qyuuqs News July 2023

At a certain age you realize there are special people in your life that helped shaped who you are. The people who saw something in you, and continually checked in on your success and defeats. Who are your life coaches and role models? My number one life coach was my late dad, David Edwards. His coaching style was definitely like the basketball coach he once was. Shaping me to who I am today. Without the support of my life coach, I’m not sure what kind of person I would be.

The editorial theme for July is Sports. There is a feature from the Tribal Archive focusing on basketball, and we also have community member Sports Issue submissions. Check them out!

There is a message from Chief Earl Cowan about Fire Danger and Fireworks on PAGE 8, that includes a Prohibited Fireworks map.

There are events in this publication, including the Blessing of the Fleet, MMIWG event, La Conner High School Graduation, La Conner Middle School 8th Grade Promotion, Swinomish Cruise, the La Conner School District Senior Awards Ceremony, and Cedar Cap Ceremony.

Have a safe 4th of July holiday!

goliahlitza

Caroline Ammons

Moon of the Blackberry

Cover photo: June 8, 2023

La Conner High School Graduation

Class of 2023

Much of July is "the moon of the blackberry." Many berries are now ripe, including blackberries. Berries are picked and eaten fresh or dried for winter use. Around this time and sometimes earlier, the sap in cedar trees stops running, signaling the time to harvest cedar bark. Cedar bark has many uses, providing materials for shelter, clothing, tools and transportation. Some examples of cedar items are bent-wood boxes, ropes, and hats.

Sockeye salmon fishing is reaching its peak. Every second year during this moon, humpback salmon, also called humpies or pink salmon, start running at the end of this moon and into the next two moons. Humpies are captured in pounds, weirs, and with scoop nets. Humpies are then smoked hard. Shellfish harvest and curing continues.

Excerpt from ‘13 Moons: The 13 Lunar Phases, and How They Guide the Swinomish People’

By swelitub (Todd A. Mitchell) and Jamie L. Donatuto

TRIBAL SENATE

yal le ka but

Steve Edwards, Chairman (360) 840-5768 | sedwards@swinomish.nsn.us

siwelce?

Alana Quintasket, Vice Chairman (360) 302-0971 | aquintasket@swinomish.nsn.us

sOladated

Brian Wilbur, Treasurer (360) 333-9487 | bwilbur@swinomish.nsn.us

stoolsta

Eric Day, Secretary (360) 770-7024 | eday@swinomish.nsn.us

qws stania

Aurelia Bailey (360) 853-6376 | awashington@swinomish.nsn.us

sapelia

Sophie Bailey (360) 853-6458 | sbailey@swinomish.nsn.us

spi sta yup ton

Greg Edwards (360) 854-8612 | gedwards@swinomish.nsn.us

taleq tale II

Barbara James (360) 391-3958 | bjames@swinomish.nsn.us

ya qua leous e

Brian Porter (360) 840-4186 | bporter@swinomish.nsn.us

kuts bat soot

Jeremy Wilbur, (360) 770-7447 | jjwilbur@swinomish.nsn.us

kani?ted

Tandy Wilbur (360) 770-3050 | tandywilbur@swinomish.nsn.us

Website: swinomish-nsn.gov

@SwinomishSenate

The official news publication of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

The mission of qyuuqs News is to provide monthly communication to Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Members near and far. We are committed to serving as an apolitical forum for the Swinomish governing officials and all Community Members. qyuuqs News is not intended to reflect the official position of the governing body at Swinomish Indian Tribal Community but rather reflects the ideas, events, and thoughts of individual Community Members and Tribal staff. As such, the Swinomish Tribe makes no claim as to the accuracy or content of any of the articles contained therein.

QYUUQS MAILING ADDRESS

17337 Reservation Road, La Conner, WA 98257

Phone (360) 466.7258

*SUBMISSIONS

Send your news tips, stories, and photos to: qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us

Submission deadline: 10th day of the month

QYUUQS NEWS

Caroline Ammons, Editor qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us

SWINOMISH COMMUNICATIONS

Heather Mills, Communications Manager

Sarah Kellogg, Content Journalist

Katie Bassford, Staff Photographer Communications@swinomish.nsn.us

ADVISORY COMMITTEE

Tracy James, John Stephens, Kevin Paul

This issue is available online at swinomish-nsn.gov/qyuuqs

Photos credits: qyuuqs News Staff or as credited. All rights reserved.

Facebook: Swinomish qyuuqs News

Linkedin: Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

*qyuuqs News is made available for viewing on the Internet

When submitting information, stories, and/or photos, please be aware everything published in the print version of qyuuqs News is also published on the Internet and is available to the world. Please consider carefully whether your submissions contain anything you feel may not be suitable or appropriate for the Internet. By submitting your information, stories, and/or photos to qyuuqs News, you agree to publishing your submission in both the print and online versions of qyuuqs News. qyuuqs News is a publication of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community produced by Swinomish Communications.

Public Health Corner

CPR AND FIRST AID TRAINING

SAVE A LIFE, LEARN CPR! Sudden cardiac arrest is the #1 killer worldwide, and 70% of these events occur in the home. Knowing CPR means that YOU know how to take action in an emergency where every minute counts. There are many great reasons why everyone should learn CPR - the most important of which is the fact that it may someday be you who saves a life.

CPR is easy to learn! Taking a CPR course only takes a few hours of your time and you will learn the valuable skills needed in the event of an emergency, including how to use an AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) if one is available. In fact, CPR is so easy and useful that there are recommendations that kids as young as 12 should learn these valuable skills.

CPR awareness is low - only 15-30% of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest victims receive CPR from a bystander. Many people are unaware of how or are afraid to respond during a cardiac emergency, because they aren’t sure what to do. Having the skills and knowledge beforehand will help you to stay calm and ready to help in the event of a medical emergency.

Most importantly, CPR saves lives! Every second counts - CPR performed in the first few minutes of cardiac arrest can double or triple a person’s chance of survival. Not only can it save a person’s life, but it can mean faster recovery!

CPR can also save lives outside of cardiac arrest:

‣ Drowning victims may have a chance at recovery if CPR is performed.

‣ Naloxone and CPR can save the life of someone who is having an opioid overdose.

Swinomish tribal members have the opportunity to take a CPR and First Aid training – for free – on Friday, July 14, at 1 p.m. Fire District 13 will be instructing, at the Spiritual Center. Non-tribal community members are also invited to come learn for $35.

Register at: sitcgov.us/CPR

SWINOMISH DENTAL CLINIC STAFF ATTEND GOVERNOR INSLEE'S SIGNING OF DENTAL THERAPY EXPANSION BILL

MAY 15, 2023 Representatives from the Swinomish Dental Clinic attended Governor Jay Inslee’s signing of the historic Washington dental therapy expansion bill (ESHB.1678) to increase access to dental services and address oral health disparities across the state. Swinomish Dentist Dr. Rachael Hogan, Dental Therapists Sarah Chagnon and Asiah Gonzalez, Dental Quality Assurance Manager Mindy Flores, and two dəxʷx ayəbus – Dental Therapy students were present with Governor Inslee during the bill signing.

The new dental therapy law will expand the dental therapy workforce and build community-based oral health equity through routine care and prioritizing prevention in and around the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Swinomish has been leading the way in the lower 48 using and licensing its own dental therapists since 2016. This new state law improves the oral healthcare delivery system in Washington to build upon the successes demonstrated in Washington tribal communities and across Indian Country. There are seven tribal dental therapists currently practicing in the state. Swinomish Senator Brian Wilbur stated, “The law will support our dəxʷx ayəbus Dental Therapy Education Program to open opportunities for dental therapists to get into the oral healthcare system. This legislation also opens career opportunities for tribal members.” Dental Director Dr. Rachael Hogan said there will be “New opportunities for community rotations and preceptorships for the dəxʷx ayəbus program students, which will make our program more accessible.”

The new law expands Washington’s 2017 tribal dental therapy legislation which recognizes tribes’ inherent sovereignty to license dental therapists to provide oral health services on tribal land. Swinomish Senator Brian Wilbur and Dr. Rachael Hogan testified on the need for oral health care during a December 2022 Washington House Health Care and Wellness Committee hearing. “Our dental therapists have significantly reduced wait times from months to weeks to be seen by our dental providers and there are a lot of other under served communities with poor traumatic care for dental therapists to break the cycle”, Senator Wilbur said.

Dr. Rachael Hogan and Dental Therapist Sarah Chagnon also provided testimony to the Senate Health and Long Term Care Committee in March. The new law “means healing and peace. It is a big step in creating oral health equity in our own and surrounding communities. Having a dental therapist opens the door to more care. Oral health is overall health; everyone deserves a happy and healthy smile. … I love what I do and hope to inspire future dental therapists,” said Sarah Chagnon.

COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS

THURS. 7/6

Help Build Your Clam Garden

See details on PAGE 9

FRI. 7/14

Is Your Family & Community Prepared for a Disaster?

See Details on PAGE 10

FRI. 7/14

CPR + First Aid Training

See details on PAGE 9

THURS. 7/20

Camas Community Harvest

See details on PAGE 17

WED. 8/9

March Against Addiction

See details on PAGE 33

THURS. 8/10

Back-To-School Bash

See details on PAGE 35

FRI. 8/11-SUN. 8/13

Swinomish Days: Coastal Jam, Stick Games, Canoe Races

THURS. 8/24 Clambake

See details on PAGE 32

SAT. 9/9

Swinomish Preparedness Fair

HOLIDAYS

TUES. 7/4 Independence Day

Leland Owen Johns

“Stitch”

07/19/1955-5/15/2023

“Stitch” Leland Owen Johns passed away at the Welcome Home Assisted Living Center on Sunday, May 14, 2023. Leland was born to Frank Johns Sr., and Clara “CB” Bobb on July 19, 1955, in Shelton, WA.

Stitch attended La Conner Schools and graduated in 1974. During school Stitch and some friend would skip class and make their way up the spiral staircase to the auditorium, Stitch would be playing the air guitar while going up the stairs. Once in the auditorium he would go to town to playing the drums because no one could hear them. He enjoyed his music, walking around hanging out with the “CREW”, Fishing with Glen Edwards Sr., and many other buddies.

He was blessed with his one and only daughter on April 1, 1979, Karla Joby Cassimere or as he called her “Doby Tom”. He loved her dearly and she has blessed him with 4 grandsons who he cherished. Dylan and Matthew Stone, DaShawn Siddle and Nehemaih Cassimere. Every now and then, Teeny would think of or remember something about “Papa Stitch”. She’d call him once in a while and visit him lately when she could get over there. Every so often he would disappear and Karla would happen to show up for a visit and would know exactly where to find him. Down the road from the home behind the stores with his buddies having a few and smoking. Up until a few years ago Stitch would make his way back to the rez from Oak Harbor on the transit bus system. We were lucky even to have brought him home to Teeny’s cabin for a visit. He got to see all of his grandsons, some nieces and nephews, Brian C., Tony C. came by and visited. We all know how much he likes his “smoke”. It was a very good, much needed visit with family and friends that moment will be cherished. Of course, they had to smoke and listen to music, in which he played his air drums on the way back home.

Stitch is proceeded in death by his father Frank Johns Sr., Stepfather Pat Kiley, Mother: Clara “CB” Bobb, grandparents Clement Bobb, and Elizabeth “Lizzy” Scott, Sisters: Helen Johns Joe, Debbie Johns Joe, Francine Johns-Joe, and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is survived by his daughter Karla Cassimere (David), grandchildren Dylan and Matthew Stone, DaShawn Siddle, Nehemiah Cassimere, sister Colleen “Teeny Bobb” Williams, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

The family would like to thank you for all the love and support during our time of loss. O’sium.

FIREWORKS AND FIRE DANGER

CHIEF EARL COWAN

The fire danger is very high so please use good judgment with your fireworks. Have a water source nearby and ready. More importantly, please watch your kiddos and keep them safe. Even small fireworks and sparklers can cause sever blast or burn injury.

Finally, here is a reminder of the Swinomish Code that governs fireworks use on the Reservation. The map you see on the next page is a visual representation of section D of the code, listed below.

Please be safe and have a great weekend, and if see something, say something! You could save a life!

15-02.135 General Use Provisions

A) No fireworks shall be used within fifty (50) feet of any fireworks sales stands, within the North End sales area parking lot, or on the south side of Highway 20 within three hundred (300) feet of the wholesale sales area.

(B) There shall be no use of fireworks that are explosive (e.g., rockets, night displays, etc.) or noisemakers on the Reservation between the hours of 11:00 p.m., and 8:00 a.m., except on the 4th of July and New Year’s Eve.

(C) Fireworks shall not be thrown at, or in the direction of, any person or groups of persons or passing cars or any building or homes, or in any way be used to create a hazardous situation to life or property.

(D) No fireworks shall be exploded or used within any building or adjacent to any community building, including churches and businesses on the Reservation, or in the ball park or any other recreational or play area of the Reservation or where there is any group of people congregated who are not involved in the use and enjoyment of fireworks, or within three hundred (300) feet of any Tribal building or Tribal business, including the Swinomish Casino. No fireworks are to be lit off within the horseshoe area of the North End fireworks stands.

(E) Fireworks shall not be used in any area where their use would create a fire hazard.

(F) No firecrackers shall be used that are not classified as Class C, “Consumer Fireworks”.

(G) No fireworks may be used that have been banned as hazardous substances by the United States Consumer Products Safety Commission.

La Conner High School Graduation

Class of 2023

Scott Cayou, Kalikiano Adams

Ariana Siddle, Chadow Cayou, Chloe Edwards

Swinomish Canoe Family

Blessing of the Fleet

Blessing of the Fleet

Fish cooks: John Grossglass Jr., David Grossglass, Zeb Grossglass, John Grossglass

Cooks: Lenee Schuyler, Cathi Bassford, Gail Cayou, Lauren Reynolds

Swinomish Canoe Family singing a blessing song

The Blessing of the Fleet

Bruce James Jr. explains to Ariana Siddle how do the Blessing Offerings

Joslin James and Sonny James aboard the boat for the Blessing Offerings

TIDE TABLE: JULY 2023

Growing a Cultural Learning Space

MORGAN BROWN, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Between Two Worlds (BTW) and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) have been advocating for the implementation of an outdoor learning space, ethnobotanical garden, and fish cooking pit on the La Conner School District (LCSD) campus. After several months of discussion with Swinomish and LCSD, we are reaching agreements to move forward! We are very excited for what this means for BTW, other classes at the school, and for the healing of the land where the garden will be located.

Our dream is to create a culturally integrative and experiential learning space at LCSD that is welcoming of Swinomish Elders and community members to share their vital knowledge with students, and to expand the accessibility of this inclusive education for all students.

Senator Eric Day is guiding us through the implementation of the fish pit, providing a gathering space for learning experiences related to culture, salmon, and Indigenous science. We will install educational signage for the plants that includes the Lushootseed names and QR codes directing students to an online platform with the pronunciation and other relevant knowledge and resources to deepen their learning experience.

We are currently forming a guidance circle that will be tasked with creating the protocol for the space in collaboration with key LCSD staff members, as well as deciding the name for the space. If you are interested in being a part of our guidance circle, please reach out to mbrown@swinomish.nsn.us.

We look forward to sharing more with you as we forward in creating this space.

Water Protections On Right Track

ED JOHNSTONE, NWIFC CHAIRMAN

Tribes have traveled a long road and back again to improve water quality standards and protect the health of everyone who eats salmon and shellfish in the state of Washington.

In November, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finally reinstated the rule for human health criteria that tribes spent more than 25 years fighting for – better protections based on what we know about seafood consumption rates in our tribal communities and how toxic chemicals in our food affect all of us.

For more than two decades, tribes engaged in lengthy and often contentious processes with state and federal agencies. What was at stake was the seafood central to the economic and cultural well-being of our region.

The resulting human health protections were a compromise because Indigenous communities, along with Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, consume much more locally harvested salmon and shellfish than the rest of the general population. By failing to keep known carcinogens out of the water, the federal government stood by while our first foods were being poisoned.

Make no mistake. As beautiful as our region is, our waters are contaminated. Fifty years ago, when the Clean Water Act became law, rivers were on fire and you could see the pollution flowing into our water.

Today, the threats are harder to see. In addition to industrial discharge, our water is polluted by wastewater treatment facilities and toxic chemicals in stormwater runoff from our roads, including the chemical 6PPD-Q from tire debris that we know kills coho salmon and steelhead.

Six years ago, the EPA finalized the most protective water quality standards in the country, regulating some of the toxic chemicals allowed to enter our water. But in April 2020, EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler rolled them back because of pressure from industrial lobbyists.

We fiercely objected to that move and several treaty tribes, the state, and the environmental law organization Earthjustice took legal action, forcing a hard look at the arbitrary nature of the rollback.

Those were tough years, but finally last fall, EPA Administrator Michael Regan reinstated the rule to protect the health of everyone who eats fish and shellfish caught in the state.

This is cause for celebration, but it’s just one step in our journey. Next, we must improve the aquatic life criteria, the standard that determines how much of a chemical can be present in surface water before it is likely to harm plant and animal life.

The federal aquatic life criteria currently in place were based on the known science at the time they were adopted way back in 1986. Since then, scientists have learned more about aquatic toxicology and ecological risk assessment, and these advancements must be used to protect the ecosystems that support our treaty rights, including the fish and shellfish we eat. If it’s healthy for the fish, it’s healthy for us.

We don’t have time to fight for another 25 years over aquatic life criteria. Let’s build upon the strong partnership the tribes have now with the EPA and the state. We’re going to need committed leadership and clarity of action to make it happen. We’re headed in the right direction, but we still have work to do.

Reflecting on Between Two Worlds

JEN WILLUP, DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION

Summer is here, the sun is out - and so is school! 2022-23 was an amazing year with much to look back on. Here are some highlights from this past year:

‣ Between Two Worlds (BTW) added another teacher to the team, Morgan Brown (Tsimshian)!

‣ Fourteen students shared time with BTW staff visiting Ala Spit, Kukutali Preserve, Lone Tree, Pull & Be Damned, Department of Environmental Protection’s camas plot, Snee-oosh, the Skagit River System Cooperative nursery, and Rosario.

‣ Topics covered include: traditional plants and restoration, salmon population, tides and sediment transport, cultural resource management, and traditional place names.

‣ Our students got to boat out to James Island and around the San Juans with the Salish Sea School to explore and look for whales (a success!).

‣ Collaborations with BTW and the La Conner School District included visiting the second grade class to teach them about stəgʷad (salmonberry), and read the Time of the Salmonberry story by Todd Mitchell.

‣S tudents also joined the fifth grade field trip to Northern State Recreation area to release salmon fry the fifth graders had raised from eggs.

The Between Two Worlds staff are going to work on next year’s plans, which include the creation and opening of a traditional plants garden on La Conner School District grounds for students to spend more time outside and cultivate a stronger relationship to the earth and other Swinomish community members. We lift our hands to all of our guest speakers and everyone who has supported our class, t’igʷicid!

To register for Between Two Worlds, please contact Christine Tripp at ctripp@lc.k12.us. If you have any questions or comments, contact us at: dep@swinomish.nsn.us

THE SWINOMISH GRADE SCHOOL BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT

FROM THE SWINOMISH TRIBAL ARCHIVE

Throughout the years Swinomish has hosted and participated in various sports tournaments. This article focuses on the 1975 Swinomish Grade School Basketball Tournament.

Sports have always been essential to the Swinomish community with basketball, baseball, and canoe pulling being the primary ones. In 1968, The Swinomish Recreation Committee sponsored the first annual grade school basketball tournament. Teams from Swinomish and schools in the area would participate every year through the early 2000s.

The tournament was created to allow fifth and sixth graders to get a feel for playing under tournament conditions. In a quote from the Puget Sound Mail (PSM) in March 1975, Reggie Edwards said, “Many students who participated in the tournament went on to win all-star awards in high school games.”

The tournament typically lasted five days with five games daily, making it a 25-game series with an average of 15-16 teams participating. At the end of the tournament, all the coaches would come together to vote for All-Star players from every team. The same 1975 PSM article stated that each All-Star player received a miniature paddle carved by Mike Cladoosby. That year Marvin Wilbur Jr. was named the Swinomish All-Star player.

1975 Swinomish Grade School Basketball Tourney Swinomish Tribal Archive

1975 Swinomish Grade School Basketball Tournament Program Swinomish Tribal Archive

1975 Swinomish Grade School Basketball Tournament Program Swinomish Tribal Archive

In a story-sharing session with Mike McLeod, he shared that this was the only Skagit county championship tournament for grade school children. Mike played in the tournament for West View in 1973 and then went on to coach for them from 1976 to 2003. He recalled that the gym’s atmosphere felt like you were at a State tournament with packed stands, making it a standing room only event.

Mike touched on some other vital memories and mentioned that Brian Cladoosby and Leon John were referees in one of the years he coached. And that some of the other years, Rudy Edwards’ daughters would keep score of the games. He also remembered the Paul family drumming and singing at the event. Overall, the tournament was an excellent opportunity for outside communities to experience the Swinomish culture.

Events like these introduce the importance of teamwork to our youth, forming memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

The archive staff would like to thank Mike McLeod for sharing these invaluable memories.

For inquiries about visiting the archive, please reach out to:

Krista Hamburg | Archive & Records Manager

khamburg@swinomish.nsn.us | 360-466-7382

Aiyana Sharp | Archival Assistant

asharp@swinomish.nsn.us | 360-466-7351

C. 2003

Amy Edwards, Mike McLeod, and Steve Edwards at the Grade School Basketball Tourney

Photo from Mike McLeod Swinomish Tribal Archive

1975 Swinomish Grade School Basketball Tournament Program: Bracket Swinomish Tribal Archive

SPORTS ISSUE

Johnny Joe

SUBMITTED BY MARCUS JOE

Johnny Joe, 'JC' Jeremy Cayou Jr., Sunshine Wesley-Shongutsie

Johnny Joe playing T-Ball.

Lailoni Edwards

COACH HAILEY AT GROUND ZERO GYMNASTICS

SUBMITTED BY ANNA YOUNG

Lailoni joined the competitive team at Ground Zero Gymnastics when she was only five years old. From her first day on the team, her actions showed her passion for improvement and her attention to detail. Lailoni has incredible strength, dedication, and focus. Lailoni excels at Vault, placing 1st on Vault at most competitions and receiving many compliments from judges. Lailoni is well on her way to becoming a wonderful high-level gymnast.

Jerome Toby Jr.

SUBMITTED BY ALETHIA EDWARDS

Jerome Toby is a freshman at Lummi Nation School and plays point guard for the Lummi Nation School Blackhawks. Toby has two varsity letters in basketball. He earned All Conference Honors at Lummi Nation School as an 8th and 9th grader. His AAU team is Friends of Hoops out of the Seattle - Scoring 766 points in two years on varsity. Toby stands out on the basketball court with his talent and passion for the game. His skills of shooting, passing, and dribbling are displayed as he plays. Toby started playing basketball when he was three years old at the YMCA. He has loved basketball his whole life. He was dribbling a ball when he started walking. His number one fan is his Mom Alethia Edwards, followed by his Papa Glen Edwards Sr. and Grandma Nancy Edwards.

Lailoni Edwards at USAG WA State. She placed 17th AA and 2nd in vault. She was one of the youngest competitors in her age bracket.

Jerome Toby Jr. Lummi Varsity

Photo by Heather H. Leighton

Aria Edwards, Luke Edwards, Amari Toby

SUBMITTED BY ALETHIA EDWARDS

Dyson Edwards

SUBMITTED BY JESSICA

Aria Edwards, Luke Edwards, Amari Toby at the La Conner Basketball 3 vs 3.

ORTEZ

2018

Dyson Edwards and Jerome Toby - Youth Tourney in Coulee Dam

2023

Dyson Edwards (8th grade) and Jerome Toby (Freshman)Lummi High School Tri-District Champs

2023

Dyson Edwards (8th grade) Lummi Varsity

Photo by Ray Morris

Kim Williams

SUBMITTED BY KRISTI WILLIAMS

Kim Williams is in the 7th grade and has been playing for the Lady Prodigy AAU team since September 2022. Kim also played for La Conner Middle School Girls basketball A-Team, La Conner Girls SWISH Basketball Team, Boys

8th Grade SWISH Basketball, Girls and Boys Native Basketball Tournaments, and La Conner High School Spring League. She has traveled all over Washington State playing in tournaments and even traveled to Oregon and California. There are also upcoming trips to Ohio and Las Vegas. During this time, Kim had time to place 2nd in the long jump for Middle School Track!

Joey Williams

SUBMITTED BY KRISTI WILLIAMS

Joey Williams has been dancing with Skagit Valley Academy of Dance for six years and has done five Nutcracker performances. She is currently doing ballet, jazz, lyrical, and contemporary style of dance.

CEDAR CAP CEREMONY

Class of 2023

Joslin James, Ariana Siddle, Mekayla Smith-Day, Scott Cayou

La Conner Middle School

8TH GRADE PROMOTION

Class of 2027

June 7, 2023

Back row from left: Conner Breckenridge, Landon Ruzicka, Jimbo Bobb, Quentin Edwards, Lukus Bailey

Middle row from left: Katie Cayou-Lockrem, Aurora Cayou, Ayona Cayou, Kiarris Williams, Cara Bailey

Front row from left: Jade Souryavong, Aaliyah Gonzalez, Sunniva Lockrem, Eva Porter

La Conner School District SENIOR AWARDS CEREMONY

Kalikiano Adams

Raymond Bailey Jr.

JaVaughn Bill

Chloe Edwards

Kennedy Miller

Ariana Siddle

Jamie Damien-Sams

Joslin James

June 6, 2023 — Chairman, Steve Edwards, is recognizing Swinomish Scholarship recipients:

Please note that Ariana Siddle also received the Bob Hart Vocational/Career/Technical scholarship and the La Conner Community Scholarship Foundation award.

SWINOMISH CRUISE

Ray Bailey Jr. family

Jamie Damien-Sams Education staff

Swinomish Canoe Family participates in the parade

Help keep your home

The Swinomish Housing Division is partnering with the Washington Homeowner Assistance Fund to help homeowners get current on their mortgage payments – then tackle needs like utility payments and home repairs.

By calling the state hotline at 1-877-894-4663, struggling homeowners can access up to $60,000 in federal assistance to keep their homes. The hotline connects you to a housing counselor who helps you submit the application and negotiate with your lender.

Once you are current on your mortgage, the Swinomish Housing Division can help further. The tribe’s own program can help pay past-due property taxes, insurance premiums, utility or internet bills, and even home repairs.

Call 1-877-894-4663 or visit washingtonhaf. org/ to learn more about the state program, or contact the Swinomish Housing Division at HAF@ swinomish.nsn.us or (360) 588-3002, ext.1.

EXCITING NEW CHANGES TO THE WELLNESS PROGRAM

WELLNESS PROGRAM STAFF

Amanda Washington is our new administrative assistant. Latoya Kaubin is a substance use disorder trainee, and in addition to seeing clients is facilitating groups that include beading, Native art, and mending broken hearts (curriculum specific for healing Native Americans’ grief and loss). Antonio Sosa has also joined our team. Tony has worked in the field for the past 28 years, has a big heart, and loves to cook.

We provide responsible gaming awareness and gambling relief counseling with appointments now available Monday-Friday. If you would like more information, call Amanda (360) 466-1024 or Ginger (360) 588-2868.

The last Tuesday of each month we offer an education and support group for those affected by addiction. We meet in the Wellness Group Room from 6-7 p.m., with dinner provided. If you or a family member struggle with substance use, or you are a parent that wants more information, please don’t hesitate to call.

We look forward to hearing from you.

Wellness Program (360) 466-1024

Nuts and Bolts: Tips from the Swinomish Housing Authority Maintenance

ROBIN CARNEEN-EDWARDS

Home inspections can be helpful for Housing staff and tenants. Mike Bazan shared some common issues that tenants can help us with. One is appliance carespecifically leaking refrigerators and ice build-up in freezers. To prevent this, tenants should defrost their freezers at least once a year to prevent ice build-up. They can do this as part of getting ready for an annual inspection.

Mike also said that tenants should also routinely clean and wipe down the edges of the refrigerator door and the edge where the rubber seal touches the door frame. Any stickiness, spills, trapped food or dirt can cause the seal to pull off of the door when it is opened. If the loosened rubber seal is not repaired or replaced, it can change the internal temperature of the refrigerator which can cause the fridge to malfunction and cause food spoilage, freezer burns to food, and/or leaks. If you need cleaning and defrosting tips or handouts, contact Life Skills Counselor Robin Carneen.

Avoid overloading circuits. The standard electrical systems in our homes can’t always handle everything that is plugged into the outlets. In general, you should avoid plugging multiple items into a standard plug. If you do this, you can trip a circuit breaker, or damage or break your electrical device. We have had work orders called in about these incidences and/or have found evidence of overloaded outlets such as black burn marks around the outlets – this is very dangerous and can cause a house fire.

The best way to use outlets is to plug in bigger appliances and items that need more “juice” by spreading them around to different outlets in your home. It is also recommended to use surge protectors, and purchase ones that can actually protect your items – again, be careful not to overload and be careful what you plug into them. It can be worth the investment and, in the case of an emergency or power outage, it is easier to turn a surge protector off then to have to rush to try and unplug everything.

One example of appliances you shouldn’t plug into a surge protector is fans or heaters. Only plug these into a wall plug because they become a fire hazard if plugged into a power strip or surge protector. Fires HAVE happened.

Remember to call in work orders before a problem gets worse. It’s best to call our office, where we will take your call and put the work order into our system and prioritize it according to urgency. Our staff are usually out in the field responding to a work order and may not be able to help you right away. However, please do not wait to report an issue. It can end up costing you if you wait.

For example: a leaking sink that is not caught early can cause dampness, even flooding, and eventually mold beneath your cabinet. Not only will it cost a lot more to be fixed, it could possibly affect your health and make your water bill higher.

ELECTION BOARD VACANCY

The Election Board is soliciting Letters of Interests in order to fill a vacancy. Board Member Qualifications are as follows:

STC 2-1.080 (C)

Qualifications. Members of the Election Board shall be:

1) Twenty-one (21) years of age or older

2) A n enrolled member of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

3) Not a current member of the Swinomish Senate; and

4) A Resident of the Reservation as defined in this Chapter or an employee of the Tribe or its enterprises. Please submit letters of interest to the Election Officer, Wendy Otto, in the Tribal Administration Building or to wotto@ swinomish.nsn.us.

Letters will be accepted through July 10, 2023.

HS+/GED

Do you need help working on a high school diploma? There are a few summer classes offered in July, but the best availability for all options starts in September. It takes a few weeks to get transcript evaluations done, so please contact me this summer.

I can meet at the Northwest Indian College or the public library if anyone is interested in talking through the process.

I will set each student up with an individualized plan and provide academic support. The key is to contact me so we can get started on a plan.

Sally Schroeder

(360) 630-3723 or sschroeder@swinomish.nsn.us

MAY 5, 2023

Missing Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls event at the Swinomish Casino & Lodge

As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement planning, and more. Other perks include generous paid time off and discounted meals.

To view details about open positions and download our General Employment Application, visit swinomishcasinoandlodge.com/ careers. All positions are “Open until filled” unless specified.

Email applications to: jobs@swinomishcasino.com

Fax applications to: (360) 299.1677

Mail or hand deliver to: Swinomish Casino & Lodge 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes, WA 98221

Questions? Call Human Resources at (360) 299.1642

For the latest open positions, please visit: swinomishcasinoandlodge.com/careers/

HUMAN RESOURCES

JOB OPENINGS

• Medical: Clinical Pharmacist

• Medical: Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN)

• Medical: Chronic Care Management Nurse

• Human Resources: Generalist II

• Housing: Project Manager

• Education: Education Student Advocate

• Fisheries: Fisheries Technician (Part-time)

• I T: Systems Administrator

• Medical: Certified Physical Assistant or Advanced Registered Nurse

• Planning: Planning and Community Development Director

• C ommunity Environmental Health and Wildlife: Community Health and Wildlife Associate

• Planning: Senior Planner -Team Supervisor

• Health Programs: Medical Operations

• Finance: Accountant I

• Planning: Permit Tech (Part Time)

• C ommunications: Graphic Designer

• Swinomish Dental: Dental Assistant

• Police Officer

• Swinomish Defense Services: Social Worker

• C ertified Medical Assistant

Full descriptions of the job announcements listed above are available on the Swinomish website:

swinomish-nsn.gov/resources/human-resources

DIDGWALIC WELLNESS CENTER

The didgwalic Wellness Center is an integrated clinic serving clients with substance use disorder and related conditions.

Employment is managed by the didgwalic Human Resources Department. Please contact HR at (360) 288.5800 or email hr@didgwalic.com with your inquiries.

didgwalic Wellness Center website: didgwalic.com

HOW TO APPLY TO THE SWINOMISH TRIBE:

Return completed application, cover letter, and resume to: Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

ATTN: Human Resources 11404 Moorage Way, La Conner, WA 98257

Fax applications to: (360) 466.1348 Or email to: hr@swinomish.nsn.us

Applications must be received in the Personnel Office by 5PM on or before the job closing date.

Questions? Call the Personnel Office at (360) 466.1216 or (360) 466.7353