Dr. Brenda Flyswithhawks is from the Tsalági Eastern Cherokee Nation, Qualla Boundary Reservation, Cherokee, North Carolina and currently makes her home in Santa Rosa on the territorial land of the Southern Pomo people. She is Bird Clan by birth and is a traditional dancer, singer, drummer, and storyteller. Dr. Flyswithhawks adheres to her traditional Tsalági teachings and believes that all Native people are in a coming home process…a coming home to their traditional way of life.

She is Professor of Psychology, Past Department Chair of the Behavioral Sciences Department, and Past Academic Senate President at Santa Rosa Junior College. Dr. Flyswithhawks retired in December 2019 and currently serves as Associate Professor and Executive Councilor for the All Faculty Association Union (AFA). She is Founder and Emeritus Faculty Advisor for the Native American Summer Bridge Program and the Native American Center (NAC).

Dr. Flyswithhawks is a cultural bearer, water protector, and environmental cultural educator working to bridge western and traditional science. She served on the Native Advisory Council for Pepperwood Preserve as founding member for 10 years, serves as President of LandPaths Board of Directors, and is currently partnering with a team of local western wildfire biologist and scientist to educate and assist in the rethinking of wildfire, science, and climate through an Indigenous lens. She reminds us that we come from the land and works daily to educate all on how to be in relationship and better stewards of the land we inhabit.