We are an Indigenous-led conservation 501(c)(3) nonprofit
We are an Indigenous-led conservation 501(c)(3) nonprofit
Through the Eric Stensgar Memorial Scholarship, the L.I.G.H.T. Foundation (LF) Council of Guides foresees awarding a $2,500 scholarship to one eligible Colville Tribal citizen or descendant annually per academic year.
Eric Stensgar was our brother and friend; an avid outdoorsman who was just as comfortable hiking the mountains of the San Poil Valley and calling for elk as he was watching the current of the Columbia River for schools of salmon. A traditional hunter, Eric provided love and nourishment to his family and community. He was a respected and accomplished salmon fisherman, earning the honorific title of βUncleβ among his own Tribal Elders and peers. He was most at home and at peace when in the lands and waters of his ancestors: feeling the wind, smelling the trees, and hearing the birds.
Tragically, we lost Eric to suicide during the fall of 2013. His passing was a painful reminder that American Indians and Alaska Natives are disproportionately affected by suicide, and that there has been a significant twenty percent (20%) increase in Native suicide rates since 2015 (CDC 2024). It is our belief at LF that the connection to and relationship with the lands, waters, and all our Spirit Relatives is vital to our health, wellbeing, identity, and sovereignty as Indigenous Peoples. Practitioners of Western medicine are increasing their understanding of these basic truths we have known since time immemorial, as evidenced by research from the American Psychological Association and the Yale School of the Environment (Weir 2020, Robbins 2020). The dedication of this memorial scholarship to Ericβs joyful and nurturing spirit helps us acknowledge the life he lived and the healing power of Mother Earth.
Eric still brings laughter, joy, reflection, and inspiration to those of us who were fortunate to make memories with him. He inspired the painting featured on our LF website (and shown in the image at the beginning of this section) by artist Gregg Caudell, titled βSwims With Salmon,β which shows Eric swimming with landlocked salmon in the San Poil River on the Colville Indian Reservation. See more of Mr. Caudellβs artwork at https://gregg-caudel.pixels.com.
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Congratulations to Sydney Sparks, who has been awarded the 2025 recipient of the Eric Stensgar Memorial ScholarshIp! Read more about Ms. Sparks here.
We support the restoration and cultivation of native Plant and Pollinator Relatives and the culturally respectful conservation of habitats and ecosystems which are climate resilient and adaptive.
EIN: 87-3832254
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