Washington Community and Technical Colleges American Indian Advisory Board (WCAAB)

Tribal Government Affairs Mission

The Tribal Government Affairs (TGA) Department of the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC) facilitates meaningful relationships between colleges, and Washington’s 29 federally recognized Tribes as well as Tribes with traditional territories in Washington State (RCW 43.376), to advance understanding of Indigenous history and contemporary challenges and opportunities, develop partnerships and collaborations, promote relevant and responsive college policies and campus climate, support Native student success and opportunities, Indigenize the curriculum, and provide opportunities for Indigenous staff and faculty.

Tribal Government Affairs Goals

1. Tribal Relations, College Policies, and Professional Development: Facilitate G2G training for college leaders (RCW 43.376), training and best practices for staff, expand Native Representation, Land Education, Campus Climate and Spaces, Data sovereignty, Grants, Partnerships, MOUs/MOAs, campus policies (e.g., smudging), etc.

2. Student Success: Advocate for Indigenous student success centers, Recruitment, Retention, Advising, Financial Aid, Tutoring, Coaching, Completion, Native Pathways, Native graduation, student clubs, student employees, etc.

3. Indigenizing the Curriculum: Integrate Indigenous histories, inherent rights, land education, economic contributions, culture, intergenerational trauma, contemporary challenges and opportunities, etc., throughout General Education, Workforce/CTE Programs (Natural Resources, ECE, Nursing, Carpentry, Information Technology, etc.), and Academic Transfer (AIIS, Indigenous languages, Tribal governance, etc.).

4. Hiring and Retention: Support the hiring and retention of Indigenous administrators, staff, and faculty in all departments, roles, and classifications (full-time, part-time, and contract), including for roles that are focused on Tribal relations, student success, and Indigenizing the curriculum.