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Program Staff
Angela Jones (Washo, Pima)
Assistant Summer Program Coordinator
UC Santa Cruz, BA, American Studies and Psychology
San Diego State Univ., MA, Education
Angela grew-up in Woodfords, CA, Hung-A-Lel-Ti. Her family and grandmother
believed education is for survival in today’s world. While an undergraduate at UC Santa Cruz, she interned at
The White House and the National Congress of American Indians. Consistently working in a tribal context and
with Native youth, she shares her large appetite for the world as well as books and music with the youth.
Graduate school brought Angela to San Diego where she enjoys the beach, mountains, and great places to eat.
Angela believes education creates fundamental change.
Alicia McQuillen (Yurok)
Seasonal Mentor
UC Berkeley: Native American Studies, Ethnic Studies,
and Political Science
Alicia is a member of the Yurok and Tolowa tribes of Northern California. She plans
to continue on to law school to pursue a career defending tribal sovereign rights and preserving natural resources.
Alicia is passionate about promoting education in both the Western and the traditional Native worlds. She has worked
with the Native American Recruitment and Retention Center, Intertribal Student Council and Native American Advisory
Council and UC Berkeley, as an intern with the Yurok Tribe, and is an Initiative for Diversity in Education and
Leadership (IDEAL) scholar. This is her second summer with YNS/InterTribal Youth.
Paloma Flores (Pit River California Indian, Purhepech)
Seasonal Mentor
UC Cal Berkeley Graduate: B.A in Native American Studies & Ethnic Studies
While at UCB she was a part of the Native American Recruitment & Retention Center
and the Cal Indian community. She focuses on youth empowerment. Paloma believes through artistic expression,
cultural & spiritual strength, and real world knowledge we can find a harmony and balance together. She ran in
the 2008 Peace & Dignity Journey uniting the Eagle & Condor. She considers music, film, art, and danza her
medicine.
Jerry Kien (Dine)
Seasonal Mentor
Miracosta, Palomar, CSUSM, Univ of Redlands, Word Bible College: AA in Theology
Jerry is well known for his compassion and dedication to youth across the Southwest.
A long-time BRIDGE team-member and well versed with various youth programs, Jerry also is an Instructor with the
MAAC Community Charter High School and serves as webmaster for InterTribalYouth.org.

Ron Funk (Quichua- Andean)
Culinary Arts / Outfitter / Photographer
Cal State Fullerton
Born in Ecuador, his mother is Native of Ecuador and father is German/American. At a young age, he left to live in Africa for a few years before moving to San Diego. After graduating college, he returned to Northern Ecuador (tropics) to build his home on the beach. He is world traveled and extensively visited over 25 countries. He professes his open mindedness and is concious of his relationship with all peoples of the world. Surfing is a big spiritual part of his life. Photography, traveling, yoga, reggae, salsa, all music that gets you dancing and/or has concious inspirational lyrics is the soundtrack to his lifestyle. Cooking food from all over the world, Ron aims to spread health and nutrition, nature and the environment InterTribal Youth. Leaving a lighter footprint, i.e. less damage and waste is part of his life and hopes to inspire youth. For the past 3 years, Ron has prepared YNS/InterTribal Youth fine cooking, outfitted the group, and mentored youth. In addition, he teaches Photography to those willing to learn.


Ray Esquiro (Chumash)
Coastal Culture / Surfing Mentor
Ray is a graduate of the University of Riverside in Archeology and for a young man is a top resource of cultural traditions. He has taught culture throughout Southern California and holds true, the teachings of his elders. He is also an artist and historian.


Meryl Barlow (Bishop / Paiute)
Seasonal Mentor
Meryl Barlow is currently living In Missoula, Montana where she attends the University of Montana. She is majoring in Social Work, with minors in Native American Studies and Media Arts. Meryl is President of the American Indian Business Leaders and also runs her own business as an Independent Beauty Consultant with Mary Kay Cosmetics. She love's to be with family and friends and enjoys playing sports and powwow dancing. She has always felt inspired to work with Native youth and wants to see them succeed in life. The University of Montana honored Meryl with the Outstanding Student Leader award and also the Diversity Advisory Council Student Achievement Award.


Heather Rodriguez (Kumeyaay / Barona)
Volunteer Intern / YNS Alumni 01
Heather is a success to her community and family. Graduating two years early from high school, she completed two years of college before she turned 18. She plans to continue her studies at University of San Diego. She is active in her community, interning for the Barona Cultural Center and Museum and is active in bringing language and culture back to the youth. YNS has been especially proud of Heather in her accomplishments as a volunteer, student of many awards, and successful businesswoman. She feels health and fitness is priority for her and family. Heather is a YNS alumni of 2001 and returned in 2005 as a volunteer intern, assisting in program coordination.
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