by Laural Ballew, MPA Alumna
November 19, 2020
Evergreen MPA Tribal Governance ’06, Laural Ballew ses yehomia/tsi kuts bat soot, was featured in a Q&A article about her current WWU Executive Director position in Bellingham Alive!, a society magazine Published on Dec 8, 2019 Page 22 by K&L Media
Laural Ballew, ses yehomia/tsi kuts bat soo, MPA, is a member of the Swinomish tribe. She earned an Associate Arts & Science in Business Administration from Northwest Indian College, a Bachelor of Arts in American Cultural Studies with a concentration in Native Studies from WWU and a Master in Public Administration with a concentration in Tribal Governance from The Evergreen State College in 2006. She is currently working toward a Doctor of Indigenous Development and Advancement with Te Whare Wananga O Awanuiarangi. Her thesis is titled, “Pathway For Tribal Governance: A Model For Preparing Indigenous Leaders” as a combination of research for tribal governance curriculum and her own personal academic journey.
She joined Western Washington University January 2019 as the first Executive Director of American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nation Relations and Tribal Liaison to the President. Her position represents the President and Board of Trustees as liaison and envoy to American Indian/Alaska Native and First Nations governments. Her position also advocates for the support and success of Native students at WWU and she serves as liaison to the 29 federally recognized tribes across the state of Washington. Her work involves collaboration with existing programs, events and activities designed to educate the campus community and increase capacity to serve Native students. She serves as a consultant on the recruitment and retention of American Indian/Alaska Native, First Nation students and expanding the university’s ability to provide resources to ensure their academic success.
On May 16, 2016, Western Washington University’s Native American Student Union (WWU NASU) sent a formal request advocating for action by the University President and Board of Trustees. The first request was to implement a Tribal Liaison position, for which Laural Ballew currently holds. Number two was a traditional Coast Salish Longhouse. The final three requests have been met through the support of the Tribal Liaison: to certify Native tribal enrollment or descendance at Western in order to ascertain an accurate count of Native students; funding for NASU’s annual powwow; and government-to-government training. Ms. Ballew used those objectives as her work plan, and set the Tribal Relations Office goals:
- Pursuing justice and equity in its policies, practices and impacts for advancing a deeper understanding and appreciation for the sense of place.
- Pursuing the academic, personal and professional success of its Indigenous students, faculty and staff.
- Building and sustaining beneficial working relationships with the Coast Salish people and expanding Western’s strength in academia to serve the current and future needs of tribal communities.
WWU intends to answer the long-awaited appeal for a traditional Coast Salish style longhouse to be built on Westerns’ main campus after decades of dialogue between Native students and administrators. The longhouse will serve as a “house of healing” and educational center to promote cultural exchange and supportive understanding for the communities served by the institution. By acknowledging the past trauma and suffering of Indigenous people and all ethnic groups, the dedication of providing a place of healing and support will benefit the recovery process for all people who have suffered and continue on a road of recovery.