Category: Tribal and Cultural Facilitation

  • Northwest Environmental Business Council Oregon Brownfields Conference 

    Tribal Relations & Government-to-Government Consultation Training 

    May 2026

    Presented at the Oregon Brownfields Conference on the topic “From Outreach to Partnership: Elevating Community Engagement and Government-to-Government Consultation.” Spoke about how effective engagement requires more than outreach—it requires intention, respect, and a willingness to listen across different types of relationships. Explored how community engagement with the public and government-to-government consultation with Tribes can be approached with equal authenticity, while honoring the distinct responsibilities each requires. Sharing practical strategies and real-world examples, highlighted how storytelling—grounded in community values, culture, and lived experience—can build trust, inform decisions, and strengthen partnerships, ultimately leading to more resilient and inclusive outcomes.

  • Kennedy-Wong Consulting | Port of Camas-Washougal

    Tribal Relations & Government-to-Government Consultation Training 

    Tribal Cultural Facilitation and Training, 2026-present

    Developed and delivered a comprehensive Tribal relations training program for Port leadership and staff focused on government-to-government consultation with federally recognized Tribes. Designed the customized curriculum to address when, how, and why consultation is required under federal and Washington State law. Presented a historical timeline of federal Indian law and policy, including treaty-making, allotment, termination, and self-determination eras, to provide context for contemporary Tribal relations. Defined and explained key concepts including Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, federal trust responsibility, and consultation triggers. Provided practical guidance on initiating consultation, documenting engagement, and integrating consultation into infrastructure and environmental project workflows. Facilitated discussion on cultural appreciation vs. cultural appropriation, including appropriate institutional representation and engagement practices. Strengthened organizational capacity, reduced regulatory risk, and improved staff competency in intergovernmental Tribal engagement.

  • Barney & Worth | Portland Water Bureau

    Bull Run Filtration Projects Urban Indigenous Engagement Circle

    Community Engagement Facilitator, 2021-2025

    Facilitating engagement circles with six urban Indigenous communities as part of a billion-dollar improvement project that will serve safe, clean drinking water to over a million people in the metro area. The bureau wants to improve engagement with urban Indigenous communities, in recognition of Indigenous peoples as the original stewards of the land. The project will result in guidance for opportunities to connect through water, taking a long-term view, and advancing native stewardship of land and water. It will also result in an internship focused on representation of Native languages and partnerships with Native organizations.

  • Arcadis | Taholah School District Projects, WA

    Cultural Coordination Consultant, 2024-present

    Facilitating community engagement and communications with the owner and Quinault Tribe, ensuring the community’s voices are heard and cultural elements are implemented appropriately from schematic design through construction. The Taholah School District is designing and constructing a 75,000-square-foot K-12 school to serve 250 students. The school will be 150 feet above sea level, part of the new upper Taholah village, a part of the Tribe’s relocation to plan for resilience to natural disasters and climate change.