Native American Outreach
Empowering Indigenous Futures
Building a Strong Future Together
Whitman College Native American Outreach was formed in recognition of the college’s dedication to helping our Indigenous students thrive. We are committed to honoring their pasts and supporting them in the present so that they will have successful futures. Together with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, we are creating and cultivating a strong and vibrant Native American community, presence and student support program at Whitman College.
Our Partnership with the CTUIR
Collaboration between Whitman College and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) has taken many forms over the past decades, including experiential learning opportunities for Whitman students, trips to the Tamástslikt Cultural Center, art workshops for youth of the CTUIR, and lectures and other educational programming provided by tribal members to the Whitman community.
Šináata Scholarship
The Šináata Scholarship fully covers the expenses of attending Whitman College for eligible members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR). It may also be extended to students from the Pacific Northwest with strong ties to and active involvement in the CTUIR community. This scholarship encompasses tuition, room and board, books, supplies and transportation costs, making it Whitman College’s most generous financial aid award.
Native American Outreach
Whitman College’s programming through our Native American Outreach office is established by our Memorandum of Agreement with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) and centers the leadership and priorities of the CTUIR community.
We have collaborative and advisory structures that ensure our work is fully informed by the CTUIR, including annual reporting of the Whitman College President and Special Assistant to the President for Native American Outreach to the CTUIR Board of Trustees and the CTUIR Education and Training Committee.
We also work collaboratively through several councils and committees with CTUIR leaders as we design and implement our programs, such as the Pášx̣apa Elders Advisory Council for Education, the Pášx̣apa Powwow Committee, the Pášx̣apa Advisory Council for CTUIR Collaboration, as well as specialized CTUIR experts who directly inform and guide particular programs and events.
While we welcome the engagement and participation of many people in our programs and treasure the relationships with other tribes in our region, our decision-making is centered on the guidance, priorities, and leadership of the CTUIR and the Weyíiletpuu (Cayuse), Imatalamłáma (Umatilla), and Walúulapam (Walla Walla) people, on whose traditional homelands Whitman College was established and exists.
Jeanine Gordon
Special Assistant to the President for Native American Outreach
cawíitxpuu (people of the wild carrot)
Cayuse, Walla Walla, Nez Perce, Chippewa, Cree
Phone: 509-527-5253
Email: gordonj@whitman.edu