Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation Announces Recipients of Tribal and First Nations Scholarship Awards
Kurt Grinnell Scholarship Announces $36,000 in Awards to Next Generation Indigenous Aquaculture and Natural Resource Leaders
GIG HARBOR, Wash. — The Kurt Grinnell Indigenous Aquaculture Scholarship (the Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation) today announced it has awarded $36,000 in scholarships to eight Indigenous students for the 2026–2027 academic year, bringing the total awards to $135,000 since the Foundation’s inception.
According to the Foundation’s Executive Director, John Dentler: “These scholarships not only honor the legacy of the late Kurt Grinnell but also help Indigenous students focus on their studies in fisheries science, natural resources, and aquaculture.”
Board President, Jaiden Grinnell Bosick, who also Chairs the Scholarship Selection Committee, said the Committee looks for applicants with relevant Tribal work experience and strong motivation as much as academic performance. Recipients of this award, she noted, often find that the scholarship has helped free them from financial concerns, allowing them to focus on their respective academic and work programs.
“The Selection Committee looks for a combination of experience and motivation,” Bosick said. “This gives us confidence that these students will succeed in their respective fields, not only contributing to the management, conservation, and restoration of natural resources so important to Tribal Communities but also to help develop profitable and sustainable aquaculture operations — something that was very important to my father” said Bosick, one of Kurt Grinnell’s two daughters.
The 2026–2027 KGASF scholarship recipients include:
- Alana Schofield (Keweenaw Bay Indian Community): A returning scholarship recipient, Alana graduated with high honors from Lake Superior State University in Michigan with a B.S. in Fisheries and Wildlife Science. She is currently pursuing her M.S. degree.
- Apemesim Galipeau (Penobscot Nation): An Ecology and Environmental Studies student at the University of Maine at Orono, Apemesim has not only achieved high academic honors, but also has committed himself to the Penobscot Nation. There, he has spent six years working with Tribal youth as a competitive canoeing coach. Upon graduation, he plans to work for the Penobscot Nation in Natural Resources.
- Jaycee Williford (Chickasaw Tribe): A junior focusing on marine biology and fisheries at the University of Washington’s School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences. Jaycee credits his career path to childhood observations of Tribal efforts to restore Kokanee salmon runs near Lake Sammamish. Jaycee, who currently works in research on the effects of global warming on shellfish production, intends to pursue a career in aquaculture.
- Joseph “Joe” Brown (Coeur d’Alene Tribe): After a decade in the construction trades, Joe is pursuing an Associate of Arts in fisheries and wildlife at Spokane Community College in Washington. He has deep roots in the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s salmon hatchery and Natural Resource programs.
- Mary Simeon (Yup’ik/Orutsaramiut Traditional Council): A senior at the University of Alaska Southeast in Juneau, Mary is currently pursuing a degree in marine biology with an emphasis on fisheries science. Upon completion of her degree, she plans to bring her expertise back to her local community in Bethel, Alaska.
- Jaiden Coomer (Nez Perce Tribe): A highly motivated student pursuing a B.S. in Native Environmental Science at Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, Washington, Jaiden previously earned a two-year degree in Natural Resources and Environmental Science from Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas. She also worked for three years in fisheries restoration at the Dworshak National Fish Hatchery in Idaho.
- Justice Black-Williams (Lummi Nation): As a student pursuing her M.S. degree in marine and environmental sciences at Western Washington University, Justice has studied such subjects as the decline of the Longfin smelt, a small fish native to the Pacific Coast of North America. She is also pursuing studies in shellfish toxicology and works on restoration efforts in the Nooksack River watershed. She holds a degree with High Honors from Bellingham’s Northwest Indian College
- Jeffrey Condon (Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation): A senior working toward a B.S. in Natural Resource Science at Washington State University, Jeffrey has worked for many years in the Tribe’s Natural Resource programs as well as salmon hatchery operations.
In addition to the eight primary scholarships, the Fund provided travel support to Alison Carl (Chugach Alaska Corporation/Native Village of Eyak) in defending her M.S. thesis in Biological Sciences at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Alison currently serves as the Laboratory Manager at the Chugach Regional Resources Commission’s Alutiiq Pride Marine Institute.
The Kurt Grinnell Indigenous Aquaculture Scholarship was established in 2021 to honor the legacy of the late Kurt Grinnell, a visionary leader from the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe in Washington State who .viewed aquaculture and natural resources as a vital solution for Tribal food security, Indigenous reconciliation, Tribal sovereignty, and overall wellbeing. The organization provides financial assistance to Tribal and First Nation students pursuing careers in aquaculture and natural resources to carry that vision forward.
The Kurt Grinnell Aquaculture Scholarship Foundation (KGASF) has now awarded over $135,000 USD in scholarships. Awards have been made to First Nations and Tribal students representing Indigenous students across North America.
Scholarships are based on many factors including financial need and awards have ranged as high as $6,000. The following students have received awards:
2022
Michael Buck, Yakama Nation, (Washington) enrolled at the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (M.S.).
Alana Schofield, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Michigan) enrolled at Lake Superior State University in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and Management (B.S.)
Taylor Nicholls, Wahnapitae First Nation (Ontario) enrolled at Laurentian University (M.S. Biology)
2023
Michael Buck, Yakama Nation, (Washington) enrolled at the University of Washington’s School of Marine and Environmental Affairs (M.S.).
Alana Schofield, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Michigan) enrolled at Lake Superior State University in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and Management (B.S.)
Taylor Nicholls, Wahnapitae First Nation (Ontario) enrolled at Laurentian University (M.S. Biology)
Allison Carl, Chugach Native Corp and Village of Eyak (Alaska) enrolled at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (M.S. Biology).
Brook Thompson, Yurok and Karuk Tribes (California) enrolled at the University of California at Santa Cruz (Ph.D. in Environmental Science).
2024
Alana Schofield, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Michigan) enrolled at Lake Superior State University in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and Management (B.S.)
Taylor Nicholls, Wahnapitae First Nation (Ontario) enrolled at Laurentian University (M.S. Biology)
Allison Carl, Chugach Native Corp and Village of Eyak (Alaska) enrolled at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (M.S. Biology).
Gwendoly Aaberg, Nondalton Indian Tribe (Alaska) enrolled at the University of Alaska, Southeast, in Fisheries Science and Marine Biology (B.S.)
In addition, in 2024 the KGASF provided substantial financial support to 25 Tribal high schools students and five university students to attend the Pacific Northwest Indigenous Aquaculture Summit held in Sequim Washington at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Center and 7 Cedars Resort, including the following:
- Alana Schofield, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Ojibwe), Michigan
- Taylor Nicholls, Wahnapitae First Nation (Ojibwe) Ontario, Canada
- Maranda Hamme: Tlingit Alaska Native, Alaska
- Xander Lacomb, Penobscot Nation, Maine
2025
Alana Schofield, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (Michigan) enrolled at Lake Superior State University in Fisheries and Wildlife Science and Management (B.S.)
Allison Carl, Chugach Native Corp and Village of Eyak (Alaska) enrolled at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (M.S. Biology).
Gwendoly Aaberg, Nondalton Indian Tribe (Alaska) enrolled at the University of Alaska, Southeast, in Fisheries Science and Marine Biology (B.S.)
Ilene Goudy, Yakama Nation, enrolled at Heritage University in Fisheries Science (B.S.)
Jaycee Williford, Chickasaw Nation, enrolled at the University of Washington School of Fisheries Science studying Fisheries Science and Marine Biology (B.S.).
Apemesim Galipeu, Penobscot Nation, enrolled at the University of Maine, in Environmental Science (B.S.)
Mary Simeon, Yup’ik Native — Orutsaramiut Traditional Council (Alaska) enrolled at the University of Alaska, Southeast, in Fisheries Science and Marine Biology (B.S.)
Joseph Brown, Coeur d’Alene Tribe (Idaho), enrolled at Spokane Community College in Biological Sciences (A.S.).
Jaycee Williford, Chickasaw Nation, enrolled at the University of Washington School of Fisheries Science studying Fisheries Science and Marine Biology (B.S.).
2026
Jaycee Williford, Chickasaw Nation, enrolled at the University of Washington School of Fisheries Science studying Fisheries Science and Marine Biology (B.S.).
Apemesim Galipeu, Penobscot Nation, enrolled at the University of Maine, in Environmental Science (B.S.)
Mary Simeon, Yup’ik Native — Orutsaramiut Traditional Council (Alaska) enrolled at the University of Alaska, Southeast, in Fisheries Science and Marine Biology (B.S.)
Joseph Brown, Coeur d’Alene Tribe (Idaho), enrolled at Spokane Community College in Biological Sciences (A.S.).
Apemesim Galipeu, Penobscot Nation, enrolled at the University of Maine, in Environmental Science (B.S.)
Justice Black-Williams, Lummi Nation (Washington), enrolled at Western Washington University studying Marine Sciences (M.S.)
Jaiden Coomer, Nez Perce Tribe (Idaho), enrolled at the NW Indian College studying Native Environmental Science (B.S.)
Jeffrey Condon, Colville Confederated Tribes (Washington), enrolled at Washington University studying Natural Resource Sciences (B.S.)
Allison Carl, Chugach Native Corp and Village of Eyak (Alaska) enrolled at the University of Alaska, Anchorage (M.S. Biology).