2025 Indigenous Leadership Awards

Join us on October 15 to celebrate six leaders and one group who will be recognized for their service to community, culture, and Indigenous sovereignty.

About the Indigenous Leadership Awards

Since 2001, the Indigenous Leadership Awards have recognized more than 80 extraordinary leaders from across the Northwest and beyond. These awards honor the vision, dedication, and achievements of Indigenous people working to strengthen sovereignty, revitalize cultures, heal homelands, and uplift their communities.

Honoring the 2025 Awardees

This year’s cohort represents a powerful spectrum of leadership—those revitalizing language, restoring cultural fire practices, advancing sovereignty and self-governance, protecting lands and waters, and creating collaborative networks for future generations.

Awards will be presented in two categories:

• Emerging Leaders – honoring the next generation who are carrying forward teachings and blazing new paths.
• Accomplished Leaders – recognizing the decades-long work of leaders who have transformed communities and systems.
• Additionally, one group award will highlight a collective effort of tribal stewardship and innovation.

Event Highlights

✨ Celebrate the 2025 Indigenous Leadership Awardees

✨ Enjoy an inspiring evening of storytelling, recognition, and community

✨ Connect with tribal leaders, partners, and allies from across the region

✨ Reception with catered dinner by Javalina Indigenous Dining

Tickets

Tickets are available on a sliding scale to make this celebration accessible to all. Proceeds help support the Indigenous Leadership Awards program and the recognition of extraordinary leaders across the region.

Parking

Parking at The Redd lot will be reserved for elders and awardees' families. Free street parking is available

For questions about tickets, sponsorship, or accessibility, please contact: Jessica Douglas [email protected]

Emerging Leaders

Shelly Covert, Nevada City Rancheria Nisenan Tribe
Executive Director of the California Heritage: Indigenous Research Project
Tribal Council Member and Spokesperson for her tribe
For her powerful voice in reversing the erasure of Nisenan people in California history, advancing federal recognition of her tribe, and sustaining Nisenan community and culture

Ryan Reed, Karuk, Hupa, and Yurok
Co-founder and Program Director of FireGeneration Collaborative
Former member of the Northwest Forest Plan Federal Advisory Committee
In recognition of his leadership to restore fire as a practice of Indigenous land stewardship, advance policy that supports tribal fire practices, and inspire new generations of leaders

Accomplished Leaders

Satsan (Herb George), Wet’suwet’en Nation
One of the Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs of the Frog Clan
Founder of the Centre for First Nations Governance
Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD), University of Victoria
For his pivotal leadership in advancing and transforming Indigenous self-governance globally and empowering First Nations to reclaim and exercise their inherent rights

Ron Goode, North Fork Mono Tribe
Chairman of the North Fork Mono Tribe
In honor of his decades-long work to revitalize cultural fire practices and forge enduring partnerships among tribes, agencies, and communities for land, water, and cultural healing

Tony A. (naschio) Johnson, Chinook Indian Nation
Chairman of the Chinook Indian Nation Tribal Council and Culture Committee
Senior Program Officer at Inatai Foundation
In recognition of his leadership of the Chinook Indian Nation in its pursuit of federal recognition and his tireless work to revitalize the cultures and languages of tribes of the Lower Columbia River region

Robert Kentta, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Tribal Council Member and former Cultural Resources Director for his tribe
In honor of his lifelong dedication to cultural preservation, tribal governance, and advocacy on behalf of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians

Group Leader

Tribal Marine Stewards Network
In recognition of the Network’s groundbreaking work to elevate tribal governance along California’s Pacific coast through stewardship, monitoring, and co-management and for building an innovative, collaborative, and growing alliance

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