Patricia (Patsy) Whitefoot is a long-time leader in tribal and formal education in the state of Washington and beyond. She currently serves as the President of the National Indian Education Association. Patricia Whitefoot was born and raised on the original homelands of the Confederated Tribal Lands of the Yakama Nation. She understands that deep relationships Native people have with the Environment. Patsy has three children and ten grandchildren. She is also the Director of the Toppenish School District Indian Education Program. She’s been actively involved in the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians for over twenty years and serves as the chairman of the ATNI Education Committee, which is represented by the 52 tribes of southern Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, western Montana, and Northern California.

One of Patsy’s greatest achievements is the creation of the Gathering of Native America, a curriculum team used widely in Indian country to address multigenerational trauma and healing. She is a master’s in education from the Fort Wright College in Spokane, Washington. Patsy has also served as the co-Chair of the E3 Washington Tribal Education steering committee and as the Program Supervisor for Indian Education in the Office of the Superintendent of Public Education.  We honor the inspiration, insight and dedication of Patsy Whitefoot in her enduring support of all students and teachers, especially those in the Tribes and for her collaboration with leaders in the environmental and sustainability education movement throughout her career and life.