Tribal Nations
Advisory Council (TNAC)

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TNAC

The Tribal Nations Advisory Council (TNAC) is made up of elected tribal leaders, tribal education directors, and experts in American Indian Education from around the region.

Purpose

The Tribal Nations Advisory Council (“Council”) advises the EWU President and the university’s executive leadership team. Focusing on issues affecting Native American students on Eastern Washington University campuses as well as on outreach and retention strategies for Native students, faculty, and staff, the Council complements and supports the activities of the President and the Director of Tribal Relations.

Vision

Eastern Washington University is located within the homelands of the sp̓q̓n̓iʔ People (Spokane) and other tribes who have lived on this land throughout time immemorial. The Council is established to strengthen collaboration between the university and tribal sovereign nations and Native communities in this region.

Objectives

The Council represents regional tribal sovereign nations and works to address the culturally relevant needs of Native American students at Eastern Washington University and the EWU staff and faculty serving Native American students. The Council also promotes education, sovereignty, and self-determination of Native American communities.

To meet its objectives and goals, the Council will maintain on-going communication with tribal nations and Native communities and will bring forward proposals for collaboration as well as recommendations regarding ways in which the campus climate and supports for Native students, faculty, and staff, can be improved.

The Council will meet with the President at least twice annually to review its findings and make recommendations on its charge. Each year, the Council will review its objectives and the progress of its activities.

To assist in promoting the mission, goals, and objectives of Eastern Washington University, the Council may affiliate itself with regional, state, or national education and or tribal education organizations or associations in order to network and exchange information.

Council Structure

Participating members will consist of individuals, appointed and re-appointed by the President, who share an interest in issues related to Native American students, staff, and faculty in higher education. External Council members shall be no more than 15, but no less than 10.

Tribes currently represented on the Council are the Spokane Tribe, Coeur D’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Kalispel Tribe, and the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho.

Eastern Washington University administrators and faculty will serve as resources to the Council.

Meetings

The Council will meet at least once during the spring and fall quarters and more often as necessary.

Recommendations will be by consensus of the Council. Due to the geographic spread of member nations, meetings are held virtually.

Task Forces or Committees

The Council may create task forces or working committees to develop more in-depth information or proposals for the Council’s review and comment. These task forces or committees will report back to the Council and may not take action independent of the Council’s advisory role.

Rules of Order

Members who miss more than two consecutive meetings unexcused will be dropped from the Council. To excuse an absence, notify Erin Ross, the Director of Tribal Relations, prior to a meeting.

Rules of order may be amended by the Council as deemed necessary.

Current Members

  • Tiger Peone – Councilmember, Spokane Tribe
  • Aly Peone – (Stensgar), Director of Education, Spokane Tribe
  • Tammy James – Director of Education, Colville Confederated Tribes
  • Cody Peone – Councilmember, Colville Confederated Tribes
  • Dr. Chris Meyer – Director of Education, Coeur D’Alene Tribe
  • Jennifer Porter – Chairperson, Kootenai Tribe of Idaho
  • Kalispel Tribe
  • Elese Washines – Education Manager, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
  • Rose Butterfly – Director of Higher Education, Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation
  • Patricia Whitefoot – guiding Elder and subject matter expert. Executive member of the National Indian Education Association.

Meeting Agendas

Agenda available upon request. Email Erin Ross, Director of Tribal Relations, at eross1@ewu.edu.