Aspen Carrillo
Sessions at the Sierra Nevada Tribal Summit 2026
Panel: Indigenous Tourism & Creative Economy
Monday, October 192:30–3:30 pmHardrock Live
This panel explores the intersection of Indigenous tourism and the creative economy, focusing on regenerative models deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge. Moving beyond extractive tourism, panelists will discuss how Indigenous-led innovation can support long-term environmental and cultural stewardship while creating sustainable economic opportunities.
Aspen CarrilloModeratorYerington Paiute | Washoe
Travis NabahePaiute-Shoshone
Cal’ SmithLower-Cowlitz/ Yakama Tribal Nation
Sara Calvosa OlsonKaruk
Panel: Nation Builders Cross-Panel Synthesis: Where Fire, Water & Story Meet
Monday, October 193:45–4:45 pmHardrock Live
This panel includes emerging young Native leaders who are energizing their communities with diverse initiatives across the country. We call them Nation Builders. Nation Builder moderators from the day’s panel come together to share key insights, common themes, and emerging commitments across five interwoven topics: First Waters Governance, Cultural Fire Stewardship, Food Sovereignty, Biocultural Credit Economy and Indigenous Tourism & Creative Economy. This closing conversation will explore how the ideas and relationships developed throughout the Summit can inspire meaningful action.
Autumn HarryModeratorNorthern Paiute
Noah WilliamsEastern Sierra Land Trust
Twyla PiatoteNez Perce
Haiwee FredericksNüümü, Newe, & Wá∙šiw (Paiute, Shoshone & Washoe)
Sage Loyema InnerarityIone Band of Miwok Indians- Aspen CarrilloYerington Paiute | Washoe
Biography
húŋa mehéší! Manahoo! Nu Aspen Mee Nanane. Nu Numu Wá∙šiw noyo maya. Nu Toobse Dicutta.
Hello, I am Aspen Carrillo. I am enrolled Yerington Paiute and Washoe and I speak both Wá∙šiw and Numu. Wá∙šiw is the language I started learning first but the Wá∙šiw orthography is complex so it’s easier to type in Numu but my Wá∙šiw heritage is very important to me. My homelands are and will always be Waší∙šiw Ɂítde and like how my ancestors felt my heart is with dáɁaw. (Tahoe)
húŋalelti lea ee ida Welmelti ee bee ee.
My family is from the Coleville, Ca area, húŋalelti but my Hootse (grandmother) ended up getting a house on the Stewart Indian Reservation so I grew up a Welmelti Wá∙šiw in Carson City, Nv. I am now even more Welmelti as I am currently living in Reno going to school at the University of Reno, Nevada. I am going for a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts.
Aside from university and being a knowledgeable language barrier I serve as the Vice Chair for a nonprofit called Washiw Zulshish Goom Tahn Nu. I am also an experienced muralist and graphic designer.