New Yakama Tribal councilman developed his drive for change at FLC

Asa Washines' work ethic is perhaps best described as, "There is no 'I' in team."

Washines (Native American & Indigenous Studies and Political Science, '10) was recently elected to the Tribal Council of the Yakama Nation, an appointment that requires a nomination of his peers. "Within the tribe there's a unique election process," explains Washines. "It's not your typical candidates-type voting, it's more old school. The elders and people of the community make a nomination of individuals who they think are ready for the council."

"When a seat comes open, the incumbent is already a finalist. So the first round of candidates are nominated from the floor, right then and there, and the top vote-getter goes against the incumbent," Washines says. "Then the community has a vote-off right there, and whoever wins is elected. The process is done within the same day."

Washines wasn't looking to get elected to the tribal council in Apriposition in April 2014. It was getting noticed for his work in the community after returning home from his four years at FLC that got him elected, he says. "After moving back, I got involved with the democratic process and started organizing voter registration, among other initiatives, trying to create change from the bottom up. It wasn't foreseen, I didn't expect to get elected; it just happened."

As part of the Yakama Nation Tribal Council, Washines has been assigned to several committees working on tribal issues with organizations all the way to the federal level. "I see it as a somewhere between a state senator and U.S. senator," he says.

"Primarily I work with forestry issues and needs, since the Yakama Tribe is the largest land-based tribe in the Pacific Northwest," he explains. "I also handle issues that come up in the state capital, in Olympia, as well as federal-level issues. I also stay informed on what other tribes are doing and things they've got going on."

That's a sudden load of political work. This, however, isn't Washines' first foray into politics. He honed his passion for empowering his peers through his diverse involvement on the FLC campus. Washines, a military veteran who served a year in Afganistan, was a member of the Veterans Club, as well as ASFLC, the rugby team, a choir, Wanbli Ota, and the Native American Student Council. He also served as the student liaison helping shape the Native American & Indigenous Studies program.

"At Fort Lewis, I learned that it's all about building relationships, and getting to know the people you work with, understanding their train of thought to get their perspective," he says. "That's really helped me in my current position because I now work with thirteen other individuals from all different backgrounds. What I learned at the table at the ASFLC, I'm applying to this table." 

While at FLC, Washines says the Native American Center provided a base from which to build his engagement on campus. "The NAC was like the hub for all the Indian kids on campus," he says. "When I was going to school there, I was very involved with the activities that happened at the NAC. They were very vital to the Native American community on campus."

During his time at the Native American Center, Washines worked with other students to identify key issues that challenged Native  students. "We started looking at the numbers — graduation rates and student retention rate, to name a few – that made us wonder, How can we improve the situation?" says Washines. "We banded together and said, 'Let's figure this out.'"

The Native American Student Council was formed as a way to work on those issues, and through that group the Native American Student Orientation was born. "It's specifically for Native students and their families to get answers to the questions they had," said Washines. "Going to college is a huge culture shock. Our group helped ease that transition for incoming Native students."

As a student, Washines also helped shape the Native American & Indigenous Studies major's curriculum. "When I started at Fort Lewis, the program was being developed," he explained. "I was the student representative for the NAIS program, and together we came up with material that best fit students' needs in the 21st Century."

While Washines kept himself busy in his years at FLC, he did manage to squeeze in some fun. "We had a solid rugby squad. I started playing rugby in the army, and when I found out that FLC had a team, I signed up. Rugby was my release. I still have my cleats and gear," he laughs.