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.

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 and Suzanne Bonamici.

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 $96,920. 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 now closed!

June 15, 2023 - 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 30, 2023 - Finalist Selection - Applicants are notified of next applicant phase and an interview date and time will be arranged for selected finalists.

July 2023 - 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/August 2023 - 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.

August/September 2023 - 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.

October 30, 2023 - 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, 2023 - Office Placement Begins.

December 2023 through July 2024 – 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, 2024 - 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 2023/2024 Hatfield Fellowship, please submit your application materials via email to fellows@thecommunityfund.com by 5pm on June 15, 2023.

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

Qualifications & Application Details Hatfield Fellowship FAQs

Izayah Hall

COMMUNITY FUND SELECTS IZAYAH HALL AS THE 2022-23 HATFIELD FELLOW

Hall Set for Eight-Month Term in Congressman Blumenauer’s D.C. Office

The Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde and Spirit Mountain Community Fund are pleased to announce Izayah Hall as the 2022-23 Hatfield Fellow. Hall is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

Hall is a graduate of the University of Oregon where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic Studies with a double minor in Sustainable Business and Native American Studies. He is also an honorary member of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

He is passionate about education, specifically, preparing Indigenous students for higher education and setting them up for success. During his first year at U of O, Hall was accepted into the Native American and Indigenous Studies Academic Residential Community (ARC) in the Kalapuya Ilihi dormitory. And for Hall, his time and experiences in the ARC would prove to have an immense impact on his educational path and his passion in life.

As the months passed, Hall watched his Indigenous ARC peers and friends slowly drop out of school. He then learned that of all of the ARCs on campus, the Native American and Indigenous Education community had the highest percentage of dropouts and students withdrawing from the University.

“I knew this was an issue. I saw just how capable and motivated every Indigenous student was in the community,” said Hall. “I was puzzled at the rate at which my peers were dropping out of school. This is where my compassion and desire to find a way to help my people slowly integrated into my education. I knew that I wanted and needed to become a bridge for Indigenous and Native students hoping to further their education.”

“Indigenous students are not only unprepared for the transition from their community to higher education, but the resources they need to succeed are not present and severely underfunded. Especially when accounting for a first-generation college student.

“It is for this reason that I was drawn to the opportunity of participating in the Hatfield Fellowship program. I feel this opportunity will allow me to explore how the higher education curriculum is influenced by policy at a Federal level.”

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.

Hall is the 23^rd Native American to serve as a Hatfield Fellow. He will begin his fellowship on October 31 with a month-long orientation at the American Political Science Association (APSA) in Washington, D.C. Following orientation, he will assume his congressional placement in Congressman Earl Blumenauer’s office. This is the Congressman’s third time to host a Hatfield Fellow.

“The Hatfield Fellowship offers a unique and unparalleled insight into the legislative process while keeping Senator Hatfield’s strong legacy of public service alive,” said Congressman Blumenauer. “I look forward to welcoming the next Hatfield fellow, Izayah Hall, into my office this winter. At a time when tribal communities are facing unique challenges—from recovering from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic to dealing with the ongoing climate crisis—it is essential that we maintain and strengthen partnerships between Congress and Tribal governments.”

“I am extremely excited to have an opportunity to further my journey through the Hatfield Fellowship program. I believe it will serve as the perfect opportunity to continue my education and develop higher levels of critical thinking that can be used to benefit Indigenous communities,” said Hall. “I hope to find ways to distribute the benefits of this incredible opportunity back to the Tribes and create positive change for the younger generation of Indigenous students.”

Have questions?

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