Meet Laura Morago, the current Editor-in-Chief of the Tribal Tribune, a tribal newspaper owned by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. An alumna of CWU, Morago graduated in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in English – Professional and Creative Writing. A mother of four, Morago was hired as the new Editor-in-Chief in November 2021, after working for the Colville Tribal Youth Development Program for five years.  

Q: What led you to becoming EIC of the Tribal Tribune?

A: I’ve worked for the Tribes’ since graduating from college in 2016. Immediately following graduation, I found a great opportunity as a youth advocate with the Tribes’ Youth Development Program. We provided education advocacy, academic support, and summer employment for Native American youth attending schools on or near the Colville Indian Reservation. In 2019, I was promoted to the Youth Services Manager position a led the YDP team until November 2021. As much as I loved the youth work, writing was always my passion and what I wanted to pursue career-wise. Any time there was an opportunity to showcase my writing skills, I volunteered my time to do it. I’ve successfully written grants for my old program and other tribal programs. I’ve written the report informing the entire Colville Tribal membership about what the tribe, their programs, and their enterprises have accomplished over the last year. I’ve re-written policy manuals and successfully implemented them for various programs. Because of this additional work, my colleagues and superiors knew my career goals. When this position was vacated last summer, I was urged to apply and interview. I know tribal program, administrative processes, and team management through my previous manager position with YDP. Coupled with my writing skills, I was hired for the job after two unsuccessful rounds of interviews. 

Q: What was your favorite thing about Central?

A: My writing professors are my favorite thing about Central. I still keep in touch with many of them. Maya, Kathy, and Lisa made me feel confident in my choice to pursue creative writing. They are brilliant writers who encourage and empower students in the most beautiful way. I have always wanted to be a writer. After completing the program, I knew I would be one. 

Q: Any advice you would like to pass on to current students?

A: My advice to current students is to just enjoy it. I had so much fun, learned to so much, and made great friends. Build relationships with your favorite professors. Some of mine will be life-long friends of mine, I’m sure. 

Q: What were some of your strategies to manage a home and school life balance?

A: I have a ton of help from my family, and I have a great co-parenting relationship with my ex-husband. His schedule and mine are opposite, so one of us is always with all of our kids. I am very fortunate that my schedule is flexible and allows for me to be with my children any time I need. The most helpful thing I can say is to never put your work over your family. I have pretty solid boundaries when it comes to work and how it impacts my time out of work. While I love my job, I love my family even more. My children and my family will always be my priority, and my job knows that. I do work a lot still, but I make sure I take any time that I need off, too. 

Q: If you could be any animal, what would it be and why?

A: I would be an eagle because they’re one of my favorite animals and the ability to fly would be incredible.