Tanya Pelach is a citizen of the Quinault Indian Nation and serves as Deputy Director of the Quinault Indian Nation’s Division of Natural Resources. In this role, she helps lead efforts to steward and protect Tribal lands, waters, and treaty-reserved resources, supporting the Nation’s long-term environmental and cultural priorities.

Before joining the Quinault Indian Nation, Tanya served as the Natural Resource Program Manager for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI), where she worked on fisheries, forestry, and environmental policy issues affecting Tribal communities throughout the region. Her work fostered collaboration among Tribal leaders and advanced intertribal approaches to addressing shared environmental challenges.

Tanya earned a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from the University of Washington Tacoma and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Washington School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (SMEA). Her graduate research examined inequities in Tribal access and participation within a Washington State floodplain management program, reflecting her commitment to advancing environmental justice and Tribal sovereignty.

Today, Tanya continues to champion Tribal stewardship and resource management while helping strengthen partnerships that support the health of ecosystems and communities across the Pacific Northwest. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, camping, and walking the beach with her husband—also a SMEA alumnus—and their dogs, Callie and George.

Interview:

How did your experience as a student at SMEA influence your career?

My experience as a student at SMEA had a profound impact on my career. One of the most important things it gave me was confidence in myself and my ability to contribute meaningfully to the fields of natural resources and environmental policy. Coming from an Indigenous background, I sometimes found myself navigating spaces where Tribal perspectives were not well understood. SMEA reinforced that those perspectives are not only valuable but essential.

As an Indigenous professional, educating others about Tribes, treaty rights, and Tribal sovereignty remains an important part of my work. SMEA helped me recognize the importance of bringing those conversations into every space and demonstrated how effective policy requires a deeper understanding of the communities it affects.

The program also taught me that our world is deeply interconnected and that relationships matter. The connections I built through SMEA continue to influence my career today, and it showed me the importance of networking, collaboration, and learning from people with diverse backgrounds and expertise.

Perhaps most importantly, my graduate research directly connects to the work I do now. My research focused on identifying inequities and understanding Tribal needs within a floodplain management program in Washington State. Today, I am involved in monitoring ongoing efforts related to the proposed dam development on the Chehalis River, where many of the same themes: equity, Tribal engagement, and the long-term impacts of environmental decision-making remain central. It has been rewarding to see how the skills and knowledge I developed at SMEA continue to inform and support my work in Tribal natural resource management and environmental policy.

What advice do you have for SMEA students and alumni?

My biggest piece of advice for SMEA students and alumni is simple: network, network, network. SMEA alumni are everywhere, and it is always amazing to see how those connections come full circle throughout your career. Whether someone remembers you from a class, shares a connection through SMEA, or knows someone in your network, those relationships often help move important work forward. The environmental and natural resources world can feel surprisingly small, and the connections you build at SMEA can have a lasting impact.

I would also encourage students to take advantage of opportunities outside of their immediate area of study. Attend seminars, lectures, and events hosted by other programs, even if they seem unrelated to your coursework. Some of the most valuable lessons I learned came from talks I attended simply because they sounded interesting. As my career evolved, I found myself drawing on knowledge and perspectives I never expected to use.

Finally, remember that even during the most stressful moments, the experience is worth it. SMEA’s interdisciplinary approach is one of its greatest strengths. The program teaches you to think across disciplines, work with people from different backgrounds, and approach complex challenges from multiple perspectives. In my experience, that ability has been incredibly valuable in the workplace and has often been more beneficial than having a very narrow focus on a single subject area. The challenges are real, but the skills, relationships, and experiences you gain along the way are well worth the effort.

What’s next for you?

I think I’ve found a place where I’ll be well-rooted for quite some time. My focus for the foreseeable future is continuing to serve the Quinault Indian Nation and giving back to my community through the work I do. I’m committed to supporting the Nation’s natural resources, strengthening Tribal stewardship, and helping ensure that future generations have opportunities to thrive.

I also want to continue uplifting and mentoring individuals who are interested in entering the environmental and natural resources fields. Throughout my career, I’ve benefited from people who were willing to share their knowledge and open doors, and I hope to do the same for others. At the same time, I plan to keep learning. One of the things I appreciate most about this work is that there is always something new to understand, whether it’s a policy issue, scientific challenge, or community perspective.

Whenever my time with Quinault eventually comes to an end, I imagine I will still be working in a role that bridges Tribal and non-Tribal communities, likely in a Tribal liaison or education-focused position. I’m passionate about advancing understanding of Tribal sovereignty, treaty rights, and the important role Tribes play in environmental stewardship and resource management.

In the meantime, I encourage anyone who is entering the field, interested in Tribal natural resources, or visiting the Quinault Reservation to reach out. I’ve found that some of the best opportunities and learning experiences come from simply starting a conversation, and I’m always happy to connect with fellow SMEA students and alumni.

Is there anything else you’d like to add?

One thing I would add is the importance of staying engaged and connected with SMEA after graduation. The value of the program doesn’t end when you receive your degree. There are many ways to remain involved, whether that’s mentoring current students, participating in alumni events, speaking to classes, or helping create opportunities for students to gain real-world experience through capstones and internships.

I’ve seen firsthand how impactful these connections can be. For example, while working with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, I had the opportunity to work with Reuben Martinez to help develop a capstone project. Experiences like that strengthen the relationship between the school and its alumni while giving students valuable professional experience. I fully intend to help create similar opportunities through the Quinault Indian Nation in the future.

SMEA provided me with an outstanding education, a strong professional network, and friendships that have lasted well beyond graduate school. It also played an unexpected role in my personal life. My husband is an SMEA alumnus as well, although we attended in different years and didn’t actually meet at SMEA. It’s a fun reminder of just how interconnected the SMEA community can be.

Most importantly, I encourage students and alumni alike to stay involved. The relationships you build through SMEA can continue to create opportunities, partnerships, and friendships long after graduation.