Aiy ye kwee Ne tom'eyr!
Promoting Indigenous-led decision making since 1491.
*Logo Artwork from Local Indigenous artist Naa-ch li-tu Daraxa (Tolowa)
Embracing Indigenous-led Solutions
Confluence Connections
Watershed Regenerative Ventures (WRV) is a Native-owned social enterprise established in 2020 to bring a watershed approach to Indigenous-led entrepreneurship, impact investing, capacity building in the Yurok Indian Reservation as well as encourage regenerative projects throughout the Klamath-Trinity River Watersheds.
Our Team
Isaac S. Kinney, CEO
Aiy-ye-kwee (Greetings)!
Nek-new Isaac S. Kinney, Weychpues mey' wo mechok; esi Weychpues ok
("Im from the village of Weych-pues and I live in Weych-pues")
Isaac Kinney (Yurok/Chicano) is a Yurok Tribal Citizen from village of Weych-pues at the confluence of the Klamath and Trinity Rivers in what is now known as Northwest California. His extensive experience working with Indigenous communities and Tribal governments have helped him become effective in his advocacy efforts in working with national and local governments, philanthropists and grass-roots organizations.
After graduating from University of California Davis in 2009, Isaac began working as a Recruitment and Training Coordinator for the Native non-profit Northern California Tribal Court Coalition. This position was through Americorps giving him experience working under a larger volunteer structure that could have large impacts with smaller regional teams. Working with NCTCC showed many ways how Tribes and non-profits can compliment each other to deliver direct services and resources. Seeing the opportunities met with the continued challenges of funding and access to scalable capital, this is Isaac's initial experience of the confluence of finance and restorative justice frameworks.
Driving into fatherhood, Isaac began working for his Tribe (Yurok - yuroktribe.org) in Tribal Transportation actively updating the roads inventory, developing new programs like Transit and Trails, managing projects, and advocating for Tribal Transportation in local (Caltrans D1), regional (http://www.dnltc.org/) (http://hcaog.net/), and national forums Example: Tribal Transportation Program Coordinating Committee. Here brought the hands on experience in government contracts and developing a Tribal Scenic Byways Program established to elevate the local Indigenous perspective for highway travelers (visityurokcountry.com). This position created new pathways for the Yurok Tribe and other Tribes become lighting rods for new innovative projects and financial structures. Experience with the Transportation Research Board will help in the development of cutting edge solutions especially around Indigenous infrastructure and emerging technologies.
Isaac currently works for Blue Lake Rancheria-Tribal Education Agency. Isaac also is working on his graduate studies at Cal Poly Humboldt starting in Fall 2024. In this journey Isaac was able use previous experience working with non-profits to drive change through philanthropy, public grants and funding partnerships. Most recently Isaac has worked with various non-profits including Nature Rights Council, Save California Salmon, and Seventh Generation Fund for Indigenous Peoples Inc.
To keep up to date on our philanthropic work check out Tributary Connections at tributaryconnections.org
All of these experiences helped Isaac launch Watershed Regenerative Ventures and establish work products and services that will have immediate, direct impacts.
Photo Credit: Terence Duffy - Here to Lead Campaign
Vinecea A. Edwards Esq., Advocacy Advisor
Hesci! Vinecea Edwards, cvhocefketv. Este Mvskokvlket owis. I am a proud enrolled and voting member of the Mvskoke (Creek) People! As a third-generation descendent of the BIA American Indian Urban Relocation program, which landed our ancestors in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, it has become my and my family's mission to defend ICWA, defend Tribal Sovereignty, and serve Indigenous communities in a manner that preserves our individual traditions and shared resilience.
I earned my bachelor's degree from UC Davis, where I first collaborated with Watershed Regenerative Ventures Founder Isaac Kinney on several projects benefitting Indigenous students at UC Davis and the Northern California community. Following undergrad, I worked as a consultant, structuring and negotiating partnerships in the non-profit, tech, international business, and fashion sectors. While working in the non-profit sector, I was mentored by my aunt, Hope Craig-Corlew, Current Chairperson of United Indian Involvement in Los Angeles. While in fashion, I became an advocate for fair credit and compensation for indigenous art and prints used by high-end brands.
Wanting to be the change I wanted to see in the world, I earned my Juris Doctor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. After passing the bar in California and New York, I accepted the opportunity to utilize my business knowledge, now paired with my legal education, to serve as the Chief Operating Officer and General Counsel of the streetwear brand HOMME + FEMME LA. I successfully developed the company's Intellectual Property Profile and Fashion Business Compliance Protocol and negotiated brand collaboration with Eddie Bauer, Churchill Downs-Kentucky Derby, and the Creative Arts Agency.
I currently work as Associate Counsel at Bremer Whyte and O'Meara, focusing on Civil Litigation. I have served as an Advocacy Advisor for Watershed Regenerative Ventures since 2020. It has been a privilege to advise on effective strategies for advocating and implementing programs for indigenous-led entrepreneurship, sustainability, and water rights throughout the Klamath-Trinity River Watersheds.
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and improve conditions. Your generous donation will fund our mission.
