The UpRising Fellowship

UpRising Fellow

Nahááh Nanííshʔíitʔɔ Alexis Bigby. Hello! My name is Red Willow; however, my English name is Alexis Bigby. I am an enrolled member of the Gros Ventre (Aaníííh) Tribe that resides on the Fort Belknap reservation. I am also a graduate of Aaníííh Nakoda College, and I completed an AA degree in business administration while graduating with honors. I am seeking to complete my Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. I am majoring in Political Science with a concentration in public law and political theory at the University of Montana. Once I obtain my BA, I plan to attend the Alexander Blewett III School of Law, where I plan to earn my JD. I am also currently working part-time as a Program Assistant at the University of Montana, supporting First-Year Indigenous students.

UpRising Fellow

My name is Cecelia Spencer and I am a junior at Hellgate High School. I am a descendant of the Aaniiih (Gros Ventre) and Seliš (Salish) tribes on my mother’s side and Klickitat on my father’s side. 

Within my school, I have worked as the co-president of the Native American Students Club (NASC) to increase a sense of community among Indigenous students. As part of the work in that club, I led a project that brought Salish language into our school in the form of engraved signs with translations on them.

I was lucky to get to work as a Youth Outreach Director on a local political campaign, getting to observe firsthand the power of engaging young people in politics. In 2024 I organized a student advocacy opportunity where students from my school were able to travel to the State Capitol to participate in a rally in suppport of the environment. 

UpRising Fellow

Hello, my name is Jonaye Doney, and I am from Hays, MT. I am an enrolled member of the Aaniih (Gros Ventre) tribe on the Fort Belknap reservation. I am a junior at the University of Montana pursuing a bachelor's degree in the art program. I am passionate about Indigenous issues and uplifting the youth, along with climate issues. I also enjoy baking, spending time with family and friends, and gardening in the summer.

UpRising Fellow

My name is Khadija Alkhalil. I am a senior in high school and I am 18 years old. I was born in Syria, lived in Lebanon, and now I live in the United States. Moving between countries has shaped who I am and helped me see the world in different ways. I am passionate about human rights and justice, especially for people whose voices are not heard. I speak Arabic and English. In my free time, I love reading books. I am excited to be part of UpRising and to grow as a young leader.

UpRising Fellow

My name is Lucy Lopez. I am an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke tribe (Crow). I live in Missoula but my family is from Pryor, Montana. I’m in 11th grade and have been homeschooled my entire life. I enjoy reading, writing, drinking tea, being outside, rock climbing, and spending time with my friends and family. I am passionate about women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and the MMIWmovement.

UpRising Fellow

My name is Malak Melak.
I was born in Baghdad and am based in Montana. I am a Dental Hygiene major at UM. My passions are women’s rights, travel, and the outdoors.

UpRising Fellow

Hello my name is Naomi Fisher. I’m from Arlee, Montana and I’m enrolled in the Confederated Salish Kootenai Tribes. I'm currently a junior enrolled in Arlee High School working to graduate with honors. I'm passionate about human rights and would like to learn more about it. I enjoy sewing, gaming, art, and reading in my free time. I'm proud of who I am and am proud to be a young Native woman.

UpRising Fellow

O’Maste-Win Foster (she/they) – “First Day of Light Woman” – is of the Blackfeet Nation, Assiniboine and Dakota Peoples of Fort Peck. In May 2025, I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Media Arts with a concentration in Digital Filmmaking, alongside a certificate in Business Entertainment Management. My creative practice is grounded in data-based storytelling shaped both by lived experiences and Indigenous/colonial histories. My work approaches narrative as both a powerful tool for recentering truth within historically oppressed communities and, when mishandled, a mechanism of erasure through technology and delivery systems.

UpRising Fellow

I am 19 years old. I use she/they pronouns. I’m originally from St. Ignatius, MT and moved to Missoula for my sophomore year of high school.

I’ll be attending Missoula College in Fall 2026 for Culinary Arts and Food Entrepreneurship. I’m a mixed non gender conforming person although I do present very feminine. I am Native American (Salish Kootenai, Blackfeet, and Little Shell) and Black. My activism and passion for social justice is directly connected to intersectionality and acceptance of different aspects of my identity. 

UpRising Fellow

Hello, my name is Raine Weaselhead. I am a current member of the UpRising Fellowship. 

Through this program as well as my personal life, I hope to understand and strengthen my identity as a mixed woman of color, and to find a sense of community and belonging. In my career and personal ambitions, I dream to live a life of self growth, creating and seeing meaningful change, and to push myself and my communities forward.

I love to listen to music, dance, teach, cook, go swimming, camping, attend concerts, and hang out with my partner and best friend.

UpRising Fellow

My name is Sariel Sandoval (she/her), and I am Se̓liš, Ql̓ispe̓, & Dine̓ from Ronan, Montana, of the Flathead Reservation. 

I recently graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics and a minor in Native American Studies. After finishing my degree, I made the intentional decision to move back home and to work within my community. 

I began working at Salish Kootenai College as the Supporting Tribal Educational Pathways (STEP) Assistant, but my role quickly evolved into becoming a full-time mathematics instructor and the Science, Engineering, and Mathematics (SEM) Lab Manager. 

My work is grounded in a deep commitment to ensuring that Native and Indigenous Peoples have equitable access to education, particularly in STEM fields!

Climate advocacy is also a central part of my journey. I have been honored to serve as one of the youth plaintiffs in Held v. Montana and Held v. Montana II, where I advocate for environmental responsibility and the protection of future generations. 

Also, I am very excited to be a part of the UpRising Cohort of 2026!!!

Outside of my professional and advocacy work, I enjoy beading, weaving, sewing, watching Netflix, and listening to true crime podcasts!

UpRising Fellow

My name is Shukaria Niazai. I am a tenth-grade student at Hellgate High School, originally from Afghanistan, and I currently live in Missoula, Montana. I am passionate about women’s rights and social justice. In my free time, I enjoy playing different sports for fun.

UpRising Fellow

My name is Aline Attar. I was born in Syria, grew up in Lebanon, and currently live in the United States. I am a student preparing for medical school, majoring in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences. I am passionate about social justice, especially youth advocacy and education equity. In my free time, I enjoy reading, painting, and running on the mountains. I am excited to be part of the Youth Advocacy Retreat and connect with other young leaders who care about making a difference.