Jan 2016 Vol. 50 No. 1
Special Issue
PRIMARY ELECTIONS CANDIDATE INFORMATION | PG 6-9
The official news publicat ion
of t he Swinomish Indian Tribal Communit y
T R I B A L S E N AT E
spee pots Brian Cladoosby, Chairman (360) 708-7533 | bcladoosby@
ya qua leouse Brian Porter, Vice Chair (360) 840-4186 | bporter@
sapelia Sophie Bailey, Secretary (360) 853-6458 | sbailey@
taleq tale II Barbara James, Treasurer (360) 391-3958 | bjames@
pay a huxton Chester Cayou, Jr. (360) 770-3378 | ccayou@
cha das cud II Glen Edwards (360) 708-3113 | gedwards@
yal le ka but Steve Edwards (360) 840-5768 | sedwards@
SM OK O LO Leon John (360) 421-0406 | ljohn@
wa lee hub
The mission of qyuuqs News is to provide monthly communication to Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Members near and far. We are committed to serving as an apolitical forum for the Swinomish governing officials and all Community Members. qyuuqs News is not intended to reflect the official position of the governing body at Swinomish Indian Tribal Community but rather reflects the ideas, events, and thoughts of individual Community Members and Tribal staff. As such, the Swinomish Tribe makes no claim as to the accuracy or content of any of the articles contained therein.
qyuuqs News 17337 Reservation Road, La Conner, WA 98257 Phone (360) 466-7258 Fax (360) 466-1632 *SUBMISSIONS Send your news tips, stories, and photos to qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us Submission deadline: 10th day of the month EDITORIAL Caroline Edwards, Editor | cedwards@swinomish.nsn.us SWINOMISH COMMUNICATIONS Heather Mills, Communications Manager | hmills@swinomish.nsn.us Emma Fox, Communications Specialist | efox@swinomish.nsn.us ADVISORY COMMITTEE Allan Olson, John Stephens, Tracy James, Kevin Paul This issue is available on the Swinomish website at swinomish-nsn.gov/news Photos credits: qyuuqs News Staff or as credited. All rights reserved.
Kevin Paul (360) 540-3906 | tribalsenator@yahoo.com
Facebook: Swinomish qyuuqs News Linkedin: Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
sOladated
*qyuuqs News is made available for viewing on the Internet When submitting information, stories, and/or photos, please be aware everything published in the print version of qyuuqs News is also published on the Internet and is available to the world. Please consider carefully whether your submissions contain anything you feel may not be sutible or appropriate for the Internet. By submitting your information, stories, and/or photos to qyuuqs News, you agree to publishing your submission in both the print and online versions of qyuuqs News.
Brian Wilbur (360) 588-2812 | bwilbur@
kani?ted Tandy Wilbur (360) 610-9668 | twilbur@ All Swinomish staff emails: FirstInitialLastName@swinomish.nsn.us
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qyuuqs News is a publication of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community produced by Swinomish Communications.
As we focus on our homelands and growing our economy in the coming year, I want ensure that we are simultaneously focused on investing in our future. Every dollar we spend on our youth today is a dollar we save for the future. Our absolute dedication to the next generation is a paramount priority at Swinomish. We are immensely proud of our youth, and look to support them in all ways possible.
the chairman’s MESSAGE Swinomish welcomes the New Year! We are excited for a prosperous 2016, filled with innovative and sound economic development, as well as enhanced community services and resources for our tribal citizens, supporting them to achieve all they can as Swinomish People. As many of you know, it is election time at Swinomish and we are honored by the noteworthy candidates who, by running for Swinomish Senate, have shared their commitment to their community. In the next few weeks please take the time to speak with the candidates to learn more about their intentions and priorities as Swinomish Senators. As this year’s elections approach, familiarize yourself with the Swinomish Constitution and Bylaws, particularly those of you who are coming into voting age. I implore you all to take advantage of the opportunity to vote in our elections, as it is your right and responsibility as a Swinomish member.
On January 4, 2016 it was an exceptional day at the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community as we became the first tribe in the country outside of Alaska to hire a dental therapist, Daniel Kennedy. The intention of the dental therapist program is to provide the Swinomish Dental Clinic the ability to serve more tribal members. Presently the challenge is that the clinic has approximately 3,000 patients but only one dentist. We are excited to support Aiyana Guzman in her pursuit of a dental therapy training and look forward to welcoming her home to serve her community. I humbly thank each and every one of you for your strength and resilience, as we are a Community that stands strong and successful in building our future together. I am honored to serve as your Senator and Chairman, and I am even more honored to stand by you as family, friend, fisherman and member of the Great Swinomish Tribe. May the Creator bless you in this New Year.
pedXa?Xa? (pud-HA-HA)
Moon of the Sacred Time The late December/January Moon is the “moon of the sacred time.” Both the final moon of one yearly cycle and the beginning moon of the next cycle, it is a time for renewal and rebirth. Thus, it is also the perfect time for learning spiritual and cultural traditions from elders around the longhouse fire. Sea-run cutthroat trout, blackmouth salmon and steelhead are fished during this winter moons; ducks, geese, deer and elk are hunted; and tools, baskets, and other items are constructed. Shellfish are collected during the nighttime low tides.
Excerpt from ‘13 Moons: The 13 Lunar Phases, and How They Guide the Swinomish People’. By swelitub (Todd A. Mitchell) and Jamie L. Donatuto
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editor’s NOTE Every year the Swinomish Tribe hosts a General Council & a General Election; as I was reading through past years of qyuuqs News I realized that it has been six year’s since the Tribe has held a Primary Election. I encourage the Swinomish Tribal members who are qualified to vote to go and exercise that right. Once I turned twenty-one my parents made sure that I understood the importance of voting during the Tribal Elections. I would like to extend that teaching to my younger peers who are coming into that role of being a voter.
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS JANUARY 18: Martin Luther King Day 20: Community Dinner 6pm Youth Center 27: Education Dinner 5:30pm Youth Center FEBRUARY 14: Valentine’s Day SITC Primary Elections See Below! 15: President’s Day
Caroline Edwards
FROM THE SWINOMISH ELECTION BOARD Notice of 2016 Primary Election To Be Held
Tribal Senate Candidates For Primary Election
Sunday, February 14, 2016
SENATE SEAT 5:
Voting Hours are from 8am-1pm At the Social Services Building
TANDY WILBUR (INCUMBENT) MICHAEL WILBUR JOSEPH WILLIAMS
STC 2-01.230(A)(1): In a Primary Election, the first and second place finishers for each Senate Position shall be certified by the Election Board as candidates for the General Election.
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The General Election & General Council will be determined pursuant to STC 2-01.100(B) on February 16, 2016 at 6pm. Look for this information in the next qyuuqs News.
RECENT TRIBAL CODE AMENDMENTS Office of Tribal Attorney
The Swinomish Senate, the governing body of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, recently passed the following code amendment: STC 10-07 and STC 18-06 – ABANDONED PROPERTY At the December Senate meeting, the Senate updated STC 10-07 (Junk Vehicles and Abandoned Property Code). This Code previously permitted the Tribe to seize and sell or destroy property that was abandoned within the Tallawhalt Development only. The Code now allows for the Tribe to seize and sell or destroy property that is abandoned, without the permission of the Tribe, on any Tribal Properties. Before seizing the abandoned property, the Tribe must provide notice. Notification of seizure may be accomplished by serving the owner (if known) or the residents of the lots immediately adjacent to the property (if the owner is unknown) in person or by first class mail, or by conspicuously posting notice on the abandoned property itself. The Senate also updated STC 18-06 (Natural Resources Enforcement Code) to require the process described in STC 10-07 to be followed for abandoned vessels and fishing gear. The amended code is available for review on our website at http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov. Paper copies are available for review at the Tribal Court Clerk’s office, the Office of the Tribal Attorney, the Senate’s Executive Assistant, Social Services and Planning.
CIVIL TRAFFIC FINE SCHEDULE At the December Senate meeting, the Senate updated the fine schedule by increasing fines for civil traffic violations that occur on the Reservation. The fine increase is consistent with the State traffic fine increase that went into effect earlier this year. The new fine schedule is available for review on our website at http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov, as an appendix to Title 5. Paper copies are available for review at the Tribal Court Clerk’s office, the Office of the Tribal Attorney, the Senate’s Executive Assistant, Social Services and Planning. Paper copies are also posted and available for public inspection at the Office of the Clerk of the Court and the Swinomish Police Station.
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GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATES THE CANDIDATE INFORMATION WAS SUBMITTED BY THE SWINOMISH ELECTION BOARD.
Senate Seat 3: Incumbent
Brian Porter Dear Swinomish Indian Tribal Community members,
The last five years have been humbling experience and I would like to thank you for entrusting me with responsibility to our community. During my first term on the Senate many decisions were deliberated on with the best interest of our community at heart and I strived to be the voice of our members. There are still many issues and concerns we have to address but the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has made strides in these past few years. Our community is growing and we need to adapt to the changes that are ahead of us. There has been a legacy of Senators who have set the foundation for our community, a legacy that will not be forgotten. The structure of the Senate is a team based structure we (the Senate) take pride in knowing we can all work together. If allowed I would like to continue to be a part of this team and carry on the dreams and the goals of our former leaders. With an open mind and an open heart I extend my gratitude for allowing me and my family to be a part of all of your lives. Warm regards, Brian Porter Yaqualeouse
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Senate Seat 4: Incumbent
Senate Seat 4:
To all my relations,
My number one goal is to promote healthy families and community development through economic stability. I realize that every Swinomish Tribal member needs help to make it in this world. Our families need jobs and housing.
My goals and objectives are as follows: • Youth. I would like to see our youth be more active in sports; learn a healthy lifestyle; being active. See our tribe provide more opportunities for fall sports, winter sports, and spring sports. • Protect tribal sovereignty. It’s our right to govern, to make decisions. • Education. Finding ways to reach our kids, to help them succeed. To see our leadership visit our kids in the La Conner School District, from elementary to high school. To help our youth reach the goal to graduate, “I am Swinomish. I will graduate.” • Through the direction of our teamwork on the Elder Protection Committee, to continue to recognize and honor our tribal elders. Thank you for allowing me to work for you as a Tribal Senator. Respectfully, Kevin Paul
Melissa Edwards Miller
Job, jobs, jobs. A job for every tribal member. There are so few of us that we should have a plan for each tribal member. The Tribe needs to make having jobs for tribal members its number one goal. Stop hiring the “best person for the job” and start hiring tribal members who meet the requirements on the job. The big picture is that every tribal member who has a job will make the community healthier. Housing: The Tribe needs to provide housing for all tribal members, no one in our community should be homeless. Have a program that helps people repair their homes. Small business development. Fishing, coffee stands, etc. We need to help our business people. We need to support our ideas. We need to have a North End mall for tribal members to have their own business. We need to help our contractors get on their feet so if there is a building project it is done by a Swinomish business. Fishing and crabbing. It remains number one. We need to do a better job of taking care of our fisherman, providing a market, moorage and support. We need to improve services for our elders to ensure that they will be taken care of in their retirement. We as a community need to strive forward and encourage our youth to be successful in their educational path. Thank you for your time and support. Melissa Edwards Miller
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PRIMARY ELECTION CANDIDATES THE CANDIDATE INFORMATION WAS SUBMITTED BY THE SWINOMISH ELECTION BOARD.
Senate Seat 5: Incumbent
Tandy Wilbur
I’d like to begin by thanking each and every one of you for your friendship, trust and support. I am deeply honored and grateful to be able to serve our people as your Tribal Senator for the past 15 years. I am seeking re-election in 2016 and with your vote I promise to continue to protect our treaty rights, serve the Swinomish people, and honor our way of life. In the next five years, I have seven goals that I will work towards: (1) ensure our sovereignty by protecting our treaty rights to fish, hunt and gather; (2) build a new youth center and gymnasium to develop infrastructure to support our children; (3) ensure that every Swinomish child has the opportunity and support to pursue higher learning; (4) increase equitable housing opportunities- all Swinomish people deserves a roof over their head; (5) invest in retirement plans for our elders, (6) enhance our economic stability by creating more jobs for our people; and (7) strengthen our spiritual and cultural ways for the security, happiness and safety ofthe next seven generations. Serving on the Tribal Senate for the past 15 years has given me the experience, networks, and understandings of what it takes to make positive, lasting change. I have been fortunate to participate as the executive committee appointed chair of the Fish and Game Commission, TERO Commission, Environmental and Lands Committee; Vice Chair of the Swinomish Development Authority, and Planning Commission; present sitting member of the Swinomish Budget Committee; Casino Gaming Commission; and Personnel Committee as well as the appointed representative of the Swinomish Tribe on Skagit River System Cooperative Board (previous Chair), and as an alternate delegate ofthe Northwest Indian Fish Commission; and previously served as the Recreation, Law and Order, and Casino Business Committee. During my time in Senate I am most proud of our successes and gains-we built the North West Indian College on Swinomish lands, the new housing development on Tallawahlt, and the new shaker church. We strengthened our economy with the development of the new gas station and hotel, remodeled our social service building, added new jobs, began distributing Christmas bonuses, put land back into trust, and secured funding for our students education. Still, we have a long way to go to improve life on our reservation. I have heard the pains and frustrations of our people: our children are underserved, our people struggle with work and wellness, and our elders deserve better care. Through education, enhancement of programs and strategic funding, we can tackle these issues and improve the quality of life for all our people- we’re all in this together! Thank you, Tandy Wolf Wilbur Kon-Nee-Tud, Ad-ul-Tud sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
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Senate Seat 5:
Senate Seat 5:
Over the past several years our tribe has made great strides in several areas for our tribal people. If I am elected, I would like to add in this effort by bringing ideas and experiences to the table that will continue in the growth and enhancement for quality of life for all our tribal members.
My name is Squi qui (Joe Williams), I was born to the late Gerald Williams and Kim Bassford. I was raised here on the Swinomish reservation by my Uncle Kurt and my Aunt Cathi Bassford. Being raised in a fishing family I spent the majority of my life on the water fishing with my uncles and a lot of our community members.
A few of the areas that I would like to see additional resources and effort in would be our Social Services programs with continued development in Wellness, Mental Health, Education and our Youth. It is also important to continue growing in our culture with programs like the language and art classes being offered and opened up to multi generations so that it can be passed down for the future. Our natural resources and environment are also a big priority and we must continue to work hard so that our future generations can thrive as Coast Salish people in all ways. I look forward to the opportunity to serve in our community and work cohesively with the tribal leadership, our tribal administration, committee members, neighboring tribal governments and all those who impact our way of life on the Swinomish Reservation. I am a hard worker and will dedicate my time and interests to my community. Michael Wilbur
Joseph Williams
When not on the water, I have supported my family through various construction jobs, as a member of the Local Labors Union. In these trades I’ve learned to be an asset through hard work and accountability. Throughout the trials and tribulations in my life I have found the value of service to our community. With our children and their grand children’s well-being in mind I believe it’s our responsibility to protect our natural resources and our culture. With that as my primary motivating factor, I believe that I can be an asset to our tribal senate and to our community. If elected, the education of our youth in our language and culture would be one of my main objectives. I am new to this sort of service, but I promise to remain honest, open minded, and willing to hear the needs of our community. Sincerely, Joe Williams Squi qui
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Michael Wilbur
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2016 PROVISIONAL MEMBERS FOR ADOPTION
The Enrollment Committee passed a provisional to include the five names below in the 2016 Election (See key below for more information). The family trees below shows the relationship each Provisional Member has with Swinomish enrolled members.
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qyuuqs News
PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Permit #35 ANACORTES, WA
17337 Reservation Road La Conner, WA 98257 qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us
Recyclable Paper
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
I AM SWINOMISH. I WILL GRADUATE.
Greyson Edwards at the Christmas Eve Brunch.
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