Group of six leaders will be honored at a ceremony on October 16 

Portland, Ore. – September 4, 2024 – Ecotrust is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2024 Indigenous Leadership Awards. The group of six leaders who will be honored are Theresa Sheldon, Tulalip; sm3tcoom (Delbert Miller), Skokomish; SandeBea Allman, Oglala Lakota and Niimiipuu; Darrell Hillaire, Lummi; Corinne Sams, Umatilla; and Delano Saluskin, Yakama.

Since 2001, the Ecotrust Indigenous Leadership Awards have recognized nearly 80 outstanding Indigenous leaders for their unwavering dedication to strengthen self-determination and uplift the environmental, cultural, economic, and social conditions of their communities and homelands. Initially funded through a private endowment established in 2000 and with continued philanthropic support, the Awards have recognized the work of Indigenous leaders throughout northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, and southeast Alaska.

This year’s Awardees will be celebrated on Wednesday, October 16, 2024, in the Main Hall of the Redd on Salmon Street, Ecotrust’s regional food hub and event space, at 831 SE Salmon Street, Portland, OR 97214. More information about the 2024 Indigenous Leadership Awards ceremony is available at ecotrust.org/2024-indigenous-leadership-awards.

The 2024 Indigenous Leadership Award Recipients

SandeBea Allman, Oglala Lakota and Niimiipuu
Chief Community Engagement and Development Officer, Native American Rehabilitation Association and President of the Bow and Arrow Culture Club
In honor of her decades-long role as guide, convener, and cultural ambassador for the Portland Urban Indian community.

Darrell Hillaire, Lummi
Educator and storyteller, founder of Children of the Setting Sun Productions and former chairman of the Lummi Nation
In celebration of his leadership in enhancing opportunities for Native education in the Northwest and ongoing commitment to sharing the stories of Native peoples.

sm3tcoom (Delbert Miller), Skokomish
Founder and visionary of the Skabob House, singer, carver, drummer and culture keeper
For his lifelong dedication to the cultural, physical, and spiritual healing of Indigenous peoples through art, song, language, and education.

Delano Saluskin, Yakama
Former Yakama Nation Tribal Chairman
In recognition of his stellar leadership in building agency, safety, and economic sovereignty for the Yakama Nation while protecting lands and waters and ensuring cultural continuity.

Corinne Sams, Umatilla
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation Board of Trustees
For her steadfast advocacy for and commitment to the preservation of cultural connections between the peoples of the Umatilla and salmon.

Theresa Sheldon, Tulalip
Tulalip Tribes Board of Director  and former Director of Policy and Advocacy, National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
In recognition for her commitment to protecting the Tulalip Tribes’ sovereignty and her work to bring justice and healing to Native peoples nationwide.

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About the Indigenous Leadership Awards

The Indigenous Leadership Awards are a celebration of the determination, wisdom, and continuum of Indigenous leadership across our region. Since its founding in 2001, nearly 80 exceptional Indigenous leaders have been recognized. These individuals are some of the most distinguished community leaders in the Pacific Northwest, representing a diverse spectrum of Indigenous cultures, languages, communities, and professions. They are negotiators, culture bearers, environmentalists, educators, advocates, scientists, knowledge holders, linguists, farmers, artists, resistors, and catalysts for change. All are united in their drive to protect and uplift tribal communities. For more information about the Indigenous Leadership Awards and past recipients, visit ecotrust.org/indigenous-leadership-awards.

About Ecotrust

At Ecotrust, we work in partnership toward the vision of a more just, prosperous, and climate-smart future. With more than 30 projects from California to Alaska, our approach focuses on impact at the intersections of equity, the economy, and the environment in pursuit of radical, practical change. We welcome you to join us. Learn more at ecotrust.org.