Ernest House, Jr.
Keystone Policy Center
Denver, CO USA
"Always find a way to go back home—whatever home is, whatever you define home as, whatever centers you and brings you back."
Career Roadmap
Ernest's work combines: Politics, Government, and Upholding a Cause and Belief
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Day In The Life
Skills &
Education
Advice for getting started
I recommend starting with internship opportunities in public policy. Internships are a great way to get first-hand experience working in the field so that you can decide if it's right for you or not. I think it's better to gain some experience and figure out what path is the best fit before committing to something like law school.
Here's the path I took:
High School
Life & Career Milestones
My path in life has been direct
1.
I grew up in a tribal leadership family—my father was a longtime tribal leader for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe and my great-grandfather was the last hereditary chief of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe.
2.
The things we’re still fighting for—hunting rights, fishing rights, and water rights—were instilled in me from a young age.
3.
At 23 years old, I became the executive director for the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs.
4.
As executive director, I served as the official liaison between the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Tribe, and the State of Colorado.
5.
I spent 12 years with the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs before joining Keystone Policy Center as the senior policy director.
Defining Moments
How I responded to discouragement
THE NOISE
Messages from Peers:
Oh, they sent the intern to this meeting.
How I responded:
I was only 23 years old when I started as the Director of Indian Affairs for the State of Colorado. It was challenging. Every meeting I went to, I'd hear people refer to me as an intern and not take me seriously. I spent years wishing I could reach a level where people would take me seriously. Regardless, I was still advocating for my people, which was the foundation that kept me going despite the challenges. I also found support in great partners and mentors.