The 2023 General Election was held on Saturday, May 20, 2023 at the Howonquet Hall Community Center in Smith River.
Due to a request of a candidate the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Election Board has granted a re-count. The inauguration of the certified elected Tribal Council will take place at the next regularly scheduled Tribal Council Meeting on Thursday, June 8, 2023. Join in person or via zoom, starting at 9am.
Tribal Citizen,Alicia Guerrero participated in her first nationals as part of the Paralympics Team USA! On her Instagram page she shared, “I just want to say thank you to @greigdg, the U of I track team, and so many others for all the support! Big shout out to my mom for always being there for me and for getting my mango juice! Stay tuned for more to come!” #teamusa
Back Row (L-R): Marva Jones, Staci Barr, Donald James. Front Row: Sandra Netzel, Sharyne Harper and Tracie Whipple.
LHETLH-XAT-NE TRIBALCOUNCIL
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
NA’SR-DVTLH-NVSH-DVN TRIBALOFFICE)
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 Heritage Preservation Office, Cynthia Ford
(707) 487-9255, ext. 1174, cynthia.ford@tolowa.com
DAY MIN’ -NE’
ElectionResultsComingSoon……………………………………………………………………...……1
TribalCitizen,TeamUSANationals………………………………………………………………...…....1
ElderAbuseAwarenessMonth …………………………………..……………………......2
Community Needs Assessment……………...…………………..….……………………….…...4
Tribal Councilor Joins Committee……………………...…………………………………….….5
Tribal Council Motions………………..…………………………………………………...…….6
Family Services Division…………..…………………………………………………………….7
Youth Services Division………………………………………..……………………...………...8
Natural Resources Department……..……………………………………………………...…8-10
Veteran Resources………………………………………………………………………..…….11
MMIP………………………………….…………………………………………………….12-14
Family Unity Activity………………………………………………………………………......15
Education Department………………………………………………………………..………...16
Human Resources…………………………………………………………………………..…..17
Housing Division……………………………………………………………………………….18
Public Notice…………………………………………………………………………………....19
Substance Abuse Program……………………………………………………………………....19
Announcements/Events.…………….…………………………..……………….………….21–26
Birthdays and Elder Nutrition Menu……………………………....…………………….…..….27
Lucky 7 Casino Ad …………………………………………………………………..…………28
K’wes-taa-ni Num-nii~-ma~s (June) 2023 All rights reserved. Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Tribal Government Newsletter published by the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, 12801 Mouth of Smith River Road, Smith River CA 95567. Phone: 707.487.9255. Website: www.tolowa-nsn.gov. Articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Tribal Council of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation or their Staff. The Tribal Council of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation reserves the right to use their discretion in the information they publish. As per the Tribal Council of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation, no article shall be published or acknowledged in the tribal newsletter that does not promote and protect the best interests of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation.
Editor: Emily Reed, Public Relations Manager (707) 487-9225 ext. 1182 public.relations@tolowa.com
Councilwoman Wait selected as California delegate on Administration for Children and Families’ Tribal Advisory Committee
Councilwoman Dorothy Wait has been chosen to serve on the Administration for Children and Families’ (ACF) Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC/ Committee). The ACF TAC’s purpose is to strengthen the government-togovernment relationships and provide advice on opportunities; ensuring that ACF programs benefit American Indians and Alaska Natives. Councilwoman Wait was selected to serve as the primary delegate for California. Her term of service began in April and ends in December, 2025.
The ACF TAC holds six meetings per year that include three in-person or virtual meetings for approximately 2 days each and three virtual meetings for 1.5 hours each. ACF will support Councilwoman Wait's per diem and travel expenses to attend in-person meetings in accordance with standard Government Travel Regulations.
The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) was created on April 15, 1991, following the merger of the Office of Human Development Services, the Family Support Administration, and the Maternal and Child Health Block Grant Program. ACF is one of 12 operating divisions of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and oversees programs to address the needs, strengths, and abilities of communities including tribal communities. ACF is comprised of 19 offices, including the Office of Regional Operations, which represents 10 regional offices around the country, that provide funding, grants support, and work with state, tribal, and local agencies and other non- profit organizations.
Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Tribal Council Chairperson, Jeri Lynn Thompson wrote, "Dorothy's contributions to Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation and our Family Wellness Department, and by extension Indian families overall, are unmatched. Her contributions include securing more than seven million dollars of competitive grant funds as well as establishing and maintaining block grant programs such as Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) and Family Violence Preventions Services Act (FVPSA) funds. Dorothy was also the leader and essential driver to Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation becoming the first Tribe in California to receive approval for federally funded, direct Title IV-e child and family services."
The ACF TAC approved the following priorities and is currently working on their strategic plan.
PRIORITY AREA 1: The ACF/Tribal Relationship
1. Establish tribal priorities for specific ACF programs
2. Identify and leverage regional ACF opportunities
3. Collaborate with other HHS Tribal Advisory Committees to advocate for tribes within HHS
4. Develop a tribal engagement strategy for ACF
5. Initiate outreach to Native communities about ACF’ s programs
PRIORITY AREA 2: Funding Opportunities
1. Increase ACF funding to Native American communities
2. Develop recommendations to address fiscal issues impacting tribal recipients
3. Improve technical assistance to lower-capacity tribes/underserved Native American communities to enhance their competitiveness for ACF funding opportunities
4. Improve coordination of ACF resources for tribes/Native American Communities
PRIORITY AREA 3: Economic Development
1. Assess for Administration initiatives related to economic development
2. Identify potential collaborations among federal programs that support economic development
3. Hold a tribal economic development summit to inform federal and tribal programs
4. Establish a collaborative federal demonstration pilot on tribal economic development
PRIORITY AREA 4: Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons
1. Ensure implementation of the ACF Framework on Missing and Murdered Native Americans
2. Establishing an ACF Implementation Strategy for the Framework
3. Establish ACF, HHS, and external partnerships to advance the Framework
4. Monitor and assess progress on the Framework
PRIORITY AREA 5: Tribal Flexibility
1. Identify areas of flexibility within existing ACF programs for program consideration
2. Identify areas for potential 477 expansion for ACF consideration
3. Hold two ACF events on Tribal self-governance (a roundtable with senior ACF officials and TAC delegates and a Consultation Session focused on selfgovernance at ACF)
4. Complete an analysis on the viability of tribal self-governance at ACF
5. Identify an ACF self-governance demonstration pilot
PRIORITY AREA 6: Indian Child Welfare
Ms. Wait is a great choice for the ACF TAC California delegate as she has a long-standing history of championing Tribal families with both programs and policy development. We look forward to seeing the important collaborative work with Council Wait's presence on the Committee, aiming to improve the wellbeing of all tribal communities.
Motions March 9, 2023
WAA-'AA-DVN NUY-NII~-'A~ (CONSENT AGENDA):
M/S/C (Sullivan/Steinruck) 6-0-1 Motion to adopt the consent agenda including: comment letter on Coquilles’ Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
MVLH-DVT-SVN-DVN (INFORMATION SERVICES):
M/S/C (Giovannetti/Boardman) 5-0-1 Motion to approve Contract CT-2315-1210 with EnerTribe, LLC for broadband technical assistance study not to exceed $150,000 funded by the California Public Utilities Commission.
'Ay~: Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Sullivan
YUU-NVLH-TS'IT-DVN (EDUCATION):
M/S/C (Sullivan/O’Connell) 6-0-1 Motion to approve appointment of Terrile Keevil, Daraxa Mattice, Loren Bommelyn, and Chuski Jones-Scott, and Dorothy Wait as the Council liaison.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
NUU-DA'-YE'-DVN (COMMUNITY AND FAMILY WELLNESS):
M/S/C (O’Connell/Wait) 6-0-1 Motion to approve submit the Tribal Dependency Representation letter of interest to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Tribal Affairs.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
M/S/C (O’Connell/Wait) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Chairperson or designee to sign and submit Tribal Support Letter for Assembly Bill (AB) 273
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
M/S/C (Wait/Jaytuk) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Contract CT-2330-1211 with Native Wellness Institute to facilitate Gathering of Native American (GONA) for both youth and adults as well as a summer youth camp.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
MVN-'UTLH-TEE-DVN (ELECTION) BOARD:
M/S/C (Wait/Steinruck) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Resolution 2023-12 appointing Marva Jones-Scott to the Election Board and appointing Sharyne Harper as the alternate.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
MII~-XVSH-XAY CH'EE-NVK (ADMINISTRATION):
M/S/C (O’Connell/Boardman) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Chairperson or designee to sign a letter of support on Assembly Bill (AB) 44.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson March 23, 2023
WEE-NAA-TR'AA-'AA-DVN NUY-NII~-'A~ (APPROVE AGENDA):
M/S/C (Sullivan/Wait) 6-0-1 Motion to approve agenda with the following changes, letter opposing Coastal Development Permit staff will present; supplemental funding from California Partnership to end Domestic Violence staff will present; and remove Tribal TANF Time Limit Exemption; add Blue Stone Consulting Contract staff will present.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
WAA-'AA-DVN NUY-NII~-'A~ (CONSENT AGENDA):
M/S/C (Boardman/O’Connell) 6-0-1 Motion to adopt the consent agenda with changes including: Letter to office of headstart, update three Job descriptions for Natural Resources, NR Specialist, Environmental Division Manager, Tribal Resource Specialist – Environmental; approve Campaign Contributions; Gaming License Renewal for Laura Valley.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
MVN'-DVN (HOUSING):
M/S/C (O’Connell/Steinruck) 6-0-1 Motion to approve new Homebuyers Assistance Policy
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
XAA-'VTLH-SRII-DVN (COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT & PLANNING):
M/S/C (Wait/ Steinruck) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Contract CT-2357-1215 with MIG Planning and Engineering Firm.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
M/S/C (Sullivan/O’Connell) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Letter of Support (LOS) with Chairperson signature, to the Nations Congressional Delegation in support of Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation’s $7.5 Million dollar request for Army Corps of Engineers funding.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
M/S/C (Sullivan/Boardman) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Resolution 2023-13 Application for Resilience of the Electric Grid Formula Grant.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OFFICER (TERO):
M/S/C (O’Connell/Wait) 6-0-1 Motion to approve request to submit a grant application to AmeriCorps Seniors Native Nations and Indigenous Elders Demonstration Program (SDP).
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
MVSH-XE NUU-DVTLH-TESH-DVN (OFFICE OF SELF-GOVERNANCE):
M/S/C (Wait/Giovannetti) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Contract CT-2360-1196 with Berkey Williams, LLP not to exceed $85,000.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
M/S/C (O’Connell/Steinruck) 6-0-1 Motion to approve with changes, comment letter to the California Conservation Corps (CCC) on draft guidelines.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson
NVN-NVST-'AA~-TA (NATURAL RESOURCES):
M/S/C (Steinruck/Giovannetti) 6-0-1 Motion to approve chairperson to sign letter to the Coastal Commission Opposing the Coastal Development Permit applied for by Alexandre Dairy on behalf of Reservation Ranch.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xweela: Thompson
YUU-NVLH-TS'IT-DVN (EDUCATION):
M/S/C (Boardman/O’Connell) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Contract CT-2271-1191 with Justiniano Santos
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xweela: Thompson
NUU-DA'-YE'-DVN (COMMUNITY AND FAMILY WELLNESS):
M/S/C (Boardman/Wait) 5-0-1 Motion to approve Contract CT-2330-1212 with Amanda O’Connell for the creation of a Gay-yu’ curriculum and teaching curriculum to parents, guardians, and or staff.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, Wait; Duu: 0; Xwee-la: Thompson/O’Connell
M/S/C (Wait/Steinruck) 6-0-1 Motion to approve the submission of application for Tribal Nutrition Assistance Funds.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xweela: Thompson
M/S/C (Wait/O’Connell) 6-0-1 Motion to approve accepting supplemental funding for community education around gun safety, gun violence and gun safety items.
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xweela: Thompson
NAA-DVTLH-NVSH-NEE-DVN (HUMAN RESOURCES):
M/S/C (O’Connell/Wait) 6-0-1 Motion to approve Paid Time Off (PTO) Policy for Tribal Gaming Commission (TGC)
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xweela: Thompson
MII~-XVSH-XAY CH'EE-NVK (ADMINISTRATION):
M/S/C (Wait/Boardman) 6-0-1 Motion to approve CT-2311-1216 with Blue Stone Strategy Group LLC, to complete Phase II Recovery Allocation Planning Process in an amount not to exceed $880,000
'Ay~: Sullivan, Boardman, Steinruck, Giovannetti, O'Connell, Wait; Duu: 0; Xweela: Thompson
SI~S-XAA-DVN
Coral Bleaching and it’s Impact on our Marine Ecosystem
What is Coral Bleaching? Coral Bleaching is when external environmental factors cause our coral reefs to lose it’s algae, it’s color, and then die. Corals get their beautiful, vibrant colors from a microscopic algae called Zooxanthellae. Zooxanthellae lives within our coral systems in a mutualistic symbiotic relationship with the coral itself. Factors that play a part in coral bleaching are things such as climate change, pollution, extremely low tides, or even too much sunlight. So, how can we stop this?
How you can help:
If we act now, we can protect and preserve our corals for future generations. We can do this everyday by taking seemingly small, insignificant actions.
• Avoid herbicides and pesticides,
• Reducing stormwater and fertilizer runoff
These actions can have a big impact in our fight to save our coral reefs.
(Roosevelt Elk, Cervus canadensis roosevelti Hunt)
Applications will be accepted Monday, May 1st - June 19th, 2023
No late applications will be accepted.
• One (1) tag will be allocated to the Nation for a Cultural Hunt
• Applications open to Tribal Citizens only
Applications available at
Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation
12801 Mouth of Smith River Rd., Smith River, CA 95567
Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Website—Nvn-nvst-'aa~-ta Page: https://www.tolowa-nsn.gov/
• Applicants must provide a current state issued hunting license and/or proof of completion of an approved Hunter's Safety Course
• All game harvested will be returned to the Nation
Contact Elena Sisneros at: 707-487-9255 ext. 1154
Elena.sisneros@tolowa.com
