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

Urban Native Education Alliance (Chair)

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Sarah Sense-Wilson (Oglala) serves as the elected Chair for the Urban Native Education Alliance (UNEA). Sarah is committed to strengthening our urban Native community through tireless advocacy, organizing, and networking both within the Native community and greater King County area. Central to Sarah’s values is student voice, "As an organization we need to be cognizant of its purpose at all times, we are here to serve the academic, social, emotional, cultural, and spiritual needs of our Native children". Collaborating, consulting and sharing in decision making with students supports our emphasis on being student centered.

Sarah’s educational background includes a B.A. in Political Science, UW 1999, Chemical Dependency License 2004, and she completed her MA degree in Applied Psychology from Antioch University in 2010. Sarah is a Washington State licensed Mental Health Counselor, and a certified Problem Gambling Counselor. She has worked in the chemical dependency field for over 19 years, specializing in both family and couples counseling. Sarah is currently employed  with a local tribe as a Problem Gambling Coordinator.

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Sarah and her partner Mark Peltier have one daughter who is enrolled at North Dakota State University Doctorate in Indigenous Health program. Sarah’s most important role is grandmother “Unci” to her ‘Takoja’ grandson Waylin. Sarah enjoys her multiple volunteer roles and is highly motivated to improve academic and cultural enrichment experiences for our urban Native youth. Sarah believes both cultural knowledge and education are vital to strengthen and build the future for our urban Native community.

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Sarah is recipient of the University of Washington MAP Distinguished Alumni Award (2016), Pramila Jayapal ‘Community Builder’ (2018), Award, Na’ah Illahee ‘Community Leadership’ Award (2016), and the Martin Luther King Jr. Commemoration Committee ‘Jeri Ware’ Educational Advocacy Award (2020) and Seattle Indian Health Board Adeline Garcia ‘Community Service’ Award 2022.