Meet Our Staff

Community Engagement Director, Cayuse-Nez Perce-Yakama

Jacy is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation born and raised in the Mission/Pendleton area. She grew up in the tribal longhouse, traveling Indian country on the pow wow trail and medicine dances. Learning how to preserve our cultural identity and teachings from her grandmother, Loretta “Lonnie” Alexander (Pinkham). Following in her footsteps as a gatherer picking berry, digging and drying corn. The outdoors have always been a retreat growing on the Umatilla river with her Uncles fishing, hunting with her brother Rob or gathering wood and tipi poles. All these teachings have seeped into her artwork expressing her dedication to preserving our culture and identity for the future of our children. One heart. One mind.

jacy@wallowanezperce.org

Executive Director

Kellee Sheehy was born in Louisiana and spent nearly twenty years living, working, and volunteering all over the world before moving with her husband and two children to Wallowa County. 

After attending college at the University of the South in Tennessee, Kellee embarked on a career path that was full of twists and turns: She directed a communications department in Arizona and managed a bistro in Ireland.  She worked on marketing campaigns in Missouri for big-name companies like Nike and Coca-Cola, led a capital campaign for an arts and culture center in Oregon, and taught dance and yoga in poverty-stricken areas of Brazil. Kellee has worked as a writer/editor, business coach, theater-camp director, and salesperson for a Fortune 100 company. 

Led by passion, curiosity, and opportunities to learn and serve, Kellee credits her diverse background for helping her understand the importance of culture, community and place. “These things are central to our experience as humans; they give us a sense of belonging, identity, resilience and purpose.”  Kellee is grateful for the opportunity to channel her experience and passion for helping mission-based organizations into her work at NPWH.

kellee@wallowanezperce.org

Administrative Support Coordinator

Tayler Riepe was raised in Anchorage, Alaska, spending her childhood on the rivers and creeks fed by the Susitna River. She moved to Bozeman, Montana to attend Montana State University, and eventually earned her Bachelor’s Degree in English from CU Denver. 

She and her husband moved to Wallowa County in the Fall of 2021, and bought their home in Enterprise the next year. They now have two beautiful daughters they are raising alongside several chickens and some ducks. 

Tayler is passionate about effective and accessible communication; she is passionate about locally grown and raised food; she is passionate about eating the treats she bakes. Tayler also enjoys traveling, camping, crafting, and chatting.

Facilities and Maintenance Lead, Cayuse-Nez Perce-Umatilla-Okanogan-Shuswap

Eliot is an enrolled member of the Confederate Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation and a descendant of old Joseph and Ollokot. His family has been engaged with the powwow and Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland organization since its conception. He is following in the footsteps of Taz Conner and Leah Conner, continuing his family’s involvement in the Wal’awa Valley.

Eliot grew up riding horses and dancing in eastern Oregon from an early age. He learned horsemanship from his mother, Dana Conner and aunt Bobbie Conner and to dance from Taz Conner, Calvin Shallal, and Leah Conner. He is passing down this knowledge to his five children, Steve, Jacob, Marceline, Luna, and Norman.

As an adult he strives to preserve his culture through traditional techniques in feather work, hide tanning, and regalia making. He is also an avid fly fisherman.

Eliot has worked in various construction trades while working for TERO on the Umatilla reservation as well as some landscaping experience.