Native American Resources

Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge the land on which we occupy today as the traditional and ancestral home of the Coast Salish peoples. More specifically the Muckleshoot and Duwamish, under the Point Elliot Treaty; the Puyallup under the Medicine Creek Treaty of 1954, who made their homes in this area South King and Pierce Counties. This land is the home of 29 federally recognized tribes we need to learn the past, understand present and look toward the future of (and for) the original people of these lands.

These lands are resourceful to the people that provides food, shelter, and spiritual connection. We are visitors and shall respect and honor the original people and land. Today the tribal groups are present and demonstrate resiliency and strength that would be greatly admired by their ancestors.

Resources, Tools and Opportunities

Please click on each topic below to learn more about the resources, tools and opportuinities offered at Green River College.

Native American Peer Navigator – Tehya Jackson

Green River College created a peer navigator position to navigate and provide services and resources for the Indigenous student population. This year, Tehya has been involved with NASO and assumed a leader role within the organization. If you have any questions contact Tehya Jackson.

Native American Student Organization (NASO)

NASO is a studnet organization that strives for an interactive campus experience that promotes native excellence and leadership for our native students. Through educational workshops, cultural events, and transformative experiences NASO creates a space for native students to bring awareness and welcome those who are not connected to tribal communities or lifestyle. The organization seeks to create programs and/or initiatives on Green River’s campus. Also, work collaboratively with other student organizations and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion to promote diversity and inclusivity campus-wide.

Students of Color Conference (SOCC)

The Students of Color Conference aims to support and encourage Washington State students to become more active proponents of their own education and life choices and expand on opportunities and possibilities for students to become agents of change. (SOCC, 2020)

Native American Student Success Summit

NSSS was founded at Highline College in 2016 through the leadership of Native educators and leaders from educational systems throughout the South King County area. Native Student Success Summit is designed to inspire and empower high school and college students to be successful in higher education and beyond

  • English 101  Muckleshoot Tribal College
  • English 250 U.S. Indigenous Literatures
    A focus on the literary, oral, and cultural traditions of U.S. indigenous communities, including Native Americans, Alaska Natives, and Pacific Islanders. Course involves critically reading and interpreting important literary genres including non/fiction, drama, poetry, autobiography, critical essays, and epistolary works which can also be situated in other cultural narrative genres such as songs/chants/music, dance narratives, film and documentary. Additionally, this course incorporates a study of historical, political, and cultural texts to contextualize the works. Examines how Native American writers combine tradition and contemporary ways to develop innovative forms of expression.

Tribal Scholarships

Financial Aid

Workforce Education

Workforce Education at Green River College provides funding for students in Career & Technical programs. The funding programs include Basic Food Employment & Training (BFET), Workfirst, Opportunity Grant, and Worker Retraining. For more information, visit Workforce Education or email workforce@greenriver.edu

TRiO

A student support service for first generation, low income, and/or students with disabilities. Their mission is to increase opportunities for academic success through educational planning, transfer advising, tutoring, scholarship and financial aid resources. For more information visit TRiO’s website or email triodepartment@greenriver.edu

Green River Foundation Scholarships

Green River Foundation has an application process for Scholarship eligibility that can assist student financially with tuition, books, and required supplies. The scholarships are divided into five categories: Program, Merit, Need based, General and Transfer scholarships. https://www.greenrivercollegefoundation.org/applynow

  • Native American Working Group (NAWG)
    • Meets about 2-3 times a quarter to discuss Tribal and College relations and best ways to incorporate a safe place for NA/Indigenous students. This is also a space where there is discussion among tribal and college faculty & staff so that there is mutual understanding and respect. ­
  • World Indigenous Peoples Conference on Education (WIPCE) - https://wipce2020.net/
  • American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES) - https://www.aises.org/
    • Puget Sound Professional Council (AISES)
  • National Indian Education Association (NIEA) - http://www.niea.org/
  • National Indian Child Welfare Association (NICWA) - https://www.nicwa.org/
  • National Conference on Race and Ethnicity (NCORE) - https://ncore.ou.edu/en/
  • Washington State Faculty & Staff of Color Conference (FSOCC) - Annual conference held in October. Designed for faculty and staff of color who are employed with Washington State’s Community & Technical Colleges.
  • Western Washington Native American Education Consortium Conference  - http://wwnaec.org/

Visit the Holman Library's Native American & Indigenous Studies Guide

  • Information about Native American Heritage
  • Reading suggestions
  • Web Sources
  • Online Streaming Videos
  • Search strategies

Leander Yazzie is a Completion Advisor and Native American Student Advisor. He is a member of the Navajo Nation. Leander is originally from Fort Defiance, Arizona

His clans are:

  • Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water)
  • Born for Tó’aheedlííníí (Water Flows Together)
  • Maternal grandfather is of the Tábaahá (Water’s Edge)
  • Paternal grandfather is of the Tsénjíkíní (Honey Combed Rock People of the Cliff Dwellers)

He has held positions within the Workforce Education Department as a Worker Retraining Program Manager and Interim Director. Throughout Leander’s career in Higher education, he has persistently advocated for Native American students within Washington State by attending state community and technical college (CTC) meetings and conferences. Leander has also facilitated Native American student, faculty, and staff groups at annual Student of Color Conference and the Faculty & Staff of Color Conferences. 

  • Arizona State University, B.A., Sociology/B.S. American Indian Studies
  • University of Oklahoma, Master of Human Relations
  • University of Washington-Tacoma, Doctor of Educational Leadership
  • S. Army Veteran (Operation Iraqi Freedom)
  • NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) – National Chair (2019-2020)
    Native American and Tribal College Advising Community