About

Patricia Conway

Jennifer Vasilez

The Indigenous Leadership Academy PNW was born in 2021. Our work was inspired by the youth crisis that we saw in our tribal communities. We seek to heal families, engage youth, and build leadership skills in the seven generations. We are an Indigenous-led non-profit. Our directors are Patricia Conway, Puyallup and Jennifer Vasilez, Puyallup.

Patricia Conway is a member of the Puyallup tribe. She also has ancestral connections to tribes across what is today Puget Sound and beyond. Patricia is a mother and educator who has served as an instructional coach and teacher. Today she serves her community as a curriculum writer, designing learning materials specific to the Puyallup Tribe. Patricia has been engaged in supporting Native youth in the area for many years. Patricia also has a Masters Degree from the University of Washington, Tacoma.

Jennifer Vasilez is a member of the Puyallup tribe, with ancestry from many other local Indigenous communities. She is a descendant of David and Annie Squally who have deep ties to this land and community. Jennifer is an educator, who has served as a teacher and school administrator since 2011. She also has served as a case manager for youth exiting foster care and as a homeless prevention specialist for teens in Skagit County. Jennifer is also a mother of two and a wife and daughter. She is deeply committed to her tribal community and serving the next generation. She also recently graduated with her doctorate in educational leadership from the University of Washington, Tacoma.

ILA has been operating for three years. We have grown a lot in those three years thanks to the support of our tribal communities and other Native led organizations in the region! We are excited to continue our journey in coming years and to share our message.

Long term dreams include:

-Langauge Immersion Preschool

-Youth Development Programs

-Native Family Support Networks

-Coast Salish Publishing Organization