Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation formalizes relationship with WSU

Washington State University continues to enhance its relationships with Native American Tribes across the Pacific Northwest.

The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation became the 14^th Signatory Tribe to join a memorandum of understanding with Washington State University during an official signing ceremony Friday on the Pullman campus.

Dustin Klatush, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, spoke to the positive impact Native students who pursue higher education can have on their families as well as the larger community.

"Educated tribal members are good for the tribe, for tribal businesses, and tribal families," Klatush said.

He and his family are keenly aware of the benefit of higher education. Klatush's wife Beth advanced in her career after earning her degree this past spring from WSU Global Campus, exemplifying to their children "what a strong, smart, educated and driven Native woman can achieve," he added.

By strengthening his tribe's bond with WSU, Klatush is hopeful that WSU staff will continue to engage with Native high school students in southwest Washington to potential degree programs across the university system.

The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation has just shy of 1,000 members, with approximately 30% of them being under the age of 18, Klatush said. Two Chehalis members are already enrolled at WSU Pullman, with Klatush hoping to see that number grow in the years to come. The opportunity for Chehalis members to be a part of the development of the hydrogen fuel sector along the Interstate 5 corridor also interests Klatush.

Dustin Klatush, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, works with WSU President Kirk Schulz and Zoe Higheagle Strong (Nez Perce), who leads the Office of Tribal Relations, to hang the Chehalis flag as part of a ceremonial memorandum of understanding signing event Friday, Nov. 1, 2024.

As part of the ceremony, the Chehalis flag, which depicts an eagle carrying a basket of fish, was added to the flag line of Tribes and Native Nation who've pledged to work alongside WSU. Klatush and WSU President Kirk Schulz added their signatures to the document as part of the formal event. Earlier this year, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community became the 13^th Native Nation to formally signed WSU's MOU.

WSU first signed its MOU with six local Tribes in 1997 and celebrated the 25^th anniversary of that agreement in 2023. An amended MOU was enacted on April 28, 2023.

The ceremony was held during a biannual meeting of the Native American Advisory Board to the President, which is comprised of representatives of Tribal Signatories alongside university leaders. That board works hand-in-hand with WSU's Office of Tribal Relations, which is led by Zoe Higheagle Strong, a Nimíipuu (Nez Perce) tribal member who serves as vice provost for Native American relations and programs and tribal liaison to the president.

"I'm very proud of the work that's being done with our Native students, faculty, and staff," Schulz said. "Zoe and her team are always looking for new opportunities to enhance our work with our Native partners."

During the meeting, members and WSU staff discussed the future of the Native Coug Scholars Fund, a pilot scholarship program that received $1.7 million in one-time state appropriations in the last budget biennium.

WSU is seeking $2.2 million in the 2025-27 biennium to further support the program. The program has already helped 108 students with financial support, with an average contribution of $4,500 per student.

More information about WSU's Office of Tribal Relations and its ongoing initiatives is available online.

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