7 Things About Katherine Spilde

Katherine Spilde is an associate professor in San Diego State University's L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management and chair of the Sycuan Institute on Tribal Gaming.

1. What inspired you to do this kind of work?

Although I am not a tribal member myself, I grew up on the White Earth Reservation in northern Minnesota where my parents were teachers. I was inspired by the social and economic changes that took place there after the tribe opened the Shooting Star casino in the early 1990s.

Since then, I have spent most of my professional life working to support tribal government gaming as one of the most successful economic development strategies across Indian country. My position at SDSU has allowed me to train students directly for employment in the growing tribal gaming industry which is a dream job for me.

2. How long have you worked at SDSU?

I started at SDSU on August 1, 2008.

3. What is the best piece of advice you ever received?

There are three phases in life: Learn, earn and return.
 
4. What is your favorite thing about your job?

My favorite thing about my job is working with students who decide to pursue a career with deep historical and personal meaning. It is exciting to work with students who are learning about the intersection of tribal laws, regulations, cultures, governments and businesses, often for the first time.

A great deal of the material in our program is new to students, both tribal and non-tribal members, and it is exciting to hear their reactions to this emerging world of tribal governments and global economic development.

5. What about your field or position do you think would surprise people the most?

Most people are surprised by the number of individual American Indian tribal governments in the United States (566) and by the breadth and depth of their business and political activities, ranging from energy, gaming, banking, manufacturing, retail, natural resources, health care management, insurance and more!

Tribal government leaders are global thinkers and have developed nation building models that inspire developing countries around the world. Many Americans are very surprised by the scope and sophistication of tribal government activities because so much of tribal life is taught in history courses rather than business schools.

6. What is the most interesting or surprising thing about you?

I have had an interesting and surprising life simply by the people I have had the luxury of working with and near, including tribal leaders, national and state political leaders, business owners and developers and community leaders, to name a few. Through these relationships, I have been able to attend many historic events and visit places around the world that have made my life incredibly interesting and surprising. My primary academic home is in cultural anthropology, which I studied for 13 years. I have also had the privilege of truly living in two or more cultures for most of my life.

7. If you could only rescue one thing from your burning office, what would it be?

I would rescue a piece of pottery given to me by one of my students who is from Sandia Pueblo. My program is so small that I have the opportunity to spend a lot of time with each student and each one is special to me. I keep most of my art at home but I leave this piece at my office because it is from him and because it reminds me of the sacrifices that many students make to leave home to come to SDSU to study.

Bonus question

1. What is your favorite kind of music/what are your favorite bands?

I like country and folk music because of the stories and the focus on "the human condition." Some of my favorite artists are the old timers I grew up listening to … like Don Williams, Merle Haggard or George Strait. I like the so-called “new” country songs, too, but I am not sure they cut as deeply into the pain and joy of life as some of the classic country songs and artists were able to do.