Fort Lewis College is committed to an ongoing reconciliation process that acknowledges our historical impact and honors our responsibilities to Indigenous communities, students, faculty, and staff. This work requires intentional focus, healing, and sustained action—and it is essential to our shared future.
The Reconciliation Department leads this commitment by partnering with faculty, staff, students, and Tribal Nations. Our goal is to strengthen the well‑being of Indigenous students, increase their sense of belonging, and uphold our responsibilities to both Indigenous communities and the College.
Reconciliation is a core pillar of the Fort Lewis College Strategic Plan 2025–30. The plan weaves five transformative directions—Reconciliation, Academics, Student‑Ready, Basic Needs, and Community Connections—into a braided framework for growth. Through this work, we create pathways for the FLC community to build shared understanding, uphold collective responsibility, and embody the commitments outlined in the Reconciliation Framework. Our efforts focus on professional development, curriculum development, student healing and support, and community impact.
Learn about Fort Lewis College's Board of Trustees' commitment to Reconciliation
A shared definition of reconciliation at Fort Lewis College
Reconciliation with and for Indigenous communities in the United States aims to address the historical and ongoing legacy and impacts of U.S. settler colonialism on Indigenous communities, repair relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples, and foster healing for Indigenous communities. Central to reconciliation is respecting the self-determination and sovereignty of Tribal Nations. Fort Lewis College began in the late 19th century as Fort Lewis Indian Boarding School, a site of violent, assimilative, and other harmful practices prevalent in the federal Indian boarding school system.
Reconciliation at Fort Lewis College is a comprehensive process that acknowledges the institution’s troubled origins while establishing respectful and reciprocal relationships with Tribal Nations and Indigenous communities. The ongoing work of reconciliation at Fort Lewis College is a shared responsibility that centers Indigenous voices, where community members contribute by engaging with our history and actively participating in collaborative efforts to advance meaningful institutional change. Our Reconciliation framework seeks an impact across four priority areas: Tribal Nation Building, Indigenous Culture and Knowledge, Language Reclamation, and Health & Wellness.