By Hailey Palmer, Puyallup Tribal News
Puyallup Tribal Member and former councilman Tim Reynon was appointed by Gov. Bob Ferguson as the new Director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs.
Reynon was appointed in December 2024 following the state election and officially assumed the role Jan. 15.
Reynon will serve as a liaison between the Governor’s office and Indian Tribes and other Tribal organizations.
“It is quite the honor, for sure, to be even considered for a position like this,” Reynon said. “I’m extremely humbled and honored by the appointment, and just being considered by the governor and his team to be entrusted to lead this kind of work for the state.”
In a press release, now-Gov. Ferguson expressed his excitement to have Reynon serving on his team.
“I am excited to appoint Tim Reynon to lead such a critical office,” Ferguson said in the release. “He is a committed and thoughtful leader who brings a wealth of experience to this important position. I look forward to working together to strengthen our government-to-government relationships with
Tribal governments and working to improve the lives of all Indigenous
people in Washington.”
Once the initial shock of the offer wore off, Reynon said that’s when he really started to think about what he could do for Tribal communities in the position.
“The thing I’m looking forward to most is just continuing to work with Tribal leaders from across the state and making sure their voices are heard and they have a seat at the table when issues are being considered that affect the Tribes and their members,” Reynon said. “I’m really looking at ways we can improve the way in which the state works with our Tribes and help bring people together. That’s something I enjoy a lot – bringing people together to problem-solve. … I’m really hoping we can make a difference in the lives of our Tribal relatives across the state.”
Reynon is confident his past experiences working for the Puyallup Tribe and City of Seattle will give him a strong foundation to start with in his new role.
“What it comes down to is relationship-building, diplomacy, listening, all of those things were things we had to do in all of my positions I’ve been in for the Tribe,” Reynon said. “I have to give a shout out to my previous Council colleagues, particularly the former chairmen I’ve had the opportunity of working with over the years – Chairman Herman Dillon, Chairman Bill Sterud and Chairman David Bean.”
Reynon said some of his early goals include engaging in meaningful conversations with other leaders around the state.
“(I want to) find ways to bring Tribal leaders and the governor and governor’s staff together to really explore the issues and priorities of Tribes and the governor,” he said. “To find ways we can work together and collaborate together to address those priorities and honor Tribal sovereignty.”
While still in the early days of his new role, Reynon knows there’s still a lot for him to learn, but is excited for what’s in store.
“I’m in a learning mode right now – a listening mode. This first little bit is going to be a lot of listening and learning from Tribal leaders, members and the folks I work with here at the state,” Reynon said. “I’m going to need to do a lot of listening, and then it’s going to be trying to find ways to bring people together and explore ways to address the issues that are impacting our people.”