Community Calendar
Meetings
Suquamish Tribal Council meets August 7 & 21. Agenda and links sent via Weekly Update & SUN texts.
Suquamish Tribal Gaming Comm. meets August 13 & 27, 9:30-11am at Suquamish Museum. Call Angela Brainerd at (360) 394-8652 for details.
Suquamish Warriors meets August 6, at 5:30pm at the Warriors Vet Center.
Suquamish Seafoods Board meets August 13. Call Shanel Carlson at (360) 394-8512 for details.
PME Board meets August 14. Contact Emily Sato at emilysato@clearwatercasino.com for details.
Suquamish Museum Board meets August 15, 10am-noon at Museum. For info call (360) 394-8499.
Elders Council meets August 20, 2-4pm at Elders Lodge. Call (360) 394-8417 for details.
Wellness Meetings. All are welcome to recovery meetings held Mon thru Fri., 6pm at the Wellness Center.
Community Events
Lunchtime Forum “Get Ready for Back-to-School,” with the Suquamish Education Department. Thursday, Aug. 22 at noon. Log on at bit.ly/STlunchtime.
Chief Seattle Days, August 16-18 (see page 9 for complete schedule).
Notice
Enhanced Tribal ID processing paused. Due to staffing challenges in the Fisheries Dept., application processing for the new federal Enhanced Tribal ID Card is paused. An announcement will be made once processing applications can resume. For any questions, call Fisheries at (360) 394-8450.
On the cover
Suquamish News
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 telephone number 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.
Ongoing Events
Lunchtime FORUMS
August 10, All Day Free Admission Second Saturdays.
Thursday August 22 Noon
Education Division
Back-to-School info & updates from: Early Learning Center Academic Coaches Chief Kitsap Academy Higher Education ON ZOOM
Log on at: bit.ly/STlunchtime or scan the QR code. Passcode 823581
Devany Grace Dutton, Chief Seattle Days royalty from 2019, dances at Chief Seattle Days 2019. Excitement is building for Chief Seattle Days 2024. The powwow and parade are back along with an exciting roster of activities for young and old. Chief Seattle Days is celebrated in Suquamish on the third weekend in August, as always. See full schedule on page 9. Photo by Jon Anderson.
Suquamish Tribal Council
Leonard Forsman Chairman
Josh Bagley Vice-Chair
Irene Carper Secretary
Denita Holmes Treasurer
Lorilee Morsette Member
Azure Boure Member
Luther Mills, Jr. Member
August 13, 3pm Behind the Scenes Tour. $26/guest 12+, free to Suquamish Tribal members. Registration required. To register, please call (360) 394-7105. Every second Tuesday.
August 21, 1-4pm Free object identification. No appointment necessary. Every third Wednesday.
August 30, 2-4pm Free family game time. All ages welcome, games provided. Every last Friday.
Production Staff
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.
Culture Camp creates summer fun memories immersed in culture
Dozens of tribal youth enjoyed a week of fun in the sun while also learning about their Suquamish heritage at the tribe’s annual Culture Camp, which was held July 9-12 at the House of Awakened Culture. Hosted by the tribe’s Cultural Resources Department, activities included a trip to the Suquamish Museum, Lushootseed language lessons, traditional stories, and preparation for the upcoming Tribal Journey 2024: Youth Paddle to Puyallup.
Suquamish Tribe Chairman Leonard Forsman, along with staff archaeologist Taylor Harriman, took some time to not only explain the cultural significance of the tribe’s historic longhouse, Old Man House, but also actually got out on the beach with tribal youth to see how big it was for themselves. (Follow the QR code to see more.)
The week culminated with water slide play, ice cream treats, and other field day fun on the House of Awakened Culture lawn.
Watch a video from Culture Camp by pointing your camera at this QR code, or go to: bit.ly/SuqCCamp2024.
By Jon Anderson
Do you recognize these two Miss Chief Seattle Days contestants from the mid-1970s?
(See answer on page 11!)
Canoe Journey 2024 Suquamish Tribe prepares for youth-led Paddle to Puyallup
Asthe Suquamish Tribe geared up for the Paddle to Puyallup, excitement built for the significant role youth played in this year’s Tribal Journey.
“We’re working with the youth to develop the protocol and song list that we want to use in Puyal lup. And we’re practicing with the singers and the dancers so that they feel more comfortable taking the floor hopefully on their own,” said Suquamish Tribe’s Cultural Resources Director Kate Ahvaka na during a recent practice. “And then we will step back and let them run the floor.”
This year, the focus is on youth, aiming to em power them to lead. “We really wanted to put forth our kids and have them take the lead on a lot of things,” Ahvakana said. “So we’re helping them pre pare so that they can be in the forefront and make those decisions and run the floor on their own.”
Ahvanka’s first tribal journey was to Bella Bella, British Columbia, Canada, in 1993 when she was 12 years old.
“I remember we were sleeping and waking up and going to all these different places and houses, and elders were crying and were so excited that all these canoes were coming,” she recalled. “I remem ber singing and dancing and having fun, and all the different types of food and different communities and making friends.”
The cultural lessons learned during journeys — including the importance of listening, patience, and respecting different cultural expressions — continue to resonate for Ahvakana.
“I learned to listen when people are speaking, because that’s when a lot of knowledge and traditions are passed down,” she said. “And that’s what this is for, is to share that knowledge with everyone, and make connections with each other.”
On July 28, the Suquamish Tribe hosted canoe families participating in the Tribal Journey. The Suquamish Canoe Family then joined the journey to Puyallup, stopping at Blake Island on June 29 before the welcome by the Puyallup Tribe in Tacoma on July 31. Protocol ceremonies are scheduled to run through August 5.
During protocol ceremonies, the Suquamish Tribe plans to acknowledge the strong relationship with the Puyallup and other canoe families.
“We have a very strong tie with Puyallup,” Ah-
vakana noted. Both tribes connect in a variety of ways. There are Puyallup families living in Suquamish, for example, and Suquamish families living the Puyallup area, she said. “And our language departments work very well together.”
By Jon Anderson
Learn more about the Puyallup Canoe Journey hosting at puyalluptribe-nsn.gov/powerpaddle-to-puyallup-youthcanoe-journey-2024/
Above: Skipper of the siʔam ʔəʔutxs, Rob Purser, with tribal youth during an earlier canoe journey. Below: Protocol practice with Culture Events Coordinator Denita Holmes.
Suquamish Tribe gets ready for climate change impacts
TheSuquamish Tribe is launching a groundbreaking Climate Resiliency Program aimed at preparing the tribal community for the impacts of climate change while reducing the tribe’s contribution to global warming and enhancing the well-being of tribal families.
Spearheaded by the Tribe’s Natural Resources Department under the Treaty Rights Protection Division, the program is harnessing a wellspring of federal and state grants designed to spur green energy efforts. In its first few months, the program has already secured more than $4 million in funding, and has applied for $14 million more.
“This program is about ensuring our community can bounce back from climate hazards like increased temperatures, extreme precipitation, drought, and sea level rise,” said Hannah Ljunggren, the Climate Team’s program manager, during a recent Lunchtime Forum for tribal members.
Energy-efficient heating and cooling
Among the first initiatives set to be rolled out to the tribal community are ductless heat pumps in tribal homes. The systems, also known as mini splits, offer an energy efficient way to both heat and cool homes, reducing costs for residents. Initially, the program will prioritize on-reservation tribal Elders, with plans to expand to more tribal member homes as additional grant funding is secured.
Ductless heat pumps are a game-changer for the community, said Ljunggren, who brings experience from similar programs in Olympia and Bainbridge Island. “They provide efficient heating and cooling without the need for disruptive ductwork, helping households become more resilient to extreme weather events.”
In addition to installing heat pumps at no cost, crews will also provide weatherization services to seal off gaps around windows and doors and other spaces where leaky airflow can rob efficiency. Households will be able to keep their wood burning stoves.
Solar power for sustainable energy
Another significant aspect of the program is the installation of solar systems on tribal government buildings and, eventually, on tribal member homes. This initiative aims to lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide backup power during outages.
“We’ve already seen solar installations at the
Family & Friends Center and Chief Kitsap Academy,” said Annie Smaus, a climate resilience program specialist, until recently with the tribe’s Grants Department. “These projects not only reduce our environmental impact but also ensure that our community has reliable energy sources during emergencies.”
The House of Awakened Culture and the Tribal Administration Building will likely be the next government buildings to get outfitted with solar panels and battery systems. Tribal rental homes managed by Community Development with good sun exposure will follow as funding is secured.
Transition to electric vehicles
To further reduce carbon emissions, the tribe is converting some of its government fleet to electric vehicles. A new car share program will allow tribal members to check out EVs for personal use, promoting clean transportation within the community. The team may then expand to electric bikes and scooters. Charging stations will be installed at various locations around the reservation.
Community-driven climate action
The team’s work is rooted in community engagement. A Climate Working Group, consisting of representatives from various tribal committees and government departments, guided the creation of a Priority Climate Action Plan. This plan, which includes measures to analyze and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provided the foundation for the funding proposals that are gaining support for these efforts.
Education and community involvement are critical to the program’s success. Jennie Harlan, the Climate Program’s education outreach specialist, is tasked with ensuring that community members are informed and engaged.
“We need your input to make this work,” said Harlan during the Lunchtime Forum. “My job is to provide you with the information you need about the tribe’s climate projects and ensure there are consistent opportunities for your feedback.”
The program will also emphasize workforce development, offering opportunities for tribal members to gain skills in installing and maintaining latest green technologies.
Looking ahead
As the program continues to evolve, the Suquamish Tribe remains committed to its long-term vision of sustainability and resilience. Future initiatives will include additional educational programs, workshops, and partnerships with local organizations to enhance the program’s reach and impact.
“Climate change can be a little scary, but with community support, it becomes an exciting opportunity to shape a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations,” said Forum host and Suquamish Tribal member Rosie Bayes. “We want our descendants to live on these lands, fish in these waters, and harvest medicinal plants from our forests. So this work is very exciting and very much needed.”
By Jon Anderson
The Suquamish Tribe plans to convert some of its fleet to electric vehicles, including an EV car share program for tribal members. Solar power systems like this one at Chief Kitsap Academy will be installed on government buildings and tribal member homes.
Chairman’s Report
Aswe work to restore the Suquamish Tribe’s land and culture, the Tribal Council has been working aggressively to acquire land in our traditional territories and within the boundaries of the Port Madison Reservation. One of our largest recent purchases was a 120-acre parcel formerly known as the A & A Tree Farm, located in the northwest part of the reservation near Lincoln and Stottlemeyer Roads.
I joined a tour of the property with Vice Chairman Josh Bagley and Councilmember Azure Boure led by our Community Development and Forestry staff to better acquaint us with its location and character. The land is mostly forested and has potential for outdoor activities including gathering of plant materials.
Tribal Council hosted a pancake breakfast at the House of Awakened Culture in recognition of our tribal government employees. We enjoyed seeing everyone and hope those who attended had a good time. The Maintenance Department hosted a successful all-staff potluck at their facility. These
events are great for team building and helping employees get to know each other better.
Coalition building
The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) and the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) held virtual executive committee meetings last month.
ATNI is focusing on the annual meeting and executive board elections to be held at the Ilani Casino and Resort on the Cowlitz Reservation. I do plan on running again for ATNI president.
NCAI is focusing on planning its annual convention in Las Vegas where the focus will be on developing policy agendas aimed at protecting tribal sovereignty.
The Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) held its monthly meeting on a virtual platform. WIGA passed its political contribution budget and discussed support of American Indians running for office.
The “NO on 2117” Committee continues to work on building coalitions and messaging to defeat the Initiative that would overturn the Climate Commitment Act (CCA). The funding generated by the CCA has resulted in unprecedented investment in carbon reduction strategies, salmon recovery, public transportation and tribal government resilience grants. The 2117 Initiative would reverse this progress and allow more pollution across Washington, devastate funding for protection of our air, water, and land, and cut investments in transportation — from highway projects to safe routes to school for kids.
I attended an acknowledgment of Port Orchard City Council member John Clauson who served 40 years in office between 1983-2023. Mayor Rob Putaansuu unveiled a plaque by the Port Orchard Library honoring John’s public service.
The University of the Washington Board of Regents held their annual retreat at its Pack Forest facility in Eatonville, Wash. Much of our discussion centered on student/faculty requests for University action in response to the Israel/Gaza conflict and the impending search for a new University president.
I also provided comments to a U of W-sponsored event featuring indigenous PhD candidates
from around the nation who visited Suquamish to learn about our culture and history, and share their academic research.
Cultural memories new and old
The summer has brought more cultural events and presentations. The Cultural Resources Department hosted a showing of the “Healing Heart of Lushootseed,” a film about the collaboration between Lushootseed language teacher and scholar Vi Hilbert (Upper Skagit) and the Seattle Symphony in producing a composition to encourage healing around the world. I had the pleasure of having Vi as a teacher at the U of W in 1981, and this film brought back memories of her great positive influence on preserving our culture and language.
The Cultural Resources Department hosted their annual Culture Camp held at the House of Awakened Culture. I joined tribal archaeologist Taylor Harriman to make a presentation on the history and architecture of Old Man House, our winter house constructed by Chief Kitsap and Chief Seattle’s father which was over 800 feet long at its peak.
We met with members of the Puyallup Canoe Family to discuss their promotional activities for the FIFA World Cup Soccer matches being held in Seattle in 2026. The Puyallup Tribe is a lead sponsor, and they plan on filming their travel from Suquamish to Seattle for this purpose during this year’s canoe journey.
I hope to see many of you during this year’s Canoe Journey and at Chief Seattle Days. I always enjoy time of year when we gather with our tribal families and share the foods, culture, and ways of life that have sustained us since time immemorial.
By Leonard Forsman Suquamish Tribe Chairman
Watch a video from Culture Camp by pointing your camera at this QR code, or go to: bit.ly/SuqCCamp2024.
Tribal Council meets August 7 & 21.
Being Frank Repealing Climate Commitment Act comes at too high a cost
Washingtonvoters will be asked this fall how much salmon recovery is worth.
How committed are they to supporting programs that reduce carbon pollution and help communities withstand the impacts of climate change?
We already know the world is in a climate crisis. The United Nations has said reaching carbon neutrality by 2050 is the world’s most urgent mission.
Our state’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) provided $3.2 billion to the 2023-2025 budget, generated by auctioning off emission allowances to businesses that produce greenhouse gasses. Of this, $153 million was awarded to salmon recovery projects.
The CCA was passed in 2021 to improve climate resiliency and health disparities across the state. It puts the burden of reducing carbon emissions on the biggest polluters, and everyone benefits because money from the auctions is reinvested into protecting and restoring our estuaries, marine shorelines, floodplains, forestlands, and more.
CCA-funded projects improve the quality of life for every citizen in the Evergreen State and are essential to protecting the environment for our children’s future.
The eventual goal is to help Washington reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 95 percent by 2050. In the meantime, funding is supporting tribal programs to mitigate flooding and sea level rise, as well as salmon habitat restoration work.
For example, $17 million in CCA funding is supporting four projects by “Floodplains by Design,” including restoration of the historic oxbow in the Quillayute River.
“The Historic Oxbow Reactivation and Restoration project will reduce flooding and erosion that threaten our homes in La Push, while reconnecting more than two miles of important salmon habitat,” said Quileute Chairman Douglas Woodruff. “Additional funding from the Climate Commitment Act made it possible for us to receive funding for this project through the Floodplains by Design grant program.”
In all, the CCA provided $155 million to tribal governments for this biennium. This funding is helping many tribes gain a foothold in the fight against the climate crisis, by hiring specialists and building capacity within their natural resources departments.
Unfortunately, an initiative on the ballot this year seeks to repeal the act, putting a halt to these critical programs to protect our traditional lands and resources.
“From warming salmon streams to eroding shorelines, Northwest tribes are on the frontlines of the climate crisis,” said Suquamish Tribal Chair Leonard Forsman. “In 1854, our ancestral leader Chief Seattle said ‘every part of this soil is sacred to my people’ just before he signed our ancient lands over to the United States. With the CCA, we honor his vision and provide elders, children, and other vulnerable people the means to withstand the impacts of global warming.”
Forsman is one of the tribal leaders who has joined a coalition to defeat this ballot measure, Initiative 2117.
“By defeating I-2117, we can defend progress on climate change, and protect the lands, cultures and traditional ways of our region for generations to come,” he said.
Suquamish is among several tribes intending to use CCA funding to advance climate action plans.
The Port Gamble S’Klallam Tribe’s climate action planning includes a comprehensive assessment of the carbon footprint of the tribal community and key opportunities to reduce emissions. They also are working to evaluate the tribe’s forest and wetland areas for carbon storage potential through active management.
The Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe has spent the past 15 months building staff capacity to address
climate impacts. It also is working with the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory to assess local clean energy sources.
New jobs were created using CCA money, including a Washington Sea Grant Hershman Fellow doing a climate assessment for the Hoh Tribe, and a climate change specialist at the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe.
At Sauk-Suiattle and other tribes, CCA is funding the purchase and installation of solar panels and electric vehicle charging stations, among other energy efficiency projects for tribal buildings. These programs and many more across the state are in jeopardy if Initiative 2117 passes. Its passage will significantly hinder the state Legislature’s ability to fund climate resilience efforts, including but not limited to salmon recovery.
Everyone who lives in Washington is affected by the impacts of the climate crisis, and everyone benefits from the projects being funded by the Climate Commitment Act. Repealing it comes at too high a cost.
By Ed Johnstone (Quinault) Chair, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Chief Seattle Days returns with fresh excitement
Powwow and parade are back!
The Suquamish Tribe is set to host the annual Chief Seattle Days festival from August 16-18, 2024. This year, the tribe is excited about the return of the Powwow competition, featuring dancers, drummers, and singers from various tribal nations. (See schedule on page 9.)
And the Chief Seattle Days Parade is back.
Cultural immersion and activities
Kicking off on Friday, August 16, the festival will include a Coastal Jam at 6 pm, where tribal families will share songs and dances. Dinner will precede the event at 5 pm. The same day will host the Royalty Pageant at 3 pm, celebrating Suquamish youth who embody community values and cultural pride.
On Saturday, events will be anchored with ceremonies honoring the tribe’s ancestral leader Chief Seattle at his gravesite in the Suquamish Cemetery.
The Chief Seattle Days Parade will follow the graveside honoring, winding through downtown Suquamish, featuring floats, marching groups, newly commissioned Chief Seattle Days Royalty, along with representatives from local organizations and tribal government.
Salmon bake & vendor treasures
One of the festival’s highlights is the Salmon Bake. This tradition features succulent salmon cooked to perfection, bringing the community together to celebrate with the tribe’s connection to their land and resources.
For treasure hunters, tribal community vendors will be on hand throughout Chief Seattle Days offering everything from delicious foods to handmade jewelry and other crafts.
Competitive action
Competitions during the weekend will include a 5K Race, a golf tournament at the tribe’s worldclass White Horse Golf Club, softball, basketball, horseshoe, and cornhole tourneys, along with fish filleting contests and the ever-popular canoe races.
Planning your visit
Chief Seattle Days welcomes the public, with people from around the world visiting Suquamish to experience the Tribe’s hospitality, culture, and community. Visitors can find detailed information on transportation, parking, and lodging options on the festival’s website. Local accommodations include the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort.
For more details, visit ChiefSeattleDays.org.
Chief Seattle Days
Chief Seattle Days
Co-ed Softball Tournament 2024
August 16 —18, 2024
All Native + one male + one female
6-4 (6 Male 4 female on field)
Winner take all championship
Games will be played Friday and Finish Sunday Limited to 10 teams
1st
2nd
3rd
2
2
12 Player roster
$150 Nonrefundable deposit by August 2nd
All games will be played at Totten Road Field Located at 5243 Totten Rd Poulsbo WA 98370
Local Hotel Clearwater Casino Resort 1-866-609-8700
For more information please contact: Craig Miller (360)394-8574/ craigmiller@suquamish.nsn.us Magdalena Turrieta Jones (360) 509-9512/ mturrieta@suquamish.nsn.us
Health & Wellness
6 ways breastfeeding boosts health for mom and baby
The first week in August marks World Breastfeeding Week, which raises awareness about nutrition and bonding with babies through the breastfeeding/chestfeeding experience.
Here are six ways breast milk provides an abundance of health-boosting benefits:
1. Nutrition: Breast milk is the best source of nutrition for most babies. It provides essential nutrients and supports healthy growth and development.
2. Protection: Breastfeeding helps protect babies against various short- and long-term illnesses and diseases such as reducing the risk of ear infections, respiratory infections, allergies, diabetes, and obesity.
3. Antibodies: Breast milk contains antibodies from the mother, which help boost the baby’s immune system.
4. Convenience: Mothers can breastfeed anytime and anywhere, making it a convenient feeding option
5. Mother’s health: Breastfeeding also benefits mothers. It lowers the risk of breast cancer, type 2 diabetes, ovarian cancer, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, and obesity.
6. Emotional health: Breastfeeding promotes bonding between mother and baby that extends years beyond the breastfeeding experience.
Breastmilk is the perfect first food!
We all play a part in supporting new families. Suquamish Community Health is a welcoming resource for breastfeeding information, education, and support. We provide assistance with breastfeeding through skilled nursing, lactation counseling, and WIC Nutrition services. Give us a call today at (360) 394-8469.
By Katie Ladner Community Health Nutrition Aid/WIC Certifier
New Hires & Transfers
Kanim Natrall Preschool Teacher ELC
Laurel Crowell Case Manager HS
Ana Lisa Grant Childcare Teacher ELC
*John Lawrence Jr. Maintenance Tech. Maint
Alicia Barker Police Officer Police
Gabriel Cook IT Director IT
* Isabelle Chiquiti Administrative Asst. Fisheries
* Janelle Mills Case Manager HS
Annie Smaus Climate Resiliency Program Specialist Admin
Evelyn RamirezRodriguez EHS Teacher II ELC
Kayla Garcia Health Clinic Assistant HC
***Jennie Harlan Climate Outreach & Education Coordinator Admin
Sunny has made a huge impact as a volunteer, donating over 40 hours of her time. She has volunteered at numerous events over the last year, always with a smile and enthusiasm.
Ramono Guardipee Plant Worker Seafoods
John Obaid Police Officer Police
Cassandra Bridges Enforcement Agent Gaming
*Joshua Bagley Policy Liaison Fisheries
***Charles Wilson Police Officer/Marine Division Police
***Jonathan Claymore CKA Principal Education
* Tribal member ** Descendant
***Native American/Alaska Native
Frequently Asked Suquamish Housing Questions
How do I become eligible for a Suquamish Tribal Low Income (HUD) house?
Applicants must be an enrolled member of a federally recognized Indian Tribe, and must be at least 18 years of age and must meet low-income requirements and consent to a criminal background check. Once housing staff receive the completed application, the application is processed utilizing the Applicant Eligibility and Admissions requirements policy. Once an applicant is determined to be eligible, the applicant is placed on the waiting list and the applicant is notified of waiting list status.
What is the difference between Fair Market Rentals and Low-Income Housing?
The Fair Market rental program is a monthto-month rental program that was developed by Tribal Council in 2006 to better address housing needs for Suquamish Tribal Member families who do not currently qualify for the low-income housing program. The tribe currently operates rental units at a reduced rental rate, which is less than the local area market currently offers for homes of similar style, size and type. For example, one of our two-bedroom units rents for $650 per month through our program. A similar size home from a private owner or leasing company,
a two-bedroom unit in this area, is renting for as much as $1,700 per month.
Applicants must show proof of income and must not have a felony conviction within the five years prior to the date of application. The units are maintained by the tenant, and the tenant is responsible for minor maintenance such as yard work. All other non-routine maintenance and repairs are handled by Housing maintenance staff or contractors hired by SHP staff.
HUD Homeownership and HUD Rental units have all of the eligibility requirements listed above as determined by the federal government, and monthly payments are determined by income, which is recertified annually for each HUD tenant. HUD Homebuyers are responsible for all routine and non-routine maintenance. HUD Rental tenants are responsible for minor maintenance such as yard work. Other non-routine maintenance and repairs are the responsibility of Housing maintenance staff or contractors hired by SHP staff.
How do I get a copy of Housing Policies? How and where do I apply for tribal housing?
All current housing policies and applications for both the Low-Income Housing Program and the Fair Market Rental program are available
Progress continues with construction of the new Entetai Townhomes tribal neighborhood, which will include a mix of both low-income and fair market rentals. (Photo by Jon Anderson)
upon request from Suquamish Housing Program staff by phone, email, private messages, in person at the tribal offices, and through regular mail. The following policies are available by request: Applicant Eligibility and Admission Policy, Occupancy Policy, Maintenance and Management Policy, Collections Policy, Junk Vehicle Policy, Drug Policy, Termination Policy.
Please contact any one of our Housing staff members for assistance: Rachel Nellenbach (360) 394-8418 rnellenbach@suquamish.nsn. us; Lois Sullivan (360) 394-8416 lsullivan@ suquamish.nsn.us; or Vicki Cole (360) 394-8419 vcole@suquamish.nsn.us Shenowah Purser (360) 394-8423 spurser@suquamish.nsn.us
Submit or update your housing application today!
Low-income Rental Program
Suquamish Housing Program (360) 394-8423
Enetai Townhome Project - Spring 2025
Rachel Nellenbach (360) 394-8418
rnellenbach@suquamish.nsn.us suquamish.nsn.us/home/departments/community-development1/
Contact the Suquamish Tribe Wellness Center at (360) 394-7139 or (360) 394-8558.
For 24/7 help, info, and referrals, call or text the WA State Helpline 1-800-547-6133.
There is hope. There is help.
(from page 3)
The two young Miss Chief Seattle Days Royalty contestants are now Suquamish Tribal Elders – on the left, Julie (George) Haubrich and on the right, Cathlene (Dryden) Norris.
Tribal Elders
Chicken Apple
Crunch Salad on a Bed of Lettuce
Quinoa Salad
Steamed Broccoli
Elders
Corner
Whata successful BBQ & giveaway held at our Elders Lodge on July 12! Our helper Quel-Isha Brealan-Bayes set up a table of free goodies, which our Elders thoroughly enjoyed rummaging through. Many went home with treasures for their grandchildren.
We were honored that our Tribal Council Chairman Leonard Forman, Vice Chairman Josh Bagley, and Council Member Azure Boure were able to join us. We hosted 53 people at this event and served 80 hotdogs. Mike Rodgers just made it and enjoyed the last two dogs.
Fun Fact about our Elders you may not know: They like burnt dogs! At least 50% of the dogs were purposely burnt, due to this preference. The ice cream sundaes were also a big hit on that very warm day. Elders Program Coordinator Melissa Lund brought several flavors of ice cream and and stored them in a cooler with dry ice.
Sloppy Joes
Brown Rice
Asian Blend
Vegetables Fresh
Baked Ham
Scalloped Potatoes
Egg Salad
Carrot-Apple Salad
Baked Potato Bar
Goulash
Brown Rice
Tossed Salad Fresh Fruit
Baked
Meatloaf
Cucumber-Tomato
Steamed Spinach
Tossed Salad Pachado Bread
Frozen Fudge Bar
Beef Stir Fry Green Beans
Geoduck Chowder
Chef Salad
Applesauce Muffin
Yogurt & Fruit Parfait
Another Fun Fact: Dry ice keeps ice cream so frozen that when you go to serve it, the treat is as hard as granite. You have to wait about 20 minutes for it to soften. We send many thanks to our Maintenance Department for setting up the tents and helping with cleanup. They are all so awesome. What would we do without them?
We had perfect weather for our first Elders Clam Dig of the year at Elders Beach on Erlands Point. A relaxing and muddy time was had by all. Yummy donuts were provided by Suquamish Seafoods’ Acquisitions Manager Shellene Kurtz. They were much appreciated.
We would like to thank the Fisheries Department and Suquamish Seafoods for putting on this event. Our hands are also raised to the wonderful diggers who came and dug a colossal bunch of clams for our Elders. After the dig, we picked up live crab provided by Human Services. What a wonderful end to a fun day!
Sending many hugs to Bev Adams and family for the loss of dear “Baby Cakes,” their beloved
First Elders clam dig of the year!
Chihuahua, who left this world and went on his sunset journey in June. The Elders Program staff also sends well wishes and prayers to our Tribal Elders who are in need or recovering from illness.
Happy
By Della Crowell & Melissa Lund Elders Program
HEALTH BENEFITS Tip of the Month
Well,
I am recovering from a fractured right tibia. I’m now in the Bainbridge Island Health and Rehab Center, while my family and the tribe redo my house so it is safe for me to return home.
I am working hard with both physical and occupational therapists to build my strength up and following doctor’s orders on what I can and cannot do. I am learning more about why I have had so many broken bones and how I can get them stronger.
I am asking that you do not listen to rumors. Ask me or my husband about me. Also, remember I will be back to work and home only when the doctor releases me to do so.
Thank you all very much for your prayers and good thoughts. Thank you to the Elders for the card and the table decoration!
I miss all of you!
By Marilyn Jones Traditional Heritage Specialist
Tribal Elders
Tribal Government
Stay connected with news and events Your guide to connecting with SUN (Suquamish Updates Now)
Everheard someone say: “I found out about it on SUN?” If you’re wondering what SUN is and how to get it, read on.
What is SUN?
SUN, short for “Suquamish Updates Now” is a service operated by the Suquamish Tribe’s Communications Team.
What does SUN offer?
SUN provides you with text alerts about community events, distributions, emergency alerts, and more.
Additionally, the SUN Weekly Update is emailed exclusively to tribal members, their families, and government staff every Friday, offering a quick wrap up of tribal community news over the past week and a look ahead to upcoming events and happening over the next week.
Who can receive SUN alerts?
SUN is primarily intended for Suquamish tribal members and their families, as well as tribal government staff, residents of the Port Madison Reservation, along with other friends and neighbors. We work hard to insure texts only go out to the people they would be relevant to. The last thing we want is for some to feel like they’re getting spammed with texts they don’t care about.
How we do that?
Great question! When you signed up for SUN, you checked boxes for “Tribal member” “Fisher” “Tribal Elder” or other subgroups. This allows us to target messages so you only get those that are relevant to you. For example, all tribal members signed up for SUN receive alerts about Tribal Council meetings (along with a handy Zoom link), while shell fishers should be the only ones getting alerts on harvest openings. Only Tribal Elders get texts for events exclusively for them. We have subgroups for veterans, tribal hunters, both tribal fin fishers and shell fishers, just to name a few.
Friends or neighbors of the tribe who are not tribal members only receive texts for events open to the larger community, as well as emergency notifications.
No longer getting SUN texts?
If you’ve ever typed STOP after getting a SUN text, all of your SUN texts are shut down, even if your intention was to just stop getting, say, the shell fisher alerts. The good news: it’s easy to fix! Just type the word ALERT to 22300, and you should start getting texts again. If you didn’t intentionally stop them, this will often fix it as well. But what about those shell fish texts you didn’t want to get any more? Keep reading!
How to update your contact and subgroup info
You can add or changes cell numbers, email addresses, or change the groups you belong to any time. Just go to bit.ly/SUNupdate (or point your camera at the QR code below). Submitting this form may also help if you’ve stopped receiving texts. Remember, to receive SUN Texts you must have a cell phone or other mobile device, like an iPad, that has an internet connection and associated phone number.
Want to sign up for SUN for the first time?
No problem. Just go to bit.ly/SUNupdate or use the QR code below, and click on the link for new signups. It just takes a minute. If you are a tribal
member, please be sure to include your Tribal ID number so we can verify your access.
Getting SUN Texts but not SUN Emails?
The “SUN Weekly Update” is sent every Friday, and other occasional emails are sent via SUN as well. If you aren’t seeing them, check your spam filter. If you don’t find them there, go to bit.ly/ SUNupdate and update your email address.
Want to get SUN texts sent to more than one phone number?
Maybe you’ve got a work cell phone and a personal cell and would like to get SUN texts sent to both. No problem. Just go to the update page and indicate you’d like to add another number and keep your existing number. Same goes for email addresses, if you’d like to get the Weekly Update sent to more than one account.
Scan the code below to sign up or update your SUN contact information. If you have trouble signing up or updating your info, email us at Communications@Suquamish.nsn.us with your name and phone number, and we’ll reach out to troubleshoot together and do our best to get things working.
By Sarah van Gelder
NEWLY ENROLLED TRIBAL MEMBERS
August
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Happy Birthday, Lawson!
POWWOW POWWOW
