Indian Gaming 2017 Tradeshow and Conference

Deborah Parker
Co-Founder
Indigenous Women Rise


Deborah Parker, Senior Strategist for Pipestem Law Firm, is the former Vice-Chairwoman of the Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors and a nationally-recognized advocate and activist for the rights of Indigenous Nations. She served as a Legislative Policy Analyst in the Office of Governmental Affairs from 2005-12 for the Tulalip Tribes. During her tenure as Vice Chairwoman, Deborah played a prominent role in the advocacy for the inclusion of the tribal jurisdiction provision in the Violence Against Women Act. In 2013, the National Indian Gaming Association honored Deborah at the 15th Annual Sovereignty Awards Banquet with their prestigious John G. Kieffer Memorial “Spirit of Sovereignty” Award. A graduate of the University of Washington, Deborah is a frequent speaker at conferences and symposia related to the restoration of tribal sovereignty and safety for Indigenous Nations. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including: Enduring Spirit Award from the Native Action Network (2010), National Indian Education Parent of the Year (2011), Parent of the Year by the Washington State Indian Education Association (2011), Pearl Capoeman-Baller Civic Participation Award (2012), Senator Patty Murray’s Golden Tennis Shoe Award Honoree (2013), Indian Country Media Network Hall of Fame Award (2013), Awarded the White House “Champion of Change” Award (2013), Center for Democracy: Named Top Ten Women in Business: Woman of the Year Award at Governors Mansion, Olympia, WA (2014), and the Snohomish County Human Rights Award (2016). Most recently, Deborah Parker was named to the Democratic National Convention’s Platform Committee. She is a trustee for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian, Vice Chairwoman for the National Our Revolution Organization, Board of Trustee for the National Indigenous Women's Resource Center and Co-Founder of Indigenous Women Rise.

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