News Updates

In honor of International Women's Day (3/8/25) and Women's History Month (March 2025), we are honored to have Kathy Moses (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation [CTCR}] share her Voice with us.  Recently retired from her years of dedicated service to the Colville Reservation, Kathy has been a leader in environmental education and outreach at CTCR.  Throughout her time there, she worked with communities and public schools on and off the Colville Reservation and multiple Tribal, Federal, and State agencies to advocate for Tribal rights, sovereignty, and priorities.  Kathy also served the Colville Tribes as Public Information Officer during wildland fires, protecting and advocating for her reservation community and the watersheds of her home.  In this short interview, Kathy reflects on her traditional teachings, who inspires her, and her work in environmental education.  Photo by Ryan Bell. Read the full interview on LF's Our Voices page.

L.I.G.H.T. Foundation Executive Director Amelia Marchand shares the motivations behind the Indigenous-led conservation nonprofit, the Okanogan legend inspiring native pollinator protection, and the work of advocating for Indigenous food systems in the Fall/Winter 2024 edition of Valley Voice.  She states, "[T]o exercise food sovereignty is the ability to access, whether it's through purchase or trade or direct harvest, those foods which are not just nutrient rich and healthy for your body, but also good for your spirit as well.  And for me, it's not just food, it's water as well, because you can't have one without the other [...]. So, it's access to and availability of nutritious foods for your body and soul, and for Indigenous Peoples, it's also access to those foods and medicines that are vital to your cultural identity and heritage."  

 The L.I.G.H.T. Foundation is thrilled to welcome Kathy Lynn as our Tribal Climate Change Coordinator. Kathy brings over a decade of experience leading the Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Project, a collaborative initiative supported by partners like the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the USDA Forest Service, and the EPA. With a Master's in Community and Regional Planning and a background in community-focused work, including service as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Haiti, Kathy is passionate about advancing climate resilience for Tribal communities. We are excited to have her expertise and vision as part of our team! 

 The L.I.G.H.T. Foundation is excited to announce the appointment of Mrs. Amelia Marchand as Executive Director, effective October 1, 2024. With over 27 years of experience in cultural and natural resource management and a proven leadership track record, she will guide the Foundation’s mission to support native plant conservation and restoration for Pacific Northwest Tribes. 

 The L.I.G.H.T. Foundation is proud to celebrate Executive Director Joaquin Marchand's feature in a recent news article highlighting his inspiring journey and dedication to preserving Indigenous traditions. Joaquin's reflections on cultural heritage, first foods, and his lifelong commitment to environmental advocacy underscore the Foundation's mission to honor and protect ancestral knowledge for future generations.