Amanda Squiemphen-Yazzie is a proud Warm Springs, Navajo, Wasco, and Yakama woman. She recently completed her time at Portland State University obtaining her Masters in Social Work with a concentration in Practice and Leadership with Communities and Organizations. In addition, she also holds her Bachelor in Social Work with a Minor in Civic Leadership. Amanda is the founder of Squiemphen-Yazzie Strategies, where she works with a wide range of people, organizations, companies, and businesses to support them in pushing their visions forward. She volunteers on a variety of committees and boards throughout Oregon and co-wrote A Kids Book about Voting. Her values in life are to; respect Mother Earth, decolonize herself to the best of her abilities, be a lifetime learner, never forget the sacrifices, love, and teachings of those who came before her, and always think about the next seven generations with every decision she makes.
Amanda brings a wealth of knowledge navigating two worlds her entire life as an Indigenous woman living in a settler-colonial world. Her ability to see, learn, understand and teach in two different worlds is a privilege she holds very close to her and one she is willing to share with the ACLU of Oregon. She understands how settler-colonial systems impact the most vulnerable in our communities and works towards being trauma-informed with every interaction she has. Amanda has experience working with and for the people in fundraising, advocacy, listening, community and event organizing, and so much more. She looks forward to collaborating with the ACLU community to uphold our values and vision as we continue to navigate this space together.