Indigenous leaders and GW students discussed how the next generation of native communities can use education, policy development and advocacy skills to fight for greater representation in U.S. politics in Duques Hall on Wednesday .
Naomi Migeul, the former White House executive director for its Native Americans and Tribal Colleges and Universities initiative, and Shaun Deschene, former director of the Office of Native Affairs and Economic Development, outlined how Indigenous communities can gain social recognition and political standing by advocating for policy changes, fostering the next generation of leaders and educating youth about historical challenges. GW’s International Institute of Tourism Studies partnered with GW Students for Indigenous and Native American Rights to host the event, where students Jacob Brittingham, Lauren Harris and Cheydon Naleimaile-Evangelista shared their experiences as Indigenous students on campus.
Edward Hall, the event’s moderator and an Indigenous economic development and tourism executive in residence for GW’s International Institute of Tourism Studies, emphasized that the next generation must learn from history to avoid repeating past mistakes, like ignoring concepts tied to critical race theory. He said Indigenous people have historically been “invisible,” so it’s crucial that the next generation learns how to advocate for their communities and drive long-term change.
“The idea of us being able to be a voice, to be a part of the future is important that we have the tools and the skill sets to effectively be engaged and be a part of change,” Hall said.
Deschene said tribes need funding to govern themselves and a strong voice to advocate for public recognition of the “incessant intergenerational poverty” faced by Indigenous communities.
“When you’re competing with these folks on the walls, and we want to be at the table, you kind of have to push yourself out there because we need your voice,” Deschene said. “To get anything done in the bureaucracy of government is really advocating strongly for the tribes because nobody else is doing it.”
Naleimaile-Evangelista — a freshman, first generation college student and Native Hawaiian — said the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol sparked his passion for politics and led him to attend GW.
“I chose this university because I wanted to see the federal policies and politics and how it impacts not only us but how it impacts the world, because Washington, D.C. is the most powerful city in the world,” he said.
Jacob Brittingham, a sophomore from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, spoke about how his role as a first generation is a milestone in his family history and how his ancestors drive him to push for changes within how Indigenous Americans are treated.
Brittingham said historically, boarding schools have been used as a “weapon” to damage the Native American culture, but today Indigenous power can be reclaimed through knowledge and education as a tool for advocacy.
“Education was used to wipe us out, but now it’s like our weapon we can use, we can educate ourselves,” said Brittingham. “One quote that I really like and that inspired me to try to pursue law is that the greatest weapon an Indian can have in today’s battle is the knowledge of the law, because they can fight any battle with that.”
Brittingham said the government has an obligation to provide Native Americans on reservations with assistance, like education, as they would do for any other national group.
“Diversity, equity, inclusion, does include us,” said Brittingham . “If you’re sitting on 2 billion acres of land, you know you must provide us with an education. You must protect our waters and help our economies. In some sense, it’s not enough, but it’s something you know.”
