Jaylyn Suppah: Voice, Leadership and Lived Experience
“I believe in leading by example.” - Jaylyn Suppah
As part of Northwest Health Foundation’s work, we have the privilege of getting to know passionate leaders addressing community needs and using their voices for systemic change across Oregon and SW Washington. We were so excited to hear that Jaylyn Suppah had decided to continue her community leadership by running for office. NWHF does not endorse candidates, but we do highlight current partners who decide to take the brave and bold step to run for office!
Jaylyn Suppah (her English name) is a mother of two, educator, advocate for social justice and equitable education, a traditional food gatherer for her family and tribe, and a member of the Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs (CTWS). Alish is her given name, named after her grandmother. She is running for Jefferson County School District 509J Board of Directors, Seat 3.
Jaylyn works as the Community Planner for CTWS’s Health & Human Services branch, advocating and advancing health equity practices and policies. She developed the Papalaxsimisha program, which focuses on understanding historical trauma, healing, self-identity, cultural awareness, high school readiness, college and career readiness, using a curriculum she and two other Native teachers developed. As if she’s not busy enough, she is also pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Tribal Governance at The Evergreen State College.
Jaylyn was motivated by her lived experience and advocacy work to run for office. She is an alumni of the Jefferson County School District, as well as a parent to students in the district. She feels her voice and perspective, along with the 71% BIPOC community the district serves, are not being heard. The district includes the Warm Springs Reservation, and Native American students make up 36% of the student body.
All grassroots campaigns must currently navigate the trickiness of reaching out to voters effectively and efficiently, while also keeping everyone safe from COVID-19. For now, Jaylyn and her campaign team are primarily hosting virtual events and counting on word-of-mouth and social media.
NWHF staff met Jaylyn about eight years ago when she started volunteering for the Let's Talk Diversity Coalition, a partnership between Warm Springs and Madras community members around a shared vision for their communities. Currently, as a co-founder of Unite Warm Springs, Jaylyn is participating in our Civic Health Cohort. She hopes to always maintain a partnership with NWHF, because “we continue to support BIPOC communities in ways that look far beyond my lifetime.” NWHF feels the same way about you, Jaylyn!