May Newsletter 2023

PUBLIC NOTICE FROM ENROLLMENT

Enrollment is closed between May 12, 2023 to June 9, 2023 for the general election as per Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Tribal Code Title 7, Enrollment, Article VII, Section 2.

TheMembershipRollshallcloseten(10)days beforetheannualelectionofTribalCouncil membersinMayofeachyearandremain closedforaperiodofthirty(30)days. Applicationsforenrollmentcanbeaccepted duringthisperiod,butshallnotbe formallyacteduponuntilthethirty(30)day periodhaspassed.

Amendments have been made to the housing code. Citizens have 30 days, beginning April 13th 2023, to make comments. Comments can be sent to the Recording Secretary, Shelly Reynolds at shelly.reynolds@tolowa.com or dropped off at the Headquarters office. These amendments include updating the Nation's name from "Smith River Rancheria" to "Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation", changing "member" to "citizen", and removing Council from the appeals process and using the Tribal Appellant Court instead. The redline amendments can be found on the Citizens portal at https://www.tolowansn.gov/ or picked up from the Headquarters office at 12801 Mouth of Smith River Road, Smith River, CA

TRIBAL HERITAGE PRESERVATION OFFICE

2023 Ch'i~s-lu Chay-yii-ne Lhetlh-xat

(Cemetery Clean-up and Elders' Gathering)

Sunday May 21, 2023

Howonquet Indian Cemetery

Tribal Citizens and community members are invited to join us for the annual cemetery clean-up and elders gathering. This is an opportunity to gather and socialize as a tribal community, while we care for the resting place of our loved ones and ancestors.

Breakfast will be served at 8:30 am at Howonquet Hall Community Center. The clean-up will follow at the Howonquet Indian Cemetery, 9:00 am-2:00pm. Limited supplies will be available; we encourage you to bring cleaning supplies such as gloves, garden rake, garden shovel, and any other necessary tools. Small flags will be provided for veterans.

If you are unable to attend we encourage you to take the time to care for the resting places of our ancestors that are not at Howonquet Indian Cemetery.

To RSVP or for more information contact: Kelsy Padgette 707-487-9255 x 1710

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

DAY MIN’ -NE’

Election Day Flyer………………………………………………………………………………………1

Cemetery Clean Up & Elders Gathering…………………………………..………………...2

MMIW Community Gathering ………………..…………………..….………………….3

General Election Information……………………...……………………………………..5

Generally Membership Meeting………………..……………………………………..6-9

Family Services Division…………..………………………………………………………10

Wax Museum………………………………………………………………………………….11

Youth Services Division………………………………………..………………………….12

Marine Services Division……..……………………………………………………….….12

Veteran Resources………………………………………………………………………….13

Natural Resources Department…………………………………………………...14-18

Human Resources…………………………………………………………………………..19

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

Announcements/Events.…………….…………………..……………….…………21–26

Birthdays and Elder Nutrition Menu……………………………....……………..….27

Lucky 7 Casino Ad …………………………………………………………………..…….28

Srwee-la'-num-nii~-ma~s (May) 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

NA’SR-DVTLH-NVSH-DVN TRIBALOFFICE)

MAY

Voter Registration Closes

ELECTION INFORMATION

ELECTION TIMELINE

Friday, May 5, 2023

Youcanstillregistertovoteaftertheabovedeadline,butcannotvoteuntilthe2024election.

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

Saturday May 20, 2023

Inpersonvotinganddropoffballotsfrom8am-3pmattheHowonquetHallCommunityHall. Noballotsacceptedafter3pm.

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.

YoursignatureontheofficialballotisVERIFIEDwithyoursignatureonfilewiththerecordsdepartment. Werequirean updatedsignatureeverythreeyears. Ifyoursignatureonyourabsenteeballotdoesn’tmatchwhatisonfile, theElectionBoardcanmakethedecisiontovoidyourballot. Ifthisisthecaseyouwouldstillhavetheopportunityto verifyyoursignatureonfileorvoteinperson.

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.

General Membership Meeting

Tribal Citizen Public Comment Cards

1. Gerine Hinshaw: I would like to know “who” is second in command of gaming at lucky 7 casino. Scott Hoenke, Hospitality Manager

2. Kathy Whipple: I want to know when the loans will be available to tribal members. Not just the people who work for the tribe. I think we all should be able to get the $1,000 dollar loan. At this time it has been determined that loans to Tribal Citizens are not feasible.

3. Brandie Jordan: Last chance 1st chance museum. We are looking into options for the First Chance/Last Chance Building.

4. Anonymous: Raise Elder payments. Additional Elder Resources will be available through Community & Family Wellness soon.

5. Luanna Scott: We need affordable rentals, the tribe should give members cheaper rent. $1,500 a month is ridicules. We are doing better than ever & you charge our members too much. It keeps them in poverty. Redirect money to citizens. See Page 8.

6. Anonymous: More “Market Level” Housing. Please see Page 8 from the housing manager.

7. Garrett Campbell: Tribal rentals and low-income housing rentals had a “cap” and wasn’t to exceed a certain amount of money. What happened to this policy? The new housing policy is open for review at the Headquarters Office.

8. Anonymous: Whatever happened to all that can salmon and fish that was canned in December? As an elder, I did not get a jar nor did I hear of anyone else getting any? Pictures of the “Can Salmon” were posted on our Facebook Page. Tribal Youth canned Tuna and they took it home during the Winter Solstice Activity. No canned salmon was distributed to Elders in December.

9. Anonymous: What is the plan on finding common ground for the high rents? Many citizens cannot afford the high rent, when there are other bills that need to be paid too. See Page 8.

10. Anonymous: Input into allocation of COVID Funds. A community planning meeting is planned for Saturday, May 6th at the HHCC.

11. Florinda Salcedo: Some elders can’t take their elders money because it will hurt their SSI income. Why can’t we give them a gift card in the amount of the elder lori? Tribal elder payments should not hurt their SSI income. Please contact the Fiscal Dept.

12. Florinda Salcedo: Inflation cost of gas. Our travel cost is $75.00 when that pays ½ of the cost. We need to raise the cost of travel. We are looking into additional resources.

13. Florinda Salcedo: There are many single lady’s that want to learn to make regalia, dresses, jewelry. Can we have classes to teach the single ladies? If something like that becomes available we will notify the public.

14. Florinda Salcedo: When you call domestic violence on the weekends you get no response back. It is only 8-5 pm. I know & feel we need someone in there that wants to help, take the person to do all that individual needs help with. Housing, Clothing, Counseling, Food, and help. They continually drop the ball and wonder why they go back. It is easier then to be told I CANT HELP YOU! We need help if they are on drugs, give them 3 days to clean up or no help. Please call 911 if you or a loved one experiences violence on the weekends or outside business hours. If you leave a message on the crisis line, staff will get back to you.

15. Florinda Salcedo: XVR is donating vehicles, Housing after people pass. She is rude, the security guard locked people in against their will just to find out they only locked their keys in the car. She refuses to rent to tribal member because she didn’t have a truck to move the trailer “if she had to move”. But she has a truck, her sister has to help if she was to leave. We explained that she has access to a truck and she refused to rent. There is no requirement to own a truck to rent at XVR.

Shu’ shaa nin-la for all your comments and questions.

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Thank you to those that joined us for the 2023 General Membership Meeting. To express your feedback on how you think the meeting went please visit this link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/K8V23ZK

How Does Tolowa Dee-ni' Nations Housing Compare?

The following table is based on current rent amounts across all Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation housing properties per month. Da-naa-svt is also broken down by funding source as there are different requirements based on funding used. The left side of the table shows total monthly rent for the property and the average rent based on the number of units at the property. The right side of the table shows Fair Market Rent or Low Income Housing Tax Credit rent amounts, by property and the difference in what is being charged today equaling an average subsidy per unit. The bottom table is a total of all properties.

Are you interested in becoming a homeowner?

Take a homebuyers online course to lean about what is involved @ https://www.hometrek.org/homebuyereducation/ (save your online certificate) New open application period for $50,000.00 in Homebuyer Assistance coming soon.

Total monthly rent is for the entire property on average.

General Membership Meeting Youth Activities

The Community and Family Wellness and Education Departments collaborated together to host this year’s GMM Youth Activities. This event was held at both Howonquet Hall Community Center (HHCC) and Howonquet Early Learning Program (XELP) on March 18th, 2023. Youth from ages 6 to 18 gathered at HHCC and youth ages 3 to 5 gathered at XELP. Breakfast and lunch meals were catered by Lucky 7 Casino’s House of Howonquet Restaurant.

Youth at HHCC participated in workshops, games and activities throughout the day which stimulated creativity and skill building. This event provided youth opportunities to explore new crafts and projects with a focus on improving their self-

confidence, reducing stress and promoting a sense of community. Participants were able to take home all of their craft projects at the end of the day.

Youth crafts included woodworking, necklace making, STEM kits and other arts and crafts. All youth members also participated in a paint party. The paint instructor taught them step by step how to create a woodpecker painting to take home with them.

Shu’ shaa nin-la to all who participated in this activity!

-Community & Family Wellness and Education Departments

WAX MUSEUM AT SMITH RIVER

A Wax Museum entails students researching an American hero of their choice, collecting data, writing a speech, and pretending to be that hero by dressing up in character and teaching others about their contribution to society. We held the wax museum on March 23rd in the school cafeteria I had 26 students participating. Students were able to choose the hero of their choice as long as they positively influence society in some manner. I explained it could be a hero from your culture, someone who paved the way for others, or someone who broke records. Learning about heroes as a second grade standard, so I thought this would be a fun and engaging way for students to learn the standard and helped teach others at the same time. I will repeat this project every year. This is my fourth year of doing this project.

Due to COVID, the last class that I was able to do this with were the current eighth graders. The eighth graders were able to buddy up with second graders and help them research and read books on their particular hero. I have collected about 30 costumes throughout the years that students are able to use. Students are also able to purchase their own costume or create their own if they wish to do so.

The overall critique from parents, students, and even the kids that attended the event was positive. They were impressed at how well the students had learned their facts about their hero and were able to deliver their information with eloquence. They looked adorable in their costumes too! My students really took ownership of their learning and practiced their speeches. Most students were able to memorize their whole speech and presented it well. It amazes me how some of my struggling readers were so determined to memorize their speech.

-Mrs. Owen, Smith River School

SI~S-XAA-DVN

VETERAN RESOURCES

FREEACCESS TO FEDERALRECREATION SITES FOR TRIBALCITIZENS THATARE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERSAND/OR VETERANS.

Overview of the Interagency Military-Annual Pass

• $10 processing fee on USGS Store, Free in person at sites that issue passes

• Available to Current US Military and Dependents. Documentation is required.

Obtained in person at Federal recreation sites that charge entrance or standard amenity fees. Federal Recreation Sites

• Covers entrance to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service sites, and covers Standard Amenity Fees at Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation sites, and U.S. Army Corps of

Military-Lifetime Pass

• In addition to the Interagency Annual-Military Pass for current military and dependents, there is now a Military-Lifetime Pass for Gold Star Families and Veterans.

• If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident age 62 or older you qualify for a Senior-Annual or Senior-Lifetime Pass. Review the Senior Pass section above for additional details.

Visit this site to apply: HONOR

FLIGHT NETWORK

Honor Flight Network is a national nonprofit organization comprised of independent hubs working together to achieve the Honor Flight mission. In furtherance of this common goal, we have the enormous privilege of showing our nation’s veterans the appreciation and honor they deserve.

Participation in an Honor Flight trip gives veterans the opportunity to share this momentous occasion with other comrades, remember the fallen, and share their stories and experiences with other veterans. Honored veterans always travel free of charge, thanks to generous donations to our organization.

Honor Flight Network currently honors those who served during World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and veterans of any service era who are critically ill.

937-521-2400

info@honorflight.org

https://www.honorflight.org/about-us/

Engineers sites.

• Admits the pass owners and any accompanying passengers in a private non-commercial vehicle at per vehicle fee areas, or the pass owner and up to additional 3 adults (16 and over) at sites that charge per person.

• If purchased from the USGS Store, your name will be printed on your pass

• If you are a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and have a medically determined permanent disability you may qualify for a free Access Pass. Review the Access Pass section for additional details. The Access Pass and both the Senior-Annual and Senior-Lifetime Pass are the only passes that may provide a discount on some expanded amenity fees such as camping.

https://store.usgs.gov/MilitaryPass

Give Something to Those Who Gave.

Vet Tix * provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. We support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.

Vet Tix provides tickets to all branches of currently-serving Military and Veterans, including immediate family of troops KIA.

Vet Tix secures tickets to sporting events, concerts, performing arts, educational and family activities across the nation. VetTixers sign up online. We verify their service.

VetTixers request tickets to events that interest them, then pay a small delivery fee to receive their free tickets.

Applications OPEN for Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation Citizens 2023 Chis-chu Naa-tr'vlh-xat

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

POST-SECONDARY PROGRAM

Higher Education & Vocational Training STUDENT REMINDER

Post-Secondary (Higher Ed & Voc Ed) funding is available for Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation citizens seeking full-time or part-time courses of study.

Applications are available online at the Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation (TDN) website under the Department of Education link: (Insert link here). Also, applications can be picked up at the TDN Headquarters front desk located at 12801 Mouth Smith River Road, Smith River, CA. M – F, 8 – 5.

Post-Secondary financial assistance is available to high school-aged students concurrently enrolled in college courses while in high school.

The TDN Department of Education Post-Secondary Program (HE & VT) office is physically located at 300 Dat-naa-svt Loop, Smith River, CA 95567 (GPS Address: 13982 Oceanview Drive, Smith River, CA 95567).

For assistance or for more information about this program's services, please, contact: Diana Bommelyn, Education Technician, at 707-487-9255, extension 1557, or via email: Attention: Diana Bommelyn, at higher.education@tolowa.com.

Attention Graduates!!

Are you a 2023 Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation citizen graduating from eighth (8th) grade, high school, college or trade school?

The TDN Post-Secondary Education Committee is hosting a 2023 Graduation Celebration on July 28, 2023, at the Xaa-wan'k'wvt Hall Community Center, 101 Indian Court, CA. 95567.

Please, contact Diana Bommelyn, Education Technician, at 707-487-9255, extension 1557, or via email: Attention: Diana Bommelyn, at higher.education@tolowa.com as soon as possible to register to receive your graduation gift and to RSVP that you will be attending our 2023 graduation celebration.

HR CORNER

Welcome Back! Tolowa Dee-ni' Nation’s Na’sr-dvtlh-nvsh-vn, Human Resources Department helpful tips to land that successful job you’ve been dreaming about!

This month will focus on Applying for a Job - What Catches the Hiring Managers Eye!

Type your application, if you can!

In today’s job environment companies are asking you to fill out applications on-line, either by downloading the application form, filling the application out on a fillable PDF, or submitting an electronic application found on the website.

If you have a paper copy of the application and are unable to type on the application, PRINT as legibly as you can.

NOTE: If you have the paper application, get 2 copies! One to practice and make mistakes, and one for your final draft that you will turn in to get that job!

Essentials

Always include a Cover Letter and Resume with your application.

Be thorough on your applications! Fill out all the sections.

Did you remember to sign and date the application?

Make sure dates on your application match the dates on your resume.

Did you save a copy of your application for your files? Have a friend or family member help you proof read your information. They may catch something wrong you didn’t see.

Follow up with the employer the following week after turning in your application.

Call or email them to make sure they received your application. This will show initiative and you’re ready to work.

Check the HR Corner next month for more helpful tips!

Email us at hr@tolowa.com

Come work for us at www.tolowa-nsn.gov/jobs

or Scan our QR code with your phone’s camera

TOLOWAVETERANS

Are you on our Veterans list? Do you need to update your information? Change of name, address or contact number? Do we have your photo? Do we know which branch of military you are serving in or have served? Need to update your years in service or have you received any special awards/recognitions?

Public Relations: 707-487-9255 ext. 1182

public.relations@tolowa.com

TRIBALCITIZENS

Do you have something you would like to submit to the newsletter? Anew baby, birthdays, anniversaries, graduation, hunting or fishing photos, sports, obituaries or other? Email them to public.relations@tolowa.com

Reminder: the monthly newsletter is also available to view on the website: www.tolowa-nsn.gov

Adult Advisor Training

Why get trained? Adult Advisors understand and support the 6th12th grade program. They are made up of a diverse group of connected, caring, and positive local adults whose goal is to support, mentor, and assist peer leaders in spreading hope, help, and strength-based messages across their friendship networks and school community.

Del Norte Unified School District and Del Norte County Office of Education Staff that attend outside their duty-day will be compensated their hourly rate.

Click the link to register:https://forms.gle/ fFTY4sHbkPxvxVTe9

Where: Del Norte High School

When: May 1, 2:00-4:15 pm

There is a vacancy on the NATURAL RESOURCES AND HARVESTING COMMITTEE. Are you interested in serving on this board?

Please submit your committee application or questions to Rosa Laucci, Marine Division Manager at 707-487-9255 ext. 1152 Rosa.laucci@tolowa.com

Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation Culture Committee is looking to fill an open position.

If so, call the newsletter editor at 707

We have a great digital version that can be emailed to you monthly.

Joseph Adams

Kimber Adams

Jack Aldape

Blake Allen

Mason Allen

Danual Allen

Apollo Anderson

Margaret Arias

Thomas Balcom Jr.

Madison Balcom

Benjamen Balswick

Christopher Barr

Summer Barr

Gavin Bartoo

Fredrick Bartow

Malena Bates

Jon Batini

Joseph Baugh

Sharon Bergmann

Berkeley Betts

Gregory Blodgett Jr.

William Bommelyn Sr.

William Bommelyn Jr.

Amanda Bommelyn

Tenaya Brandon

Jason Bravo

Joel Bravo

Terry Bray

Tanner Brown

Alexandrew Brundin

Santino Buckman Baca

Emberlyn Canaday

Ken Carey

Mattie Castellaw

Jamie Castellaw

Marie Chandler

Debra Conard

Christina Coulson

MAA~-XUSLH-GHALH SRI'-LHXVN

Kansas Coulson

Conner Cox

Seth Cutright

Maya Dalton

Douglas Dobrec

Evelyn Early

Janie Ekman

Jennifer Evans

Anakin Felix-Fender-Ramirez

Craig Fletcher Jr.

Joscelyn Fouts

Ian Fralich

Joel Garcia

Adriana Garcia

Preston Gerovac

Jennifer Gleba

Randy Gochanour

Darby Gore

James Griffin

ELDER NUTRITON CENTER

Addison Griffin

Sarrah Tovah Grof

Athena Guerrero

Diesel Haddad

Lindsay Hall

Audrey Hamner

Makennah Handsaker

Charlene Harralson

Christal Hash

Mark Hempel

Sunshine Hempel

Rebecca Hempel

Wesley Hinshaw

Donald Hodges Jr.

Wilma Hoffman

Susan Hogue

Maile Horn

Calla Hostler

Heather Howell

Sikai Hubbart

Gavin Hurt

Amy Idol

Hayden James

Dennis James

Forest James

Kailynn Jentry-Rakestraw

Jaret Kahoalii

Kinsley Kasinger

Noa Kirby

Lillian Kliever

Karyne Lame Bull

Cesilio Lamere

David Land

Blaire Lesina

Leah Linville

Shaniqua Lopez

Austin Lopez

Franklin Lopez

Natasha Lopez

Armando Lopez

Taya Lopez

Darla Loucks

Wendy Luerra

Whitney May

Jacqueline Maynard

Brandi Maynard

Chloe McCann

Rogan McCann

Johnny McDonald Jr.

Seleya Mena

Miguel Mendoza

Kirsten Miller

Mikaela Mitchell

Sierradawn Mora Fernandez

Sadie Mouser

Rowan Nelson

Josalyn Netzel

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