June 2016 Vol. 50 No. 5
Attention: Swinomish Tribal Members Taking a Stand for Sovereignty | PG 20
C
NTENTS INSIDE
Alfonso Sampson Jr. and Ray Baker scoot around during the Sobriety Dinner.
ON THE COVER
20
Attention: Swinomish Tribal Members Taking a Stand for Sovereignty
Join us in standing up for sovereignty!
sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
2
03 05 06 07 08 11 12 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 24 26 27 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 38
Editor’s Note The Chairman’s Message The War Chief Canoe Race Schedule Community Happenings Earth Day Mastodons & Mammoths The Blessing of the Fleet & First Salmon Ceremony Sobriety Dinner The Toddler Moving Up Celebration June Tide Table Lushootseed Practice Being Frank Native Roots Attention: Swinomish Tribal Members... NWIC DEP + Mindful Money Matters Swinomish Housing Authority The Wellness Program Aqiimuk's Kitchen + Walk & Wheel to School Day Army Corps Rejects Permit for Coal Terminal... Education Dinner Youth Center Calendar Asiah Gonzalez- Student Volunteer of the Month Elders Menu Mrs. V's 2 Cents Swinomish Casino & Lodge Job Openings June Birthdays Ads
editor’s NOTE
This is just the beginning of summer events, look for more upcoming events on the Community Happenings section on PAGE 7.
"Are You the Girl That Does the qyuuqs?"
May was a busy month here at Swinomish. Seven events were hosted, with the first being the Women's Health Day. Everyone needs a health checkup at least once a year. Women's Health Day designates a day to help the women in our community to make that happen. That same week the Blessing of the Fleet & First Salmon Ceremony occurred. This year the La Conner School's 4th grade class took a field trip to the blessing to witness the cultural activities.
I sat next to Joslin James, Ariana Siddle, and Jamie Damien-Sams at the Sobriety Dinner. Ariana noticed I had my camera and asked, "Are you the girl that does the qyuuqs?" I responded by saying, "Yes, may I take a picture of you girls?" Ariana's question sparked our conversation about the qyuuqs. They asked questions like, "how long does it take you to do the qyuuqs?" and "how do you know all of our birthdays?" I explained to them that the enrollment officer, Leon John, is the person who submits birthdays each month, and that I didn't in fact have everyone's birthdays memorized. These girls were eager to know all about the qyuuqs News.
The next event was the Education Dinner, where students were honored for their academic achievement. This event takes place twice a year, once in the fall after the school year has begun, and once in the spring before students are let out for the summer. Congratulations to the students who are moving forward in their education! The last three events occurred over Memorial Day weekend. The Memorial Day Softball Tournament, the Sla hal Stickgame Tournament and the actual Memorial Day ceremony at the Swinomish Cemetery.
pedsteGad
(puds-teh-GWAD)
Moon of the Salmonberry Much of June is the "moon of the salmonberry." During this moon, fruits such as salmonberry and red huckleberry are ripening and ready to harvest. Ripe salmonberries signal the start of many salmon runs during this moon, including summer Chinook and sockeye salmon. Salmon are caught using weirs and reef nets made from willow and cedar branches. Sockeye salmon, also called reds, are valued from their fat and flavor. This moon also signals the time when the daytime tide is extremely low, allowing access to scallops, geoduck clams, and gied red sea urchins as well as many other shellfish. Shellfish harvest and curing continues.
Excerpt from ‘13 Moons: The 13 Lunar Phases, and How They Guide the Swinomish People’. By swelitub (Todd A. Mitchell) and Jamie L. Donatuto
sw d bš qyuuqs News
3
e e
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@
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
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
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.
Leon John (360) 421-0406 | ljohn@
wa lee hub Kevin Paul (360) 540-3906 | tribalsenator@yahoo.com
sOladated Brian Wilbur (360) 588-2812 | bwilbur@
squi-qui Joey Williams (360) 853-5629 | jwilliams@ All Swinomish staff emails: FirstInitialLastName@swinomish.nsn.us
sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News e e
4
Facebook: Swinomish qyuuqs News Linkedin: Swinomish Indian Tribal Community *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 suitable 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. qyuuqs News is a publication of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community produced by Swinomish Communications.
the chairman’s MESSAGE
I am thrilled to announce that for the past five years, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community has had a graduation rate of 100%. We would not have been able to do this without the investment the Tribe has made over the past 20 years. With the growth of our community’s educational commitments, your individual education becomes an integral part of the growth of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the La Conner School District. We have continually had one of the best early education programs in the region, providing preschool for tribal students and non-tribal students alike. Or staff teach these youth through a wonderful blend of a western science education alongside the tribal programs and culture, which include the Lushootseed language and songs, as well as creating art. Nina and I love to watch and listen to our grandson Nathaniel as he proudly sings songs in the Lushootseed language. Years from now, I am sure we will all laugh and tease Nathaniel when we share with him his “Native America’s Got Talent” moment, when he stole the microphone from the rest of the children and sang for us all at April's Get Out The Vote Dinner. It is with this level of pride that I hope each and every one of you will continue to share in the growth of our education programs not only for our early childhood but all the way through to high school, higher education and beyond.
The La Conner High School Graduation was on June 9, and I wish to share the following message with the Class of 2016: Today is your moment to rejoice, to grow, to reach out, to continue your education, to be all you can be not only as a young Native American for our community, but also as a proud Swinomish graduate. Do not be afraid to further your education, whether it be at a university, community college, technical school training, or a certification. The most important thing you can do is to continue to grow your education. Congratulations to you all, “you are Swinomish, you have graduated!” spee pots Brian Cladoosby
Chairman Cladoosby speaks at the Blessing of the Fleet about his father, Mike Cladoosby, who is 82 years old and still fishing the Skagit River.
sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
In a couple of months, the newly appointed Constitutional Reform Committee will be hosting community meetings to share with tribal members changes to our constitution that the Senate will be recommending be approved by the community. The Senate believes that these recommendations are vital to Swinomish becoming a fully self-governing tribe. We look forward to engaging with you on these important issues. Look for more information in upcoming issues of the qyuuqs News. Join us in standing up for sovereignty!
5
WAR CHIEF CANOE RACE SCHEDULE JUNE
4-5 Cultas Lake Water Festival Chilliwack, BC 10-12 Stommish Water Festival Lummi, WA 18-19 Sasquatch Festival
Scowlitz, BC
17-19 Cowichan Days Duncan, Vancouver ISL, BC 25-26 Sasquatch Days Harrison Hot Springs, BC
JULY
2-3 Ambleside Ambleside Park, Vancouver, BC 9-10 Whey A Wichen Cates Park, Vancouver, BC 16-17 Tulalip
Tulalip, WA
23-24 Stz'iminus Bay Chemainus, Vancouver ISL 29-31 Tsawout East Saanich, Vancouver ISL
AUGUST
6-7 Tsartlip West Saanich, Vancouver ISL 13-14 Swinomish Days
Swinomish, WA
13-14 Songhees Songhees, Vancouver ISL Suquamish, WA
26-28 Makah Days
Neah Bay, WA
sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
6
20-21 Chief Seattle Days
Tell Us Your Story! qyuuqs News staff wants to hear your story, and help you share it with your community! qyuuqs News is a great place to share announcements, including birthdays, graduations, weddings, and new babies, just to name a few! A picture is worth a thousand words! Share your photos with your community.
qyuuqs Submission Deadline 10th of Every Month Please submit to: qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us
TRIBAL ID CARDS
Does your identification card have an expiration date? If not, it is outdated.
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS JUNE 15 Community Dinner 6PM Youth Center
You're required to contact the enrollment officer to obtain an appointment to receive a new card with an expiration date.
JUNE 19 Father's Day
The new cards expire every five years and are accepted by the state as an official form of identification.
JULY 4 Independence Day
Your first card will be issued at no charge. Lost or stolen card replacements will result in a $10 replacement fee. There will be no charge if you change your name or address,
JULY 23-24 Swinomish Landing Paddle to Nisqually
as long as you return your most current identification card.
ENROLLMENT OFFICE Leon John Phone (360) 466.7211 Email: ljohn@swinomish.nsn.us
AUGUST 1-6 Protocol Paddle to Nisqually AUGUST 13-14 Swinomish Days AUGUST 17 Community Dinner 6PM Youth Center
Chevron is looking for enthusiastic tribal members to join our team! Must be 21+ older Will train eligible candidates Benefits and bonuses available Apply at the North End Station
sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News
7
e e
Earth Day
Myk Heidt, Community Health Program
and answered questions, of which, there were many! Canoe Family members, Leon John, Huge Edwards and David Williams sang a song to the children as they left the building for the bus. It was a very memorable occasion, one they will always remember.
Net Recycling Service Project Leads Joe Quintasket & Kevin Anderson
Elder Yard Cleanup Service Project Lead Myk Heidt
The April Community Dinner celebrated an Earth Day kick-off as a precursor to the community wide cleanup on April 21. For youth who nominated an elder for yard clean up, 25 green cleaning kits and 50 planting kits were handed out. Adults who nominated an elder’s yard for cleanup received a free sunflower/viola planter grown by students at Northwest Indian College’s Swinomish Site. In total, 23 elders received nominations. The two winning nominees were Vince Wilbur and Johnny Dan! SRSC crew did a fantastic job cleaning up these elder’s yards.
Many nets around Skagit River System Cooperative and Planning buildings were stripped and recycled as part of this project. Additionally, submerged nets were removed from the old pier near Planning, making it much safer for canoe pulling and summer swimming. There were so many nets to work on in this area that the crew did not make it into the village to collect any discarded nets community members may have left out for recycling. If you still have nets you want to recycle, please contact Joe or Kevin at (360) 466.2631.
Swadabs Park Cleanup Service Project Lead Nicole Casper
Seventy Lincoln Elemetary third graders and a dozen of their teachers and chaperons asked to support a beach cleanup at Swinomish as part of their oceanography studies. We were tremendously pleased to have them join us; in the process, they learned about their Swinomish neighbors and the value the Tribe puts on clean water for fish and shellfish. Many bags of trash and recyclables were collected from the trail and outfall area. Chairman Cladoosby welcomed the children, teachers, staff, and community members during lunch. After lunch, Larry Campbell took the children to the Social Services where he gave them a brief overview of Swinomish history 8 sw d bš qyuuqs News
Moorage Way Cleanup Service Project Lead Wendy Otto
Wendy lead efforts to clean up the entrance to Moorage Way, and made an impressive improvements to that area by pruning, weeding, spreading bark, and picking up garbage.
e e
Village Rain Garden Service Project Lead Scott Andrews
Scott and a good group of volunteers weeded all three tiers of the rain garden, and bagged many sacks of trash and weeds. They also did some pruning and filled a pickup truck with debris. The Rain Garden is filling in nicely with native plants.
Shooting Range Service Project Lead Janette Crum
Service Project Lead Grace Ward
Ten volunteers worked on the 13 Moons Garden cleanup for part or all of the day, and they accomplished their Earth Day goal: weeding the Medicine Wheel garden, prepping it for planting, and transplanting seedlings. They started with a very weedy garden that had not received much attention since last fall, and ended with a beautiful garden of lemon balm, sage, chamomile, rosemary, lavender, and other herbs. These herbs will be featured in workshops that will be held later this summer. A brief presentation on the mission and history of the garden provided volunteers with context for the work they were doing. Volunteers expressed interest in engaging with the garden again in the future.
Reservation + Snee-Oosh Road Cleanup Service Project Lead Caroline Edwards
The Skagit River System Cooperative crew and Caroline’s team picked up many bottles, cans, and cups that people have discarded along these roads. The big Dodge Ram truck was loaded to the brim with trash and recyclables from these roads, much of which was put into the new mixed recycle dumpster located at the Cedar Hat Pavilion parking lot.
Respect the land! Don't litter, recycle instead!
E-Recycling Service Project Lead Jacob Tully
The U-Haul truck had a full load to deliver to Goodwill! You can take electronic items to Goodwill all year long, so if you missed this chance to clear out your electronics, visit your local Goodwill next time you go into Mount Vernon.
Special Thanks to the kitchen staff, Cathi
Bassford, Gail Cayou, and others prepared a delicious lunch for everyone! We want to give them and the Public Works staff, Melissa and Josiane, a big shout-out, as they worked late Wednesday evening prepping and cleaning up the Community Dinner and were back early Thursday morning to prep for Earth Day and Cleanup Day meals.
Incentive Winners!
Departments with 100% participation for this year’s event won a pizza party! Dental and Communications Second place winners who will receive a sweet treat for their department are: DEP, SRSC and Land Management
New Mixed Recycle Dumpster
The HESS Committee has asked for increased efforts to support recycling on the Reservation. Ida Edwards at Public Works has arranged for a mixed recycle dumpster to be placed at the Cedar Hat Pavilion Parking lot. If you recycle all paper, glass, plastic bottles, drinking cups, cardboard and other recyclables, you can cut your garbage by half. Ask your children to help you sort recyclables and take them down to the new recycle dumpster every week. Not for household trash! Household trash can go in the dumpster by the fish docks.
Thank you to everyone who participated in making this year’s event a great success! sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
13 Moons Garden Cleanup
Many thanks to Skagit River System Cooperative staff for the great job cleaning up the Shooting Range again this year!
9
sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
10
Mastodons & Mammoths Caroline Edwards
This partial reconstruction of mastodon bones was discovered in 1977 in Sequim, WA.
Our ecology class took a field trip to the museum to see the partially reconstructed tusks and major bones of a mastodon, discovered by Manny and Clare Manis in 1977. Two professors from the Washington State University, Richard Daugherty and Carl Gustafson, were asked by Clare Manis to excavate the site. According to the Washington State Magazine: A couple hours in, Gustafson chanced upon the rib fragment and felt a small piece of bone protruding from it. Sediment around the bones was deposited soon after the last Ice Age glaciers, so the researchers assumed the site was 13,000 to 14,000 years old. If that projectile point was indeed from a human, it was evidence of the oldest human settlement in the Northwest. In 2012, a team led by Michael Waters of the Center for the Study of the First Americans at Texas A&M University offered to reexamine the materials with more modern techniques, including DNA analysis, CT scanning and mass spectrometry. The testing showed the projectile was the bone of another mastodon and it had to have been sharpened to a point by a human 13,800 years ago. (http://wsm.wsu.edu)
Earlier this year a partially intact skull of what may be a mammoth was exposed by a small slide on the north side of Penn Cove. The mastodon and the mammoth bones that were discovered not far from Swinomish have one thing in common: their location.
There is a story that is waiting to be told every time our society stumbles upon a discovery from thousands of years ago.
Mammoth skull discovered on north side of Penn Cove, Whidbey Island February 2016 Photo courtesy of Meredith Riven Paleontology & Geology Collections Manager, Burke Museum
It is a distinct possibility these mighty mammals once roamed this area. It's hard to image what life must have been like during the Ice Age. One can only wonder what species of today will become extinct for someone else to discover in the future.
sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News e e
In February of 2013, I had the wonderful opportunity to visit the Museum of Arts Center in Sequim, WA, with some of my fellow colleagues. At the time, we were enrolled in a college course together at the Northwest Indian College.
11
THE BLESSING OF THE FLEET & FIRST SALMON CEREMONY
May 12 - Beautiful sunny weather helped mark festivities at the Blessing of the Fleet & First Salmon Ceremony, which was well attended this year. People began to gather in the Youth Center around noon when the opening remarks, meal blessing, and lunch service began. Delegates and special guests were recognized before everyone anxiously stood to get a plate full of traditional salmon, crab, mussels, clams, fry bread, salad, and much more. Following the meal, everyone was asked to step outside as the Swinomish Canoe family and Edwards family lead the crowd to the blessing procession, where the all-faith blessing took place by the Swinomish docks. The Swinomish fleet that were present were asked to surround the four fisherman carrying the salmon offering as the blessing procession commenced. Following the public blessing, the four fisherman holding the salmon offerings were excused to proceed to the off-site fisherman's offering.
sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News e e
12
sw d bš qyuuqs News
13
e e
SOBRIETY DINNER This year's Sobriety Dinner kicked off with Barb James introducing Sarah Scott, the master of ceremonies for the evening, followed by dinner and an opening prayer. Sarah kept the evening engaging and enjoyable, facilitating quick and fun activities for the crowd to participate in. The event was full of heart felt stories about recovery and recognitions.
Dorraine Booth and Barb James
Joe Dunn Memorial Inspirational Sobriety Recognition Loran James
Charles Edwards
Robert Castillo
Lisa Morris
Speakers
sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News e e
14
Steve Ironwing
Elder Inspirational Sobriety Recognition Mike Port er
Students wearing a graduation cap and a preschool t-shirt that says "Preschool- Ready or not, here I come!" have moved up to preschool. Other young learners were recognized, and every student received two books, a bookmark, and an award. Congratulations!
2016 State Historic Preservation Officer's Awards Myk Heidt, Community Health Program
Larry Campbell with family following the awards ceremony.
Larry Campbell has represented the Swinomish community for many years as the tribal historic preservation officer (THPO) and cultural resource officer; on May 17, he received the Career Achievement Award for his outstanding efforts working for the protection of cultural resources and sacred sites on the Swinomish Reservation and in the usual and accustomed areas of the Swinomish Tribe. This has required great dedication and education in various disciplines, including archaeology, anthropology, and history. It has also called for the development of creative solutions to highly sensitive issues over the years. Larry is well respected in this arena for his work, as Swinomish THPO is a well known position among his peers at the Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation. Larry’s family members, and his co-workers from the Swinomish Community Environmental Health Program, Mary Rossi, consultant for Swinomish THPO, and Josephine Jefferson, Swinomish cultural technician, were very happy to witness Larry receive this award at the Pritchard Building on the Capital Campus in Olympia. Larry expressed gratitude to all the spiritual help he has been given to guide him in protecting these vital resources.
Congratulations Larry! sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News e e
TODDLER MOVING UP CELEBRATION
15
TIDE TABLE: June 2016 Lone Tree, Snee-Oosh, North Skagit Bay
Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection Day
High
Low
High
Wed 01 02:19 11.49 ft 09:19 0.78 ft
Low
High
Phase
Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset
15:38 8.82 ft
21:09 3.84 ft
5:12
21:03
3:23
16:50
Thu 02 03:02 11.61 ft 10:05 −0.54 ft 16:46 9.73 ft
22:11 4.44 ft
5:12
21:04
3:57
18:07
Fri 03
03:45 11.68 ft 10:50 −1.66 ft 17:45 10.58 ft 23:09 4.91 ft
5:11
21:05
4:35
19:23
Sat 04
04:28 11.62 ft 11:34 −2.45 ft 18:39 11.23 ft
5:11
21:06
5:19
20:35
Sun 05
00:06 5.25 ft
05:13 11.40 ft 12:18 −2.86 ft 19:29 11.66 ft
5:10
21:07
6:09
21:40
Mon 06
01:01 5.44 ft
05:59 11.01 ft 13:03 −2.87 ft 20:18 11.88 ft
5:10
21:08
7:07
22:36
Tue 07
01:57 5.50 ft
06:48 10.45 ft 13:48 −2.51 ft 21:06 11.92 ft
5:09
21:08
8:09
23:23
Wed 08
02:55 5.42 ft
07:40 9.75 ft
14:35 −1.82 ft 21:53 11.81 ft
5:09
21:09
9:14
Thu 09
03:55 5.20 ft
08:36 8.97 ft
15:21 −0.89 ft 22:39 11.62 ft
5:09
21:10
10:20
0:03
Fri 10
05:00 4.82 ft
09:38 8.17 ft
16:10 0.23 ft
5:08
21:10
11:25
0:37
Sat 11
5:08
21:11
12:28
1:06
5:08
21:12
13:30
1:32
New
23:24 11.37 ft
06:07 4.29 ft
10:48 7.49 ft
17:01 1.45 ft
Sun 12 00:09 11.11 ft 07:12 3.59 ft
12:10 7.08 ft
17:57 2.67 ft
Mon 13 00:53 10.86 ft 08:09 2.80 ft
13:42 7.11 ft
19:00 3.78 ft
5:08
21:12
14:31
1:57
Tue 14
01:35 10.63 ft 08:55 1.98 ft
15:11 7.60 ft
20:09 4.68 ft
5:08
21:13
15:32
2:22
Wed 15 02:14 10.44 ft 09:34 1.20 ft
16:22 8.33 ft
21:16 5.32 ft
5:08
21:13
16:32
2:47
Thu 16 02:51 10.29 ft 10:08 0.49 ft
17:17 9.07 ft
22:15 5.75 ft
5:08
21:14
17:32
3:15
Fri 17
03:26 10.16 ft 10:39 −0.15 ft 17:59 9.70 ft
23:04 6.03 ft
5:08
21:14
18:31
3:45
Sat 18
04:01 10.05 ft 11:10 −0.70 ft 18:35 10.20 ft 23:47 6.21 ft
5:08
21:14
19:29
4:19
5:08
21:14
20:25
4:59
First Qtr
Sun 19 04:35 9.94 ft
11:43 −1.16 ft 19:07 10.60 ft
Mon 20
00:27 6.27 ft
05:10 9.84 ft
12:17 −1.50 ft 19:37 10.92 ft Full
5:08
21:15
21:16
5:45
Tue 21
01:06 6.24 ft
05:47 9.71 ft
12:54 −1.71 ft 20:10 11.19 ft
5:08
21:15
22:03
6:38
Wed 22
01:46 6.10 ft
06:26 9.55 ft
13:33 −1.73 ft 20:44 11.41 ft
5:09
21:15
22:44
7:36
Thu 23
02:29 5.85 ft
07:10 9.31 ft
14:14 −1.53 ft 21:20 11.57 ft
5:09
21:15
23:21
8:40
Fri 24
03:16 5.47 ft
07:59 8.97 ft
14:56 −1.06 ft 21:59 11.67 ft
5:09
21:15
23:55
9:47
Sat 25
04:07 4.94 ft
08:55 8.53 ft
15:42 −0.29 ft 22:39 11.71 ft
5:10
21:15
Sun 26
05:02 4.24 ft
10:02 8.05 ft
16:30 0.75 ft
5:10
21:15
0:26
12:08
Mon 27
06:01 3.36 ft
11:19 7.69 ft
17:24 1.98 ft
5:11
21:15
0:56
13:20
Tue 28
00:06 11.66 ft 07:01 2.28 ft
12:47 7.66 ft
18:26 3.25 ft
5:11
21:15
1:26
14:34
Wed 29 00:52 11.61 ft 07:59 1.09 ft
14:19 8.10 ft
19:36 4.36 ft
5:12
21:15
1:57
15:49
Thu 30 01:40 11.56 ft 08:53 −0.10 ft 15:45 8.93 ft
20:50 5.16 ft
5:12
21:15
2:32
17:03
23:22 11.70 ft Last Qtr
10:57
The average person generates over 4 pounds of trash every day and about 1.5 tons of solid waste per year.
DID YOU KNOW? Source: https://www.dosomething. org/us/facts/11-facts-about-recycling
sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
16
• The EPA estimates that 75% of the American waste stream is recyclable, but we only recycle about 30% of it. • Americans generate 21.5 million tons of food waste each year. If we composted that food, it would reduce the same amount of greenhouse gas as taking 2 million cars off the road. • A glass container can go from a recycling bin to a store shelf in as few as 30 days.
LUSHOOTSEED PRACTICE ?ut'iGicid VeA.
sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News e e
Natosha Gobin, Michelle Myles, Kyle Bailey, Joe Quintasket and Marlo Quintasket
During the Education Dinner last month, Joe Quintasket spoke in Lushootseed and recognized Natosha Gobin and Michelle Myles for teaching him and five other studentsKyle Bailey, Olivia Bailey, Janie Beasley, Lori Ann Cayou, and Marlo Quintasket the Lushootseed language. Natasha and Michelle were gifted a Coast Salish design wrap and a re-usable bag.
17
BEING FRANK
HABITAT, HATCHERIES EQUAL FISHING Lorraine Loomis, NWIFC Chair
I am deeply disappointed that the tribal and state salmon co-managers were unable to reach an agreement on a joint package of fishing seasons for Puget Sound this year. It was the first time in more than 30 years that has happened, and it is a shame. The salmon and all of us are better served when we work together. Unfortunately, we were unable to find a solution that met one another’s needs. The situation we find ourselves in this year is due in large part to decades of failure by local, state, and federal governments to stem the tremendous ongoing loss of salmon habitat in western Washington. Tribes are not responsible for that loss but are equally affected. There is a direct connection between salmon habitat and fishing opportunity. We can’t expect salmon to thrive while their habitat continues to be lost and damaged. Both wild and hatchery salmon depend on the same habitat for most of their lifespan, but that habitat is being lost faster than it can be restored. The trend shows no signs of letting up. It puts our treaty rights at risk because salmon are disappearing right along with their habitat. Tribal fisheries will be greatly reduced this year because poor returns of Chinook and chum are expected. Coho returns are expected to be at historic low levels. Tribes will close all directed coho fisheries except in a few terminal areas with harvestable returns of fish. In some cases tribes are giving up ceremonial and subsistence fisheries that are a cornerstone of our cultures. But this year is not about salmon harvest. It is about conserving the salmon for future generations. Things are not getting better. Since 1999, Puget Sound
sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
18
Chinook have been listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act. Puget Sound steelhead have been listed since 2007. Neither species is recovering. Puget Sound coho could easily be next on the list. Salmon management has become increasingly difficult as salmon populations decline across western Washington. Tribal and state co-managers are struggling with how to manage the crumbs of a disappearing resource. It’s clear that change must occur, and that change must start with habitat. What’s needed is commitment from the state to a longterm strategy to increase production of both hatchery and wild salmon. Reversing the trend of habitat loss and damage must be at the center of that effort. In the meantime, we need hatcheries to make up for lost natural production for as long as habitat limits salmon recovery. Tribes have documented extensive salmon habitat loss in western Washington in the soon-to-be-released 2016 State of Our Watersheds report. The 2012 report is available at http://nwifc.org/sow/. We know this will be a difficult year for non-Indian businesses and economies dependent on sport-fishing revenue. It will also be hard for tribal communities. The difference is that for us, no price tag can be placed on salmon, tribal cultures or our treaty-reserved rights.
Being Frank is the monthly opinion column that was written by the late Billy Frank Jr., former NWIFC Chairman. To honor him, the treaty Indian tribes in western Washington will continue to share their perspectives through this column.
NATIVE ROOTS
Caroline Edwards
Vaccinium parvifolium
The red huckleberry has bright green and thin crooked branches with pink-red berries early in the spring. These berries have been a source of food for generations of Coast Salish natives, animals, and people alike. You can find red huckleberries in moist forests or around the edges of wetlands. Red huckleberry bushes have elliptical to oval shaped leaves that grow 1/2 to 11/2 inches long. In the spring, look for pale greenish-pink flowers about 1/8 inch long. The flowers bloom individually along the outer areas of the branches, rather than in clusters, and hang toward the ground. Huckleberries and blueberries contain arbutin, a plant compound that helps fight bacteria that usually causes urinary tract and bladder infections. The berry juice or the leaf tea is used as a preventative and a treatment. Only harvest red huckleberries from areas that you know are free of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals. Only wild harvest if you can positively identify what you are picking.
Red Huckleberry Jelly Ingredients 4 cups 71/2 cups 6 ounces
huckleberry juice sugar liquid pectin
Directions Sterilize pint or half-pint canning jars and prepare lids. Open liquid pectin pouch and stand upright in a cup or glass. Measure juice into a large saucepan. Stir in sugar. Place on high heat; stir constantly and bring to a full rolling boil that cannot be stirred down. Add the liquid pectin and heat again to a full rolling boil. Boil hard for 1 minute, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and quickly skim off foam. Immediately pour hot jelly into hot canning jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace. Wipe jar rims and add prepared two-piece lids. Process 5 minutes in a boiling water bath. Yield: 7 cups
sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News e e
Red Huckleberry
sTixib
19
Attention: Swinomish Tribal Members TAKING A STAND FOR SOVEREIGNTY We, as your Tribal Senate, have discussed over the past year strengthening our status as a sovereign nation by improving and updating our governing documents, in particular our Constitution and By-Laws, to reflect our status as a self-governing tribe. We recently voted in favor of requesting the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) call an election regarding our recommendations for amending these documents. We are taking this action for several reasons, including the fact that times have changed so much since our Constitution was originally adopted 80 years ago—the year was 1936, a time in our history when our Tribal authority was greatly diminished by federal action. Although the Constitution has been amended since, the last changes were voted in at a Tribal election held over 30 years ago—just prior to the time when Tribal revenues began to increase exponentially. In the 30 years since, the Tribe has outgrown its Constitution. The document is currently inconsistent and outdated in that it is not reflective of either current laws and practices or historical fact. More important, our current Constitution and By-Laws undermine our status as a sovereign nation by requiring the BIA approve too many of our actions and decisions that we make as a Tribe. This approval process is referred to as “Secretarial Approval”. Yet, as history has demonstrated, we are better able to protect our interests more comprehensively than the BIA can. Interestingly, the BIA now supports this effort to exercise our sovereign powers and to become more fully self-governing. In fact, it is requesting that all tribes remove this formal requirement from their constitutions. However, the only way this can happen is by amending the Constitution, which takes your approval, the vote of Tribal membership. Additionally, our Constitution needs to be a flexible, living document that adapts to conditions, both legal and practical, as they change. We need to be able to respond quickly to protect our interests in this fast-paced age. The Tribe now seeks to join the ranks of other sovereign tribal nations, to become fully self-governing, and to exercise its inherent sovereign powers.
Why is this important to you?
The Swinomish Constitution is the most important document governing our Tribe. It sets forth rules about the Senate’s governing powers, the rights of Tribal members, and the territory over which the Tribe holds legal interest and authority, among other things. Amending our Constitution affects us all. As your Tribal Senate, we are truly devoted to ensuring you understand our recommended changes and what we are trying to accomplish on your behalf. By explaining these proposals to you and bringing you into this process, we sincerely hope that you will be in a better position to tell us whether the Tribe should adopt our recommendations or not. To do so, we have appointed a Constitutional Reform Committee composed of a designated panel of community educators, which include Brian Porter, Brian Wilbur, Steve Edwards, Larry Campbell, Diane Vendiola, Shelly Vendiola, Marlo Quintasket, Todd Mitchell, Caroline Edwards, and Alana Quintasket. These appointed educators will lead community meetings, be available to answer your questions and provide educational materials that explain our proposed changes as well as the requirements and steps for voting. At the end of the day, whether your voice is in favor or not, casting your vote is your way of telling us if we are on the right path.
What happens now?
We are waiting to hear from the BIA on a number of legal issues pertaining to our proposed amendments. Once we hear back from them, we will send the request for an election to the BIA so the amendment process can move forward. We anticipate holding this election later this year. In the meantime, we will keep you up to date and informed. Please get involved and learn about the proposed amendments as we roll out educational materials and a website over the coming months. Ask questions and learn why we are proposing these changes. And most important, when the time comes, register to vote, AND vote at the election.
Important things you can do now to get ready to vote!
Because this is a federal election and not the traditional tribal election you are familiar with, there are two important factors that affect who can vote. 1. Unlike a tribal election, members who are 18 years of age on the date of this federal election are eligible to vote. 2. Adult tribal members must register to vote for this special election. This is a special federal election that requires a registration separate from the one that makes you eligible to vote in local or other federal elections. IMPORTANT: There are two things you can do today to ensure you receive a registration packet for this important election when it becomes available: (1) Have a valid Tribal ID card, which are currently only good for five years. If your card is older than five years, contact our Enrollment Officer Leon John at (360) 466.7211 to get a new one; and (2) make sure your address is current and valid. Contact Enrollment if you recently moved or want to make sure your address is correct.
20 sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
What differences will the changes to enable the Tribe to become fully selfgoverning make for the Community? My Family? You? These changes recommended by the Senate will better protect the health, safety, and general welfare of tribal members and our natural resources because it will enable the Tribe to: • Protect all of its territory, not just the Reservation, and the natural resources located within that territory.
In recent years, the Tribe has purchased lands located off- reservation, for example, the Summers property (giving access to tribal fishermen/women to the Skagit River), Swinomish Golf Links (golf course), salmon restoration property located upriver. • Regulate actions by non-tribal members that potentially may harm this territory and its natural resources. Why is this important? The assertion of jurisdiction (authority) by a tribe is the single most powerful tool that a tribe has to protect its lands, resources and members. • Enact new laws without having to get the approval of the BIA. Why is this important? First, it supports the Tribe’s continuing move towards full sovereignty and self determination. It is consistent with the Tribe’s historical efforts to assert control over its own affairs and to remove the BIA’s authority over the Tribe. Second, while the BIA has a responsibility to act in the Tribe’s best interest, it has not always done so. Let’s look at an example. The Tribe has wanted to pass a law protecting the Reservation’s supply of
water but the BIA will not approve it due to its national policy prohibiting tribes from enacting such laws. The Reservation is your homeland and protecting its water supply is vital, especially given the effects of climate change. Third, the BIA itself is encouraging all tribes to remove this requirement from their constitutions. • Engage in new businesses without having to get BIA approval and without unnecessarily exposing the Tribe to lawsuits. Why is this important? Depending upon the type of business the Tribe seeks to start, the following are some of the many steps the Tribe will need to take: negotiating and entering agreements with other governments or entities, obtaining loans, appropriating funds for employees, imposing taxes, regulating the business’ activity—all of which currently require BIA approval. Such approval either delays the opening of the business or prevents it from opening altogether. • Introduce flexibility into the Constitution. Why is this important? As we all know, changes in the laws, the way we communicate, the way we do business, are occurring at a rapid pace. In order for the Tribe to keep pace and to grow in the face of change, the Constitution needs to be flexible enough to allow for this growth by the Tribe. sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
Why is this important? The foundation of any tribe is its land base and protecting it is critical to the tribe’s survival.
21
NORTHWEST INDIAN COLLEGE SWINOMISH SITE SUMMER 2016 QUARTER REGISTRATION May 16-June 24 From Left: Krista Hamburg, Holle Edwards, Donna Dan, Clarissa James.
2016 NWIC Graduating Students Associate of Art & Science General Direct Transfer Degree Donna Dan Holle Edwards Krista Hamburg Phillip Morris Christonda Rios
SUMMER 2016 QUARTER BEGINS June 27 LAST DAY OF THE QUARTER August 19 CONTACT INFORMATION
Associate of Applied Science Degree Clarissa James (Early Childhood Education)
13 MOONS COMMUNITY GARDEN
Gaylene Gobert, Swinomish Site Manager (360) 255.4435 ggobert@nwic.edu Linda Willup, NWIC/Swinomish Instructional Technician (360) 255.4436 lwillup@nwic.edu Jessica Gigot, Native Environmental Science Faculty (360) 255.4437 jgigot@nwic.edu
UPCOMING COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS Nature Walking Tour and Workshop: June 11 Native Plant Nutrition and Identification Native plant Identification walking tour at Kukutali Preserve on Kiket Island 10AM -12PM. Please Contact Beth Willup for any information for workshops, work parties, when to volunteer and Service Learning hours. E-mail: bwillup@stu.nwic.edu Phone: (504) 948.5234 22 sw d bš qyuuqs News
Shelly Vendiola, Native Studies Leadership Faculty (360) 255.4438 svendiola@nwic.edu
SWINOMISH BLOGS http://13moonsgarden.wordpress.com http://blogs.nwic.edu/swinomish Northwest Indian College Swinomish Site Address 17113 Tallawhalt Lane, Box C-11 La Conner WA, 98257
e e
Department of Environmental Protection
Weekly Enterococcus Monitoring Resumed
It is that time of year when the weather gets warmer and our surrounding waters look more and more enticing for swimming, boating, wading, and cooling off. The Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) wants to make sure that the waters are not only refreshing but safe! As of mid-May we will be resuming weekly bacteria monitoring at three main recreational beaches around the Reservation: Swinomish Channel at the fishing docks, Sneeoosh Beach and Lone Tree Point.
MINDFUL MONEY MATTERS Home Loans: HUD Section 184 There are a variety of different loans available if you want to buy, build or remodel a home. Besides conventional loans, there are several loan programs available to tribal members that offer loan guarantees, such as VA loans (www.homeloans.va.gov), USDA Rural Housing loans (www.rd.usda.gov) and HUD loans (FHA and Section 184 loans).
Here is a short summary of HUD Section 184 Loans, provided in response to multiple inquiries from community members about this program.
Specifically, we are monitoring for levels of Enterococci, which are a group of bacteria that may indicate the presence of fecal pollution which can cause gastrointestinal illnesses.
The Section 184 Indian Home Loan Guarantee Program is administered through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (www.hud.gov). This program provides a home mortgage specifically designed for Native American and Alaska Native families, Alaska Villages, tribes, or tribally designated housing entities.
As of 2004, Enterococci took the place of fecal coliforms as the new federal standard for water quality at saltwater beaches. EPA recommends Enterococci as the best indicator of health risk in saltwater used for recreation.
Eligibility: Native Americans or Alaska Natives who are members of a federally recognized tribe are eligible to apply for Section 184 loans. To qualify, you must have a 41% total debt to gross income ratio.
We are adding a new component to our monitoring this year, a beach sanitary survey, in which we gather information such as number of people at the beach; wave and wind direction and speed; and the presence of animals, algae and debris, all of which will be entered into a model to help predict harmful occurrences of bacteria.
These loans can be used to: • Build a new home (for a stick-built or a manufactured home on a permanent foundation) • Purchase an existing home • Rehab a home • Refinance
Please inform the Department of Environmental Protection of any suspected bacterial contamination by calling (360) 466.7280.
Benefits: A low down payment of 2.25% for loans over $50,000 and 1.25% for loans under $50,000 and a low mortgage loan guarantee.
You may visit the Swinomish DEP website at: http://www. swinomish-nsn.gov/resources/environmental-protection. aspx, for up-to-date information on our sampling results, and we plan to have informational signage with those results at each monitored beach by this summer.
Visit www.hud.gov for more information, including a list of approved lenders. Information regarding these loans, and related information regarding homesite leases that may be necessary when applying for a HUD Section 184 or other loan, can also be obtained through the Swinomish Realty Office.
sw d bš qyuuqs News 23 e e
Swinomish Housing & Utility Authority Robin Carneen
Summer Lawn Care
Summer Water Usage
If spring is any indication, Swinomish will be experiencing another hot and dry summer! The village is looking beautiful as residents are mowing their lawns and preparing their gardens. Some people are already planting flowers and starting seeds.
When it comes to water usage, make sure to review your Swinomish Utility Authority bill every month. This is a great way to track your usage and to monitor how much water you and your family may be using.
If you are a housing tenant, we would like to remind you of the department’s courtesy Lawn Care Program. This program allows Swinomish Housing Authority (SHA) renters the use of a mower, an electric weed eater, a rake, and many other tools on a first come, first serve basis. It is a requirement that tenants maintain their yards as a condition of their rental agreement; this program assists renters who do not have their own lawn equipment stay in compliance with that expectation. Many requests are submitted from non-SHA homeowners and renters who would like to borrow equipment; due to the department’s limited inventory, only SHA renters can be accommodated at this time. To reserve equipment or for more information, please contact Robin Carneen Edwards at least 24 hours in advance of your preferred rental date, and the department will ensure the equipment you need is available and ready for you. Informational brochures about this program are also available at the SHA office. Keeping up with your lawn maintenance will help with rats, mice, and other pesky insect issues. It also helps the village prepare for the drought/fire season ahead. Small grass fires have occurred previously in the village, and it is always a concern that any small fire can turn into a major catastrophe. If you are prone to setting off fireworks, keep in mind that they are prohibited in certain places within the village. Please be responsible, and only use fireworks in an area where the grass cannot catch on fire, such as paved or dirt areas away from homes and other buildings. Keep a hose and bucket of water nearby for any unexpected situations. Make sure that children are not setting off the fireworks- matches, lighters, and punks can give them the wrong impression that is OK to light something on fire. Adults should be the only ones who set off fireworks.
If there is a discrepancy in your bill, contact the SUA office right away, to ensure you don’t have a water leak somewhere or a leaky running toilet. Keep in mind, if you are gardening, watering your lawn, or filling up swimming pools, your water bill will be higher. Water conservation efforts in our village are paramount whenever possible, so that enough water is available for future use. If you are having trouble paying your water bill, you can come in and work off your water bill if work is available. This is also a first come, first served program, and it is a great way to work off your water and keep it flowing. Keep in mind, available work cannot be promised, so it is best to at pay your bill whenever you are able. Guidelines for this Water Work Program are available at the SUA office.
SWINOMISH HOUSING AUTHORITY BILL PAY We are providing easier and more consistent ways to pay your SHA/ SUA bills - EBT/SSI/credit and debit cards can be used in-person or over the phone - Payroll deduction if you work for the Swinomish Tribe - Automatic bill payment through your financial institution Save On Your Garbage Bill ORDER A RECYCLE BIN! Call Waste Management at (360) 757-8245 Tell them you are a Swinomish Utility Customer and request the $7.40 per month recycle rate. Remember, extra cans and bags are charged at $4.60 each.
SHA/SUA Contact information 17547 First Street, La Conner, WA 98257 FOR AFTER HOUR EMERGENCIES: Main Office: (360) 466-4081 or (360) 466-7223 PLEASE STAY ON THE LINE AND FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS
24 sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
TRIPS FOR SNIPS SPAY/NEUTER Transport For Dogs & Cats One-time vaccination shots included! Special Swinomish Pet Transportation Day will be: WEDNESDAY JULY 19, 2016 Drop Off Your Pet: 7:30AM Pick Up Your Pet: 4:30PM Drop off and pick up at the Housing Office: 17547 First St. La Conner WA, 98257 Surgeries will be performed at the Noah Center. Collaboration Between Swinomish Housing & NOAH • Complete the application & turn it in at the Swinomish Housing office ASAP, we need a head count. • They will provide instructions on how to prep your pet for sugrary, when you drop off the application. • Trips for Snips is a program that transports your pet for spay/neuter services to the NOAH Center. • No Charge for Transportation • On the same day of the alteration, you can pay to get your pet(s) mircro-chipped. Call Robin Carneen at (360)466-4081 for question and to make an appointment, please mention ‘Trips for Snips’.
sw d bš qyuuqs News 25 e e
The Wellness Program COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs.
Symptoms include breathing difficulty, cough, sputum production and wheezing. It's caused by long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter, most often from cigarette smoke. People with COPD are at increased risk of developing heart disease, lung cancer and a variety of other conditions. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis are the two most common conditions that contribute to COPD. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the air sacs (alveoli) of the lungs. It is characterized by daily cough and sputum production. Emphysema is a condition in which the air sacs (alveoli) at the end of the smallest air passages (bronchioles) of the lungs are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure. COPD is treatable. With proper management, most people with COPD can achieve good symptom control and quality of life, as well as reduced risk of other associated conditions. The Wellness Program 17337 Reservation Road La Conner WA 98257 Main Office: (360) 466.1024
26 sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News
Jeff Edwards LAWN CARE + GARDENING + HAULING SERVICES Cell (360) 612-7607 Home (360) 630-5498 PO Box 1551 La Conner WA, 98257
e e
Aqiimuk's Kitchen Patricia Aqiimuk Paul, Esq.
WALK & WHEEL TO SCHOOL DAY Tara Satushek
Walk and Wheel to School celebrated its kickoff event on Wednesday, May 4 with a wonderful turn out! La Conner Elementary and Middle School students participated in this nation-wide event by walking, biking, and wheeling to school. Despite the rainy weather, fun was had by all as our youth engaged in healthy lifestyles and active living. This event was made possible by the support of our community and generous volunteers. Special thanks to the Skagit and Swinomish Police Departments for escorting students safely to school, and to Robin Carneen for her event photography!
Swinomish to La Conner Safe Routes to School Project Update: Project design and engineering is complete! Construction is slated to begin midsummer.
SPICY PRAWNS OVER PASTA Prawns are a seasonally harvested shellfish. This particular day I had already planned a meal with smoked beef sausage. I decided to combine ingredients and we enjoyed this recipe.
Ingredients
Wheelers getting ready to ride alongside the police.
12-15 spot prawns, cooked 2 smoked beef sausage 6 mini sweet peppers 3 tablespoons olive oil 2 ounces serving pasta 7 or 8 dried chilies 3 tablespoons minced garlic
Slice the smoked beef sausage into bite size pieces. Core and remove seeds from the mini-sweet peppers, cut into thin strips. SautĂŠ beef sausage and peppers. Add the cooked prawns. Add the dried chilies. Heat through and set aside. Cook the pasta, your choice, linguine is ideal but I used what was on hand, spaghetti. When draining the cooked spaghetti, I used the warm pan and added the remaining olive oil and minced garlic and cooked until heated through. When I placed the pasta on a serving platter, I added the olive oil and garlic mixture and stirred briefly. I then topped the pasta with the prawns, beef sausage, and peppers. I left the chilies in, and though we did not eat then, they continued to add a spicy flavor to the dish.
Skagit County Officer Steve Wade gives a bicycle safety talk.
Walkers at Pioneer Parkway.
sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News 27 e e
Preparation
Army Corps Rejects Permit for Coal Terminal at Cherry Point Samantha Wohlfeil
LUMMI RESERVATION — The proposed coal terminal for Cherry Point is likely dead after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers denied a needed permit Monday, May 9. The Corps ruled the project would impact the treaty-protected fishing rights of Lummi Nation based on the fact that the proposed trestle and associated wharf would take up 122 acres over water. “The Corps may not permit a project that abrogates treaty rights,” said Col. John Buck, commander of the Corps’ Seattle District. Lummi members cheered the announcement as it was made Monday morning in Lummi Indian Business Council chambers. “With that, I want to acknowledge the hard work and leadership taken on behalf of all tribal leaders here,” Lummi Chairman Tim Ballew told those gathered. “We wouldn’t have been able to do it without you. Today is a good day. Today definitely is a good day.” The decision was a major blow to SSA Marine, which has 51 percent ownership of the estimated $700 million project. Last month it had suspended work on an environmental review while it awaited the decision. The project has been heatedly debated in Whatcom County for years, with backers citing the needed living-wage jobs and opponents decrying the increased train traffic and pollution it would bring. Those backing the project have a few options to possibly revive it. SSA Marine can change the project so it doesn’t significantly impact treaty rights, reach an agreement with Lummi Nation so the tribe withdraws its objection or sue in federal court. It was not immediately clear what action SSA Marine or its subsidiary Pacific International Terminals would take in light of the Corps’ decision Monday. “PIT is considering all action alternatives,” the company said in a news release. “This is an inconceivable decision. Looking at the set of facts in the administrative summary it’s quite obvious this is a political decision and not fact based,” Bob Watters, PIT president, said in the release. “We are very disappointed that the GPT project has become a political target rather than being addressed on the facts. The terminal promises to deliver substantial benefits through economic development, the creation of family wage jobs, and the generation of significant taxes.” Lummi council member Jay Julius said what kept popping into his head was that the tribe never lost faith. “We never ever doubted ... We always had faith we would win,” Julius said to the group gathered in council chambers Monday morning. “One of the greatest things that I witnessed personally from this is the recognition from the outside, outside of the boundaries of this reservation, and those who don’t know us as a people. ... It has provided an opportunity for those outside to learn what the treaty is.” Members in the audience included environmentalists and local elected officials. “Everything we knew for thousands of years was given up in the treaty, and we were placed here,” Julius said, “but we 28 sw d bš qyuuqs News
e e
secured some rights in that treaty. I’m thankful the colonel honored the treaty.” Coal companies were hoping exports to Asia would shore up their industry, which has been battered by competition from cheap natural gas and more stringent restrictions on pollution. Two coal companies — Arch Coal and Peabody Energy — announced in April major layoffs of workers at mines in Wyoming. The Corps’ decision followed a request by Lummi Nation in January 2015 to protect the tribe’s treaty fishing rights. “The Lummi have harvested at this location since time immemorial and plan to continue into the future,” Ballew said in the Jan. 5 request. “The proposed project will impact this significant treaty harvesting location and will significantly limit the ability of tribal members to exercise their treaty rights.” Lummi fishing territory extends from the Fraser River to Seattle, with the exception of the Strait of Juan de Fuca and Hood Canal.
Col. John Buck Photo by Swinomish Communications
The tribe’s request came just weeks after the Department of Ecology released a vessel traffic study showing 76 percent more disruption to tribal fishing once the proposed terminal was in full operation. SSA Marine claimed the tribe failed to prove its harvest would be much affected. The 76 percent increase in disruption from vessel traffic was misleading because it amounted to a change from 0.11 percent disruption to 0.19 percent, SSA Marine officials pointed out. In Monday’s news release, Watters cited aerial observations by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife done during fish openings from 2002 to 2014, which “sighted only 4 fishing boats within one half mile of the proposed pier location and only 11 fishing boats” a half mile to a mile out from the proposed pier. “On average that’s only 1.15 boats per year,” Watters said. “In addition, the Glosten Vessel Traffic study concluded that vessel traffic associated with the terminal would have a less than 1 percent impact on tribal fishing.” Although the Corps examined all information submitted about the project, Buck said, increased vessel traffic and concerns about the impact of spills weren’t part of this denial. Supporters of the terminal claimed the Corps had catered to “special interests” and said the decision would have a “chilling impact” on families who were counting on jobs created on site. “It’s truly disturbing that the Army Corps took the unprecedented step today to deny the permit for the Gateway Pacific Terminal project even before releasing the draft Environmental Impact Statement,” Kathryn Stenger, spokesperson for the Alliance for NW Jobs & Exports, said in an email. “To deny this permit without any involvement from the community or without releasing any of the findings from its years long review is deeply troubling and sends a dangerous signal that the Army Corps values special interests over the rule of law. This ruling could have a chilling impact on thousands of families in northwest Washington who were counting on this project to provide good-paying jobs.” This article appears on the Bellingham Herald website as of May 9, 2016 - http://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/ local/article76545117.html sw d bš qyuuqs News 29
e e
Education Dinner This year's Education dinner was a joyous occasion, and full of celebration as Swinomish recognized the scholastic achievements of its many students. The hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm of the dinner's honorees was evident throughout the night, as students were honored for graduating, academic achievement, and for some, becoming Lushootseed language teachers. Left to right: Logan James, Asiah Gonzalez, Danika McCoy, Joseph Quintasket
Congrat ulat ions st udent s!
Left to right: Chairman Cladoosby, Kevin Paul, Tim Bruce, Gail Bruce, Brian Porter, Barb James, Joe Williams
Ray Baker
Left to right: Lori Ann Cayou, Kyle Bailey, Joe Quintasket, Marlo Quintasket, Janie Beasley
Left to right: Krista Hamburg, Holle Edwards, Donna Dan, Clarissa James, Stormy James, Darlene Peters
30 sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News
Brayden Moses
e e
JUNE 2016
YOUTH CENTER 1 WED Hours: 10AM-6PM
2 THURS Hours: 10AM-6PM
3 FRI Hours: 10AM-6PM
6 MON Hours: 10AM-6PM
7 TUES Hours: 10AM-6PM
8 WED Hours: 10AM-6PM
9 THURS Hours: 10AM-6PM
10 FRI Hours: 10AM-6PM
13 MON Hours: 10AM-6PM
14 TUES Last day of school! Movie Day at the Youth Center
15 WED Play Day at the John K. Bobb Field
16 THURS 9 years and older: Skagit Skate 8 years and younger: Jungle Playland
17 FRI All ages: Kayak Point (weather permitting) BBQ *Alternate outing: Trampoline Zone
20 MON All ages: Snohomish Aquatic Center
21 TUES 9 years and older: Bowling 8 years and younger: Children's museum
22 WED 9 years and older: Trampoline Zone 8 years and younger: Storvik Park
23 THURS All ages: Pacific Science Center
24 FRI All ages: Picnic at Sneeoosh (weather permitting) *Alternate outing: Movie Day at Youth Center
27 MON All ages: Lake Goodwin (weather permitting) *Alternate outing: Fidalgo Pool
28 TUES All ages: AMC Movie Day
29 WED All ages: Flats and BBQ
30 THURS 9 years and older: Lake Samish 8 years and younger: Lake Goodwin
LAST DAY OF SCHOOL FOR LA CONNER
TUESDAY, JUNE 14 sw d bš qyuuqs News
31
e e
Asiah Gonzalez Soroptimist International of La Conner; Student Volunteer of the Month
WOMEN'S HEALTH DAY May 10 - Throughout the day, women of all ages attended the Women's Health Day to receive a health checkup and preventative screenings at the Swinomish Medical Clinic. A nutritious lunch was also served.
Asiah Gonzalez, a senior at the La Conner High School, is the Soroptimist's International of La Conner's Student Volunteer of the Month for the month of May. Asiah is privileged to live in two cultural communities and celebrate her mother’s blood ties to the Swinomish Community and her father’s ties to the Mexican culture. At Swinomish, Asiah helps at tribal events doing contributing to set up, cooking, cleaning up, and helping the elders. She mostly enjoys helping elders. She likes to give back and to show that they are cared for. Elders are given first priority at dinners and elsewhere. They are, she says, “where our teachings come from.” Asiah is Miss Swinomish this year. She will pull in the Paddle to Nisqually Canoe Journey as part of the canoe family in the youth canoe, mima?ad s’uladxw. She hopes to have her great grandmother in the canoe for the end of the journey. As Miss Swinomish she will represent the Tribe, set an example for youth, and help them live positive lives. She volunteered for the "This Has to Stop!" drug and alcohol awareness campaign with the Tribal Community. In contrast to the canoes, Asiah helps with her family’s participation in the Lowrider Car Club riding in a totally different conveyance. These clubs are all over the country and even world wide; together, Asiah and her family go on trips to places like the Super Show in Las Vegas. She even has an old car of her own that will someday be modified to become a low rider. “The family that plays together stays together,” she says. That is certainly an element common to both of Asiah’s worlds.
Myrtle Rivas receiving a health checkup by Jennyray Williamson.
Graduation Cedar Hat Ceremony
June 3 - Logan James, Joseph Quintasket, Asiah Gonzalez, Kamea Pino, Danika McCoy, and Brittney Grossglass each received a graduation cedar hat to wear at their high school graduation. Each hat was hand woven by Aurelia Bailey and Alyssa McCormick.
Congratulations Class of 2016!
At school Asiah has participated in track and cheerleading, volunteered with youth camps, and helped at track and field events. Asiah’s plan is to become a Dental Health Aide. She is already interning with Laura Kasayuli at Swinomish Dental Clinic and will enter the DHAT program (dental health aide therapist) in Alaska. Asiah’s parents are Cassandra and Abel Gonzelez and her two siblings Liliana and Aaliyah. Soroptimists of La Conner has awarded Asiah with a gift certificate to Vintage La Conner Thrift – which is operated by volunteers and depends on the generous donations of the community to help support women and girls in the community with scholarships.
32 sw d bš qyuuqs News
Photo Courtesy of Marlo Quintasket
e e
*Lunch served Mon-Thurs. No take away meals until 11AM. Call (360) 466-3980 to cancel home delivery. Milk served with all meals.
JUNE 2016
ELDERS’ LUNCH
1 WED Beef Stroganoff Egg Noodles/Bread Green Beans Cantaloupe
2 THURS Eggs & Sausage Pancake Fruit Salad Vegetable Juice
6 MON Fish Sandwich Potato Chip Cucumbers/ Tomatoes Fresh Fruit Bowl
7 TUES Homemade Chicken & Rice Soup Rolls Mixed Green Salad Fruit Cocktail
8 WED Pork Roast/Gravy Rice/Roll Peas & Carrots Applesauce
9 THURS Hashbrown Egg Casserole Cut Tomatoes French Bread Fruit Salad
13 MON BLT Sandwich Tomato Soup Cucumbers Fresh Fruit Bowl
14 TUES Soft Tacos Meat/Beans/Cheese Lettuce/Tomato/Onions Jell-O w/ Oranges
15 WED Baked Chicken Parsley Red Potatoes/ Rolls Corn Cobs/Green Beans Watermelon
16 THURS Fruit Crisp Boiled Eggs Spinach Salad
20 MON Turkey Burger Lettuce/Tomato/Onion Baked Beans Strawberries
21 TUES Homemade Vegetable & Beef Soup Dinner Rolls Nectarines
22 WED Smoked Fish Red Potatoes/Rolls Carrots Fruit Salad
23 THURS Eggs & Ham English Muffin Pineapple Vegetable Juice
27 MON Meat Lasagna French Bread Mixed Green Salad Strawberries
28 TUES Chicken & Dumplings Carrots & Celery Plums
29 WED Pepper Steak Rice/Roll Pineapple
30 THURS Oatmeal Bar w/ Fruit Poached Eggs English Muffin Vegetable Juice
COMMUNITY DINNER June 15, 2016 6PM Youth Center sw d bš qyuuqs News 33 e e
MRS. V’S 2 CENTS CHILDHOOD MEMORIES Diane Vendiola
Following my birth my parents brought me, their first born, to my first home, which was most appropriately called “The Welcome Hotel.” This was a hotel/apartment rental located in an area then known as Chinatown. I have limited recollection of my first years, only bits and pieces of major “highlights.” One such highlight was recognizing that I had become an older sister to my baby brother, Junior, born two years after me. It was my first experience of being a boss. Another memory that stands out took place when I was around 4 years old. The Welcome Hotel sat atop a mom and pop grocery store. An old Filipina woman always sat in front of this store wearing dark sunglasses. Her name was Bulag-lag, and she was the store manager. I remember eating a giant strawberry ice cream cone, and trying as hard as I could to see behind those sunglasses; my mother had told me Bulag-lag could only see out of one eye. Bulag-lag always sat just outside the doorway of her store; her family lived behind the store, and as a child, I always thought they were rich. Accordingly, my only goal when I was four was to be rich and be the boss of a store, and eat strawberry ice cream cones every day. My father was Bulag-lag’s friend and sometimes we got “credit” from her, which meant we could get groceries when we were broke and pay her back later. My father spoke to her every single day in Visayan, the language of his people, the people he left behind in the Philippines. Another thing that attracted my attention about Bulag-lag was that she always clenched a small black cigar between her teeth, even when speaking to my Dad. She was the first woman I had ever seen who smoked a cigar. My father once caught me trying to smoke one of his, and much to my surprise he lit it for me, and told me “sige” (‘go ahead’ in Visayan). I did, and immediately felt sick. My Mom and Dad said I turned a shade of green, and they laughed and laughed. I also recall from those long, long ago years, cleaning house and getting ready for the parties we would host on weekends, or getting all dressed up to go to the parties at my Dad’s cobobayan’s (town mates) homes. There was always lots of laughter, food and happy people at those gatherings.
34 sw d bš qyuuqs News
My Dad would go every day to visit his cobobayans. They would meet at the pool hall or the union hall. Sometimes he would bring me along and I would be spoken to in Visayan, which I sometimes understood and sometimes not; whatever the circumstances, my father had instructed me to always, always speak in “good English”. I was given nickels and orange soda pop and my chubby cheeks were pinched. I would not dare run around all over the place, because in those days, children were to be seen and not heard. In the summers, we always packed up and went to visit my grandparents, Ganga and Christine, at Swinomish. It was a much different world where Ganga and Christine lived than our home in Chinatown. There were no trolley cars, no police sirens, and no cement. I always felt safe and protected when we arrived at the Reservation, I guess because people watched out for each other here. We were always so happy seeing our family again after the fall and winter months. Like the Welcome Hotel, the Swinomish Reservation was my home. We had great times going to clam digging parties; picking berries; and helping to can fruit, fish, and meat. I had good fun playing with my cousins, Claudette, Bubbles, and Ethel Marie. The only thing I didn’t like was when I had to go to the outhouse by myself, as I was scared of the stick Indians. My father would join in on the bone games that were held, usually on Saturday nights. They used sticks and pounded the log or board laid out in front of them when they sang their bone game songs as they did not have hand drums. Sometimes they made fires because there wasn’t any light. Us kids would play kick the can. It was great. Ganga always treated my brother and I like we were already grown-ups. Every single time it was time for us to return to Seattle, he would tell us to not forget that we were Native American, and to always remember where we came from. And he would sing a Swinomish song to us, in the native language! (Usually Ganga and Christine only spoke in their native tongue when they thought us kids were asleep). Ice cream cones are no longer so giant and I am probably older today than Bulag-lag was. But it was the best of times to be a kid back then.
e e
As a full-time employee, you will be eligible for a comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement planning, and more. Other perks include generous paid time off and discounted meals. To view details about open positions and download our General Employment Application, visit swinomishcasinoandlodge.com/careers. All positions are “Open until filled” unless otherwise specified. Email applications to: jobs@swinomishcasino.com Mail or hand deliver to: Swinomish Casino & Lodge 12885 Casino Drive Anacortes, WA 98221 Or Fax to: 360-299-1677 Questions? Call Human Resources at (360) 299-1642
BANQUET SERVER (OC) ELECTRONIC GAMING EG CLERK (Full Time) EG SLOT TECHNICIAN (Part Time) FACILITIES CUSTODIAN (Full Time) ENGINEER I (Full Time) FINANCE CAGE CASHIER (Full Time) GUEST SERVICSE PLAYERS CLUB ASSOCIATE (Full Time) HOST BRAND AMBASSADOR (OC) EXECUTIVE HOST (Full Time) INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY AV/IT TECH (Full Time) KITCHEN DISHWASHER (Full Time) KENO KENO RUNNER/WRITER (PT)
LODGE GUEST SATISFACTION ASSOCIATE (Full Time) MARKETING DIGITAL MARKETING COORDINATOR (Full Time) SECURITY SECURITY OFFICER ( Part Time) SPORTS BAR BUSSER (Part Time) COCKTAIL SERVER (OC/Part Time) TABLE SERVER (Part Time) TABLE GAMES DEALER (Part Time) VALET VALET ATTENDANT (Full Time) 2 SALMON CAFÉ BUSSER (Part Time) TEAM MEMBER SUPPORT (Part Time) 13 MOONS BUSSER (OC) HOST/HOSTESS (Part Time) SERVER (OC)
sw d bš qyuuqs News 35 e e
CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS As of June 1, 2016
Do you have a non-criminal legal problem? The Native American Unit at Northwest Justice Project provides free civil (noncriminal) legal services to eligible Native Americans and Alaska Natives who cannot afford a lawyer in Washington. Legal issues include (among other things): •
• • •
Protecting Indian monies (per capita, settlement, and other tribal income) from garnishment and/or impacting other income and benefits; Education – suspensions, special education, truancy; Child custody matters involving the Indian Child Welfare Act; Trust land rights- leasing, rights of way, homeownership;
•
Estate Planning (wills) for Indian trust property owners;
•
Indian Health Care and other tribal benefits; Driver’s license suspensions based on unpaid fines; Tribal housing.
• •
To find out if the Native American Unit can help you, please call. • In King County: Call 2-1-1 • For all other counties: Call the CLEAR hotline at 1-888-201-1014. CLEAR phone lines are open from 9:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., Monday thru Friday. What is Northwest Justice Project? The Northwest Justice Project (NJP) is a statewide non-profit organization with 13 offices in Washington State that provides free civil legal services to low-income people. NJP's mission is to secure justice through high quality legal advocacy that promotes the long-term well-being of low-income individuals, families, and communities.
Rev. 5/2016 38 sw d bš qyuuqs News
e e
TRANSPORTATION TO YOUR SUPPORT GROUP IS NOW AVAILABLE
SWINOMISH MEDICAL CLINIC Community Outreach Visits
Wellness Care Nurse Family Partnership Tobacco Cessation Counseling Asthma Healthy Home Initiative SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY
Call today for more information, or to schedule an appointment! Phone | (360) 466.3167 17400 Reservation Road, La Conner, WA 98257
Day Massage & Treatment
Laura Nagel MA#60553697 Two convenient locations: Swinomish Casino & Lodge La Conner Hair Design (Mondays only)
20% discount for military personnel and families (with ID) www.daymassageandtreatment.com
sw d bš qyuuqs News 39 e e
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.
Second from Left: Arjuna Adams, LCHS student running the 100 yard dash at the Concrete Track Meet. Photo Courtesy of Robin Carneen