Elise Bill-Gerrish (Davis) is a Muckleshoot woman living in Puyallup, WA. Coming from a family of educators, it comes as no surprise that she decided to pick up the educational torch as well. She works as a Muckleshoot Language Teacher to help revitalize the Southern Lushootseed Language, the language of her ancestors. Her proudest achievement is being a mother to her daughter, Lily Hope, who is often by her side while teaching their native language and working with traditional plants. Elise graduated from Antioch University Seattle in 2014 with a B.A. in Leadership and Organizational Studies. Her research during that time inspired a lifelong passion for social justice by advocating for holistic healing in all of its forms. She believes that it is essential to address historical trauma in native communities in order to move forward in a ‘good way.’ Elise has volunteered by teaching about Food Sovereignty at Muckleshoot Tribal School’s annual Potlatch, classes with Green River Community College, and Antioch University Seattle. She has also spent time working in the Cascade Mountains near her tribe, leading a youth stewardship crew and filming a documentary about her tribe’s close relationship with the land. After personally experiencing the restorative power of hot yoga, Elise became a Certified Hot Yoga Teacher in 2014. She has been practicing yoga for 8 years now. She also recently completed an Herbalism Certificate to supplement her work with traditional plants and medicine making. Feeling connected to the plants of the Pacific Northwest and the wisdom they hold, is a valuable traditional teaching she carries with her. Elise hopes to embrace the many modalities of healing she has experienced to help other native people heal from their trauma.