Dr. Melissa Leal

Dr. Melissa Leal is an enrolled member of the Ohlone/Costanoan Esselen Nation. She earned her Ph.D. in Native American Studies from the University of California, Davis and currently teaches and serves as a Tribal Liaison and Wonoti Program Coordinator at Sierra College in Northern California. Her research and teaching focuses on contemporary film, music, dance and other performance arts in indigenous communities. She has worked with tribes and tribal youth for more than 15 years focusing on education, language revitalization, and empowerment.