91探花 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探花Campus, Sept. 10.
The annual meeting highlights successful partnerships involving the 91探花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探花President Michael K. Young and regional tribal governments, and demonstrating the UW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探花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探花Foundation Board member Dan Evans, as well as Husky Hall of Fame alumnus Sonny Sixkiller. Former 91探花Provost Phyllis Wise, 91探花Tacoma Chancellor Debra Friedman and 91探花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探花and several tribal governments on Sept. 11, 2010.
Outgoing 91探花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探花.
View a photo gallery from the event.
Additional Tribal Leadership Summit resources include the and .
Photos by Ian Gonzales