods by introducing concepts and teachings around a fusion of foods with traditional foods/plants of the Salish Sea region.

Elders Advisory Council

  • Earl Tall

    Council of Elders Member, Oglala Lakota

    Wounded Knee District School Board Member, Traditional Tokala Society Member, Lakota Language Speaker

  • Lona M. Knight

    Council of Elders Member, Enrolled member of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, Mniconjou Band

    *Descendant of Wounded Knee Survivor *12-year Boarding School Survivor *Retired Art Psychotherapist *Alcatraz, Pit River Vet Longest Walk, AIM for Freedom Survival School, Black Hills Survival Gathering, Burnham, Historical Trauma Trainer *Little Big Horn Battle Rider *Grandmother *currently Life Coaching

  • Rudell BearShirt

    Council of Elders Member, Oglala Lakota

    Water Protector, Lakota Language Speaker, Yellow Thunder Camp

  • Beverly Larson

    Council of Elders Member, Oglala Lakota

    Grandmother, Lakota Language Speaker

Youth Advisory Council

  • Emily

    Indigenous Youth Council Member, Coast Salish Snohomish Nation

  • Natalia

    Indigenous Youth Council Member, Coast Salish Snohomish, Ponca

  • Jared

    Indigenous Youth Council Member, Coast Salish Snohomish Nation

People of the Confluence created our Youth Advisory Council to help guide our board of directors so that we might have a better understanding about issues affecting Native Youth in our greater community. They build and strengthen Indigenous representation and knowledge by promoting and advancing the needs and solutions identified by and for young people in our indigenous communities.

Our hope is that these young leaders become powerful advocates for Indigenous Communities. All Youth Advisory Council members demonstrate a commitment to advancing Indigenous knowledge, values, and priorities. They are all enrolled members of a tribe and have been nominated by peers and Elders.