SriPonya Mission

Frank Smith is an elder with the tribes of Warm Springs.  He was responsible for starting the boxing and baseball programs in Warm Springs.

He is a peer mentor in prevention for the tribes of Warm Springs and often teaches culturally specific programs for the tribes. 

Frank Smith was an incredible athlete and was a boxer for the tribes of Warm Springs, and he was a boxing coach.  His dad was a boxer and at one time was 10th in North America.

Speakthunder was born on the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs (his father's tribe) reservation in Central Oregon.  At the age of eight, he moved to the Puyallup Nation (his mother's tribe) in Tacoma, Washington.  
At an early age, at an all native school, called Chief Leschi Schools, his artistic talent was discovered by his teachers. He then was referred to gifted and talented classes were his abilities flourished and grew over the next several years.
 

Mr. Berry has made a living selling his artwork, including carvings and hand drums, for the past four years, has sat on the art committee board for installation of new coastal art and designs in the New Emerald Queen casino where his art is featured. Mr. Berry has spent the last year teaching introductory coastal art classes to youth, and educating the public on past and current cultural beliefs, way of life, and issues.

He has an active Facebook (Speakthunder Galleries) that does live videos drawing and talking about native life and culture. He also has a current website (speakthunderart.com)
Speakthunder is a fultime single father of two little girls (9 & 11) and is an active member in his community (pow wows, coastal jams, funerals and ceremonies)

Mr. Berry knows many common Coastal songs, 7 Drums songs, Shaker, and NAC songs, and is requested to sing at events, funerals and sweat lodge.

Mr. Berry started Warm Springs Tribal Art Mart which will be an off the grid art gallery featuring all kinds of Native art.

Mr. Berry is an active drum maker, logo designer, graphics designer, pen & ink artist, wood worker, painter, and is considered to be a master salish artist (20+ years coastal designing).

Isis Holmes is an entrepreneur, chef, teacher, friend, and dedicated meditator and mother.  Isis has dedicated her life to serving children.  For over fifteen years, she has owned and operated her own school in Central Oregon.

Prior to owning her own school, Isis worked at her aunt and uncle's Mexican restaurant in Terrebonne, Oregon.  Isis is an incredible chef and makes the best food with all heart.  She is launching her own line of sauces and dips to share with our Central Oregon community.

Isis moved to the United States over 30 years ago from Mexico City, Mexico.  

She is devoted on her spiritual path and leads a life of selfless service.

She’s also the mother to a daughter.

John is currently a Treatment Aid Specialist at RimRock Trails. He owns and produces John John’s Barbecue Sauce that is being sold in over 20 stores. He’s also a substitute Teacher for the High Desert Education Service District; Currently a National Quarterback trainer (formerly AirOne).

John is on several public service committees throughout the Northwest. John serves as an advisory committee member with the CLEAR Alliance team and is a member of the Board of Directors of SriPonya.

John earned a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Psychology from Portland State University and an Associates of Art Degree in Psychology from Foothill Junior College.

John’s most notable accolades include Portland State Football Hall of Fame Inductee at Quarterback (2018); Atlanta Falcons Free Agent Quarterback (1993), San Jose Sabercats Quarterback (1996); Jefferson Award Recipient for Public Service (1993 Regional).

He’s also the father to a daughter.

Working with folks who identify as being in recovery is Halie’s life’s work and greatest passion. She has come to adopt SAMHSA’s definition of recovery in her work with others: “A process of change through which individuals improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential.” By this definition, MANY of us are seeking a life of recovery.

As a somatic coach, sober coach, yoga and meditation teacher, ceremonialist, and a woman in recovery for 7+ years, the work Halie does is both body-centered and spiritually-oriented. There are spiritual circles that devote their practice to transcending the body…but Halie believes with every fiber of her being that recovery is a process of remembering how to BE IN our bodies, to reclaim them as a safe and sacred space. The more we can learn to consciously inhabit our bodies, the better we heal and the more agency we ultimately have in our lives. With this in mind, Halie loves to draw upon the 5,000+ hours of training, practice, and study she has integrated about trauma-informed care, somatics, neuroscience, and more to provide you with education and practices that empower you to learn how to understand and abide by the language and deep wisdom of your body.

Jerek has dedicated his professional life to improving the health and well-being of people and the planet. As the former CEO of three sustainable food and beverage companies, he worked diligently to shift the greater food system forward in accessibility, circularity, and regeneration. Jerek is known for creating unique and innovative products; for building deeply collaborative, synergized, and mission-driven teams; and, for building bridges between large corporations and start-ups to create unified change.

Jerek’s teams and organizations have won numerous awards, grants, and certifications, including Kroger’s “Zero Hunger, Zero Waste” Innovation Award, Oregon Angel Fund Award, New Hope’s “Best New Mission-Driven Product,” Certified B Corp, Non-GMO, and 1% for the Planet, among others. In 2016, he was named “Entrepreneur of the Year” by the Bend Chamber of Commerce.

Jerek has also served on the Board of Directors or Advisory Boards of non-profit organizations and companies such as Built Oregon and Riff Cold Brew, and mentored other start-up companies through organizations such as Bend Outdoor Worx and Opportunity Knocks. He has spoken at TEDx, Bloomberg Sustainability Summit, World MUSE, and at various companies, organizations, and schools.

It is pretty cool to write the bio for my partner; in life, love and in a calling we share to serve the world we’ve been given - to touch with our lives.

I met Jennifer in the late fall of 2018 and within weeks began to know her commitment to living her life as powerful, authentic and vulnerable. Qualities which are rare in a world that has ‘being safe’ and ‘looking good’ as high priorities for the way to get by and survive. As it turns out Jennifer is one of the most courageous people I  know. From the moment I met her I’ve been inspired by her tireless pursuit and practice of transformation and self-mastery.

She lives deeply into the Way of ‘Unconditional Love & Forgiveness’. She lives so deeply that it is her life’s mantra. I get to experience this in real-time. Every time we find ourselves in breakdown as a couple, I am moved by her capacity to return to love and often lead us through the pain and confusion and guide us to peace and connection.

Jennifer comes to this calling as a co-founder of SriPonya with a skill set acquired through education - she has been a practicing attorney in California and Oregon for 20 years, her life experience as a person who has transcended and recovered from active addiction and then to be an instrument in guiding others who seek sobriety; physical, emotional and spiritual. 

Jennifer has invested well in life’s possibility for true transformation.  She is a certified Yoga Teacher and a devoted student to the paths of tantra and bhakti yoga. The return on her  investment into the spiritual way of life has been an experience, strength, and hope that flows into the world, far beyond her own transformation, to touch, move and inspire many. Touch, move and inspire many to leave old patterns and ways of being. Touch, move and inspire ‘you’ to create a truly remarkable life.

Greg has a heart of gold, and carries a true desire to uplift others which makes him an inspiration to many, a captivating  teacher and an incredible artist.   His greatest work of art is his beautiful life, rich with heartbreak, deep love, transformation, wisdom and full of paradoxes. He has lived  many versions of this life which give him rich experience across many different lifestyles.  He has had the opportunity to walk through numerous conflicts throughout his life. Over time these conflicts have led him to cultivating a path of inner peace, integrity and a desire for self-mastery. Greg is extremely intelligent, warm, loving, authentic, articulate, intuitive, inquisitive, open and sincere.  

Greg is a mystic on an incredible spiritual journey.  As a very young boy growing up in a Catholic family, Greg’s first desire was to become a Catholic priest. He was the oldest of ten from a small town in Northern, Michigan. At the age of 30, he moved his family west to Seattle. Some of his fondest memories with his family arise from a time when he was a street musician and minister in the streets of downtown Seattle.  Greg fell into disillusionment with his faith and spent many years looking for peace in the “counterfeit coins” of life.  Along this journey, he co-owned a business, worked in business development in high tech and  the financial markets. He also had many relationships.  Currently, he has a podcast entitled “Light In A Spoon”.  

Greg’s desire to serve others and the world comes from an authentic love for all beings and a sincere desire for all to live in harmony.  He has lifetimes of experience and wisdom to share to help anyone who has a desire to find a way back home.