We Swim Together Scholarship Program

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 citizen or descendant of a Tribal Nation 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 “Uncle” 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 Eric’s 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 homepage by artist Gregg Caudell, titled “Swims With Salmon,” which shows Eric swimming with landlocked salmon in the San Poil River on the Colville Indian Reservation.  See more of Mr. Caudell’s artwork at https://gregg-caudel.pixels.com. 

References:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  15 Sept. 2024.  Suicides Among American Indian or Alaska Native Persons - National Violent Death Reporting System, United States, 2015-2020.  See: https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7137a1.htm#suggestedcitation. See also: Suicide Prevention Resource Center’s information about American Indian and Alaska Native Populations at https://sprc.org/about-suicide/scope-of-the-problem/racial-and-ethnic-disparities/american-indian-and-alaska-native-populations/.
• Weir, K.  1 April 2020.  Nurtured by Nature: Psychological research is advancing our understanding of how time in nature can improve our mental health and sharpen our cognition.  Vol. 51, No. 3.  American Psychological Association.  See: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature.
• Robbins, J. 9 Jan. 2020.  Ecopsychology: How Immersion in Nature Benefits Your Health.  Yale Environment 360, Yale School of the Environment.  See: https://e360.yale.edu/features/ecopsychology-how-immersion-in-nature-benefits-your-health.