Board Of Directors

Joel Christoe

Board Member, Founder, Coast Salish Snohomish Nation

Joel was born in Everett Washington located on the traditional homelands of the Snohomish people; a direct descendant of Mary Shelton Brown of the Wheakadim family. A Snohomish village now referred to as Sandy Point near Langley on Whidbey Island. As both a Co-Founder and Chair of People of the Confluence Joel hopes to: “Promote the cultural welfare and growth of Native people through evidence based (since time immemorial) programs and trainings that embrace the teachings, traditions and values of our Ancestors.” Joel is also a 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.

“With your support, we will not only see Native American identities and customs preserved, but also honored and embraced in our traditional lifeway.

Pamela Bond (Čəlalákəm FightingWoman)

Board Member, Founder, Coast Salish Snohomish Nation

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

“Duck” Donald Long Solider

Board Member,

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

Carly Mathews

Board 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. As was the case in so many indigenous families, Carly’s family was greatly impacted by the trauma left in the wake of her ancestor’s experiences as “students” of the Forest Grove, Chemawa, and Tulalip Indian boarding schools. For her family this trauma ultimately resulted in the loss of land, language, traditional teachings, tribal and family relationships. It set the stage for ongoing trauma which continued for generations. Carly has become a change agent within her family seeking to reclaim language, family history/connections, traditional teachings AND to pass these on to her children, grandchildren, aunties, cousins, and family. It is her sincerest desire to continue to learn and heal and to help others do the same.

Chatell S. Wallace

Board of Director, Shoshone Paiute

Indigenous Food Sovereignty Specialist, Environmental Activist,

Jennifer Bereskin

Board Member Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska – Unangan & Coast Salish Snohomish Nation

Human Rights & Policy Reform Activist, Environmental Activist, Advocate for housing justice and eliminating childhood poverty in Washington State. Serves on following boards and committees, Governor Jay Inslee’s Poverty Reduction Work Group (PRWG) Steering Committee, Washington Low Income Housing Alliance (WLIHA), Resident Action Project (RAP), Snohomish County RAP Chapter, Paths to Understanding, Community Services Advisory Council (CSAC) which I advocate for better understanding of how historical racial and discriminatory laws and policies negatively impact Indigenous and people of color communities.

Jennifer is currently a junior at Northwest Indian College pursing a bachelor’s degree in Native Studies Leadership and her ultimate education goal is a PhD in Tribal Law and Indian Policy to protect the sovereign and inherent rights of tribal communities.

COUNCIL OF ELDERS

Earl Tall

Council of Elders Member

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