Native American Health Sciences

Fostering Diversity and Empowering Native American Nursing Students: The College of Nursing’s Commitment

October 3, 2023

By Brad Schwartz

Diversity in the healthcare workforce is crucial for ensuring that it accurately reflects the populations it serves. One area where diversity has been lacking is in the representation of Native […]

Pre-Nursing students visiting the WSU Health Sciences campus in Spokane.

Washington State University acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native peoples, who have lived in this region from time immemorial. Currently, there are 42 tribes, 35 of which are federally recognized that share traditional homelands and waterways in what is now Washington State. Some of these are nations and confederacies that represents multiple tribes and bands. The University expresses its deepest respect for and gratitude towards these original and current caretakers of the region. As an academic community, we acknowledge our responsibility to establish and maintain relationships with these tribes and Native peoples, in support of tribal sovereignty and the inclusion of their voices in teaching, research and programming. Washington State University established the Office of Tribal Relations and Native American Programs to guide us in our relationship with tribes and service to Native American students and communities. We also pledge that these relationships will consist of mutual trust, respect, and reciprocity.

WSU's land acknowledgement

Back to top