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Eastern Washington Legislative Conference 2026

January 31, 2026

"We Shall Overcome: Building the Beloved Community today"

click the graphic to link to each video.

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LaRae Wiley of the Salish School of Spokane opened and closed with drumming and a prayer song, followed by interfaith sharing with songs and reflecting on the power of songs to sustain advocacy movements. Presenters are Raging Grannies, Jadrian Tarver of Gonzaga University, John Hubbe, N-Sid-Sen camp musician, and Verne Windham of Westminster United Church of Christ and Ben Brody of Whitworth University.

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The Keynote Plenary on "Spiritual Ramifications of Persistence" featured discussion with Bishop Gretchen Rehberg of the Episcopal Diocese of Spokane, the Rev. Liv Larson Andrews, director of evangelical mission for the Northwest Intermountain Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Fr. Max Oliva SJ of Ethics in the Marketplace, Karen Stromgren of Muslims for Community Action and Support (MCAS) and moderated by Gary Jewell, a Mennonite pastor and moderator of The Fig Tree Board.

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Youth Advocacy Panel—Fenrir Close, youth organizer with the Peace and Justice Action League of Spokane (PJALS), Li Velasco of Nuestras Raíces, Bella Rossi, a Western Washington University environmental education student, and Jada Richardson, a member of the NAACP Spokane Youth Committee—give a plenary presentation.

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Briefing on 2026 WA Legislation by Kristin Ang, policy engagement director of the Faith Action Network of Washington, Jean Welch Hill of the Washington State Catholic Conference and Luc Jasmin III, the Eastern Washington representative for Governor Bob Ferguson.

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The Power of Music in Advocacy Workshop - Jadrian Tarver, a GU professor of music history, John Hubbe, N-Sid-Sen camp musician, LaRae Wiley, Arrow Lakes Band of Colville Confederation, and the Raging Grannies introduce songs that have impact on people, reaching beyond what words alone can do.

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Refugee and Immigration Issues Workshop is offered by the Eastern Washington Refugee and Immigrant Coalition with Deb Salls of Global Neighborhood Thrift, Mely Stipek of World Relief, Luis Castillo of Refugee and Immigrant Connections Spokane, Yalda Mohmand of Feast World Kitchen, Ali Moghaddasi and Pat Castaneda of Manzanita House.

EWLC 2026 Sponsors:

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Copyright@ The Fig Tree, January 2026