College administrators and tribal leaders from across Western Washington strengthened relationships at a day-long gathering at Renton Technical College.

The Government-to-Government Summit drew presidents from RTC and 11 other area community and technical colleges, as well as leaders from the Muckleshoot, Snoqualmie, and Suquamish tribes. They learned from each other and explored opportunities for ways to increase the number of Native American students and create partnerships for training tribal members.

“Building relationships is about action,” said Lynn Palmanteer-Holder, director of Tribal Government Affairs for the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges. “These tribal relationships have to be real and authentic and have long-term reciprocal benefits.”

Examples at RTC include longstanding partnerships with the Muckleshoot Tribe to offer Certified Nursing Assistant and adult high school completion courses on the reservation. The tribe also funds a scholarship for Native American students at RTC.

RTC President Yoshiko Harden wants to expand such opportunities and deepen relationships with tribes to offer career training and advancement opportunities.

“One of my goals as part of our strategic equity planning is to bring education to people,” Harden said.

Dr. Denise Bill, executive director of Muckleshoot Adult and Higher Education, welcomed that.

“We really need each other,” she said. “We can do this together.”

Palmanteer-Holder said many tribal families have suffered intergenerational trauma. The first person in her mother’s family to finish high school, she earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and her children and grandchildren followed in her footsteps.

“Education is healing,” Palmanteer-Holder said. “Every family should have that.”