Suquamish News
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A monthly publication of the Suquamish Tribe
Volume 14 January 2014 Early Learning Center Year in Review
A look back on the highlights of 2013 and whats ahead for children and teachers The staff at the Early Learning Center excited to share some of the events we are most proud of in 2013.
Under the leadership of Dr. CHiXapkaid (Michael) Pavel, the ELC staff has been involved with the Preferred Native Teacher Early Learning Center Head Start Graduation, Summer 2013. Certification project because we know “a large body of evidence demon- other federally recognized Tribes and 32 comprehensive, week long Creative Curstrates the value to Native children of hav- are non-native. Of the 46 children served riculum training and another week in Data ing teachers who are themselves Native in our Before/After School program, 36 are Management Training. Other staff trainings and part of Tribal communities.” (CHiXa- from Suquamish Tribal member families, 3 include strategies to implement Positive pkaid). The preferred certification project are from other federally recognized Tribes Behavior Support and Engaging Children focuses on establishing Native language, and 7 are non-native. in Conversations that will support Higher culture and oral traditions as a preferred In partnership with parents, Policy Council Order Thinking. We are in high demand pathway. To support the Preferred Native and Community Partners (Wellness, Hu- with 15 children on our Early Head Start/ Teacher Certification project, the ELC has man Resources, Holly Ridge, North Kitsap Head Start waitlist and ten children on our supported four Suquamish Tribal members School District), the ELC staff developed Before/After School Child Care program. to meet their higher education goals and School Readiness goals for Infants, Tod- Many thanks to the Suquamish Tribal recently four additional Suquamish Tribal dlers and Pre School age children. New Council and the Suquamish Administramembers have registered and enrolled in employee orientation processes have been tive staff for their continued support in Early Childhood Education college cours- strengthened and include a tour of the meeting the vision of the Tribe and of the es. Suquamish Museum so all ELC employees Marion Forsman-Boushie Early Learning
Kids In Concert, Fall 2012.
Center.
know the history of the Suquamish Tribe. Each new employee also meets with each of the seven management team. Staff also received training in CPR/ First Aid, Blood Bourne Pathogens, Cleaning and Sanitizing.
“The Marion Forsman-Boushie Early Learning Center is deeply rooted in respect for the Suquamish Tribal culture and its continuation in the lives of the youngest generation through daily interaction with traditional language, stories and experiences, a commitment to being responsive to parents and supporting them as their child’s first and most important teachers, an understanding of the importance of literacy-rich early learning environments, the importance of play, and an emphasis on developmentally appropriate, and best practice to support daily transitions for children from six weeks through the fifth grade.”
The Head Start program graduated 31 children to kindergarten with significant developmental gains in the domains of social and emotional skills, literacy, cognitive and language. All Early Head Start/Head Start Teachers participated in
Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge In Schools
Visiting educators share ideas about weaving traditional teachings with science, math and more by Jake Anderson
Chief Kitsap Academy (CKA) students gave visiting educators a rare treat in December. Ty Purser,Trentin Moss,Ryan Sigo, and Jake Anderson cooked salmon in the traditional way over the fire for attendees of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Gathering. Rob Purser also helped students cook clams for the event in the House of Awaken Culture. About fifty people attended the gathering, sponsored by OSPI and hosted by the Suquamish Tribe. In addition to sharing a traditional meal, participants also shared models and ideas to incorporate elder and commuSuquamish News
N o. 1 WebsterMartinson Takes NKSD Board Seat
Suquamish Tribal Member makes history as first to serve an elected position in Kitsap
In December 2012, there were five Suquamish Tribal members employed. Throughout the course of 2013, the ELC promoted one Tribal member and hired an additional six Tribal members to our ELC family, bringing our total of Suquamish Tribal members employed at the ELC to 10. The ELC management team is also composed of four Suquamish Tribal members and two Tribal members from other federally recognized Tribes.
Of the 94 children served in our Early Head Start/Head Start programs, 49 are Suquamish Tribal member families, 12 are from
Holiday Happenings pg. 3
managing them that is particular and often detailed. In rural communities in developing countries, locally occurring species are relied on for many - sometimes all - foods, medicines, fuel, building materials and other products. Equally, people¹s knowledge and perceptions of the environment, and their relationships with it, are often important elements of cultural identity.”
nity traditional knowledge into Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) education. The Director General of United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Mayor, 1994) defines traditional knowledge, “The indigenous people of the world possess an immense knowledge of their environments, based on centuries of living close to nature. Living in and from the richness and variety of complex ecosystems, they have an understanding of the properties of plants and animals, the functioning of ecosystems and the techniques for using and
This event shows the efforts of state education to move into a brighter future in partnership with tribes.
1
Suquamish Tribal Member and Educator Cindy Webster-Martinson made history when she was sworn in to the District 1 seat of the North Kitsap School District (NKSD) Board of Directors last month. Webster-Martinson, a teacher and Elementary Program Manager for the Suquamish Tribe, is the first Suquamish Tribal Member to hold an elected position in Kitsap County outside of the Suquamish Tribal Government. She is also the first Native American to be elected to the NKSD Board of Directors. Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman and members of the Suquamish Song & Dance Group attended the ceremony alongside Webster-Martinson and her family during a regularly held NKSD Board meeting on December 12, 2013 at the School District Offices in Poulsbo, WA. Forsman spoke in support of Webster-Martinson. Afterward, the Song & Dance Group performed a song to commemorate the event. “I would like to be a part of the change that is needed in our school district, especially in regards to communication and transparency, as well as the quality and equity of education provided in the district,” said Webster-Martinson. In addition to her District 1 position, Webster-Martinson will also serve as the Liaison to the Port Gamble S’Klallam and Suquamish Tribal Councils. NKSD Board of Director terms are for four years. Webster-Martinson is joined in her appointment to the board this year by another newcomer. Beth Worthington, a Suquamish community member, was sworn in to the District 3 seat during the same meeting. Worthington will serve as the Legislative Representative for the board for the next four years.
In This Issue News ................... 1 Community Calendar
................... 2
Education
................... 4
Museum ................... 5 Government
................... 6
Sports & Recreation
.................... 8
Elders ................. 10 Health & Wellness
...................11
Business ...................12 Community & Notices
................. 14
Birthdays ..................15
Vol. 14, No. 1