Meet Dolina Consulting
Noah Dolinajec holds a Bachelor's Degree in Applied Mathematics from Portland State University, a Graduate Certificate in Wildlife Management from Oregon State University and a Professional Certificate in Tribal Relations from Portland State University. He’s completed a number of diversity trainings such as Native Movement ‘s Untangling Colonialism and the Center for Diversity and the Environment’s “Building the Foundation” series.
Based in Astoria, Oregon, Noah is deeply connected to his own cultural roots as a member of the multi-generational Slovak and Jewish diasporas. Dolina Consulting is named partially after Noah’s surname, which means “people of the valley” in Slovak and is a direct remnant of his Slavic ancestry. Relying on the principles of old Slavic community - which so closely resembles that of other Indigenous communities around the world - i.e. living in unison with natural cycles, ensuring that each natural gift is welcomed, respected and cared for so that future generations can carry on important community work, and a focus on a socialized community structure - Dolina Consulting is uniquely positioned to understand Tribal priorities and lifeways in the context of the modern world.
Noah’s Experience & Background
From the moment Noah began his career on the North Coast of Oregon he knew something was missing. From 2021-2024 he worked as the Executive Director of the Necanicum Watershed Council, a 501(c)(3) based in Seaside, Oregon and focused on salmonid habitat restoration and community engagement. Over three years Noah expanded the organization from 1 FTE to 3 FTE and 2 contractors. In addition, Noah increased the annual operational budget by nearly 3x and increased the organization's financial reserves by 3x. During this time Noah’s focus was on developing a co-stewardship framework with the Chinook Indian Nation that reset the standard for conservation organizations in Oregon. From this work, which was predicated on a relationship built on trust and authentic commitment, Noah transitioned into a full time role with the Chinook Indian Nation leading the Tribe’s Lands & Planning department. Tasked with building out the department from the ground up, Noah has secured nearly $2.5M in public and philanthropic funding. Among other things, Noah manages the following programs within the department:
Land Acquisition and Management;
Conservation, Natural Resource and Fish/Wildlife Management;
Cultural/Economic/Infrastructure Development;
Community Engagement/Partnership Development;
Noah’s work has been relied on by Tribal Leadership to gage and stimulate general growth for the Tribe - which has gone from 4 FTE and 1 contractor to 7 FTE and 3 contractors during Noah’s tenure as Departmental lead. He works closely with CIN elected Council leadership, staff and partners to ensure that the Tribe’s programs and vision are sustainable and culturally sensible.
Informed by lived and professional experience and established to provide vulnerable and culturally sensitive communities with trustworthy guidance, Dolina Consulting LLC is dedicated to work that uplifts restorative justice and sovereign leadership in Indian Country and beyond.
Owned and operated by Noah Dolinajec, a seasoned contributor to creative problem solving in some of Indian Country’s most complicated terrain, Dolina Consulting has tested experience in land management, fish and wildlife, conservation, economic development, internal procedures and planning, non-tribal organization education and engagement and more. Through his six year career on the North Coast of Oregon, Noah has successfully funded and managed projects valued at roughly $3.5M in state, federal and philanthropic monies.
Noah has developed a fearless approach as a non-native professional working in Indian Country. Unapologetic and direct when necessary yet innately connected to the cultural sensibilities that make indigenous communities the resilient hotbeds of expertise that they are, Dolina Consulting will work with clients on a wide spectrum of needs form grant writing and management to higher-level organizational or departmental planning and strategic vision.
WHO ARE WE?
STAFF
Noah Dolinajec (Owner)
Hugh Ahnatook (Consultant)
The Approach: How Do We Uplift?
Starting slow and intentional: we build trust from the beginning by relying on vulnerability, learning and a genuine passion for working with communities to reinforce tribal lifeways. Through this journey, we craft programs that encourage non-native partners to do the same.
Radical sovereignty: Reminding partners, funders and supporters alike that the most impactful way to support culturally sensitive communities and uplift tradition is to reduce barriers and regulations.
Navigating the Bureaucracy: we understand that in order for Indian Country and beyond to thrive, the mechanisms that efficiently handle the bureaucratic institutions are necessary. We work with communities to construct those mechanisms with identity in mind.
Implementation for the future: We know that the greatest responsibility that we hold is to build a future that provides for our youth. Our work focuses on this core principle if Indian Country, ensuring that programming and planning for Tribes and non-Native organizations working in Indian Country preserve and enhance tribal lifeways that are thousands of years old.
Trainings/Certifications/Workshops