Category: Author Biographies

My name is Kathalina Hoffman, I am a senior at the University of Washington majoring in Nursing and American Indian Studies, with a minor in Dance. I am Kaigani Haida from the Haida Indian Tribe of Alaska, and a member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma. Gáad Gáas hín uu díi kya’áang. Ga yáalaas gúusd uu díi k’wáalaagang. My Haida name is Gáad Gáas, I am from the Raven moiety, my clan is Yahkw ‘Jáanaas, and my crest is SGaan tśal tl’asdang (Double Finned Killer Whale).
My goal is to become a nurse and work for Indian Health Services across Indian country. In the meantime I’m enjoying my Indigenous community in Seattle! I strive to dive deeper into my cultures as a mixed race person (my dad is Native and my mom is from Nicaragua). I like to bead, and I draw elements from both of my tribes into my bead work, as well as some Latin inspiration. I’m currently working on learning my Haida language, Xáad kíl. I love the PNW, cute animals, and dancing!

My Name is Twana, I am an enrolled Tribal member of the Squaxin-Island Tribe and an descendant of the Skokomish Tribe where I grew up and spent my childhood. I have always wanted to and had a passion to give back to my communities, and felt that getting into a good college would get me there. I am currently about to graduate with my B.A from the University of Washington with a degree in American Indian Studies, with a plan to go into Tribal Law and, or, Business. Although law and business are the route I want to go into, I have found different ways to go about working in those spaces; at the moment I have been at Pyramid Communications in their Indian County department as an intern. Through my internship I have had the opportunity to work with different Tribes, Native Organizations, and individuals across the country and be a small part of some huge accomplishments in Indian County.

My name is Mia Gasero and I am an enrolled tribal member of the Navajo Nation. I grew up in Maple Valley, WA where I graduated from Tahoma High School while attending Green River Community College through Running Start for a year. I have lived in the greater Seattle area my whole life but I strive to visit my relatives on the reservation once or twice a year. Currently I am a second year student at the University of Washington with an intended major in Business and a double minor in Nutrition and American Indian Studies. I chose these two minors as I find it very important to understand the nutrients we put into our bodies and to learn more about my ancestors who fought for the lives we have today. After my time as an undergrad student, I hope to acquire a career in finance or information systems then to pursue a master’s years down the road. In my free time I enjoy being outdoors, going to museums and thrift shopping.

I was born in Georgia and moved to Orcas Island in Washington State when I was a baby and have lived there ever since. I graduated from Orcas Island High School in 2019 and I am in my first year here at the University of Washington in Seattle. I am planning on majoring in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies with a minor in Informatics but I am still exploring other things. After I graduate I want to go to get a law degree and use it to work in policy or as an adviser in the government. My main goal is to end up working somewhere where I feel I am making a difference. Growing up sports have always been a huge part of my life. I played soccer, basketball, softball, and ran, and I now am a member of the Women’s Rowing team here at UW. I am honored to be a  part of the team’s legacy and I can’t wait to start racing this spring. 

My name is Melissa Torres and I am an enrolled Blackfeet member of the Amskaapi Pikuni in Browning, Montana. I am also a member of the Crazy Dog Society in Browning. My Indian name is Miistaaki Oomahkaatayaaki, which means Mountain Lion. My major is American Indian Studies and my long term goal is to become a corporate attorney and work for a local tribe. My goal is to be able to give back to my Native community and my tribe as my mother and grandmother did before me. The contributions of my grandmother have had a large impact on my decisions and have guided my choices in my career.

Bonnie Greer is a senior at the University of Washington majoring in International Studies. She grew up in Bellevue Washington and has moved around the greater Seattle area her whole life. After graduating she plans to work on Climate Change policy with the prioritization of Indigenous voices. In her free time she likes to hike and hang out with her mom.

My name is Isaiah Tubbs, and I am a senior history major at the University of Washington. I have lived in Seattle since I was eighteen, but I grew up in Birmingham Alabama. I plan on attending graduate school after UW to pursue my interest in history. This interest is framed by my desire to study the complexity of intercultural exchange. For this reason, I chose to add a diversity minor to my undergraduate experience. This combination of curriculums solidified my passion for academia by giving me an emotional connection to the material. Even though I do not have any indigenous ancestry, the horrific global history of colonialism is still incredibly gripping. I believe that this history is too applicable to the modern world to be misrepresented or ignored. Studying the past allows me to break down walls of ignorance and connect with the entirety of the human experience.