Letter: Pendleton schools need a tribal perspective

Published 11:42 am Friday, May 7, 2021

Please accept this letter of recommendation for Briana Spencer, who is running for Position 7 on the Pendleton School Board. We first met 14 years ago, when I was teaching math and environmental studies for Nixyaawii Community School.

As with a number of Nixyaawii students, we have kept in contact over the years. Briana has faced, addressed, organized in support of diversity and traditional values, and in the course of time, has overcome many challenges. Having the opportunity to see her come into maturity and leadership has been the kind of positive experience that causes educators to especially value friendship with those first met in the classroom.

One attribute I identify with Briana is her persistence — her constant commitment. She also has worked hard to gain substantial experience in the education arena, having served on the CTUIR’s Education & Training Committee, the Washington State Indian Education Association, and the Nixyaawii Community School Board.

The Pendleton School Board needs involvement from a successful Tribal member who leads the way and has life experiences that echo the challenging lives that many Tribal students live. Please join me in supporting Briana Spencer for this important position.

Janet Ebaugh

Coulee Dam, Washington

The East Oregonian does not run endorsements of more than 400 words.

The East Oregonian will institute a deadline for letters to the editor, so we can be fair with all the letters we receive and allow for responses before Election Day, if necessary.

We run local letters of endorsement on a first-come, first-served basis. Please submit your endorsement letters to the editor by 5 p.m. on Friday, May 7. You can email them to editor@eastoregonian.com, or mail them to East Oregonian, c/o Andrew Cutler, 211 S.E. Byers Ave., Pendleton, OR 97801.

We will publish our last letters on Saturday, May 15. Any letters received after the deadline will not run. Election Day is May 18.

Marketplace