For this interview, I spoke with Cassie Anderson, the Office of Tribal Relations Operations Manager at the Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families. Cassie’s path reflects a deep commitment to serving Tribal communities, especially the urban-Indigenous population in Spokane. Her journey has been one of continuous learning, resilience, and dedication, driven by a desire to uplift her community and break down barriers to resources for Tribal youth and families.
Takeaways:
- Effective Tribal relations require humility, respect, and an openness to listening and learning.
- Building and supporting positive behaviors can transform traditional service models and foster resilience among Tribal youth.
- Recognizing one’s privilege and creating spaces for Tribal voices to be heard are critical steps in supporting Indigenous communities.
Can you tell me about your career path that has led you to where you are now?
I am an enrolled citizen of the Rocky Boy’s Chippewa Cree Tribe. My family moved to Spokane, Washington, where I grew up surrounded by strong women deeply involved in community service. My career started with the Native Project, an urban Indian organization offering prevention services in Spokane. At college, I was a Division I hammer thrower, and while I initially aimed to work with at-risk youth as a juvenile probation officer, I pivoted back to the Native Project as an accounting assistant. This was a blessing in disguise because I stumbled into social work there, which changed everything for me. Starting as a home support specialist and moving up to CPS investigator, I gained a lot of experience in family support, child welfare, and community resources. I later spent seven years at the Healing Lodge of the Seven Nations, a residential treatment facility for Native adolescents. Now, I serve as the Operations Manager for the Office of Tribal Relations, where I lead a team focused on removing barriers so that Tribal communities statewide can access their rights to care and resources.
How did you become passionate about the intersection of tech, government, and tribal communities, and how do you stay informed and engaged in those areas?
My passion has always stemmed from seeing the gaps in services for Tribal communities, especially the lack of resources for at-risk youth. My experience at the Healing Lodge fueled this passion, as I worked with Native adolescents who faced incredible hardships but still fought to overcome them. This resilience made me want to bridge resource gaps and break down stigmas around Native youth and their potential. I also recognize the privilege I hold as a Native woman with access to education and spaces where others may not be represented. My goal is to bring Tribal voices to these spaces, ensuring their needs and concerns are heard. I don’t want to speak for them but rather create opportunities for them to advocate for themselves.
What do you believe sets Tribal Government Relations apart as a unique work environment, and how do you navigate its challenges in your everyday work?
Tribal relations are unique because you’re often wearing multiple hats, balancing several projects simultaneously with limited resources. At the Healing Lodge, for instance, I was managing a $5 million grant while simultaneously running several other programs. In Tribal relations, you often must be patient and flexible, recognizing that there’s a lot of work to do, but not always enough resources to get everything done in the time you’d like. Balancing multiple roles has taught me to prioritize and understand that we’re all trying to do as much as we can with what we have.
Describe a challenging or rewarding project that significantly influenced your growth as a professional. How did you handle the challenge, and what did you learn from the experience?
One of the most rewarding projects I worked on was at the Healing Lodge, where we wanted to shift from a punitive model to a strength-based approach. I implemented the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) model, focusing on positive behaviors and a token economy system to reward adolescents for good behavior. We worked closely with the youth to create a store where they could exchange points, and we shifted from “rules” to “expectations” under a framework called TRIBE, which stood for Trust, Resilience, Integrity, Be Respectful, and Engage. This shift in approach was challenging because it required a significant culture change, but it was incredibly rewarding to see how it helped our youth build a foundation for social success. I learned a lot about resilience, patience, and the power of positive reinforcement through this experience.
What advice would you give to someone navigating how to bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern governance structures?
When working in Tribal relations, humility, respect, and openness are essential. You must recognize that every Tribe and Tribal community is unique and that you are not the expert. Building respectful relationships starts with listening, learning, and being genuinely curious. It’s also vital to support Tribal members as the experts on their communities and to be there as an ally to guide and amplify their voices. Maintaining humility and a respectful approach is key to building lasting, meaningful connections.
Word association, what is the first word that comes to mind for each of these?
- Policy – A guideline to set the stage
- Networking – Relationship-building
- Communications – Foundation to doing good work
- Leadership Connect – Community
