Training brought leaders of 10 Tribal Nations to Tulalip

By Lyn Dennis, Tribal Relations Liaison, The Evergreen State College

Tulalip, WATULALPI, Wash. –

Elected leaders from 10 tribes, including the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR), attended a new program, “The Elected Tribal Official Academy Training” by The Evergreen State College took place on Feb. 7 to 9, 2023, at the Tulalip Resort Casino and the Tulalip Gathering Hall.

Elected leaders attended from from the CTUIR, The Tulalip Tribes, the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Tribe, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the Cowlitz Tribe, the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Colville, the Suquamish Tribe, and the Squaxin Island Tribe.

Lindsey Watchman, M.Ed, Chair of the CTUIR General Council, attended the training.

The program was presented by The Evergreen State College’s Tribal Relations, Arts and Cultures Division, in collaboration with the Native Nations Institute of the University of Arizona, and with a core team of leaders, including Cagey, who served as the steering committee for this training.

Lummi Indian Business Council member Henry Cagey told the elected leaders of tribal nations assembled, “As we look at the lay of the land with our leaders, we want them to be well informed and well equipped for any issue that they face. ,” said Cagey,a member of the steering committee for this training. “We want good strong leaders to lead our people. And that they be able to stand up for their tribe and speak for their people.”

The training focused upon what an elected tribal leader needs to know today to be successful in their role and for their tribe. Topics included intergovernmental relations, the foundation of tribal sovereignty, and the role of tribes as sovereign nations.

The steering committee included Jamestown S’Klallam chairman Ron Allen; Tulalip chairwoman Teri Gobin; Lummi Indian Business Council member Henry Cagey; and Squaxin Island chairman Kris Peters. The committee guided the development of this unique training to make sure it met the needs of tribal leaders in the

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Nicht-Yow-Way elders pick trip destinations

Nicht-Yow-Way elders have selected the destinations for their 2023 activities.

The group has scheduled trips to a number of reservations, from Siletz on the Oregon Coast to Spokane to the north.

The following places, and the months they are planned, include:

- Siletz in May

- Nez Perce on June 9

- Grand Ronde and Tulalip this summer

- Coeur d’Alene and Puyallup in October

- Shipwreck Beads, Muckleshoot, Yakama, and Spokane with dates to be announced.

According to Nicht-Yow-Way senior policy, each CTUIR senior (age 55 and older) can sign up for up to three trips per year, not including day trips.

The total number of travelers will be limited by funds available. The program pays for group travel but cannot subsidize private cars. A daily allowance is provided to each traveler. Travelers can expect to share lodging with a roommate. Travel is arranged by Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) which requires a current waiver form from each traveler. Volunteer nonpaid drivers may sign up with CTUIR Human Resources.

Katrina Burnside, Senior Activities Coordinator, DCFS, is in charge of organizing the trips.

As trip time gets closer, she will post a sign-up sheet at the senior center. Burnside can be contacted at KatrinaBurnside@ctuir.org or at 541429-7314 or 541-429-7300.