Department of Revenue appoints new tribal liaison

OLYMPIA, Wash. – Nov. 2, 2018 – The Washington Department of Revenue has appointed Kara Briggs as the agency’s new tribal liaison.

“Kara has years of experience and knowledge working and building relationships with tribes,” said DOR Senior Assistant Director of Policy, Gil Brewer. “Her background and skills will support the important and complex partnership between the department and tribes of our state.”

Most recently, Briggs served as a strategist, planner and communications consultant for tribes and tribal organizations across the West, and also served as a consultant to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian during its first decade on the National Mall.

Most of Briggs life and career has been spent among the Tribal Nations in Washington state and across the West, including as a journalist for the Spokesman Review and Oregonian.

"The Washington Department of Revenue is the most helpful place I could serve as tribal liaison at this time,” said Briggs. “I believe what we need going forward are open channels of communication, constructive conversations and a greater collaboration between the Department and the 29 federally-recognized Tribes about taxation issues on reservations. The foundation of this work must be based in respect for the Tribes, their cultures and the importance of their economic development not only for their own tribal communities but also for all of Washington state.”

Briggs has held regional and national leadership positions including as a past president of the Native American Journalists Association and as a recent chair of Seattle’s Center for Women and Democracy.

A graduate of Whitworth College, Briggs also holds a master’s degree in Public Administration with a focus in Tribal Governance from The Evergreen State College.

Briggs grew up in Spokane and has lived on the Tulalip Reservation for more than a decade. She is a Sauk-Suiattle Tribal Member and descendant of the Yakama Nation.

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The Department of Revenue is Washington state’s primary tax agency, nationally recognized as a trusted leader in tax administration and customer service. Revenue administers nearly 60 categories of taxes that help fund vital public services. It also oversees programs that return money to the public, including the Working Families Tax Credit and Unclaimed Property.