Category: WIGA

“It makes such a big difference”: Attorney Amber Penn Roco reflects on receiving the WIGA Scholarship

Amber Penn-Roco is an attorney, mother of two, a member of the Chehalis Tribe and former Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) Scholarship Recipient. In a recent interview, we asked her about her career and education, and what it means to be a WIGA Scholarship Recipient.

Q: Please tell us about your work.
A: I am a partner at Galanda Broadman, an indigenous rights law firm. I specialize in environmental protection and the preservation of cultural and natural resources. Being an attorney is a challenging career, and I find that the best way to navigate it is by finding work you are passionate about. My entire life, I knew I wanted to work on behalf of the Indigenous people, in order to give back to the communities that have given me so much. I think that the Tribes and Indigenous communities that I represent appreciate having an advocate who looks like them, who understands their communities, who understands the intricacies of what it is like to live on a reservation, to be a part of a Tribe, and to constantly fight for recognition as a government.

Q: Did you always know you would go to college and become an attorney?
A: My mom was a schoolteacher. She was the first in her family to receive a college education. She emphasized, from a very early age, that a good education was the key to success. She was a single mom with eight kids, and money was a constant struggle for our family. She did her absolute best, but, after my dad left, we ended up homeless for a time. I knew from a very early age that I wanted to go to college and pursue academic success so that I could help out my family, financially, and to make sure that my own family did not suffer the same kind of troubles.

By high school, I knew I wanted to go to law school and become an attorney. With that as my goal, the primary issue, was, practically, how to make it happen. College is expensive. When you consider trying to fund an additional three years of law school, after four years of college, the investment required felt nearly insurmountable, it was incredibly difficult to figure out a way to make it work. My Tribe tried, my family tried, I tried—and we simply did not have enough money to fund it ourselves. I was determined, I applied for every scholarship I could find. Throughout my seven-year academic career, spanning three different colleges, my education simply would not have been possible without scholarships. I would not be an attorney without the generosity of others.

Q: What role did the WIGA Scholarship play in your educational journey?
A: I received the WIGA scholarship at the perfect time. In my third year of law school, all my scholarships ran out. I found myself putting textbooks on a credit card, in order to make ends meet. I was forced to contemplate whether I could afford to finish my law degree. Receiving the scholarship funds from WIGA meant I could afford to focus on my education and not be distracted with wondering how I was going to be able to pay my bills or buy my textbooks. It makes such a difference, to be able to focus on college and classes and not on how to survive.

One thing I love about the WIGA scholarship is that it is unrestricted funds. WIGA recognizes that the cost of school is not limited to just tuition and books. There are a million costs associated with putting yourself through college, it is so incredibly helpful that they provide students with funds and allow the student to decide how to best use those funds to make ends meet.

It is also so nice to have a scholarship that is directly aimed at Indigenous students. It is very difficult to find programs like this. It was delightful to apply and be able to put my tribal affiliation on the application.

Q: What does your family think of where your education has taken you?
A: They are so proud. My mom was my biggest cheerleader. She loved that I went to law school. One of my favorite photos of us ever taken is a picture from my law school graduation. You can just feel how proud she is and how she feels like she made it too. And my daughters. They see me, a strong, female, person of color, an attorney owning my own law firm, and they have someone to look up to. I think they are very proud of me.

Meet and Greet: Rosina DePoe, Deputy Director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association

Rosina DePoe is a citizen of the Makah Tribe and has Siletz heritage (Rogue River Tutuni). She works as the Deputy Director of the Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA), a nonprofit organization that represents 23 Washington tribes. As part of her job, Rosina manages the WIGA Scholarship Program, which helps Native American and Alaska Native students who want to further their education. She also administers WIGA’s responsible gaming initiatives, which advance policies, resources and support for those impacted by problem gambling. We caught up with Rosina to chat about her 5-year milestone at WIGA and to find out more about her work, career path, and the role education has played in her life.

Q: Please tell us about your role at WIGA. Do you have a favorite aspect of your job?
A: As the Deputy Director of WIGA, I support overall operations, community outreach and education efforts and help ensure we meet our strategic goals. I also have the pleasure of working on projects like the annual Northwest Indian Gaming Conference and Expo.

My favorite aspect of my job is managing the scholarship program. As a former WIGA scholarship recipient, I feel like things have come full circle—I went from being a student to managing the distribution of scholarship funds for students in need. When I read applications, I have the opportunity to learn their stories and better understand their vision for helping tribal communities. It is inspiring and exciting to see the next generation of leaders, doctors, language keepers, teachers and scientists breaking down barriers. They are ready to take up well-deserved space, bringing our native voices to the table and letting the world know we are here to stay.

Q: As a citizen of the Makah Tribe, how has your heritage influenced your career and your professional or leadership style?
A: My grandmother Nell “Mazie” Peterson played a foundational role in my cultural upbringing, along with both of my parents. I come from both a coastal and plains Indian heritage—I am a citizen of the Makah Tribe and a descendant of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa, Rogue River Tututni and Cheyenne. My family ensured I grew up with cultural teachings to know who I am, where I come from, and, most importantly, how much they love me. They taught me my family songs and dances and encouraged me to be a proud, strong native woman.

From a young age, my family always told me I could be anything and do anything I want if I work hard, do well in school and make sure my heart is in it. I knew right away I wanted to work for my tribe or for a tribal organization. My grandmother was also very influential in my leadership style. She taught me patience (which I don’t always have, ha!). She taught me the importance of hearing people out because often they just want to be heard and seen, and to know someone cares about their concerns. These lessons are critical when working with tribal communities and building relationships.

Q: You earned your Master of Public Administration (MPA) degree in Tribal Governance from the Evergreen State College. What did you gain from your MPA program that has been key to your professional development?

A: When I started the program, I had little knowledge of the inner workings of tribal governments. I grew up with a very general understanding. Obtaining my MPA gave me the foundation I needed to grasp the complexities of tribal, state and federal relations. I also gained an in-depth understanding of the history of federal legislation and policies created to harm or benefit tribal nations, which is very useful since much of WIGA’s work is policy analysis, understanding the potential legal impacts of a policy to tribal communities. The MPA program also enhanced my critical thinking and policy analysis skills and strengthened my ability to report findings to tribal leadership. Finally, my education helped me understand the importance of relationships – from working with the public, to building relationships with influencers and decision makers, and the role tribal sovereignty plays in this process.

Q: Why do you believe higher education is important, especially for Native Americans?

A: As an indigenous person, we must walk in two worlds. We try to balance and nourish our cultural soul and teachings while being hyper-aware of a world that surrounds us with constant change and impacts to who we are as tribes. Higher education provides additional tools and knowledge to navigate this challenging path of continuing the important work begun by our ancestors and tribal leaders before us. For me, higher education is a means to continue to protect our tribal sovereignty and tell our story. It is also an opportunity for tribal people to share stories that educate and enlighten the non-tribal students and educators around us.

Q: What are some of your hobbies or interests outside of your professional work?

A: I am an avid softball player. I currently participate in a competitive women’s slow-pitch team and play on two co-ed teams. I have also taken up golf—Goodness, that game is hard! But that one good shot makes it worth the hassle of all the bad ones. I also love taking time to go home and visit my family in Neah Bay, spending time on the ocean. Just being outside is my favorite thing to do. I also dabble in beading and sewing ribbon skirts when I have time. Additionally, I love spending time with my husband, Rick, and two pups, Loki and Louis.

Q: How can readers support the efforts of WIGA and the scholarship program?

A: Get involved! Donate to the scholarship fund, share it with your contacts and spread the word about how WIGA is helping Native students achieve their higher education goals. You are also invited to attend our 3rd Annual WIGA Scholarship Program Gala & Auction hosted by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians at Northern Quest Resort & Casino—It’s a really fun and inspirational event in support of this important program.

What is Tribal Government Gaming?

Over the last 30 years, tribal government gaming in Washington has helped tribes regain their self-reliance, create opportunities and lift people out of poverty. But what is government gaming, and how is it different from commercial gaming?

Government gaming refers to gaming enterprises run by governments to benefit people and communities. In contrast, commercial casinos generally operate to benefit their owners and shareholders.

Tribal gaming isn’t the only type of government gaming. The Washington Lottery is government gaming, too. Proceeds from the Washington Lottery fund childhood education, vocational excellence, economic development, responsible gambling and more. This use of revenue is defined by law. Similarly, the Indian Regulatory Gaming Act specifies how tribal governments can use gaming revenue. Tribes use gaming proceeds to support tribal government operations and programs, provide for the general welfare of tribal members and promote tribal economic development.

Tribal gaming also helps enrich the broader community through donations to charitable organizations, as well as financial support for local government agencies and responsible gambling and smoking cessation programs.

The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe’s 7 Cedars Resort and Casino in Sequim, WA

Learn more about tribal government gaming and its benefits on the Washington Tribes YouTube channel.