About Two Feathers

Our Mission

Two Feathers' mission is to empower Native American youth and their families to achieve their full potential by offering culturally-affirming mental health and wellness programs in Humboldt County.

Our Vision

Two Feathers envisions a world filled with love and in balance within ourselves and with all of creation for generations to come.

Our Values

At Two Feathers, we emphasize building and nurturing relationships with each other, youth and families, and community members. We value differences in class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities which are at the heart of our commitment to advancing equity and justice. Positive relationships are our highest priority.

We are a group of people committed to centering the profound teachings of local Native people in our programs and in our way of living. We view challenges as opportunities to adapt and innovate toward excellence while we are continuously learning and growing.

Every day, we welcome joy and laughter while having fun and connecting with others.

Creating Communities of Kinship

We center positive relationships as our highest priority

Honoring Native Teachings

We are committed to centering the profound cultural practices of local Native people in our programs

Uplifting Diverse Cultures

We value differences in class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and other identities which are at the heart of our commitment to advancing equity and justice

Aspiring to Continual Learning

We view challenges as opportunities to adapt and innovate toward excellence

Welcoming Joy and Laughter

We enjoy fun and laughter which connects us and brings joy to our work

A map of Northern California, showing several Native American tribal areas

A History of Service

Two Feathers NAFS was established in 1998 as a consortium of several Tribes to provide direct social services as guided by its mission at the time:

Two Feathers' mission is to promote the stability and security of Native families, and to protect the best interest of Indian children. We are committed to incorporating cultural traditions and principles that encourage a balance of emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health. We are dedicated to collaborating with both Indian and non-Indian agencies to achieve these goals and to honor the privacy of Indian families.

Serving Our Communities

Two Feathers-NAFS provides services to all eligible Native American families in Humboldt County; not just those who are members of Tribal nations. We aim to serve those most in need with a strong focus on children and adolescents and violence prevention programming. While using Two Feathers services, community members have access to a range of cultural activities, resources, and programs within the Humboldt County Native American communities. In addition, our staff tailors our interventions and programs based on each child and family’s needs and interests.

Two Feathers Today

Two Feathers-NAFS became a Tribal non-profit chartered under the federally recognized Big Lagoon Rancheria in 2002. Currently, Two Feathers has 32 paid staff including mental health clinicians, substance abuse counselors, family and youth advocates, cultural coordinators, administrators and administrative assistants, and project managers. Two Feathers also pays consultants for a variety of services: cultural programming, bookkeeping, IT and evaluation

Since 2018, under the new leadership of Dr. Virgil Moorehead Jr., Two Feathers is establishing itself as an innovation leader in the provisions of Native American Mental Health and Wellness programming through a comprehensive continuum of school, community based, and family focused treatment services for children and families. Consistent with this vision is a strong focus on developing mental health and youth programming that brings out the assets, strengths and wisdom of local Native American youth and families. During these transitions, Two Feathers has experienced a drastic increase in the amount of youth we serve and number of staff. In 2016 Two Feathers had a staff of 4 and as of 2023 we have a team of 32. In 2016, Two Feathers served 45 youth compared to currently serving over 300.