Spirit Mountain Community Fund selects Traven Joseph as the 2018/19 Hatfield Fellow

Grand Ronde, OR -- The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Spirit Mountain Community fund are pleased to announce Traven Joseph as the 2018/19 Hatfield Fellow. Joseph, who was borna dn raised on Oregon, is a member of the Koyokon Athabascan of Tanana, Alaska/Doyon Corporation and the Gros-Ventre (White Clay) tribe of Belknap, Montana.

Joseph is a graduate of the University of Oregon where he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Appplied Business and Economics. He has an active history in Indian Country, wiht past work at the Native Wellness Institute and Northwest Portland Area Indian Health Board.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde established the Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship in 1998 as a living tribute to Senator Hatfield to honor his accomplishments as Governor of Oregon and United States Senator. Each year, the Spirit Mountain Community Fund sponsors a highly motivated and capable Native American to serve as the Hatfield Fellow, and intern in a congressional office for an eight-month term. Placement of the Fellow traditionally rotates through the Oregon congressional delegation to enhance the mutual understanding between leadership in Washington, D.C. and Indian Country.

This year’s Fellow will serve in Congresswoman Bonamici’s Office. This is the second Fellow the Congresswoman has hosted since taking office in 2012.

“Senator Hatfield was a consummate statesman who is remembered for his integrity and effectiveness, and so it is with great honor that I welcome the next Hatfield Fellow, Traven, into my office. This fellowship will give my office and the Oregon Congressional delegation an opportunity to learn more about issues affecting Oregon tribes and give Traven a learning experience that will be beneficial to him in the future. I look forward to working together and seeing all that he will accomplish,” said Bonamici.

Joseph will begin his Fellowship in November of 2018 with a month-long orientation at the American Political Science Association (APSA) in Washington, D.C. Following orientation, he will assume his congressional placement in Congresswoman Bonamici’s office.

Joseph looks forward to being a part of the Congresswoman’s team and learning more about the legislative process. He is passionate about education issues in Native American communities and hopes to have an opportunity to advise the staff about these important issues, and to work towards a systemic change.

His future plans include returning to school in pursuit of an MBA and a law degree. He hopes to combine his education with his Fellowship experience to obtain a leadership role within his Tribe or Indian Country.

Visit our website at www.thecommunityfund.com for more information about the Spirit Mountain Community Fund and the Hatfield Fellowship program.