Suquamish News

Community Calendar

Meetings

Suquamish Tribal Council meets Oct. 6 & 20. Agenda and links sent via SUN Weekly Update & SUN text.

Suquamish Tribal Gaming Commission meets Oct. 7 & 21, 10am at the Gaming Commission Bldg. Call (360) 394-8652 for details.

Suquamish Warriors meets Oct.7,at 5:30pm at the Warriors Vet Center.

Suquamish Seafoods Board next mtg. Oct. 21. Call Shanel Carlson at (360) 394-8512 for details.

PME Board meets Oct. 15. Contact Emily Sato at emilysato@clearwatercasino.com for details.

Suquamish Museum Board meets Oct. 16, 10am-noon at Museum. For info call (360) 394-8499.

Elders Council meets Oct.21, 2-4pm. At Elders Lodge, call (360) 394-8417 for details.

Recovery Meetings. All are welcome to recovery meetings, held Mon-Fri, 6pm at the Wellness Center.

Community Events

Health Fair Oct. 3. See back page for more info.

Adult Basketball Tourney Oct. 17-19. For more info contact George Hill III at ghill@suquamish. nsn.us or (360) 900-3184.

Culture Night Oct. 22, 5-7pm. Tribal Canoe Journey Honoring. HOAC.

Youth Basketball Tourney Oct. 24-26. For more info contact George Hill III at ghill@suquamish. nsn.us or (360) 900-3184.

Spooky Fun - check out page 8 for fun for all ages! Watch the Suquamish Tribe Website for new events!

OUT

Suq uamish Museum

October Museum Events

Oct. 1-31, FREE! Educator Month. Free admission for teachers and school staff

Oct. 11, Sat, 1-5pm. FREE! Native Artist Empowerment Workshop

Oct. 11, Sat, 1pm. FREE! Fish War Film Screening

Oct. 11, Sat. FREE! Second Saturday Admission

Oct. 12, Sun, 10am–1pm. $100. Beaded Salmon Earrings Workshop

Oct. 18, Sat, 10am–4pm. $120. Small Coiled Cedar Basket Workshop

IN

WITH THE OLD

Starting in November, Suquamish News will be printed by a different press — and it will be bigger & brighter. Please allow for an extra day or two to receive it in the mail.

On the Cover

Oct. 25, Sat, 1–3pm. FREE! The Teachings of Mutton

Oct. 29–31, Wed–Fri, 9am–4pm. FREE! Spooky-Sweet Lollipop Craft Activity More info: SuquamishMuseum.org

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.

Tales of Bigfoot abound in the Pacific Northwest, often fueled all the more with the dwindling light of fall and approach of Halloween. This month we take deep dive into the stories of our own Suquamish Sasquatch right here on the Port Madison Reservation, beginning on page 9.

Questions? communications@suquamish.nsn.us

Suquamish Tribal Council

Leonard Forsman Chairman

Josh Bagley Vice-Chair

Irene Carper Secretary

Andrew George Treasurer

Lorilee Morsette Member

Azure Boure Member

Luther Mills, Jr. Member

Editorial Staff

Leonard Forsman Editor-in-Chief

Catherine Edwards Executive Editor

Erin Bischoff Communications Mgr

Jon Anderson Managing 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.

Tribal community input sought for new Port Madison Master Plan

Nearlytwo decades ago, the Suquamish Tribe created its first Community Development Master Plan — a vision that has since reshaped the Port Madison Reservation.

From the construction of the House of Awakened Culture and the Suquamish Museum to the Fitness and Youth Center campus, Marion Forsman Boushie Early Learning Center, new parks, and multiple housing developments, the tribe has steadily brought that plan to life. What was once a long-range blueprint has now become the landscape of daily life for tribal members.

“We’ve reached an incredible milestone as a community,” said Community Development Director Scott Crowell. “When the first master plan was created almost 20 years ago, it laid out a vision that included housing, cultural spaces, parks, and gathering places. Today, we can look around and see that vision fully realized. It’s something we should all be proud of.”

With those goals accomplished, leaders are turning to the next chapter: setting priorities for the next 20 years. The new master plan will serve as a roadmap for housing, services, cultural spaces, and other projects that will guide how the community grows in the decades ahead.

Community Development has tasked FREIHEIT Architects to help update the plan, and tribal voices will shape the outcome. A series of focus

groups — including Tribal Council, Elders Council, Youth Council, the Cultural Committee, PME Board, government staff, and tribal members — are meeting to share perspectives. Several of those groups have already convened, with others scheduled in the coming weeks.

All tribal members are invited to weigh in by completing an online survey and joining upcoming discussions. An informational online meeting for tribal members is set for Oct. 8 at 2pm. Look for links to the survey and online meeting in the SUN Weekly Update and SUN Texts.

Hard copies of the survey are also available on request in the Community Development lobby at the Tribal Administration Center. For more information, contact:

Lois Sullivan at (360) 394-8416 or lsullivan@ suquamish.nsn.us

Kristal Sagdahl at (360) 394-8422 or ksagdahl@ suquamish.nsn.us

House of Awakened Culture gets new floor

“Now it’s time to look ahead,” Crowell said. “The next master plan will guide us for the next 20 years, and the best way to build that vision is by listening to the voices of our people. I encourage every tribal member to take part in the survey and upcoming meetings so together we can decide what our priorities should be for the future.”

By Jon Anderson Suquamish News Staff Writer

After more than 16 years of near-constant use, the House of Awakened Culture is getting a glow-up with 6,400 square feet of new flooring throughout the main hall. The old fir flooring and bench seating is being replaced with more resilient maple.

The new, tougher hardwood is expected to hold up better to the high traffic the Suquamish Tribe’s treasured community gathering space sees every year.

Photo by Jon Anderson

Suquamish Tribe welcomes visitors to ancestral lands in Seattle

The Suquamish Tribe welcomed visitors to its ancestral lands in Seattle for two major waterfront events in September that celebrated both the city’s future and its Suquamish roots.

On Sept. 6, Suquamish leaders joined Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell, the Friends of Waterfront Park, Muckleshoot Tribe representatives, and state and local partners to dedicate the city’s new 20-acre Waterfront Park. The space, stretching from Piers 57 to 62, is just steps from where a thriving Suquamish village once stood and where Chief Seattle spent winters with his family.

“The transformation of the waterfront into a place of reflection, recreation, and learning is important for residents and visitors who access our ancestral waters, now known as Elliott Bay, where we still harvest salmon and other marine foods to-

day,” said Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman.

“Our past leader, Chief Seattle, would appreciate the traditional artwork — including the house post carved by Suquamish Elder Randi Purser, that depicts his mother holding him as an infant — displayed along the walkway. He would honor all of the people who worked to make this park a reality.”

The Suquamish Canoe Family pulled into the park as part of the opening ceremonies, accompanied by Suquamish Song & Dance offering traditional songs.

Two weeks later, the Tribe returned for the annual Salmon Homecoming celebration on Sept. 20 at Pier 62. Canoe families from throughout the region landed to honor the salmon, followed by a Coastal Jam of traditional songs and dances. The daylong gathering also featured powwow competitions and more than 20 Native vendors offering handcrafted art and goods.

For more photos of both events, see the Suquamish Tribe’s Facebook page. To watch video coverage of Waterfront Park Grand Opening, scan the QR code.

By Jon Anderson Suquamish News Staff Writer

Chairman’s Report

September marked two major events where the Suquamish Tribe welcomed visitors to our ancestral lands in Seattle and celebrated our culture on the shores of our ancient waterways.

On Sept. 6, we helped officially open the new Waterfront Park in downtown Seattle. The Friends of Waterfront Park organized the event that featured speeches from elected officials, cultural presentations, and recreational activities.

We have been involved in the planning of the 20-acre park for more than 15 years by providing a voice in the design process and contributing art pieces, including a story pole carved by Tribal Elder Randi Purser.

My participation as a member of the Friends of Waterfront Park also provided greater opportunities to help find funders for the project and ensure tribal culture and values were integrated into the design and public event planning.

Suquamish in Seattle

In my speech at the ribbon cutting ceremony, I emphasized the ancestral presence of the Suquamish people in the City of Seattle through Chief Seattle, for whom the city is named. He gave his famous speech in Pioneer Square in 1854, just prior to signing the Treaty of Point Elliott.

I also referenced our traditional fishing and gathering areas and cultural sites on and around Elliott Bay that the Suquamish have accessed for thousands of years. Our canoe family, including our two voyaging canoes and our singers and dancers, traveled to the ceremony to help mark the occasion.

The Suquamish Tribe also helped plan and celebrate the annual Salmon Homecoming in Seattle Sept. 20.

Waterfront Park provided a comfortable space for the multiple events including the canoe landing, powwow and coastal jam. We pulled our two voyaging canoes from West Point to the landing area on Pier 62, where we joined in welcoming the visiting canoes.

Thanks to the Challacum barge crew, Cultural Resources Department, and Communications team in planning our travel and landing for the event.

Welcoming healing helpers

The Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling held its “Four Directions” Cultural Awareness and Healing Support conference at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort.

Our Suquamish Warriors posted the colors, and the conference chair asked me to provide a welcoming address.

I emphasized our ancestral heritage and the powerful conference setting, along the beautiful shores of the Agate Passage.

I also thanked all the counselors and other professionals in attendance that work on addressing addiction issues in our communities – not only with gambling issues, but also substance abuse and other mental health challenges.

Building support in DC

The National Congress of American Indians held “Unity Days” in Washington, DC as an opportunity for tribal leaders to interact with Congress and federal agencies on the federal budget, legislation, and policy issues that will strengthen tribal government operations and honor the treaty and trust relationship.

We met with members of Congress from both parties and found we have support for tribal initiatives that sometimes results in bi-partisan efforts to pass legislation and advocate for budget requests from Interior and the Indian Health Service.

It’s no secret there is division between the parties on many issues, but tribal leaders have worked hard over the years to educate legislators on both side of the aisle on their responsibilities under the U.S.

Constitution

to honor tribal agreements.

We emphasized the benefits that federal funding has in our respective nations by providing housing, health care, law enforcement, and natural resource protection and enhancement. These benefit not just our tribal members but also the wider communities on and off our reservations.

Back in Seattle

The University of Washington Board of Regents held their September meeting on the UW’s Seattle campus. This was a notable meeting for two reasons. This was the first meeting with the new university president, Robert Jones. This was also where I was formally appointed as the Chair of the Board of Regents for the 2025-2026 academic year. Jones is UW’s 34th president and brings extensive leadership experience to the job, including serving as president of the University at Albany, and chancellor of the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

It is a great honor to serve as Board Chair with our new university president and look forward to implementing a strategic plan that will help the university thrive as a whole, while also improving the academic experience for our Native American students in particular.

Centennial Accord preparations

Looking ahead, the first Centennial Accord with Washington’s new governor, Bob Ferguson, will be held in late October. Gov. Ferguson and his leadership team will meet with tribal leaders to discuss tribal priorities in education, natural resources, taxation, health care, public safety, and other policy areas.

Ferguson has experience working with tribes during his tenure as the state’s Attorney General and we look forward to a good exchange of ideas at his first Centennial Accord. Meanwhile, we have been working with the Governor’s Office on Indian Affairs on the accord agenda.

By Leonard Forsman Suquamish

Tribal Chairman

Suquamish Tribe considers testing compressed workweek

Suquamish Tribal Council is weighing a proposed pilot program designed to test shifting most tribal government staff to a four-day workweek schedule.

While no decision has been made yet, the proposal comes as a growing number of tribes and organizations have adopted similar plans, finding significant boosts to productivity and service quality while also improving work-life balance and staff morale.

The proposed plan includes:

• New compressed work schedule, Mon–Thurs, 8am–4:30pm

• One-year pilot program starting Jan. 1, 2026, with formal reviews at six and 11 months

• Public hearing set for Oct. 10, 2025 (via Zoom)

Committee proposal

Tribal Council was briefed Sept. 22 by an ad hoc team which had been established after a government staff “open space” session in 2023. “The request to move to a four-day work week came directly out of that open space,” said Tribal Child Welfare Director Heather Zaiss, who briefed Council on the committee’s work.

Zaiss framed the vision as “a better balance for a stronger community,” emphasizing retention and recruitment. “Critical services would not be changed for membership,” she said, with current on-call and online mechanisms remaining in place.

Of course, some operations, such as the Suquamish Police Department, would continue with current schedules. The Early Learning Center and Chief Kitsap Academy cannot shift during the 2025–26 school year due to funding requirements, though participation in a later phase will be explored.

While there was some discussion about a shorter trial period, including a 90-day test, Executive Director Catherine Edwards recommended testing for a longer period. “When looking at success in recruitment, 90 days would not give us enough data. In order to have a real picture, we need a longer test period to see if it really makes an impact.”

A growing movement

Interim IT Director Erik Hasstedt summarized external research and shared other tribal governments such as Makah, Swinomish, Colville, and the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes have already moved to a compressed work schedule.

“Across 200-plus pilot programs, organizations maintained or improved productivity and team focus,” he said. “There was a 71% decrease in burnout, 60% increase in retention, and 88% kept the model permanently.”

Meanwhile, the Quinault Nation is beginning a compressed work schedule later this month, after approving the adjustment in July.

“We are joining a growing movement to reimagine what a balanced, productive, and values-aligned workplace can look like,” reads the Quinault’s webpage on the change. “We believe that when employees are well-rested and have more time for their families, communities, and personal well-being, the Nation as a whole thrives.”

Improving services

While acknowledging at first glance the proposal appears primarily a benefit to staff, Zaiss emphasized the changes should also show an overall improvement in government services to tribal members and their families.

“If your employees have a better work-life balance, it really will come across for the membership,” said Zaiss.

“For example, I have families that we’re working with for five or six years. And I have turnover every year with caseworkers, sometimes multiple case workers. Those families have no continuity in care. They are constantly being shuffled from one person to another to another, which is really hard for them.”

This could change that. And not just for TCW, but all departments where staff turnover is a challenge.

“Hopefully police officers will remain around so that kids will actually know who they are at a young age and they’ll grow up seeing the same faces over the years,” said Zaiss. “Same with childcare providers, so these kids can have the same teachers an entire year.”

Human Resources Director Jamie Gooby said she’s in favor of the trial and believes the boost to quality of life will not only improve staff retention

but help make the tribe more competitive in recruiting top talent – including drawing more tribal members into government service.

“If the government is lacking funds to increase wages due to other competing priorities, a compressed work week is a way you can supplement and make up for that,” she said.

Next steps

An online public hearing for tribal members is slated for Oct. 10. Look for log-in details in the SUN Weekly Update newsletter and via SUN Text. If pursued, a pilot program would be refined to protect essential services, set clear expectations for managers and staff, and track metrics such as service levels, recruitment, retention, absenteeism, and budget impacts.

Chairman Leonard Forsman thanked the committee for their work on the proposal. He said he looks forward to studying the details in greater depth, as well as hearing tribal member perspectives at the hearing, before Tribal Council makes a decision.

By Jon Anderson Suquamish News Staff Writer

Fall & Halloween Happenings at the Family & Friends Center

Fri, Oct 10. Kingston HS football vs. Vashon Island at 6:30pm Age 3+ Sign up at F&F

Contact Vincent Chargualaf 360-3 -8576*

Mon, Oct 1 . Closed: Holida

Wed, Oct 1 . Bo s group Age 0+ hite Horse olf

Course. Contact an Boure, 360-3 -8576

Thurs, Oct 1 . Haunted Heronswood Age 0+

Fri, Oct 1 . ulalip 3rd Annual omestic Violence

Awareness gathering and Coastal Jam 6pm eave F&F 3pm. Age 3+ . Sign up at F&F. Contact Jana Mills, 360-3 -8576*

Tues, Oct 1. irls group. Age 0+ . Island Cool Ice

Cream. Contact Jana Mills, 360-3 -8576

Fri, Oct . eorgetown Haunted House. Age 3+ .

Sat, Oct . Kitsap Halloween Bash at Kitsap Fairgrounds Age 0+ . Sign up at F&F (limited participants). Contact an Boure, 360-3 -8576*

Wed-Fri, Oct , 0 & 1. Halloween Crafts and surprise treats Contact 360-3 -8576

Daily crafts: canvas paintings, scrapboo ing w/new color printer, ewelr ma ing (nec lace, bracelets and/or earrings and more)

*Possible waitlist; tribal member priorit . Events and dates are subject to change.

TRUE TALES OF THE SUQUAMISH SASQUATCH

David Mills didn’t expect to see anything out of the ordinary that day. He was out in the woods, planting trees, when something caught his eye — something big and hairy moving quickly through the brush.

At first, he thought it might be a bear, but as it ran, it knocked down trees like they were twigs. When the creature turned and looked at him, Mills realized he was seeing something different.

Something far larger, far more mysterious.

“I didn’t know what it was at first,” Mills recalls. “But later, after seeing it again and again, I knew I had encountered Sasquatch.”

Mills, a Suquamish Tribal Elder and longtime forestry manager before his retirement in 2017, has had more than 40 such encounters during his decades of working in the forests around Suquamish lands.

Mills is not alone. In fact, countless people in the Suquamish community have their own Sasquatch stories. From strange noises in the woods

to brief but unforgettable sightings, these experiences form part of the local lore.

While some dismiss these accounts as tall tales, for others, including many Suquamish tribal members, these encounters are as real as the towering cedar trees of the Pacific Northwest.

Ian Lawrence, another Suquamish tribal member, had his own sighting during a childhood hiking trip near Dosewallips.

Lawrence recalls being about 11 or 12 years old when he and a group of fellow students were hiking toward Lake Constance.

At one point, the group stopped to rest on a large boulder. From their elevated position, they had a clear view across to another part of the mountain-

side, where Lawrence noticed something strange.

“There was this large creature, some distance away, swinging its arms,” Lawrence remembers.

“We could only see it from the hips up because of a rock in the way, but it was upright, and it wasn’t moving like a bear. It was definitely something I’ve never seen before or since.”

Lawrence acknowledges childhood memories can play their own tricks. “You start to wonder if you maybe just imagined it all.” But he recently ran into a friend who was also on that trip and casually asked if he remembered the hike.

“Oh, you mean the time we saw Sasquatch!?” replied his friend. Their memories of the big beast were identical.

An Unexpected Encounter

While Sasquatch is often associated with remote mountain and forest areas, sightings aren’t limited to the deep backcountry. Many people in the Suquamish area have reported encounters in more familiar surroundings. Take Totten Road, for example, the site of many Suquamish Sasquatch sightings just off the busy thoroughfare connecting Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo.

About ten years ago, after a Suquamish Citizen Advisory Council meeting, Tom Curley, the Suquamish Tribe’s GIS and mapping expert, made a casual joke about Sasquatch. He didn’t expect much of a response, but Gail Petranek quickly grew serious and told her own story.

One dark, rainy night, Petranek was driving her Ford Excursion down Totten Road when something appeared in her headlights. At first, she thought it was a bear, walking on all fours. However, as the creature crossed the road, she realized it wasn’t a bear at all. Its back was level with the hood of her massive SUV, and it had long, stringy hair. Most striking was its face — longer than a bear’s, but without the snout.

The encounter left her frozen in her vehicle. As the creature disappeared into the woods, another car pulled up behind her. Petranek stepped out in the rain to ask the driver what they had seen. The woman in the car was visibly shaken, saying she didn’t know what she saw, but she was getting out of there as fast as she could. Later, when Curley showed Petranek some of David Mills’ sketches of Sasquatch, she took one look and said, “That’s it!”

Perhaps appropriately, a wooded lane off Totten Road not far from that and other sightings, was recently named Zugwuh, a rendition of the Lushootseed word for monster.

Sketches by David Mills

Suquamish Tribal Elder

Mills: A Life in the Woods

If some might explain away Sasquatch sightings as more likely just bears – which often walk on their hind legs – Mills’ career put him in a unique position to know the difference.

Bear encounters were often a daily occurrence when Mills was out in the field. “Sometimes I’d see three or even four bears in a single day. I know what bears look like and smell like and act like. I know what it’s like to be between an angry momma bear and her cubs,” says Mills. “No, these encounters with Sasquatch, they were entirely different.”

Over the years, Mills carefully recorded his Sasquatch sightings in his foresters’ logbooks, often adding sketches and other notes. Several of those sketches are featured on these pages, and more are available in expanded coverage on the Suquamish Tribe’s website.

A Closer Look

It was an early morning, and Mills was near Doe Kag Wats, a remote and heavily forested beach area sacred to the Suquamish people, where many of his sightings had occurred. He began to hear strange voices in the distance, so he ventured further into the woods, only to find himself witnessing something remarkable — a group of five Sasquatch.

“I saw two big males sitting side by side,” Mills recalls. “They were so close together, it almost looked like they were joined at the hip.” These males were massive — standing at least seven feet tall — with thick, muscular bodies covered in dark, shaggy hair. They weren’t alone. With them was an elderly female, also around seven feet tall, whose distinctive feature was her long, sagging breasts that swayed as she moved.

What struck Mills most about the female was how she interacted with the younger Sasquatch, who looked to be just a few years old. “The youth stood by her side, noticeably smaller but still upright, with dark fur and a posture that hinted at its toddler-like age.

The group’s behavior was calm but focused. Mills observed the elder female wringing her hands nervously, while the two males seemed irritated by her movements, grunting as if to quiet her. “The males kept grunting at her, almost like they were telling her to stop making so much noise,” he recalls. Despite their size and power, there was a clear family dynamic at play.

As Mills watched, the family moved steadily away, crossing a small clearing before disappearing into the dense forest. He took in every detail he could during those moments, describing their fur as long and coarse, with shades of brown and black. Their faces were human-like but distinct, with pronounced brows, wide noses, and dark eyes that hinted at intelligence. Their arms were long, swinging slightly as they walked, and their movements, though deliberate, were graceful for creatures of such size.

Mills says he’s able to estimate their height and weight based on his years of experience hunting

(Cont. on p12)

Beings of the Forest Mysterious woodland creatures long part of Suquamish culture

Formany Suquamish people, stories about Sasquatch are not modern myths or campfire tales. They are connected to a deeper understanding of the world and the unseen forces within it.

Sasquatch is more than a creature of legend — it holds spiritual significance and ties directly into long-standing traditions about beings that share the land.

Kate Ahvakana, the Suquamish Tribe’s Cultural Resources Director, grew up hearing stories about Sasquatch and other culturally connected creatures of the forest.

Denita and Joey Holmes created these Basket Ogress and Sasquatch costumes for Halloween in 2023.

“Sasquatch is similar to other beings we talk about, like the Stick Indians,” Ahvakana explains. “They aren’t necessarily good or bad — they just are. They live in the woods and have their own way of being. You have to be careful with them because they don’t think like us.”

The Stick Indians are part of Suquamish oral history. These trickster spirits are said to lure people into the woods, leading them astray. Although they are not malicious, their actions can be dangerous. Ahvakana explains that whistling at night can attract their attention — and potentially the attention of other beings, including Sasquatch. “It’s like you’re inviting them into your space, and that’s not something you want to do.”

Another creature of the woods that has long

been used to teach lessons to children is the Basket Ogress, a cautionary tale that has been passed down through generations.

“The Basket Ogress is like a boogeyman story,” Ahvakana explains. “She comes after children who are unclean or unkind. The story is meant to teach kids to be mindful of their actions.”

In the tale, the Basket Ogress captures disobedient children, placing them in her basket and carrying them away. While the story has variations across different Coast Salish cultures, it is always used as a way to remind young people to behave properly and respect the world around them.

The Suquamish people have long understood that the forest holds mysteries, and it’s important to respect them. For generations, stories of Sasquatch and other spirits have taught young people to be mindful of their actions, especially when they are in the woods.

Ahvakana explains that these beings are often encountered by those who are particularly sensitive to the spiritual world or spend long periods of time in the woods. “Hunters, fishers, and people who live closely with the land are more likely to experience these things,” she says. “It’s not something everyone sees, but it’s something many of us feel.”

By Jon Anderson Suquamish News Staff Writer

(Cont. from p11)

elk. He believes the males in this group weighed between 500 and 700 pounds, with thick, muscular frames similar in size to large grizzly bears. Their towering height and bulk were unmistakable, especially as they moved with surprising agility. Mills couldn’t help but notice their incredible strength, recalling times he saw them easily lift large logs and push through thick brush as if it were nothing.

Tell-tale signs

In addition to their physical appearance, one thing Mills consistently associates with his Sasquatch encounters is the strong, unpleasant odor that seems to accompany the creatures. “They have this really bad smell, like a mix of body odor and something rotten,” he says. “You can smell it long before you see them.” That smell, along with an overwhelming sense of unease, has become a telltale sign for Mills whenever a sighting is near. Mills has also heard Sasquatch communicate in a unique language. Their vocalizations, often a mix of low grunts and what sounded like gibberish, resembled a kind of primitive speech. “It’s almost like hearing someone pray in tongues,” Mills says. In all his encounters with Sasquatch, Mills has noted variations in their appearance—some are tall and muscular, others more stocky or thin—but

this family group remains one of the most complete sightings he has ever experienced. It wasn’t just a fleeting glimpse. He had seen them as they were: a family, a unit, living in the forest as naturally as any other animal.

Respect for the Unknown

He knows to the skeptics it can all sound a little crazy. But Mills hopes his experiences and encounters help people approach the idea of Sasquatch with an open mind and, if nothing else, bring some respect for the unknown. “I’m not out to convince anyone who doesn’t believe,” Mills says plainly. “I’m just telling people what I’ve seen out there.”

Mills believes that Sasquatch are not animals to be hunted or even feared but a species that has lived alongside humans for generations, choosing to remain elusive. “They’re just another species that refuses to be recognized,” he explains. “They want to live their own lives, doing what they’ve done for thousands of years, and we need to let them do that.”

He emphasizes the importance of protecting the natural environment where Sasquatch and other animals live. For Mills, it’s not about proving their existence but respecting the land and the creatures that inhabit it. “We’ve already taken so much from them, so let’s just try to respect them and their space.”

By Jon Anderson Suquamish News Staff Writer

The Sasquatch story continues...

For more stories, photos, and videos on the Suquamish Sasquatch, check out the Suquamish Tribe’s new webpage using this QR code where we will post a growing collection of Sasquatch encounters and other resources.

Have you had a Sasquatch encounter on or near the Port Madison Reservation? We’d love to hear about it. Reach out to communications@ suquamish.nsn.us and your story could be added to our collection.

In the meantime, be sure to visit the Suquamish Museum through the month of October where you can enjoy their pop-up exhibit featuring Suquamish Sasquatch.

Salmon Tours 2025

Experience the salmon run up close Nov. 1

Eachfall, salmon return to local streams, offering a chance to witness one of the Pacific Northwest’s most powerful natural events. On Friday, Nov. 1, from 11am to 3pm, the Suquamish Tribe Treaty Rights Protection Division invites the public to join in celebrating the salmon run at eight stream sites across Kitsap County.

Part of the annual Kitsap Salmon Tours in collaboration with Washington State University, this free event will feature guided walks, hands-on activities, and opportunities to learn directly from

biologists, local environmental organizations, and trained docents.

Each site offers something different, from interactive exhibits to family-friendly programs. Visitors can discover local salmon species, explore their life cycles, and better understand the role we all play in ensuring their survival.

At the Suquamish Tribe’s stream site, located at the Merle Hayes Salmon Enhancement Center on Grover’s Creek, families can enjoy activities hosted by the Kitsap Regional Library’s Little Boston branch and watch salmon dissection demonstrations led by Natural Resources staff. The Merle Hayes Salmon Enhancement Center is located near the intersection of Miller Bay Road and Indianola Road.

Bring your family, gather your friends, and experience this remarkable migration firsthand. For more information, check out the Salmon Tours page on WSU’s website.

By Hanna Brush Natural Resources Dept. Field Biologist

Baked Ham

Tossed Salad

Applesauce Cup

Minestrone Soup

Cheese

Egg, Vegetable & Cheese Frittata Oven Roasted

Indian Tacos (meat, beans, lettuce, tomatoes, cheese, salsa, sour cream)

Carrot Raisin Salad

We hope you all enjoyed our warm September. At times it has felt like summer will linger longer, but we know by the leaves turning color that fall is almost here.

Our Elders have had record attendance at Footcare Friday in September with over 40 in attendance! Free footcare provided to our Elders the first Friday of each month by appointment only.

Make sure to sign up with the Elders Program to get a spot on the roster. It is a great opportunity to come relax and socialize; you can pick up an Elders Calendar while you are there.

Closing out 2025 Elders trips

Adventures to Seaside, Oregon in September was the last of the annual Elders trips for this year. More than 100 Elders (and spouses or guests) attended. They enjoyed the many tourist shops, Oregon Coast train ride, Tillamook Creamery, and Sand Fest Sandcastle contests on the beach. Our car enthusiasts were even able to attend a car show at several venues in town. We had a huge bonfire on the beach. Thank you to Elder Darrel Hoffman & his partner Jan for helping set up the tent in howling winds, and thanks to Elder Marlane Buckner and her husband Ed for bringing wood.

Elder Melissa Lund and her husband Mark put the event together – there were s’mores, music, fun, and laughter. Some storytelling also went on with Elders Ed Midkiff Sr & Betty Pasco had some great ones. But what happens in Seaside stays in Seaside!

Chicken Adobo

Capri Veggie Blend

Spinach & Blueberry Salad

Corn Soup w/ Ground Beef

Tossed Salad Wheat Roll Fresh Fruit Chicken and Dumplings

A lovely breakfast was provided for the Elders on the last day of the trip, a large screen was set up so Elders wouldn’t miss the football game. Bill Gemmell and his lovely wife Diana celebrated their 4th anniversary at Seaside. We say “cheers” and lift our hands to them for many more years of wedded bliss.

Spinach Salad Fresh Fruit

Another fun outing for our Elders was the Washington State Fair (aka “The Puyallup”). We had the scooter brigade out again, with Elder Kippie Joe was rarin’ to go. Elder Donna Sigo was a speed demon!

The Elders were also on hand to support our singers and drummers from Suquamish at the

fair. It was wonderful to watch our people bring our culture to others outside of the rez.

Dickie Johnson had a corndog that was as long as her forearm! Joan Bagley scored some great sheet sets, and many of our Elders brought home scones. This event is always well attended; our shuttle is always full when we go to the fair.

Looking ahead

The Annual Suquamish Elders Honoring on Oct. 9 at Kiana Lodge, with doors opening at 9 AM. Be sure to sign up with the Elders Program so you get a seat at a table. We ask that only Elders/guests 55 years and above attend, except for caregivers or bus drivers.

We are so proud to honor our Elders every year, you are the backbone of the tribe!

We give thanks for the health and happiness we are given, and hold friends and family in our hearts who are not well or are experiencing adversity.

Take care, and happy trails until we meet again!

By Della Crowell, Melissa Lund, & Antonia Ewing, Elders Program

From the desk of the Traditional Heritage Specialist

Welcome to autumn, with cooler days and leaves falling in many colors to the ground. Please keep your walkways clear of all those leaves and other things that can make you slip and fall.

Tribal youth, be sure to check in on Elders and make sure they are safe. Pack in firewood for them and see if there are other things they need to stay warm.

Speaking of staying warm, don’t forget to make sure your wood stoves and fireplaces are clean and all your pipes are clear. We do not want any chimney fires!

I am hoping to get my backlog of transcripts

done and prepare for new recordings of anyone that wishes to tell me about their lives growing up in the Port Madison Reservation. What was your life like here? Did you walk to school? Did you have no electricity or running water as a child? Did you have a television? When did you graduate from high school? What was your first job? Did you hunt, fish, gather food, weave cedar bark? Did your family speak the language? Who was your teacher of traditions?

If you wish to share your stories with me and preserve this knowledge for the future generations, please contact me at (360) 394-8526 or mjones@suquamish.nsn.us. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

By Marilyn Jones Traditional Heritage Specialist

WeIn Service

Dispatches from the Suquamish PD

are well into the school year and with it brings more students out and about walking to and from schools and bus stops. Because of this, the Suquamish Police Department has been doing traffic enforcement in school zones, and we will continue to do so.

I’m asking for everyone’s vigilance and cooperation — please slowdown in school zones and anywhere else you notice kids congregating. No matter how many times we remind kids to be cautious around traffic, kids, after all, are kids. They can quickly forget about safety rules when chasing a friend or a ball into the road. It’s up to the drivers to keep their eyes open and be ready.

Speaking of kids and young adults, SPD encourages 16-21-year-olds to join our Police Explorer Cadet program. This is an excellent opportunity to learn what a career in law enforcement is all about.

Cadets receive academic and hands-on police training and invaluable experiences. From writing a proper resume, to constitutional law, to practical police procedures, cadets will learn it all.

Please contact Officer Alicia Barker at abarker@suquamish.nsn.us for details and an

application. There is no cost to participate. Finally, keep an eye out for officers wearing our new SPD Cancer Awareness patch. Part of our effort to support October’s Cancer Awareness Month, this patch is meant to acknowledge all the warriors fighting cancer – patients, family, and friends.

This is one of several awareness patches I’ve authorized for permanent wear. And for a recommended $10 contribution, you can get your own patch! No tribal government funds were expended to purchase these patches and proceeds will be used to help support our Cadet Program.

By Mark Williams Chief of Police

Community Development’s 10 tips to get your home ready for winter

Fall

is here and colder weather is on the way. Here are ten suggested home maintenance tips from Community Development to better prepare your home, lower utility bills, and avoid costly repairs.

1. Clean your gutters

It’s is a dirty job but it can save your roof by preventing water damage. Make sure gutter downspouts are draining water away from your home’s foundation to ensure a dry crawl space and re-check after every large windstorm

2. Disconnect outside hoses

Install a hose bib cover and wrap water pipes beneath home.

3. Check windows and doors for air leaks

Weather stripping wears out over time.

4. Check your heating systems

Clean your heating devices and replace furnace filters. Adjust thermostats as necessary.

5. Switch ceiling fan direction

The summer you want fans moving warm air up, but in the winter they should push the warm air down.

6. Check your chimney

Get chimney cleaned, inspected, and re-certified prior to your first fire.

7. Check smoke detector

Replace batteries once a year.

8. Clean your dryer hose

Clogged lint makes your dryer less efficient, and is one of the leading causing of house fires.

9. Clean under large appliances

Pull out appliances such as your range and refrigerator and clear out any lint.

10. Check your fire extinguishers

Replace them if expired.

Get ready to vote on Election Day

Election Day is Nov. 4, 2025, but now is the time to make sure your ballot counts. From school board positions to mayoral races to city council seats — voter decisions in November will impact our local communities.

Tribal Council Endorsements

Suquamish Tribal Council will announce its endorsements before Oct. 17. This information will be shared with the Tribal community in the Weekly Update and on social media.

Online Registration

If you recently moved to Washington, turned 18 years old, or simply haven’t gotten around to registering, you have until Oct. 27 to do so online. You will need a current Washington driver’s license or state ID. Visit votewa.gov to get started. If you are already a registered voter in Washington but need to update your information, log in to the same website and enter your name and birthday. You have until Oct. 27 to make any changes.

In-Person Registration

If you miss the online registration deadline, you

can still register or update your information by visiting the Kitsap County Elections Office during business hours at 619 Division St., Port Orchard. This can be done through Election Day.

Voting

Ballots will be mailed on Oct. 17. Once you complete your ballot, be sure to sign and date the back of the envelope and then drop it off in a Kitsap County ballot box or return it in the mail — no postage required! Ballots must be received or post-marked by 8pm on Election Day.

There is a ballot box outside the front door of the Tribe’s Administration Building, as well as multiple locations throughout Kitsap County. If you prefer to vote in-person, you can do so on Election Day from 7am to 8pm at the Kitsap County Administration Building in Port Orchard, the Marvin Williams Center in Bremerton, or the Poulsbo Fire Station on Liberty Rd.

Track Your Mail-In Ballot

You can keep tabs on your ballot by visiting votewa.gov. You will see when it is mailed to you, when you return it, and when it is processed.

If you cannot walk away when you’ve reached your limit, or if you find yourself preoccupied with thoughts of gambling or in conflict with others because of your gambling activity, we can help.