Chairman’s Report
Government
Submitted by Leonard Forsman
threaten fish and shellfish. Removing fish barriers, improving sewer infrastructure and controlling stormwater are keys to our success, but it is very expensive. Elected officials and staff are searching for ways to make progress in addressing these issues. Bi-Annual Gaming Mitigation Meeting Representatives of local police and fire agencies attended our bi-annual gaming mitigation meeting. Two percent of table games revenue, as required by state-tribal compact, is earmarked for addressing impacts that our operations might have on police and fire response. The panel gathered to decide on how the funding would be awarded to the local police and fire departments. Awards will be given on September 6 at White Horse Golf Course.
Chairman Leonard Forsman during an interview with students from SuperFly in May. The youth filmaking program brought teens from around the nation to Suquamish to produce five short documentaries that premiered at the Seattle International Film Festival.
Spring has been busy as usual. Graduation activities were common and we started some new projects and continue to work on issues, especially habitat protection, that require constant attention. Forterra Breakfast The annual Forterra Breakfast, held at the Washington State Convention Center in Seattle, was marked by the celebration of the first major purchase of lands on Port Gamble Bay from the Olympic Property Group. Forterra helped arrange the purchase, mostly with state funds, as part of their mission to preserve lands for conservation and recreation. Navy Region Northwest Tribal Council Meeting Puget Sound Naval Shipyard Navy Region Northwest held their Tribal Council meeting with Tribal Leaders at PSNS in Bremerton. Admiral Rich chaired the meeting, which featured a presentation by the Quinault Tribe on this year’s Paddle to Quinault. We also discussed ways in which the Navy could better avoid damage to fishing gear during their operations and the role
direct funding for students from the state, rather than the current pass-through by the district. This should help Tribes that have had difficulty in negotiating agreements with their local districts.
of submarines and bases to the Navy’s mission. Superfly Film Experience Longhouse Media brought the Superfly film experience to Suquamish. Tribal youth, elders, leaders and staff from Suquamish hosted youth from around the nation here on our reservation to produce 5 films over two days. The experience was exhausting for our young filmmakers, but the results, shown in Seattle at the Seattle Film Festival were well received. Thanks to all who worked on the event, especially Youth Services, Museum staff and all the elders who helped with the films, including Ed Carriere, Peg Deam, and Dave Sigo.
Tribal Leaders Congress on Education Spokane The TLC held a meeting in Spokane in conjunction with the National Indian Head Start Association (NISHDA) National Training Meeting. Primary topics were HB 1134 implementation and a program to help certify child care and Head Start teachers to meet new federal requirements. Head Start Consultation, Spokane The Office of Head Start held their consultation in Spokane as well in conjunction with the NISHDA conference. I testified to Head Start’s trust responsibility to educate our children as requested by our ancestral leaders during and after the signing of the Treaty of Point Elliott. I asked that Head Start be more creative to molding regulations to fit the needs of the Tribes rather than burden us with more obstacles to helping children learn.
Clearwater Casino Expansion Groundbreaking PME hosted a groundbreaking ceremony and blessing for the new parking lot project, part of Phase One of our casino expansion. Our thanks go to PME President Greg George for his words and Ivy Cheyney for the blessing. Public Hearing Youth & Adult Recreation Facility Tribal Council hosted a public hearing, led by ARC architects and our Department of Community Development, to get community input into the design of a new youth facility, adult work out facility and gymnasium. We received some great input from the community and thank all that participated. Information gathered will be integrated into design process and reviewed by staff and consultants. A more detailed design is under development by ARC.
Chief Kitsap Academy Graduation Chief Kitsap Academy held their first graduation at Kiana Lodge with five students. This was a proud moment to see our tribal members accept their diplomas in a ceremony attended by their families and friends. The Suquamish Tribe is truly blessed to have such a fine class to call their own. Congrats to Amanda, Amie, Vincent, Bryce and Jacob. Bainbridge Island Art Museum Opening I was honored to be one of the keynote speakers at the opening of the Bainbridge Island Art Museum in downtown Winslow. There was a large crowd of people there to celebrate the event. We look forward to future collaborations with BIAM and our museum.
Cultural Cooperative Meeting The Cultural Cooperative Committee met to discuss upcoming tribal events, especially the Paddle to Quinualt and Chief Seattle Days. The canoes will be landing in Suquamish on July 19 and leaving July 20 for the trip to Taholah.
Suquamish Marine Division Deputy Chief of Police Domingo Almirol give best wishes to retiring Elders Coordinator Ivy Cheyney during her farewell party at Kiana Lodge. Cheyney’s retirement party was attended by Tribal government employees, community members and family. Suquamish News
Washington Indian Gaming Association-Quinault The monthly WIGA meeting was held in Taholah on the Quinault Indian Reservation. I chaired the meeting in my role as WIGA vice-president. The agenda focused on the legislative session, which has been stymied by budget gridlock. There has been no legislation that would negatively affect tribal gaming. We have had some good bills, including HB 1134 that will allow tribal schools to access
West Central Local Integrating Organization Meeting The Suquamish Tribe hosted the latest West Central LIO meeting at Suquamish Village. I chair the region’s LIO that includes representatives from Pt. Gamble S’Klallam, Gig Harbor, Pierce County, Poulsbo, Bremerton, Bainbridge Island, Kitsap County and Port Orchard. Our major focus is finding solutions for water quality challenges in Puget Sound that 7
Pacific Salmon Commission Meeting Welcome The Pacific Salmon Commission, which meets to discuss sockeye salmon management in the U.S. and Canada, held their meeting at the Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort. Representatives from the sockeye fishing tribes, the State of Washington and Canada came together to negotiate salmon seasons. I was asked to welcome them to the resort, which is a favorite of the Canadian delegation. Tribal Budget Hearing The Tribal Council hosted a budget hearing as part of our 2014 budget process. Tribal members heard about our current and future budgeting challenges from staff and council. There was a lot of discussion about mentoring tribal members as well as the types of benefits currently provided by the Tribe. More budget hearings are scheduled later this year. City of Poulsbo MOU Meeting The annual meeting between the Suquamish Tribe and the City of Poulsbo was held at the Poulsbo City Hall. Topics included land use, transportation, environment and tourism. The city is seeing demand for building lots rise as the economy recovers. They continue to infill within the urban growth boundary. They made stormwater improvements during the recently completed Anderson Parkway project. The small cruise ship business appears promising. Many of the visitors travel to our museum as well as the shops in Poulsbo. Poulsbo is working on improving water quality in Liberty Bay mostly by concentrating on habitat improvement projects on Dogfish Creek. Ivy Cheyney Retirement The Human Services Department hosted a retirement party at Kiana for Ivy Cheyney, Elders Coordinator. Ivy has worked hard for the Tribe and our elders by helping to arrange travel, transporting elders, helping our youth and organizing elder honoring. We wish Ivy the best in her retirement. Suquamish Tribe Graduation Night The Suquamish Education Department held their annual Honoring of the Graduates Ceremony at the House of Awakened Culture. We had a large number of graduates; High School, GED, 2-year, 4-year and graduate degrees. We had a big crowd at the event, lots of family and friends there to celebrate the accomplishments of our students. Thanks to the cooks (Mable and Windy), Wayne (our MC), Brenda and Rebecca (our organizers), Nick and Nigel (our keynotes) and everyone else that helped make the night a success. Vol. 13, No. 7