About Us
Reconciliation with and for Indigenous communities in the United States aims to address the historical and ongoing legacy and impacts of U.S. settler colonialism on Indigenous communities, repair relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and foster healing for Indigenous communities. Central to reconciliation is respecting the self-determination and sovereignty of Tribal Nations. Fort Lewis College began in the late 19th century as Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School, a site of violent, assimilative, and other harmful practices prevalent in the federal Indian boarding school system. Reconciliation at Fort Lewis College is a comprehensive process that acknowledges the institution’s troubled origins while establishing respectful and reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. The ongoing work of reconciliation at Fort Lewis College is a shared responsibility that centers Indigenous voices, where community members contribute by engaging with our history and actively participating in collaborative efforts to advance meaningful institutional change. Our Reconciliation framework seeks an impact across four priority areas: Tribal Nation Building, Indigenous Culture and Knowledge, Language Reclamation, and Health & Wellness.
