Webinar | Native Thriving on Campus

Speakers: Pamala M. Silas (CAE, Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement, Center for Native American and Indigenous Research at Northwestern University) and Jasmine Gurneau (Director of Native American Indigenous Affairs in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at Northwestern University).

Co-sponsored by the Center for Ecological Regeneration and the Stead Center for Ethics and Values in support of Garrett’s Indigenous Study Committee.

Pamala M. Silas, CAE has been a recognized leader for over 25 years for addressing issues of equity, leadership, community development, housing, and education in under-represented communities. She has successfully led regional and national non-profit organizations, as well as served on boards, councils, task forces, and advisory committees addressing these issues. Pamala has a B.S. in Economics from DePaul University and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE). She is an enrolled member of the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin and a descendant of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin. Her former positions include; Executive Director for National American Indian Housing Council, Native American Journalists Association, and prior to forming her own Association Management & Consulting Company, Pam served 8 years as the CEO of American Indian Science & Engineering Society’s national operation. In Chicago, she served as the Executive Director for Metropolitan Tenants Organization, where she led housing campaigns and aggressive direct organizing efforts with low-income tenants. Pamala loves spending time with her grandkids, volunteering, and staying physically active.

Jasmine Gurneau (Oneida/Menominee) serves as the Director of Native American and Indigenous Affairs in the Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion at Northwestern University. Jasmine leads the development and implementation of university-wide initiatives related to the inclusion of Native American and Indigenous students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Her role includes facilitating stakeholder engagement, serving as a thought leader on campus, and building and sustaining partnerships with tribal communities. From Chicago, Illinois, Jasmine earned a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from DePaul University and a Master of Arts in Learning Sciences from Northwestern University. She is a Community Representative of the Citywide American Indian Education Council for Chicago Public Schools and has served as the Co-Chair for the Chicago American Indian Community Collaborative’s Education Committee. She was a 2015 Fellow with Cultivate: Women of Color Leadership program and was named one of Chicago Scholars’ 35 Under 35 Young Leaders Making An Impact.