Roy I. Wilson, born of an Indian father and non-Indian mother, grew up in both the Christian and Native traditions. He has served as tribal chairmen of the Cowlitz Indian tribe; in national office in the Indian world as well as in the Native American arm of the United Methodist Church; as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Small Tribes Organization of Western Washington; as a college professor; and as a member of the board of managers of St. Paul’s School of Theology.