Our Team

The Kanim Associates, LLC is a multidisciplinary firm. Our team comprises a highly qualified group of professionals in the fields of Energy Policy, Natural Resource Management, Water Resources, Economic Development, Water & Energy Conservation, Tribal Cultural Knowledge, Cultural Competency, Cultural Arts, STEAM Education, Event Planning, Facilitation, Grants, and Graphic Media.

DIRELLE CALICA, J.D. | PARTNER

Ms. Calica leads, manages and ensures Kanim Associates' values, mission and vision are implemented in the firm's work, services and products.  She is responsible for developing and coordinating the firm's operation strategy, goals and direction.  She ensures the necessary operational, financial, regulatory, and day-to-day tasks are in order for the firm's successful operations.  

Ms. Calica has 20-years of experience as a field, legislative, policy, planning, and regulatory advisor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office-District of Oregon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and various Indian Tribes. Ms. Calica has extensive professional experience in intergovernmental affairs, hydrosystem planning, resource conservation, and tribal energy policy. She has also served as a White House Intern and Mark O. Hatfield Congressional Fellow in the U.S. Senate.

SHIROD T. YOUNKER | PARTNER

Mr. Shirod Younker (Coquille/Miluk Coos), a Native artist, program manager, and tribal canoe skipper. S. Younker (b. 1972) is a Coquille-Coos-Umpqua artist from Coos Bay, Oregon. He currently works as a traditional carver and sculpture. He lives in Portland, OR. He studied at Oregon State University, receiving a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Applied Arts in 2001. He previously managed Oregon College of Art & Craft’s Indigenous Pre-College Art Residency, Journeys In Creativity. He currently is a partner at Kanim Associates, LLC. He also manages and directs the Changing Currents Tribal Water Leadership program for Native American Youth. Changing Currents is project launched by the Affiliated Tribes of NW Indians and is now hosted at The Evergreen State College, House of Welcome in Olympia, Washington.

KALE’A CALICA-YOUNKER | PARTNER

Kale’a holds Tribal and Filipino ancestry. She is enrolled at the Coquille Indian Tribe, with descent from Warm Springs, Yakama, Tulalip and Coos. Kale'a's work looks at her relationship to her cultural identities and personal stories related to growing up in Portland, Oregon, knowing that it is a part of her ancestral territory. Kale'a is interested in exploring craft and DIY, related to self-publication and other modes of disseminating information as well as art publications and critical essays regarding craft, ownership, material, and art objects. Kale’a manages project grants, grant reporting, and grant coordination. She also does event planning, Facilitation, project management support, and research.

Our Co-Founder

Emeritus (1947-2019): Charles “jody” calica, partner

Mr. Calica is a member of the Warm Springs Tribe (Tygh and Clackamas Bands).  He is both a practicing and investment Partner in Kanim Associates, LLC.  Mr. Calica recently retired, after three consecutive terms, as the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary-Treasurer for the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs.  

Prior to Mr. Calica's appointment as Chief-Executive Officer and Secretary-Treasurer he served the Tribes' as the Chief Operations Office (COO).  Prior to the COO, assignment, he served for over 15-years as the Tribes' Natural Resources Department, General Manager.  Mr. Calica has extensive experience and expertise in complex and dynamic financial, multi-party, business, policy, and development initiatives.