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Program Staff
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.
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.
Brian Tome (Dine / Navajo) Brian is from the 4 Corners area in New Mexico. After serving time as a Marine and Wildland Firefighter, Brian worked his way back into school and recently obtained a B.S. in Biology. He is currently working on gaining medical experience to prepare for a career as a Physician's Assistant. His hobbies include singing at powwows and participating in various native ceremonies within the U.S. and Canada. Brian strongly believes we all have something wonderful to contribute from the 4 directions on Turtle Island to make this a better world for all to live in harmony. This is Brian's second year serving youth with YNS/InterTribal Youth.
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.
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