The Indigenous Wisdom Board advises on the re-indigenization of our human way of being in relationship with the planet as a part of the Whole.
Charlotte Lujan, M.S.W.
Santa Ana / Taos Pueblo
Charlotte has been with the Department of Mental Health for 22 years and with Los Angeles County for 32 years. She does advocacy for clients at the American Indian Counseling Center and is involved with the American Indian Advisory Counsel and the American Indian Resource Summit. She is a member of The Native American Indian Community Counsel and has been a member of the DMH Cultural Competency Committee. Her Native roots are Santa Ana and Taos Pueblo. She learned and continues to do traditional dances. As an advocate for mental health services she does triage, referrals and linkage to community. She is also a trainee under National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) to do a support group for the AI/AN communities who have friends and family with mental health issues and is qualified to do culturally competent advocacy for AI/AN community in both macro- and micro-levels for Department of Health and Mental Health.
Farrah Ferris, M.S.W., A.S.W.
Hupa/Yurok/Karuk/Redwood Creek
Farrah Ferris is a proud member of the Hoopa Valley Tribe (Hupa) and descendant of Yurok, Karuk, and Redwood Creek Tribes. Farrah is honored to work within Tongva/Chumash/Tataviam territory with our Native children and families. She received her Master of Social Work (Mental Health Clinical Concentration) degree at University of Southern California (USC) and Bachelor of Social Work at California State University, Puvungna (Long Beach/CSULB). She currently works as a therapist and Program Coordinator for the Prevention and Aftercare that integrates cultural and community interventions to prevent and/or reduce child abuse and neglect. Farrah considers it an honor to work for our strong relatives past, present, and future, by empowering Native individuals, families, and communities to not only survive, but to thrive through meaningful cultural connections.
Farrah has experience as a social worker and mental health clinician with urban and rural reservation communities – with older adults living with dementia; individuals at high risk living with severe persistent mental illness and community members displaced/experiencing homelessness (TAY and Child); as well as a transitional living shelter and adult/family wraparound program in urban and reservation services; domestic violence/interpersonal violence; tribal TANF program; creating a collaboration network for tribal and non-tribal agencies. Farrah is also a current co-Chair for the Los Angeles County of AI/AN UsCC group which aids in increasing mental health awareness and services for the AI/AN community.
Farrah currently co-Chairs the LA County Anti-Racism, Diversity, and Inclusion Initiative USCC Leadership Board, elected by the community. She advises DMH on Equity and Inclusion and Mental Health Disparities in Los Angeles County.
In Farrah’s spare time, she enjoys being with Whima:lyo’ (family); cooking/baking; being outdoors; going ‘home’ to fish, gathering traditional foods and materials. Additionally, Farrah is an avid sports fan.
Sylvia Gonzalez-Youngblood
Ohlone (Mission Indian), Costanoan Rumsen, Carmel Tribe | Chicana
Advocate/Activist/Community Leader, Co-Founder|So Cal Administrator, Community Advisory Leadership Collaborative
United Mental Health Promoter/Community Health Worker.
Sylvia has been an Educational and Disability Rights Advocate/Activist going on 30 years. Sylvia’s qualifications and skills began not from colonized education, but from real life experience. She has had many mentors along the way as well attending conferences, seminars, presentations, workshops, trainings, and classes to further her advocacy skills and knowledge. Sylvia considers herself a lifelong learner. Sylvia worked in administration over 30 years in the private sector and she now works in public service as a Community Health Worker with a special focus on the Native American Community.
Sylvia is the co-founder and Southern California Administrator of the Community Advisory Committee (CAC) Leadership Collaborative (CACLC). The CACLC is a grassroots organization dedicated to connecting CAC’s across California and raising awareness in the special needs community
on the importance of the legislative process, community involvement, decision making, and the important and vital role of parent/student leadership and public input. Sylvia is also a past LA County Commissioner for the Office of Aging. Currently serves on non-profit boards, chairs committees and participates in many different collaborative groups that address the needs in the Disabilities and Native American community. Sylvia is a strong supporter of giving back, positive/ effective and meaning collaborations, advancing forward, and most important bridging and filling the gaps to strengthen and build positive role models and leaders within our communities.