6/19/08

Tulalip staffers earn opportunity to study vocational life down under

by Beckye Randall

Two young professionals from the Tulalip Tribes have been awarded a one-month trip to Australia as part of the Rotary Foundation’s Group Study Exchange, a unique cultural and vocational opportunity for young professionals in the early stages of their career.

Tulalip Tribes television and newspaper reporter Niki Cleary and tribal police officer Carlos Echevarria will travel to Australia for four weeks in October, part of a six-person team sponsored by the Rotary District 5050, covering Northwest Washington and the Fraser Valley in British Columbia.

A leader from the Abbotsford Rotary Club, the Tulalip participants and three other young professionals from British Columbia will experience Australia’s culture and institutions, observe how their vocations are practiced abroad, develop personal and professional relationships and exchange ideas.

The group will begin their visit in Perth and spend 7 to 10 days there before heading east towards Kalgoorlie and into the Australian Outback. They will spend time with the Australian Aboriginals, learning about issues they face and commonalities between the two cultures.

“Niki and Carlos are two of our promising young leaders here at Tulalip,” said Mel Sheldon, chairman of the Tulalip Tribes. “Their desire to reach out to our neighbors in Marysville, Everett and abroad is an important attribute. Our next generation of professionals from the Tribes will need to work hand in hand with our local community, the nation, and abroad to maintain our way of life,” said Sheldon.

As a Native American journalist with KANU television and the See Yaht Sub tribal newspaper, Cleary has an appreciation for the power of making connections and creating relationships.

“The misunderstandings, stereotypes and prejudices directed at American Indian people often stem from lack of understanding, education and empathy,” said Cleary. “The ‘us against them’ attitude is an epidemic in the United States. It’s certainly not unique to Indian country, but because of our treaties and the perception of special privileges, it is magnified. The reverse exists as well. Native American tribes and other minority groups throughout the United States bemoan the lack of understanding, the unfairness and oppression directed towards their particular group. What many fail to do is talk with the broader community--to sincerely reach out, discuss, educate and reach mutual understanding,” said Cleary.

Carlos Echevarria travels to Australia to improve his community service as a police officer. “This experience will allow me to return to the Tulalip Tribes with a better understanding of how police departments abroad deal with problems we face here in law enforcement,” said Echevarria. “The opportunity to exchange how we conduct business and possibly help a fellow police officer in another country would be life-changing and fulfilling for me.”

The Group Study Exchange (GSE) program of the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for young businesspeople and professionals, ages 25 to 40. The program provides travel grants for teams of participants to exchange visits between paired areas in different countries. Team members can come from corporations, small businesses, community organizations, medical and educational facilities, government offices and nonprofit agencies. GSE enhances the international perspective and skill sets of the next generation of our young leaders, promoting tolerance and collaboration with professional people of other cultures.