Hatfield Fellowship Program

Each year, a Native American is selected to serve as the Hatfield Fellow and intern for one of Oregon's congressional delegates in their Washington, D.C., office.

APPLICATIONS FOR THE HATFIELD FELLOWSHIP ARE NOW CLOSED FOR 2025.

CHRISSA WILKIE

COMMUNITY FUND SELECTS CHRISSA WILKIE AS THE 2025-26 HATFIELD FELLOW

Wilkie is Set for Eight-Month Term in Representative Andrea Salinas’ D.C. Office

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Spirit Mountain Community Fund are pleased to announce Chrissa Wilkie as the 2025-26 Hatfield Fellow. Wilkie is a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians (Belcourt, North Dakota).

Wilkie is a graduate of Portland State University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. While at PSU, Wilkie served as a University Studies Peer mentor, mentoring incoming college freshman students. She currently serves as the Institute for Tribal Government Program Administrator at PSU, managing the Certificate in Tribal Relations course logistics.

Wilkie discovered her passion for environmental advocacy while working with the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Changing Currents Tribal Water Program, as she began to see the power of intergenerational knowledge sharing, community advocacy, and policy change. That’s when she realized she was not just meant to remain an observer, but to be a leader and carry on the stories of her community.

As a Program Administrator for the Institute for Tribal Government, she began to see the realities of Tribal relations at the state government level. Through coordinating the Certificate in Tribal Relations course and supporting Tribal relations trainings, she recognized there is still a knowledge gap.

“Many professionals in public service lack the foundational understanding of Tribal sovereignty, the historical context needed to engage meaningfully with Tribal nations or how to build government-to-government relationships," Wilkie said. ."Once I realized this, I felt even more strengthened in my commitment to pursue public service and policy work. It has shown me how important it is to have Native voices in these spaces, not just to fill in the gaps, but to transform the conversation entirely.

“I am so grateful to be selected as this year’s Hatfield Fellow. During my time in Congresswoman Salinas’ office, I hope to gain a deeper understanding of policy work, coalition building, and the inner workings of the federal government, with a focus on natural resource and water policy as it relates to Tribal communities. Natural resources and water have been at the heart of my work throughout my career. Water is especially near and dear to my heart and is culturally and spiritually important to Tribes,” Wilkie said.

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde established the Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship in 1998 as a living tribute to Senator Hatfield to honor his accomplishments as the Governor of Oregon and U.S. Senator. Each year, Spirit Mountain Community Fund sponsors a highly motivated Native American to serve as the Hatfield Fellow and intern in an Oregon congressional office, enhancing the mutual understanding between leadership in Washington, D.C., and Indian Country.

Wilkie is the 26th Native American to serve as a Hatfield Fellow. She will begin her fellowship on November 3 with a month-long orientation at the American Political Science Association (APSA) in Washington, D.C. Following orientation, she will assume her congressional placement in Congresswoman Andrea Salinas’ office.

Stacia Martin-Hernandez (2009/10 Hatfield Fellow) and Kurt Schrader

About the Hatfield Fellowship

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon established the Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship in 1998 as a living tribute to Senator Hatfield. This internship lasts for nine months as fellows learn the inner workings of the federal political system and serve as advisers on Native American issues.

Hatfield Fellows are capable, motivated individuals who, through their work in Washington, acquire new skills and understanding to be change makers and leaders in their communities. The mutual understanding between tribal people and congressional leadership will produce long-term benefits for all Pacific Northwest Tribes.

Past fellows have successfully served in several congressional offices over the years, including the offices of Senators Ron Wyden and Gordon Smith, and Congressional Representatives Darlene Hooley, Earl Blumenauer, Greg Walden, Kurt Schrader, David Wu, Suzanne Bonamici and Val Hoyle.

Learn About Past Fellows

Hatfield Fellowship Video

Learn about our Hatfield Fellowship program and how it has changed the lives of past recipients!

Statement of Purpose:

The Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon established the Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship in 1997 as a tribute to Senator Hatfield for his accomplishments as Governor of Oregon, United States Senator, and for his support to the Grand Ronde Tribe, Native Americans, Oregonians and all Americans.

The Hatfield Fellowship ensures that Mark Hatfield's legacy of integrity, strength, and effectiveness in public service will endure. Each year, the fellowship opportunity will enable a Native American to serve as a member of the staff of one of Oregon's congressional delegation. The Hatfield Fellow will serve as a liaison between the congressional member and Oregon tribes on issues that affect Native Americans and as a resource for the entire Oregon congressional delegation. In addition, the Hatfield Fellowship program seeds Indian Country with capable, motivated individuals who know their way around Washington, D.C., to produce long-term benefits for all Tribes in the Pacific Northwest.

Fellowship Details:

The Hatfield Fellow rotates between the House and Senate members of the Oregon delegation.

The Grand Ronde Tribe, through the Spirit Mountain Community Fund (SMCF), provides funding for the Hatfield Fellowship. Each Hatfield Fellow serves a nine month period from November through July and receives a stipend (taxable wages) of approximately $82,620 for a nine-month period and moving expenses ($7,000). The Hatfield Fellow will also be allowed travel expenses for one district visit (up to $3,500), travel expenses for the Canada Trip with APSA (up to $2,000) and the APSA Orientation fee ($5,300), not to exceed a total of $100,420. All dependents accompanying the Fellow will do so at their own expense. The Hatfield Fellow is responsible for locating housing for the duration of their stay in Washington, D.C.

(Please review the discussion in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this packet which provides more details concerning the funding of this Fellowship.)

Each year, the SMCF selection committee will choose a Native American who is at least 21 years of age, to serve as the Hatfield Fellow. Preference will be given to qualified enrolled members of the nine federally recognized Oregon tribes.

The Hatfield Fellow will serve as an advisor to his or her member on Native American issues and as a resource on Native American issues for the entire Oregon Congressional delegation.

During the congressional fellowship, the Hatfield Fellow is expected to make one district visit to Oregon. The visit will include briefing tribal representatives on political activity in Washington, D.C., report their experiences and work in Washington, D.C., and work with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon to recruit candidates for the following year’s Fellowship. All travel must be coordinated with the appropriate SMCF staff.

Each Hatfield Fellow is required to participate in a one-month orientation program that is provided by the American Political Science Association (APSA) at the start of the fellowship.

Note: All travel (including district visits and the Canada trip) is subject to change based on current COVID-19 restrictions.

Fellowship Activities:

Fellows will routinely provide a myriad of support functions to the assigned congressional office and attend hearings and debates. Fellows will research, prepare briefs and write speeches that will be presented to Congress and other constituents by the Congressman/Congresswoman or by other appropriate congressional staff.

Tentative Calendar & Procedures:

Applications are closed for 2025

June 12, 2025 - Application Deadline - Applicants interested in being considered for this year's Hatfield Fellowship must have their application received by SMCF staff on or before this date to be accepted.

June/July, 2025 - Finalist Selection - Applicants are notified of next applicant phase and an interview date and time will be arranged for selected finalists.

July 2025 - Finalist Interviews - The selection panel convenes for interviews. Finalists are responsible for all expenses associated with the regional interviews. (Additional information will be provided to you if you are selected as a finalist.)

July 2025 - Selection Notification - The applicant selected will be notified by phone and confirmed by email. All other applicants will receive a phone call or email informing them of their status. The selected applicant is required to complete a brief security form and undergo a background investigation before proceeding with the selection process.

July/September 2025 - Fellow’s Follow-up Activities:

The Hatfield Fellow is expected to contact the congressional office they are assigned to work in and finalize work hours for the nine-months in Washington, D.C., as well as arrange a visit to the local office prior to their departure to Washington, D.C.
The Hatfield Fellow will be required to sit for a professional photograph. This activity will be coordinated by SMCF staff.
The Hatfield Fellow will arrange for housing in the Washington, D.C., area.
The Hatfield Fellow is to be in contact with representatives of the Spirit Mountain Community Fund concerning moving costs and travel arrangements to Washington, D.C.
The Fellow will participate in a meet and greet with Tribal Council and the outgoing Hatfield Fellow prior to departing for Washington D.C.
The Fellow will participate in interviews for press release and other related media.

November 2025 - APSA Orientation - Hatfield Fellow will participate in the month-long orientation in the American Political Science Association Congressional Fellowship Program during the month of November. When not participating in this training, you will work for the office assigned to you. There will be a lot of time built into the APSA training for Fellows to interview with potential office placements. Because the Hatfield Fellow already has an assigned office placement, the Fellow will use this time working instead.

December 1, 2025 - Office Placement Begins.

December 2025 through July 2026 – Fellowship Activities:

Monthly Reports - The Fellow will provide a monthly report detailing his/her experiences in the fellowship program to the SMCF Program Coordinator.
Fellow will participate in ongoing activities with APSA.
Fellow will participate in one district visit to Oregon.
Fellow will meet with Tribal Council and the incoming Hatfield Fellow to provide a brief overview of their Hatfield experience.

July 31, 2026 - Final Day of Fellowship.

How to Apply

Application Details

The Grand Ronde Tribe is proud to invest in the development of tomorrow’s Native American leaders through the Hatfield Fellowship.

If you are interested in applying for the 2025/2026 Hatfield Fellowship, please submit your application materials via email to fellows@thecommunityfund.com by 5pm on June 12, 2025.

Applicants are required to submit an application, detailed resume, personal statement, three letters of reference and a CIB.

Qualifications & Application Details Hatfield Fellowship FAQs

Have questions?

We are available to answer questions and address concerns throughout the process.