Suquamish News - April 2021

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Suquamish News

Suquamish.nsn.us

April 2021 | 1

S N Volume 21

April 2021

No. 4

Gathering of the Tribe General Council 2021

In this issue ...

Staycation Ideas — p4 Benefits of Mindfulness -- p5 Ask a Cop — p13 Tribal Council elected — p3

Why you should get vaccinated — p4

Work ethic drives new Secretary — p10

2 | April 2021

Community Calendar

Suquamish News

Events & Meetings

contact Finance_Info@suquamish.nsn. us. If you have an address change, please Suquamish Tribal Council Tribal Council meets April 12 & 26. Links contact Enrollment. are sent to Tribal members via SUN or ask Rebecca Purser, (360) 900-8031, Regular Hours rebeccapurser@suquamish.nsn.us. Tribal Government Offices Council will hold their Annual Spring Communications: (360) 394-7184/7102 Retreat at Kiana Lodge April 12-14, 2021. Community Dev: (360) 394-8415 Community Health: (360) 394-8468/8594 Suquamish Warriors Emergency Management: (360) 394-8507 For information, contact Jean Belmont at Emergency Work Orders: (360) 900-7050 (360) 601-7918.

Emergency Utilities: (360) 710-3223 Finance: (360) 394-8432 PME Board of Directors meets online Fisheries: (360) 394-8438 on April 28. The SEC/PMECC/PMCC Health Benefits: (360) 394-8424 Board @ 9am. Contact Emily Sato, Human Resources: (360) 394-8409 emilysato@clearwatercasino.com, (360) Human Services: (360) 394-8465 598-8703 IT Help Desk: (360) 394-8485 Maintenance: (360) 394-8590 Suquamish Tribal Gaming Comm.

Tribal Child Welfare: (360) 394-8480 Meets online April 8 & 22. Call Angela Tribal Court: (360) 394-8697 Brainerd at (360) 394-8652 for details.

Suquamish Elders — contact: Suquamish Seafoods Board meets online Della Crowell (360) 394-8417 on April 13 @ 2pm. Seafoods Retail is open Donna Sigo (360) 394-8472 Thurs-Sun. Contact Shanel Carlson at (360) 394-8512 for details.

Suquamish Police Department lobby is available for government-related paperSuquamish Museum Board work. Mon-Fri, 8am–4:30pm Meets April 15 @ 11am-1pm online. Call Front Desk: (360) 598-4334 Jennifer at (360) 394-4847 for info.

Emergency: 911 2021 Tribal Distributions will take place Wellness Center on November 5. If you want to receive Front desk: (360) 394-8558 your payments through Direct Deposit, Crisis Hotline: (888) 910-0416

Suquamish News •

Published monthly by the Suquamish Tribe: 18490 Suquamish Way, Suquamish, WA 98392

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Email us at: communications@suquamish.nsn.us

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Send letters to: Suquamish News Editor, PO Box 498, Suquamish, WA 98392-0498

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Letters should include the writer’s full name, address, and home telephone and may be edited for clarity and space.

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All photo submissions must be made in JPG or PDF form, with resolution of 300 dpi or more.

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COVID 19 Tests

Testing for COVID-19 are available to Tribal households and employees, weekdays, 8:30am-noon, no appointment needed. Especially if you have any symptoms, please get tested. Just pull up to the back of the Tribal Administration building. Call Mickenzy Cordova at (360) 394-7177 or Barbara Hoffman (360) 394-8468.

COVID-19 Vaccines Available

to all Suquamish Tribal Members and their Households, Tribal staff members and their household members age 55+ If you would like to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination, and have not yet been scheduled, please request here: http://bit.ly/SuqVaccine. Or leave a message at: (360) 394-7191 Someone will call you back to schedule first and second shots.

At this time, the Tribe can only vaccinate those 18 and older.

Questions? Email COVID_questions@Suquamish.nsn.us

�x̌ix̌dxʷ �ił bək�ʷakʷbixʷ Take care of all people

On the cover

Photos from General Council 2021, which took place online, with small groups at the Tribal Council Chambers, House of Awakened Culture, and drive-thru voting in the HOAC parking lot. Photos by Jon Anderson

Suquamish Tribal Council Leonard Forsman

Chairman

Wayne George

Vice-Chair

Windy Anderson

Secretary

Robin L.W. Sigo

Treasurer

Rich Purser

Member

Sammy Mabe

Member

Luther Mills, Jr.

Member

Reproduction of Suquamish News, in whole or in part, without written permission from the Suquamish Tribe is strictly prohibited.

Production Staff Leonard Forsman Sarah van Gelder Jon Anderson JoAnn Joe Heather Purser

Editorial Policy

Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Photography/Design Communications Associate

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.

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April 2021 | 3

Tribe Celebrates Successful General Council Suquamish Tribe adapted and overcame pandemic by blending old ways and new tech to exercise sovereignty and elect Tribal Council

G

eneral Council 2021 wrapped up Sunday, March 21, in the same way other General Council gatherings have ended. Judge Cindy Smith swore in the newly elected and re-elected Tribal Council members, and the entire Council posed for a portrait.

The 2021 Suquamish General Council was not at all ordinary, though. The meeting took place online, with portions of the meeting hosted in Tribal Council Chambers, other parts at the House of Awakened Culture, and candidate statements broadcast from an office converted into a makeshift studio.

Tribal members participated from homes across the reservation and beyond — and from as far away as Morocco.

Voting was conducted via a drive-thru system behind the House of Awakened Culture. Months of conducting vaccination clinics had prepared staff to create an efficient and safe drive-thru balloting system, while also giving Tribal members a chance to wave and say hello through car windows.

The elements of General Council were all there — the opening prayers and songs, the honoring of new Elders and of those who had passed away in the past year, the reports, comments from the floor, and of course the elec- Suquamish Tribal members elected Tribal Council members at this year’s General Council, while saying a special thank tions. All except the shared food and actual gathering. you to outgoing Council Secretary Nigel Lawrence (below.) See more photos from General Council 2021 on pages 8 & 9.

Tribal Council Elections General Council 2020 was postponed and finally canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Without an election, the chairman and secretary positions, which would have been up for election in 2020, were extended by a year.

At a public hearing in February, Tribal members expressed the view that these two positions, along with the three that would normally be voted on in 2021, should all be on the ballot.

To restore the normal staggering of elections, Tribal citizens favored a two-year term for the Chair and Secretary positions.

Vice-Chairman Wayne George presided over the election process as nominations came in from the floor via Zoom for each of the five positions.

One position had three candidates, so a primary was held on Sunday morning, followed by the General Election on Sunday afternoon.

The outcome: Luther (Jay) Mills Jr, Rich Purser, Sammy Mabe, and Chairman Leonard Forsman were

re-elected. Windy Anderson, General Manager of Suquamish Evergreen Corporation, was elected Secretary. Nigel Lawrence, previous Tribal Council Secretary, chose not to run for re-election.

The Treasurer and Vice-Chairman positions — currently held by Robin Little Wing Sigo and Wayne George respectively — will be up for election next year.

Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman welcomed Windy Anderson to the Council.

“She’s very familiar with Council operation as former Executive Assistant to the Council,” he noted. “And she has gained valuable experience as the manager the Tribe’s new enterprise, Suquamish Evergreen Corporation.”

Forsman expressed gratitude for the contributions made by Lawrence during his tenure as Tribal Council Secretary. “We appreciate Nigel’s work on council, and his creative and analytical mind,” Forsman said. “We look forward to him continuing his work to improve and innovate at the Early Learning Center.”

Members also voted on adoptions, but the results had not been released by press time.

By Sarah van Gelder

4 | April 2021

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COVID Safety

COVID Safety: 7 ‘Staycation’ ideas for this spring T

he CDC is asking that we not travel over spring break. New COVID-19 variants are believed to be more infectious and have now been identified across the United States.

Vaccines are being administered throughout the country, but infectious rate and COVID-19 health complications among children and teens are beginning to climb as they are not yet able to receive vaccines.

We are asking you to maintain your vigilance. Please don’t let down your guard, which has kept our families safe so far.

We recommend that we not travel outside our region and instead have a staycation close to home, keeping your gatherings below 10 people, while maintaining your current COVID safety practices.

Here are some staycation ideas for your family: Take a road trip Road trips could be a fun alternative to get the family out of the house. Load up the car with a picnic (and plenty of hand sanitizer) and hit the road for a destination accessible within our region.

pampered yourself and your family during Spring Break Staycation 2021.

Disney at home Recreate the Disney experience by getting creative with an obstacle course, water balloons, or DIY human Twister in the yard. It’s not Splash Mountain, but you can have some fun and healthy competition.

Hit the beach Bring a picnic, a beach blanket, and games. Not only will kids have fun, but they’ll have a chance to get physically active — while spiking a volleyball or chasing a Frisbee.

Plan an artists’ retreat Put together age-appropriate art materials, and let your kids go wild, pick up the carving or painting you have been working on, bring out your beadwork or weaving.

Go camping Camping is a smart alternative to a trip involving overcrowded environment. Make it an adventure and Make it a spa-cation include a scavenger hunt. Bring your drums and/or Set up a home spa at home with robes for everyone.

Create a spa station for nails, skin care, and hair styling. rattles. Don’t forget the s’mores for roasting, and your Be sure to get a fun family photo to remember how you favorite scary campfire story.

Build a Circle of Protection: Get your COVID Vaccination The COVID-19 vaccine is a powerful tool against the pandemic. But to be effective, we need the majority of our community to be vaccinated.

With your help, we can do it. We can create a circle of safety for our Elders and for other vulnerable people in our community.

We can once again gather for pow-wows, meals, song and dance, and blessings. Our schools and Early Learning Center can fully open, as can Tribal offices.

Being vaccinated also means you will be freer to visit with vulnerable people, to travel, and to gather with friends.

All this can happen only if the overall community reaches above a 70% full vaccination rate. That is what it will take to complete this circle of protection.

We need to reach what is called “herd immunity,” which happens when enough of us are resistant to the infection that it stops passing from person to person.

We are asking every Tribal Member, household member, descendant, and staff member who is medically able to do so to get vaccinated. We are asking you even if you have had COVID-19 because the natural immunity is not as high as the vaccine and only last possibly 90 days.

Please stand up for yourself, your family, and your Tribe, and get your vaccine.

Call the vaccine hotline at (360) 394-7191 or by email at covid_questions@suquamish.nsn.us to schedule your vaccine.

By Cherrie May

Plant a garden Choose your favorite vegetables or flowers, and begin planning your garden or begin setting the seeds. Get your hands dirty and have fun.

If you must travel...

Please visit the CDC’s “Travel during COVID-19” https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/ travel-during-covid19.html and the CDC COVID 19 data tracker link for information and steps to take if you must travel. Also please review the Tribes Travel Policy for any related travel that may impact your return to work.

Here are some precautions you can take while traveling and while at your destination to keep you, your family and home community safe, even if you’ve been vaccinated: • Wear a mask; double mask if possible • Pack extra masks • Keep and use hand sanitizer • Keep sanitizing wipes with you • Maintain a 6-foot physical separation from others Health Culture • Try to make your own food • Minimize your time in public areas where physical distancing is difficult to maintain • Minimize your time utilizing public transportation where check-in locations and travel areas are confined and used by many • Stay at hotels with trusted cleaning policies.

No matter where you are, avoid areas that are experiencing overcrowding and always have a back-up plan in case your destination is too busy or people aren’t complying with best practices, such as mask-wearing and physical distancing.

Remember the COVID safety rules: • Wear a mask • Physical distancing • Wash hands often • Don’t touch your face.

Also keep in mind that some destinations have mandatory quarantines for arrivals and proof of negative tests before arrival.

Even for travelers staying in the U.S., there are states and individual cities with strict quarantine and testing requirements.

By Cherrie May

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Suquamish News

April 2021 | 5

Health & Wellness

The Benefits of Mindfulness W

hat images come to mind when you see the word or hear someone talk about “mindfulness?” Many consider the concept boring, or something they have no time for in their busy lives, the opposite of multi-tasking. Many think it is self-indulgent and selfish to spend time with oneself; a discipline more suited for religious leaders or people who have “time to waste.”

Nothing could be further from the truth. It is exciting that many different disciplines are recognizing the benefits of mindfulness. Doctors promote mindfulness techniques to lower blood pressure, manage chronic pain and addictions, and reduce anxiety in surgical and dental procedures. Business leaders and employers recognize mindfulness benefits such as improved focus, concentration, creativity, and productivity.

When life seems frantic and overwhelming, and we are in danger of making automatic, self-destructive decisions, mindfulness slows the process down to consider consequences and improve confidence and peace of mind. The practice of mindfulness is an effective way to get to know oneself, reduce stress, and feel more joy and appreciation by living in the present moment rather than ruminating about the past or worrying about the future. Using mindfulness techniques in counseling sessions is extremely effective in managing and treating many common mental health struggles such as anxiety and depression, and improves well-being, attitudes, and behaviors. Something that so powerfully improves the quality of our lives deserves our consideration.

A simple definition of mindfulness can be found within the word itself; it is what your mind is full of.

Mindfulness is 1) paying attention to what is in our minds, and 2) deciding how long to pay attention to whatever is there. When we are mindful, we experience our life as we live it, without self-judgment or attachment. We observe our thoughts and emotions instead of letting them overpower us and control our attitudes and behaviors.

Between what we experience and how we act is a moment. When there is very little time in that moment, we often react without thinking, at the mercy of our automatic thoughts and overwhelming emotions.

When we lengthen the moment, we can respond rather than react, asking ourselves important questions, choosing a path with better outcomes.

Mindsight is not only the ability to look at what is going on inside our minds, but to also appreciate the internal world of someone else. This discipline is the basis for empathy and compassion and a necessary component for mature love relationships, friendships, and cooperative living. It changes our lives from feeling we are living inside a pinball machine, at the mercy of poorly understood emotions, thoughts, obstacles, and

Suquamish Tribe Wellness Center Mindfulness Classes

other people’s actions to living a life we have chosen, making decisions based on the present set of circumstances, changing our minds as the situation requires.

Breath is the gateway Focus on the breath is the gateway to mindful living.

It is the most basic and most powerful of all mindfulness practices. It is always with us and does not require any special equipment to practice; you can turn your attention to the breath at any time. Every culture and religious practice throughout the world and throughout time has had, at its center, a respect and appreciation for the breath as the source of life itself.

The idea behind mindful breathing is to focus your full attention, finding a natural flow and rhythm, and paying attention to the way it feels with every inhale and exhale.

It might be useful to visualize a square with each of the four sides representing a different part of the breath.

You can breathe in for a count of 2 or 3, hold your breath for a count of 2 or 3, exhale for a count of 2 or 3, and rest for a count of 2 or 3. Practice for a few minutes every day, several times a day. Notice if your mind wanders but do not judge your mind wandering! Gently bring your attention back to the breath and begin again.

Notice the changes in your mind, body, and spirit as

Ready to start your journey in more mindful living?

New classes will be forming soon!

If you’d like to sign up or want more information, reach out to Liz Reese at lreese@suquamish.nsn.us the result of this exercise.

Another powerful mindfulness practice is to notice your surroundings and the present moment by a focus on your five senses. Sit quietly and take a few clarifying, mindful breaths. Ask yourself, what am I seeing?

What am I hearing? What am I feeling? What am I smelling? What am I tasting?

This exercise is particularly effective at interrupting obsessive or anxious thoughts. As with the breathing exercise, repeat as many times as you want, increasing the number of things you are seeing, hearing, etc.

Remember to not self-judge if your attention wanders; gently bring your attention back and begin again.

By Lori Glover, LICSW, LMHC

Wellness welcomes new dependency counselor

T

he Wellness Center welcomed a new chemical dependency counselor in March.

Scott Dalgleish has worked for Kitsap County Adult Drug Court for 10 years and brings experience as both a counselor and as an Intensive Inpatient and Intensive Outpatient service provider.

Although Scott is unfamiliar with the culture of the Suquamish Tribe, he looks forward to learning about the community and getting to know his clients.

He also completed an in-person class, American Indian and Alaskan Native Cultural Responsiveness and Social Determination, at the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe last year to learn how to best serve Tribal people.

Scott is especially encouraging of the 12 Step model and looks forward to helping clients become familiar with the NA and AA programs.

He plans to assist Wellness in the development of an after-care program for those in recovery or who are seeking recovery.

Scott loves all things outdoors, dogs, photography and spending time with his wife Debra.

6 | April 2021

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Government

Chairman’s Report

M

uch of the month of March was devoted to calls and meetings from the White House and several federal agencies, the state legislature and our congressional delegation in Washington, D.C. Ever since President Biden signed an executive order calling on his agencies to consult with tribal governments in a meaningful fashion, members of Tribal Council, staff, and I have been meeting virtually with Cabinet members and their deputies to discuss needs in Indian Country.

So far I have been on calls with Health and Human Services, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

I also testified on a call with the Department of the Treasury on the distribution of surplus funding from the first CARES Act awards, with our sights set on the next distribution through the American Rescue Plan.

We also witnessed and celebrated the confirmation of Rep. Deb Haaland as the first American Indian Secretary of the Interior. I joined a short call with President Biden and Vice President Harris who celebrated the passage of the American Rescue Plan with tribal leaders, labor leaders and other supporters.

The White House continues to hold

COVID-19 briefings with tribal leaders, which include updates on infection rates and vaccine distribution.

Please remember: We need to continue to wear our masks, maintain physical distancing, and wash our hands because we are still not out of the woods yet!

New Initiatives I have been working with Rep. Derek Kilmer and Sen. Patty Murray on issues affecting the Suquamish and other Northwest Tribes. Congress has recently reinstituted member-directed spending, allowing our members of Congress and Senators to request funding for projects that benefit their districts and states.

We are submitting our project requests for initiatives here on our reservation.

I have joined other Tribal leaders in urging Kilmer and Murray to oppose the closure of the Sand Point Archives.

Murray has introduced a bill that would require the federal government to consult with Tribes before closing federal facilities that serve tribal governments.

I also met with Rep. Kilmer along with Tribal leaders from across the nation to urge him to support increased funding for the Historic Preservation Fund that supports the Tribal Historic Preservation Officer program, which

is vital to tribal efforts to preserve historic properties. The preservation of cultural resources includes artifacts, documents, sacred places, historic buildings, cultural landscapes, and cultural activities.

Boards and Committees The Suquamish Culture Committee met to discuss several issues including the upcoming repair of our voyaging canoes, requests for art projects, and review of land acknowledgment statements.

The Elders Committee held their monthly meeting virtually, with discussion of the need for a new Elders’ Lodge and parking policies at the Clearwater Casino Resort.

The Museum Board monthly meeting focused on reopening plans and the approval of an agreement with the Burke Museum to store an archaeological collection from a site near Gorst excavated by the Washington State Department of Transportation.

We also discussed the commemoration of the 1921 Suquamish Baseball Team’s travel to Japan.

We were briefed on a meeting held with the Group Health Foundation, which is working with the Northwest Tribes to fund projects supporting culture and health. The Foundation announced that they had made a small grant to the Suquamish Museum.

The Culture Committee hosted the blessing or “waking” of the canoes ceremony at the canoe shed by the House of Awakened Culture. This was a small but powerful ceremony honoring our voyaging and racing canoes, which have been stored away since 2019 due to the pandemic and the cancellation of Tribal Journey and other ceremonial activities.

The Salmon Homecoming Alliance Board met to plan for this year’s celebration on the waterfront. We are still planning a celebration and canoe landing in September, contingent on health and safety conditions.

The Friends of the Waterfront Seattle held a strategy session to outline our vision for the design and activities on Seattle’s waterfront. We are working to make the waterfront welcoming to visitors from diverse economic, racial, and cultural backgrounds.

Treaty Rights Treaty rights protection is always front and center. The Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission held a meeting to reengage our efforts to promote the “Treaty Rights at Risk” initiative that implores the federal government to take urgent action to save our salmon runs and other marine resources from pollution and habitat loss.

Of course, climate change is having a great impact on our waters and our salmon. I attended meetings with members of the state legislature and with Governor Jay Inslee to discuss carbon reduction bills in this year’s session. Hopefully we can get something meaningful to pass this year to address this crisis.

I also testified before the Washington State Senate Committee on Government and Elections on a bill to honor the man who did so much for our treaty rights, Billy Frank Jr. The bill would bring a statue of Billy to the U.S. Capitol.

Another effort that will be helpful to combating climate is the 30 x 30 Initiative to preserve 30 percent of the U.S. and the world’s oceans and lands from development. I and other Tribal leaders are presenting this to the Biden Administration and Secretary Haaland.

We continue our local efforts to preserve our habitat through our partnerships with cities and counties in the West Sound Partners for Ecosystem Recovery (WSPER). We have secured and are seeking funding for a number of restoration projects on our beaches and along our streams.

The Suquamish Fish Committee held their monthly meeting with Fisheries staff to review permits that

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April 2021 | 7

Government

might impact fishing sites and also set preferences for fishing seasons. This was an informative and productive meeting.

Our local government-to-government outreach and collaborations continue.

New roundabouts I met with Judge Robin Hunt to get an update on how her work as an emissary to the City of Poulsbo is progressing. We are making progress in communication with the new police chief and with the engineering department on art projects in the new roundabout.

The SR 305 committee met again to reprioritize projects on the corridor.

New roundabouts on Day Road and at Suquamish Way have been delayed until obstacles to their completion are overcome. Work continues on the Totten Road roundabout and the two more on Bainbridge Island.

The Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council held their annual retreat, focusing on making countywide growth policies more equitable so that people of color and lower income have more opportunities for better lives.

Improving broadband

Tribal Council met with representatives of the Washington State Department of Commerce to express our need for improved broadband access here on the Port Madison Indian Reservation.

We look forward to using federal and state funding to provide better internet access for our citizens.

I have had the opportunity to share our culture and history with the public through a number of online forums.

The National Museum of the American Indian taped a presentation entitled “Building an Agriculture Business in Indian Country,” which featured tribal leaders discussing their investments in agriculture initiatives that improve their tribal economies.

I focused my presentation on the importance of shellfish to our economic, cultural, and ceremonial activities.

The Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis held a forum on challenges that the pandemic has presented to tribal

governments.

I provided an overview of our history and focused on ways that tobacco, cannabis, and fuel tax compacts have helped us stabilize our government and on the prospects for new compacts that could help us grow our tax base in the future.

The American Constitution Society hosted a panel of Tribal leaders and scholars to discuss tribal sovereignty with their membership, which is composed of attorneys in Washington, DC, and other chapters throughout the nation.

The Bainbridge Rotary Club requested that I provide a welcome for their virtual meeting with chapters in Washington and British Columbia and their new Rotary President. I had one of their young members read the Tribal land acknowledgment statement.

General Council 2021 This year’s General Council was one for the history books. Considering the difficult circumstances, I was gratified to see how our Tribe was able to come together — both online and for the drive-thru voting — to exercise our sovereignty.

Congratulations to those who were elected and re-elected to Tribal Council, and thank you to those who ran for office as well. I look forward to our continued work as we face our challenges and seize our opportunities.

My hands are also up to all the staff who helped with planning and putting on General Council.

There is so much work behind the scenes for every General Council, but given the unique nature of this year’s gathering, it was all the more so.

Thank you to all the staff and vol-

Elders received fleece jackets with Tribal logos in March. Above, Della Crowell and Donna Sigo model the new jackets, with Chairman Forsman cheering them on. unteers who made it happen. Most of all, I am filled with gratitude to every Tribal member who participated. My prayer is that next year we will be able

Sign Up for SUN to Get Links and Updates If you haven’t already, please sign up for SUN for texts & links to connect to General Council

https://suquamish.nsn.us/ suquamish-updates-now

to gather again in person.

Until then, our good work continues!

Leonard Forsman Suquamish Tribe Chairman

COVID Masks

If you or your family need cloth masks, please contact Cherrie May at cmay@suquamish.nsn.us or 360 394-8507.

COVID questions can be sent to Covid_questions@suquamish.nsn.us

8 | April 2021

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Gathering of the Tribe: General Council 2021

This year’s General Coucil was like no other before it. But despite pandemic safety requirements, the Tribe gathered – both online and in-person – to discuss, to deliberate, and to elect its leaders. (Photos by Jon Anderson)

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April 2021 | 9

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10 | April 2021

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Windy Anderson brings strong work ethic to Tribal Council

W

indy Anderson has worked for the Suquamish Tribe and Tribal enterprises since she was 17 years old. She learned early to work hard and to prove herself — to do more than expected.

So when Tribal members asked her to run, and when the number of requests picked up this year, she says she “decided to run and see what happened.”

At the General Council meeting, on March 21, 2021, Anderson was elected Secretary, filling a seat vacated by Nigel Lawrence who decided not to run for reelection.

Her goals on Council are to make policies and programs more responsive to Tribal members’ needs, to work on changes to the Tribal Constitution, and to address enrollment issues and housing needs.

She will draw on her work as executive assistant to Tribal Council, when she memorized the Suquamish Constitution to help her understand the operation of Council, and her work on the Tribe’s Enrollment committee. Anderson will also draw on leadership skills gained through her service on the PME board where she learned how to have “difficult conversations.”

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atnitribes

Anderson credits Linda Holt — “the first person to give me a chance” — and Violet Mabe, who worked with Summer Youth and Youth Council, remembering with a chuckle serving on the Youth Council with Sammy Mabe, whom she now sits beside in Council Chambers.

Violet Mabe taught her about a strong work ethic, about showing up every day, leading by example, and also about not judging people, she says.

“That was the biggest barrier for me,” she said.

Follow “Robin pushed me to present at conventions, to get up and talk, and told me I was doing a good job. I learned to face fears around things I didn’t think I could do, but then realized I can do.”

For two and a half years, Anderson ATNI has served as General Manager of Suquamish Evergreen Corporation, a The Affiliated Tribesthat of will North growing cannabis enterprise soon be opening its second retail locaself-determination #ATNITrib tion at the White Horse Golf Club. She oversees 25 employees, half of whom atnitribes.org are Tribal members.

She’s not worried about juggling her new responsibilities with her washingto current Followed by andalex1, job, she says. She trusts her current executive team, and she is happy to have more on her plate, adding, “I’ve always worked hard.”

By Sarah van Gelder

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Setting Aside Judgement “We as Tribal people have been through trauma, and sometimes we are quick to judge,” she said.

“We need to learn to set judgement aside.” And she remembers being mentored by Robin Little Wing Sigo, who helped her learn to speak in public.

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Being Frank

Ocean Conditions, Lost Habitat Drive Salmon Concerns T reaty Tribes and our state salmon co-managers are looking ahead to another grim year of fishing because of poor ocean conditions that reduce marine survival, and the ongoing loss of freshwater habitat.

Higher marine water temperatures, changing currents and a disrupted ocean food chain are the main causes of reduced ocean survival. The salmon that do return are often smaller than normal and females carry fewer eggs.

Queets River coho is one of the weak stocks driving fisheries constraints during this year’s North of Falcon process that sets salmon fishing seasons.

While overall coho returns are expected to be better this year, the stock continues to decline despite a rebuilding effort that began in 2017. Coho from Strait of Juan de Fuca tributaries and the Snohomish River are also failing to recover under rebuilding plans.

Tighter conservation closures will likely be necessary to ensure escapement goals are reached to produce the next generation of fish.

Stillaguamish River chinook returns are expected to be low again this year. Skagit River summer and fall chinook are also concerning. The summer run is expected to return in low numbers that will constrain fisheries and require close monitoring to avoid a clo-

sure. This is especially worrisome because Skagit River summer and fall chinook are the most abundant and healthiest natural chinook stock in Puget Sound.

Chum salmon, traditionally one of the most plentiful salmon species, are expected to be dramatically lower this year in large part because of low marine survival from changing ocean conditions. We’re particularly concerned about stocks from southern Puget Sound streams.

Tribal and state co-managers face increasingly difficult decisions because we must also factor in increasing seal and sea lion predation and the needs of southern resident orcas on top of the ongoing decline of salmon caused by changing ocean conditions and lost freshwater habitat.

Salmon were abundant in western Washington for millions of years. Their sheer numbers, naturally high productivity and plenty of good habitat made them resilient from the effects of disease, drought, poor ocean conditions and a host of other environmental factors.

We must rebuild that resilience if we are going to recover salmon and we need properly functioning habitat to do that. One way is to focus on what we can do to improve freshwater habitat.

A new joint tribal/state riparian habitat initiative is taking that task on through a uniform, science-based management approach to restore and protect streamside vegetation.

Trees, shrubs and other plants along streams help lower water temperatures, filter pollutants and reduce sediments that can smother salmon eggs.

The tribal and state salmon co-managers alone can’t recover salmon.

We need help from federal agencies, local governments, environmental groups, agriculture and others if we are going to be successful.

We also must continue to build resiliency in the co-manager relationship created by the 1974 ruling in U.S. v. Washington that upheld tribal treaty-reserved rights and established the tribes as salmon co-managers with the state.

As salmon continue to decline, every decision carries greater potential impacts to fishermen and the resource. As a result, our co-management relationship is increasingly tested every year. Still, we remain committed to cooperative co-management because our history shows we are better together.

By Lorraine Loomis Chair, NWIFC

Natural Resources welcomes new ecologist Kathlene Barnhart recently joined the Natural Resources Department in the position of Ecologist.

She has lived in the Pacific Northwest all her life, graduating from the University of Oregon with a Bachelor of Science in Geography in watershed sciences and ecosystem processes.

She moved to Kitsap County 15 years ago, spending 14 of those years working for Kitsap County’s Department of Community Development. Most recently she was the senior environmental planner and shoreline administrator.

Her work has taken her along every mile of Kitsap County’s shoreline and given her years of experience in developing and implementing environmental policies and regulations, restoration project management, and coordination on natural and cultural resource protection with state and federal agencies, and local tribes.

Kathlene currently lives in Seabeck with her husband and eight-year old son.

She enjoys hiking, SCUBA diving, and gardening, especially the cultivation of native plants.

12 | April 2021

Suquamish Tribe Parents and Guardians

If you need help connecting with a tutor or academic coach, or want to sign your student up for Study Tables, or have technology questions about online classes, call (360) 394-8645 or email tchargualaf@suquamish.nsn.us to get pointed in the right direction.

Team Lushootseed Classes

Registration is open for our next eight-week session of Team Lushootseed classes!

Please sign up at: http://bit.ly/Lushootseed Questions? Call Lena Maloney at (360) 689-7200

Suquamish News

Suquamish.nsn.us

Fitness Center NOW OPEN! Suquamish Tribe Fitness Center is now open to Tribal Members & their households, Tribal employees, and PME employees.

Staffed Hours: Monday–Friday 8am–8pm Saturday 8am–12pm Proxy Access: Monday–Friday 4–8am & 8–10pm Saturday & Sunday 4am–12 pm Maximum of 10 people upstairs at a time to maintain proper social distancing

Group Functional Fitness Classes Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:15am & 5pm Limited availability Please message the Fitness Center’s Facebook page to reserve your spot!

Suquamish.nsn.us

Ask the Police Question: “Do our Tribal police ever make house calls to get to know families? I certainly do not know who our police are. Domingo Almirol was the last policeman I knew.

He always said hello and asked how things were going. I trusted Domingo because he showed he cared. Policeman today do not acknowledge you or show that they care with the exception of Chief Lasnier. He always says hello with a smile.”

Suquamish News

When the pandemic restrictions are lifted, we’d love to have our officers make a house call with you (at your invitation, and a time that works for you).

It is important to us that we have consent from people when we approach their house for a social call.

A uniformed presence can have a different effect from house to house, based on their prior experience with the police, prior justice system involvement, and prior traumatic incidents that might have involved a police response with them or a family member as a victim.

Sometimes, a cop at someone’s door can lead to rumors, speculation, and panic.

The larger issue is “How do the police build a relationship with the community?” This is particularly important in Indian Country, because some of the tools that work in a non-native community don’t work well in Indian Country. A “Block Watch”, where everyone in the neighborhood gets together and tells the police about their neighbor who they suspect is selling Answer: Thanks for such an awesome question! We avoided house calls for the past year due to the pandem- drugs sounds good, but in a Tribal community the people you are telling may be related to the suspect. If ic. Even when dispatched, much of our work was done word gets back to them that you told the cops about on the telephone to protect the health of our staff and their activity, there can be a fear of retribution. community members.

April 2021 | 13

There is a reason I openly publish my cell phone number here every month. I am accessible to you; if you have an issue, you can call me, and no one will know we talked. Unless you agree to being named in a police report, even my detective doesn’t know who provided the information to me. The same goes for our deputy chiefs, sergeants and officers; a conversation with your favorite cop is only a call away. The challenge is making sure everyone has a “favorite cop” that they feel they can call.

We have experienced steady turnover and our department had several patrol officer positions cut a few years ago. We are perpetually short staffed, as it takes a year to hire and train a replacement officer when one leaves. Competition for experienced officers is fierce, and very few new people are entering the profession.

When your favorite cop leaves, we need to find a good way to get you a new one, or get better at keeping your favorite cops here!

I’d love to meet with you (and anyone else!) and get your input and ideas. Let’s do coffee; I’ll treat!

By Mike Lasnier Suquamish Police Chief, (360) 340-0695

Suquamish News

14 | April 2021

Suquamish.nsn.us

Birthdays

l i r p A April 1 Awner Gronlund Erica Cardiel Kal-a-Kwah-te Deam April 2 James Henry Jr. Lanikai Bagley April 3 Dawn Adams Dennis Clark April 4 Cori Silvey Faith Morton Jordan Baldwin April 5 Lynn Swanson Savannah Hill

April 6 Leslie Crowell Shayla Sigo

April 7 David Watson Jalysha Covarrubias Jean Belmont Katelynn Pratt Michael Zaiss Randi Smith Veronica Rhodes April 8 Ashley Bradley Felix Rhodes Jody Miller April 9 Breanna Crenna Martin Parkinson Robert Cordero Rosemary Deam Serene Williams

April 10 Clae-wha-ah Williams Maxwell Dawes Samantha Webster Sea-ots-ton Jones Jr.

April 17 Genevieve Molina April 18 Michael Chee Sierra Jackson

Apri 11 Kyah Pugh Niccola Armstrong

April 19 Connor Maloney Marle George

April 12 Kaikumi Rosario Tara Witcher Tracy Iseminger Trishandra Pickup

April 20 Kelly Contraro

April 13 Anthony Forsman Brenda Vogel Jonathan Morsette Modoulamin Suso Patricia Ostenberg April 14 Alfred Youngblood Jr. Anthony Baldwin Chal-chee-quin Williams April 15 David Adams April 16 Chelsea Jones Marcus Eller Mila Bagley-Morsette

April 21 Ariella Pool Denise Pezzanite Erika Pugh James Wilson Michelle Kerns April 22 Daria Skundberg Ebony Neal Jacob Hill Mark Crowell

April 25 Aleia Talmadge Christopher Purser Hi-Ya-Ton Williams James Wilson Jesse Silvey Lea McMillan Jr. Sophia Hirschy Steven Anderson April 26 Destiny Campana Gabriel Reynolds Joseph Bagley Makayla Featherston April 27 Jesse Ives April 28 Enoch Scheer Lee Berlin Misty Moran Timothy Aslakson Jr.

April 23 Cathy Kimmel Nicholas O’Brien Ralena Maloney

April 29 Andrew Jackson-Nickel Dylan Jackson Edward Schaefer William Lawrence

April 24 Cameron Younger III Henley Wilson Teri Bayes Travis Silvey

April 30 Alizay Boyd Christopher Beckwith Renee Hommel Willard Pratt

Suquamish.nsn.us

Suquamish News

April 2021 | 15

Lushootseed suEabSucid Word of the Month sk’ʷəqiq (skwuh-cake) Robin

This word comes from k’ʷəq, fall backwards, lie on back. Robin is named sk’ʷəqiq because it tilts its head back while singing.

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71