Fabian Mendoza

Wi’at (Hello)! Fabian Sanchez Mendoza (she/her, they/them) is an enrolled member of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe. Fabian is a current graduate student at Arizona State University in the American Indian Studies Program, Changemaker at New Deal For Youth and an Indigenous Career Futures Mentor. Fabian got her BA in History with a minor in American Indian Studies from Washington State University (WSU).

During Fabian’s time at WSU, they were President of Native American Women’s Association (May 2020 – May 2022). She and her club organized many workshops and presentations, and spread awareness on Indigenous issues, women’s issues and anything aligned with their philosophy, including Missing & Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP). From providing resources, putting on workshops and having walks to raise awareness, Fabian has been an advocate for many years and will continue to do so throughout her time in Arizona and beyond.

About Fabian’s Project

During her time as a 2025 Remembering Our Sisters Fellow, Fabian launched “The Healing Ribbon Skirts” — a project focused on uplifting community voices and showcasing custom ribbon skirts as a form of storytelling and collective healing.

Inspired by her passion for advocacy and eye for fashion, Fabian sewed 16+ custom ribbon skirts that she brought to community events across Indian Country. She asked those who have been impacted by the MMIP crisis to write their stories ON the skirts, transforming them into powerful wearable art.

Her goal is to continue sewing more skirts in all different sizes, increasing the reach of the project to more communities over time. The Healing Ribbon Skirts will even be on display at a local Seattle museum in December (more info coming soon)!