Tanna Engdahl, Cowlitz Tribe Spiritual Leader, sat on the stage in Gaiser Student Center and pointed to the image of a long, eel-like fish projected on the screen. 

“Does anyone know what this is?” she asked. 

Someone in the audience shouted, “Lamprey!” 

Engdahl nodded and asked, “Has anyone tasted lamprey?”  

In the sea of 130 people in attendance, only a few raised their hands. 

Engdahl laughed, “Well, I haven’t–and I won’t!” 

Engdahl captivated her audience of Clark employees, students, and the greater community during her presentation “Cowlitz: Then and Now” on November 21 in Gaiser Student Center. Held during Native American Heritage Month, the event was hosted by the college’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Employees who attended received Power, Privilege and Inequity (PPI) credit. 

“I am grateful to Tanna for connecting with the college community to share stories about the Cowlitz people,” said Vanessa Neal, Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. “I also want to mention that Tanna was an essential member of Clark’s 2022 Strategic Planning Committee, has supported the development of the Land and Labor Acknowledgement we use today, and continues to be involved with our Social Equity Advisory Council. I continue to be grateful for Tanna and the intentional relationship that we – as a college – are continuing to build with the Cowlitz Tribe.”  

Engdahl’s presentation included taking time at the end to answer every question from the audience. She responded with thoughtful, informative answers.  

Weaving stories 

As Engdahl shared images on the screen, she told stories about her tribe’s history, culture, their struggle to have a homeland, and their environmental stewardship as they look toward the future. 

Engdahl talked about how her tribe lived before white Europeans began settling in the Pacific Northwest. The Cowlitz people followed a cyclical rhythm of living on the land. Most of the time, they lived in longhouses in large villages near rivers and streams for easy transportation via canoe. Some of the tribe followed harvest cycles to gather huckleberries, wapato, camas root, and to fish and hunt for game including deer.  

She shared how her people’s hands were rarely idle. They made everything they needed. They harvested cedar bark, soaked it in a creek to make it pliable, then wove it into dresses, capes, hats, sleeping mats, and more.  

Although there was always so much work to be done, her people also gathered for dancing, drumming, and storytelling. So many stories to tell! 

Engdahl spoke about how the presence of the white man changed her people. Their ships brought diseases that killed 98% of the Cowlitz people. Still, the white men kept coming. When the white men tried again and again to move her people from their homeland to reservations, the Cowlitz said “no.” Again and again.  

She spoke about how alcohol and drugs destroyed individuals and tore families apart. She also talked about the importance of the Indian Child Welfare movement “to keep our children with their people, their families.” 

Family and community—not just today but for generations into the future—is always at the forefront of everything the tribe does. 

Looking to the future 

Engdahl talked about how her tribe is being good stewards of their land. Long ago, her people harvested camas root, one of their staples in the diet. The Cowlitz are replanting camas in areas where it once thrived. Reintroducing camas bodes well for a future with sustainable native plants for indigenous foods.  

Another good sign for the future: The Washington Legislature passed legislation requiring Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State curriculum or other tribally developed curriculum be taught in all K-12 schools. Despite the mandate being unfunded, more school districts across the state are offering courses that tell the essential stories of our indigenous brothers and sisters. 

Engdahl emphasized a most important message: “We are still here.” 

She said there is much work to be done as the tribe moves forward. And more stories to tell.  

Engdahl teaches a course about the Cowlitz Tribe through Clark’s Continuing and Community Education program. She taught the class during Fall term and will teach it again during Spring term.  

Photos: Clark College/Jenny Shadley

A car pulled into the Red Lot 3 roundabout in the northwest corner of the Penguin Union Building. Sarah Gruhler, Clark’s director of Student Life, stepped up to the car and greeted a Clark student through the passenger window.  

“Good morning! Where would you like your box?” 

Gruhler, pictured at the left, who coordinates Penguin Pantry, found the student’s name on the list, asked a few questions and then turned to the crew of student volunteers and said, “Food box, two meals and a gift card.” 

Volunteers carried the food to the car and loaded it into the trunk. The student drove away with a large box of food, two holiday dinners and a $25 Safeway gift card.  

During its November distribution on the 21^st and 22^nd, the Penguin Pantry distributed 6,716 pounds of food and served 221 students plus their families, for a total of 755 people assisted.  

That’s a 70% increase from pantry statistics last November, when the pantry distributed 3,900 pounds of food and served 130 students, for a total of 431 people.  

“We are definitely seeing an increase in the use of pantry services,” Gruhler said. 

Food insecurity is a real concern  

Penguin Pantry marked its fifth year in July. The pantry supports a healthy college community by reducing hunger and food insecurity on campus and connecting students with essential resources. The pantry has become an important resource to help Clark College students stay on the path to graduation. Penguin Pantry’s assistance is welcomed by students who are navigating inflation and skyrocketing food and housing costs that have created barriers for students trying to stay in school and complete their degrees. 

Studies have shown a direct correlation between college students’ food insecurity and their ability stay in school.  

• Inside Higher Ed reported on a study of community college students and food and housing that found nearly a third of community college students ran out of food in the last 30 days and they didn’t have money to buy more food. 
• Best Colleges reports that about 23% of college students were food-insecure in 2020, and that number increased during the pandemic. The study also reported that food insecurity affected students’ grades and graduation rates. 
• Another study by Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health reported that “food insecurity among college students is associated with lower college graduation rates.”  

Hunger: The local story 

Increasingly, more people are seeking food assistance from food pantries nationwide. Clark College’s Penguin Pantry is not alone in seeing more local people seeking assistance. 

Locally, the FISH of Vancouver pantry in downtown Vancouver continues to see client numbers increase. During the week of November 12-18, FISH of Vancouver welcomed 90 new clients, served 881 households, and fed a total of 3,375 people. Clark College students also can receive food assistance from FISH of Vancouver. 

FISH Executive Director James Fitzgerald said, “We are so thankful for community support that allows us to serve so many more people in need. We are glad to be a place people can come for food to help supplement their budgets and make ends meet.” 

Although Penguin Pantry receives some food from Clark County Food Bank, most of Penguin Pantry’s food is purchased through local stores with funds from donors. 

Clark County Food Bank manages 8 million pounds of food each year, which is equivalent to 6.7 million meals for individuals and families experiencing hunger. It works with 43 nonprofit partner agencies at 130 distribution sites, along with food bank led programs, to serve neighbors facing food insecurity throughout Clark County.  

Clark County Food Bank’s annual Walk & Knock food drive is this Saturday, December 2. You can participate by volunteering or by filling a bag with nonperishable food and putting it on your doorstep by 9 a.m. on Saturday. Here are the statistics for last year’s Walk & Knock: 2,200 volunteers, 150,753 pounds of food and toiletries donated, and $31,000 in cash donations.  

Finding food assistance: For students and others in the Clark College community who seek food assistance, find available food pantries (including Penguin Pantry) and other resources with Clark County Food Bank’s Food Finder Tool. 

How students can request a monthly pre-packaged food box: 

1. Log into MyClark@Clark 

2. Look for the Penguin Pantry Order Form (right navigation) under Get Started 

3. Fill out the form completely, and submit 

4. Your confirmation email with a pick-up date/time. 

If students need immediate assistance with food, housing, and/or other basic needs, visit the following Clark County community resources: 

• Clark County Food Bank 
• Council for the Homeless 

How you can donate to Penguin Pantry: 

• Online: Give online with Clark College Foundation’s online giving form. 
• By mail: Send your check/money order to:  
  Clark College, Attn: Cashier’s Office (PUB 153)  
  1933 Ft. Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663. 
  Write the check to “Clark College” and write “Penguin Pantry” in the lower left note area. 

Learn more at https://www.clark.edu/campus-life/student-support/penguinpantry/index.php 

As the Union High School Concert Choir began its last song, they immediately commanded the attention in crowded Gaiser Student Center. Three students set the pace by pounding a staccato rhythm on djembe drums. The singers swayed to the rhythm, their voices clear and joyful. They moved to the music—smiling and clearly enjoying themselves. Some singers held cupped hands to their mouths and whooped. People in the audience bobbed their heads and smiled. The room’s atmosphere was electric. 

This enjoyable, immersive performance was one of many when choirs from 13 high schools and middle schools from the region performed at the Clark College Eighth Annual Fall Choral Festival on November 17 at Clark College. The choirs came from as far away as Ilwaco, Washington (106 miles) and Aurora, Oregon (60 miles). 

Dr. Jacob Funk, Director of Choirs at Clark College, left and festival director said, “We love hosting this event at Clark College. Shelly Williams, program coordinator of the Fine Arts division, does all of the organizational heavy lifting for this event. Then we get Clark students in the ASCC Vocal Music program to volunteer and run this event along with Shelly and myself.”  

Five choir clinicians with experience teaching at University of Portland, Oregon State University, Whitworth University, Pacific Lutheran University, and Portland Community College listened in the back of the room and then took turns offering useful advice to the choral students. 

Each choir performed for 20 minutes. Then a clinician came onto the stage and spoke to the student musicians to offer useful suggestions about their performance. For example, one choir had sung a song that included Russian words, and the clinician offered pronunciation tips for the words, then had the students and the audience practice enunciating the words.  

Dr. Funk added, “The schools come from all over because they know it’s a supportive atmosphere and they know we have amazing clinicians. Our festival is at a time of year when not many other festivals are happening, so it gets their choirs out there singing. It’s just a real joy to see it all come together and to get so many high school students on our campus.” 

Participating choirs from Clark County: 

• Clark College: Concert Choir and Treble Ensemble, Director Dr. Jacob Funk 
• Camas High School: Select BassChoir and Select Treble Choir, Director Ethan Chessin 
• Heritage High School: Concert Choir and Select Treble, Director Billy Buhl 
• La Center High School: Select Treble Choir, Director Rhonda Catchpole 
• Ridgefield High School: Concert Choir and Treble Choir, Director Bob Meek 
• Union High School: Concert Choir and Women’s Ensemble, Director Joel Karn 
• Vancouver School of Arts and Academics (VSAA): Vocal Rep Ensemble and Vocal Style & Tech Ensemble, Director Joel Thoreson 

Participating choirs from other counties: 

• Arts & Communication Magnet Academy, Beaverton, Oregon: Synergy Choir, Director Lauren Craig 
• Dexter McCarty Middle School, Gresham, Oregon: Concert Choir, Director Ron Neighorn 
• Ilwaco High School, Ilwaco, Washington: Concert Choir, Director Rachel Lake 
• Kelso High School, Kelso, Washington: Hilander Concert Choir, Director Brent Liabraaten 
• North Marion High School, Aurora, Oregon: Concert Choir, Director John Haddock 
• R.A. Long High School, Longview, Washington: Chor Diem, Director Alison Askeland 
• Woodland High School, Woodland, Washington: Choir, Director Patrice Lins 

Clinicians who offered constructive advice to the choirs were: 

• Dr. Samuel Barbara, Director of Choral and Vocal Studies at Portland Community College, Rock Creek Campus 
• Dr. Tina Bull, Emeritus Professor of Music, Coordinator of Music Education at Oregon State University (1996-2015) 
• Dr. David De Lyser, Director of Choral Activities and Professor of Music, University of Portland 
• Dr. Xiaosha Lin, Assistant Professor and Director of Choral Activities at Whitworth University in Spokane 
• Dr. Tiffany Walker, Visiting Assistant Professor of Choral Music at Pacific Lutheran University 

Piano faculty members were Dr. Jeongmi Yoon, who serves on faculties at Clark College and University of Portland, and Yena Lee Halsel, who accompanied the Clark College choirs. 

The Clark community celebrated the publication of The Iceberg, the college’s annual student comic anthology with stacks of the 2023 issue, chats with industry professionals, and free pizza on November 16 in PUB 161.

The packed room buzzed with excited chatter. Some students munched on pizza. Everyone held the just-released 2023 comic, hot off the press. And it seemed everyone was turning the pages and talking about it.

Keeping the party moving forward were Iceberg faculty advisors Professor Toby Peterson, who teaches English 128, Graphic Fiction Writing, and Professor Grant Hottle, who teaches Art 105, Drawing for Comics.

Students had the opportunity to break into small groups to meet with three comic industry professionals: artist Steve Lieber, artist Jeff Parker, writer David Walker, and editor Diana Schutz.

A student group makes editorial decisions regarding which comics to publish. The 2023 Iceberg features 21 comics by Clark students, including Emily Martinez.

“It’s my first time being published,” Martinez said. “It’s exciting. I feel I’ve accomplished something.”

Martinez, a 2023 Clark graduate, plans to transfer to WSU Vancouver next fall to pursue her goal of becoming a writer.

Kelsie Cannon, also a 2023 Clark graduate, had two comics published in The Iceberg. She plans to transfer to an art school so she can pursue her goal of becoming a storyboard artist.

Even though The Iceberg is only five years old, Peterson said some former students have pursued art careers. One is creating digital art for the video gaming industry.

Peterson described what it’s been like creating comics since the pandemic began. “It’s been an exhalation of pent-up creative energy.”

How to submit comics for publication in The Iceberg:

All Clark students and alumni are eligible to submit their work for publication in The Iceberg. All submissions are done electronically via Submittable.

Photos Clark College/Susan Parrish

If you’ve ever had to plan, shop for, and prepare a holiday meal that included turkey with all the trimmings, imagine the work it takes to prepare Thanksgiving dinner for 450 people!

That is exactly the task undertaken by students and instructors in Clark’s Cuisine program and Professional Baking & Pastry Arts program. They prepared holiday meals for students and their families—a total of 450 people. The meals will be distributed during the Penguin Pantry’s November drive-through pantry pickup.

To demonstrate the enormity of the task, Chef Aaron Guerra (above) shared his shopping list: 142 pounds of turkey breast, plus four 18-to-20-pound turkeys to make stock and gravy. Add to that a mountain of potatoes. (How many pounds of potatoes does it take to make mashed potatoes for 450 people?) Don’t forget the must-have side dishes: gravy, dressing, cranberry-orange sauce, and vegetables.

Alison Dolder, head of the Professional Baking & Pastry Arts program, supervised her students in baking 450 dinner rolls and 450 fruit bars for dessert. Last year, her students made full-size pies for the holiday pantry, but packaging slices of pie without them looking messy made her rethink the dessert menu.

Dolder said, “This year, students made three varieties of fruit bars: apple, marionberry, and raspberry. They are as delicious as a slice of pie—and they hold together much better. We’ll have the full-size pies for the culinary kiosk sales next week.”

Cuisine students assembled the completed meals in a production line. The boxed meals are being stored in a cooler until Penguin Pantry distribution day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21.

The Penguin Pantry distributes food to students monthly, but in November, the distribution also includes these holiday meals.

Director of Student Life Sarah Gruhler, who supervises Penguin Pantry, said, “Students really appreciate the homemade food made by our students. They love all the extras—from a turkey dinner to laundry detergent to Safeway gift cards. These extras the pantry provides allow students to use their resources in other ways—like paying their electric bill. We don’t want students having to choose between food or electricity and heat.” Gruhler added, “Penguin Pantry helps ease the financial burden of our students.

She demonstrated the need the pantry provides for financially stretched students and their families. The pantry received a bonus shipment of fresh dairy, frozen meat, and meal kits from Clark County Food Bank. Over two days this week, Penguin Pantry did two “pop-up” distributions to get this perishable food to students in a timely manner.

She said, “We gave out almost 2,000 pounds of food in two days.”

If you would like to give specifically for holiday meals for students, donors can give via Clark College Foundation online.

About Penguin Pantry

Penguin Pantry marked its fifth year in July. The pantry supports a healthy college community by reducing hunger and food insecurity on campus and connecting students with essential resources. The pantry has become an important resource to help Clark College students stay on the path to graduation. The global pandemic, inflation, and skyrocketing prices have created more barriers for students trying to stay in school and complete their degrees.

During the 2022-23 academic year, the pantry served:

• 511 Individual students
• 1,863 family members of students
• 1,243 boxes of food distributed
• 31,000 pounds of food distributed

How students can request a monthly pre-packaged food box:

1. Log into MyClark@Clark

2. Look for the Penguin Pantry Order Form (right navigation) under Get Started

3. Fill out the form completely, and submit

4. Your confirmation email with a pick-up date/time.

If students need immediate assistance with food, housing and/or other basic needs, please visit the following Clark County community resources:

• Clark County Food Bank
• Council for the Homeless

How to donate to Penguin Pantry:

• Online: Give online with Clark College Foundation’s online giving form and choose ‘Penguin Pantry’ from the drop-down menu.
• By mail: Mail your check/money order to: Clark College, Attn: Cashier’s Office (PUB 153), 1933 Ft. Vancouver Way. Write the check to “Clark College” and write “Penguin Pantry” in the comments area.

Learn more at https://www.clark.edu/campus-life/student-support/penguinpantry/index.php

A warm congratulations to Andra Spencer, Equity Professional Development Program Manager from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, as the recipient of the Fall 2023 Classified Staff Excellence Award.

Excerpts from Andra’s nomination:

“Andra’s passion for equity and education is contagious. She dove into creating a PPI training on recognizing and disrupting antisemitism this summer and introduced many to a body of knowledge previously undiscussed at the college. Her sessions at Teaching and Learning Days and Fall Faculty Focus were packed and received overwhelmingly positive feedback and demands for a part two!”

“Equity is at the center of everything Andra does. Recognizing a gap in knowledge at the college, Andra spent time over the summer doing intense research on antisemitism and how to disrupt it, and developed a training for both Teaching and Learning Days and Fall Faculty Focus that was presented to PACKED rooms! Andra also developed training on creating inclusive learning environments, bringing her teaching expertise into her role here at ODEI and developing training specifically targeted to faculty, something that ODEI hasn’t done before.”

“Andra is well connected throughout the college – attending every event she can and volunteering to help out in any way. She collaborates with others on the team to execute projects and is always one of the first people there to set up and one of the last to leave after cleaning up. Her cooperative spirit is evident in her leadership on the Teaching and Learning Days Committee, the NWREC planning team, the O-Squad, Level Up, and many other cross-college initiatives.”

We also would like to acknowledge the contributions of the other nominees:

• Becky Lindsay, Program Specialist II, Dental Hygiene
• Nichole Maruca, Program Specialist II, Enrollment Services
• Shelly Williams, Program Coordinator, Fine Art Division
• Tani McBeth, Technical Training Consultant, eLearning
• Teresa (Terry) Haye, Program Manager A, BASTE Bachelor of Teacher Education

About the Classified Staff Awards

The Classified Staff Excellence Award was established in 2005 and recognizes classified staff who have demonstrated exemplary work performance, a positive and cooperative spirit, special achievements or contributions to the college community, and supports individual and organizational diversity and inclusion. Through the support of the Clark College Foundation, the recipient will receive a $400 cash award.

Nominees must be a current classified employee who has been in their current position for more than six months. Award recipients will not be eligible to receive another award for three years.

Visit the Clark College Employee Recognition page to learn more about this award and other ways to acknowledge the value and dedication of our staff and faculty.

Clark College welcomed muralist Christian Barrios, a Clark College graduate, to lead the community in creating a mural project during International Education Week from November 13 to 15.  

The college community gathered for a mural painting party. Erika Nava brushed red paint onto a flower petal on a large sheet of metal taped to the wall in the Penguin Student Center. Nearby, Rosalba Pitkin brushed dusty pink paint onto another flower. They were joined by other Clark staff and students adding their brushstrokes to a new mural taking shape on campus. 

Overseeing the project, artist Christian Barrios, who designed the mural, mixed paint colors, offered input to the painters and added his own colorful brushstrokes.  

Titled “Coming Together for Art and Peace,” the mural provided an opportunity for the Clark community to gather, celebrate diversity, and promote the values of international unity and peace. Barrio brings a connection and passion to this project, ensuring its resonance with the college and the local community.    

Nava and Pitkin collaborated to bring Barrios and this community art project to campus. Pitkin, who works in Clark’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, introduced Barrios to Spanish teacher Nava. She invited the bilingual Barrios into her classroom to talk with her students about fine art, public art, mural art, and graffiti. He told Nava he had received a grant from Community Foundation of Southwest Washington and Fourth Plain Forward to create a mural in a public school. Barrios wanted to create the mural at Clark. 

That sparked Nava, Pitkin, and Barrios to begin brainstorming a community mural designed by Barrios. They presented their ideas to President Edwards, ASCC, and then the Art Selection Committee. 

“That’s how it started,” Nava said, waving her paintbrush for emphasis. “And here we are!” 

Mural on metal 

The “canvas” consists of three large metal sheets, the same type used for street signs. The paint is an artist’s acrylic polymer that Barrios uses to create outdoor murals. 

In his studio, Barrios drew outlines of the design elements: stylized embroidered flowers scattered across the scene, a Monarch butterfly floating in the breeze on either side and in the center, two rainbow doves aloft with olive branches in their beaks.  

Barrios said it would take at least three layers of paint to create the mural: “The first layer is pastel. The second and third layers will be darker. It creates more color saturation. Makes it more vibrant.” 

To demonstrate, Barrios pointed to the Monarch butterfly’s wings. The first layer was a bright yellow. He explained that as layers are added, the wings eventually will appear a deep orange. 

After all layers are painted, Barrios will take the mural back to his studio where he will outline the shapes in black and add a black background. He also will add sealant to protect the art.  

On the first morning of painting, Barrios shared his passion for creating murals.  

“When I was growing up in Mexico City, I went to a lot of museums, but I don’t remember the artwork,” he said. “But I do remember the murals on the street. People painting on the street—for us. I love public art and doing community projects.” 

The completed mural will be installed inside Joan Stout Hall after the unveiling on February 13, coinciding with International Day. It will join hundreds of public art pieces installed on Clark’s campus. 

Many students came to participate in the painting over the three days, even Clark’s youngest students from early childhood education. Many students expressed how this was a much-needed mental health break this week, and came back multiple times throughout the 3 days. Spanish language, communications classes, and more showed up to support the project.

Special thanks to Fourth Plain Forward, La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center, and the Community Foundation for Southwest Washington for their support of this project.  

About Christian Barrios 

An accomplished artist and muralist, Barrios’ artwork has made a significant impact on the Vancouver community. A graduate of Clark College, Barrios is deeply committed to promoting unity and diversity through his artwork, collaborating with organizations including Fourth Plain Forward and La Casita Cultural Center.  

Born in Mexico City, he learned ceramic painting in the historic Talavera tradition from his family’s business. At 16, he moved to the United States, expanding his skills under master marquetry artist Gene Zanni and exploring painting, paper mâché, and photography.   

Active in the Oregon and Washington Latino art scene, Barrios’ work has been exhibited at Portland Art Museum, The Dalles Art Center, and more. His art resides in private collections across Mexico, Canada, California, Oregon, and Washington.  

Devoted to community impact, Barrios collaborates with organizations including the Regional Arts and Culture Council’s Right Brain Initiative and the Hombres Honor Program. He’s the driving force behind La Casita Art Gallery and Cultural Center, a hub promoting diversity and inclusion for LGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and neurodivergent communities.  

Barrios’ recent mural on East Fourth Plain Boulevard illustrates his commitment to enhancing neighborhoods by celebrating diverse cultures through art. His work beautifully bridges cultural divides, making him a remarkable artist and community advocate.   

Learn more about Barrios and his work here. 

Clark College celebrated National First Generation Student Day by offering student success mentorships with renown mentor and trainer, Tamam Waritu. He tours around the nation talking to students about being of first generation and discussing student success. 

U.S. Bank provided funding to bring the nationally acclaimed mentor to Clark’s campus. 

The event was organized by Heather Leasure and Darci Feider, who are co-advisors of Clark’s Phi Theta Kappa chapter. 

Feider said, “The small group one-on-one interaction with Tamam is invaluable. You can tell he is really connected and engaged with the students.” 

Leasure explained thanks to funding from U.S. Bank, the students who participated in the day-long mentoring with Waritu will continue being mentored by him for throughout their academic career at no cost to the students. 

“Because the students are engaged, I think this will be a pivotal moment they will look back on throughout their lives,” said Leasure. 

Tamam Waritu said, “I am a first-generation student and trainer. The goal is to make that paradigm shift in the mind of these students. To transcend obstacles. To not only survive college, but to thrive.” Here’s a video of Waritu talk about being first-gen. 

Transfer Fair offers resumé help, crafts  

Another part of the event was a student transfer fair with representatives from Washington State University, Central Washington University, Warner Pacific University, Western Governors University and Columbia Southern University who are there to answer students’ questions.  

Students were encouraged to go to the Career Center to get assistance in strengthening their resumés.  

Students also had the opportunity to unwind by doing crafts, games, and puzzles. Janice Currie made a bookmark she embellished with burnished leaves, mosses, and tree bark collected by fellow student and PTK officer Natalie Perdun. Next, Currie was heading to the Career Center with her resume.  

About Tamam Waritu 

Tamam Waritu, you can call him T, is a former first-gen low-income student turned Student Trainer.  Waritu is a national student speaker and a leadership development trainer who has worked with thousands of first-generation college students and staff in over 500 college and university campuses. He holds an Ed.M. from Harvard University and a bachelor’s degree from Portland State University. 

The training the Clark students received encompasses:  

• A full-day comprehensive, hands-on training with Waritu on Clark’s campus  
• An ongoing post-training mentorship with Waritu throughout their academic journey. Students will have the opportunity to schedule virtual group mentoring sessions with him so he can provide ongoing support and guidance. 

The program is tailored to meet the needs of first-gen low-income students. He addresses some pervasive issues first-gen students face: impostor syndrome, low self-efficacy, family issues and sense of belonging.  

Students have the opportunity to gain these takeaways: 

• The ability to see themselves as an asset, not a deficit—a complete paradigm shift   
• Heightened personal awareness and clearer vision regarding academic and career goals 
• The ability to sustain motivation throughout college  
• Increased self-confidence and adopting an attitude of “I belong” and “I have what it takes”  
• A greater understanding of the science behind habit formation 

From food stamps to Harvard… 

Taman Waritu comes from a family with no educational background. He grew up in a low-income government housing with food stamps as one of their main sources of income. He graduated from one of the lowest performing inner-city high school, considered an “at-risk” student. Since he was the first person in his family to go to college, his first day of college experience felt like he was in a different world… 

Read more about Tamam Waritu here. 

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

Clark College’s Veterans Center of Excellence partnered with Congresswoman Marie Gluesenkamp Perez for the VCOE’s first Veterans Career and Resource Fair on November 7. The VCOE plans to make this an annual event open to students and the community.  

Gaiser Student Center was filled with 56 tables of participating agencies, nonprofits and businesses that provided veterans and veteran students information about employment opportunities and community resources. The event also included free lunch, coffee drinks and giveaways. 

“We are thrilled with the number of student and community participants who attended this first annual event,” said Donna Larson, Associate Director of the Veterans Center of Excellence. “We are grateful to the community-based organizations for their strong support for veterans at this event. When we started planning this event, we planned for 40 organizations to come to the event, but never imagined that we would have 56 organizations wanting to partner with us. Thank you to everyone who helped make this event happen.” 

Although Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez could not attend the event due to her legislative duties in Washington, D.C., her staff members Cameron Kockritz, Peter Sandifer, and Tony Sprague attended on her behalf and spoke with veterans about helping them connect with federal agencies. 

Sprague conveyed this message: “While the Congresswoman was disappointed to have missed the event due to her legislative duties in the other Washington, she wanted me to share the below message with all of you.” 

“It’s our responsibility to ensure our nation’s heroes are well-supported after returning home. I’m so glad we could help connect Southwest Washington veterans and their families to the resources, jobs, and benefits they deserve. I sincerely appreciate all the veterans who stopped by this event, as well as Clark College and community organizations who joined together to support our local heroes.” 

Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez

View a video greeting from Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez here

Many businesses and organizations reached out to veterans about specific jobs they are trying to fill. These included ilani Casino Resort, SEH America, and Silicon Forest Electronics.  

“A lot of our jobs are tailored to what vets learn in the military,” said a representative of SEH America who also is a Clark College alum. “We also offer educational reimbursement for employees who are college students.” 

Volunteer John Chapman, above, was at the Veteran Administration’s My Health eVet table helping veterans sign up for healthcare accounts. He said, “We also are encouraging college students to do work-study at the VA. It’s a great opportunity.” 

Here is a sampling of organizations that provided resource information at the event:  

• 1^st Choice Advisory Service: Provided resources about affordable in-home care, memory care, connecting people with elder law attorneys, movers, real estate agents, and more 
• Area Agency on Aging & Disability of Southwest Washington: Hiring for various positions; also direct families to resources for loved ones who need in-home care 
• Clark County Food Bank: Offered an extensive list of local food pantries 
• Fort Vancouver Regional Library: Offers use of computers; people can check out books, laptops, graphing calculators, scientific calculators, and more 
• Fourth Plain Forward: Provided information about community microgrants and starting a business  
• Free Clinic of Southwest Washington: Offers free medical and dental care for uninsured people; also has volunteer opportunities in its clinics, excellent experience for Clark students in dental hygiene and medical programs 
• NAMI Southwest Washington (National Alliance on Mental Illness): Offered information about mental health crisis counseling and local support groups 
• Pier 360 (formerly CVAB): Hiring for various positions, offers recovery support groups and many other connection opportunities 
• U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs: Offered information about its crisis line and mental health programs 
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs-Portland VA Medical Center: Offered information about employment services including vocational rehabilitation, finding and keeping a job, teaching about disability rights and reasonable accommodations  
• Veterans Administration-My Healthy Vet: Providing information about veterans signing up for healthcare accounts and the VA’s work-study program 
• Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs: Connected veterans with resources and helped them apply for benefits 

Event by the numbers: 

• 56 tables offering resources 
• 120 registered attendees 
• 300 lunches provided 
• 131 coffee/smoothies 
• 88 backpacks with school supplies distributed to students 

Photos: Clark College/Susan Parrish

On Friday, Nov. 3, Clark College welcomed the community to its annual Powwow event as it hosted Educating for the Seventh Generation, a celebration of Indigenous cultures. 

Gaiser Student Center reverberated with drumbeats. Drummers sitting in a circle pounded a steady beat as they chanted. Dancers wearing colorful regalia moved rhythmically up and down and along the floor in a whirl of color.  

The dancers and their families had spent countless hours hand sewing their jingle dresses and sewing elaborate beadwork on dresses, leggings, belts, chokers and moccasins. Many wore traditional basket hats woven from cedar bark. 

Catarina’s story 

Clark College graduate Catarina Salazar was ready to dance. She had spent countless hours creating her colorful regalia. She had hand sewn and twisted 365 metal cones on her red jingle dress. She had beaded her earrings and had made a choker of bone and beads.  

Catarina’s tribal affiliation is Dakota/Sioux. She gestured toward her brother sitting nearby and said, “We’ve been dancing since we could walk.” 

After earning her associate degree at Clark in 2021, Catarina earned her bachelor’s degree at Central Washington University. Now she is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Clinical Psychology at Capella University and will graduate in 2027.  

When she was a Clark College student, Catarina received the Dreamcatcher Scholarship twice. The funding helped her step toward her goal: becoming a clinical counselor at the Veterans Administration and working with veterans experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder. 

But now, it was time for Catarina to dance.  

2023 Dreamcatcher Scholarship recipients: 

• Duana M. Johnson 
• Dabai Do Che 
• Meridian Bonser 

History of Powwow at Clark College 

Since 2009, Clark College has celebrated Indigenous cultures during the first weekend of November with a powwow that includes music, dance, food, vendors, honoring of veterans, and the announcement of the Dreamcatcher Scholarship honoring our vision of Educating for the Seventh Generation. 

Clark College coordinates and hosts this annual event in honor of Native American Heritage Month. “Educating for the Seventh Generation” references our responsibility to teach the future Seventh Generation to maintain our resources, traditions, and customs. It is the way of caring and preserving for the Seventh Generation, which is a true sustainable practice to consider the impacts of every decision for the next seven generations into the future. 

See the 2023 POWWOW photos by Clark College photographer Jenny Shadley on our Flickr site here.