About Indigenous-STEAM.org

Founder Suzanne DePoe

I’m so excited you’ve arrived at Indigenous-STEAM.org!

The idea for this site came to me after realizing how incredibly hard it was to find the right information online. Out of that frustration, I saw a massive opportunity to build a central space where students, schools, and administrators can easily jumpstart their STEAM journeys. Whether you are looking to deliver a new program or searching for the right Tribal College or University to attend, this site lets you review and investigate options that fit your passion.

Below, I’ve shared a bit about my 32 years in tech—it has truly been an amazing ride. Thank you so much for stopping by, and enjoy the site!

The Journey: From Mainframes to the Future of STEM
I started my technology career in 1992, right at the dawn of the modern digital era. Over the last three decades, I’ve had a front-row seat to the evolution of tech—helping bridge the gap between legacy systems and the massive, global platforms we rely on today.

My journey is defined by a passion for solving complex technical challenges, adapting to industry shifts, and now, inspiring the next generation of innovators.

Phase 1: Building the Infrastructure (1992 – 2006)
My career took root at Nordstrom Inc. Store #01, Seattle Customer Service. Moved to Corporate TechSupport 5 years in which quickly paved the way for a move to Attachmate Corporation. At Attachmate, we were at the center of Enterprise Connectivity, delivering critical client/mainframe solutions that allowed modern systems to communicate with legacy 3270/5250 Mainframes. I spent 13 years in Customer Support, then moving to Engineering as a Test Engineer. Field work as a Systems Engineer in Ohio for two(2) years. Mastering Customer Support skills, testing GUI against mainframe environments, connecting using coax cables and emulation boards until the company’s acquisition and Frank Pritt’s Retirement in 2006.

Phase 2: The Digital Media Revolution (2006 – 2010)
True tech careers require adaptability. Following the sale of Attachmate, I pivoted into the emerging world of digital media and entertainment tech. Digeo Inc.: I joined this Paul Allen company to work on pioneering Digital Media and interactive TV services. Widevine Technologies: Two years later, I stepped into the critical world of cybersecurity and intellectual property as part of Widevine, a cutting-edge Digital Rights Management (DRM) platform built to prevent global piracy.

Phase 3: Securing Content and Googlers Globally (2010 – 2024)
In 2010, Google Inc. acquired Widevine Technologies. Our immediate, mission-critical objective was integration with YouTube.com. I was part of the foundational team tasked with implementing DRM across Google’s massive infrastructure, ensuring that premium media content could be delivered securely at an unprecedented global scale.

As my time at Google progressed, my focus moved to security systems. I transitioned to working on Corporate Security Systems, pivoting from securing external content to directly protecting Google’s internal environment and securing Googlers worldwide. I spent nearly 14 years at Google, helping scale, fortify, and protect both the video infrastructure that powers the modern internet and the workforce behind it, until the tech layoffs in early 2024.

The Next Chapter: Empowering the Next Generation
In May 2024, I decided to channel my 32 years of technology experience into a new mission: closing the opportunity gap in STEM education. Today, I work directly with Indigenous schools, bringing hands-on engineering, coding, and robotics to students using VEX Robotics and Robolink Aerial Drones.

“Technology is only as powerful as the hands we place it in. After decades of helping secure and scale the digital world for billions of users, my focus is now on inspiring the future founders, engineers, and creators who will build what comes next.”

Indigenous-STEAM.org evolved from over 13 years of dedicated work in technology education and community impact at Google Inc. Founded on the success of delivering Robotics and Aerial Drone Programs to 27 Indigenous Schools, we are committed to bridging the digital divide and providing equitable access to STEAM education for Indigenous communities. Our mission is rooted in the belief that every student deserves the opportunity to explore science, technology, engineering, and mathematics through hands-on, engaging programs.

Indigenous Outreach Project History at Google Inc

Leadership & Advocacy: Amplifying Indigenous Voices
Beyond my technical responsibilities, I dedicated a significant part of my time at Google to community leadership and advocacy. In early 2019, I was invited to serve as one of the a Global Leads for the Google American Indian Network. Recognizing the global footprint of our community, we led an initiative in 2020 to evolve the organization’s name to the Google Aboriginal and Indigenous Network (GAIN)—ensuring a more inclusive and welcoming space for all Indigenous Googlers worldwide.

FCC 2.5GHz Rural Tribal Window
- February 2020, application window opens
- September 2, 2020, application window closes
- Collaborated with:
  - Matthew Rantanen, Founder of Tribal Broadband Bootcamp
  - Geoffrey BlackWell, at the time was the Chief Strategy Officer and General Counsel of AMERIND with Nations: Chickasaw, Choctaw, Omaha, and Muscogee Creek. Today, Geoffrey Blackwell is General Counsel and Chief of Staff for the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)
  - Mariel Triggs, Chief Executive Officer of MuralNet.org
  - Petra Wilson, Tribal25 Broadband Efforts
  - Vinton G Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist for Google since October 2005.
- I wrote a proposal for Google.org to support funding to assist nations with License Applications. From this proposal.
- NDIA, National Digital Inclusion Alliance and Amerind.com was Awarded $10M Google.org Grant,
  - Kent Walker, President of global affairs of Alphabet, Google, Alphabet, YouTube Suzanne DePoe and President Kent Walker produced Google.org Grant Video Announcement

Bringing Wifi to the residents of Celilo Village
- In 2019, Google’s Dalles Data Center approach GAIN to assist in providing Wifi to the community.
- Google Keyword Blog, October 2019
- I collaborated with:
  - Bureau of Indian Affairs(BIA)
  - Gorge Networks
  - Celilo Village Community
  - The Dalles Data Center Leadership
- The project delivered:
  - Wifi to each home
  - Chromebook for each home
  - Wifi to the School house and Pump house
- Gorge Network installed an extended on the north side of the Columbia River to the village water tower.
- The school house was renovated, cleaned up, painted, new tables and chairs along with a new printer was provided.
- In addition, Google.org provided $15k to Dufur School to enhance the VEX Robotics program for collaborating with Google to get this completed.
- Dufur Schools Superintendent worked with us to allow access to the school house and volunteers to assist in cleanup.

Yakama Nation – Georgeville Community
- 2020 – COVID times with no internet for students
- Collaborated with:
  - Yakama NationTribal Council Member and member of community
  - Yakama Housing Authority for approval to connect homes to the internet using satellite dishes.
  - Viasat Broadband deliver the devices and connectivity to each house to allow students to access learning via Video Conferencing.
  - Goldendale School District and the City of Goldendale to handle funding.
  - For working with Google Inc, Goldendale donated $10k to the local food bank.

Google.org $500k Grant
- To deliver VEX Robotics and Robolink Aerial Drones to Indigenous Schools.
- Wrote a proposal and submitted to Google.org to provide funding for STEM Programs.
- Awarded on Google’s 25th Anniversary
- Delivered to Robotics Education Competition Foundation (RECF.org)

Google Robotics Workshop in Tulalip, Washington
- Tulalip News article, Tulalip RECF and Google Workshop,
  April 2023
- Collaborated with:
  - Yakama NationTribal Council Member and member of community
  - Yakama Housing Authority for approval to connect homes to the internet using satellite dishes.
  - Viasat Broadband deliver the devices and connectivity to each house to allow students to access learning via Video Conferencing.
  - Goldendale School District and the City of Goldendale to handle funding.
  - For working with Google Inc, Goldendale donated $10k to the local food bank.

Alaskan Native Science and Engineering Program
- ANSEP, Anchorage, AK
- Collaborated with:
  - Founder Dr. Herb Schroeder
  - Michael Ulroan, Director of ANSEP
  - Representing GAIN, delivered CSFirst.com virtual class using Block Coding
- Partnered with SW Engineer to deliver a lesson on camera ability to identify expressions

Student Visits to Google
Arranged opportunities for schools and organizations to come by the Corporate Offices in Seattle and Kirkland
Students were welcomed on campus by submitting credentials for Google badges
- Lunch
- Collaborated with other Googler’s to present on their job and Computer Science, I would share on Google’s technologies and future job opportunities
- Google Swag for the visits
- Tour of all the buildings onsite, lunchrooms, gaming rooms, rooftop gardens

Internal Presentations and Outreach
Presented to Googler’s on Boarding Schools, Missing and Murder Indigenous Women/People
Hour of Code delivered to:
- Todd County School District, Rosebud, South Dakota
- Yakama Nation Tribal School, Yakima, WA
Presenter at Heritage University discussing CSFirst.com and other programs Google has to offer for students
Student School Visits:
- Wapato High School, Wapato, WA Multiple visits to Google
- Toppenish High School, Toppenish, WA
- Upward Bound Bridge University of Idaho Student visit
- Red Cloud Indian School, Pine Ridge, South Dakota

Conferences Representing Google & RECF.0rg

Advancing Indigenous Science and
Engineering Society, AISES.org
- Presenter, Member, AISES National Conference,
  Minneapolis, Minnesota, October 2nd – 4th, 2025
  - Representing RECF.org:
    - AISES National Conference,
      San Antonio, Texas, October 3rd – 5th, 2024
  - Representing Google Inc
    - AISE National Conference,
    - Spokane, WA, October 5th – 7th, 2023
    - Spoke in two sessions representing Google Inc
    - Worked the Google Career Fair Booth
  - Representing Google Inc
    - AISES National Conference, Palm Springs, CA
    - Worked the Google Career Fair Booth

4 Corners Computer Science Convening
- Presenter, Durango, CO, June 27th – 29th, 2024
- Representing RECF.org
  - Announced I was able to get $500k from Google.org for Robotics and Aerial Drones
  - Strategy to deliver Indigenous Robotics and Aerial Drones with the $500k Google.org Grant provided to RECF.org
- Panel Participant, Durango, CO, June 29th – July 1st, 2023
  - Representing Google Inc and GAIN
  - Subject of Panel: Computer Science Programs with Indigenous Communities
  - Expressed need for funding to attendees