Contact Us

Use the form on the right to contact us.

You can edit the text in this area, and change where the contact form on the right submits to, by entering edit mode using the modes on the bottom right. 

         

123 Street Avenue, City Town, 99999

(123) 555-6789

email@address.com

 

You can set your address, phone number, email and site description in the settings tab.
Link to read me page with more information.

IMG_1178_web.jpg

Undergraduate Participants

i-NATURE Indigenous Ecological Education at Heritage University Undergraduate Participants

 

Undergraduate Participants

 
Lillie-Wesley_web.png

Lillie Wesley

My name is Lillie Wesley. I am an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and a freshman at Heritage University majoring in biomedical science. I am the middle child of three and a product of parents who have always encouraged me to further my education.  I have always had a passion to help others, along with a newly found passion in the environmental sciences. I plan to become a doctor.  With the environmental experiences I am able to not only care for others but also take care of the environment around me wherever I may go.

 
Kayonnie-Ganuelas-Badonie_web.png

Kayonnie Ganuelas Badonie

Enrolled with the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, member of the Navajo Nation and Ilocano, Filipina. Majoring with a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science at Heritage University. Prior experience in Environmental Studies within the Yakama Nation include working as a Forestry Technician with Forestry Pre-Sales, Wildland Firefighter, with Fire Management, Fuels Technician with Fuels Management, Laborer/Field Tech at Hanford Nuclear Site and Water Technician with Water Maintenance. I believe preserving and protecting mother nature is a great quality of life and with great passion have continued to stay involved with environmental studies and relate it into Computer Science for the future working with various programs on and off the Yakama Nation as the world continues to increase in Technology. My motivation has been my two little boys who are watching me daily and hope that one day they too will succeed and make their mark on this Earth for a better future.

 
Agnes-Mae-Beresford Meninick_web.png

Agnes 'AcH'enaqwegwe' Mae Beresford Meninick

My name is Agnes 'AcH'enaqwegwe' (hummingbird) Mae Beresford Meninick, I am an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation from the Wishxum Band, as well as a decedent of Lipay Nation of Santa Ysabel. I grew up on the Yakama Nation reservation attending both Wapato and Toppenish school districts while participating in sports; basketball, swimming, and weekends on the powwow trail competing in Fast and Fancy Shawl. I graduated in 2006 from Sherman Indian High School in Riverside, Ca. After a life quest, I have found myself with multiple field interests in, geology; for the love of rock-hounding, geography, topography, history; for wanting to know where I come from, as well as my fascination with anthropology, and last, Archaeology because of one stranger on a flight home from California that I will never forget. So, with that my future goals revolves learning as much as possible in all fields to become the female version I see as Josh Gates, or any explorer from the history channels. By starting out as a Freshman here at Heritage University, declaring my major in Environmental Science, applying for many internships that benefit in experience and the adventure of seeing the world, while reaching for graduate school.

 
Latonia-Andy_web.png

Latonia Andy

Latonia Andy, also known as Káyx Wawkikuk which means Shining Swan, grew up in White Swan, Washington and is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and descendant from the Cayuse, Umatilla, Nez Perce, Muckleshoot, Klamath, Potawatomi, and Shawnee tribal nations. Ms. Andy is currently in her junior year at Heritage University and is majoring in business administration with a minor in environmental studies. Ms. Andy has completed two internships with i-NATURE (Indigenous Ecological Education) in collaboration with Yakama Nation Fisheries and Mid-Columbia Fisheries. And she is presently working with i-NATURE on her third internship. Ms. Andy has presented a poster board on her work with Yakama Nation Fisheries Lamprey Restoration Project at the HUGGS conference and won first place in the poster board presentation. Ms. Andy has also been an active member of the organization American Indigenous Business Leaders (AIBL) of Heritage University and she is the 2019-2020 Vice-President. Ms. Andy has been a part of two presentation teams at the National American Indigenous Business Leaders conference which resulted in the team winning first place both times as ‘Chapter of the Year’. Outside of the classroom Ms. Andy is a traditional gatherer, beadworker, caregiver and loves hiking in Mt. Rainier National Park.

 
Dehlia-Wolftail_web.png

Dehlia Wolftail

I am a descendant of Yakama Nation, Blackfeet, Turtle Mountain Tribes. I moved to Toppenish Washington from Seattle Washington when I was 9 years old. I graduated from Toppenish High School. I served four years active duty in the United States Marine Corps from 2009 to 2013. During my enlistment I was able to deploy to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. After my enlistment, I earned my Associated of Arts degree from Yakima Valley College. Currently I am attending Heritage University earning a bachelor’s degree in environmental science/studies. While at Heritage University I was part of a summer research internship program working with Environmental Science department. I am currently planning on attending Graduate School for Environmental Science.

 

Former i-NATURE Indigenous Research Interns

 
 
Robyn-Raya_web.png

Robyn Raya

Robyn Raya tribal affiliation with Siletz Confederated Tribe, I am an environment studies major at Heritage University. I volunteer with HUNAC on campus during events. I am a single mother of 2 school aged children and hope to make a positive impact on them as I work toward my degree in a field I am passionate about. I also hope to impact others to pursue a field they have a passion about and become great leaders and teachers to others. I care about my environment, my community and the future.

 

 
Aiyana-Butterfly-Holt-Zack_web.png

Aiyana Butterfly Holt Zack

Aiyana is a Nez Perce tribal member (Nimiipuu) majoring in Environmental Science at Heritage University in Toppenish, Washington. Aside from studies, Aiyana is a mother of two beautiful children and an active member in her community. She participates in a number of extracurricular activites and strives to be a positive role model. She is always searching for positive ways she may channel her adventurous and energetic spirit to initiate change.

      

 

 
 
Kimberly-Stewart_web.png

Kimberly Stewart

My name is Kimberly Stewart and my indian name is Sikusa, I am an enrolled member of the Yakama nation. I am currently a sophomore at Heritage University where I am majoring in Environmental Science. I chose this degree because I believe it will help me gain the necessary skills and knowledge I will need for my future career. When I am finished with school I plan on working for my tribe’s Fish and Wildlife department. The land and its natural resources are a big part of who we are as Yakamas and I want to be able to help protect and preserve it for the current generations and the generations to come. 

 
 
Michael-Buck_web

Michael A. Buck

Environmental Science Undergraduate

Study Title: Identifying Yakama Nation NWOK; (Native Ways of Knowing) through acknowledging Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Pacific Lamprey Harvesting Methods.

I am Michael Buck, Yakama Nation tribal member who grew up on the Yakama Nation Reservation. Traditional Knowledge was instilled into me by my parents and extended family from Priest Rapids Village along the Columbia River. I feel greatly enhanced and privileged to expand my knowledge of the Scientific Method offered here at the Heritage University Environmental Science Curriculum. Math and Science are very important to me and the community of young environmentalist here at the small private institution is holistic and representative of what Native Ways of Knowing is all about. Native Perspectives in Research Methodologies. It is my great pleasure to offer the following. In the near future I plan to remain a student in higher education but also in expanding the bridge between the Traditional Western World View and Indigenous Knowledge. The goal of having a bachelors degree has only grown into a desire to pursue Mathematics and Statistics as well, the advancement of Native Natural Resources on the Yakama Nation Reservation and surrounding areas is what drives me. I enjoy hiking, competitive and fun running and picking huckleberries.

 
 
Christy-Fiander_web

Cristy Jolene Fiander

Cristy Fiander, a member of the Yakama Nation is a senior majoring in Environmental Studies at Heritage University. Cristy has been on the Dean’s List since she started here at Heritage University and currently holds a gpa of 3.702. She presented at the 2016 ASIES conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Cristy is a member of the Heritage University Native American Club (HUNAC). Her passion is for the environment and to preserve and protect the many resources that Yakama Nation is responsible for. Cristy is a food gatherer for Toppenish Creek Longhouse. She is a head cook when called upon, as well as a Tradition food server. She enjoys being a mother of her 5 children and showing them how to live in both traditional and modern worlds.