Suquamish Tribal Council
Meets Jan 9 & 30. Agenda and links will be sent via Weekly Update & SUN Texts.
Meets Jan 11. Contact Emily Sato at emilysato@ clearwatercasino.com or call (360) 598-8703. Please contact her by 5pm the day prior to the meeting for the WebEx link if you would like to attend virtually.
Suquamish Tribal Gaming Commission
Meets Jan 12 & 26, Museum Conference Room. Contact Angela Brainerd (360) 394-8652 for details.
Suquamish Seafoods Board
Meets online Jan 17. Contact Shanel Carlson at (360) 3948512 for details.
Suquamish Museum
New hours: Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm. Mon & Tues by appointment. For board meeting info, contact TJ Johnson at (360) 394-8499.
Suquamish Warriors
Monthly meetings are on first Tuesday at 5:30pm at Suquamish Warriors Vet Center. For information, contact Bill Gemmell at (360) 536-0007.
Wisdom Warriors Support Group
Meets second Wednesday of each month.
Elders Council
Meets at Elders Lodge third Tuesday of the month, 2-4pm. Questions, call Della or Melissa, (360) 394-8417.
Published monthly by the Suquamish Tribe: 18490 Suquamish Way, Suquamish, WA 98392
Email us at: communications@suquamish.nsn.us Send letters to: Suquamish News Editor, PO Box 498, Suquamish, WA 98392-0498
Jan 5 – Healing House Open House, 2-4pm Tours will begin for Tribal Elders only at 1pm and for everyone else from 2-4pm
Jan 19 – Treaty Night, 5:30-7:30pm
Historical panel discussion on the 1855 Treaty of Pt. Elliott. Traditional dinner will be served. Contact Kate Ahvakana for details, KAhvakana@suquamish.nsn.us
Jan 19 & 26 – Online Storytelling Nights, 5:30pm Register by sending us an email at: language_program@ suquamish.nsn.us
Did you have a baby in 2022? We want to see pictures! Please email 1-3 of your favorite baby photos to Communications@suquamish.nsn.us. Please include full name, date of birth, parents’ and grandparents’ names if possible. We’ll print them in the Suquamish News, and showcase them during General Council. Thank you!
Leonard Forsman Chairman
Josh Bagley Vice-Chair
Windy Anderson Secretary
Denita Holmes Treasurer
Rich Purser Member
Letters should include the writer’s full name, address, and home telephone and may be edited for clarity and space.
All photo submissions must be made in JPG or PDF form, with resolution of 300 dpi or more.
Sammy Mabe Member
Luther Mills, Jr. Member
Dear Tribal families,
Did you get your Suquamish 2023 Calendar at one of this year’s holiday events? If not, you are welcome to pick one up in the Lobby of the Tribal Admin Building while supplies last. Each month features a photo from the Suquamish community, and on the back is a list of contact information for government departments. We hope you find these photos as inspiring as we found taking them.
Respectfully, Suquamish Tribe Communications
On the Cover: Chief Kitsap Academy alumni Colin Edwards and Jacob Ewing help build the new Commons Building on the CKA Campus. Ewing credits the Tribe’s Workforce program with helping him land the job. (Photo by Jon Anderson)
Leonard Forsman Editor-in-Chief
Catherine Edwards Executive Editor
Sarah van Gelder Managing Editor
Jon Anderson News Editor
JoAnn Joe Photography/Design
Georgia Browne Layout and Design
Editorial Policy
Publishers of the Suquamish News reserve the right to refuse publication of letters to the editor and guest editorials. Submission of editorials and letters is encouraged. However, they represent the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Suquamish Tribe. As such, we reserve the right to refuse to print any letter, for any reason.
Reproduction of Suquamish News, in whole or in part, without written permission from the Suquamish Tribe is strictly prohibited.
If you’re thinking the new year might be a good time to explore a new career, Michael Zaiss says you couldn’t have picked a better time.
As Suquamish Tribe’s Workforce Program Manager, Zaiss says new opportunities for new careers abound right now.
“We’re seeing good, well-paying positions from the Navy shipyard to Washington State Ferries, from construction companies to communications, from labor to trades to office jobs,” says Zaiss. “We’ve got great entry-level federal and state jobs with pensions and benefits that are there for the taking. There are even positions regularly available in our own Tribal government. You just have to want to work.”
Part of the Tribe’s Human Services Division, Workforce is available to Suquamish Tribal Members and enrolled members of other Tribes in the area.
It was about this time last year that Tribal Member Jacob Ewing decided to make a fresh start. Zaiss helped him land a job with Korsmo Construction, where he’s been helping build the new Commons Building at Chief Kitsap Academy.
“It’s pretty cool to have graduated from CKA five years ago, and now I’m building this amazing new addition to the campus,” says Ewing, while prepping roofing materials alongside fellow CKA grad Colin Edwards.
Ewing is just one of many Tribal Members who’ve charted a new career course recently.
Indeed, the Tribe’s Workforce program placed more than 40 people into new jobs this year while more than 80 are currently getting help with everything from training and education opportunities to resume polishing and interview skills, all preparing them to level up into new jobs.
“Let’s say someone wants to get into the trades,” says Zaiss. “We can get them into the OSHA-10 and OSHA-30 courses — the 10- and 30-hour job safety courses — that normally cost people hundreds of dollars. But it’s absolutely free to our clients. And once you have the certification, it will absolutely get you to the front of the pack for job placements.”
Other assistance available through Workforce include help getting the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, more commonly known as a TWIC card, which is needed to work on secure maritime facilities like the Naval Shipyard.
With all the road work in the area, flaggers are in high
demand right now. “We hosted a flagger certification course recently, and four out of the six students had job offers as soon as we were done.”
More flagger trainings are in the works for 2023.
Interested in a commercial trucking? Workforce can help with that, too.
“If you’re a Suquamish Tribal Member, we can work with Higher Education to get you enrolled in driving school,” says Zaiss. “And again, that’s training that can cost thousands of dollars for most people, but is free to Workforce clients.”
One Tribal Member was just placed with the Seattle Dive Company and yet another is on the cusp of being accepted into the WSF engineering program to work aboard Puget Sound ferries.
Tribal Member Tony Adams has been an instrumental mentor in the process, says Zaiss. Adams has been work ing for Washington State Ferries since 2017 and is now on track to become a ferry captain. “He’s been amazing helping our people make sense of all the forms and bu reaucracy. He’s been educating us all in a big way,” says Zaiss.
Workforce has also teamed up with the Marion Forsman-Boushie Early Learning Center recently to help
provide childcare to clients who are out looking for a job and need it once they have a job.
“Or vise-versa, if the ELC knows of a parent that’s looking for work, they can call us.”
Likewise, Workforce is now integrating more with Chief Kitsap Academy with mentorship and skills training for students there.
It’s a path Jacob Ewing says he hopes every student thinks about taking advantage of.
“Workforce provided a lot of opportunities for me to learn and grow. I got forklift training — that’s really given me a leg up in the job I’m in now. I’ve been able to make a pretty good mark here,” says Ewing. “I’ve been approached by the union to become a journeyman carpenter. I’m also really interested in becoming an electrician. I may just apply to both. It’s good to have options and really good to be out doing work I enjoy. And Workforce has had a lot to do with that.”
By Jon AndersonAcase argued in front of the U.S. Supreme Court earlier threatens to revive a dark period in our history when Native American children were taken away from our families and Tribes.
Until 1978, when the Indian Child Welfare Act was signed into law, non-Native officials decided when to remove our children and where to place them. If our families were poor or didn’t have running water, parents could be labeled as inadequate, and our children could be removed from their families. In all, nearly a third of American Indian and Alaska Natives were taken from their homes, with 85% placed in non-Native homes. Their families and Tribes might never see them again.
The problem was so egregious and widespread it took congressional passage of the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) to change these practices. The 1978 law created a common-sense framework that protects our children and protects our rights to raise our next generations. This law could be declared unconstitutional by an activist Supreme Court.
ICWA assures that a Native American child’s extended families and other qualified members of their Tribe have an opportunity to care for a child whose parents are not able to raise them. If the child is placed with non-Natives, ICWA assures that their Tribe can keep them connected to their community and culture, and can check in on their well-being. And this means that their rights as citizens of sovereign Indian nations are also protected.
To implement these policies, Tribes have developed child welfare agencies that have been effective and compassionate at overseeing the best interest of the children, winning a “gold star” rating from 31 non-Native child welfare organizations.
All this progress could be reversed as a result of a case first brought in 2017 to the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas in Brackeen v. Zinke. This case was consolidated and renamed Brackeen v. Haaland as it made its way through the courts, and is currently being heard at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Those challenging the law say it is race-based discrimination. It is not. The Indian Child Welfare Act is founded in our sovereignty as nations with spiritual and cultural connections that precede the founding of the United States by thousands of years, confirmed by treaties, legal precedents, Congressional action and federal
recognition. We have the right to make laws and enforce them, to govern ourselves, and to see to the welfare of our families and children.
In my Tribe, we know only too well what it means when we don’t have the protection of the Indian Child Welfare Act. On the wall of the Suquamish Museum is a photo of a young girl, taken from an old newspaper clipping. The caption reads, “Marilou, 6 years old, has been free for adoption since she was 2 and a half.” This is a photo of Mary Lou Salter, now a Tribal elder, who was taken from her home, her extended family and her Tribe when she was just 18 months old. For decades, her extended family and her Tribe had no way to reach her or to see if she was all right.
only then that she learned how much her family and community had missed her.
“It would have made a huge difference to have remained in the community and to know my relatives and to have a sense of belonging somewhere,” she said. “When I first came back, the elders would crowd around me and touch me, not saying anything. One of them told me that they were trying to pass their memories to me.”
Mary Lou’s story is like thousands of others of Native American children removed from families and communities, and the abuse and trauma that so often followed.
Opponents of the Indian Child Welfare Act say its protections are no longer needed, and that Native children should be treated like any other children.
But they fail to see the traumatic history that has broken up so many Native families, including the history of forced taking of Indian children to boarding schools where they were punished for speaking their language, and many were subjected to physical, physiological and sexual abuse. This history, which played out in parallel ways in Canada, was declared genocidal in the 2015 report of the Canadian Truth and Reconciliation Commission. And a U.S. Department of Interior report released in May 2022 concluded: “The Federal Indian boarding school policy was intentionally targeted at American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian children to assimilate them and, consequently, take their territories.”
Restoring our families is among our highest priorities. Even with ICWA, Native children are removed from their homes at four times the rate of non-Natives — even when the family situation is the same.
“I had no idea there were relatives who worried about me — who remembered me,” Salter said.
It turned out she wasn’t all right. Over the course of many years, she was shuffled from foster home to foster home, and many of these homes were abusive. She went deaf as a result of chronic, untreated ear infections, which eventually required surgery and caused deep pain. She was eventually adopted against her will.
It wasn’t until she was nearly 30 years old that she found her way back to her family and Tribe, and it was
Opponents like to focus on the successful placement stories, when Native children land in supportive non-Native homes. But they fail to acknowledge the many foster homes that are abusive, or that deny or demean the children’s Native heritage. When the Tribes and extended families can’t contact these children, they are unable to check on their safety and well-being, and to connect them to their culture.
Opponents often speak of the attachment the children form to their foster parents. But they don’t see the deep attachment that exists with the extended family and the Tribal community. Nor do they talk about the way our children are often deeply traumatized by being separated from their extended families, Tribes, their culture and their identity.
another less experienced student with stitching a red cork into the netting.
A short walk away, more students are working together to chop alder wood for smoking the chum salmon that will be caught with the nets. With each new piece, students carefully strip the bark away.
“Stripping the bark off is something I recently learned from one of our Tribal Elders,” says Clae. “If the wood still has bark, its smoke will make the salmon taste bitter. It’s amazing what a difference one simple thing like that can make.”
Like an incoming tide, the magic happened almost imperceptibly at first, a steady progression of little moments building up and up and somehow changing everything.
It’s been no secret that things have been tough at Chief Kitsap Academy.
“We’ve had some real challenges this year as most schools have,” says teacher Serene Williams. “After coming back from the pandemic, we’ve had students struggling with attendance and struggling with academics.”
But all that started to change when classes shifted outside this fall for CKA’s revitalized Ocean to Table program, where students learned firsthand both the art and science of catching and processing fish as well as the culture and connection that comes with working together in traditional ways.
The first little moments came as students learned how to build the long seine nets with Tribal fisherman — and Serene’s husband — Clae Williams. Serene’s daughter Shaylene Jefferson and sister Shellene Kurtz also helped teach the net building. You could see it as they worked together, stringing the nets, carefully weaving in the corks on top and the weights below.
“This is the first year we’re building nets with the students,” says Clae, watching as one student helps guide
Tribal Councilman Jay Mills, Jr. says he remembers learning how to catch, fillet, and smoke salmon with his great-grandmother Cecilia Jackson growing up on Phinney Bay.
“When I was growing up we’d fill up our family’s smoke house with 150 to 200 fish. And it was a family event. You had your aunts and uncles and cousins all lined up filleting the fish and preparing them for the smoke house,” says Mills.
It was hard work, but filled with moments that matter, he says, because it taught him not only practical ways of providing food for the table, but how practical the cultural ways are in connecting people and caring for one another.
That’s why, when it’s time for students to head out onto the water and put their new nets to work, he’s right there with them.
“I want to teach these kids how do it right,” he says, “so they can pass this knowledge on to their kids and grandkids.”
Dozens of students have gathered at the Suquamish Dock with the rising sun. Serene is passing out brand new Grundens foul weather gear. “It was really hard last year,” she says. “We tried to use the cheaper brands, and all our kids ended up with ripped gear and getting totally wet.”
After some networking and a few phone calls, this year however, CKA was able to secure almost $8,000 worth of donated gear from the outdoor retailer, says Serene.
The goal, she says, as the students load aboard the Suquamish Seafoods boat that will shuttle them to Miller Bay, is to catch 100 chum salmon.
By midday, the students repeatedly towed nets out into the bay and back around to the beach, but the salmon remained elusive. Despite the cold and the wet work of slowly hauling the nets onto shore, spirits stayed strong.
Culture“The lesson today is the lesson of the fisherman,” says Serene. “Sometimes you catch fish, sometimes you don’t.”
But then, after moving to a third location, a catch of jumping salmon starts coming in with the net.
By the time they’re done, the students will have 120 fish.
When it’s time to process the fish, Jay Mills, Kevin Alexander, and Shelene Kurtz are there to help and guide.
But it’s senior Isaiah Pondelick who steps up and explains not only the detailed process of properly filleting the fish, but how he learned, and who he learned from, and how grateful he is to be able to do this at school.
“He started doing Ocean to Table as a 7th grader, and now to see him leading as a senior, it just fills my heart,” says Serene.
Next came brining, rinsing, and then smoking at the CKA smokehouse.
Freshman Luther Mills IV guided the detailed planning with his grandfather Jay, making the important decisions on how the fish would be arranged inside the smokehouse.
“That’s probably one of the greatest moments of this project for me, seeing things come full circle across the generations like that,” says Serene.
“Getting the students together, getting the whole community involved, and then watching the mentorship happening between our upperclassman and eighth graders, between our students and mentors and elders. All of the pieces that come together to do this, it all happens because of the community.”
By Jon Andersonic development, climate and clean energy, investing in Indian Country through the American Rescue Plan and the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, health equity, public safety and justice, veterans and indigenous knowledge.
The President emphasized the historic investment in Indian Country through the American Rescue Plan, the importance of making Indian Health Service funding mandatory, and his executive order on Treaty Rights Protection. Vice-President Harris voiced her support of the Indian Child Welfare Act and her concerns about the U.S. Supreme Court’s impending Brackeen decision regarding ICWA.
ington Indian Gaming Association meeting hosted by Suquamish at the Clearwater Casino Resort and WIGA’s fundraising gala at the Tulalip Resort, which benefited their scholarship program. The ATNI Executive Board met to plan our Winter Convention, which will be held in Portland in late January 2023.
We were also engaged with a number of local issues last month.
The last Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council meeting was held, and our annual budget was passed and a consultant retained. Bremerton Mayor Greg Wheeler and Bainbridge Island Mayor Joe Deets will serve as Chair and Vice-Chair respectively in 2023.
I also attended the retirement celebration for Kitsap County Commissioner Ed Wolfe.
Iwould like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a Happy New Year.
The Tribe started to emerge from the pandemic in 2022 and began making investments in improving our present and planning for the future. Now we can start to re-engage in cultural events like the Tribal Canoe Journey and Chief Seattle Days. Our Health Clinic should be open soon, and we can look forward to expanded health services on the reservation and beyond. We are investing in more housing and are reacquiring our land base. We will also see expansion of our Tribal enterprise base as we need to grow to meet the demands of the future.
We need to continue to work hard with other Tribal governments to move local, state, and federal agencies to do more to protect our ancestral lands and waters. We will continue to have challenges as we strive to protect our sovereignty, and our ancestral lands and waters from outside threats.
We hope you will continue to support our efforts to meet these challenges. We are grateful for the hard work of our boards, commissions, and employees. Let’s build on our momentum and make 2023 a year to be proud of!
The first in-person White House Tribal Nations Summit since 2015 was held in Washington, DC, this year at the Department of the Interior. President Biden and Vice President Harris addressed the large gathering of Tribal leaders to acknowledge the progress the Administration has made in supporting Tribal governments and economies, and to discuss the challenges that face us in the future. Federal officials and Tribal leaders discussed a range of issues, including education and native languages, mental health, access to capital and econom-
We appreciated the presence of the President and Vice-President in addition to the appearance of several cabinet members including Attorney General Merrick Garland, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, and EPA Administrator Michael Regan.
We are working with the Bureau of Indian Affairs to bring more of our land into trust as we reacquire our ancestral territory.
The Bureau of Indian Affairs held a virtual meeting with Tribal leaders to present grant opportunities for Tribes under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. There is funding available for climate change adaptation, electrification assistance, and salmon recovery. These are competitive grants requiring strong justification for expenditures.
Rear Admiral Mark Sucato, Commander, Navy Region Northwest, hosted a meeting with Washington Tribes on our ancestral territory in Bremerton. Admiral Sucato oversees Captain Massie, who commands Naval Base Kitsap (PSNS-Bangor-Keyport-Manchester) and other naval bases in the region, including Naval Base Everett and Indian Island Ammunition Depot. Admiral Sucato updated us on the Navy’s mission and potential effects on future activities at our naval installations.
I hosted a virtual meeting for Tribal leaders on the upcoming legislative session. We were joined by Rep. Deb Lekanoff (Tlingit) and Senator-Elect Claudia Kauffman (Nez Perce) and Representative-Elect Chris Stearns (Navajo), all Tribal citizens who will be serving in the state Legislature in January. We also heard from Asa Washines (Yakama) who works for the Attorney General and Vicki Lowe (Jamestown) who works for the American Indian Health Commission. This will be a busy session with bills on salmon recovery, college tuition funding for Tribal students, early learning investment, and changes to drug possession laws.
Other inter-tribal events included the monthly Wash-
The Kitsap Economic Development Alliance hosted a reception that featured a presentation by Naval Base Kitsap Commanding Officer Captain Richard Massie on the mission and economic benefits of the installations under his command.
I joined Vice Chair Josh Bagley and Councilmember Sammy Mabe at a meeting with the Port of Brownsville to discuss our treaty fishing fleets presence in their facility. The commissioners learned more about our moorage agreement and the needs of our fishers. We hope improved communication and understanding will improve services to our fishing fleet, which uses this marina.
The Friends of Waterfront Seattle Board met to get updated on the progress of our efforts to raise funds for the completion of the park. We also celebrated the new Union Street pedestrian bridge to the waterfront.
We continue to take actions to support protection of the Salish Sea from pollution and degradation. I spoke at the Washington Department of Natural Resources press conference in support of their decision not to re-issue a permit to Cooke Aquaculture for the Rich Passage Net Pens. Public Lands Commissioner Hilary Franz made the announcement at Fort Ward State Park.
The West Sound Partnership for Ecosystem Recovery had a virtual meeting to discuss local habitat restoration efforts. Kitsap County Commissioner Charlotte Garrido and I were elected to serve as co-chairs for WSPER in 2023.
Lastly there were a few cultural and educational activities in my schedule last month, including a visit to an inter-tribal youth event at Islandwood on Port Blakely hosted by Patsy Whitefoot of the Yakama Nation. Our annual Community Holiday Party at the House of Awakened Culture was a great success (thanks Human Services and all the departments for a great event). And I had the chance to join WSDOT Tribal Liaison Megan Cotton in a presentation to a governmental relations class at the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance.
By Leonard Forsman Suquamish Tribe ChairmanThe Primary Care team at the Suquamish Tribe’s Healing House health clinic is on track to begin seeing patients by the end of the winter, says Dr. Kristine Ewing, the clinic’s medical director.
In December, the clinic’s new staff began training on the new Electronic Medical Record (EMR) system that will be used by the entire Health Division (Healing House, Wellness Clinic, and Community Health), marking a major milestone towards fully opening the clinic. Having a single EMR across the Tribe’s health entities will help to coordinate and streamline care.
“We are busy orienting nursing and administrative staff, ordering supplies, and learning our new medical record system,” said Ewing. “We need everything to be ready in a good way, so that we can do what we are here to do, which is caring for people.”
Tribal Members and their families are invited to an open house at the clinic on Jan. 5. Tours will begin for Tribal Elders only at 1pm. Tours will continue for everyone else from 2pm to 4pm.
In the meantime, clinic staff are now assembling a list of Tribal Members and their families who are interested in making appointments to establish their medical care at the clinic.
“These first appointments are typically longer visits where your doctor will review your medical history, ask
you a lot of detailed questions, and start to develop a plan that meets your medical needs,” said Ewing. “For now, we’re just trying to get a sense of who is interested. Once we’re ready to schedule appointments, we will contact you.”
This might beg the question – what will primary care look like at the Healing House?
“And it’s a good question,” says Ewing. “Primary care is a long-term relationship between a person and a primary care physician. In our Tribal community, this all about establishing a relationship built on trust and respect, the kind of care that comes with honoring culture and taking the time to understand each person’s unique needs.”
Dr. Alex Kraft, who is a Naturopathic Physician and acupuncturist who worked part-time at the Wellness Center over the past eight years, joins Ewing, a Family Physician, on the Healing House Primary Care team.
At the Healing House, these primary care doctors will see patients regularly for checkups, taking time to get to know a patient and their medical history, and provide knowledge and support regarding long-term and chronic health concerns, including nutrition, stress management and mental health.
“Ideally we would see people for all of their primary care and also acute, non-life-threatening needs, but as a prima-
ry care clinic we will often refer more urgent concerns to an urgent care clinic or emergency room,” says Ewing.
Before visits can begin, however, several remaining big, background pieces are being put into place.
Tribal Council recently approved the eClinicalWorks EMR as the Tribe’s backbone for recordkeeping and secure client communication. Training to use that software, now underway, is about a two-month process.
Tribal Council also approved a contract with Native American-owned DT-Trak Consulting to provide coding, billing, auditing, and credentialing services for health clinic staff. Meanwhile, joining Ewing and Kraft, three new staff members have been hired into key positions at the clinic in recent weeks:
• Receptionist - Elizabeth Napoleon
• Medical Assistant - Michelle Hofmann
• Office Manager - Kris Safford
Stephen Kutz serves as the Healing House Director, overseeing Primary Care, Community Health, and the Wellness Center. As the Primary Care team continues their work to prepare to see patients, the Tribe’s Community Health nursing staff continue providing vaccinations and boosters, COVID-19 testing, medication and chronic disease management, tobacco cessation, and nutrition counseling, among other services.
WIC services are also now run out of Healing House.
By Jon Anderson
It’s time to register for online zoom classes beginning the week of Jan 16, 2023, through the week of March 20. Point your phone camera at the QR code to the right, or type into your browser: https:// bit.ly/Lushootseed_Class
Our in-person classes will begin again on Jan 11, 2023, at 5pm, and will continue until May 31, with time off during spring break.
We also have on-line history/story readings on Thursdays, Jan 19 & 26, Feb 2 & 9, at 5:30pm for the Suquamish community. See SUN Alert for Zoom link or register by sending an email to: language_program@suquamish.nsn.us
like winter time”
Week two – ʔəsƛ’uxʷil čəd – “I am cold”
Week three – hədiw’ ti dsyayayəʔ“Come inside my relative”
Week four – Point Elliott tliiti “Point Elliott Treaty”
Week five – swaq’waq’ “Frog, February”
Scan the QR code for a pronunciation guide:
Jan 2 – CLOSED Jan 4 – Doughnut day Jan 11 – After School Youth Center 3:30pm. Vision Boards with Guest Robin Little Wing Sigo. Jan 18 –After School Youth Center 3:30pm. Plants with Azure Boure. Learn about traditional plant teachings and do a fun activity. Jan 16 – CLOSED
Jan 19 – Treaty Night, 5:307:30pm. Historical panel discussion on the 1855 Treaty of Pt. Elliott. Contact Kate Ahvakana for details, KAhvakana@suquamish.nsn.us Jan 25 – Museum Day 3:30pm. After school trip to tour our museum.
Jan 26 – Birthday Cake for January birthdays and promoting the online Story telling Language Dept.
23 innings, striking out 36 batters for a 13.89 per nine innings average. He struck out five batters over 2.0 frames against Cochise College on 2/15/22 and tossed two scoreless innings against Chandler-Gilbert CC, striking out five on 3/17/22.
Jasiah helped Central Arizona to the 2022 NJCAA Baseball National Championship. Central Arizona is currently ranked #1 in the country for NJCAA Baseball.
Tribal member and former Bainbridge High School baseball pitcher Jasiah George has signed with the University of Washington to play baseball. Jasiah was a 2021 High School graduate and originally committed to UW out of high school, but because of COVID and many players receiving another year of eligibility, he decided to decommit and play for Central Arizona College in Coolidge, AZ.
During Jasiah’s freshman year at Central Arizona, he made 16 appearances, all in relief. He posted a 2.70 ERA over
Jasiah was ranked No. 10 prospect and No. 5 Right-Handed Pitcher in Washington by Perfect Game. He was a 2021 Perfect Game Preseason All-West Region honoree and earned all-league honors in high school, leading Bainbridge to a district championship.
Jasiah relies on his 90-93 MPH fastball and a curve-slider. His goal is to work into a starting role for the upcoming 2022 spring season, and with hard work get drafted by an MLB team in next year’s draft.
Jasiah is the son of Scott and Natalie George.
The Suquamish community gathered for holiday celebrations of all sorts in December, in spite of snow and icy roads. Events included the Elders’ Holiday Luncheon, the Tribal Christmas Party, PME’s Tree Lighting, and Culture Night: Getting Ready for Winter
For the first 20 years of her life, Suquamish Tribal member Denise Neal didn’t know she was a descendant of The Suquamish Tribe. She had learned that she was Native when she was young but had no idea from which Tribe. Her maternal, non-Indigenous grandmother, Rosemarie Andrews, knew that her son-inlaw, Robert Ray Rubeck (adopted name), was Native through deep conversations, and she encouraged him to find his Tribe.
But being Native didn’t come across as realistic to Denise as an adolescent. And then one day, her father, Robert Ray Rubeck, got a response, from the BIA to his repeated request for records. His file included a phone number of Lorraine Elizabeth Joseph (Puyallup) who turned out to be his aunt, his biological mother’s sister. She had taken care to update her contact information with the BIA each and every time something changed, to make sure he could reach her. “You are Suquamish,” she told him when he called the number. Your mother, Shirley Napoleon VanMeer, was also enrolled Suquamish.
Robert Ray Rubeck, born Robert Lawrence VanMeer, now deceased, was adopted out as a five-year-old child, along with his two younger brothers, William and John. He was later told that his mother had left him and his brothers alone while she went to the corner store, and Catholic Charities called the police. The state’s child protective services sent the three first to a foster family in Portland, Oregon, where they were well cared for and treated as part of the family. But later, the three were permanently adopted to a family of farmers in Pennsylvania, where they were treated more as farm hands than family members. Memories of that time were much less happy. Robert tried repeatedly to run away but was returned by police to the farmer. He didn’t talk a lot about those years, except to say that the mother of the family died, and the farmer, along with his two sons, treated the boys with cruelty and eventually sent him to an alternative boarding school.
Years later, a proud man, Robert, brought his wife and family to the farm to show where he had grown up, and was met en route to the front door by his adoptive father and brothers informed that they were not welcome.
At the alternative boarding high school for “troubled teens’’ that he attended, he met his future wife, Michelle Robinson, a mixed race African American/
Italian teen who had been sent to the boarding school from Washington, DC.
As soon as Robert turned 18, the two left the school and Robert joined the Navy in Virginia Beach, VA. The two were married and settled in Virginia. They had two children, Robert and Denise and then eventually moved to Northern Virginia, to be closer to Michelle’s family.
It was Michelle’s mother who used to tell Robert that he should contact the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) to find his lineage and his Tribe. But, BIA records were sealed, and it seemed impossible to figure out which Tribe, if any, they belonged to. Denise says. “It felt too far away. And we just didn’t have the energy to look into it.”
Untreated trauma made family life hard.
When the family discovered that they were from Suquamish, the news was like a lightening strike. Over the next few years Denise, her brother, Robert C., and their children began to visit Suquamish when they could, despite the expense and difficulty of the cross-country trips. They especially made a point of coming for General Council and Chief Seattle Days.
“When we came to visit Suquamish, we did see a lot resemblance, mannerisms and common interests,” Denise says.
“We learned more and more about our extended family,” Denise says. “My great grandparents were Henry Napoleon (Suquamish) and Lena Meander (Puyallup). My grandmother, Shirley Napoleon VanMeer, had enrolled Suquamish, and the other six siblings were enrolled Puyallup.”
After losing her three boys, Shirley Napoleon Vanmeer was told she could get them back, and eventually gave birth to her youngest daughter, Kenita Sherman. None of the children were ever returned, though. When she passed away at the young age of 36 of diseases related to alcoholism, her sister, Lorraine brought her home to assure she received a proper burial at the Puyallup graveyard.
Robert enrolled as a member in 2006, but he never returned to Suquamish to live, and is now buried in the Suquamish cemetery.
Denise enrolled shortly after her father, along with her children years following. It wasn’t easy — the family was voted down several times. “My Aunt Lorraine Joseph always stood up at General Council and spoke for me,” Denise says. “That made me feel brave.”
Finally, a change in the Tribe’s membership rules allowed them to be enrolled.
By then, Denise knew she wanted to move to Suquamish. She wanted to be part of cultural events and get to know the Tribal community. And she wanted to give her children the opportunity to grow up in their culture.
Denise enrolled in Northwest Indian College and earned a degree in Tribal Governance and Business Management. In 2020 the college hired her to coach other students. They asked if she planned to be available to work in person, and she said had plans to move to Suquamish.
But finding a home was difficult. With four children, three of whom are now young adults, she needed space. She had saved money for a home, and she qualified for
a mortgage, but with inflation and a hot housing market, finding an affordable home was difficult.
Then, the Tribe increased the amount of down payment assistance available to Tribal members, using COVID relief funding from the federal government. With that extra help, she was able to find “the perfect” five-bedroom house in downtown Suquamish and she and her family moved here in July 2022.
In addition to space for her kids, Denise made sure her home would have enough space to host a foster child, so she could do her part to care for Tribal children in the community.
There were a lot of adjustments to make. At first, she suffered from impostor syndrome. She grew up native/black in a very white area.
“We were a low-income family. I didn’t fit in with my unique look and my curly hair,” Denise says. When she first came to visit Suquamish, she wasn’t sure how and if she would fit in. “I always felt most comfortable when Aunt Lorraine Joseph introduced and spoke up for us. She made me feel included and protected,” Denise says.
“Attending the Northwest Indian College also offered a healing experience,” she said. Her studies included learning the stories of the original Pacific Northwest people, the community and connection to the land — stories many of her classmates grew up knowing.
Denise continues to work for Northwest Indian College, and she loves living in Suquamish. “It’s wonderful just seeing people every day, getting to know relatives and being invited to family and cultural community events. It’s such a different experience than just coming once or twice a year.”
Her youngest daughter, Mariya Neal (age 7), attended the Tribe’s summer school; she couldn’t stop talking about going out fishing, Denise says. And she plays cello now with Kids in Concert.
“We attend cultural events and take Lushootseed language lessons together,” Denise says. “Mariya is learning what it means to be Suquamish.”
“I saw how my dad struggled with not knowing. For me, returning to Suquamish is part of healing the separation and pain and closing the circle.” Denise says.
In 2007, Denise wrote the following, shortly after enrolling Suquamish, together with her aunt Kenita Sherman”:
“I’ve always felt like the inequalities of life didn’t allow my dad an opportunity to “leave” us anything but a few unpaid bills and a sore heart when he passed away at the young age of 50 … but since 2009, when he passed, I’ve learned about new family members in Suquamish that have welcomed us home with open arms, and just this year my brother was accepted as a member plus my 3 children were too. This is something to hold our heads high about and feel honored. This isn’t an entitlement, it is a privilege and we are all thankful and dedicated to being more involved and creating a positive impact for our community (even from a distance, for now). Life is changing.
By Sarah van Gelder—
Here’s to 2023!
I’m excited about the coming year. New Year’s is a time for setting goals. Here in Tribal government, we will be working with departments to set goals for the year.
We were successful in passing the 2023 Tribal Government budget. Because of what we heard from Tribal citizens, and in order to raise the wages of the lowest paid employees, we devoted 90 percent of this year’s cost of living adjustment to the lower- and medium-income staff.
This year, we plan to analyze our programs and make sure we are getting you the best services our resources allow. There was a large influx of federal ARPA funds that are restricted, and we’re looking at the money we spent before the federal government’s deadline to make sure we met the goals set by Tribal Council and that we remain in compliance with federal regulations. We will look at what we do with all that growth once the money is gone, and we’ll be revisiting our plans for capital projects to see which are doable. We cannot continue to outspend our revenues like we did in 2022.
We’ll also be looking at ways to streamline membership services across all Tribal departments in order to optimize systems, protocols, and practices. We need to improve our application process so we can make sure members are getting the services they need and that referrals are happening when they are needed. We will use the data collected in the application process in order to gain access to more funding.
A reorganization of Tribal government was launched just before the COVID outbreak, but it wasn’t completed. We would like to stand up the Culture Department this year, working closely with Tribal Council. We’ll also review how well the reorganization is working and where it needs to be adjusted
This is also a year for us to continue building the Suquamish Tribe’s influence. Out of the hundreds of Tribal leaders in Washington, D.C., for the White House Summit, only eight got to meet face-to-face with Pres. Biden, and Chairman Forsman was one of them (see photo on page 6). This is the best working relationship Tribal nations have had with the federal government for a long time, and we hope to see it continue.
The Seattle Times recently suggested Chairman Forsman run for governor. I think he’d make an excellent governor, and there would be a lot of support for a Native governor. That said, the endorsement from the most prestigious newspaper in the state speaks highly of the work we are doing in Suquamish.
Our Tribal Council does a great job of working with state, federal, and local governments. When members of Tribal Council walk into a meeting, government officials know them by name. We are in the right places at the right time. That translates into financial support, which is allowing us to build housing, CKA facilities, and the clinic — and it means political power, which we are using to protect our treaty fishing rights and to get protections for our women and children. That could change in 2024, so we need our Council out there now, and they do a really good job. As they say, either you have a seat at the table or you’re on the menu. We need to make sure we continue to have a seat at the table and that Suquamish voices are being heard.
We still have challenges ahead. We wish that Covid was in the rear view mirror, but it’s not, and we’re now facing the added threat of RSV and influenza, the triple threat. I’m tired of talking about it, and I’m sure you are, too. Still, I encourage you to wear masks in large crowds to protect our elders and our children, who are unable to be vaccinated.
We plan to open the Healing House clinic early this year, and we hope to see a lot of Tribal citizens making use of this facility and the services.
Happy New Year! We’re looking forward to working with you to achieve much more success in 2023!
By Catherine Edwards Suquamish Tribe Executive DirectorThey don’t mention the robust child welfare agencies Tribes have developed to assure children’s well-being.
And they fail to see that these children are our citizens and future leaders. They fail to recognize our sovereignty and the fundamental right we have to care for and raise our next generation.
“We’re not asking for special treatment,” Mary Lou Salter said. “We’re asking as a sovereign nation that we be allowed to look after our kids and keep our families intact.”
The Indian Child Welfare Act is needed to protect Native American children from a return to the Dark Ages of shattered families and traumatized children.
Closed
Sweet and Sour Pork
Brown Rice
California Veggie Blend
Tossed Salad Fresh Fruit BDay Cake & Ice Cream
Baked Potato Bar w/ Chili, Broccoli & Cheese Sauce Kale Salad Fresh Fruit
Geoduck Chowder w/ oyster crackers California Veggie Blend Fresh Fruit
Wow, what an Elders Holiday extravaganza we had on Dec. 18 at our Kiana Lodge. Melissa and I were worried we would have to cancel again due to the snow, but the show went on, and the snow started right on time at 3:30pm.
Gosh, we had three Tribal blessings in our audience who were all over 90 years old: Robert George, Dolor Mills, and Gladys Jackson. What an honor!
The Elder Council was honored and recognized for all their work throughout 2022. Each member received a gift in appreciation.
Egg, Vegetable & Cheese Frittata Oven Roasted Potatoes Oat Bran Muffin Fresh Fruit
Indian Tacos (meat, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream) Cottage Cheese & Peaches
Closed
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Split Pea Soup w/ Ham Egg Salad Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread Tossed Salad SF Pudding
BBQ Chicken Quinoa Salad Winter Squash Wheat Roll Fresh Fruit
Meatloaf Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy California Veggie Blend Tossed Salad Corn Bread 26
Ham Hocks w/ Beans Brown Rice Steam Kale Tossed Salad Pachado Bread
Chicken Adobo Brown Rice
Asian Blend Veggies
Tossed Salad Fresh Fruit
30 31
Macaroni Beef
Casserole
Brussels Sprouts
Tossed Salad Wheat Roll Fresh Fruit
Beverages Served Daily :
Choice of 1% Milk or Lactose Free Milk
Occasional substitutions may be necessary
Minestrone Soup Turkey & Cheese Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread Spinach Blueberry Salad
Shephard’s Pie (meat, green beans, potatoes) Tossed Salad Wheat Roll Fresh Fruit
Baked Ham Sweet Potatoes Kale Salad
Applesauce Muffin Fresh Fruit
27
Cook’s Special Chili w/ Cheese Tossed Salad Corn Bread Fresh Fruit
Tomato Soup Tuna Fish Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread Baby Carrots
Minted Pea Salad Yogurt Parfait w/ Fruit
Elders Kitchen: (360) 394-8407
Please call to inform the kitchen if you would like to cancel home delivery for the day.
The tables were decked with holiday magic. The highlight was the Christmas tree red and green napkins lovingly prepared by Kiana staff. We had close to 200 Elders, spouses, and guests attend this event. Our entertainment was Kasey Nicholson, AKA Krazy Kasey, AKA Rezzalicious, a Native comedian from Fort Belknap, who gave some good ‘ole Native humor and laughs, which is good medicine for all of us.
This extravaganza wouldn’t have happened without the assistance of our volunteers, Community Health, Communications, Maintenance, and Human Services departments, Nehreen Ayub, the Kiana Lodge groundskeepers, cooks, servers, and Brittany Bakken. Our hands go up to all of you.
FYI: We sure hope the raffle wasn’t rigged, HMMM, there was one table that everyone went home with a raffle gift. Don’t want to mention anyone’s name, but we have to…it was Dolor Mills’ table (+ Peg Deam). Next year we are sitting at their table.
We want to remember those Elders, who have crossed over to the next world during 2022 and the loving families of Susan Williams, Maureen Sather, Ivy Cheyney, Orlene Lamont, Merle Hayes, Mary Lindell, James Porter, Bardow Lewis, Jami Swayze. We send many hugs to all these family members. This time of year is the time to remember all the goodness of people, and many thanks we give to employees of
Seattle Parks Department working his way up to a top supervisory position by the time he retired. He also worked nights providing security at Seattle nightclubs. Never one to be too far from the water, he also worked on the Elliott Bay Net Pens, feeding the coho smolts before they were released into the wild. He enjoyed home improvement projects and his little dogs, including “Butch” his latest mini-Doberman.
Dear Suquamish Tribal members, Tribal Council is looking for Tribal members to appoint to commissions and boards. Please submit a brief statement of your interest and which board you are applying for, along with your name, phone number, and email address to Amanda Carper at acarper@suquamish.nsn.us. The deadline to apply is Jan 9, 2023.
Terms are up for the following people. Note: Those holding these positions can apply to retain their seats.
Port Madison Enterprises Board
Cheryl Lawrence
Andrew George
Mitchell Lewis passed away on November 25, 2022, (Native American Heritage Day) at his home in Kent, WA. He was 65 years of age. Bardow was born on August 17, 1957, to Thomas M. Lewis and Lorna L. Webster in Bremerton, WA. A proud member of the Suquamish Tribe, he served as the Vice-Chairman of the Suquamish Tribal Council.
Bardow was raised on the ancestral lands of the Suquamish by a variety of foster families. He moved to Seattle during high school and graduated with the Class of 1975 from Chief Sealth High School. He began commercial treaty salmon fishing shortly after graduation and this became a lifelong passion. At the age of 19, he began what would become a 30-year career in the
Bardow was active in Tribal culture, both in Seattle and in Suquamish, and proud of his heritage. During his three terms on Tribal Council he represented the Suquamish Tribe in many meetings with local, Tribal, state and federal officials. He was a United Indians of All Tribes Foundation Board Member and a past delegate to the Washington Indian Gaming Association.
He was very fond of nature and would share beautiful stories of his experiences on the water and in the forests with guests of the Tribe. He enjoyed working on cultural events and public art projects, including Chief Seattle Days and the restoration of Chief Seattle’s Grave. He did all of this with a sense of humor and a commitment to solving problems, amicably when possible. He always paid homage to past Indian activists — especially Billy Frank, Jr. and Dennis Banks —who paved the way for our treaty rights.
our Tribe. We salute these employees who work hard for our Elders and who make our lives easier.
Don’t forget our next Elders Council is scheduled for the 3rd Tuesday of each month at the Elders Lodge from 2-4pm.
May the light of Christmas shine for everyone. Be the light, and reach out to those who need it.
By Della Crowell & Melissa LundHe is survived by his daughters Sun-Shine, Teniya Lewis, and Cassandra Rosemary Lewis, along with seven grandchildren, including his namesake Bardow Lewis. His surviving siblings include brothers Mark Lewis, Brian Gladstone, Carey Webster, George Hill, Matt Hawk, and sister Angel Hill. He was preceded in death by brother Dave Hill and Clyf “Boo” Gladstone. He also survived by his Aunt Marilyn Wandrey.
A viewing was held on Saturday, December 10, and a memorial service was held on Sunday, December 11, both at the House of Awakened Culture in Suquamish.
Suquamish Tribal Gaming Commission
Roger Contraro William Gemmell
Suquamish Seafoods Board
Lorraine Brice
Suquamish Housing Board
Jim Henry Patricia Chargualaf
Enrollment Committee
Lois Sullivan Mable Anderson Sarah George Brenda Guerrero
Suquamish Foundation Board
Rich Deline
Jim Nall
Sarah van Gelder
Suquamish Museum Board
Della Crowell
Lena Purser-Maloney
Higher Education Board
Brittany Bakken
Cultural Committee
Donna Sigo
Also seeking one additional Tribal Member
Letter is needed in order to receive Medicare Premium Reimbursement
Due to Medicare Premiums changing each year, Health Benefits must have your Annual Social Security Letter before we can reimburse you. Social Security sends this letter out to you every December or January. Once we receive a copy, you will be reimbursed the Medicare Monthly Premium deducted from your monthly Social Security check. If we don’t receive your letter until February or later, we will reimburse you for the previous months back to January of that current year. These reimbursements are sent out by Finance along with your Elder’s payments. If you have misplaced your letter, we can help! Come see us and we can help request a new copy.
Health Benefits (360) 394-8424 health_benefits_email@Suquamish.nsn.us
Changes focus on anti-harassment, domestic violence, gaming, and marijuana.
The Suquamish Tribal Council is seeking written comments on a proposed set of amendments to Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 5.11- Anti-Harassment Protection Orders, and Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 5.12- Domestic Violence Protection. Please submit written comments by February 4, 2023. Contact the Office of the Tribal Attorney for a copy of the proposed amendments.
Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 7.28 – Domestic Violence, adopted by Resolution 2019-040 on March 11, 2019, contains a provision allowing the Suquamish Police to arrest individuals for violations of foreign protection orders; however, the Suquamish Tribal Code does not contain a provision specifically making violation of a foreign protection order a crime under Suquamish Tribal law. Additionally, Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 5.11- Anti Harassment Protection Orders does not contain a provision defining an Anti-Harassment Protection Order. The proposed amendments would:
• Revise Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 5.12- Domestic Violence Protection to contain a provision specifically making violation of a foreign protection order a crime under Suquamish Tribal law.
• Revise Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 5.11- AntiHarassment Protection Orders to contain a provision that defines an Anti-Harassment Protection Order.
• Revise Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 5.12- Domestic Violence Protection to a new title, Domestic Violence Protection Orders.
• Submit comments or requests for a copy of the proposed amendments to: Office of Tribal Attorney, STC Chapters 5.11 and 5.12 Comments, P.O. Box 498, Suquamish, WA 98392 or by email with the subject line “Chapters 5.11 and 5.12 Comments” to: bbrueseke@suquamish.nsn.us.
Written comments are due by February 4, 2023. Please feel free to forward this notice to any and all interested people. Thank you.
The Suquamish Tribal Council is seeking written comments on a proposed set of amendments to Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 11.5 – Gaming. Please submit written comments by February 4, 2023. Contact the Office of the Tribal Attorney for a copy of the proposed amendments.
The amendments to the gaming code are designed to take advantage of recently negotiated amendments to the Tribe’s gaming Compact with the State, revise administrative process, make the statute easier to read, and conform to modern Tribal sovereignty. The proposed amendments would:
• Shift the licensing period from one year to three years.
• Permit emergency vendor licensing.
• Redefine license ineligibility crimes.
• Shift the administrative hearing function to administrative law judge.
• Permit the Commission to meet less than twice monthly, meet electronically, and report as needed to the Council.
• Rename ‘gaming inspectors’ to Suquamish Gaming Agency consistent with regulatory practice.
• Clean up language to make a more readable, clear chapter.
Submit comments or requests for a copy of the proposed amendments to: Office of Tribal Attorney, STC Chapter 11.5 Comments, P.O. Box 498, Suquamish, WA 98392, or by email with the subject line “Chapter 11.5 Comments” to twoolsey@suquamish.nsn.us.
Written comments are due by February 4, 2023. Please feel free to forward this notice to any and all interested people. Thank you.
The Suquamish Tribal Council is seeking written comments on a proposed set of amendments to Suquamish Tribal Code Chapter 11.10 – Commercial
Marijuana Activity. Please submit written comments by February 4, 2023. Contact the Office of Tribal Attorney for a copy of the proposed amendments. The proposed amendments would:
• Authorize the Tribe’s cannabis enterprise, Suquamish Evergreen Corporation, to conduct marijuana “Consumption Events” and to operate marijuana “Consumption Facilities” at properties occupied by Port Madison Enterprises.
• At these events and facilities, enable Suquamish Evergreen Corporation customers aged 21-andover to purchase and consume marijuana products in a controlled public setting, under the strict terms of a Consumption Event license or Consumption Facility license issued by the Suquamish Evergreen Corporation Board of Directors.
• In order to issue a license for an event or facility, require the Suquamish Evergreen Corporation Board of Directors to first review a license application from Suquamish Evergreen Corporation staff and find that Suquamish Evergreen Corporation’s plan for conducting the event adequately addresses the public safety and public welfare goals of the Tribe regarding cannabis, as described in existing Suquamish Tribal law.
• Empower the Suquamish Evergreen Corporation Board of Directors and the Suquamish Tribal Council to stop the conduct of any consumption event or consumption facility at any time.
Submit comments or requests for a copy of the proposed amendments to: Office of Tribal Attorney, STC Chapter 11.10 Comments, P.O. Box 498, Suquamish, WA 98392, or by email with the subject line “Chapter 11.10 Comments” to bgeorge@suquamish.nsn.us.
Written comments are due by February 4, 2023. Please feel free to forward this notice to any and all interested people. Thank you.
The Kitsap County Sewer Rates will increase to $99.24 per month starting in January 2023.
Housing tenants currently on payroll deduction will be adjusted. Please monitor your paystubs to ensure proper deduction.
Questions?
Please call Lois in Housing (360) 394-8416.
Suquamish Tribe Department of CommunityJanuary 1
Brandon Emmett
January 2
Charlene Renquist Charlie Brown Dakota McConaghy Isabelle Chiquiti Marion Ives
January 3
Alyssa Johnson
Cha-la-kwa-tud Chiquiti Maya Purser Melvin Colomb Mikayla Madayag William Alexander William Sigo III
January 4
Brandon Dryden Bruce Belmont
Christopher Underhill Debra Dunning James Mabe Jamie Loneia Jorden Lawrence Mary Adams Tyler Mabe Vicky Doyle
January 5
Miya Smith
January 6
Andrea Nellenbach Kellen Baker
January 7
Alira Hill Anthony Mabe Mary Lou Salter Thaddeus Duthie January 8 Samantha Salas William Swift January 9 Brittney Lerdo Devan Crow Raellen George Viviana Serrato
January 11
Andrew Pondelick Baily Moss Benjamin Goodwin Bennie Armstrong Crystal Sigo David Schuler Travor Adams Troy Mabe
January 12
Christopher Puckett Henry Jackson Jr. Makaha Lawrence Phillip Contraro Seth Mabe
January 13 Barbara Santos Frederick Sigo Kwll-kwull-tu Williams
January 14
Geraldine Joe Tiger Lily Duthie
January 15
Aleccia Pratt Angela Clark Edward Midkiff Sr. Phoenix George Shilene George Stephanie Power Taren Haynes January 16
Cheayvone Swift Elizabeth Napoleon Kimberly Kumpf Michael Narte January 17 Aaron Purser Calvin Medina January 18 Sutah Purcell William Jackson January 19 Aiana Medeiros Jacinda Lawrence Kourtney Lawrence Lorraine Brice Susan Bambino
January 20 Brandy Sherman
January 21
Austen Jenkins Gail Coyne Jacob Sigo Marlene Brown Robert Gemmell Timothy Jackson
January 22 Eric Lindell Eric Webster Frank Chavez George Adams Gloria Smith John Rubeck January 24 Gary Crowell Jr. Honorato Rapada V Linda Immken
January 25 Autumn Colomb Bakolah Williams Belinda Hommel Dillan Ashenbrenner Leonard Forsman Steven George Thomas Cordero Sr. Tory Dotson
January 26 Floyd Dollar Robert Cordero Jr.
January 27
Harriet Webber Jamie Gooby Joaquin McClurg-Santos Kristen Mabe
Peter Werbelo III Shilo Christensen Tami Jefferson
January 28 Betty Pasco Nicholas Leva Rachel Pineda January 29 Allicia Knapp Daniel Santos Thomas Bailey January 30 Ryliee Boyd January 31 Edward Widen
