Student Contributor -M. Hommel
“The Spokane Tribe of Indians is a sovereign government body led by the Spokane Tribal Business Council. The Council consists of the Tribal Chairman, Vice Chairman, Tribal Secretary and two Council members.The Spokane Tribal Business Council reports to the General Membership, meaning all enrolled Spokane Tribal members. A Spring and Fall General Council meeting is held each year so the Tribal Council can update the Membership of important Tribal issues.” They are in charge of maintaining roads and performing and managing the goings on in the reservation. They perform the same role that local Government does.
This council oversees the entirety of the Spokane Indian reservation. This organization makes the biggest difference because they oversee all of the major goings on in the reservation. They often set up community wide events to keep traditions alive and they ensure proper funding and care gets to where it is needed most. Teachers should consider partnering with this organization because they have the most influence in the reservation and the best way to interact and have an impact in the community is to utilize them and their resources and connections to help accomplish your civic engagement projects. The council also oversees the resources that are allocated for the schools so they are a great organization to potentially work with for funding purposes.
I am placed at Wellpinit elementary school and the school works closely with the tribal counsel. So much so we even have a tribal liaison who comes and teaches social studies and teaches about the history of the tribe. The best way to partner with them is to either reach out through email. Or the best way would be to go through the contacts at the school.
