Upper Skagit Indian Tribe becomes 15th signatory of memorandum of understanding

A fortuitous trip to the nation's capital led Washington State University and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe to codify a symbolic new partnership.

Scott Schuyler, an Upper Skagit elder who serves as the nation's policy representative for natural and cultural resources, flew to Washington D.C. earlier this year to meet with elected representatives. While there, Schuyler's wife reintroduced him to Ryan Booth, a fellow Upper Skagit member and WSU faculty member in the Department of History. Booth was in the nation's capital visiting friends and conducting research at the Library of Congress.

In the course of chatting, Booth brought up that Upper Skagit had never formally signed onto WSU's memorandum of understanding, a guiding document calling for mutual respect, recognition, and collaboration. In talking with Schuyler, Booth highlighted the university's ongoing efforts to deepen ties with the region's historic caretakers.

"One of the things I emphasized was that the university was working to bolster its relationships with tribal nations as part of its land grant mission," Booth recalled.

Upon returning home, Schuyler brought the proposal to the tribe's council, which ultimately agreed to sign onto the accord. Upper Skagit became the 15^th tribal signatory on the university's memorandum of understanding.

WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell signing the university's memorandum of understanding as part of a new symbolic partnership with the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.

"I really appreciate WSU's efforts to facilitate this agreement," Schuyler said. "My hope is that this opens the door to our members broadening their horizons and partaking in the educational opportunities available."

The university held a formal MOU signing event in September during a meeting of its Native American Advisory Board. The event coincided with salmon runs on the Skagit River, requiring tribal leadership to be on hand for the culturally and economically significant event. In their stead, Booth and WSU student Jeselle Romero, who is also a member of the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe, attended the event alongside WSU President Elizabeth Cantwell and Zoe Higheagle Strong, vice provost for Native American relations and programs and tribal liaison to the president.

"Something that Cantwell said during the event really struck a chord," Booth said. "When tribes come to us, we want to be there for them. It's especially important to be there for tribes with limited resources and smaller land basis, finding ways to harness our research potential to meet their needs and do some truly amazing things."

WSU's memorandum of understanding dates back to 1997, when then-President Samuel Smith signed alongside leaders from six local Tribes and Native Nations. The agreement created the Native American Advisory Board, which includes representatives from signatory nations and works alongside Higheagle Strong on a broad range of initiatives and programs. This includes the Tribal Nation Building Leadership Program, which provides students with educational and mentorship opportunities centered on citizenship, scholarship, stewardship and guardianship.

The university's relationships with area Tribes and Native Nations have seen significant development since the original MOU was signed. In 2021, university leadership approved Executive Policy 41, which committed the institution to meaningfully engage, consult, and collaborate with Tribes and Native Nations on research activities.

The university and leaders from Signatory Tribes celebrated the 25^th anniversary of the original MOU signing in November of 2022. This spring, President Elizabeth Cantwell and Provost Chris Riley Tillman became the fifth president and third provost, to sign the MOU.

From left to right, Zoe Higheagle Strong, Ryan Booth, Elizabeth Cantwell, Jeselle Romero and Dorraine Booth, holding up the newly signed memorandum of understanding between WSU and the Upper Skagit Indian Tribe.