Liz Malerba is a member of the Mohegan tribe in Uncasville, CT. She grew up in Uncasville, CT where she has seen the growth of the community due to Mohegan Sun Casino.

Liz is the Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs for the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET). Prior to joining USET, Liz worked for the National Indian Health Board and for a member of Congress, ultimately working on the staff for the House Democratic Caucus.

In this episode we discuss working on Capitol Hill. Congress is its own beast and by working on the Hill, you learn its language and how it works. The experience Native staffers gain while working on the Hill helps tribal organizations in a number of ways. As staffers, these individuals have a better understanding of Native policy than a majority of people on the Hill. If they leave the Hill and work for tribes or tribal organizations, they bring their knowledge and experience to help advance priorities for Indian Country.

We also discuss the importance of “taking up space” in DC. Often times, just being in the proverbial “room” makes a difference. As advocates for Native issues, we have to take up space so that we can explain our issues to the Hill and educate them about needed policy changes.

Show Notes:

Emanuel College

Allegheny College

Representative Rosa DeLauro

Representative John Larson.

House Democratic Caucus

Mark O. Hatfield Fellowship

Native American Contractors Association