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Program Staff
Angela Jones (Washo, Pima) 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.
Tasha Norton (Hoopa, Yurok, Karuk) Tasha is an alummi of YNS/ITY 2004 class and now returns to us a mentor. Tasha is very active in community and tradition and has successfully led youth programs on the Hoopa Reservation, the largest reservation in California (Humboldt County). She has produced small award-winning videos on her culture and community in addition to training youth in video and editing. Tasha along with other students from Northern California inspired ITY to "follow them home" and create a ITY Nor Cal program. She assists during our summer visits to Hoopa. As a professional, she plans to continue work with and mentor "minority" teens.
Samantha Pasena (San Felipe Pueblo/Hopi) Sam, an alumni of YNS/ITY 2004 Class, returns to California and ITY. A prestigious Gates Millennium Scholar, Sam has always impressed us with her ability. Her goal is to become a pediatrician, in addition to working specifically with health policy for Indians. A service to her community and family, she involves herself in various athletic and cultural activities. A fun-spirited individual, she is always full of humor and ready with a smile on her face. Humble and able to empathize with any situation, Sam is an exceptional person.
Abel Macias (Mexican/Chicano) Born and raised in San Diego, California, Abel is involved in the cultural, spiritual and social advancement of Native People. Abel has great leadership experience in youth empowerment through culture and social consciousness. Abel helped lead in the continental Peace and Dignity Journey, where he ran from Alaska to Panama, honoring the Eagle and Condor Prophecy and uniting tribes of Turtle Island. He has a BA in Social Science and an Masters of Arts in Chicano Studies and has been a college level instructor.
Jerry Kien (Dine) 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 works as an Instructor with the MACC program and as webmaster for InterTribalYouth.org.
Ron Funk (Quichua- Andean) 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) 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) 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.
Alicia McQuillen (Yurok) 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.
Heather Rodriguez (Kumeyaay / Barona) 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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