MCC Community Lunch: The History of Native American Boarding Schools

Multicultural Center Community Lunches

Fall 2023 -- with the Office of Multicultural Student Services, LGBTQ+ Western, and the Disability Access Center.

We welcome Theresa Sheldon (Tulalip), WWU Alum and Director of Policy and Advocacy at the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, back to WWU for a conversation on the history and impact of the Residential Boarding School experience for Native American children and their communities.

Join us on Wednesdays from Noon to 1pm in the Multicultural Center on the 7^th floor of the Viking Union. MCC lunches are focused on student development and community-building. All are welcome for food, conversation, and learning in community! Check the ADEI Unit events website for any updates.

Program to be announced.

AA/EO. Accessibility Statement: This event is intended for all participants, including those with visible or non-apparent disabilities.  For disability accommodation(s) (such as ASL interpretation, etc.) please contact the ADEI Unit, ess.adei@wwu.edu. Advance notice is appreciated and sometimes necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.

About Theresa Sheldon

Theresa Sheldon (she/her), citizen of the Tulalip Tribes, began her tenure at the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition as the Director of Policy & Advocacy in April 2022. Theresa has 16 years of experience in political advocacy, serving in numerous roles with the Democratic National Committee, EMILY’s List, and Tulalip Tribes, while also presiding as the Native American Director for the Biden-Harris Presidential Inaugural Committee. She served two terms as elected representative for the Tulalip Tribes as a Board Director and served seven years as a policy analyst for Tulalip Tribes. Theresa has been the Co-Chair for Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Native Vote since 2008 and was a founding member and Co-Chairperson for Native Vote, WA. She currently serves as National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) Co-Chair for the Safety & Justice Subcommittee and is on the Board of Directors for Native Americans in Philanthropy.

Theresa is an advocate for historical justice, civic engagement, upholding and strengthening tribal sovereignty and the trust responsibility, and protecting sacred places. The federal government should take responsibility for the genocide of Native peoples, fully fund Tribal education/language programs, and recognize that health care is a human right as well as a treaty right. She graduated from WWU with a BA in Law & Diversity in 2005, is a snowboard coach, and enjoys pulling canoe on the Coast Salish Sea with her son.