Lynn James-Kiona is a Yakama tribal member, the founder/executive director of a foundation in honor of her "inmi kala" in the sahaptin language that means "my grandma" who is the late Mary Kiona. Lynn's mother Ruby James was raised by Mary Kiona until sent to boarding schools before the Indian Child Welfare Act. Mary Kiona, born in 1855, was a Yakama tribal member. She saw the first wagons appear in 1863. She also guided the first Europeans down the Cowlitz River. Mary Kiona was an expert cedar root basket weaver. According to the Seattle Times and historians Mary Kiona lived to be over 115 years old. Our mission at the Mary Kiona Foundation is to provide accessible spaces, resources, and education that preserve Indigenous knowledge, foster healing, and strengthen the bonds of our community. We are dedicated to honoring the enduring legacy of Mary Kiona by actively reclaiming and revitalizing Native American cultural heritage and celebrating the rich ancestral contributions of our people. Our vision is rooted in the belief that by actively preserving and revitalizing Native American cultural heritage, we can create a holistic future where our community is able to thrive, with economic security and housing stability.