Ashley is Unangax (Aleut) and Filipina on her mother’s side and African American on her father’s side. She grew up in Bellingham, Washington, with her grandparents and was involved in her local Unangax/Aleut community through a Unangan dance group, Sngagim Axasniikangin (Dream Dancers). As a first-generation college student and Gates Millennium Scholar, Ashley attended Western Washington University and earned a Bachelor’s of Arts in human services. In 2015, she earned her Masters in Social Work from the University of Washington with a concentration in community-centered integrative practice. Ashley’s first connection with Na’ah Illahee Fund was joining the Ahdanehi Women’s Giving Circle, and she then later earned her Permaculture Design Certification through the Yahowt Permaculture Program. She has a passion for plants, food, and all things social justice. She is very excited and full of gratitude for the opportunity to work at Na’ah Illahee Fund as Yahowt Program Coordinator. Ashley hopes to contribute to the work many activists, community members, and ancestors have done in protecting Mother Earth and fighting for the rights of the people for our current and future generations.
