Author: Hendrix, Laura (Staff)

NCAI President at Evergreen

Improving educational success for Native Americans was the theme of a lecture by Brian Cladoosby, current president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI), and chairman of the Swinomish Indian Senate.
Cladoosby’s lecture marks an enhanced effort by Evergreen to develop curricula and programs that meet the needs of Native students. Some 4.5 percent of current Evergreen students are Native American.
The Longhouse Education and Cultural Center is the first Native longhouse built on a public college campus in the U.S. The college also offers a master of public administration degree with a concentration on tribal governance, a program of study on Native American and world indigenous peoples, and sponsors a reservation-based program where classes are offered locally and the study topics are determined in partnership of the Coast Salish Gathering, which comprises British Columbia First Nations and Western Washington tribes. (This portion of the article was taken from the Evergreen Official Press Release).

Tribal Newsletter

The Evergreen State College MPA– Tribal Governance Concentration

Spring/ Summer Volume 1, Issue 1

May 2014

In this issue:

Special points of Evergreen interest:
MPA hires new faculty, Michael Lane
Top numbers for MPA—Tribal Governance applicants recorded for fall 2014
Our students are our story of success WWW.evergreen.edu/mpa/tribal
Briefly highlight your point of interest here.

NCAI President at Evergreen	1
Native Case Studies for Summer	1
Student and Faculty Focus	2
New MPA Faculty	2

Summer Native Case Studies

Barbara’s Article
For more campus and Native news, please visit:
www.evergreen.edu/nativeprograms
ravenredbone.wordpress.com/

The Evergreen State College MPA Tribal Governance Concentration
Www.evergreen.edu/mpa/tribal

The Reservation Based Community Determined Program
www.evergreen.edu/tribal

The Longhouse www.evergreen.edu/nativeprograms
Programs

Kendra Aguilar, from an RBCD program graduate and MPA Tribal Governance alumnus to a PHD student
John McCoy, Tulalip, at Evergreen as MPA Adjunct Faculty
Lummi Victims of Crime Unit Recognized For Providing Outstanding Advocacy, highlights MPA student, Nikki Finkbonner

Kendra is part of the first ever cohort of U.S. Tribal students to pursue their Doctorate in Indigenous Development and Advancement (IDA) through Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi, an Indigenous-Maori University based in New Zealand.

JOHN R. McCoy, Democrat, represents the 38th Legislative District, which includes the Tulalip, Marysville and Everett communities of Snohomish County.

MPA student and LVOC program coordinator and staff member, Nikki Finkbonner, received an award for outstanding commitment to eliminating domestic violence and sexual assault in the Native American community by Washington State Native American Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

MPA Welcomes Michael Lane

Flying Eagle photo by Shauna Bittle -Longhouse

Evergreen’s MPA Program extends an excited WELCOME to new faculty member, AND 1988 Evergreen Alumni, Michael Lane, Menominee Nation and his family; Sharon Heta, who is Maori from Aotearoa, New Zealand, their three daughters, and their 18 month old grandson.
Michael has been a “boots on the ground” advocate for Indigenous Peoples and self- governance for 36 years. Michael is currently obtaining his PhD, in Indigenous Studies with Trent University. He obtained his Masters in Indigenous Studies, with First Class Honors at Te Whare Wananga o Awanuiarangi, New Zealand. His thesis topic involved: Indigenous Peoples Self Government, Tribal Sovereignty, Early Treaty Making, Aboriginal Title/Discovery Doctrine, Legal History of Self Government (Canada, New Zealand, and United States). Michael also graduated from Arizona State University College of Law, in 1994 with a specialty in Federal Indian Law, Juris Doctor.
At Evergreen, we ask our MPA population to use their heads, hearts and minds to put into practice the changes they would like to see in the world. Michael has proven to be a living, breathing vessel for positive change. With actions and conviction, Michael is working to improve the lives of his community. We are thrilled to learn from him and again we extend a warm welcome to Michael and his family as they settle into the beautiful Pacific Northwest.

Presidents: Les Purce– Evergreen Brian Cladoosby (Swinomish)- NCAI