This scholarship honors the memory of Roberta M. Wilson (Oglala/Cheyenne) for her life-long personal and professional dedication to Indian education. Roberta M. Wilson’s legacy of unwavering commitment lives on in the hearts, minds, and spirits of her students, and in the many lives she touched throughout her life. Roberta M. Wilson’s contributions to the advancement of students in higher education continue to inspire, ignite, and motivate those whom had the privilege to experience her leadership, wisdom, and guidance. Roberta M. Wilson embodied Lakota virtues and values, exemplifying cultural integrity in all her endeavors. This scholarship recognizes honorable scholars pursuing higher education while upholding their service commitment to their respective tribal community.
This scholarship honors the memory of Roberta M. Wilson (Oglala/Cheyenne) for her life- long personal and professional dedication to Indian education. Roberta M. Wilson’s legacy of unwavering commitment lives on in the hearts, minds, and spirits of her students, and in the many lives she touched throughout her life. Roberta M. Wilson’s contributions to the advancement of students in higher education continue to inspire, ignite, and motivate those whom had the privilege to experience her leadership, wisdom, and guidance. Roberta M. Wilson embodied Lakota virtues and values, exemplifying cultural integrity in all her endeavors. This scholarship recognizes honorable scholars pursuing higher education while upholding their service commitment to their respective tribal community.
SCSNYCis a youth centered, youth driven program of UNEA. Clear Sky originated in February of 2008 with a few Native youth initiating weekly gathering in response to the lack of cultural, social and academic support. Clear Sky and UNEA eventually merged as a natural evolution of parents, youth, educators, and community members coalescing together to strengthen their resolve to create successful grassroots organization with the clear purpose of serving Native youth.
Clear Sky provides a number of resources, activities, educational and cultural opportunities not otherwise available or accessible to our urban Native youth. Clear Sky Native Youth Council Program has become a touchstone and a place of power for community building since its organic inception. Highlights of Clear Sky Program include: Leadership Council, Natives on the Rise Mentorship Project, Empowerment Workshops, Life Skills trainings, and our monthly Clear Sky Newsletters. Youth participants have opportunity to learn and grow specific skills sets and prepare for college, technology school and workforce through; civic and community service, stewardship, self- advocacy, and professional development. All programming and activities are designed for Native youth, Native youth voice, and with thoughtful attention to cultural relevancy and cultural responsiveness.
Native Warrior Athletics programs features sports, fitness classes, workshops and Basketball training for Native youth. Our fitness activities include Running/Walking Team, Fun Run/walk events, workshops on nutrition and health, special guest speakers and workshops to promote health and wellness. Our Native Warriors basketball activities include; leagues, scrimmages, practices, and tournaments. We also have special training sessions with guest coaches and opportunities for improving individual skills. Our N.W.A. program emphasizes team work, cultural and tribal identity and values. We strive to encourage our Native youth to make positive choices and serve as role models in our community.
UNEA offers culturally responsive and relevant support to Native youth and families through social, cultural, and educational support services. UNEA provides consultation, advocacy, support and resources for Native families and students. We are inspired by our 100% graduation and advancement of Native learners participating in Clear Sky program. Our organization is driven by our grass roots community volunteers and we are committed to our core values; Integrity, Interconnectedness, Inclusion, and Service. Our programs are all youth centered, youth driven and designed for promoting health, wellness and academic, socio-cultural success for youth, families and community.
Collectively engage in activities and promote educational achievement. We strive to enhance our tribal identities, personal and community growth and wellness. We advocate for justice, equality and visibility in the Seattle community.
Engage all generations to serve and empower Native youth through education, culture and tradition.
Sarah Sense-Wilson (Oglala) serves as the elected Chair for the Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA). Sarah is committed to strengthening our urban Native community through tireless advocacy, organizing, and networking both within the Native community and greater King County area. Central to Sarah’s values is student voice, "As an organization we need to be cognizant of its purpose at all times, we are here to serve the academic, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs of our Native children". Collaborating, consulting and sharing in decision making with students supports our emphasis on being student centered.
Sarah’s educational background includes a B.A. in Political Science, UW 1999, Chemical Dependency License 2004, and she completed her MA degree in Applied Psychology from Antioch University in 2010. Sarah is a Washington State licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a certified Problem Gambling Counselor. She has worked in the chemical dependency field for over 15 years, specializing in both family and couples counseling. Sarah is currently employed at Tulalip Tribes Behavioral Wellness as a Problem Gambling Coordinator.
Sarah and her partner Mark have one daughter who recently graduated from Western Washington University. Sarah enjoys her multiple volunteer roles and is highly motivated to improve academic and cultural enrichment experiences for our urban Native youth. Sarah believes both cultural knowledge and education are vital to strengthen and build the future for our urban Native community.
Gwen and her husband John, first became active in UNEA when they sought culturally appropriate and enriching activities for two Native foster children in their care. As they encouraged and facilitated the participation of these Native youths in various UNEA activities, Gwen and John became increasingly impressed with the organization and the positive effects it was having on the kids. As foster parents, they particularly valued how the program helped strengthen the youths’ sense of identity, self-confidence and enthusiasm for participating in healthy, culture based activities. Recognizing these and other program benefits, Gwen has continued to participate and volunteer even after the reunification of the youth with their birth family.
Gwen’s academic background includes Bachelor of Arts degrees in both Communications and Sociology from the University of Washington. Among her extremely diverse professional activities, Gwen has worked as an Aide to U.S. Senator Daniel J. Evans (including areas of Indian Affairs). She also served as the Assistant to the Seattle City Treasurer. She has worked extensively as a labor union activist for environmental, economic and social justice. Gwen was subsequently elected to the highest management position within the 3,200 member Local 46 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, becoming the first female in the international organization to head a construction union. She is pleased and honored to serve as Treasurer for UNEA.
Herb received his Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering from Seattle University in 2004. He currently works as a Project Engineer for the General Contractor, Lease Crutcher Lewis. Herb strongly believes in the value of Native Education through youth mentorship, community, and honoring cultural traditions. Fostering empowerment and a sense of pride in identity for Indigenous Youth is a priority for Herb. Herb and his wife Claire have one son Logan who attends Garfield High School and who is an active youth leader in the Clear Sky Native Youth Council. Herb was elected to the UNEA Board in June of 2016.
I am honored to be nominated for membership on the UNEA Board because I am committed to helping urban Native youth to have opportunities to develop their own voices and make positive choices about their education and to have access to resources and receive the kind of community support that is needed for young people to gain confidence and thrive in an educational landscape that often neglects their needs and concerns. I am currently enrolled in a course at the University of Washington with Megan Bang, Dawn Hardison-Stevens, and a cohort of educators from Seattle and beyond on Native Education, in which we are digging deeply into the very challenges faced by the Clear Sky participants in terms of their educational needs. With my decades of experience as an educator (middle school teacher and elementary/middle school administrator), I feel I bring an educational perspective to the board that can benefit its work on behalf of these children.
February 2019
January 2019
December 2018
November 2018
October 2018
September 2018
May/June 2018