02/16/2026
Last September, we had the second cohort of the Indigenous Knowledges Holders Fellowship - a program funded by Tamalpais Trust to encourage intergenerational exchange of traditional knowledges. We were honored to have Karen Evanoff, Tek Tekh Gabaldon, Kimberly Stevenot, Desirae Harp, Tatiana Sowl, and Allison Stevenot at Mesa Refuge!
Karen is of Dena’ina Athabascan descent - a culture that lives from the land by hunting, fishing, and gathering in Alaska. Karen worked for the National Park Service, ensuring local perspectives were at the forefront of projects relating to Alaska Native people. The land back vision of her non profit, Qizhjeh Vena Alaska, revolves around well being, cultural education, and connecting back to the earth.
Tek Tekh is a member of the California Mishewal Wappo tribe. She is a Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) practitioner, cultural artist, and dancer. Tek Tekh works as a cultural monitor for the Wappo tribe, giving cultural demonstrations at schools, universities, and for community.
Kimberly is a member of the California Valley Miwok tribe. Like many generations of women in her family, she is a basket weaver. Her and her family’s baskets are on display all over California. She is a board member of the California Indian Basket Weavers Association, which protects the rights of basket weavers and their traditional gathering sites.
Desirae is a member of the California Mishewal Wappo tribe. She is a singer/songwriter, community organizer, and educator. Desirae is an award-winning singer who has collaborated with acclaimed artists, and teaches people about indigenous knowledge through her music. She works for the Wappo tribe as a cultural monitor.
Tatiana is of Dena’ina Athabascan descent. They grew up spending summers enveloped in their culture, helping their family process and smoke salmon at fishcamp. Tatiana is interested in learning about how Dena'ina elders use medicinal plants for illnesses.
Allison is Northern Sierra Mewuk. As a sixth generation Mewuk basket weaver and acorn mush maker, she carries the traditional knowledge passed down through the women in her family. She is an archaeologist in her ancestral homeland.
