Oct 2019 Vol. 53 No. 8
HARDSHIP THE SCALE OF HARDSHIP | PAGE 20
C
NTENTS INSIDE
Totem Pole Raising Ceremony at the La Conner elementary school
ON THE COVER
20
The Scale of Hardship
Hardship
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Editor's Note Chairman's Message Notice: Availability of Petitions for Nomination Community Happenings Recent Tribal Code Amendments Notice of Election Code Changes What's Up Doc? + Vaping & Lung Injury There's No Need to Be Embarrassed Climate Change in the Pacific Northwest Forestry & Native Plant Identification Field Trip November Tide Table Envisioning a Forest Bank at Swinomish Indian Tribal... Being Frank The Scale of Hardship + In Time of Need, How... The Art Corner: Poems Meet Your Wild Neighbors: The Barred Owl Sign Up For Trips for Snips! Waste Reduction Efforts at the Clambake Katie & Lauren Walk the Very Last Susan G. Komen... Totem Pole Raising Ceremony at the La Conner... Landy James' Speech + Between Two Worlds Youth Spirit Program Calendar Mrs. V's 2 Cents Elders Lunch Menu October Birthdays
editor’s NOTE My Hardships Led Me to Believe I cannot count the amount of times in my life I’ve been tested with hardship. What I never expected I would struggle with most during these hard times is believing — believing in myself, my family, the Creator, and Mother Earth.
My hardships take many forms. At times I feel like I’m stuck, other times I feel like I’m being split in two and going opposite directions, or like I’m upside down, or sometimes not even here. It’s hard for me to pull myself out of the rut when this happens, but in the end, it is believing that helps me get through.
I’m such a questioning kind of person: Why is this happening? Why is this happening right now? Who is hurting or in pain? Who have I not spoken to lately? Not only do I assess my internal self, my thoughts, and prayers extend to my family and friends. It took me until adulthood to understand that I must endure the pain of my family by helping them heal; only then can I begin to heal through my own hardships.
I encourage you all to look at the hardships in your life and believe that someday you’ll get through it. Someday it will hit you, through the shining of sun or the breeze of the wind, you will find peace. Caroline Edwards goliahlitza
pedxiZib (pud-HWEE-cheeb)
Moon of the Elk Mating Cry Late September/Early October is the "moon of elk mating cry," signaling autumn. This moon is a very busy time because all five salmon runs are fished and dried. The last of the fall Chinook run are entering the river while dog salmon, also called chum, are starting their run. Dog salmon dry lean, making them ideal for storage. Hunting also begins for larger game such as deer and elk.
pedxiTxiTil (pud-HWEET-HWEE-teel)
Moon of the Falling Leaves
Much of October is "the moon of the falling leaves." During this moon, the last stocks of sockeye, and humpback go up-river, while silvers and dog salmon are reaching their peak. Fishing and drying salmon for the winter months continues. This is the height of the harvest, because the plants are maturing and starting to die. It is a good time to gather nettles, cattails, salal, and bracken fern roots. Hunting begins for ducks, geese, and other birds as they return for the winter, and also for larger game such as deer and elk. 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
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The official news publication
of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
T R I B A L S E N AT E
spee pots Brian Cladoosby, Chairman (360) 708.7533 | bcladoosby@
ya qua leouse Brian Porter, Vice Chair (360) 840.4186 | bporter@
sapelia Sophie Bailey, Secretary (360) 853.6458 | sbailey@
sOladated Brian Wilbur, Treasurer (360) 588.2812 | bwilbur@
stoolsta Eric Day (360) 770.7024 | eday@
The mission of qyuuqs News is to provide monthly communication to Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Members near and far. We are committed to serving as an apolitical forum for the Swinomish governing officials and all Community Members. qyuuqs News is not intended to reflect the official position of the governing body at Swinomish Indian Tribal Community but rather reflects the ideas, events, and thoughts of individual Community Members and Tribal staff. As such, the Swinomish Tribe makes no claim as to the accuracy or content of any of the articles contained therein. qyuuqs News 17337 Reservation Road, La Conner, WA 98257 Phone (360) 466.7258 Fax (360) 466.1632 *SUBMISSIONS Send your news tips, stories, and photos to qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us Submission deadline: 10th day of the month EDITORIAL Caroline Edwards, Editor | cedwards@swinomish.nsn.us
yal le ka but Steve Edwards (360) 840.5768 | sedwards@
taleq tale II Barbara James (360) 391.3958 | bjames@
SM OK O LO Leon John (360) 421.0406 | ljohn@
wa lee hub Kevin Paul (360) 540.3906 | tribalsenator@yahoo.com
kuts-bat-soot Jeremy Wilbur 360-770-7447 | jjwilbur@
squi-qui Joseph Williams (360) 853.5629 | jwilliams@ All Swinomish staff emails: FirstInitialLastName@swinomish.nsn.us
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SWINOMISH COMMUNICATIONS Heather Mills, Communications Manager | hmills@swinomish.nsn.us Emma Fox, Communications Specialist | efox@swinomish.nsn.us ADVISORY COMMITTEE Allan Olson, Tracy James, Kevin Paul This issue is available online at swinomish-nsn.gov/qyuuqs Photos credits: qyuuqs News Staff or as credited. All rights reserved.
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
our survival. Our most precious natural resources, the salmon and cedar, were plentiful back then.
We thought we would have a homeland forever when our elders signed the treaty and the other three bands made the decision to move to Swinomish. With all of the hardships the Swinomish Tribe has Unfortunately, dissent broke out between the nonovercome throughout the years, I know we are survivors. Indians and our leaders. President Grant signed an We look back at our ancestors and remember the suffering illegal executive order that reduced the size of the they faced for over 150 years. With their hearts and souls, homeland our elders were promised and took away they pushed forward through those damaging times and March Point from our reservation. created a future for generations to come. Then came the fish wars. Our treaty promised us Our people, environment, and resources faced the ability to continue to harvest a resource we have detrimental impacts when non-Indians came into our lived on since time immemorial. The state took a part of the world—and we have never been the same position that we did not have a right to harvest fish and since. Swinomish witnessed the land being stripped continually cited our elders for exercising their treaty of its resources, the waters polluted as the population rights. As a result, our elders had to go to court and grew, and our people murdered and killed by numerous fight for our right to harvest fish, which resulted in the diseases. For generations now, we have stepped in the famous Boldt Decision. footsteps of our ancestors who have fought so hard to restore all that was taken. Another hardship our people had to overcome was the boarding school experience. In the era where “kill If we look back in history, our people suffered from the Indian, save the man” was created, 80 percent of epidemics such as smallpox, measles, and influenza. all children across the United States were taken out The one thing that probably had the biggest impact on of their communities in an order to destroy the race our communities was the disease that was brought to of many cultures. This experience had devastating our shores. It is estimated that 30 percent of all Natives generational impacts on all of our communities. We died from these diseases during the 1770s epidemic, are still feeling this hardship. and some say this number is probably higher. Small pox was especially devastating to northwest communities. My family and your family have suffered from the To this day, we are still deeply impacted by the loss of impacts of these historical traumas, and each day we our ancestors and are dealing with the trauma. fight hard to be survivors. It is with the hope of mine and Nina’s hearts that I can say, "We will heal, and we Not only did our Native societies suffer from the will heal together as Swinomish. We will heal from the detrimental loss of resources and disease, we would past so we may build our future." never fully recover in population, or have the ability to resist colonization. I will end my message with a few thoughts: Our bloodlines, names, culture, songs, and laws are still We are all descendants from the Swinomish, Samish, here today, and will be here for generations to come. Lower Skagit, and the Kikiallus tribes. Before the We invest with seven generations in mind, which 1855 Point Elliott Treaty was signed, our ancestors means we will always make decisions that will impact considered Whidbey Island, Camano Island, our children’s children. We know no other way. Stanwood, Conway, La Conner, and the San Juan Islands to be our homelands. We utilized this homeland Brian Cladoosby, for our survival. Everything God gave us was part of kel khal tsoot sw d bš qyuuqs News 5 e e
NOTICE: AVAILABILITY OF PETITIONS FOR NOMINATION TERMS EXPIRING SENATE SEAT 1, SOPHIE BAILEY SENATE SEAT 2, BRIAN CLADOOSBY
In order to allow time for the new Drug Testing Procedures, the Election Board recommended a change in the pre-election timeline. Petitions for nominations will now be available on the third Monday of October (STC 2-01.120(A)(3)). For the 2019-2020 election season, petitions will be available on October 21, 2019, in the Swinomish Administration Building during normal business hours. The candidate fee of $200.00 is now due at the time Petitions for Nomination are picked up. Please contact the Election Officer, Wendy Otto, at 360.460.0843 for more information. See PAGE 9 for the Notice of Election Code Changes sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
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HOLIDAYS
OCTOBER 31 Happy Halloween!
NOVEMBER 11 Veteran's Day NOVEMBER 28 Happy Thanksgiving!
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS OCTOBER 16 Community Dinner | 6PM @ Youth Center
OCTOBER 24 La Conner School's Parent & Teacher Conference 12:30-3:15PM; Bring your youth! OCTOBER 26 Medication Drug Take Back Day | 10AM-2PM @ Swinomish Police Department See PAGE 11 for details! OCTOBER 28 Trips for Snips | See PAGE 26 for details! OCTOBER 31 Trunk or Treat! | 4-6PM @ John K. Bobb Ball Field Halloween Bash | 5:30-8:30PM @ Youth Center *Community Dinners are subject to change
Adults, bring treats for the kids and a lawn chair (or car) and join us at the ball field! There will be no trick-or-treating in the Swinomish Village this year. sw d bš qyuuqs News
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RECENT TRIBAL CODE AMENDMENTS Office of Tribal Attorney
The Swinomish Senate, the governing body of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, recently enacted the following code amendments.
Title 14, Chapter 1 – Employment, Tribal Employment Rights
At the August Senate meeting, the Senate revised the Tribe’s Tribal Employment Rights Code. The revisions clarified some descriptions/definitions within the Code, the roles of TERO staff, and also made modifications to tribal prevailing wages provisions, TERO fees, and the compliance and reporting procedures. The TERO Commission recommended the amendments, which the Senate enacted on August 6, 2019.
Title 20, Chapter 3 – Land Use and Zoning, Zoning
At the September Senate meeting, the Senate revised the Tribe’s Zoning Code. The revisions amend: 1) the mechanism for public notice of development permits; 2) the variance application process to authorize Planning Commission to review and approve applications or refer the same to the Senate; and 3) the authorized land uses of limited and general commercial districts to include single family residences. The Planning Commission recommended the amendments, which the Senate enacted on September 12, 2019. The amended code and Constitution are available for review on our website at swinomish-nsn.gov. Paper copies are available for review at the Social Services or Planning departments, and through the Tribal Court Clerk, the Office of the Tribal Attorney, and the Senate’s Executive Assistant.
FALL INTO FITNESS SEPTEMBER 24-OCTOBER 29 Stay healthy this season with exercise and delicious whole foods during the annual Fall into Fitness challenge! We provide the training and nutrition support, you provide weekly excercise logs. Excercise solo or join weekly group classes every Wednesday at noon. Complete the challenge to receive cool fitness gear and a whole foods cookbook! Open to Swinomish community members and employees. Sign-up at the Fitness Center. Questions? Call (360) 466.3151
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NOTICE OF ELECTION CODE CHANGES Swinomish Election Board
At a Special meeting of the Swinomish Senate on June 19, 2019 and at a Regular meeting on October 1, 2019, the Swinomish Election Board met with the Senate and discussed the Board’s recommended revisions to the Elections Code, STC 2-01. Those recommended changes were collected in Ordinance 391 (6/19/19) and Ordinance 395 (10/1/19), approved unanimously by the Senate and went into effect the same day. The changes detailed below will govern the 2019-2020 election season. The Board recommended that the Senate approve the inclusion of “Appendix A – Drug Testing Procedures” as part of the Election code. Appendix A defines and describes the steps required for drug testing under STC 2-01.120(C)(7)., and includes the testing and limits for the following substances: Amphetamines, Benzodiazepines, Buprenorphine, Cocaine Metabolite, Methadone Metabolite (EDDP), Ethanol, Opiates, Morphine, Oxycodone and Cannabis Metabolite (STC 0201 – Appendix A, Section IV). The Board also recommended that an independent testing service contract with the Tribe to administer the drug and alcohol testing for potential Senate candidates. The Board further recommended that potential candidates be given an avenue to dispute a “Confirmed Positive Drug Test Result”. These steps are outlined in STC 02-01 – Appendix A, Section VII.
Procedures, the Election Board recommended a change in the pre-election timeline. Nomination Petitions will now be available on the third Monday of October (STC 2-01.120(A)(3)). For the 2019-2020 election season, petitions will be available on October 21, 2019. At the October meeting, the Board recommended that the Senate approve changes to STC Title 2 – Tribal Government, Chapter 1 – Elections, Sections .120 Candidates: (A) Petitions, (C) Qualifications and (D) Fees. The Board found that these changes will clarify the process and conditions by which an eligible candidate shall petition and qualify for certification under STC 2-01.120(E). These changes require the eligible candidate to select and indicate the Senate Position for which he or she intends to run at the time the Petition for Nomination is obtained. The Election Board also recommended the Candidate Fee be paid at the time the Petition for Nomination is obtained (STC 2-01.12.0(C)). Finally, the Election Board recommended that the code incorporate the following language, (STC 2-01.120(A)(2)): (2) Resign to Run. A Senator must resign from his/ her current Senate Position in order to be certified as an eligible candidate for another Senate Position, if the term of the Senate Position sought begins before the end of the term of the Senate Position currently held. Additionally, no member of the Election Board shall be certified as a candidate unless he or she resigns from the Board.
In order to allow time for the new Drug Testing
ATTENTION: AFTER-HOURS HOUSING & UTILITY EMERGENCIES
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What's Up Doc?
Is Vaping Dangerous to Your Health? Dr. Monica Carrillo, Swinomish Medical Clinic
Vaping & Lung Injury Dr. Tom Calderon, Swinomish Medical Clinic
Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), e-cigarettes, vapes, e-hookas, vape pens, tank systems, and mods came to the United States market in 2007. As of 2018, nearly 21% of high school students less than 18 years of age reported use of one of these or similar products. The use tends to be higher in males than females, and THC and nicotine containing products are the most commonly used. Currently in the state of Washington, self-reported use of these products has followed national trends, with the exception of 12th graders whose use has gone up from 20 percent to 30 percent. There have been seven reported cases of lung injury due to vaping in our state.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has activated its Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to respond to the current investigation into lung injury associated with e-cigarette product use, or vaping. “CDC has made it a priority to find out what is causing this outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping-related injuries and deaths,” said CDC Director Robert Redfield, M.D. CDC continues to work closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to collect information about recent e-cigarette product use, or vaping, among patients and to test the substances or chemicals within e-cigarette products used by case patients. While this investigation is ongoing, please consider refraining from using e-cigarette or vaping products. If you are using e-cigarettes to stop smoking, please make an appointment at the Swinomish Medical Clinic for safe nicotine replacement products. Call the Swinomish Medical Clinic reception and appointments at (360) 466.3167
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Cause of injury
At this time, there is no specific chemical that has been identified as the one causing the outbreak. It appears that most of the lung injury cases have been found in those patients who report using THC-containing products with or without nicotine. However, some report using only nicotine containing products.
What to look for
Some of the symptoms that have been attributed to vaping lung injury include coughing, shortness of breath, and chest pain, and occasionally nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
What to do
Stop using any electronic vaping device • Do not alter your vaping device • Do not use any product that is unregulated or purchased on the street • Do not add any other substances to the vaping device or product If you currently use any of the mentioned products and have concerns, please call us at Swinomish Medical Clinic and make an appointment. We are happy to help you live a healthier and smoke/vape free life!
There’s No Need to Be Embarrassed Sarah Chagnon, Dental Health Aide Therapist
All the adversity I’ve had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me… You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. -Walt Disney Embarrassment is one of the most common concerns voiced by people who haven’t been to a dentist in a very long time. Patients have come into the Swinomish Dental Clinic and were reluctant to tell staff that they no longer like to smile or talk to other people because they worry about what others will think of their teeth. As dental providers, we see all different stages of teeth. We don’t want people to feel embarrassed; we are here to help because we love what we do, and we do what we do for you. It is important to remember what has happened has happened and you can’t change the past. All you can do is work on making a brighter future. With that said, dental issues can be identified and addressed before they progress into an emergency, so
keep your dental appointments—or make one now. We, as dental providers, are here to help and support you, give you options, and assist you in reaching a state of happiness about your teeth. Come in for an exam and we can make a treatment plan together. We’ll go over all possible options and help you make the BEST decision that is right for you. Always keep your appointments to ensure that your teeth and gums are in good health.
Remember: The greater the obstacle, the more glory in overcoming it. -Moliere
MEDICATION DRUG TAKE BACK DAY DISPOSE OF MEDICATION SAFELY Where: Swinomish Police Department When: OCTOBER 26, 2019 Time: 10AM-2PM What we can take: Prescriptions and/or over-the-counter medications, patches, creams, ointments, vials, and pet medications
What we cannot take: Illegal drugs, intra-venous solutions, injectable, syringes, chemotherapy medications, inhalers or medical waste Sponsored by the Swinomish Police Department Contact CSO Bridgette Solomon For more information Phone: (360) 399.8795 Email: bsolomon@swinomish.nsn.us sw d bš qyuuqs News
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CLIMATE CHANGE IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST Kelsey Larson, Air Quality Specialist
Hello qyuuqs News Reader, This is the last installment of the series focusing on the climate of the Pacific Northwest. The previous month’s issue includes an article addressing the question: How will the climate of the Pacific Northwest likely change in 10, 50, and 100 years? This month I’ll endeavor to answer the question: How will these changes in climate impact the tribal community? In addition to the changing weather patterns and climate I wrote about last month, sea levels are projected to rise. This projection for sea level rise on the Swinomish Reservation is a 50 percent chance of being 12 inches higher by 2070, and a 90 percent chance of being 12 inches higher by 2150. Seasonal flooding could continue in the Skagit River Delta with these sea level rises. Some regions (particularly on the western coast of Washington) are becoming oxygen-starved dead zones due to increasing populations of microorganisms that feed on oxygen. This region is expanding and how much or little that continues could impact fishing for years to come. The changing precipitation patterns also influence stream flows. Large rainfalls could kick up sediment, burying salmon eggs or harming smolt. Little rain in the summer with hotter temperatures will affect salmon habitat, increasing strain on an already strained species. From a perspective of public health, the rise in temperature in the Pacific Northwest will lead to more cases of heat exhaustion and heat-related deaths – particularly affecting the elderly and young sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
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children. In addition, the higher temperatures and changing precipitation patterns will lead to a larger probability of forest fires and extended fire season. Wildfire smoke can contain carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and particulate matter (PM) – the exact amount varies based on fuel type and temperature. Exposure to particulate matter has been associated with health impacts ranging from wheezing; coughing; sore eyes and throats; and shortness of breath; to more adverse health outcomes ranging from increases in asthma-related hospitalizations; chronic and acute respiratory and cardiovascular health outcomes; and premature death. Unfortunately, adverse health impacts aren’t the only hardship to come. Climate change also threatens culture. Native rights are place-based rights. Climate change shifts and disrupts plant and animal habitats affecting the first foods. Warmer ocean temperatures are shifting marine species northward bringing new marine life that can be predators to local species. Some plant and animal species are forced further up mountains with rising
temperatures; once they reach the peak these plants and animals are no longer able to exist in that mountain region. Others are more at risk to pests and diseases due to warmer winters that do not kill off insects. Even if these species could be secured, treaty-protected rights of tribes to hunt, fish, and gather traditional resources are based on reservation locations and usual and accustomed areas on public lands. These locations were chosen to ensure access to culturally significant resources, whose locations were thought to be fi xed. If the traditionally significant plants, animals, and aquatic species shift out of these areas, tribes will no longer have the same legal rights to them. Loss of either culturally important species or access to them will make it more difficult for elders to practice and pass their traditional knowledge to the next generation. As noted before, some climate stresses will fall harder on elders who are more vulnerable to heat waves and food and water stress. Tribal youth are also in danger of losing touch with traditional hunting, fishing, and gathering as warmer weather and wildfire smoke become more common. This disconnection and loss can affect mental health adversely.
I want to express some words of hope in the face of this coming hardship. Indigenous cultures have centuries of experience with local natural resources, so they recognize environmental changes before Western scientists detect them. With your help, we can remain on the forefront edge of climate preparedness and adaptation. Tribes have political sovereignty and thus have the ability to develop their own ways to respond to these changes. Treaties can be leveraged to protect habitat of fish, shellfish, wild game, and plants in addition to pressuring the federal government to fulfi ll its trust duty to protect tribal homelands by reducing U.S. carbon emissions. By working together with other tribal communities across the United States and the world at meetings like the UNCCC (United Nation Council on Climate Change), tribes can stand up for native rights here and abroad. Intertribal fish commissions who are already protecting or co-managing fish habitats are one such example of this. There is hope in times of hardship when we walk together as a community to protect those we hold dear. sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News
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Forestry & Native Plant Identification Field Trip Caroline Edwards, qyuuqs News Editor Myk Heidt, Community Environmental Health Program Coordinator, Certified Wild Foods and Medicine Educator
SEPTEMBER 26 — The gloomy morning was clearing up to be a beautiful day when community members started to arrive for the forestry field trip hosted by the Swinomish Planning department.
Myk shared the following information about the different plants identified on the field trip with qyuuqs News:
Coastal Reindeer Lichen
McGlinn Island is one of the few places where coastal reindeer lichen Planning intern and event coordinator grows well on the reservation. There are about 11 varieties that grow Alana Quintasket introduced herself along the Pacific Coast, some are in the Lushootseed language, bitter while others are mild. Reindeer thanking everyone for attending lichen must be boiled to remove the event. Swinomish friends from acids for human consumption. EcoTrust, Brent Davies, David Diaz, Native Americans made a tea to Stephanie Cowherd, Noah Thomas, treat diarrhea, as a laxative, cough and Sean Gutierrez, were able to be suppressant, anemia, loss of there too. EcoTrust is a non-profit appetite, gastritis and inflammation organization who is assisting the of the mouth, pharynx, and gut. This Tribe with making updates to the type of lichen grows very slowly, so Swinomish Forestry Management limited harvesting is a must to keep Plan. Jim Unsell and David Diaz it healthy. It takes years to replace answered questions about forest what humans take or deer eat in just practices along with our current a few minutes. Take only what you tribal forester employees who have need is the mantra of wild foraging! a wealth of knowledge about the forests of Swinomish. Once the verbal agenda was set for the day, Licorice Fern everyone boarded the Youth Center Licorice fern appears early in spring coach buses to explore the selected usually on or near a big leaf maple Swinomish forests sites. or on rocky outcroppings. It goes Community Environmental Health Coordinator and Certified Wild Foods and Medicine Educator Myk Heidt lead the plant identification walk at McGlinn Island, one of her favorite forests on the reservation. Many field trip participants had not been to McGlinn for some years and expressed their happy memories of past visits to harvest, fish, hunt, and hang out on the beach there.
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dormant during hot, dry months and reappears in the fall. It is easy to identify as it has rusty spots on the underside of the fronds. There are several kinds of licorice fern. Those with brownish, rusty rhizomes have a licorice flavor and were peeled and eaten raw or steamed in hot water for tea to treat sore throats and colds and used to sweeten bitter medicines. Some kinds of licorice ferns have white rhizomes and do not taste like licorice but still have
good medicine. It’s amazing how they appear at the times of year that people often get sore throats and colds, spring and fall.
Blood Spattered Beard
Hanging heavily from the fir and hemlock branches, blood spattered beard is easy to harvest and grows in abundance at McGlinn Island. This strange plant is pale yellowish green and can have red-spotted tiny powdery balls on it, but not always. Everyone picked a piece of this lichen and gently pulled away the branches to reveal the tough, central cord that is elastic. This is a unique characteristic of this usnea and makes it easy to identify. Medicinally it is anti-microbial, anti-fungal, and has anti-bacterial properties, making a very good base for healing balm. Regular internal use can cause liver damage so supervision by a naturopath or doctor is strongly recommended. Usnea absorbs heavy metals, so as with any foraging of wild plants for human use, make sure the area is not exposed to pollution or run off from pipes, drainage areas, aglands, or industry.
Oregon Grape
Oregon grape is a native plant that grows a tall species and a short one. The freshest, newest leaves are soft and light green and are very good for chewing when you have a sore throat, they pull out the infection very well and are tasty too.
Envisioning a Forest Bank... on PAGE 17
Madrona
The bark appeared on the trail and some people gathered some to make laughing bark or good mood tea. The berries are also edible and can be eaten fresh or dried in salads, soups, stews, and tea, or as a garnish. They can also be strung into beautiful necklaces. Madrona bark has been used to cook with camas bulbs to turn the white bulbs pink. The bark can also be used medicinally to treat colds and stomach problems.
Native Blackberry
If you trip in the woods it is usually this ground hugging vine that has caught your foot! While the blackberries are small, they have the most delicious flavor in the forest. Native blackberry leaves are best harvested in fall when they turn red. Use them to add to your heart healthy tea mixture! They were traditionally used to treat dysentery, fevers, and sores in the mouth. A small impromptu basket can be made of the vines, provided you have tough leather gloves to strip the thorns and leaves off.
Yellow Flag Iris
At first glance the yellow flag iris looks like cattail, but this plant is an invasive non-Native! The leaves can cause a rash on your skin from the toxins. DO NOT HARVEST.
Thimbleberry
Children love to learn about thimbleberry’s large soft leaves and
it’s a good way to remember this plant. If you are ever out camping or hiking, it makes good toilet paper! The large leaves also make a great impromptu berry container; just fold into a cone shape and you have a disposable berry basket! The leaves can also be dried for a rich vitamin C tea. In spring, young shoots are eaten raw and are full of vitamin C. Bears love these shoots too. A traditional recipe calls for drying the berries and smoking them with clams. Sounds tasty!
Red Huckleberry
Some tribes dried the red berries by smoking them with huckleberry branches as fuel for the smoke. Leaves and bark can be used to make a decoction good for sore throats and inflamed gums. Some say that red huckleberry was created by the monster woman-ofthe-woods, and those who ate her berries lost their reason and were carried off into the woods. sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
The bluish berries are edible and are good mixed with salal berries, especially to make jelly. The bark and berries were traditionally used to treat eye sores as well as liver and gall bladder problems. Some Saanich say that eating Oregon grape berries in quantity are the only antidote known for shellfish poisoning, but great caution is needed as this medicine is very strong. The bark and stems produce a wonderful yellow dye for baskets.
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TIDE TABLE: November 2019 w
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Day Fri 01 Sat 02 Sun 03 Mon 04 Tue 05 Wed 06 Thu 07 Fri 08 Sat 09 Sun 10 Mon 11 Tue 12 Wed 13 Thu 14 Fri 15 Sat 16 Sun 17 Mon 18 Tue 19 Wed 20 Thu 21 Fri 22 Sat 23 Sun 24 Mon 25 Tue 26 Wed 27 Thu 28 Fri 29 Sat 30
High
00:24 7.18 ft 01:45 7.54 ft 02:49 8.11 ft 03:41 8.75 ft 04:25 9.36 ft 05:05 9.93 ft 05:43 10.44 ft 06:21 10.87 ft 07:01 11.19 ft
01:10 8.16 ft 02:31 8.92 ft 03:40 9.83 ft 04:40 10.68 ft 05:34 11.37 ft 06:24 11.82 ft 07:12 12.05 ft
Low
02:46 −1.45 ft 03:32 −0.82 ft 03:23 0.00 ft 04:20 0.88 ft 05:23 1.68 ft 06:31 2.31 ft 07:34 2.79 ft 08:29 3.22 ft 09:15 3.66 ft 09:57 4.16 ft 10:36 4.69 ft 11:15 5.22 ft 11:54 5.71 ft 12:37 6.15 ft 00:36 −1.54 ft 01:18 −1.59 ft 02:04 −1.38 ft 02:54 −0.91 ft 03:50 −0.22 ft 04:52 0.60 ft 05:59 1.48 ft 07:07 2.33 ft 08:11 3.15 ft 09:11 3.94 ft 10:07 4.69 ft 11:00 5.36 ft 11:53 5.91 ft 12:46 6.29 ft 00:36 −2.12 ft 01:18 −1.61 ft
High
10:02 11.38 ft 11:02 11.14 ft 11:07 10.91 ft 12:10 10.76 ft 13:05 10.70 ft 13:48 10.68 ft 14:22 10.68 ft 14:49 10.70 ft 15:14 10.71 ft 15:38 10.71 ft 16:03 10.68 ft 16:29 10.59 ft 16:57 10.45 ft 17:28 10.25 ft 07:45 11.38 ft 08:32 11.44 ft 09:24 11.41 ft 10:21 11.35 ft 11:18 11.34 ft 12:12 11.43 ft 13:01 11.58 ft 13:43 11.76 ft 14:22 11.90 ft 14:58 11.95 ft 15:34 11.86 ft 16:10 11.61 ft 16:48 11.19 ft 17:28 10.62 ft 07:59 12.08 ft 08:45 11.95 ft
Low
High
15:50 6.14 ft 17:09 6.33 ft 17:47 6.08 ft 19:10 5.44 ft 20:06 4.64 ft 20:46 3.82 ft 21:16 3.01 ft 21:42 2.22 ft 22:04 1.42 ft 22:28 0.64 ft 22:55 −0.11 ft 23:25 −0.75 ft 23:59 −1.25 ft
20:29 9.41 ft 21:22 8.54 ft 21:30 7.75 ft 22:54 7.24 ft
13:23 6.49 ft 14:15 6.72 ft 15:15 6.77 ft 16:28 6.52 ft 17:47 5.85 ft 18:56 4.77 ft 19:50 3.40 ft 20:36 1.92 ft 21:17 0.49 ft 21:57 −0.75 ft 22:37 −1.66 ft 23:16 −2.20 ft 23:55 −2.34 ft
18:02 9.97 ft 18:41 9.58 ft 19:30 9.07 ft 20:37 8.47 ft 22:04 7.95 ft 23:38 7.80 ft
13:41 6.50 ft 14:41 6.53 ft
18:10 9.95 ft 18:57 9.20 ft
Sunrise Sunset Moonrise Moonset 7:55 7:57 6:58 7:00 7:02 7:03 7:05 7:06 7:08 7:09 7:11 7:13 7:14 7:16 7:17 7:19 7:20 7:22 7:23 7:25 7:26 7:28 7:29 7:30 7:32 7:33 7:35 7:36 7:37 7:39
17:50 17:49 16:47 16:46 16:44 16:43 16:41 16:40 16:38 16:37 16:36 16:35 16:33 16:32 16:31 16:30 16:29 16:28 16:26 16:25 16:25 16:23 16:23 16:22 16:21 16:20 16:20 16:19 16:18 16:18
13:03 13:53 13:34 14:07 14:35 14:59 15:19 15:39 15:58 16:18 16:41 17:06 17:37 18:15 19:03 20:00 21:06 22:19 23:36
0:54 2:13 3:31 4:51 6:10 7:28 8:41 9:47 10:44 11:30
21:31 22:28 22:30 23:33
0:37 1:41 2:44 3:48 4:53 5:59 7:07 8:15 9:24 10:28 11:27 12:17 12:59 13:33 14:03 14:29 14:53 15:17 15:43 16:12 16:46 17:27 18:16 19:12 20:13
DID YOU KNOW? HARDSHIP
Hardship comes in many forms, but the power of community to rise up and respond to a need is impactful. You can lend a hand to your community today through these organizations: •
•
•
Diaper Bank of Skagit County works to ensure families living in poverty have the diapers they need for infants and toddlers. Donate today: diaperbankskagit.org Brigid Collins Family Support Center works tirelessly to end child abuse by nurturing children and providing healing to their family. Volunteer today: brigidcollins.org The Skagit Valley Herald Christmas Fund provides toys, books, and a holiday meal to families in need during the holidays. Contribute today: goskagit.com/xmasfund Source: Swinomish Charitable Contributions 2019
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A healthy future starts with you
for the Swinomish Tribal Community Envisioning a Forest Bank For the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community TRIBAL FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
Forest Bank Sells timber and ecosystem servies
Management authority Community Benefits
The Swinomish Indian Tribalpublished Community published a Tribal Forestwhile Management commitments, also meeting some financial needs of The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Plan that envisioned managing the forestlands across the reservation for community members. a Tribal Forest Management Plant such that as envisioned community benefits climate mitigation, clean air, biodiversity, and access to cultural and spiritual places. To helpfor realize this vision, the concept of a Forest managing the forestlands across the reservation Bank was created. Adopting Landscape-Level Planning community benefits such as climate mitigation, clean Without an incentive for landscape-level planning, Theaccess Forest Bank incentivizes individual air, biodiversity, and to cultural and spiritualallottees to manage their forest land to Swinomish forestlands meet some of the objectives outlined in the Tribal Forest Management Plan. Inexperience checkerboard harvests places. To help realize thisforvision, theharvest concept of a exchange deferring or management rights, wouldto realize financial returns on as individual allottees allottees endeavor receive a steady, annual source of income. Revenues to pay allotment holders would Forest Bank was created. their parcels through timber harvesting. Coordinating begenerated from the sale of timber and ecosystem services produced under the management activities Tribal Forest Management Plan. The Forest Bank would deliver payments to across BankBIAincentivizes individual to allotment / OST, who would deposit theallottees funds into the holders’ accounts. types on our reservation can
The Forest manage their forest land to meet some of the objectives outlined in the Tribal Forest Management Plan. In exchange for deferring harvest or management rights, individual allottees would receive a steady, annual source of income. Revenues to pay allotment holders would be generated from the sale of timber and ecosystem services produced under the Tribal Forest Management Plan. The Forest Bank would deliver payments to BIA/OST, who would deposit the funds into the allotment holders' accounts.
the different ownership help achieve a cohesive
vision of resilient forests. The Tribal Forest Management Plan (the Plan) lays out a landscape-level vision of forest management across the reservation. The Forest Bank concept provides a pathway for landowners to adopt the Plan by incentivizing allottees to transfer management authority to the Tribe in return for secure, annual payments. By aggregating forestland, allottees and the Tribe create access to additional economic opportunities and markets, cultural resources, while strengthening community benefits.
What can a Forest Bank do for the Swinomish Tribal Community? The Swinomish Tribe, with support from the non-profit Learn More Ecotrust, is exploring the concept of a "Forest Bank." If Contact the Planning Department for additional information successful, this Bank could help enable climate-smart or Alana Quintasket (aquintasket@swinomish.nsn.us). practices that honor the Tribe's cultural values and climate sw d bĹĄ qyuuqs News 17 e e
BEING FRANK Habitat Work Shows Promise of Salmon Recovery Lorraine Loomis, NWIFC Chairman
Treaty tribes are encouraged by fish passage improvement projects in the Puget Sound region and other projects that will open access to many miles of good salmon spawning and rearing habitat. They are clear examples of the kinds of action we need to take to recover salmon populations. The projects include a pair of dam removals: One on the Middle Fork of the Nooksack River in Whatcom County; the other on the Pilchuck River in Snohomish County. The third is the overhaul of an important fish trap used to collect salmon for transport above the Mud Mountain Dam in King County. A partnership of the city of Bellingham, the Lummi and Nooksack tribes, state and federal agencies, and others plans to begin removing the 30-foot-tall Middle Fork Nooksack Dam next summer. The project will restore 16 miles of important stream habitat for Chinook, steelhead and bull trout listed under the federal Endangered Species Act. Since 1962, the dam with no fish ladders has been diverting water to supplement Bellingham’s primary water supply from Lake Whatcom. sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
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The Nooksack and Lummi tribes will also be conducting habitat enhancement efforts in the Nooksack watershed. The Nooksack Tribe will place 50 engineered logjams in a mile-long stretch of the North Fork of the Nooksack River near Kendall. Logjams create pools that allow salmon to rest, feed, and grow. They also reduce erosion and help accumulate gravel for salmon spawning beds. Meanwhile, the Lummi Nation is restoring habitat along Porter Creek, which empties into the Middle Fork Nooksack. An upcoming phase of the project will include planting trees, bushes, and other vegetation along the creek’s banks to reduce erosion and help keep stream temperatures low for salmon. The tribe has been installing logjams in Porter Creek since 2016. The Porter Reach restoration will benefit salmon migrating upstream to access the opened upstream portion of the river after the dam is removed. On the Pilchuck River in Snohomish County, the Tulalip Tribes are partnering with local and state government agencies to remove the Pilchuck Dam near Granite Falls. The 10-foot-tall
dam was built to provide drinking water but is no longer needed. It has prevented fish from fully accessing about 37 miles of pristine upriver habitat for more than a century. Removal of the dam is expected to begin next summer or fall. On the White River, the Muckleshoot and Puyallup tribes were the driving force behind a new fish barrier and larger capacity fish trap expected to significantly increase salmon passage above the Mud Mountain Dam. The flood control dam was built in the 1940s with no fish ladders. A century-old drinking water diversion dam downstream of the Mud Mountain Dam also blocks migrating salmon. A fish trap was just below the dam about 75 years ago to collect salmon for transport to miles of good habitat above the dams. But the dam was poorly maintained, and the fish trap proved too small to handle the volume of fish moving up the river. The undersized fish trap led to massive crowding of adult spring Chinook, steelhead, and bull trout at the foot of the diversion dam. Thousands of fish were injured or killed by exposed steel reinforcement bars and other parts of the deteriorating dam as they tried to leap the structure.
The old fish trap could capture only about 20,000 fish annually. The new trap can handle 1.2 million per year. A new fish barrier is also being installed to prevent salmon from reaching the diversion dam that is slated to be rebuilt. These projects are just a few examples of the tribal commitment to the salmon resource. Each of the 20 treaty tribes in Western Washington works hard every day to stop the ongoing loss of salmon habitat. That’s because we know that restoring salmon habitat is the key to salmon recovery. If we didn’t think it could be done, we wouldn’t be working so hard to do it. Being Frank is a monthly column written by the chair of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. As a statement from the NWIFC chair, the column represents the interests and concerns of treaty Indian tribes throughout western Washington.
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The Scale of Hardship Caroline Edwards, qyuuqs News Editor
If you could envision your own doesn’t get easier, maybe a little scale of hardship, how heavy is the more manageable, but that’s why weight that you carry? they tend to be deemed later on as hardships. It’s never easy to face a hardship that pushes you to feeling numb There are many types of hardships inside; when you are taken aback that each of us encounter. Some internally, suffering and feeling people believe that their hardships oppressed. Once it happens, it are the worst kind out there: can sweep your will to move on loss, heartache, sadness, fear, right from under your feet. Yet, conflict, and failure. However, somehow, most of us act and are these hardships may not even be able to grow and get through it. comparable to the hardships that people in other countries face. Some people have a harder time picking their feet up once they’ve Our loved ones help us to believe been dragged down in life. No that we’ve been put on Earth one is perfect and no one can do it for a purpose and it’s up to each for you. Hardships are stressful. individual to discover their very It might feel easier at first to purpose. A testament to life forget about it, and feel that it is itself is living in harmony with not necessary to remind yourself the reality of the hardships and of any of your hardships. The adversities you’ve overcome. weight of the trauma in your life 20 sw d bš qyuuqs News
Wherever you see yourself on the scale of hardship, understand that you carry the right amount of weight at all times—otherwise you’d be dragging yourself every day. Try to tread lightly throughout your life because it will occasionally catch you off guard just to rekindle the past hurt and trauma. It’s how you overcome your traumas, hardship, and adversities that help lighten the weight you carry. “Just as we develop our physical muscles through overcoming opposition – such as lifting weights – we develop our character muscles by overcoming challenges and adversity.” – Stephen Covey
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In times of need, how do you respond? When someone has just encountered a hardship and is looking to you for advice, how do you respond? There is no script or fix-all cure to give someone when they need words of encouragement, and it may be hard to find the right words to help them. Examples of empathetic responses: 1. Acknowledge their pain 2. Share how you feel 3. Show gratitude that the person opened up 4. Show interest 5. Be encouraging 6. Be supportive
What it sounds like: Acknowledge their pain “I’m sorry you are going through this.” “Wow, that really sucks.” “I hate that this happened.” “That must be hard.” “That sounds really challenging.” Share how you feel “Wow. I don’t know what to say.” “I can’t imagine what you must be going through.” “I wish I could make it better.” “My heart hurts for you.” Show gratitude that the person opened up “Thank you for sharing with me.”
“I’m glad you told me.” “Thank you for trusting me with this. That really means a lot.” Show interest “How are you feeling about everything?” “What has this been like for you?” “I want to make sure I understand…” Be encouraging “You are brave/strong/talented.” “You matter.” “You are a warrior.” “I’m in your corner.” “I love you.” Be Supportive “I’m here for you.” “How can I help you?” “What do you need right now?” “I’m happy to listen any time.” Source: 31 Empathetic Statements for When You Don’t Know What to Say by Laura Click (Medium.com)
A Growing Hardship: Social Media
That has to create some sort of hardship, right? According to the SimilarWeb, a company specializing in the analysis of the digital world, Americans spend an average of 58 minutes per day on Facebook, which also means Americans spends an average of 58 minutes of their day being exposed to everyone else’s social media image while also trying to convey their own.
Relating all this to hardship, it was determined there is a link between social media use and negative effects on well-being, primarily depression and loneliness. On a good note, findings also strongly suggest that limiting exposure to social media to approximately 30 minutes per day may lead to significant improvement in well-being (No More FOMO (Fear of missing out): Limiting Social Media Decreases Loneliness and Depression, healthline.com). In conclusion: Don’t let someone else’s social media image overshadow the true you; be more social in real life. After all, you may need more real-life friends to trust in a real-life crisis. Want to improve your wellbeing without causing more hardship? Spend less time on social media! sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
That question Facebook asks every one of us who have a profile can be intimidating: “What’s on your mind?” It can hang over our head at times, maybe even feeding the anxiety and fear that causes us to stress out about the image we portray, or are trying to portray, on social media. Will my “friends” actually “like” what’s on my mind?
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The Art Corner: Poems I am Your Disease By Robert Williams
You know who I am, you’ve called me your friend Wishes of misery and heartache I send I want only to see that you’re brought to your knees I’m the devil inside you, I am your disease I’ll invade all your thoughts, I’ll take hostage your soul I’ll become your new master, in total control I’ll maim your emotions, I’ll run the whole game ‘Till your entire existence is crippled with shame When you call me I come, sometimes in disguise Quite often I’ll take you by total surprise But take you I will, and just as you’ve feared I’ll want only to hurt you, with no mercy spared If you have your own family, I’ll see it’s destroyed I’ll steal every pleasure in life you’ve enjoyed I’ll not only hurt you, I’ll kill if I please I’m your worst living nightmare…I am your disease I bring self-destruction, but still you can’t tell I’ll sweep you through heaven, then drop you in hell I’ll chase you forever, wherever you go And then when I catch you, you won’t even know I’ll sometimes lay silent, just waiting to strike What’s yours becomes mine, ‘cuz I take what I like I’ll take all you own and I won’t care who sees I’m your constant companion…I am your disease If you have any honor, I’ll strip it away You’ll lose all your hope and forget how to pray I’ll leave you in darkness, while blindly you stare I’ll reduce you to nothing, and won’t even care So, don’t take for granted my powers sublime I’ll bend and break you, time after time I’ll crumble your world with the greatest of ease I’m the madman inside you…I am your disease. But today I’m real angry…you want to know why? I let this treatment center full of addicts entirely slip by How did I lose you? Where did I go wrong? One minute I had you…then next you were gone You just can’t dismiss all the good times we’ve shared When you were alone…wasn’t it I who appeared? When you sold those possessions you knew you would need Wasn’t I the first one who stepped in and agreed?
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Now look at you bastards, you’re all thinking clear You escaped with your lives when you found your way here Only fools think they’re winners when admitting defeat It’s what you must say when you’re claiming that seat Go ahead and surrender, if that’s what you choose But I’m not giving up ‘cuz I can’t stand to lose So stand in your groups and support hand in hand, Better choices will save you…leaving me to be dammed Well, be dammed all you people seeking treatment each week Be dammed inner strength, however unique Be dammed all your sayings, be dammed your clichés Be dammed every addict, whose back to me strays For I know it will happen, I’ve seen it before Those who love misery will crawl back for more So take comfort in knowing, I’m waiting right here But next time around, you’d just better beware You think that you’re stronger or smarter this time There isn’t a mountain or hill you can’t climb Well if that’s what you’re thinking, you’ve ain’t learned a thing I’ll still knock you silly if you step in my ring But you say you’ve surrendered, so what can I do? It’s so sad in a way, I had big plans for you Creating your nightmare for me was a dream I’m sure gonna miss you…we made quite a team So, please, don’t forget me, I won’t forget you I’ll stand by your side watching all that you do I’m ready and waiting, so call if you please I won’t let you forget me…I am your disease.
May By Caroline J. Edwards
My birthday month would make my spirit glow like the stars in the universe. My favorite season to be me. My inner peace would flutter like a daisy’s dream — bees buzzing, and buzzing. Now? … Where did the bees go? How did I not know you were there? All I see is red… for what feels like will be an eternity. It is imprinted deep down in my hipbone, where the other traumas were shoved in the pit of my stomach. It’s the memory I love to remember and forget all at once. You were gone, before I even knew our potential. My spirit dropped very low, once your tiny soul left my body in May. sw d bš qyuuqs News 23 e e
MEET YOUR WILD NEIGHBORS: THE BARRED OWL Leslie Parks, Hunting & Gathering Program
Many of you have likely heard the Barred Owl’s diagnostic “Who Cooks for you?” call in the evening hours. Perhaps you’ve been lucky enough to spot this attractive species silently flying from tree to tree around the community. Or maybe you’ve even found an owl pellet when walking through the woods!
Barred Owl dispute caught on a game camera deployed by Swinomish Hunting & Gathering
Did you know?
Owls swallow their prey whole or in large pieces, but regurgitate the indigestible material (fur, bones and teeth) compacted into a cylindrical pellet. Barred Owls are most active at night, when they are busy hunting small animals and rodents, but are occasionally seen during the day. Barred Owls prefer mature forests where nest cavities and plenty of food can be found. Barred Owls mate in winter, when pairs will perform a raucous duet series of cackles, hoots, and caws. The female lays 2-4 eggs in February.
Meet the New Air Quality Technician! Caitlin Roberts
My name is Caitlin Roberts. This September, I joined the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection as the air quality technician. I earned my Master of Environmental Studies degree from the Evergreen State College in 2013. I worked for the Suquamish Tribe for five years after I graduated to develop a framework to teach ocean acidification as a resource for K-12 teachers. Climate change is one of the biggest challenges we are facing right now on Earth and there are real impacts on human health, as many Swinomish tribal members have experienced first-hand in recent years. I will be monitoring for pollutants from industrial and natural sources in the area such as the refineries and wildfires, facilitating the replacement of high-emission marine diesel engines with new technology, and addressing issues with mold and other indoor air quality concerns in the community. 24 sw d bš qyuuqs News e e
Attend chronic pain management classes and learn about self-care, positivity, and ways to manage pain. Earn your Warrior Bag when you complete your classes, and earn beads as you go to tell your success story for continued participation!
• How to manage your medication • Empowered decision-making • Effective communication skills • Nutrition and healthy eating habits • The benefits of daily activity
Questions? Contact Connie Allen (360) 420.9456 sw d bš qyuuqs News 25 e e
Sign Up For Trips for Snips! A Collaboration Between Swinomish Housing Authority & NOAH
WHEN: Monday, October 28, 2019 DROP OFF TIME: 7:00AM PICK UP TIME: 5:00PM The Swinomish Housing Authority is teaming up with the Northwest Organization for Animal Help (NOAH) to offer a same day, spay/neutering & vaccination event. Julie Mowbray (pictured), the director of the NOAH facility in Stanwood, provides a door to door transportation service on the day of the event. This is first come, first served program, so please sign up soon! This will be our last one for the year. Otherwise, if you miss this event, you will have to come into our office and get a voucher and you will have to drive your pet(s) to Stanwood and back yourselves. Swinomish Housing pays for the spay/neuter surgery and first time shots. We do this in order to help control diseases & help keep the pet population down on the Reservation.
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Pet litters are not allowed in our SHA rental homes. Participation in this event, help keep our Housing tenants in compliance with the “two pets only” Housing policy. As a reminder: You are not allowed any pets at the Conner Place Apartments per our SHA pet policy. Any exceptions to the Conner Place Apartments pet policy have to come through the Director. To qualify for this program you MUST be a Tribal member living on the Reservation. Preregistration is required for your pets (up to two pets per household). On the day of the surgeries, bring your pets to: The Housing office, located at 17547 First St., or let us know if you need your pet(s) picked up and dropped off. Please come in to fill out an application and sign up for an appointment before October 28.
Important note:
Female dogs cannot be more than 30lbs. Puppies need to be three month's old, 3lbs. minimum; kittens have to be 8-10 weeks old/3lbs. minimum and weened. Sign up by calling Robin Carneen at the Housing office at: (360) 466.4081 or (360)588.2887
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Waste Reduction Efforts at the Clambake Jason Thompson, Department of Environmental Protection
By now, we probably all know the three R’s of waste reduction: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle! This year, with the support of the Protect Mother Earth subcommittee, the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) put these important principles into action in order to cut waste at the annual Swinomish Community Clambake. Did you notice any changes?
Reduce
This is the most important step in waste reduction. The more we can reduce our need for materials, the less impact we have on Earth’s diminishing bounty. Clambake organizers asked attendees to consider bringing their own plates and other tableware to the event, and we were impressed to see how many people did! Many tribal members brought their plates from home and tribal employees grabbed plates from their break rooms. Together, we reduced the number of single-use plates required. Additionally, attendees were offered an opportunity to take the Plastic Pledge, an international effort to reduce single-use, disposable plastic waste. Over 110 people made this pledge at the clambake and were rewarded with a reusable Swinomish metal water bottle!
Reuse
When you just can’t reduce, reuse things whenever you can. In this spirit, clambake attendees enjoyed their meal using reusable silverware instead of single-use plastic utensils. Clambake staff collected silverware, then washed, sanitized, and stored it for future tribal events. Additionally, they asked attendees to bring water bottles to save on single-use cups. Filling stations allowed participants to drink all the cold water they wanted.
Recycle
Sometimes you just can’t reduce or reuse. At those times, recycle! As people fi lled up on shellfish, salmon, and other tasty foods, we diligently separated 28 sw d bš qyuuqs News
compostable waste from landfi ll waste. The result was a delivery of two-hundred pounds of compost to Skagit Soils! Composting, a form of recycling, involves the decomposition of organic waste into soil or fertilizer. All of our nutrient-rich food scraps and compostable dishware will be ground up, composted, and turned into food for plants. Thanks to everyone in the Swinomish Community for helping us reduce our environmental impact! If you have feedback about our efforts to reduce waste at future clambakes, please feel free to contact Andrea Pitz at apitz@swinomish.nsn.us.
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Katie & Lauren Participated in the Very Last Susan G. Komen Walk in Seattle It took Katie Bassford and Lauren Reynolds months to prepare themselves physically, mentally, spiritually, and financially before embarking on the 3-day, 60-mile walk to end breast cancer in Seattle. "It was a bitter sweet moment, once I passed the finish line; all of the emotions set in."-Katie Bassford.
From the bottom of our hearts, thank you, to everyone that supported us! -Katie & Lauren
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TOTEM POLE RAISING CEREMONY AT THE LA CONNER ELEMENTARY SCHOOL Caroline Edwards, qyuuqs News Editor
SEPTEMBER 11 –– La Conner school teachers, students, and Swinomish community members gathered around the circle parking lot area of the La Conner elementary school. Once the sound of the Faber Crane work started, everyone’s attention was fixated on the recently restored totem pole that was first designed and carved by Swinomish Tribal Senator Kevin Paul, his brother Alex Paul Jr., and father Alex Paul in 1995, 24 years ago. As was mentioned in the August issue of qyuuqs News Kevin Paul was enlisted to complete the restoration work. The much-needed restoration turned out so beautifully. After the pole was secured, Swinomish Education Director Michael Vendiola led the introduction to the ceremony. Chairman Brian Cladoosby thanked the La Conner School for allowing the Tribe to share their culture with the school district. The La Conner Elementary School principal, Heather Fakkema, gave her thanks to the Chairman for the introduction and mentioned how this ceremony is special for everyone because there may never be another time to witness such a memorable event.
Michael Vendiola acknowledged Kevin Paul, giving thanks and appreciation for restoring the totem pole - a symbol of unity between the Swinomish and La Conner communities. Swinomish Cultural Events Director Aurelia Bailey gathered the Swinomish Canoe Family to sing a blessing song and Daniel (Dano) Rapada’s song while the youth danced in the traditional way around the newly erected totem pole. The totem pole now stands tall in its befitting place, watching over the students as they navigate through school to obtain their educations.
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LANDY JAMES' SPEECH Tanisha Gobert, Youth Spirit Program Manager
During the final presentation at the La Conner school's inservice, Loran James read his father, Landy James’ speech while Kevin Paul and Michael Vendiola stood by his side. Loran James talked about the history behind his father’s speech, and for those of us in attendance that didn’t have the pleasure of meeting his father, we all shared a significant moment with Loran. The session ended with a standing ovation.
Science Corner
Between Two Worlds Program Photos by Jennifer Willup, Department of Environmental Protection Intern
Swinomish students joined the Skagit River System Cooperative in setting a net to beach seine at Lone Tree to count and measure what fish they caught. The group caught different species of star flounder, pike, midshipman fish, shiner perch, sculpin, and more.
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YOUTH SPIRIT PROGRAM Leah Gobert, Assistant Program Manager
OCTOBER 3 Laura Lindberg Art Therapy OCTOBER 10 Snack Social OCTOBER 17 Laura Lindberg Art Therapy OCTOBER 23 Guest Artist Clarissa James
NOTE: OCTOBER 22-25 Early Release 11:35AM Grading
OCTOBER 24 Movie Day OCTOBER 29 Lyrics Bingo OCTOBER 31 Laura Lindberg Art Therapy Pumpkin Painting NOVEMBER 1 No School Homecoming Week NOVEMBER 2 Homecoming Dance NOVEMBER 11 No School | Veterans Day NOVEMBER 14 Laura Lindberg Art Therapy
NOVEMBER 21 Snack Social | Thanksgiving Finger-Foods NOVEMBER 26 Early Release 11:35AM
NOTE: NOVEMBER 27-29 Youth Spirit Program Closed Thanksgiving Break
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Mrs. V’s 2 Cents Diane Vendiola
As I write my 2 Cents for this month I am experiencing the days of an Indian summer, what some cultures have termed as “the fifth season.” After Indian summer comes autumn, and then winter, spring, summer, and possibly another Indian Summer. Indian summer is a short season before the cold of winter. I have read that it is a time to go hunting. Some believe that the Indian summer is a time of getting ready for winter; a time of abundance and gathering and letting go. Some also believe that this short season is when we need to strive for centeredness and balance. It is believed that if I strive to become centered I will get in touch with myself; I will enhance my self-awareness and therefore be more in touch with how to best spend the dark months of winter. When I ponder and attempt to do this act of selfenhancement, thoughts of the Looney Toons characters Wile E. Coyote and Road Runner almost always come to mind. I used to watch these cartoons with the coyote and skinny bird with my kids. Wile E. Coyote continually tries and tries to come up with a trap or contraption to catch and eat the fast-running Road Runner in each and every episode, but he is never successful. An example of one of the episodes features Wile E. Coyote hiding behind a rock, just waiting for Road Runner to zoom by. Coyote starts to chase Road Runner to the edge of a cliff when Road Runner suddenly holds up a sign that says “HOLD IT.” There are hopscotch marks right at the cliff’s edge, which is covered by a cloud. After Road Runner engages hopscotch, it’s Coyote’s turn, right as the cloud drifts away and the edge of the cliff is revealed. Coyote falls down, deep down to the bottom of the canyon. Beat up and bruised, Coyote looks up at the top of the cliff at Road Runner who says “beep-beep!” and zooms off. 34 sw d bš qyuuqs News
All of the episodes of Coyote and Road Runner cartoons were like this. So, I guess that Indian summer and getting centered and more self-aware is a signal to my mind to remember that cartoon from back in the day. I really admired Coyote’s ingenuity and determination. No matter how beat up, battered, and unlucky he was, and how very lucky Road Runner was, Coyote never gave up and kept on attempting to achieve his goal, which was to catch and eat the Road Runner. Another Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote cartoon I remember was when Coyote deviously got black paint and painted what looked like a cave opening in a giant stone mountain. When he finished painting this cave opening he hid behind a rock, just waiting for Road Runner to zoom by and splatter himself against the fake cave opening. And, soon enough, Road Runner came zooming by and ran straight into the fake cave opening which had suddenly become real! Coyote immediately ran after Road Runner and was smashed by a big train coming out of the cave. The cartoon usually ended with Road Runner saying “beep-beep!” The one problem I had with Coyote was wondering why he kept going back to the same place to buy the traps that always failed to capture Road Runner. Hardship is required for all of us, because it challenges us to put our best foot forward and to keep on keeping on. The challenge of hanging on is not found in the grip — it’s the constant decision that you must not quit. Failure is not an option unless you fail to see it through. Victory is on the other side, waiting desperately for you. On the other hand, it’s always a good thing to learn something from the mistakes we make, too.
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*Lunch served Mon-Thurs. No take away meals until 11AM. Call (360) 466.3980 to cancel home delivery.
OCT 2019
ELDERS’ LUNCH 1 TUES
2 WED
Meatloaf Dinner
Fish Red Potatoes/Carrots Dinner Roll Fruit Salad
3 THURS Pancake Sausage Hash Browns Potatoes Berries Vegetable Soup
7 MON
8 TUES
9 WED
10 THURS
Tuna sandwich Split Pea Soup Crackers Oranges
Beef Roast/Gravy Mashed Potatoes/Rolls Beets Fresh Pears
Fish Rice/Rolls Brussels Sprouts Apple Salad
Fresh Toast Eggs/Bacon Berries Vegetable Juice
14 MON
15 TUES
16 WED
17 THURS
Hamburgers Lettuce/Tomato Coleslaw Grapes
Chicken Alfredo Noodles/Rolls Broc/Caul/Carrots Oranges
Fish Fry Bread Baked Beans/Corn Berries
Ham & Eggs Obrien Potatoes/Bread Pineapple Vegetable Juice
21 MON
22 TUES
23 WED
24 THURS
Turkey Cheese Sandwich Vegetable Soup Crackers Oranges
Baked Pork Chops/Gravy Rice/Rolls Cabbage Applesauce
Fish Red Potatoes/Rolls Baked Squash Fresh Pears
Egg & Sausage Casserole Bread Mixed Fruit Salad Vegetable Juice
28 MON
29 TUES
Beef Chili Cornbread Vegetable Tray/Dip Grapes
30 TUES
31 TUES
French Dip Sandwich Mixed Green Salad Potato Chip Banana
Milk served with all meals.
Fish Rice/Roll Glazed Carrots Mixed Fruit Salad
Pumpkin Bread Scrambled Eggs Bacon Apple Salad
Community Dinner October 16
6PM Youth Center sw d bš qyuuqs News 35 e e
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CURRENT OPEN POSITIONS - As of October 2,2019 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 specified. Email applications to: jobs@swinomishcasino.com Fax applications to: (360) 299.1677
HUMAN RESOURCES & TRIBAL EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS OFFICE (TERO) JOB OPENINGS • • • • • •
Grants Administrator Baliff/Administrative Court Clerk Permit Technician Legal File Clerk Application Developer Assistant Planner
Full descriptions of the job announcements listed above are available on the Swinomish website: swinomish-nsn.gov/resources/human-resources
Mail or hand deliver to: Swinomish Casino & Lodge 12885 Casino Drive, Anacortes, WA 98221 Questions? Call Human Resources at (360) 299.1642
FACILITIES HEAVY DUTY CLEANER (OC) MAINTENANCE TECH (FT) FINANCE CAGE CASHIER (FT) SOFT COUNT CLERK (PT) FOOD & BEVERAGE 13 MOONS COOK (FT) BANQUET CAPTAIN/SERVER (OC) CARVER'S CAFE COOK (PT) CARVER'S CAFE HOST/HOSTESS (FT) DISHWASHER (FT) FOOD COURT CASHIER (PT) LEAD COCKTAIL SERVER (FT) MANCHU WOK COOK (PT) SPORTS BAR BUSSER (FT) GUEST SERVICES PLAYERS CLUB ASSOCIATE (FT)
SECURITY SECURITY OFFICER (FT) VALET VALET ATTENDANT (FT)
HOW TO APPLY: Return completed application, cover letter, and resume to: Personnel Office Swinomish Indian Tribal Community 11404 Moorage Way La Conner, WA 98257 Fax applications to: (360) 466.1348 Or email to: hr@swinomish.nsn.us Applications must be received in the Personnel Office by 5PM on or before the job closing date. Questions? Call the Personnel Office at (360) 466.7347
GAMING KENO RUNNER/WRITER (FT) SLOT ATTENDANT (FT) TABLE GAMES DEALER (FT) MARKETING BRAND AMBASSADOR (OC)
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I AM SWINOMISH. I WILL GRADUATE. Students convene in the circle parking lot, before the Totem Pole Raising Ceremony began at the La Conner elementary school.