The Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) recently awarded $50,000 in scholarships to 33 Native American students who come from or attend school in Washington State.  WIGA, a non-profit organization of tribal leaders in the state, runs a scholarship program for tribal members pursuing higher education degrees.

“We are pleased that we are able to contribute to young tribal members’ education,” said WIGA chairman, W. Ron Allen.  “This year, we had so many qualified applicants to choose from.  While it made our selection process difficult, it also reflects the growing qualification among tribal members to attend institutions of higher education.” 

WIGA educates the Indian gaming community, the public and all levels of government about gaming issues in Indian country.  The WIGA Scholarship Program is designed to promote tribal self-sufficiency by providing scholarships for Native American students in Washington seeking to advance their own self-sufficiency and broaden their personal and professional potential through higher education. 

Enrolled members of the WIGA tribes and Indian students in Washington state are eligible.  The scholarships are awarded to students pursuing degrees at community and technical colleges, four-year colleges, and post-graduate and professional schools.

WIGA scholarships awarded nine community college students, sixteen undergraduates and eight graduate students:

Community College Scholarship Winners ($1,100 each)

• Ashlee Abrahamson, Colville; Walla Walla Community College,WA
• Shallee Graff, Port Gamble S’Klallam; Northwest Indian College, WA
• Pamela George, Navajo; Clark College, WA
• Delsen Lauderback, Lower Elwha Klallam; Peninsula College, WA
• Tanner Loe, Colville; Bellevue Community College, WA
• Francisco Orozco, Colville; Mesalands Community College, AZ
• Sandra Parker, Makah; Peninsula Community College, WA
• Rachel Phair, Lummi; Northwest Indian College, WA
• Daniel Romero, Lower Elwha Tribe; Everett Community College, WA

University or College Scholarship Winners ($1,500 each)

• Alana Best, Colville; Washington State University, WA
• Angelena Campobasso, Colville; Eastern Washington University, WA
• Sarah Donahue, Jamestown S’Klallam; University of Oregon, OR
• Mary Lindeblad-Fry, Colville; Reed College, OR
• Jaison Elkins, Muckleshoot; University of Colorado, CO 
• Tootie James, Quinault; University of Washington, WA
• Tristen James, Tlingit and Haida; University of Washington, WA
• Alyssa London, Tlingit; Stanford University, CA
• Lacey London, Tlingit; University of Oregon, OR
• Electra Magnuson, Tlingit and Haida; University of Washington, WA
• Michael Peters, Squaxin Island; Southern Oregon University, OR
• David Prince, Jamestown S’Klallam; University of Washington, WA
• Anthony Rascon, Makah; University of Washington, WA
• Lauren Smith, Skokomish; Stanford University, CA
• Asia Tail, Cherokee; University of Chicago, IL
• Latisha Toby, Lummi Nation; Western Washington University, WA

Graduate Program Scholarship Winners ($2,000 each)

• Jodi Davis, Karuk/Seneca; Master in Social Work, University of Washington, WA
• Khia Grinnell, Jamestown S’Klallam; J.D., Arizona State University, AZ
• Toni Jefferson, Lummi Nation; Leadership Executive MBA, Seattle University, WA
• Nancy Johnson, Colville; Masters of Arts, Heritage University, WA
• Anthony Jones, Port Gamble S’Klallam; J.D., Washington University Law School St. Louis, MO
• Katrina Walsey, Yakama Nation; Master of Arts, Heritage University, WA
• Rochelle Warner, Quileute; J.D., University of Washington, WA
• Spusman Wilder, Colville; Masters in Forest Resources at the University of Washington, WA