Michaela Pavlat is the Indigenous Partnerships Field Representative for the Mid-Atlantic Region. She is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Michaela grew up in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, along the shores of Lake Superior, enjoying state parks and beaches. She graduated from Northern Michigan University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with a concentration in drawing and painting. In her previous role she served as an educator at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC, and conducted programs to disseminate Indigenous histories and contemporary issues.

Michaela is an advocate for equity and social justice for BIPOC communities to have a safer and more inclusive experience in our society. At NPCA, she supports the Mid-Atlantic region’s campaigns and events, while further developing connections with communities hoping to diversify our park visitors and advocates. Michaela’s cultural knowledge and lived experience brings a unique perspective in protecting our parks, cultural and historical sites. Now in Washington DC, she enjoys the easy access of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Trail and escaping the city to hike Great Falls.

My Favorite Parks