All Fishers Meeting, March 4, 3:30pm at the CKA Commons Bldg. Fisheries Dept is hosting a meeting for all tribal fishers – including both finfish and shellfish harvesters.
Suquamish Tribal Council meets March 6. Agenda and links sent via Weekly Update & SUN texts.
Suquamish Tribal Gaming Comm. meets March 5 & 19, 9:30-11am at Suquamish Museum. Call Angela Brainerd at (360) 394-8652 for details.
Suquamish Warriors meet March 5 at 5:30pm at the Warriors Vet Center.
Suquamish Seafoods Board meets March 12. Call Shanel Carlson at (360) 394-8512 for details.
PME Board meets March 13. Contact Emily Sato at emilysato@clearwatercasino.com for details.
Suquamish Museum Board meets March 21, 10am-noon at Museum. For more info call (360) 394-8499.
Elders Council meets March 19, 2-4pm at Elders Lodge. Call (360) 394-8417 for details.
Native New Year, March 1, 5-7pm at the House of Awakened Culture.
Hotel Furniture Giveaway March 5, Casino West Garage (see page 13).
Beaded lanyard workshop for employees, March 7 & 14. Space limited. Sign up with Denita Holmes at dholmes@suquamish.nsn.us.
Register for language classes, March 11. Details to come.
Lunchtime Forum: Suquamish Cultural Events. March 14 at noon on Zoom. Log on at bit.ly/STlunchtime (see page 7).
Tribal Government Open House for Members & Families. March 15, 10am-noon, 1pm-3pm at Tribal Admin. Building. (See page 5).
Elders Council, March 16, 8am at Kiana Lodge (see page 5).
General Council March 16 & 17 at Kiana Lodge. (See pages 5, 6, 7, & 9 for details.)
Until Help Arrives, Office of Emergency Management, March 19, 5-8pm, House of Awakened Culture.
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
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.
Culture night, March 20, 5-7 pm, House of Awakened Culture
Inter-Tribal Parent Education Committee (ITPEC), March 26, 5-6:30pm. Tribal Council Chambers or online at https://bit.ly/SuqITPEC.
Canoe Journey planning March 26, 5-6pm, at Old Tribal Center. Beaded lanyard workshop for Tribal members, March 27. Space limited. Sign up with Denita Holmes at dholmes@suquamish.nsn.us.
Spring greens event with Azure Boure, March 27, 5-7pm at HOAC
Save the dates
Culture Camp, April 2-4
Solar eclipse, April 8
Language classes begin, April 9. Renewal PowWow, April 26-28.
March Events at the Suquamish Museum
March 6, 3-4:30pm Free Family Game Night at the Museum. Bring whole family & enjoy.
March 9, All day, FREE Museum Admission
March 10, 10am–3pm, Native Makers Market
March 12, 3pm, Behind the Scenes Tour
March 13, 3pm–4 pm, Book Reading: Counting Wild Bears of the Northwest Coast
March 23,10:30am–2:30pm, Weaving Class (Small Cedar Basket) with Lisa Jackson
March 20, 1–4pm, Object Identification
For more info or to register for any of our programs, call (360) 394-7105, or email jreynolds@suquamish.nsn.us
Suquamish Tribal Elder George Hill Jr and his wife Debra Hill were among more than two dozen Elders who travelled to Chehalis to attend the “Weavers Teaching Weavers” Conference in February. Story and more photos are on page 3. (Photo by JoAnn Joe)
Leonard Forsman Chairman
Josh Bagley Vice-Chair
Irene Carper Secretary
Denita Holmes Treasurer
Rich Purser Member
Sammy Mabe Member
Luther Mills, Jr. Member
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
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.
Tribe is strictly prohibited.
Morethan two dozen Suquamish Tribal Elders traveled Chehalis Feb 16 for a two-day “Weavers Teaching Weavers” Conference, hosted by Hazel Pete Institute of Chehalis Basketry.
The Elders said they were in their happy place, learning new techniques and offering their own wisdom.
They were among about 100 weavers from tribes throughout the region who attended the conference to improve their skills and share their knowledge.
Donna Sigo and Dickie Johnson, for example, learned how to build a pine needle basket while taking time to offer their own tips to fellow weavers. George Hill Jr and his wife Debra could be seen working together on cedar hats, while exchanging smiles and stories with others.
“To witness their creations come to life this weekend has been such a blessing,” Human Service’s Client Representative Antonia Ewing posted on Facebook after assisting the Elders during their trip. “Our Elders are our most valuable leaders in my eyes. Yes, our children are our future, but so are our Elders. They carry so many teachings and stories that we need to learn in order for our traditions to stay alive.”
Many Elders expressed their hope that a regional weaving conference could be hosted in Suquamish.
By JoAnn Joe
The Suquamish Tribe has the rare opportunity to monitor the results of an estuary restoration project and compare them to a nearly pristine wetland nearby.
The tribe is working with the Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group (MSFEG) to restore an estuary for improved salmon habitat on private property near Rose Point in northern Kitsap County. Work includes removing a 770-foot-long creosote bulkhead and invasive reed canary grass, plus replacing a partial fish passage barrier on a salmon-bearing creek with a bridge that will reconnect the creek with its historical estuary. The creek channel also is going to be redirected, helping the restored estuary mix fresh water with salt water.
The nearly pristine reference site is a few miles south at Doe Kag Wats, an estuary on property owned by the tribe.
“It’s refreshing to see an area that’s generally unimpacted,” said Hanna Brush, a field biologist for the tribe. “It’s in the roughly same region as Rose Point, so the same species are probably going to use it.”
The primary purpose for this restoration project is to support salmon habitat while giving the
landowners a chance to make long-term positive changes, Brush said.
“We may not have big rivers for spawning here in Kitsap, but we do have an abundance of shoreline, and the science around estuary reconnection is hopeful,” said Lisa Reynolds, MSFEG restoration project manager for Rose Point. “We’re learning more about how critical these embayment estuaries are to the survival of juvenile chinook out-migrating from the sound.
“Partnership really is priceless,” Reynolds said. “The long-term investments made by the Suqua-
mish Tribe support the legacy left by the families who reside at Rose Point today and will inform, advance and fund critical shoreline process restoration into the future.”
From 2023-2025, data collected at both locations will include documenting existing plant communities and fish in the estuaries, and estimating the amount and types of vegetation that wash ashore during tide cycles. Physical changes such as the amount and size of tidal channels, and elevation and substrate changes in the estuaries and adjacent beaches also will be monitored.
“The monitoring should indicate whether the restoration effort is working to re-establish habitats that support juvenile salmon, and ultimately whether the salmon use it,” said Steve Todd, the tribe’s salmon recovery biologist. “We are still learning what actions are most effective and can apply any lessons to future restoration sites.”
The tribe also hopes to see changes such as native vegetation growth and fish taking advantage of newly restored and reconnected salmon habitat at Rose Point.
“The creek is mostly forested with good habitat and we’ve seen how the bridge replacement has improved fish passage already, so it’s a good clean reach for salmon,” Brush said.
Fish swimming along the East Kitsap shoreline have several salmon-friendly places to stop to rest and feed, including Doe Kag Wats, Carpenter Creek estuary and now Rose Point. Two more pocket estuaries north of Rose Point show promise for restoration as refuge for salmon as they make their way to Admiralty Inlet, the Strait of Juan de Fuca and the ocean, Reynolds said. But Rose Point is the only estuary project to advance to construction.
“This project is one more place along the route for them to stop,” Brush said. “It’s kinda like, ‘if you build it, they will come,’ with estuary restoration.”
By Tiffany Royal Northwest Indian Fisheries CommissionThe Suquamish Tribe is collaborating on a research project to see whether the restored and reconnected habitat at Rose Point can support salmon. The results at this site will be compared to Doe Kag Wats. Photos courtesy of the Mid Sound Fisheries Enhancement Group.
The extended weekend of General Council will be packed! This issue of the Suquamish News has you covered. Below, you can find information about Elders Council, Child Care, and an Open House taking place on Friday, March 15. Candidate statements are on pages 6 & 7, and the General Council Agenda is on page 8.
For tribal members wishing to stay at the Clearwater Casino Resort, discounted rooms can be reserved by calling (866) 609-8700 and asking for Suquamish Tribe General Council 2024 Block. Or you can log on to https://reserve.clearwatercasino. com/suquamish#groupSignIn and use code 23360 when making a reservation.
TheSuquamish Elders Council will gather for their annual meeting at 8am on March 16, the morning of the first day of General Council. The meeting will take place at Kiana Lodge. Breakfast will be served at 8:15am, and the meeting will be called to order at 9am.
Among the highlights for the meeting, there are two Elder Council positions up for election: the Vice Chair position, currently held by Jim Henry, and the Treasurer position currently held by Charlene Renquist. Both incumbents will be standing for re-election, and nominations from the floor are welcome.
Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman will address the Elders Council. Della Crowell, Elders Program Coordinator, will deliver a report on the tribe’s Elders Program.
Elders will hear a financial report and survey results regarding which trips Elders favor for 2024.
For more information, contact Elders Council Secretary Tracy Tabafunda ttabafunda@comcast. net, or Elders Program Coordinator Melissa Lund Mlund@suquamish.nsn.us.
Do you need childcare?
March 15, 2024
Teachers at the Marion Forsman-Boushie Early Learning Center will be providing childcare for children from six weeks to 11 years old. Please sign up by Monday, March 11.
For more information and to sign up, contact Alex Harkins, ELC Childcare Coordinator ,at (360) 394-8580 or aharkins@suquamish.nsn.us.
We ran seven babies born in 2023 in last month’s paper, but just got these latest additions! Please welcome Kyl-e-an Kwey-Kwadi Tabafunda-Turner and William Thomas Coxe!
Kyl-e-an Kwey-Kwadi Tabafunda-Turner, born June 16. Suquamish Tribal Member. Parents: Kyle Turner (Suquamish) & Jeannine Tabafunda-Turner (Nooksack). Grandparents: David Mills Sr. (Suquamish) & Vicki Turner (Jamestown S’Klallam), Randy Tabafunda (Nooksack) & Gloria Tabafunda (Lytton).
Morning opening: 10am - 12pm
Afternoon opening: 1pm - 3pm
March 15, 2024
Morning opening: 10am - 12pm
This will be a wonderful opportunity to engage with staff and department representatives to learn more about the many different programs and services offered by the Tribal Government.
Afternoon opening: 1pm - 3pm
This will be a wonderful opportunity to engage with staff and department representatives to learn more about the many different programs and services offered by the Tribal Government.
This will be a wonderful opportunity to engage with staff and department representatives to learn more about the many different programs and services offered by the Tribal Government.
If you have any further questions or need any addit ional assistance, please don't hesitate to call at 360-59 83311.
If you have any further questions or need any additional assistance, please don't hesitate to call at 360-598-3311.
Join us at the Suquamish Tribe Administration Compl ex at 18490 Suquamish Way, Suquamish WA
If you have any further questions or need any addit ional assistance, please don't hesitate to call at 360-59 83311.
Suquamish Tribe
Join us at the Suquamish Tribe Administration Complex at 18490 Suquamish Way, Suquamish WA
Join us at the Suquamish Tribe Administration Compl ex at 18490 Suquamish Way, Suquamish WA
Suquamish Tribe
William Thomas Coxe, born November 8. Parents: Isabella Coxe (Tribal Descendant) and Thomas Coxe.
Grandparents: Bob Gemmell (Tribal Member) and Lea Gemmell
Tribal Council candidate statements have been published in the Suquamish News since December, as they’ve been submitted. The following are the latest. Candidate statements are optional. Nominations from the floor for Tribal Council positions #5, #6, and #7 will take place on March 17, during the General Council meeting at Kiana Lodge.
Position #5, currently held by Rich Purser
Statement by Scott Crowell (see this page).
Statement by Joshua George (see February edition, page 7).
Position #6, currently held by Sammy Mabe
No statements received by the Suquamish News.
Hieveryone. My name is Scott Crowell and I am running for the Tribal Council position being vacated by retiring member Rich Purser (position #5). On my Suquamish side my father was John Crowell, my grandmother was Grace Fowler. I also happen to be the 7th great grandson of Chief Seattle himself. I come from a small family so very few can say this. It is interesting that I am the 7th because we often culturally speak of planning for 7 generations. Thank you, grandpa, it is up to us to keep it going.
I was educated at Western Washington University and I have a planning degree. I have used that education to work for our tribe for the past 32 years, 30 of it as the Director of The Department of Community Development as well as 5 years as Executive Director over 4 different time spans within the past 25 years, and I have spent my life living here in our home and on our land. Living here for a lifetime and working in a high-level position for our government has afforded me the opportunity
to be a part of and witness many things. I believe this puts me in a unique position to see and understand where opportunities for growth and development as a tribe are being missed. The following are a couple of points I would like to make and some things that I think need greater attention.
Sovereignty and Treaty Protection — Our culture and economic livelihood are tied to treaty and resource protection. It must be fought for and protected at all times.
Government budgeting — Our budget is overinflated and poorly managed. We have way too much mis-spending. We employ over 400 people and I rarely see far too many of them and I see far too little benefit to our citizens.
Tribal Member Employment — We really have no program for the advancement of our people within our own government. We have no self determination or sovereignty if we the people of the Suquamish Tribe are not running the Suquamish Tribe. I employ, train and advance tribal members in DCD.
Government Transparency — Every Tribal Council meeting starts with a minimum of three hours of executive session. Large amounts of government action and direction are given during that time. All of it done in private. The only things that should be done in executive session are personnel, legal and negotiation matters. This adds to the feeling of secret government.
Tribal Member Support Services — Yes to youth. Yes to elders. Yes to education. Yes to housing. Yes to employment and future growth opportunities. Yes to our unenrolled children who have been born, raised, active in our tribe and work here. They are Suquamish period. We have the money if we stop spending it on things and people who do not benefit us.
Position #7, currently held by Luther “Jay” Mills, Jr.
Statement by Luther “Jay” Mills, Jr (see next page). Statement by Patricia Medina (see December 2023 edition, page 7).
Note: back issues of the Suquamish News can be found at the “News” tab on the Suquamish website, or at issuu.com/suquamish
Our future is endlessly bright due to the efforts of so many who sacrificed and survived so much. We cannot and must not fail them. Our children are counting on us. Being elected and being a leader are different things. We need strength and courage more than ever to continue our never-ending journey. My door is always open for talks and ideas. I prefer to listen to our people. Council positions are service positions, we must remember Tribal Council works for and answers to General Council.
Suquamish Forever, Scott
GENERAL COUNCIL
My Parents are Luther and Dolores Mills, I grew up in Bremerton located on the shores of Phinney Bay. The year of 1978 my wife Joanie Mills and I moved to the reservation when I was asked to caretake at the Old Tribal Center on Sandy Hook RD. In 1980 we moved into our home on Ditto Lane where we raised our 5 children Jamie, Jana, Luther Mills III (JJ), Jillian, and Janelle Mills. Joanie and I have a total of 21 wonderful grandkids.
I’ve been employed with the Suquamish Tribe for 45 years. From the night watchman of the first Tribal smoke shop, to my current position as the PME Ambassador, I have dedicated those 45 years of my life to not only raising my children and grandchildren with my cultural teachings. I was raised by the cultural teachings of my Parents and my relatives on Phinney Bay. Including giving back to my community, on council, out on the water, and teaching what the Suquamish Tribe is about.
I’m seeking to represent our tribe with another term as your Suquamish tribal representative position #7, I take this position very seriously. I am proud to represent our tribe. As a council member I represent the Tribe on a number of boards and committees. I have been appointed to the Seattle City Indigenous Advisory Council, Kitsap Economic Development Alliance, Visit Kitsap Peninsula, Greater Kitsap Chamber, Suquamish Foundation, Cultural Committee and Suquamish CKA School Board.
My vote is always going to be in favor of initiatives that support our sovereignty and treaty resource protection for the Tribe. I am a strong believer in food sovereignty and the power behind using our own indigenous food systems. It is important to me that we always have access to and control of our traditional foodways. I like to give back to other tribal families and share subsistence foods to those members that do not have hunters or gatherers in their family. I believe in initiatives and programs that fund prevention services that support wellness, recovery, and attainable and affordable housing.
One of the things I am known for in our community is cooking and processing our traditional foods. I’m passionate about sharing my cultural teachings that have been passed down to me then back to our youth. I get so much joy teaching others how essential our indigenous foods are to us and how it connects our community. I’ve been honored to share my culinary practices cooking our Seafood in Washington DC for the Department of Commerce and NOAA, (1000 guests). I have also cooked traditional foods for Puget Sound Regional Council’s hosting of ACE’s (80) Top Executives from South America as we hosted the meal here at the HOAC. During Senator Marie Cantwell’s fund raiser, we prepared cultural foods from our Suquamish Seafoods dept. I brought my portable smoker and salmon to the Swinomish Tribes Youth program for an Ocean to Table workshop. I have continued to be part of and support the Ocean to Table project with Chief Kitsap Academy students and staff. I taught the students how to catch, process, smoke and can our Chum Salmon. I have also helped coordinate the meals for Canoe Journey hostings planned for 12,000 guests. Giving back in these ways is part of how I share my gifts and how I feel like I demonstrate sharing pride for our culture.
I carry myself as a proud Suquamish Tribal Member and have conducted my responsibilities as an elected official from a genuine heart. I have a more soft-spoken style and conduct myself as a balanced decision maker who believes in doing the right things in the best interest of our Tribe. I make my decisions from a perspective of integrity so that when I decide my vote, I feel like I can stand behind it authentically. I am hoping that you believe in my abilities and will support my re-elec-
tion for Council Position #7. I will always guarantee you that I carry my responsibilities with great honor, respect, and compassion for our Suquamish people.
Thank you,
ON ZOOM
Thursday MARCH 14 Noon
Cultural Events
Renewal Powwow
Canoe Journey
Culture Camp
Chief Seattle Days
Log on at: bit.ly/STlunchtime or call (253) 205-0468
Meeting ID: 862 9647 6154
Or point your phone camera at the QR code
SATURDAY, MARCH 16
In Person and Zoom
12:30 pm Call to Order
Opening Prayer & Welcome
12:30 pm Catered Lunch
1:30 pm Adoption Candidates (Voting will take place on Sunday)
REPORTS
1:45 pm Youth Council Update
2:00 pm Human Services Report
2:20 pm Healthy Community Report
2:40 pm Fisheries Report
3:00 pm Department of Community Development Report
3:20 pm Enterprise Reports
4:30 pm Closing Prayer
The March 16 General Council meeting can be attended in person at Kiana Lodge or via Zoom. The March 17 meeting is in person only at Kiana Lodge.
Zoom log-in information for the March 16 session will be sent in advance via Weekly Update and SUN alert.
Make sure your contact information is up to date at bit.ly/SUNupdate or point your camera phone to this QR code.
SUNDAY, MARCH 17 In Person Only
9:00 am Call to Order
Opening Prayer & Welcome
9:10 am Tribal Chairman’s Introduction
9:20 am Review & Approval of March 18, 19, 2023 Minutes
9:35 am Constitutional Amendment Overview
10:00 am Nominations from the Floor for Council Member Positions 5, 6, 7
10:10 am Council Member Candidate
Speeches – 5 Minutes each
10:40 am Elders Council Honoring of New Elders
11:00 am Primary Election Polls Open (if necessary)
Elders First
12:15 pm Catered Lunch
12:30 pm Primary Election Polls Close
There's
Healing House Clinic
OLD BUSINESS
1:00 pm Treasurer’s Report
ANNUAL REPORTS
1:15 pm Enterprise and Board Highlights
NEW BUSINESS
1:45 pm General Election Polls Open for Elder’s ONLY
• Adoption(s) Vote
• Council Elections
• Constitution Amendment to Correct Minor Typographical Errors Resulting from the BIA Election
• Constitution Amendment to Change Membership Criteria to One-Sixteenth Blood Quantum
2:15 pm General Elections Polls Open for General Membership
• Adoption(s) Vote
• Council Elections
• Constitution Amendment to Correct Minor Typographical Errors Resulting from the BIA Election
• Constitution Amendment to Change Membership Criteria to One-Sixteenth Blood Quantum
3:15 pm Comments From the Floor
4:30 pm General Elections Poll Close
• Tabulation of Results
• Announcement of Council Election Results
• Adoption vote results will be certified by the Enrollment Committee and announced at the next Tribal Council meeting
• Swearing in of Elected Council Members
5:15 pm Closing Prayer
5:20 pm Meeting Adjourned
The March General Council meeting is coming up in just a few weeks, and we’re excited to once again gather to do our work as tribal citizens, see relatives and friends, and talk over issues while keeping in our hearts the next seven generations.
The first of the year always includes the winter meetings of our two major intertribal organizations; the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) held in Portland, Oregon and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) held in Washington, D.C.
ATNI featured sessions with key federal officials who oversee policy development and programs important to Indian Country.
Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs Bryan Newland (Bay Mills) provided an update on the Bureau of Indian Affairs’ work, focusing on efforts to get tribal lands into trust status for tribal governments.
Casey Sixkiller (Cherokee), who serves as the Environmental Protection Agency Region 10 Administrator, announced new efforts to protect salmon from toxic tire dust chemicals.
We also had a well-attended open house/reception at ATNI’s new offices in Portland including an address by Oregon Governor Tina Kotek.
The NCAI Executive Council Winter Session was held at the Westin Hotel and included several members of the Biden cabinet, including Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough, Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo, and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. The presence of so many administration officials at NCAI is an example of the progress we have made in Indian Country in our relationship with the White House. While in
the nation’s capital, Vice-Chairman Josh Bagley joined me in a meeting with U.S. Navy officials at the Pentagon that included an informative tour of the facility.
Tribal leaders from Washington state met to discuss rejuvenating the Association of Washington Tribes (AWT) in a hybrid meeting held in Tulalip. This organization helps bring tribal consensus on policy issues that are key to productive state/tribal relations.
Members of the Suquamish Tribal Council met with commissioners from the Port of Seattle to discuss their operations and future plans regarding Elliott Bay, the Duwamish River, and Shilshole Bay. The Port also provided an overview of their job and career training programs and expressed great interest in recruitment of tribal people in these initiatives. The Port introduced their new tribal liaison, Roxanne Murphy of the Nooksack Tribe.
The 50th anniversary of the Boldt Decision was recognized in a celebration hosted by the Muckleshoot Tribe and the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. “US V. WA 50” featured presentations and speeches by attorneys, tribal leaders, state officials, and family of Judge Boldt. Speakers reflected on the history, impact, and future of the decision that affirmed the tribes’ right to half of the harvestable salmon in Washington and their
right to co-manage the fishery with state, federal, and international partners. Judge Boldt’s daughter was kind enough to tell me that her father used to bring their family to Miller Bay in the 1930s for summer vacations. Boldt was appointed as a federal judge in 1951.
I joined Treasurer Denita Holmes for an interview with the Ruckelshaus Center regarding Covid impacts on our tribal education programs, our tribal school, and public-school students. This information is being gathered for “The K-12 Pandemic Impacts Project,” which draw on lessons learned about the impacts of the pandemic, and the responses to it, to help improve the long-term social, emotional, and educational outcomes of the students who were most negatively impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic in Washington state.
I had the honor to provide welcoming remarks at the annual Kitsap Hall of Fame banquet held at Kiana Lodge. Congratulations to Brenda George, one of our tribal attorneys, for her induction in recognition of her softball career success both in high school and college!
Looking forward to seeing you at Kiana Lodge for General Council, March 16 and 17.
Leonard Forsman, Chairman Suquamish TribeTribal Council meets March 6. Watch for SUN alerts and Weekly Updates for details.
Suquamish Police Chief Mike Lasnier is now compiling a monthly overview of Police Dept. activity during the previous month.
The reports will be posted when received on the Suquamish Tribe website at: https:// suquamish.nsn.us/spd-blotter/
As winter starts to fade and spring rains quickly arrive, here are some helpful home and garden maintenance tips:
• Change the batteries in your smoke detector
Ensure your home and family’s safety in the event of a fire.
• Check the Attic
Inspect for insects, mold, insulation condition.
• Repair and clean window screens
Repair any rips or tears they may have, clean with soap and water thoroughly.
• Check window and door seals
Look for air gaps, leaks or cracks, reapply caulk and weather stripping where necessary.
• Service HVAC units
Change the filter, check hose connections for leaks, ensure it is draining properly, vacuum dust from the unit and connections.
• Check and clean your roof
Inspect for any loose shingles, gently brush off moss and debris, or hire a cleaner.
• Clean and repair gutters
Clean out leaves, sticks, and debris and ensure downspouts are properly connected to ensure water is flowing away from the foundation of your home.
• Clear lawn of debris
Large branches and other tree debris often fall in the winter, clear your lawn of them to try and eliminate a mossy lawn.
• Have your chimney cleaned, inspected, and certified
Heavily used fireplaces need cleaning and inspection, and should be certified for use to prevent a chimney fire or a life-threatening event from happening in the future.
• Prune plants away from house
Trim bushes and trees away from your home to allow proper airflow around your home and protect your home from insects and other unwanted critters.
• Inspect around the foundation and crawl space Check for problem areas and seal any holes to prevent insects and mice from making nests. Inspect your crawl space for moisture and check condition of insulation.
If you have questions on home maintenance or would like a list of contractors, visit the DCD/ Housing lobby. Our staff can also email the list upon request. Contact us at (360)394-8423.
By Lois “Lane” Sullivan
Tribal Council approved a series of measures designed to improve internet service for tribal families.
A new fiber optic line will soon be installed down George Lane in a partnership with KPUD. Ordinarily, individual households would have to pay about $6,000 just to get connected to that line. Using Federal funding from the American Rescue Plan Act, the tribe will work with KPUD to ensure those costs are covered for tribal households.
“This will be literally 1000 times better than what George Lane has right now with Century Link,” said Council Member Sammy Mabe. Once the lines are installed, residents will be able to pay for monthly service plans from a variety of internet providers.
The service is similar to the fiber optic line that’s been run up to the new Snooker Lane tribal housing neighborhood, that has also provided wi-fi service to residents in the Sackman tribal neighborhood. Council approved the installation of a final pole and Wi-Fi transmitter that should complete service to the Sackman cul-de-sac. Finally, Council also approved the purchase of new data storage gear that will set the stage for the tribe to eventually become an internet service provider in the coming years.
The Fisheries Department has both paid and volunteer opportunities for members of the tribal community to be involved with the ongoing work on cockle restoration.
We have received grant funding to attempt transfer of juvenile cockles from geoduck tubes to experimental plots on Suquamish beaches. This includes funding for an intern, as well as technicians who will also participate in our manila surveys when not busy with cockle work.
We are also looking for volunteers to do cockle collection in May and/or June. Dates TBD. Juveniles will be utilized as part of our trials, and mature cockles will be brought back for community use, and for use by the volunteers that come out to help collect.
The intern will work on all parts of this project, including office and field work, and helping coordinate community cockle bakes, among other things.
We had multiple successful collections of cockles for community use last year and are hoping for more as we move forward! After one of the collections Jay and JJ Mills showed the ELC kids how to do a clam bake and they got to try cockles, many of them for the first time. Thank you to the folks who participated in the collections and prepared them for the community!
This phase of cockle work builds on all of our previous and ongoing work funded by the tribe as well as grant money. This includes learning about disease distribution and wild cockle genetics, funding a new flupsy, and contributing significantly to a new holding system at Suquamish Seafoods that allows cockles to be held longer than was previously possible. The current round of funding will also further our knowledge of hatchery techniques aimed at maximizing the genetic diversity of the cockle seed.
If you or anyone you know is interested in the Cockle Internship or volunteering for the Cockle collections please reach out to Elizabeth Unsell: eunsell@suquamish.nsn.us, text or call (360) 271-1055. The Internship pays $20/hour for about 30hrs/week, and starts in April or May, depending on availability. For the Shellfish Technician positions, please watch for the posting in March.
By Elizabeth Unsell Shellfish Biologist
Tribal Elders
Birthday celebration!
Tossed Salad
Birthday Cake & Ice Cream
Split Pea Soup w/ Ham
Egg Salad
Sandwich on Whole
Wheat Bread
Tossed Salad
SF Pudding
Sweet
Corn
Beverages : Choice of 1% Milk or Lactose Free Milk. Occasional substitutions may be necessary
Chicken Soft Tacos (ground chicken, refried beans, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, salsa)
Spanish Rice
Fresh Fruit
Meatloaf
Mashed Potatoes w/ Gravy
California Veggie Blend
Tossed Salad Wheat Roll
Macaroni Beef Casserole
Cook’s Special Chili w/ Cheese
Tossed Salad
Corn Bread
Fresh Fruit
Geoduck Chowder w/ oyster crackers Veggie Platter
Fresh Fruit
Respected Elders, March came fast! We are already at that time of year when we start getting ready to see many of our dear tribal Elders who will be arriving (from far places) to attend General Council on March 16 & 17—we can’t wait to see everyone!
Tomato Soup
Tuna Fish Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread
Minted Pea Salad
Yogurt Parfait w/ Fruit
BBQ Chicken
Fresh Veggie Tray
Corn Bread
Cottage Cheese w/ Fruit
Minestrone Soup Turkey & Cheese
Sandwich on Whole Wheat Bread
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Fresh Fruit
BBQ Chicken
Quinoa Salad
Winter Squash
Wheat Roll
Oatmeal Cookie
Baked Potato Bar w/ Chili, Broccoli & Cheese Sauce
Tossed Salad
Fresh Fruit
Tamale Pie
Tossed Salad
Spice Fruit Cocktail
St
Corned
Shephard’s Pie (meat, green beans, potatoes)
Tossed Salad
Wheat Roll
Salmon
Red Potatoes
Tossed Salad
Pachado Bread
Fresh Fruit
Baked Ham Sweet Potatoes Kale Salad Applesauce Muffin Fresh Fruit
Elders Kitchen: (360) 394-8407. Please call to inform the kitchen if you would like to cancel home delivery for the day.
This year’s Hazel Pete Weaving Conference went on as scheduled, even with the unexpected mid-February snowfall. Twenty-five Elders braved the snow & ice to attend the event. We hold our hands up to Nehreen & Antonia from Human Services who were the travel guides as Elders Program staff Della & Melissa were unable to attend. It was nice for Elders to reconnect with one of our favorite PME shuttle drivers, Judy Arp.
February’s Elders Movie Night was attended by seven Elders; everyone chose the movie Argyle.
The Elders Program would like to welcome Quel-Isha Brealan-Bayes to Human Services. She is the granddaughter of Teri & Thad Bayes, daughter of Shoshanna Bayes & Raven Brealan. “Q” (her nickname) will be assisting our program, including transporting Elders to events and doing clerical support work. We are blessed to have her on board.
This past month, we bid some Elders’ family members a safe journey into the next world. Our thoughts and heart messages go out to Molly Middleton at the loss of her husband Dennis Warfield and Celeste Loneia, whose brother Jamie Loneia also passed. Elder Cathlene Norris and husband Rob lost their fur baby of 17 years; we wish Gemini a safe passage over the Rainbow Bridge.
Please stay warm and safe as winter blows its last frosty breath; happy trails, until we meet again.
By Della Crowell & Melissa Lund
Guess Who? This is who! (from p 11)
Michael Zaiss and Eric Alexander! Michael Zaiss is the Workforce Program Manager in Human Services and Eric Alexander is Groundskeeper at Kiana Lodge. This photo is from the Suquamish Museum Archives.
Contact the Suquamish Tribe Wellness Center at (360) 394-7139 or (360) 394-8558.
Call or text WA State 24-hour Helpline 1-800-547-6133.
There is hope. There is help.
Helloeveryone, it’s good to be back in the office again. I have been out due to medical reasons and returned too late to submit anything for the February Suquamish News. As of now, I am working on getting healed with PT and strengthening my wrist and arm. I am also working on getting caught up on the things that have been waiting for me while I was out.
I am excited to learn about the projects that the Suquamish Tribe is working on in Climate Change and education. This is so exciting for all of us, and we should always work to make the place we live better and be better caretakers of our planet.
I would like to thank the people that helped me while I was down and out as it was hard to not be able to do so many things. Without assistance, I would not have made it through my hard time. Human Service staff, Ashley Boure-McNew, Ray Lewis, Della Crowell, Julie Mace, my family Barbara Lawrence, my sons Randy and Sea-Ots-Ton Jones, my grandchildren, Ayanna and Sea-OtsTon Jr., and my husband Gene R. Jones Sr., all did so much to make sure I had all that I needed to be comfortable and that I made all my appointments. Without good support you don’t heal or feel good about yourself. So, I want to thank all of you for your love and support!
I would like to ask that you think about contacting me for interviews or talking about stories, topics of interest, sharing photographs, and the stories about them, or anything that you think would be of interest to the next generations. We need to share our knowledge and pass it on so when we are gone they will learn from what we have done.
Do you know that most young people do not know what a black and white television is, or a rotary dial telephone, or a party line, a record player, or even that cars have only been around since the early 1900s. Think of all the things we have learned and experienced in our lives that our younger generation does not even understand or just did not know happened. Times are changing so fast and we are taking so many thing for granted that before you know it we will have forgotten what our Ancestors taught us, to “Take what you need and leave the rest, don’t take more than you need.”
Please contact me at either (360) 394–8526 or mjones@suquamish.nsn.us to set up a date and time to talk and record you thoughts, I would enjoy working with you.
By Marilyn Jones Traditional Heritage SpecialistYouth basketball is in full stride as the Pee Wee and Parks and Recreation leagues are under way. This year we have a total of eight teams participating between the two leagues, with a total of 90 youth playing winter basketball this season.
Girl’s middle school Parks and Recreations team finished the regular season in fifth place and ended up finishing in fourth place in the end of the season tournament. This team always came ready to play and their hard work during the season paid off as all of them made their middle school teams.
Pee Wee season is at the midway point, and we currently have two teams: the boy’s AA (13 U)
don’t keep track of wins and losses, but they are improving every week.
We have three Parks and Recreations Teams playing on Saturdays, and they are all doing well. We have three teams participating this year in the grade division’s boys 2/3rd, girls 2/3rd and girls 5th grades. All the teams are playing hard and learning the fundamentals and sportsmanship and all are doing great.
Thank you to the Sports and Recreation staff and volunteer coaches for teaching the youth the importance of team work and respect of the game.
Also, I would like to thank all the parents, family, and friends who come out each night and support these young athletes.
By Craig Miller
Tuesdays at 5:00pm
Suquamish Wellness Center 18490 Suquamish Way NE Ste 107
Contact Aaron with questions (360) 900-8349 (call/text)
Peer support group focusing on men’s issues and family responsibilities. Open to the community - custodial and non-custodial fathers, as well as dads-to-be, uncles, grandpas, cousins, mentors are welcome to attend. A chance to share your experience and learn from others. You are not alone in your challenges. Let’s try to take care of each other!
custodial and non-custodial fathers, as well as dads-to-be, uncles, grandpas, cousins, mentors are welcome to attend. A chance to share your experience and learn from others. You are not alone in your challenges. Let’s try
*Brandy
*Brittany
March 1
Grace Clark
Jared Charette
March 2
Della Crowell
Jade Myers
Marc Pugh
Talia Adams
March 3
Ainslee Moss
Cecilia Serrato
Danielle Kimmel
Donnie Adams
Kaleo Nahanee
Selena Adams-Chapman
March 4
Christopher Puckett
Janelle Mills
John Kerns Jr.
William Joe
March 5
Brycen Sigo
Cheryl Lawrence
Nanette Sanchez
Robert Purser Jr.
March 6
Charles Dryden
Gabriel Day
Lydia Sigo
Winona Sigo-Heredia
March 7
Eduardo Reynoso-Purser
Joseph Reynoso-Purser
Wendy Boure
March 8
Amanda Rubeck
Joan Bagley
Kaeleigh Patrick
Mikea Moss-Robideau
Morgan Bradwell
Shelly Thomas
Thomas Pratt
Vincent Chargualaf
March 10
Carl Mack
March 11
Modelle Mudd
March 12
Charles Landsaw
Philip Holt III
March 13
Hannah Ballard
Juli Morton
Kate Ahvakana
Mark Lewis
March 14
Christine Sheppard
Hailey Crow
Mary Alexander
Tyzaiah Lawrence
March 15
Cheyenne Myers
Jamie Surratt
Wahim Williams
March 16
Kalise Cordero-Dizon
Kippie Joe
Ricky Oakman
March 17
Dickie Johnson
Kaidyn Setten
Kaylie Contraro
Lenora Bagley
Marie Sanders
Neil Howard
Riley Adams
March 18
Jeffrey Hoffman
Shannon Bayes
March 19
Amber Horejsi
Jolene Haas
Michael Smith Jr.
Steve Clark
March 20
Anthony Adams
Edward Midkiff Jr.
Neoma Boure
Shayna Bagley
March 21
Aidyn Saldivar
Diana Riggins
Dylan Fleck
Tyson Oakman
March 22
Cherrie May
Isabelle Hedges
Lucas Baker
Malachi Brown-Flath
Mason Johnson
Teniya Lewis
March 23
Ave Maria MacDonald Camilla Pratt
Elaina-Rose Hayes
Francisco Smith
Joshua Bagley Jr.
Lorilee Morsette
Petrina Joe-Lanham
Robert Purser III
March 24
Avah Seier
Caleb Snow
Tyler Marquez
March 26
Jase Kramer-Holt
Kyle Turner
March 27
Dorene Mclntosh
Eric Greer
Isabella Cordero Laguna
Leonard Barnes IV
March 28
Ciarra Covarrubias
Izabella O’Brien
Juanita Lantzy
Khloe Mortensen
Tegan Ledesma
Zhoe Mortensen
March 29
Brittany Adams
Cassandra George
Jacob Anderson
March 30
Antonio Guardipee
Clinton Jenkins
Erica Isom
Lawrence Sigo
Malora Chee
Ricky Alexander
Tataya Lawrence
Victor Chee
March 31
Grace Rodriguez
Juanita Mabe
Maximum Pezzanite
