I was born to a family of hippies and Irish-Americans in Bisbee, Arizona, though most of my childhood was spent in Boise, Idaho, and the greater Pacific Northwest. I began my college career as a Creative Writing major at the University of Galway, and ended it with a degree in Environmental Studies-Anthropology, from Whitman College in Walla Walla, Washington.

Growing up with a radical Irish grandfather, I noticed similarities between the history and modern realities of the United States and the events that initiated the Irish diaspora. As such, I have dedicated my energy to confronting the difficult history of my homes, tending to our relationships with the many lands of the American West, and imagining how we might work towards a better future.

I have been fortunate enough to pursue these goals in many ways, including: published narrative essays, programs for the National Park Service, and a historical brief for the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.