Centralia College will unveil a new plaque in its Diversity Plaza on Oct. 22.
It will honor Helen Sanders of the Chehalis Tribe, the college announced.
A dedication ceremony will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22, at the Diversity Plaza (located between the TransAlta Commons and Kirk Library buildings) at Centralia College. A reception will follow.
Sanders played a pivotal role in securing a landmark U.S. Supreme Court decision, United States v. Mitchell (1983), which established the federal government’s accountability in managing tribal lands and resources. She grew up on the Chehalis Reservation and witnessed destructive and deceptive logging practices on tribal land. She worked tirelessly to secure stronger safeguards for Native lands and the rights of tribal landowners.
“If ever there was a champion for change, it is Helen Sanders,” Joy Anglesey, vice president of human resources and equity at Centralia College, said in a news release. “She didn't just break barriers for women and Native Americans. She challenged the very systems that created them. As a woman of Native descent, I am inspired by her courage, her determination, and the lasting legacy she created for generations to come.”
The Diversity Plaza is an extension of the work that started in 1991 with the installation of diversity plaques at the base of the college’s iconic clocktower. As part of TransAlta Commons building (completed in 2017), a Diversity Plaza was built outside with space for additional plaques honoring activists, artists, leaders, and champions of social change locally and regionally.
The Helen Sanders plaque is the third on the Diversity Plaza. A plaque honoring Freddie and Robert Neal was dedicated in 2019. A plaque honoring Rikkey Outumurro was dedicated in June. Recipients are chosen by the college’s Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. Nominations can be made by anyone. Nominees are evaluated by the committee for their positive contributions to cultural diversity, equity, inclusion, social justice and understanding and/or awareness.
