MEET OUR TEAM

Jeff Ferguson is a Spokane Tribal member full-time freelance photo and videographer who grew up in Spokane WA and holds an A.A.S. in Photography from Spokane Falls Community College, a B.A. in Communications from Whitworth University and is currently finishing his M.B.A. at Gonzaga University.

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He has over 20 years experience owning and operating small businesses ranging from sales and marketing to traditional brick and mortar and online retail sales to marketing and multimedia, photo and video production. Although most of his work is documentary video and cultural preservation, he has also found time to volunteer and serve on various boards and panels across the state.

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Over the years he has found that raising awareness to current and ongoing issues facing Indian Country and educating Native youth both on and off the reservation, is where his true passions lie.

Margo Hill is a Spokane Tribal member and was raised on the Spokane Indian reservation. She is a semi-fluent speaker of the Spokane Indian (Salish) language she has bee taught by her tribal elders the culture and the “way of life” of her people. She earned a Juris Doctorate from the University of Gonzaga School of Law and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning from Eastern Washington University.

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As the Spokane Tribal Attorney and Coeur d’Alene Tribal Court Judge she has worked in the legal field to protect tribal sovereignty, water rights and the land base of her tribe and other tribes. Margo Hill is a faculty at Eastern Washington University where she teaches Planning Law and Legislation, Administrative Law, Community Development, Tribal Planning classes and American Indian Law.

Helen, a Nez Perce artist with Sioux and Ponca heritage, blends traditional and modern aesthetics in her work. Based in Spokane, she owns Forward Native Works, offering art instruction, design, and branding. Growing up in an art-focused household, Helen is inspired by Nez Perce “Dreamer” artists and modern Indigenous culture. Her work highlights Indigenous awareness, confidence, and cultural pride. Passionate about supporting Indigenous communities, she advocates for creativity, self-expression, and the preservation of Native American traditions.

Jamie Abrahamson is a Spokane Tribal member and a Health Care Provider.

Jessica Pakootas, serves as the Camas Path Executive Director for the Kalispel Tribe of Indians. Jessica received her Juris Doctor and Indian Law Certificate from Arizona State University College of Law. Jessica is the Vice-Chair of the Colville Tribal Gaming Commission and serves as a Kalispel Tribe Delegate for the WSU Native American Health and Science Advisory Board. She is a member of the Kalispel Tribe- American Red Cross Disaster Action Team. Jessica previously worked as in-house legal counsel for the Kalispel Tribe and the Colville Confederated Tribes. Jessica is an enrolled member of the Colville Confederated Tribes.

Jennifer Covington is a Spokane Tribal member and grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation. Ms. Covington has over 20 years of leadership experience, primarily serving the Spokane Tribe’s gaming industry. Ms. Covington served as a volunteer for various non-profits and community. Jennifer is an entrepreneur and owned and operated two businesses on the Spokane Indian reservation for over 10 years. Ms. Covington earned her Bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University, and currently serves as the Human Resource Director for the Spokane Tribe of Indians.

Melodi Wynne, a proud citizen of the Spokane Tribe, resides on her ancestral homelands on the upper Columbia Plateau. She holds a doctorate in Community and Cultural Psychology and a graduate certificate in Conflict Resolution from the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. A passionate advocate for Tribal food sovereignty, Melodi speaks at schools, universities, podcasts, and conferences. She is an active member of the NW Tribal Food Sovereignty Coalition and co-founded social media groups that raise awareness about the need for food sovereignty. Melodi currently works with Spokane Tribal Network to advance food sovereignty initiatives within the Spokane Tribal community and beyond.

Brodie Ford is a member of the Spokane Tribe, Brodie received his Bachelors degree in Computer Science at Whitworth University and recently received his Masters Degree in Information Technology from Arizona State University.

Brodie is currently the Spokane Tribe’s Networking Engineer Trainee for Sp’q’n’i? Broadband Services.

Brodie enjoys helping others be the best version of themselves.

Donell Barlow is Yurok and an enrolled member of the Ottawa tribe/Otter Clan. She currently resides in Spokane, WA working with Native Youth, families, and communities as a certified Holistic Health Coach, Nutrition Consultant, and Author. Donell also serves as a Native American Educator for Spokane Public Schools.

Theresa Ellisoff is a Colville Tribal Elder

Jerry Crowshoe is an enrolled member of the Piikani Nation (Blackfoot Confederacy) from Brocket, Alberta, Canada, who grew up on the Spokane Indian Reservation in Wellpinit, WA. A dedicated mental health professional, Jerry holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Developmental Psychology from Eastern Washington University and a Master’s Degree in Community Counseling from Gonzaga University.

Jerry has extensive experience working in mental health and community support, having served with the Kalispel Tribe's Behavioral Health Program, Kauffman and Associates, Inc., and the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations. Currently, he is the Prevention Program Manager for the Spokane Tribe of Indians, where he coordinates substance use prevention programs.

In his free time, Jerry actively engages in community events, including coordinating youth powwows and the Gathering at the Falls Powwow in Spokane, WA. He enjoys spending time with his family and traveling to powwows across the region.