Office of Tribal Relations

Welcome 

The Office of Tribal Relations provides strategic leadership to help strengthen relationships between Spokane Colleges and the Indigenous tribes of the Inland Northwest region.

Established in January 2025 and led by Dr. Naomi Bender, an Indigenous Quechua with over 20 years of experience, priorities and services include:

• Developing trusting and sustainable government-to-government relationships that center on respect of tribal sovereignty
• Establishing and growing a Tribal Advisory Board 
• Creating pathways of educational support and success for tribal youth, adults and elders
• Culturally centered curriculum, policy and initiatives
• Serving as a resource for native students, faculty and staff

Native Land Acknowledgement Statement

We are honored to acknowledge that the Spokane Colleges, and our main campuses for Spokane Falls and Spokane Community College, are located on the traditional and sacred homelands of the Spokane Tribe. We also provide services in a region that includes the traditional and sacred homelands of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, Kalispel Tribe and Nez Perce Tribe.

We pay our respect to tribal elders both past and present as well as to all indigenous people today. This land holds their cultural DNA and we are honored and grateful to be here on their traditional lands. We give thanks to the legacy of the original people and their descendants and pledge to honor their stewardship and values.

Student Resources & Support