Charles is a proud enrolled member of the Yurok Tribe. From his childhood on and around the Yurok reservation in far northern California nestled in the heart of the Redwoods, he was sent to Chemawa Indian School, one of the few remaining Indian Boarding Schools the United States still operates where his experiences helped inform his fight for social and economic justice. As a result Charles later experienced homelessness throughout High School. Charles’ passion to help others like himself saw him become the first in his family to earn a college degree and dedicate his life to bettering Indigenous Communities.
Charles previously worked for several years as a Legislative Policy Analyst for the Tulalip Tribes focusing on Education, Transportation, and Economic Development issues, his experiences also encompasses roles such as Health Policy Director for the Children’s Alliance, Vice President of Federal Affairs for Washington Students Association, and as a contract lobbyist. He currently is the Council member representing Tribal Nations on the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency’s Advisory Council, and has previously served on a variety of boards and committees working to advocate for Indigenous peoples.
Charles holds a Bachelor’s degree in Tribal Administration from the Evergreen State College and is pursuing a Masters’ Degree in Public Policy and Global Affairs from the University of British Columbia and resides in Vancouver, BC.