The Who’s and What’s
The Inchelium Cultural Research Center is an accessible, welcoming archive and library and a space for sharing and dialogue. It provides community members with an opportunity to store and contribute to the shared cultural record of our homeland and fosters meaningful connections between our community and the history of Indigenous groups in and around Inchelium.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
As of 2020, the core members of the ICRC solidified to form the first official Board of Directors, associated bylaws, and deservedly, nonprofit status as a 501(c)(3). Multiple members of the board are enrolled or descendants of the surrounding Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.
-
![]()
NANCY MICHEL
PAST-PRESIDENT
Mover and shaker, a leader known for her energy in all things, and her lifelong commitment to the community and Tribe, Nancy Michel passed on shortly after our grand opening in June of 2023. The ICRC had long been a dream of hers that we will continue forwarding into fruition. Nancy is greatly missed but her legacy and dedication lives on through this organization and many other community involvements she had throughout her life.
-
![]()
JOYCE KOHLER
PRESIDENT
Leader in the Inchelium community, volunteering and working behind the scenes to help families, individuals, non-profits, anyone in need or working to make a positive change for the betterment of the community. She is a descendant of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and a master basket weaver spending many of her hours traveling to participate or teach at weaving conferences. Joyce has stepped up as President for the remainder of the term after her aunt Nancy passed.
-
![]()
LAURA STOVEL
SECRETARY
A spark of energy for the ICRC and history, research, journalism, grant-writing. She has shown herself to be a major advocate for the Sinixt people in Canada, honouring the land from which she lives and where the Sinixt call home, and writing multiple books detailing the cultural history of the Upper Columbia River area, the most recent being Swift River. Her experience with non-profits and volunteerism has supplied much of the gusto needed to transition from a community interest group to state incorporation.
-
![]()
PATTI BAILEY (qʷn̓qʷin̓x̌n̓)
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Sn̓ʕay̓čkstx, from the Inchelium community. She has recently retired from a career as an Environmental Planner for the Tribe, developing strategies and working relationships with the surrounding communities and government to address the environmental impact of Columbia River pollution. She is now focusing her time on her family, culture, and language, working to strengthen her relationship and respect for the land as a provider of life and a way of being.
-
![]()
RICHARD HART
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Historical researcher, writer, and expert in tribal litigation with an extensive history assisting tribes in the northwest. In addition to supporting and serving on boards in the Methow area, he recently served as an expert witness and researcher for the successful Desautel Case and has donated much of his research materials for that case to the ICRC for community access. His knowledge and expertise in research and experience with tribes and nonprofits have been essential in the formation of the ICRC. (Photo by Ann McCreary, Methow Valley News)
-
![]()
TINA WYNECOOP
MEMBER-AT-LARGE
Historian, researcher, writer, educator, and lifelong learner. She is detail-oriented and has the memory to match – serving her well as a librarian throughout life with many seeking her out for reference assistance. She continues to serve on local boards, contributes her writing to regional magazines, and brings her experience of tribal relations, genealogy, history, and literature to the board and collections.
