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About us
Urban Native Education Alliance was founded in 2000 to engage generations of Native youth through education, culture, and tradition.
Our Board
Sarah Sense Wilson (Oglala) LMHC, SUDP, WSGCC-II, Urban Native Education Alliance (Chair)
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.
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.
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.
Lenelle Jenkins she/her (Unangax), Treasurer
Lenelle Jenkins, Unangax̂ (she/her) is an advocate and healthcare professional from Seattle, Washington. With over two decades of experience in healthcare, she is dedicated to providing exceptional patient care and creating positive change in her community.
Lenelle actively supports women's rights, Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), and Universal Healthcare, working to promote equality and social justice. For five years, she volunteered at the Aurora Commons, offering vital support to Seattle's unhoused neighbors and uplifting those in need.
In her free time, Lenelle finds solace in camping, hiking, and gardening, connecting with nature and finding inspiration. Proud of her Unangax̂, Alaskan Native heritage, she embraces her cultural roots through arts, music, and traditions, fostering a deeper understanding of herself and a strong sense of belonging.
Lenelle's commitment to community service extends to her involvement with the CSA (ClearSky Academy), where she volunteers alongside her daughter, Jazell. As a chaperone, she accompanied students on transformative trips to Washington, DC, creating educational experiences and lasting memories.
Lenelle Jenkins is an inspiring advocate and healthcare professional, leaving a lasting legacy of compassion, dedication, and positive change in healthcare, her community, and her Alaskan Native heritage. Her unwavering commitment to making a difference continues to inspire and uplift others.
Jerrilyn Hamley (Turtle Mountain Chippewa), Cultural Support Specialist and Elders Council Member
Jerri is a Cultural Support Specialist for Clear Sky Academy. She is a retired school counselor. She’s worked with Seattle, Edmonds and Marysville School Districts.
Florence “Kay” Fiddler (Turtle Mt. Chippewa)
Elder Kay is a licensed foster parent and has raised countless Native children over the past 4 decades. Kay is an Advisor, Mentor, Educator, Cultural Consultant, and grassroots leader in Seattle area. A loved and valued contributing member of our community. Kay has donated and volunteered innumerable hours towards improving the lives of all our children. Clear Sky and UNEA ( co-founder) are deeply appreciative of all the support over and across multiple generations.
Florence Kay Fiddler is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. Kay was born in Montana many years ago (after electricity was invented but before the internet was invented). She was born in Montana and has lived in Tacoma, Brooklyn, and Seattle, but “home” has always been back in Belcourt, ND. Kay has been fighting for the rights for Native people nationally, especially Native children & youth in Seattle, for as long as she can remember. Her West Seattle home has seen dozens of amazing young Native people living, growing, and learning there through the foster care system for almost four decades. Kay’s front porch has been a place for community members - from executive directors to case workers to folks living on the street - to come for coffee and talk through ways they and she can do better. Kay has served on dozens of committees, panels, and groups throughout the years, and has always drawn attention to people left behind by big systems. Native youth, foster children, young people with disabilities, and children suffering under the US education & justice systems have always had an ally in Kay Fiddler. From her time supporting Indian Heritage High School 30 years ago to her current fights for equitable remote learning, Kay’s voice and presence has always been grounded in her teachings as an Ojibwe person. Kay has never believed that she could fix it all, and will always tell you her mistakes so you can learn from them. She just wants people to commit to making it better for the next generation. As her dad said, “we didn’t get this way in one generation, and we’re not going to fix it in one generation either.” She is proud, though, to see the next generations taking up the fight with love and humility. Her older kids and grandkids come back and work with younger ones, and other members of the community are always welcome to teach and learn.
Matthew War Bonnet, Jr., Sicangu Lakota, Elders Council Member
My teachers and examples in life were my parents, Matthew and Julian War Bonnet who in love, honor, respect, and humility, raised 11 proud and honored children. It is in that humility I am proud to be an elder and mentor of UNEA-Clear Sky.
Paula Matta-Marroquin (she/ella) (Mapuche Peoples)
I am the daughter of Chilean political refugees who have instilled in me the importance of community engagement and to fight for human rights. As a single mother of two beautiful smart young ladies I have instilled in them to be caring and supportive of others. That is why I am honored to be part of the UNEA board. I believe in the importance of our youth to be able to get an education without barriers. I am also a true believer in having a safe peaceful place to learn and to engage with each other. My beliefs and values align with that of UNEA. I look forward to helping this program grow and in supporting our Native American youth community and Elders. Muchas Gracias, Paula Matta-Marroquin
Contact Us
P.O. Box 25142 Seattle, WA 98165
uneachair@gmail.com | Tel: 206-941-0338
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