Yelihwakanyehs (Yelih) Powless is currently a MSW student at the University of Washinton. She joined tSB in October of 2025, as part of her first year practicum site. She received her BS in Human Development and Family studies along with a certificate in American Indian Studies from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2023.
Yelih (yay-lee) comes form the Oneida Nation Reservation which is located just outside of Green Bay, WI. From her cultural background, she is committed to serving BIPOC communities with an emphasis on Indigenous youth that are involved in Indian Child Welfare. Yelih is passionate about the well-being of BIPOC communities as well as being able to provide assistance for youth and families to thrive.
In 2023, Yelih was working as a Child Placement Coordinator for Oneida Family Services specifically in the Foster and Kinship Care department. Throughout this experience she was able to connect Indigenous methods and ways of healing into the Social Work world to be able to meet her families where they are, suing culturally competent approaches. Yelih strives to put Indigenous ideologies at the forefront of her practice to recenter physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Yelih was born and raised on the Oneida reservation in Wisconsin but has fallen in love with the PNW. She enjoys outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and swimming. However, her other hobbies include thrifting, traveling, spending time with her 4 younger brothers, or dancing at cultural gatherings.
