Tribal Stewardship Training and Employment Program (T-STEP)

Caressa Nguyen is tribal citizen of the Ione Band of Miwok Indians, as well as being Vietnamese and Filipino. She promotes the sovereignty of tribal nations, advocates for marginalized communities and fosters Asian American and Indigenous solidarity.

Nguyen focuses her efforts on amplifying Indigenous and marginalized voices through various avenues, including policy, design, social entrepreneurship and land stewardship. She has conducted climate change research in countries such as Bolivia, Morocco, Peru, United States, Vietnam and Nepal, with a particular emphasis on Indigenous rights. Her research sheds light on international case studies that highlight Indigenous resistance to natural resource extraction. Additionally, she has investigated the United Nations program on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) program in Nepal.

Elijah, a tribal citizen of the Miwok of the El Dorado Rancheria, is a dedicated advocate for under-resourced communities. With a background in connecting Indigenous students to essential resources, his career has evolved to focus on land stewardship. Specializing in linking tribes to overlooked resources, Elijah strongly believes in the power of interconnected community support. 

His outlook centers on the idea that the resources one needs usually exist somewhere; the challenge is often finding the right connections to access these resources. Elijah’s expertise and commitment make him an invaluable asset for projects aimed at empowering communities and fostering collaboration. Through his work, he continues to champion the belief that by forging meaningful connections, communities can unlock untapped potential and create a network of support for lasting positive change.