Delilah is a Taino descendant who was born in the Bronx, NY. She has spent her life organizing, advocating, and mentoring for some of New York City's most underserved communities. This includes youth in foster care, the LGBTQ community, and the BI-POC community. Helping others was something Delilah had always been passionate about, but sh
Delilah is a Taino descendant who was born in the Bronx, NY. She has spent her life organizing, advocating, and mentoring for some of New York City's most underserved communities. This includes youth in foster care, the LGBTQ community, and the BI-POC community. Helping others was something Delilah had always been passionate about, but she started taking it more seriously after she placed herself into the foster care system at 15 years old. Being part of New York City's foster care system opened her eyes to the lack of available resources and opportunities for the young people around her. Who happened to identify as BI-POC and LGBTQ. She learned advocacy and organizing at The Center for environmental justice, food justice, and homeless youth during this time. Since then, Delilah has accumulated over 10 years of experience in the non-profit sector, working for organizations such as The Boys and Girls Club as an educator and at Good Shepherd Services, where she worked in development. Delilah's goal at UIC is to use her experience, knowledge, and community-building skills to uplift other urban natives in Lenape Hoking (NYC).
Delfina Roybal is of Diné and Jewish descent. She grew up and currently resides on occupied Lenapehoking territory aka New York City. Delfina recently graduated from Borough of Manhattan Community College with a degree in liberal arts. During her time there she led the Pre Law Society where she worked with fellow students interested in
Delfina Roybal is of Diné and Jewish descent. She grew up and currently resides on occupied Lenapehoking territory aka New York City. Delfina recently graduated from Borough of Manhattan Community College with a degree in liberal arts. During her time there she led the Pre Law Society where she worked with fellow students interested in pursuing various degrees in law and led weekly meetings centered on current political issues. She is hoping to continue her education in the fall and eventually pursue a degree in Federal Indian Law with a minor in Communications and Environmental Studies. Delfina is a water protector and land defender who uses social media and communications to help with fundraising, mutual aid, and support her community through organizing. She is also currently a communications intern at Water Protector Legal Collective, and has worked alongside other Indigenous led groups including Indigenous Peoples Day NYC to organize across the city. As an urban native who grew up isolated from her community she seeks to support others who struggle to find a place where they feel like they can be a part of a support system that is welcoming and holds space for healing and community.
Austin is a member of the Chicoran Shakori tribe of South Carolina. As part of the Great Migration of the 60s, some Shakori and other peoples of color walked away from sharecropping by migrating to the northeast “for the good union jobs”. Growing up as a Two-Spirit urban native in the Simsbury area of Hartford, Austin has found himself a
Austin is a member of the Chicoran Shakori tribe of South Carolina. As part of the Great Migration of the 60s, some Shakori and other peoples of color walked away from sharecropping by migrating to the northeast “for the good union jobs”. Growing up as a Two-Spirit urban native in the Simsbury area of Hartford, Austin has found himself at powerful intersections between the forces of Technology and Globalization. During and after pursuing his degree in Technology and Globalization at NYU Gallatin, Austin continued to enhance his Product Design skills as the Chicoran Shakori Tribal Web Developer and the Lead Product Designer at Up2Code, ZED Aerospace, and Blue World Inc. While pursuing his degree at Gallatin, Austin worked for Apple at one of their HQ locations, and observed the structural changes presently roiling the global economy firsthand. Finding himself at another powerful global crossroads, Austin is currently focused on the intersections between Indigenous communities, Sustainability, and Product Design.
Trini is Afro Indigenous of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey people from rural Virginia. She currently attends New York University and is based in Lenapehoking (NYC).
She is a multidisciplinary student of the world with her studies and work centering community-based research and translating the cultural experience of Black and Indigenous groups
Trini is Afro Indigenous of the Mattaponi and Pamunkey people from rural Virginia. She currently attends New York University and is based in Lenapehoking (NYC).
She is a multidisciplinary student of the world with her studies and work centering community-based research and translating the cultural experience of Black and Indigenous groups transfigure beyond often forsaken, soiled parameters into actual, tangible policy. She is passionate about discussions of CSA and SA among Black and Indigenous women/femmes and has aspirations of advocating for survivors of war crimes and human rights violations at an international level. She is a dedicated poet and essayist.
While much of her work would be academic, she has aspirations for cross-lingual modes of creative writing and storytelling.
Primitiva is a queer Quillasinga (pasto) and Muyska (sopo) woman. She was born in the traditional territories of the Arhuaco (or Ika), Wiwa, and the Kogi on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
Primitiva is currently double majoring in Women and Gender Studies and Psychology, with a minor in Theater at Rutgers-New Brunswick. On campus, they
Primitiva is a queer Quillasinga (pasto) and Muyska (sopo) woman. She was born in the traditional territories of the Arhuaco (or Ika), Wiwa, and the Kogi on the Caribbean coast of Colombia.
Primitiva is currently double majoring in Women and Gender Studies and Psychology, with a minor in Theater at Rutgers-New Brunswick. On campus, they are the Treasurer for LLEGO: The LGBTQQIA People of Color Union and RU Indigenous Turtle Island Club, as well as a Diversity Peer Educator at the Center for Social Justice Education (SJE) and LGBT Communities. Primitiva is also a multimedia artist and lifelong Cumbia and Colombian folclorica dancer and singer.
Marianne Zhetot Kwe Almero is a first generation Potawatomi and Pilx MSW candidate at the Columbia School of Social Work. Marianne earned her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, where she researched art-therapy as treatment for PTSD in collectivist societies. Since her graduation in 2019, Marianne has worked in the mental health field as
Marianne Zhetot Kwe Almero is a first generation Potawatomi and Pilx MSW candidate at the Columbia School of Social Work. Marianne earned her Bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley, where she researched art-therapy as treatment for PTSD in collectivist societies. Since her graduation in 2019, Marianne has worked in the mental health field as a strong means of support for youth struggling with addiction, self-harm, trauma, suicide attempts and ideation, eating disorders, mood dysregulation, psychosis, and other challenges surrounding mental health.
For the past year, Marianne has used these experiences in the field to support the Urban Native community in New York City by providing mental health counseling and advocacy services. With the understanding of the relationship between mental health and oppressive systems that marginalize Native communities, Marianne also engages in social justice advocacy to decolonize education institutions, climate justice, incarceration and police systems, and health accessibility.
Marianne is spending her last year of graduate school as an intern with Urban Indigenous Collective, developing programming on MMIP, direct-care mental health services, and community health initiatives. On her free days, you can find Marianne participating in local social justice initiatives, supporting local drag artists, exploring new music, foraging, and spending time with her loved ones.
Hannah Throssell is an enrolled member of the Tohono O'odham Nation with a strong connection to her Diné heritage. As a bi-cultural Indigenous individual, she spent significant time on both reservations, but her formative years were predominantly within the Tohono O'odham Nation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Gender and
Hannah Throssell is an enrolled member of the Tohono O'odham Nation with a strong connection to her Diné heritage. As a bi-cultural Indigenous individual, she spent significant time on both reservations, but her formative years were predominantly within the Tohono O'odham Nation. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Gender and Women’s Studies from the University of Arizona, where she engaged in Public Health Research in collaboration with Arizona Tribes. Following her undergraduate studies, she immersed herself in Community Health Work within Urban Indigenous populations, an experience that fueled her desire to teach before pursuing her MSW Program.
Currently, she is enrolled in Columbia University's Master of Social Work Program.
Beyond her academic pursuits, Hannah is deeply entrenched in community advocacy and activism. She has collaborated with numerous organizations to champion Indigenous rights and sovereignty, establishing herself as a potent advocate for those whose voices often go unheard. Through her diligent efforts, she endeavors to cultivate a world where Indigenous peoples are respected, empowered, and afforded the opportunity to thrive.
Outside of her academic and professional commitments, you'll often find her embarking on adventures with her four-year old son.
Kateland is a second year Masters of Social Work Student at Columbia University and is interning at UIC for the 2023-2024 school year. Kateland is an enrolled member of Cherokee nation and is passionate about reproductive mental health care.
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