2023 February Newsletter

TRIBAL CITIZEN MAKES TEAM USA PARALYMPICS TRACK AND FIELD

Alicia Guerrero loves company. Historically, she has more of it than she thought. Looking ahead, she aims to accumulate more.

The first year F64 thrower on the U.S. Paralympics Track & Field National Team is a member of the Pacific Northwest’s Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation. The nation, headquartered in the California community of Smith River on the Oregon border, previously produced two accomplished collegiate athletes.

Between 1969 and 1972, Joe Giovannetti set 17 middle-distance running records for Humboldt State University’s (now California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt) track program. Drew Roberts was the HSU football team’s sole three-time AllAmerican and a 1963 NFL Draft pick.

But that was more than a half-century ago. Guerrero, who grew up around Yakama territory in Wapato, Washington, admits she had not heard of those Tolowa Dee-ni’ athletic forebears.

One thing she has always known, though, is that “My heritage is filled with loving, powerful and resilient people.”

Guerrero has shown that resilience herself. After losing her left leg in a lawn mowing accident at age 2, she received prosthetic limbs from a medical team that planted a long-term interest in biology, her current college major.

She also absorbed what she calls an “amazing” work ethic from her parents.“Without that, I wouldn’t have the leadership skills I currently have, along with the ability to interact with people,” she said.

Those assets were most evident when she rose to be student council president at Wapato High School.“As a racial minority with a disability, having the position was uncommon for someone like me,” she said. “There were not a lot of minorities similar to me to set an example of what disabled Natives can do.”

Until she reached high school, sports were strictly about fun, fitness and friendship. In addition to both able-bodied and wheelchair hoops, which is a still a staple in her life, Guerrero played softball and volleyball, and also pursued gymnastics. But track and field was where she started turning heads.

“With athletics,” she said, “I gained another outlet to form connections, which is a large part of Native American culture.” That capacity for connections went national in a hurry. Guerrero first crossed the Para national team’s radar as a freshman at Wapato, where her 20.45-meter discus throw at the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association championships placed her on the 2018 U.S. Paralympics Track & Field High School All-American roster.

“It warmed my heart to receive this recognition,” she said, “because growing up I did not have someone who was able to represent people with my exact identity.”

A sophomore surge followed. Guerrero returned to the national honor roll in 2019 with a 27.78-meter discus thrust plus a 19.79-meter javelin landing. She set state records in both of those events, plus the shot put.

Two subsequent championship cancellations due to the pandemic barred her from building on those marks. Nonetheless, the established recognition was reverberating.

“I still remember, after that first state championship meet, I had some people coming up to me months after because they saw me compete,” Guerrero said. “I also had coaches who told me that fellow students with disabilities started to show interests in sports and in pursuing their athletic dreams.”

Via scholarship, she has since followed her own ambitions to the University of Illinois, where she is a sophomore on the wheelchair basketball team and competing as a thrower on the track and field team.

Tribal Adaptive, a foundation established in 2015 for disabled Native American athletes, introduced its student-athlete of the year award in 2021. Guerrero was the first recipient in the women’s category.

“I never thought someone like me from my background could be able to do something like leaving the reservation to go to school 2,000 miles away, much less being named to the national team,” Guerrero said.

“To be where I am now, I am hoping others with a similar background to mine can use my experiences as an example of the possibilities in life when you go for your dreams.”

Tribal Citizen, Alicia Guerrero competes in shot put.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Chairperson, Jeri Lynn Thompson

707-951-3875, jeri.thompson@tolowa.com

Vice Chair, Scott D. Sullivan

(707) 954-6127, scott.sullivan@tolowa.com

Secretary, Debbie Boardman

(707) 951-0966, dboardman@tolowa.com

Treasurer, Jaytuk Steinruck

(707) 954-5971, jaytuk.steinruck@tolowa.com

Council Member, Dr. Joseph Giovannetti

(707) 218-6569, joseph.giovannetti@tolowa.com

Council Member, Amanda O’Connell

(707) 954-5271, amanda.oconnell@tolowa.com

Council Member, Dorothy Wait

(707) 218-7346, dwait@tolowa.com

Chief Financial Officer, Jose Tercilla

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1115, jose.tercilla@tolowa.com

CFW Director, Teela James

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1139, teela.james@tolowa.com

Education Director, Sheryl Steinruck

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1173, sheryl.steinruck@tolowa.com

Executive Director, Troy Ralstin

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1220, troy.ralstin@tolowa.com

Housing Manager, Jeri Robertson

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1605, jeri.robertson@tolowa.com

Human Resources Director, Daraxa Mattice

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1215, daraxa.mattice@tolowa.com

Information Services Director, Darryl Yarak

(707) 487-9255, ext.1205, darryl.yarak@tolowa.com

Natural Resources Director, Rachel McCain

(707) 487-3233, rachel.mccain@tolowa.com

Planning Director, Tim Hoone

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1230, tim.hoone@tolowa.com

Records & Enrollment Manager, Staci Barr

707-487-9255, ext.1180, staci.barr@tolowa.com

Tribal Court Administrator, Elsie Petrie

707-487-9255, ext. 1162, elsie.petrie@tolowa.com

Tribal Employment Rights Officer, Brian Millett

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1222, brian.millett@tolowa.com

Tribal Historic Preservation Office, Cynthia Ford

(707) 487-9255, ext. 1174, cynthia.ford@tolowa.com

LHULHTESRIINISSRI’LHXVN HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

DAY MIN’ -NE’

(TABLE OF CONTENTS )

LHETLH-XAT-NE (TRIBAL COUNCIL)

NA’SR-DVTLH-NVSH-DVN (TRIBAL OFFICE)

Motions December 8, 2022

WAA-'AA-DVN NUY-NII~-'A~ (CONSENT AGENDA):

M/S/C (Boardman/Steinruck) 4-0-1 Motion to adopt the consent agenda including: Letter to initiate formal consultation with CNRA on TNBS, Social Services Aide Job Description, Construction Lead Job Description, Professional Services Agreement with Hobbs Straus Dean & Walker, Chit-xu Ch’aa-ghee-lvt-dvn (Chetco Candlelighttime) Gathering Invitation Letter, Language Teacher Credential Renewals, regular council meeting minutes from November 10, 2022.

'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan

DEE-NI' K'WEE-CH'VT-T'E'SR-DVN (ENROLLMENT):

M/S/C (Giovannetti/Boardman) 4-0-1 Motion to approve twenty (20) Membership Applications.

'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan

NVN-NVST-'AA~-TA (NATURAL RESOURCES):

M/S/C (O’Connell/Giovannetti) 4-0-1 Motion to approve submitting Salmon in the Classroom proposal to the Bureau of Indian Affairs Tribal Youth Initiative Program for 2023 in the amount of $6,000.

'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan

M/S/C (Boardman/Steinruck) 4-0-1 Motion to approve submit Fish Hatchery Maintenance pro-

posal to Bureau of Indian Affairs Fish Hatchery Maintenance Program for 2023.

'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan

M/S/C (O’Connell/Steinruck) 4-0-1 Motion to approve chairperson signature and submit Cooperative agreement between Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) & Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation (TDN) for Wildland Fire Management with corrections to the tribes name being spelled wrong and replace tribe with Nation.

'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan

M/S/C (O’Connell/Boardman) 4-0-1 Motion to approve chairperson signature on a request for Consultation with California Department of Fish & Wildlife (CDFW) in regards to treponemeassociated hoof disease (TAHD) and transfer of the carcasses to the Nation for tribal use.

'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan

MII~-XVSH-XAY CH'EE-NVK (ADMINISTRATION):

M/S/C (Giovannetti/Steinruck) 4-0-1 Motion to approve chairperson signature on contract with FBB Federal Relations not to exceed $10,000 dollars a month plus expenses.

'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan

M/S/C (O’Connell/Giovannetti) 4-0-1 Motion to approve chairperson signature on letter to DOI in regards to the postponement if public hearing and extension of time to submit written com-

ments on Draft EIS.

'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan

Motions December 22, 2022

WAA-'AA-DVN NUY-NII~-'A~ (CONSENT AGENDA):

M/S/C (Sullivan/O’Connell) 6-0-1 Motion to adopt the consent agenda including: IMLS (Institute of Museum and Library Services) Basic grant proposal; approval of 2023 COLA for governmental operations; L7E Approval of 2023 Operating Budget; CTFC nomination letter

'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson

TR`VT-DVN (FISCAL):

M/S/C (Boardman/Steinruck) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Resolution 2022-37 the 2023 general fund budget.

'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson

LHETLH-XAT-NE (TRIBAL COUNCIL):

M/S/C (Wait/O’Connell) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Resolution 2022-36 into the record for approval of Annual Membership to the Affiliated Tribes of the Northwest Indians (ATNI). Appointing Jeri Lynn Thompson as the Primary Delegate and Scott Sullivan, Debbie Boardman, Jaytuk

Steinruck, Joseph Giovannetti, Amanda O’Connell, and Dorothy Wait as Alternate Delegates to ATNI.

'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson

2023 ELECTION INFORMATION

Nominations for three Council seats

Deadline for Council nominees to accept or decline nomination

Campaign Letters Due by 5:00 pm at the tribal office

Tuesday, March 28, 2023

Tuesday, March 28, 2023 (300 words or less, NO pictures)

APRIL

General Election Information & ballot mailed to ALL registered voters

MAY

Voter Registration Closes

Friday, March 31, 2023

Friday, May 5, 2023

(Youcanstillregisterafterdeadline,butcannotvoteuntilthenextelection)

ELECTION DAY (8:00am - close 3:00pm)

Noballotsacceptedafter3pm

Saturday May 20, 2023

Requirement for Voting

1)You must be enrolled. Enrolled means being accepted by the Enrollment Committee, approved by an action of Tribal Council and placed on the Membership List.

2)You must be 18 years of age by the voter registration deadline. You can still register after the registration deadline but you will not be able to vote until the next election.

3)To register to vote, fill out a request for Affidavit of Registration and return it to the Voter Registrar. You only need to register once.

4)To be nominated you must live in the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation 5 county service area (Del Norte, Humboldt, Coos, Curry, Josephine).

5)You must be 18 years old to nominate a candidate and 21 years old to serve on Tribal Council.

Written Nominations for Tribal Council will be accepted until 5pm on Friday March 17, 2023 and read out loud during the General Membership Meeting, nominations for Tribal Council period.

YoursignatureontheofficialballotisVERIFIEDwithyoursignatureonfilewiththerecordsdepartment. Werequirean updatedsignatureeverythreeyears.Ifyoursignatureonyourabsenteeballotdoesn’tmatchwhatisonfile, theElectionBoardcanmakethedecisiontovoidtheballot.

The Voter Registration form is available at the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Office and on the Website for new voters. Mail,faxoremailthe form back to:

Attention Election Board, 12801 Mouth of Smith River Road, Smith River CA 95567

Official Ballot return envelopes will be addressed to a P.O. Box at Smith River Post Office for security purposes.

Indigenous Dialogues for Territorial Protection

Huslia Tribe (AK), Quapaw Nation (OK), Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (MI), Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma, Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation (CA) and the Pueblo of Laguna (NM). Our very own Marine Division Manager, Rosa Laucci, was one of five representatives selected by NAFWS to participate in this historical event. Among Brazil’s representre the Timbira peoples (Krahô, Apinayé, Krikati, Gavião Pyhcop Catiji, Apanjekrá -

SI~S-XAA-DVN

Forest, and academia, researchers and advocates of Indigenous rights all of whom spoke with an intense passion of their missions to protect and sustain their people’s cultures and ways of life.

Water loss due to climate change and surrounding agribusinesses is a primary concern for many as there are direct impacts to community resources for drinking water. Extensive farming practices on adjoining lands requires heavy water consumption for irrigation, and the application of herbicides and pesticides may be contaminating existing water resources through runoff or leaching. Efforts to document current headwater conditions and compared them with historical levels have been initiated by environmental agents using input from village elders who orally and physically described previous levels.

The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) participated in an Indigenous Knowledge Exchange & Capacity Building Project in Maranhão, Brazil from November 8-13, 2022. The gathering, entitled “Indigenous Dialogues for Territorial Protection,” took place at the Penxwyi Hempejxà Teaching and Research Center in Carolina, Maranhão, Brazil and focused on sharing knowledge and experience of the challenges and strategies of land management and resource protection of Indigenous peoples from the United States and Brazil.

The event was sponsored and coordinated by the U.S. Department of Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service and International Technical Assistance Program), U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, NAFWS, and the Brazilian organizations of Indigenous Work Center – CTI, Wyty Catë Association of the Timbira of Maranhão and Tocancins Communities, Coordination of Organizations and Articulations of the Indigenous Peoples of Maranhão –COAPIMA, Articulation Maranhão Indigenous Women –AMIMA, and Institute of Society Population and Nature –ISPN.

NAFWS participants included representatives from the

Memortumré – Kanela) and GuajajaraTenetehara.

NAFWS Representatives from left to right – Jessica Koski, Caleb Hickman, Robert Romero, Buddy Shapp, Rosa Laucci and Orville Huntington.

This was the first ever Brazilian gathering of this type, and it was attended by 65 representatives from 14 different indigenous communities from the states of Maranhão and Tocantins. Every community gave a presentation regarding their individual natural resource protection strategies, all of which surrounded the impacts of exploitation of their indigenous territories through illegal logging and mining operations, agribusiness, livestock trespass, and wildlife poaching. The presenters included Timbira tribal leaders, environmental agents, fire brigade members, Guardians of the Forest and Warriors of the

Article Continues on page 6.

Women Guardians of the Forest have established themselves in many territories and have developed an environmental education program that they are teaching primarily to youth of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to instill the importance of Tribal cultures. The Women Guardians also share intelligence of illegal activities with the Warriors of the Forest who routinely patrol respective territories and tactfully address violators in high-risk situations. With limited resources, the Warriors collect evidence of the crimes and provide it to the Federal Police of Brazil for prosecution; however, the majority of the cases are never litigated.

“The gathering in Brazil was extremely meaningful to me, and the words and sharing of cultures by all was something I rarely experience. At the gathering I felt there was a deep spirituality and lifting each other to a place of hope and a better future for the tribes in Brazil. Each of and every one of us brought something special to the gathering and there are no words to express it. Such a critical time for those indigenous tribes in the south, and we were so grateful to provide aid to them and add them to our family of indigenous tribes as one across the Americas. Our work is not done, and we have started on a sacred sharing that will and should continue,” said NAFWS Alaska Regional Director Orville Huntington.

NAFWS representatives, along with our Federal and Brazilian colleagues, visited Capitao do Campo in Terra Indigena Krahôlandia, a remote Indigenous community in the state of Tocantins. We received a warm and shared open dialogue with village leaders who spoke of their desires to sustain their traditional culture despite modern day influences. We experienced and were invited to participate in traditional games and dances, which enhanced our overwhelming

respect for their community.

Buddy Shapp who is employed by the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma stated, “The trip was a learning, moving, and rewarding experience. It was eye opening to hear from the various Indigenous peoples from across the States of Maranhão and Tocantins. In many ways, the Indigenous people of Brazil are being treated by the Brazilian government, the way Native Americans were being treated 100150 years ago.” Shapp further added, “Hopefully the six of us from the U. S. were able to impart a small amount of information to help the Indigenous Brazilians and the organizations that support them, such as CTI and ISPN, in their plight.”

At the conclusion of the gathering, representatives from the organizing organizations reflected on the triumphs of the event and began preliminary discussion on the possibilities of hosting a similar exchange with all the participants in the future. NAFWS representatives also collectively identified items to present to the Board of Directors that may potentially benefit the Indigenous communities of Brazil, including, a Letter of Support that can be used for current litigation relative to land designation and/or recognition, possible consideration of “Sister City” program with a U.S. Tribe, exchange for Fire and Crime Scene Investigation Training to address the exploitation issues and potential support for specialized equipment.

“This exchange between Native Americans and the Indigenous people of Brazil was a very incredible, yet humbling experience. All of our NAFWS representatives gained and abundant amount of knowledge of the challenges and ca-

pacity deficiencies faced by Indigenous Braziliansmuch like our ancestors experienced in the not so distance past,” said NAFWS Conservation Law Enforcement Officer Consultant Robert Romero. “I am grateful to have had an opportunity to represent the NAFWS in such a sensational event, and I look forward to future collaboration with our South American partners.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl1-nHrK4__/? igshid=MDVlOGU2MWU=

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl4cZceqT2T/? igshid=Nzg3Njl1NGl=

https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl7IQbcIBkB/? igshid=MDVlOGU2MWU=

https://www.instagram.com/p/ClT9kxLOEqp/ (Instagram CTI)

https://trabalhoindigenista.org.br/dialogos-indigenasprotecao-territorial/ (Site)

https://www.facebook.com/120476701373768/posts/ pfbid021rJnZ16d4LUtMCgireExfooSXEyeA9rHBUKmoAP7tNurDHDALzmMEkCiNUUFrHWKl/?mibextid=Nif5oz (Facebook CTI)

In December, Xaa-wan’ -k’wvt Head Start had a wonderful week full of winter festival fun. We had a festive spirit week hosted by our parent committee as well as a stocking drawing. Head start children received gifts and listened to Christmas stories from Mr. and Mrs. Clause. The students and staff walked over to the main tribal office to judge TDN’s employee winter door decorating concert as well as received gifts from every door. They sang two Christmas songs as well as received candy canes from Santa. Also, each child received a jacket from KCRE coats for kids donation.

We are very thankful for the participation from every department and our wonder Parent Committees and fellow Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation employees that made this past holiday season special for our Xaa-wan’ -k’wvt Head Start staff and students. Shu’ shaa-nin-la! (Thank you)

Seven 20 yard bins and one 30 yard bin were completely filled and materials were separated out appropriately:

• About 48.5 tons of solid waste and recyclable materials from Tribal Citizens.

• A total of 82 vehicles and trailer loads of solid waste were brought by Tribal Citizens during this 1 day event. 62 from Del Norte County and 20 from Curry County.

Thank you to

staff

Each year we partner with different companies to make sure that the waste being thrown away is taken to the right facility.

This year we worked with 4 local companies:

• Recology was contracted for solid waste bins and hauling.

• The Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority was contracted to dispose of the solid waste.

• Humboldt Moving and Storage- mattresses and box springs were delivered to facility in Crescent City and they were recycled for free through the California Government mattress recycling program, Bye Bye Mattress. This is a free resource that can be accessed for anybody throughout the year. Call (707) 846-3923 for more questions

• Wes' Towing, in Brookings, was used to dispose of the metal for free. Call 541-254-0992 if you have any questions.

STUDENT REMINDER

Higher Education Funding is available for Tolowa Dee-ni’ Citizens wanting to further their education or attend Vocational Training.

The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Education Department can also provide assistance, for High School Students who are enrolled in and taking college courses in conjunction with their high school classes.

Higher Education Funding applications are available on our TDN website under Education Department. They can also be picked up at the office.

Upon receiving funding (funding dispersed per semester/quarter), students are required to turn in their previous semester/quarter grades, and then the next semester/quarter class schedule to receive their next round of funding.

If you need further assistance, or have any questions, contact Diana Bommelyn, Education Technician, (707) 487-9255 ext. 1557, higher.education@tolowa.com.

Diana is also available to offer assistance, in person, if a student needs assistance filling out the application. The education office is located at 300 Dat-naa-svt~ Loop in Smith River, CA 95567.

The Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Substance Abuse Program is happy to announce that we have a Courage to Change journal and CBT groups at the Howonquet Hall Community Center in Smith River. The Substance Abuse Program has a new counselor that just started, her name is Debbie Magana. We have handed out over 800 Fentanyl Reversal kits to our local community to help save lives. This program is free to anyone that needs help with addiction. Please call for more information.

Committee Center, Smith River and Crescent City

TUESDAY AND WEDNESDAY

5:45 to 6:45 Change Journal Tuesday and CBT ‘S Wednesday

For help please call: Community and Family Wellness Substance Abuse Program

Michael Harling CADC II, 707-487-9255 Ext1195

Debbie Magana CADC 707-487-9255 Ext 1192

Welcome to the World

WillowRoseReed.

She was born at 8:16am on November 14, 2022 weighing 7 pounds, 5 ounces and was 19.5 inches long. She was born at Sutter Coast Hospital in Crescent City. It was a stormy morning, but the sun came out minutes after she was born.

She joins her three sisters Annalena, Tee-me’ and Marlee.

She brings so much joy to her family and is loved beyond measure. Her Grandparents are Earl and Janelle Brown of Smith River, CA, Tammy Cormier of Sanbornville, NH and Stephen Reed of Fairbanks, AK. Her Greatgrandparents are Phyllis Covey of Smith River, CA, Betty Brown of Fort Dick, CA and Cathy and Brian Muth of Brookings, OR.

We look forward to watching her grow.

Emily and Thomas Reed are proud to introduce their newest baby girl

MAA~-XUSLH-GHALH SRI'-LHXVN (HAPPY BIRTHDAY)

1. Ham and Potato Chowder

2. Chicken Fiesta

3. Breakfast

6. Rigatoni w/ Spinach

7. Fish and Chips

8. Chili

9. Chicken and Noodles

10. Bev’s Tamale Pie

13. Vegetable Soup & 1/2 Egg sal. Sandwich

14. Beef Stroganoff

15. Southwest Pork Soup

16. Tuna Casserole 17. Salisbury Steak

24. Ham and Cheese Casserole

23. Beans w/bacon

22. Chicken and Rice Soup

28. Sweet and Sour Pork

27. Cheesy Mexican Spoon Bread

20. Chili Relleno Bake

21. Spaghetti

Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation 12801 Mouth of Smith River Rd. Smith River, CA 95567