CENTER FOR NATIVE AMERICAN AND INDIGENOUS RESEARCH

Michaela Marchi

Program Assistant

Phone number: 847-491-4133
Office location: 515 Clark
E-mail: michaela.marchi@northwestern.edu

Michaela (Isleta Pueblo/Filipina/Italian) is a graduate of DePaul University with a Master's in Education with Bilingual/Bicultural focus and ESL certification. She is a resident of Evanston and has two children, Diego, (13) and Lucia, (10), three cats and a dog.

Michaela is also an accomplished artist and musician (singer/songwriter), with a focus on mindfulness and survivorship. She has worked at The Field Museum in the Center for Cultural Understanding and Change, directed her own Music Together Center in Evanston, and curated an exhibition of the artwork and poetry of her late mother, exploring the connections between ethnic identity, artistic expression and survivorship. She is also a stage IV colon cancer survivor dedicated to supporting patient self-advocacy efforts, especially in Native American and Indigenous communities. You can learn more about this work and her experience HERE. She loves to cook, play mahjong and spend long days on the beach or in the woods.

Pamala M. Silas, CAE

Associate Director, Community Outreach and Engagement

Phone number: 847-467-6208
Office location: 515 Clark
E-mail: CNAIR.Admin@northwestern.edu, CNAIR.Director@northwestern.edu, pamala.silas@northwestern.edu

Pamala has been a recognized leader for over 25 years addressing issues of equity, leadership, community development, housing and education in under-represented communities.  She has successfully lead regional and national non-profit organizations as well as served on boards, councils, taskforces and advisory addressing these issues.

Pamala has a B.S. in Economics from DePaul University and is a Certified Association Executive (CAE).  She is an enrolled member of the Menominee Tribe of Wisconsin and descendant of the Oneida Tribe of Wisconsin. 

Her former positions include; Executive Director for National American Indian Housing Council, Native American Journalists Association and prior to forming her own Association Management & Consulting Company, Pam served 8 years as CEO of American Indian Science & Engineering Society’s national operation.  In Chicago, she served as Executive Director for Metropolitan Tenants Organization, leading housing campaigns and aggressive direct organizing efforts with low-income tenants.  

Pamala loves spending time with her grandkids, volunteering and staying physically active.

Katherine Castillo Valentin

Associate Research Administrator

Phone number: 847-467-3183
Office location: 515 Clark
E-mail: katherinecastillo@northwestern.edu

Katherine has a B.S. in Human Communication Sciences from Northwestern University (’17). She is also completing her M.S. in Higher Education Administration and Policy Program (’22) in Northwestern’s School of Education and Social Policy. She has 4 years of research experience, managing research projects for Northwestern faculty in Weinberg and SESP. She also enjoys being part of the Indigenous Graduate Student Collective (IGSC) at NU. She is very excited to support the CNAIR team in a research capacity and serve as a resource for faculty and students! In her spare time, Katherine enjoys playing board games, reading literary & science fiction novels, and taking long walks.