About us

Urban Native Education Alliance was founded in 2008 to engage all generations to serve and empower Native youth through education, culture, and tradition.

Elders Advisory Council

Jerrilyn Hamley (Turtle Mountain Chippewa)
Mathew Warbonnett Jr.
John Romero

Lora Pennington

Kay Fiddler

Our Board

Sarah Sense Wilson (Oglala) LMHC, SUDP, WSGCC-II,

Urban Native Education Alliance (Chair)

Sarah Sense-Wilson (Oglala) is the elected Chair of the Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA), where she leads with a steadfast commitment to uplifting urban Native youth and families. Her work centers on advocacy, community organizing, and building strong networks within Native communities and across King County. Guided by the principle of student voice, Sarah emphasizes the importance of academic, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual support for Native children. She believes true student-centered work requires collaboration, consultation, and shared decision-making with young people themselves.

Sarah holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Washington (1999), earned her Chemical Dependency License in 2004, and completed her M.A. in Applied Psychology from Antioch University in 2010. She is a Washington State Licensed Mental Health Counselor and a Certified Problem Gambling Counselor with over 19 years of experience in the chemical dependency field, specializing in family and couples counseling. Currently, she serves as Problem Gambling Coordinator for a local tribe.

Beyond her professional role, Sarah is deeply rooted in family and community. She and her partner, Mark Peltier, are proud parents of a daughter pursuing a Doctorate in Indigenous Health at North Dakota State University. Her most cherished role, however, is being “Unci” (grandmother) to her grandson, Waylin.

Sarah’s dedication has been recognized through numerous awards, including the University of Washington MAP Distinguished Alumni Award (2016), Na’ah Illahee Community Leadership Award (2016), Pramila Jayapal Community Builder Award (2018), Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee Jeri Ware Educational Advocacy Award (2020), and the Seattle Indian Health Board Adeline Garcia Community Service Award (2022).

Passionate about improving academic and cultural enrichment for Native youth, Sarah continues to advance the belief that cultural knowledge and education are powerful tools to strengthen and build the future of urban Native communities.

Gordon Mac Dougall

Raised in the NYC area, Gordon moved to Seattle in 1978 as a young adult.

He is a retired SPS English Teacher (John Marshall Alternative, Ballard High) and an amateur Seattle historian interested in how people interact and create community. His experience with crisis intervention, community, and policy committee work led him to teaching and advocacy, interdisciplinary education using "place" as focus - his masters thesis studies teaching and learning in the Thornton Creek Watershed in North Seattle.

He learned of UNEA's wonderful work during the 2007 school closures, when we all fought together to protect Marshall Alternative and Indian Heritage High School.

When he retired from Ballard, Ms. Sense Wilson demanded that he volunteer with Clear Sky as a tutor, mentor, and advocate. He was made welcome and very much enjoys the community of youth, elders, educators, and families all learning together in a supportive community. In addition to tutoring and mentoring, he is now on the board.

Lisa Rivera

Comache/Tarahumara
Board Director, Urban Native Education Alliance

Lisa Rivera is a longtime advocate for public education, youth empowerment, and community-led change. A former Seattle Public Schools Board Director, Lisa brings years of leadership experience and a deep commitment to equity in education. During her time on the school board, she championed policies to close opportunity gaps, uplift student voice, and ensure that all students—especially those from historically underserved communities—have access to culturally relevant, high-quality learning environments.

With a professional background in communications and journalism, Lisa has used storytelling and strategic messaging to elevate issues of racial and educational justice, both inside and outside the classroom. Her work centers on building strong relationships across communities, engaging families, and supporting rising leaders.

As a UNEA Board Director, Lisa hopes to focus on community engagement, governance, and intergenerational learning. As a Native leader, she is proud to contribute to UNEA’s mission of advancing educational achievement and cultural enrichment for Native youth.

Gwen Lee

Lareina Redwoman

Mark Peltier (Turtle Mt. Chippewa)

Contact Us

P.O. Box 25142 Seattle, WA 98165

uneachair@gmail.com | Tel: 206-941-0338

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