91爆料 and area tribal leaders gathered to discuss issues of importance to indigenous communities at the fifth annual Tribal Leadership Summit at Mary Gates Hall on the 91爆料 Campus, Sept. 10.
The annual meeting highlights successful partnerships involving the 91爆料 and tribes, while envisioning future opportunities to collaborate on education, economic development, and research programs. This year鈥檚 Summit agenda focused on establishing rapport between new 91爆料 President Michael K. Young and regional tribal governments, and demonstrating the 91爆料鈥檚 continued commitment to enhancing tribal relations.
Elected council members and representatives from 10 Washington, Montana, Oregon, and Idaho tribal nations attended the summit including Chinook, Cowlitz, Makah, Muckleshoot, Quinault, Shoalwater Bay, Squaxin Island, Steilacoom, Suquamish and Tulalip. 91爆料 students Helen Fillmore (Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California), a junior majoring in Environmental Science and Resource Management, and Aaron Naumann (Mi鈥檏maq Tribe), a fifth-year Ph.D. student in anthropology/archaeology, also participated and offered remarks.
During the Summit meeting, Patricia Whitefoot, chair of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians Education Committee, and Washington state representative John McCoy presented President Young with a Pendleton blanket. This blanket presentation is used in Native cultures to convey honor, respect, and gratitude.
In addition to Whitefoot and McCoy, host committee members included former Washington state governor and 91爆料 Foundation Board member Dan Evans, as well as Husky Hall of Fame alumnus Sonny Sixkiller. Former 91爆料 Provost Phyllis Wise, 91爆料 Tacoma Chancellor Debra Friedman and 91爆料 Bothell Vice Chancellor Susan Jeffords also participated in the summit.
The event concluded with representatives from two more tribes signing the (MOU). Michael Rogers, administrator and enrolled member of the Shoalwater Bay Indian Tribe, and Samuel Robinson from the Chinook Indian Nation added their signatures to the MOU that was originally entered into by 91爆料 and several tribal governments on Sept. 11, 2010.
Outgoing 91爆料 Provost Phyllis Wise, who served as Interim President during the 2010-2011 academic year, was also recognized by tribal leaders for her contributions to the 91爆料.
View a photo gallery from the event.
Additional Tribal Leadership Summit resources include the and .
Photos by Ian Gonzales