Sen. Cantwell invites the NWIC Space Center to first-ever Washington State Space Summit
The Northwest Indian College Space Center attend the first Washington State Space Summit at the Blue Origin Headquarters on Thursday, July 5 in Kent, Washington. The team was invited by Sen. Maria Cantwell to showcase the work of the team and meet NASA Administrator Bill Nelson.The Senator and Administrator stopped by the NWIC booth to learn about the club’s growth and successful competition pieces from Outreach Coordinator Lisa Redsteer, recent graduate and current student Orenda Jimerson and alum Christian Cultee. The team gifted the Senator a pair of hand-beaded earrings made by Redsteer.
Orenda Jimerson was selected to attend the event’s press conference and asked the Congresswoman and Administrator how they are working to include Tribal Nations in the aerospace industry.“First of all, we are so proud of the Northwest Indian College and your great competitions on rockets. The fact that you beat MIT, I just love that,” the Senator told Orenda. “I do think we should explore more ways to work with Indian Country. Maybe there are unique ways to work together.”
The team toured the Blue Origin capsule that flew William Shatner and Jeff Bezos into space, connected with other college rocket clubs/programs and learn from leaders in the state’s aerospace industry.
“We can see here today that many companies in the State of Washington are providing growth and opportunity for space jobs. [Washington’s space industry] is providing a booming economy, and it has helped maintain America’s position of leadership in space exploration,” said Sen. Cantwell.
