Walla Walla Community College (WWCC) and the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) have entered into a new Memorandum of Agreement (MOA), formalizing a collaborative effort to support Native American education, cultural preservation, and student success.
The agreement, signed by leaders from both institutions, outlines a shared commitment to enhancing opportunities for Native American students and building academic programs that honor and integrate Indigenous history, languages, and perspectives.
The MOA establishes a framework for collaboration in areas of mutual interest, including the development of culturally relevant curriculum, joint student support initiatives, and the creation of pathways from high school to higher education for CTUIR students.
“We recognize the significance of this partnership—not just in what it means for today’s students, but for generations to come,” said Dr. Allen Sutton, Director of Connection & Belonging at WWCC. “It’s an opportunity to build bridges, expand learning, and celebrate the deep history and contributions of Native communities in our region.”
Key components of the agreement include:
- Collaborative development of courses related to CTUIR history, languages (including Sahaptin), and culture;
- Coordination on student outreach, recruitment, orientation, academic advising, and internship opportunities;
- Identification and inclusion of CTUIR staff as educators or advisors where appropriate;
- Joint pursuit of funding for programs and initiatives that benefit both organizations;
- Establishment of a Native American student liaison and/or Advisory Board to enhance student support;
- An ongoing commitment to eliminate discrimination in all aspects of the partnership.
Jaimie Crane, Director of the CTUIR Department of Education, described the agreement as “an important step in building educational equity and visibility for CTUIR youth.” She added, “We are excited to work with WWCC to ensure our students feel supported and empowered, and that our culture and stories are reflected in the classroom.”
Both WWCC and CTUIR also emphasized their shared respect for the historical significance of the land on which the college sits—territory originally inhabited by the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla Tribes, and ceded under the Treaty of 1855.
The MOA will remain in effect until amended or rescinded by mutual agreement and is expected to evolve through ongoing collaboration and community input.
