Meet the CEO of NAFP
Fred Briones - Mission Pomo
I am a tribal member of Big Valley Band of Pomo Indians and grew up fishing and hunting from a young age. Early on, I knew I wanted to pursue science, business, and Indian policy to serve my community. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry from the University of Hawaii at Hilo, where I built a strong foundation in environmental and analytical science.
After graduation, I began my career with my tribe’s EPA department as a water and wastewater treatment operator. Over the next 12 years, I worked across California, New Mexico, and Hawaii, gaining hands-on experience in water systems, environmental protection, and regulatory compliance.
I later returned to school and earned my MBA from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Following this, I worked as a Business of Indian Agriculture consultant with First Nations Development Institute, supporting tribal communities in developing business plans and securing land-based economic opportunities.
Building on this experience, I founded the Native American Fiber Program (NAFP), a national nonprofit focused on advancing Indigenous-led solutions in environmental stewardship, cultural revitalization, and scientific innovation.
The Bear Doctor works with Traditional fibers
Long before plastics were readily available or used to create common goods, traditional fibers that are sourced from plants and animals supported communities. For example, the Big Valley Pomo people and culture developed land-management and basketry practices that sustained both their communities and the environment for thousands of years
Bear Doctor Healer standing at the meeting of Pomo Medicine (Feathered Baskets) and Modern Science ( Stanford University, LaBeaud Labs), searching for a cure to remove the sickness (Microplastics) from the earth.
Take a deeper look at Pomo Culture & People
Visit bigvalleypomo.com
Visit the digital archives to see historical books and images of Big Valley culture. Click the link to learn more .