Welcome our Judges!
Judge #1: Roshelle Weiser-Nieto
Modoc, Yahooskin Paiute of the Klamath Tribes, Chicana
She is a 4th year Doctoral Candidate at the UO in the Critical and Socio-Cultural Studies in the Education program. She is also the Native Youth Wellness Specialist for Lane Eugene School District, and the treasurer for Oregon Indian Education Association.
Judge #2: Dr. Kirby Brown
Enrolled citizen of the Cherokee Nation
Brown is an Associate Professor of Native American Literature in the Department of English and the Director of Native American and Indigenous Studies at the UO. Author of “Stoking the Fire: Nationhood in Cherokee Writing, 1907-1970”.
Judge #3: Candace Hill
Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians
Candace is the Education Specialist for her tribe in Eugene area. She is a first year graduate student at the Bushnell University studying Leadership with a concentration in Higher Education.
Judge #4: Silas Hoffer
Yakama, Grand Ronde Nations
Silas (They/He) is a former 2021 Mr. Montana Two-Spirit. Currently, Silas lives in Portland as the Two Spirit Programming Advocate at Native American Youth and Family Center
Judge #5: Marta Lu Clifford
Grand Ronde, Chinook and Cree heritage
Marta is the Elder in Residence at the UO instructing the Native American and Indigenous Studies Academic Residential Community (NAIS ARC). Marta also raises awareness for MMIW through an annual poetry reading in the park for community.