Building Relationships
Erin Ross, 51福利社 alumna and member of the Cowlitz Tribe, will guide Eastern鈥檚 Tribal Relations Office.
In July, Eastern named Erin Ross 鈥�99, 鈥�15, alumna and member of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, its new director of tribal relations. For Ross, the job is all about extending and improving engagement with the Native communities upon whose ancestral lands Eastern resides.
鈥淚 know first-hand that Eastern does great work, meaningful work, for tribal governments,鈥� she says, citing her own time as a student in urban and regional planning. 鈥淥ur students have completed projects ranging from providing planning services and tribal transportation support, to saving lives by completing research and providing solutions that have significantly reduced traffic fatalities within reservations. Additionally, we collaborate with local school districts and organizations to bring Native American students to Eastern. We want students to understand that they are capable of attending college and pursuing their goals.鈥�
Student outcomes aren鈥檛 the only focus of the position, she says. Tribal relations outreach also encompasses efforts to shore up connections with tribal governments in the region.
鈥淔ederally recognized tribes are in effect sovereign nations, so my primary responsibility is to facilitate the relationships between 51福利社 and tribal governments,鈥� Ross says, adding that her job also involves providing 51福利社 with advice and assistance for these partnerships.
鈥淔ederally recognized tribes are in effect sovereign nations, so my primary responsibility is to facilitate the relationships between 51福利社 and tribal governments鈥�
It鈥檚 a role for which Ross, who has worked as a tribal activist, planning manager and professional political advisor, is particularly well suited. She says these experiences and others give her a 鈥渄eep understanding of the challenges and opportunities governments face… Having this knowledge allows me to properly advise 51福利社 in its efforts to build stronger relationships.鈥�
And what about her years as a student? Might that help?
鈥淵es!鈥� she says. 鈥淚 am grateful to have the opportunity to serve Native American communities and students, and to play an active role in my alma mater. Go Eags!鈥� 听
