CHRISSA WILKIE

COMMUNITY FUND SELECTS CHRISSA WILKIE AS THE 2025-26 HATFIELD FELLOW

Wilkie is Set for Eight-Month Term in Representative Andrea Salinas’ D.C. Office

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Spirit Mountain Community Fund are pleased to announce Chrissa Wilkie as the 2025-26 Hatfield Fellow. Wilkie is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (Belcourt, North Dakota).

Wilkie is a graduate of Portland State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. While at PSU, Wilkie served as a University Studies Peer mentor, mentoring incoming college freshman students. She currently serves as the Institute for Tribal Government Program Administrator at PSU, managing the Certificate in Tribal Relations course logistics.

Wilkie discovered her passion for environmental advocacy while working with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Changing Currents Tribal Water Program, as she began to see the power of intergenerational knowledge sharing, community advocacy, and policy change. That’s when she realized she was not just meant to remain an observer, but to be a leader and carry on the stories of her community.

As a Program Administrator for the Institute for Tribal Government, she began to see the realities of Tribal relations at the state government level. Through coordinating the Certificate in Tribal Relations course and supporting Tribal relations trainings, she recognized there is still a knowledge gap.

“Many professionals in public service lack the foundational understanding of Tribal sovereignty, the historical context needed to engage meaningfully with Tribal nations or how to build government-to-government relationships," Wilkie said. ."Once I realized this, I felt even more strengthened in my commitment to pursue public service and policy work. It has shown me how important it is to have Native voices in these spaces, not just to fill in the gaps, but to transform the conversation entirely.

“I am so grateful to be selected as this year’s Hatfield Fellow. During my time in Congresswoman Salinas’ office, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of policy work, coalition building, and the inner workings of the federal government, with a focus on natural resource and water policy as it relates to Tribal communities. Natural resources and water have been at the heart of my work throughout my career. Water is especially near and dear to my heart and is culturally and spiritually important to Tribes,” Wilkie said.

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 the Governor of Oregon and U.S. Senator. Each year, Spirit Mountain Community Fund sponsors a highly motivated Native American to serve as the Hatfield Fellow and intern in an Oregon congressional office, enhancing the mutual understanding between leadership in Washington, D.C., and Indian Country.

Wilkie is the 26th Native American to serve as a Hatfield Fellow. She will begin her fellowship on November 3 with a month-long orientation at the American Political Science Association (APSA) in Washington, D.C. Following orientation, she will assume her congressional placement in Congresswoman Andrea Salinas’ office.

About the Hatfield Fellowship

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon established the Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship in 1998 as a living tribute to Senator Hatfield. This internship lasts for nine months as fellows learn the inner workings of the federal political system and serve as advisers on Native American issues.

Hatfield Fellows are capable, motivated individuals who, through their work in Washington, acquire new skills and understanding to be change makers and leaders in their communities. The mutual understanding between tribal people and congressional leadership will produce long-term benefits for all Pacific Northwest Tribes. 

Past fellows have successfully served in several congressional offices over the years, including those of Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, and Congressional Representatives Darlene Hooley, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, David Wu, Suzanne Bonamici, Val Hoyle, and Andrea Salinas.

Image: Stacia Martin-Hernandez (2009/10 Hatfield Fellow) and Kurt Schrader