MSW, CDP, So. Cheyenne & Arapaho Tribes – Cultural Services Coordinator

Yvette is a member of the So. Cheyenne tribe and has more than 19 years’ experience working with underrepresented and diverse youth, families and Elders. She is a life-long student of Traditional teachings, Holistic practices, and Wellness education and an Adult Child of Alcoholics (ACA). With a background as a Chemical Dependency Professional, an Indian Child Welfare foster care social worker, and a wellness coach, Yvette brings enthusiasm, patience, and a positive attitude to her role. She is honored to serve as a Red Eagle Soaring board member and volunteer/mentor with Clear Sky Native Youth Council.

Oglala Lakota, Pine Ridge South Dakota – Waátunwan Program Manager

Reuben has worked in the Substance Use Disorder field for the last 20 years. He utilizes Native Teachings to assist individuals who are Healing and entering into Recovery. Reuben has worked with the Coast Salish Tribes of Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Snoqualmie and Cowlitz Tribes of Washington. Tribal Members and Elders have shared with him Coast Salish Teachings, which he has used to assist Individuals in their Healing Journey. In his presentations, he shows how the Coast Salish model Medicine Wheel can be used in healing.

Blackfeet Nation –Waatunwan Case Manger

Martin brings experience in social work to his calling to implement Trauma-Informed Care with a cultural approach to assist Native people struggling from chronic homelessness. He is a believer in utilizing traditional values to advocate for the Indigenous communities in urban and rural areas.

Yakama Nation – MMIWP Advocate

Shanna is an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation and descended from the Umatilla and Warm Springs tribes. She is experienced in the legal field and her calling has been to advocate for her Native people through local, state, and tribal systems. She is honored to be a MMIP Advocate.

Alutiiq –Yeha:wi Case Manager & Treatment Navigator

Adriana Furlong has served the Native community in Seattle for over five years as a dedicated case manager and treatment navigator. An enrolled Alutiiq artist registered with the Alutiiq Museum, Adriana finds deep connection and healing in traditional arts and working with ancestral foods.
Her healing journey began in 2016 as an extension of her activism in Indian Country. As a survivor of sexual assault, Adriana is deeply committed to helping community members access the healing, resources, and support they need to overcome the unique challenges of navigating life in a large urban environment. Her work is rooted in cultural resilience, advocacy, and a belief in the power of community care.

Duwamish/Suquamish/Quinault – Development & Marketing Manager

Yvette Perrantes is a proud descendant of Chief siʔaɬ ( Seattle) and a firm believer in shared power and community-led change. She serves on the Access to Justice Board of Washington State, where she uplifts the voices of those with lived experience to advance equity, inclusion and justice for ALL within the legal system.

As Marketing and Development Manager at Mother Nation, Yvette brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, communications, and fundraising. Throughout her career, she has worked to address homelessness, housing instability, and systemic inequities, using strategic storytelling and relationship-building to strengthen community partnerships and increase support for Indigenous-led initiatives.

Guided by the principles of self-determination, cultural integrity, and community empowerment, Yvette works to Re –Indigenize spaces of leadership, philanthropy, and community development.

Ihanktonwan Oyate, Sicangu Lakota –

Lead Waatunwan Case Manager

Megan Bartels is a graduate of the University of South Dakota, where she began her journey of strengthening ties to her culture that had been broken by intergenerational trauma. Over the last four years, she has learned values and teachings from many remarkable people through serving Native communities across Turtle Island (NAC in Phoenix, IPTF in Minneapolis, and Mother Nation in Seattle). She believes that by combining harm reduction with traditional growth-based values of non judgment, empathy, humility, respect, and generosity, we can embrace our Relatives off of the street and into housing.

Taino, Peruvian – Yeha:wi Service Advocate

Zoey is a Yeha:wi service advocate, providing help to our relatives who are fleeing domestic violence. She also works at the Spirit Journey House advocating for our sisters that are in recovery. She believes it is such an honor to be a part of this good work and to have the opportunity to help others overcome barriers and achieve stability. Zoey is a survivor of DV and has been in recovery since 2016, and is a member of the Puyallup Tribe Re-Entry program. She is a certified medicine wheel 12 step group facilitator and has experience facilitating groups for Royal Life Center.

Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) – Finance Manager

Tino has been active in the Native American recovery community in Seattle for over 30 years. He served as program director and continues to be a resource for Native American men’s recovery house and other non-profits in the area. He worked most recently as Finance and Administrative Services Manager for King County Department of Community and Human services, where he oversaw contract and financial management for Housing and Community Development and the Best Start for Kids Levy funded programs. Tino received a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Washington and has had a long career working in public service for public, private and non-profit organizations.

Bear Clan, Oneida Nation – Communications & Marketing Assistant

Megan is a dedicated Communications & Marketing Assistant and Mentee at Mother Nation, serving the organization and community for 3 years. Starting as a vital driver, she is now leveraging her skills to support front-desk administration and, most recently, embrace the rewarding training in communications and marketing, which is helping connect our message through social media. She is passionate about uplifting relatives in the community, valuing the sisterhood with fellow mentees, and learning cultural teachings from the Elders.

Diné ( Navajo Nation) - Yeha:wi Lead DV/Service Advocate

Terri brings a deep connection to her indigenous roots and a profound commitment to supporting her community.

Terri's role at Mother Nation is instrumental in addressing critical issues such as domestic violence and providing essential services to those in need. Her passion for advocacy and her unwavering dedication to the well-being of her people make her an invaluable asset to the community.

Makah Nation – Waatunwan Case Manager

Jessica comes from the Claplanhoo, Parker and Tulee families, is a Mother of two beautiful humans, a Sister in Wellbriety, a DV and SA Survivor and Thriver, a UW Alumni majoring in Psychology with a Minor in Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, a certified Trauma-Informed Yoga Instructor and a Diversion Case Manager at Mother Nation. She aims to use the trauma she experienced as a tool to help Indigenous Women heal and thrive. She believes in decolonizing the mind and turning back to our ancestral traditions and teachings, and combines those teachings with her psych degree and yoga certification to help those heal emotionally, spiritually, physically and mentally.