Sky Pasena-Littlesky ’26: Šináata Scholar, Student-Athlete & Environmental Advocate

Lindsey “Sky” Pasena-Littlesky ’26 is a Politics-Environmental Studies major from Pendleton, Oregon, a community member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and an enrolled member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona. As part of the first graduating class of Šináata Scholars, Sky spent her time at Whitman College uplifting Indigenous culture and preparing for a future in environmental advocacy.

Sky’s Whitman Highlights:

• President of the Indigenous Peoples Education and Culture Club 
• Dual-sport athlete for Whitman lacrosse and women’s soccer 
• Member of Delta Gamma sorority

Sky took on leadership roles across campus and in the community that allowed her to celebrate and share her culture with others. She helped organize Whitman’s first Salmon Film Festival, served on the Pášx̣apa Advisory Council and was named the first-ever Miss Pášx̣apa at the 2023 Pášx̣apa Powwow. In 2025, she also presented at Whitman’s Power and Privilege Symposium alongside Henry Roller ’25 on the cultural importance of salmon and restoration efforts.

Through these experiences, Sky learned how to make the values and teachings of her culture accessible to diverse audiences, a skill she knows will be essential in her future work protecting natural resources.

What’s next? Sky plans to apply to law school to become a natural resources lawyer serving tribal communities. She will also continue her work with the Indigenous Lacrosse Alliance, helping share the history, traditions and cultural significance of the Creator’s Game.