Summeri Bass is a dedicated student, outdoor leader, and proud member of the Tséstsėhéstȧhétse (Northern Cheyenne) and Apsáalooke (Crow) Nations. A current student at Central Wyoming College, Summeri is pursuing dual degrees in American Indian Studies and Outdoor Education, with a vision to integrate Indigenous knowledge and perspectives into the outdoor recreation world.
Summeri’s commitment to her community runs deep. Last summer, she completed an internship at the Medicine Wheel sacred site in the Bighorn Mountains and at the Fort Phil Kearny historic site, where she witnessed firsthand the absence of Native stories at these historic locations. That experience strengthened her resolve to advocate for Native presence in outdoor spaces—to share Indigenous histories, amplify Native voices, and create meaningful outdoor opportunities for Native youth.
Her goal is to design programs that reconnect Indigenous students with the outdoors, honoring their ancestors’ traditions while making modern recreation more accessible and inclusive. Through her work with the Aldinger Memorial Fund for American Indian Women and a current project mapping Indigenous place names along the Bozeman Trail, Summeri is actively bringing her vision to life.
Summeri’s love for the outdoors is backed by experience: she’s a front- and backcountry snowboarder, hiker, and climber who recently completed a NOLS Avalanche Level 1 course. This summer she plans to do two trips into the Wind River Mountains, including an ascent of Gannett Peak. She will also be interning with the Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative, which will keep her immersed in nature daily, ensuring she’ll be in top form for her Grand Teton climb.
For Summeri, summiting the Grand is more than a personal goal—it’s a chance to honor her ancestors’ connection to the land and to stand as a visible example of Native strength, resilience, and belonging in outdoor spaces. She is deeply committed to advancing stewardship, advocacy, and engagement through Leave No Trace practices, education, and by creating space for Native voices in the climbing community.
By participating in the Grand Scholarship climb, Summeri is not only challenging herself physically but also helping redefine who belongs in the mountains, inspiring the next generation of Indigenous outdoor leaders.