NPTEC Candidate – Seat 3: Gwendolyn Carter
Name: Gwendolyn B. Carter. “Gwen”
Child(ren): Howard/Shannon Teasley, Deanna Teasley/Mark Dobszinsky, Tricia/Dayne Goodheart, Carter/Carmen Lopez. 8 grandchildren, 2 great-granchildren.
Parents: Cecil Clifford Amera-Red Elk Carter &
Estelline Norma Samuels Carter
Grandparents: Caleb William Carter (wallowa band)
Mary Amera Red Elk Carter (White Bird);
Joseph Thomas Samuels (Eskapoo & Slickpoo mission creek)
Pauline Corbett Samuels (Nekessa creek)
Education: Diploma, Lewiston HS; U of W Political Science/Indian studies, Seattle; BS History LCSC; Philanthropy & Development St Mary’s U, MN. Grantsmanship, grant management certificates
Experience: Lifetime work dedicated to native, indigenous and Tribal entities. Worked for Seattle Indian center, NW Portland Area Indian Health Board, North Idaho Indian Health Board and UW Educational Opportunity Program as a student recruiter.
Worked for Nez PerceTribe for 25 years in planning for 2 clinics, boys & girls club, tribal tax status exemptions, HeadStart expansion, drug & alcohol facilities, utilities development and water resources/environmental protection. Hired in 1986 through 2010. Most notable work was on the snake river basin adjudication for water rights & water quality.
Also served on housing board 8 yrs, enterprise board 6 yrs, sr advisory board, and both regional & national boards to protect our environment and natural resources.
What you hope to bring to the NPTEC table:
I would bring my optimism, work ethic and years of grants management experience to the tribe. I’ve also developed and defended budgets, work plans and supervised numerous staff with the intent of training our people. I’ve negotiated contracts with local, state and regional agencies. I have worked through difficult strenuous situations and succeeded.
I also hope you address:
- Diversifying funding sources
- Defending our borders and usual and accustomed sites
- Standing firm against current administration which is a threat to our Tribe, treaty rights, culture, healthcare, education, history and our very existence.
- Seeking funds for roads, infrastructure and utilities for upgrades and unmet needs
- Addressing state(s) legislation that may/have negatively impacted the Tribe or reservation communities (voter suppression, redistricting, health care, education, taxation…to name a few)
- Seeking cooperation and funds to re-establish native grasslands and forested areas with native plants and wetlands.
- Establishing alternative energy projects including solar, wind, micro-hydro, etc.
- Exploring opportunities to establish our own tribal schools with traditional practices, languages and teachings
- Establishing an inter-tribal work group for the sole purpose of recognizing “other tribal blood” for enrollment in Nez Perce Tribe among other things. Encourage tribal life/survival skills for our people (hunting, fishing, gathering, foraging, digging, gardening, etc) to get off the grid and become self-sufficient.
- These are but a few things that need to be done for us to thrive and survive…
I am willing to listen and try to resolve issues locally. I lead by example and ask myself what is the best for our people and our current situation.
Above all, in this current political atmosphere I am not afraid. Like the old saying …”I am my ancestors wildest dreams”…. That together we will survive and continue to thrive!