Tribal Governance and Business Management

Candidates for Graduation

*Graduating With Honors **Graduating with High Honors ***Graduating with Highest Honors

Chrystal BattleRachel Birkoski*Lena CladoosbyNatasha FrybergLuke HeatonJonathan HerdaValerie Herda*Christopher Horn**Marcus JoeMelissa Rose MartinJames Mathias

Community Advocates and Responsive Education in Human ServicesChastity JeffriesSonya Klippert**Bobby Lind**Katrina Rodriguez

Bachelor of Arts

Native Studies LeadershipShoshanna BayesDonna Rae Azure***Jamie A. Bryk***Tyron Friday*Sandra HortonJewell Jefferson

Kanem JohnsonCaroline Lombard*Billy MettebaMichael PetersMichael A. Schjang, Jr.Tara Witcher

George MoodyBetty Pacheco*Deanna PointMelissa Streun***Latisha TobyCarolee TobyAndrea TuleePatricia Luanne WilliamsSeilavena WilliamsCandice Wilson*Edna M. Wyena

Bachelor of ScienceNative Environmental Science

Matilda BrooksAzure BoureDonna DanSasheen DeCoteauLeah GobertPhavion GormanAmy Rose Irons***

Noel PurserJulie M. Solomon***Renae StanleyJessica WilliamsBeth Willup*Carol Wilson

Deborah Parker, Tsi-Cy-Altsa (Tulalip/Yaqui)Deborah has been a selfless server within her communities for decades. She graduated from the University of Washington with a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Ethnic Studies and Sociology where she distinguished herself as a scholar and a young indige-nous leader. Deborah lives in Tulalip with her husband Myron Dewey (Paiute/Shoshone) and their five children. As a leader within her community Deborah Parker shares nearly two decades of experience as a policy analyst, program developer, communications specialist, and committed cultural advocate and volunteer in the tribal and surrounding communities.Deborah developed two unique outreach and education programs for the Tulalip Tribes. Young Mothers was a culturally relevant program for teen mothers, and the Tribal Tobacco Program sought to inspire responsible tobacco use among tribal members, while acknowledging tobaccos sacred place in indigenous cultures. Prior to her work for the Tulalip Tribes, Deborah served as Director of the Residential Healing School of the Tseil-Waututh Nation in Canada, and in the Treaty Taskforce Office of the Lummi Nation, where she was mentored by American Indian leaders such as Joe Delacruz, Billy Frank, Henry Cagey and Jewell James. As a passionate advocate for improved education for tribal

members, and a belief in the inherent right of all Native Americans to expect and receive a quality education, one that is free from racial or cultural bias, Deborah is focused on educational reform which includes developing curriculum that is a true reflection of an indigenous ethics and knowledge system.Deborah remains committed to education by volunteering her time in the local schools where her children are enrolled. In 2010 Deborah was honored with a Parent of the Year award from the Washington State Indian Education Association (WSIEA), and in 2011 the National Association of American Indian Education (NAAIE) also named her Parent of the Year. Deborah spent several years in communications and helped to produce video and print journalism for the Native American community, and her film credits include both documentary and narrative work. Northwest Indian College welcomes Deborah as a keynote.

Donna Dan, (Di-al-tsa) is a direct descendent to two major families of the Swinomish Tribe, the George and Dan Families. Her parents are Phil and

Sharon Dan. Donnais graduating from the Bachelor of Science Native Environmental Science program with the help and support of each of her

teachers and family. It has been a great honor to be a part of this college and program.

Student Speakers

Keynote Speaker

Donna Dan, SwinomishSwinomish Site

Bobby Lind is Aleut from Kodiak and Chignik, Alaska. He is a shareholder in Bristol Bay Native Corporation and a member of the Sun'Aq tribe. Bobby is currently graduating with his Bachelor in CARE and Human Services and is entering into the field of Chemical Dependency counseling. Bobby and his loving partner Ani have one child, named Sebastian, who is a future fisherman.

Bobby Lind, AleutLummi Campus

20172017

Soaring into the Future

The NWIC faculty members walking with our students today are wearing traditional academic regalia. The colored hoods worn by most of the faculty are awarded for advanced degrees. The velvet colors

represent area of study and the satin represents the school colors of the respective universities attended.

Special thanks to the 2017 NWIC Graduation Committee, Faculty and Staff. The work that you do to support our students is very much appreciated! Additional special thanks to the 2016-2017 Student Executive Board for providing the 2017 NWIC Commencement theme, “Soaring into the Future!”

Want to share your 2017 Commencement Photos with us on social media? Tag your photos #NWICGrad2017

2017 Commencement CommitteeNoelani AureChrystal BattlePatricia Cueva

Shoshaunee ElliottKrista Mahle

Michael McDanielDave OreiroJulia OrloffLea Scott

Wayne Woods

2017 Faculty Marshals

JUNE 16, 2017

Candidates for Graduation

Associate of Applied Science-TransferEarly Childhood Education

Associate of Technical ArtsChemical Dependency Studies

Business and EntrepreneurshipShirley Jones

Megan Kennedy*Tanesha LaneJared Parker

Clarissa Salhus**Fred ScarboroughLaura Wiggins*

Valerie AdrianMichele “Micki” Blighton

Vincea B. Hibbits**Heather Sullivan

Katherine Lancaster-Jones

General Direct Transfer

*Graduating With Honors **Graduating with High Honors ***Graduating with Highest Honors

Native Environmental ScienceOlivia Hamilton

Natane MilesRyan Dean Miller**

Carol Wilson

Summer Afraid Of HawkTia Marie Allen

Zackariah Anderson*Jeremy Bagley*Gayle BensonSuzanna Black

Rene Bracero**Dora Mae Brings Yellow

Tamara Brooks***Lena Buck

Frank BurnsSara Carle*

Harrison CroweChristian Cultee

Leon Skamink DunstanRonald Finkbonner

Marci FrybergAlison GarciaBerne GivensRoberta Hall

Estabon HayesVicki Hill*Jessica Jack

Jane JeffersonRichard JeffersonMarie G. Jefferson

Devin Jimmy Natalya Johnson*Shadae JohnsonVirginia Jones*Freda Kalama*

Angelina Keryte*Jack Klushkan

Ty KochRoseMary LaClairMaritza Leonard

Susan Gail Martin***Henry Martin***

James F McCloud IIMorning Star Means-Marcellay

Jamen NationJoseph Pantalia

Melissa Pascal**Dalena Pavel*

Rondiann QuasulaFaith Raymond

Reyna RaymundoRaven Redhorn

Colton RomannoseNakona M Runningbear

Rickyna Sam***Katrina SampsonMelissa Scearcy*Bethany Swift*

Anne Marie TahkealValencia Ahtaleen Tapuro

Randy TippinsMarlene Umtuch

Marissa VealeR. Docavie Vendiola

Sandra WahsiseKatherine Waid*Jeramiah WallaceMarie Washington

Chelsea WellsLavonna WhiteEagle-Brown

Kim WilliamsAlthea WilsonRobert Wilson

Associate of Arts and Sciences

Information TechnologyAllen JuliusValerie Coss

Dennis A. Coss, Jr.Brandi Finkbonner

Public and Tribal AdministrationVeronica Charles*Melissa C. Gobin

Clara Young

2017 Commencement Program

Call to Order & Call Witnesses

Opening by Master of Ceremonies.......................................Dave Oreiro, Vice President of AdministrationPresentation of Colors ............................................................................................................American Legion Post #33Procession of Graduates and Faculty............................................................................................Black Hawk SingersPosting of Colors and Flag Song...................................................................................................Northwest IntertribalPresident’s Welcome...................................................................................................................Justin Guillory, PresidentBoard of Trustees Welcome......................................................................Kristin Kinley, Board of Trustees ChairFaculty of the Year Award..............................................................................................................................Justin Guillory

SpeakersKeynote Address......................................................................................................................Deborah Parker (Tulalip)Student Speaker: Lummi Campus..............................................................................................Bobby Lind (Aleut)Student Speaker: Swinomish Site.....................................................................................Donna Dan (Swinomish)

Candidates for Graduation

WitnessesRecession of Colors .....................................................................................................................American Legion Post #33Flag Retreat Song......................................................................................................................................Northwest Intertribal

Emma Norman, BSNES Department ChairLexie Tom, BANSL Department Chair

Laural Ballew, BATGBM Department ChairJason Dallmann, BACARE Faculty

Rudy Vendiola, Two-year Program CoordinatorKristen Kinley, Chair

Larry Campbell, Vice ChairJana Finkbonner, Secretary

Sandy Finkbonner, TreasurerCelina Phair, LIBC Representative

Rachel Phair, MemberPresentation of the Class of 2017.........................................................................................Justin Guillory, President

Recession of GraduatesBlessing of the food-Please join us for a community dinner!

Lummi Nation School| 5:oo p.m., Friday, June 16, 2017

Opening