Sarah Sense Wilson, LMHC, CDP, WSGCC-II, Chair of Urban Native Education Alliance

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.

Gwendolyn A. Lee, Chinese, Member At Large

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.

Kateri Joe

Kateri was born and raised in West Seattle. She attended West Seattle High School and began building her network in the urban Native American community of Seattle. She has participated in the annual Canoe Journey for over 16 years, dances both traditional Co-Salish and Pow-wow style dancing. She attended Fort Lewis College, in Durango, CO with a BA in Sociology and minor in Native American Indigenous Studies. After college she worked as a mental health case manager for 3 years.

She was called to moved back to Seattle to attend the University of Washington, Masters of Social Work program and began working at Treehouse. She joined Treehouse as an Education Specialist in the Muckleshoot, Enumclaw and Auburn school districts and has recently transitioned into the Tribal Engagement Manager position.

Marcus Shriver

I am a 26 year old Chicanx adoptee from Colorado located on Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Ute land. I have lived here on Coast Salish land for 8 years. I graduated from Seattle University’s College of Arts and Sciences with a degree in Digital Design and from Seattle University’s Albers School of Business with a degree in Marketing in 2015. I have a passion for music and currently work at Seattle Theatre Group as a concerts marketer working mostly with The Neptune Theatre. I am local concert and street photographer and spend much of my time going to local shows, taking photos, and fiddling with vintage video game systems and cameras.

Michelle Landwehr, M.Ed.

Michelle became involved in UNEA as a parent looking for a program to nourish and support her son in his Native heritage. She was quickly filled with gratitude for the profound positive impact the program made on her son’s life. Michelle’s respect for UNEA grew as she witnessed its talented leaders, who inspired her to become more involved. From her lens as an educator, she took note that every one of UNEA’s participants, even those facing obstacles, was thriving in the program. “UNEA provides invaluable resources that are not available in schools, such as individualized and responsive programming, mentorship, and cultural education. Every youth is known, seen, valued, and encouraged.”

Michelle has spent over two decades committed to enriching the lives of youth through education. She earned a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, a Masters in Education in Special Education from the University of Washington, and a Masters-level certification in Educational Leadership from City University of Seattle. She has held numerous positions in education, including teaching, mentoring, and leadership positions, and has previously served in volunteer and advocacy roles for a variety of youth. Michelle is currently an Instructional Technology and Curriculum Leader with the Bellevue School District and serves on the Washington Children’s Mental Health Workgroup subcommittee for improving school-based mental health services. She lives in North Seattle with her family, including her son Alex, Menominee. She considers herself a Native ally who shares UNEA’s values and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the UNEA community and further its mission.