This month we featured an article titled “Planting for Fire Resistance”; learn one way to reduce the risk to your home by including fire resistant plants in your landscaping.
The qyuuqs News staff also reported on community events such as the Swinomish Cruise, Education Dinner, Cedar Cap Ceremony, Susan Wilbur Early Education Center Moving Up Ceremony, Community Camas Harvest, the Boys & Girls Club Playday, and more!
The latest big news is the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community received a favorable decision from the United States District Court in Seattle in the Tribe’s lawsuit against the BNSF Railway (BNSF). Read more about the lawsuit on PAGE 8.
Canoe Journey 2024 Power Paddle to Puyallup is fast approaching. We gathered general information for you, including the dates and addresses for the Canoe Journey on PAGE 39.
Hope you are enjoying time with family and friends ― it's time to make the most of these long and warm summer days!
Caroline Ammons goliahlitza
BRIAN GEER MOVES ON & PAT LUJAN RETIRES
Swinomish Emergency Manager and Police Officer Brian Geer and Probation Officer Pat Lujan hold plaques they received from Swinomish Police Chief Earl Cowan for their years of dedication and service to our community.
TRIBAL SENATE
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Steve Edwards, Chairman (360) 840-5768 | sedwards@swinomish.nsn.us
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Alana Quintasket, Vice Chair (360) 302-0971 | aquintasket@swinomish.nsn.us
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Brian Porter | Secretary (360) 840-4186 | bporter@swinomish.nsn.us
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Barbara James | Treasurer (360) 391-3958 | bjames@swinomish.nsn.us
The official news publication of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community
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.
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Submission deadline: 10th day of the month
QYUUQS NEWS
Caroline Ammons, Editor qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us
SWINOMISH COMMUNICATIONS
Heather Mills, Communications Manager
Sarah Kellogg, Content Journalist
Katie Bassford, Staff Photographer
Jordan Ekdahl, Graphic Designer communications@swinomish.nsn.us
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Tracy James, John Stephens, Kevin Paul
This issue is available online at swinomish-nsn.gov/qyuuqs
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@SwinomishSenate
qyuuqs News is a publication of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community produced by Swinomish Communications.
PUBLIC HEALTH
SWINOMISH HEALTH TEAM
WARNING: COVID-19 IS SHOWING UP IN OUR COMMUNITY THIS SUMMER
There are many cases of COVID-19 in the community. Please remember to stay home if you are sick, distance yourself from others, wear a mask in enclosed areas or groups of people, and be sure to get plenty of fresh air.
Test if you are unwell, and call your provider for treatment if you are positive and at high risk of serious infection.
Free test kits are available at the new kiosk under the carport at Swinomish Medical, and patients can call (360) 466-3167 after hours to talk to an on-call provider.
CEHP IS SEEKING PATICIPANTS FOR SWINOMISH SMOKE STUDY
The Swinomish Community Environmental Health Program (CEHP) is assessing how wildfire smoke affects the health of our community members so that we can find ways to lessen these health impacts.
Nine community members wore a silicone wristband for one week earlier this year to give us a “baseline” of what people are exposed to when there is NO wildfire smoke present.
When wildfire smoke rolls in this summer, CEHP will be asking community members to once again wear silicone wristbands for one week during the smoke event. The program is looking for 5-10 additional community members, 18 years or older, who would be willing to wear a silicone wristband.
For details and to sign up, go to sitcgov.us/SmokeStudy. You can also contact Jamie by leaving a message at (360) 466-1532 or emailing jdonatuto@swinomish.nsn.us.
WILDFIRE SEASON MEANS UNHEALTHY SMOKE SEASON
Wildfire smoke contains small particles and chemicals, which can cause minor to serious health effects. Minor symptoms include a burning sensation in your eyes, a sore throat, runny nose, headaches, wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath. In more serious cases, exposure to smoke can aggravate existing lung, heart, and circulatory conditions, aggravate asthma attacks, or cause chest tightness.
Although smoke is unhealthy for everyone, some people are more susceptible than others: infants and children, people who are pregnant, older adults, and people with heart or lung diseases, diabetes, or respiratory illnesses (including COVID-19). If you have a medical condition, talk with your healthcare provider about how to decrease your risks from smoke.
Here are some ways you can protect yourself:
‣ Stay informed about air quality conditions and wildfire activity.
‣ Staying indoors in “clean air” is the best way to stay safe around smoke. Keep the air in your home clean by closing your windows and doors, improving air filtration, and avoiding additional sources of particles, such as candles or incense, smoking, broiling or frying food, and vacuuming (unless the vacuum has a HEPA filter).
‣ Use masks when appropriate. Cloth and surgical masks will not filter out smoke particles.Properlyfitted NIOSH-certified N95 respirator masks will filter out the particles. Ask a healthcare provider before using these masks on infants or small children, people with lung or heart disease, or other chronic illnesses.
‣ Know where to go for relief. If you are unable to keep the air in your home clean, consider an indoor space with air conditioning—a friend or relative’s home, county-provided healthy air centers, etc.
‣ Get symptoms relief. Use artificial tears to help flush the smoke from your eyes. Keep yourself, family, pets, and livestock well hydrated and consider reducing physical activity. Call the Washington Poison Center (1-800-222-1222) with concerns about wildfire smoke and your health.
‣ Have a plan if you need to evacuate. This includes creating an emergency kit (include copies of important documents, prescriptions and medications, pet food, clothing, cell phone chargers, and enough non-perishable food and water for several days. Print out a map marked with at least two evacuation routes. Have enough gas in your car to travel to a safe area. Call 911 for any emergency!
Active Transportation Program Project for Swinomish Village to Begin Soon
The Washington State Department of Transportation has reached out to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community to assist with the design and construction of a high quality Active Transportation Assistance Program project, identified as Project 03 in the reservation-wide Transportation Safety Plan.
This project will add sidewalks on both sides of Reservation Road, north from the intersection with Pioneer Parkway and Snee Oosh Road; 775 feet on the east side to the northern driveway of the Swinomish Boys & Girls Club, and 850 feet on the west side to the intersection with John K. Bob Road. At the midpoint of the project, an existing marked crosswalk will be enhanced with a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (RRFB). The project connects to and extends recent improvements at the intersection of Pioneer Parkway and Snee Oosh Road.
Completion of the project would provide a protected active mode link between the residential areas to the west of Pioneer Parkway with social and other services, the Boys & Girls Club, the police station, swədəbš Park, as well as the John K. Bob Ball Park, tribal archives, and longboat house in the same vicinity. The total length of sidewalk would be approximately 1,625 linear feet, with one improved crossing and two driveway crossings. The project also aims to address a need for management of traffic speeds on the Reservation Road/Pioneer Parkway corridor because higher speeds affect the safety of everyone using these roads – especially people walking, bicycling, or otherwise rolling in the area.
This design project will be funded through cap-and-invest revenues produced by Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA) supporting state climate action efforts. More information about the CCA is available at climate.wa.gov. Funding for construction of the project will be provided once design is complete and the State Legislature has approved the next phase’s resources.
Sobriety Dinner
THURSDAY, JUNE 20
COMMUNITY HAPPENINGS
TUES. JULY 16
Senate Meeting - 9a.m. @Wa Walton Center & Zoom Monthly Community Update Meeting - 6p.m. Zoom
THURS. JULY 25
Family Education & Support Group - 5:30p.m. @Swinomish Wellness Center Group Room
August 13 | 11am–1pm | NWIC Swinomish Campus & Zoom
Zoom link: sitcgov.us/ELS2024
Elder Sobriety Award winner Barb James and Joe Dunn Award winner JoJo Jefferson. Congratulations!
Swinomish Tribe Welcomes Federal Court Ruling in Lawsuit Against BNSF
JUNE 17, 2024
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community today received a favorable decision from the United States District Court in Seattle in the Tribe’s long-running trespass lawsuit against BNSF Railway (BNSF).
In an eighteen-page ruling issued today, District Court Judge Robert S. Lasnik ordered that BNSF disgorge total trespass profits of $394,517,169 to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Specifically, the Court ordered that BNSF disgorge net profits of $362,267,169 attributable to its trespass across the Swinomish Reservation from September 2012 to May 2021. In addition, the Court ordered that BNSF disgorge a further amount of $32,250,000, representing the use value of the after-tax profits arising from the trespass. Taken together, the disgorgement amounts resulted in the total judgment against BNSF and in favor of Swinomish of $394,517,169.
Steve Edwards, Chairman of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, stated “The Tribe is very happy to see the District Court’s decision in our lawsuit with BNSF. Tribal leaders were there in Court every day of the trial. We saw the evidence and heard the arguments presented by both sides. We knew that we were in the right, and we are thankful that the Court has ruled that BNSF must give up the wrongful profits it earned from trespassing on our Reservation again and again for nearly a decade.”
Chairman Edwards continued, “We know that this is a large amount of money. But that just reflects the enormous wrongful profits that BNSF gained by using the Tribe’s land day after day, week after week, year after year over our objections. When there are these kinds of profits to be gained, the only way to deter future wrongdoing is to do exactly what the Court did today – make the trespasser give up the money it gained by trespassing.”
“I want to stress that we tried to resolve this with BNSF without going to Court, as we always do when we have a disagreement,” explained Chairman Edwards. “Former Chairman Brian Cladoosby, Tribal staff and Tribal lawyers all informed BNSF in writing that there were limits on the allowed use of the Tribe’s land and that BNSF’s 100-car oil trains were violating the BNSF easement over the Reservation. Chairman Cladoosby, Tribal staff and Tribal lawyers also met personally with BNSF representatives multiple times from 2012 to 2015.”
“But in the end,” Chairman Edwards said, “none of that mattered. BNSF kept running its oil trains and despite the letters and despite the meetings, BNSF told the Tribe in early 2015 that it was just going to keep running those 100car trains across the Reservation. That’s when we knew we had to ask the Federal Court to protect our Tribal rights in our Reservation lands.”
“This land is what we have,” concluded Chairman Edwards, “This is what we kept as our homeland when we signed the Treaty of Point Elliott. We have always protected it and we always will.”
The Tribe filed suit against BNSF in April of 2015 for violating the terms of an easement agreement it signed in 1991 allowing a limited number of trains and rail cars to cross the Swinomish Reservation in Skagit County.
Train tracks were laid across the northern portion of the Reservation in the late 1800’s, over the objection of the Swinomish Tribe and Federal government officials. In 1991, the Tribe and BNSF signed an agreement settling a lawsuit filed by the Tribe and the United States in 1976 for nearly a century of trespass. The agreement granted BNSF an easement but with important conditions: only one train of no more than 25 railcars would cross the Reservation in each direction daily, and BNSF would regularly update the Tribe on the type of cargo. In return, the Tribe agreed not to “arbitrarily withhold permission” if there should be a future BNSF request to increase the number of trains or cars.
BNSF never provided notice to the Tribe of its intention to run unit trains of Bakken crude oil across the Reservation. In September 2012, the Tribe learned from media reports that “unit trains” of 100 railcars or more were beginning to cross the Reservation.
By April of 2015, BNSF was reportedly running six 100-car “unit trains” per week across the Reservation, more than four times as many railcars daily as permitted by the easement. The tracks are adjacent to the Tribe’s economic center, including a hotel and casino and other facilities. The intended development of this economic center was one of the primary reasons for the limitation of the number of trains and cars incorporated into the easement.
The United States District Court in Seattle ruled early in the Tribe’s 2015 lawsuit that there was no dispute that BNSF had breached the easement agreement when “BNSF neither apprised the Tribe of its cargo nor obtained the Tribe’s written agreement to an increase in the number of trains and the number of cars in those trains.”
But BNSF argued that its obligations to its shippers – in this instance, two refineries located on March Point near Anacortes – superseded its obligation to the Tribe under the easement agreement. After the District Court issued an order upholding the Tribe’s rights in 2017, BNSF filed an appeal to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. In a 2020 decision, the Court of Appeals rejected BNSF’s argument:
We hold that the Interstate Commerce Commission Termination Act does not repeal the Indian Right of Way Act and does not defeat the Tribe’s right to enforce conditions in a right-of-way easement agreement issued pursuant to the Right of Way Act. We hold further that the ICCTA does not abrogate the Treaty of Point Elliott and the Tribe’s treaty-based federal common law right to exclude and condition a third-party’s presence on, and use of, Reservation lands. Finally, we hold that the Tribe has the right to pursue injunctive relief to enforce the terms of the Easement Agreement.
Following the decision of the Court of Appeals, the District Court ruled in 2022 that the trespass was intentional and conducted a trial in March 2023 to determine whether BNSF’s trespass over the Swinomish Reservation between September 2012 and May 2021 was also willful, conscious, and knowing, which would allow the Tribe to seek disgorgement of BNSF’s ill-gotten gains. Following the three-day trial, the Court found that BNSF’s trespass on the Reservation was indeed willful, conscious, and knowing.
The District Court then scheduled a trial that began June 3, 2024 to determine BNSF’s wrongful financial gain from its trespass on the Swinomish Reservation. The trial concluded on June 6, and the Court issued its decision today.
AUGUST 7 1:30PM
Shirts will be passed out from 12–1pm, John K. Bob Ball Park
Chairman Edwards reflected, “We know that this case is far from over. We expect that BNSF will appeal to the Ninth Circuit, just as they did before in this case. But we have faith and we look forward to defending Judge Lasnik’s decision to protect our homeland.”
For further information, contact Stephen LeCuyer at slecuyer@swinomish.nsn.us or 360.499.4083 or Chris Brain at CBrain@Tousley.com or 206.682.5600.
CLASS OF 2024
THURSDAY, JUNE 6
Swinomish Cruise
FRIDAY, MAY 31
Zanetta Cayou
CEDAR CAP CEREMONY
Back row, left to right: Alfonso Sampson, Savanna Edwards, Colin Mitchell, David Holt, Taylor Rae Cayou, Ivory Damien, Alexzander Martin
Front row, left to right: Jack Rose, Hallie Walls, Kiona Kaubin, Natalee Koch, Ella McDonald, Victoria Murguia-Morales
THURSDAY, JUNE 13
Susan Wilbur Early Education Center Moving Up Ceremony
SWEEC Preschool
Waddler Class
Infant Room
Between Two Worlds: Year in Review
DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Between Two Worlds Honoring Ceremony
On June 6, we circled up with the community to honor this year’s BTW students. Here is a snapshot of the fieldtrips and projects we did with our students this past year that really stood out:
‣ Sea to table – boating out on the water, harvesting, and cooking crab with Tino & Becky Villaluz, Jesse Edwards, and Katie Bassford
‣ Natural dyeing and Coast Salish weaving with Elder Barb McCoy
‣ Body Mapping Portraits, a shadow art project connecting students, territories, plants, and foods with Shadow Artist Heather Dawn Sparks
‣ Salmon in the classroom, raising and releasing coho salmon with Salmon Fisheries Enhancement Group and La Conner School District second graders
‣ Salmon Scales Community Art Project in collaboration with MoNA and the Swinomish Senior Center
‣ Drum making with Anna Cook, Austin Edwards, and Huge Edwards
‣ Coast to mountain camping in collaboration with Bill Schaarschmidt and Maddie Huscher
‣ Mudflat safari at Bayview State Park, and in class demos with Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
‣ Seattle Aquarium behind the scenes tour and career conversations
‣ Overnight camping to James Island and Cypress Island to find ancestral camas with Elder Eric Day, the Salish Sea School, and Sam Barr (Coast Salish Youth Coalition)
‣ Martha’s Beach ancestral camas prairie healing, restoration, and storytelling with Anna and Lenora Cook
‣ Rosario Beach Park soap berry restoration with Elder Rosie Cayou and Madrona Murphy
‣ Tribal sovereignty lunch & learn – Indian tacos and community knowledge sharing with Eric Day, Shelly Vendiola, Richard Vendiola, JJ Wilbur, Anna Cook, Clarissa Williams, and JoJo Jefferson
Many others came to help, and we’d like to thank Ronald Day, Janie Beasley, Lona Wilbur, April James, Tony and Michelle Cladoosby, Jae Jefferson, Courtney Squiemphen, Zanetta Cayou, Loran James, Mandy Buck, Tashina Villaluz, Bonnie Fornsby, JJ Wilbur, Brian Porter, Jim Quintasket, Joe Quintasket, Todd Hinderman, Shaun Beasley, Landy James, and so many others for showing up for the youth in our program.
And last but not least, here’s a big shout out to our students:
Isabelle James, Sam Cayou, Ayona Cayou, Aurora Cayou, Eva Porter, Quentin Edwards, Devin Perry, Robbie George, Matthew Stone, Kiarra Williams, Tia Bailey, Makynzye Mullen, Vanessa Dalles, Brenda Keo
Looking forward to our next school year! If someone you know is interested in being a part of Between Two Worlds, please reach out. You can contact Jen Willup and Morgan Brown at: dep@swinomish.nsn.us or 360.812.1174
“Happy summer from the Between Two Worlds Team,”Jen Willup, Morgan Brown, Nicole Casper, Todd Mitchell, and Karen Mitchell
The Between Two Worlds Indigenous Science Program was created in 2019 at the Department of Environmental Protection and taught at La Conner high school. We bring community centered, place-based, experiential learning for youth. Every year we learn about and deepen relationships, create lasting memories, and seek guidance from the Swinomish Community and youth in our program.
Tribal Warrant Bill Closes Jurisdictional Gap
In March of this year, Governor Inslee signed a bill that will authorize Washington State police to enforce tribal warrants. This new legislation closes a gap between tribal and state jurisdictions – currently, those who commit crimes on tribal land are able to avoid prosecution by fleeing to state lands where there is no process for extradition. Under the new law, state law enforcement officers will be able to transport individuals with tribal warrants back to tribal lands.
Said Judge Ron Whitener, retired chief judge of the Tulalip Tribal Court and a Squaxin Island Tribal member, “It also provides due process protections for fugitives by only allowing arrest and return to tribal custody if the tribe meets Constitutional requirements of the federal Tribal Law and Order Act.”
In a press release, Chairman Edwards thanked Sen. Manka Dhingra and Rep. Debra Lekanoff for “convening a process that brought together all 29 tribes with Washington state law enforcement and prosecutors to work collaboratively on solutions through which the state can recognize tribal warrants. This legislation will help to keep all Washingtonians safe around the state and on tribal lands.”
“The fact is that the tribes have been arresting and returning state fugitives under our treaty duties for 170 years, with no concerning incidents,” Judge Ron Whitener said. “We have complete confidence that our state law enforcement counterparts will do as fine a job under this bill, increasing safety and peace in our all of our communities.”
Implementation is due to begin in 2025 and the details of enforcement are being determined by state and tribal leaders, prosecutors, and law enforcement.
Funding for the working group of tribal leaders, Washington State sheriffs, and tribal police that brought the bill to the state legislature was provided by the Special Assistant United States Attorney (SAUSA) grant awarded to Swinomish.
Gov. Inslee signing SB 6146 and other bills at Tulalip on March 19
As climate change brings extreme weather events and abnormal seawater conditions, knowing when environmental stressors occur may help us to plan for and protect from their effects. The sensors and skills of the scientific community can help us to do this!
Working with Western Washington University researchers, Swinomish Fisheries staff have placed several instruments known as CTDs at both the clam garden and a nearby control site to better understand how the garden affects the clam’s habitat. CTD is shorthand for “conductivity, temperature, and depth”, but these instruments actually collect more information than that.
Measurements of depth, temperature, saltiness, acidity, oxygen levels, and plankton abundance are taken every ten minutes. Comparing these measurements between the sites on and off the garden will help to demonstrate how the garden wall could contribute to more favorable conditions for clams, perhaps by retaining water longer at low tides, or possibly allowing for more plankton growth (and providing more food for clams) in calmer waters behind the wall.
In addition to the CTDs, wave and wind action are being monitored by a small temporary buoy just outside of the clam garden wall. Measurements from this wave buoy will be analyzed along with data collected inside the clam garden to help understand the processes that will build up the beach over time, and to see how the wall affects the movement of water in stormy as well as calm conditions.
Courtney Greiner setting up a Sediment Elevation Table for monitoring changes to the slope of the beach
Courtney Greiner checking on a sensor
Subtidal data collection sensor
A Big Welcome to the Tribe's New Community Environmental Health Program Manager
We are very pleased to welcome the new CEHP manager, Beth Willup! Beth is the granddaughter of LaHail-By Ivan Willup Sr. She is the daughter of La-HailBy Patrick Willup and Linda Willup. She has five siblings – three brothers and two sisters. She is auntie to Ivan III, Patrick, Julius, and Bennett Willup.
Beth interned for our program in 2015-2017 while working on her bachelor’s degree in Native environmental science at Northwest Indian College. She then moved to take a position in Tahoe, California, working for a private school, while continuing her education and received her master’s degree in psychology. Prior to coming to work with us in the CEHP, Beth was an NWIC student and helped start the 13 Moons gardens – at that time they were demonstration gardens for NWIC students. She has always had a heart for wild harvesting and growing food for sharing with the community.
Beth will be taking over all of Myk Heidt’s responsibilities by the end of June, when Myk will be moving to Orcas Island to help care for her mom. Myk is looking forward to seeing how she “grows” this work and to see what changes she will make to better serve the community.
Myk says, “Our late Elder Wanaseah Larry Campbell always said, ‘If you do your job well, someday a Swinomish person will want to do this work, too,’ and he would give me a big smile. I am grateful that Beth has come back to do this important work to enhance the health and wellbeing of Swinomish. Beth is a hard worker, has balanced viewpoints, and knows the community as only a tribal member who grew up here can."
“She is the best farewell gift I could wish for!”
–Myk Heidt, CEHP/13 Moons Gardens/Wild Plant and Medicine Educator (2012-2024)
CEHP has had over 22 interns in the past 12 years, 80% have been Native students. We stay in touch with most of them, and all are doing well.
PLANTING FOR FIRE RESISTANCE
SARAH KELLOGG, COMMUNICATIONS
Although wildfires are a natural part of the ecosystem, they also create danger; especially as the state continues to experience warmer and dryer summers. The risk to homes is particularly high in areas called the “wildland urban interface”. These are the areas of transition between homes or other built environments, and lands prone to wildfires such as forests and ranges. In 2020, a USDA and U.S. Forest Service report shared that around 66% of housing in Skagit County is located in this interface.
One way to reduce risk to your home and your neighborhood is through the use of fire-resistant plants in your landscaping. It’s important to remember that fire resistant does not mean fireproof. Plants labeled “fire resistant” are, when properly watered and cared for, less likely to ignite and contribute to the intensity of a fire. Using fire resistant plants around your home can help to slow the spread of a wildfire, and using fire wise landscaping can help create safe access for firefighters to fight fires.
Some characteristics of fire-resistant plants:
‣ Little seasonal accumulation of dead vegetation
‣ Open, loose branching habit
‣ Woody plants that are non-resinous
‣ Drought resistance
Choosing native plants that are suited for your location is a great idea, too. Native plants will be acclimated well to the climate, and can tolerate the growing conditions with less stress.
The location of your where your fire-resistant plants are growing makes a difference too. It’s wise to keep the five feet closest to your home clear of vegetation and stick to hardscaping. This is the most vulnerable area, and plants are not recommended in this space next to buildings.
The intermediate zone is from 5-30 feet away from your home. In this distance, groundcovers and low growing perennials are recommended. Grass lawns should be well-kept; watered and mowed to 3-4 inches. Remove any excess vegetation and highly flammable plants, such as juniper.
From a distance of 30-100 feet, the extended zone, trees are okay. Keep in mind ladder fuels – vegetation that can burn and that will allow a fire to climb from the ground into a tree. Things like bushes and vining plants should not be planted under trees, and if possible, remove lower branches of the trees to 6-10 feet from the ground.
The plants listed below are only some examples of what can be used! The extension offices for Oregon State University, Washington State University, and the University of Idaho have created a publication called “Fire-resistant Plants for Home Landscapes” which can be downloaded or ordered from extension.oregonstate.edu/catalog/pub/pnw-590-fire-resistant-plants-home-landscapes
Groundcovers
‣ Sedums
‣ Kinnikinnick
‣ Pussytoes
‣ Yarrow
‣ Dusty miller
‣ Verbena
‣ Wild strawberry
‣ Iceplant
‣ Rock cress
Perennials
‣ Common camas
‣ Alumroot/coral bells
‣ Goldenrod
‣ Salvia (sage)
‣ Echinacea (coneflower)
‣ Columbine
‣ Lupine
‣ Fireweed
‣ Hosta
‣ Iris
Shrubs
‣ Vine maple
‣ Serviceberry
‣ Oregon grape
‣ Oceanspray
‣ Salal
‣ Rhododendron
‣ Nootka or baldhip rose
‣ Mock orange
‣ Cascara
‣ Raspberry, blackberry, salmonberry
Trees
‣ Maple
‣ Alder
‣ Birch
‣ Flowering dogwood
‣ Oregon ash
‣ Aspen
‣ Cherry
‣ Oak
‣ Willow
Community Camas Harvest
SARAH KELLOGG, COMMUNICATIONS
The Moon of the Digging Time meant a mid-May camas harvest with DEP. Between Two Worlds high school students and community members joined department staff on a sunny day for the spring dig.
The harvest took place at DEP’s camas test plots on the agricultural lands, where they are working to revitalize this traditional food. Using shovels and traditional-style digging tools in modern materials, participants made quick work of the harvest!
Camas Technician Charlotte Pitt was on hand to prepare the bulbs for measurements to learn more about ideal growing conditions for the plant. Participants were also allowed to take home a small number of camas bulbs to cook for themselves, as well as ideas for recipes.
If you would like to participate in a camas harvest, another community harvest will be happening on August 14 – keep an eye out for details!
Below: Lona Wilbur harvests camas using a traditionally-styled digging tool
Camas Technician Charlotte Pitt
Sum’suma’yu and Sasalia McCraigie Jack help with the harvest
FISHERIES INTERTIDAL CLAM SURVEYS
SARAH KELLOGG, COMMUNICATIONS
Fisheries Technician Lindy Hunter places clams from a sampling site into a bag
Julie Barber measures a clam
Each year, Swinomish Fisheries conducts clam surveys on intertidal beaches in the tribe’s U&A. Occurring during low tides the surveys consist of taking samples along transects, or straight lines, down the beach from the upper limit of the clam habitat to the waterline. Everything is measured; the distance of the transects from each other, the distance of the individual sample locations along each transect, and the size of hole that is made for each sample.
Adult clams that are found are carefully bagged with the location specific to the sample. Using modeling methods from past data collection, Fisheries has the ability to use the information about the clams’ sizes to determine the total clam biomass for the beach. Using this biomass data, the clam harvest amount for each species is calculated. The data from these surveys can be used for other purposes as well – long term data collection can help to show population changes and trends locally, and throughout the Salish Sea.
Tribal rights to shellfish harvests were affirmed in 1994 by Federal District Court Judge Rafeedie, when he ruled that all public and private tidelands in the state of Washington (with the exception of artificially created shellfish beds) are subject to treaty harvest. Like Judge Boldt, he stated that “in common” meant 50% of the allowable harvest. While the clam surveys on the reservation are headed by Fisheries staff, surveys of the other beaches in the tribe’s U&A are coordinated with the state, who are co-managers with tribes who have treaty harvesting rights.
Taking intertidal clam samples along a transect on Kukutali
8TH GRADE PROMOTION
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 5
Xavier Keo was awarded the Emma Hedbom Spirit award for the school year
EDUCATION DINNER
THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2024
were recognized at the Education Dinner for being part of the first cohort of
certified teachers. A total of seven teachers will be Swinomish certified teachers this fall.
College graduates Kalona Revey (NWIC), Zanetta Cayou (ASU), and Aubrey Stewart (SCC)
Olivia Bailey, Jennifer Willup, Morgan Brown, Karen Mitchell, and Todd Mitchell
Swinomish
BOYS & GIRLS CLUB
YOUTH OF THE MONTH
Alexi
Perry
A big congratulations to this June'a Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Month Alexi Perry!
Alexi is 11 years old, and going into the 6th grade. Alexi loves the color lavender, eating pepperoni pizza, and drinking lemonade. Alexi loves listening to music, her favorite singer is Melanie Martinez. Alexi’s greatest passion is horses, she loves everything about them, from riding to taking care of them. Her favorite TV show is Free Rein on Netflix, it is about bonding with a horse. When Alexi graduates she would like to attend college to become a horse trainer.
Alexi was chosen as our YOTM because of her positive attitude, her incredible kindness, and her willingness to always help or volunteer for any task. If you see Alexi around, please congratulate her for this honor.
School is out for the summer and distribution week will come sooner than we know it! To be eligable for the distribution, a dental exam must have been completed within the last six months. Schedule your child’s exam as soon as possible to prevent last minute appointments. If your child attends high school, was seen during Sealant Week, and was given a tooth gem ticket, they are eligible to receive a free tooth gem. We can place it at their next dental treatment or exam appointment.
Swinomish Dental will be open during Canoe Journey. Staff will be handing out dental supplies and are able to apply fluoride to those who want it.
Dental will also have a “rethink your drink” display area with healthy, natural drinks available to hydrate yourself with along with information about how those infused teas and water benefits your body, mind, and soul.
Swinomish Women Infant and Children Program
Did you know that Vitamin D is essential for a healthy pregnancy? It supports your baby’s development and your own health. You can get vitamin D through sunlight, foods like fatty fish and eggs, or supplements! Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure you get the right amount.
Swinomish WIC offers many high Vitamin D foods to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Call to see if you are eligible for free, monthly foods for your family. Telephone and in-person appointments are available. Call (360) 466-7269
Swin's 50s Sock Hop!
TUESDAY, MAY 21, 2024
Custom doormats raffled off, made by Swinomish students with various
Nina and Brian Cladoosby
Lushootseed words
PLAY DAY
FRIDAY, JUNE 7, 2024
Kaiden Williams and Russell Edwards Gould have a fun jousting battle
Jayde Torres, Alexi Perry, Ella Jackson and Indica Torres enjoy their snow cones
In most of the U.S., extreme heat is a long period (2 to 3 days) of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees.
BE PREPARED FOR EXTREME HEAT
Extreme heat often results in the highest annual number of deaths among all weather-related disasters.
Greater risk Can happen anywhere
IF YOU ARE UNDER AN EXTREME HEAT WARNING
Find air conditioning, if possible.
Avoid strenuous activities.
Watch for heat illness. Wear light clothing.
Humidity increases the feeling of heat as measured by a heat index
Check on family members and neighbors. Drink plenty of fluids.
Watch for heat cramps, heat exhaustion, and heat stroke.
Never leave people or pets in a closed car.
HOW TO STAY SAFE WHEN EXTREME HEAT THREATENS
Prepare NOW
Find places in your community where you can go to get cool.
Try to keep your home cool:
• Cover windows with drapes or shades.
• Weather-strip doors and windows.
• Use window reflectors such as aluminum foil-covered cardboard to reflect heat back outside.
• Add insulation to keep the heat out.
• Use a powered attic ventilator, or attic fan, to regulate the heat level of a building’s attic by clearing hot air.
• Install window air conditioners and insulate around them.
Learn to recognize the signs of heat illness. For more information visit: www.cdc.gov/disasters/ extremeheat/warning.html
Be Safe DURING
Recognize + RESPOND
Take an Active Role in Your Safety
Go to Ready.gov/heat. Download the FEMA app to get more information about preparing for extreme heat.
Never leave a child, adult, or animal alone inside a vehicle on a warm day.
Find places with air conditioning. Libraries, shopping malls, and community centers can provide a cool place to take a break from the heat.
If you’re outside, find shade. Wear a hat wide enough to protect your face.
Wear loose, lightweight, lightcolored clothing.
Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated. If you or someone you care for is on a special diet, ask a doctor what would be best.
Do not use electric fans when the temperature outside is more than 95 degrees. You could increase the risk of heat-related illness. Fans create air flow and a false sense of comfort, but do not reduce body temperature.
Avoid high-energy activities.
Check yourself, family members, and neighbors for signs of heatrelated illness.
Know the signs and ways to treat heat-related illness.
Heat Cramps
• Signs: Muscle pains or spasms in the stomach, arms, or legs.
• Actions: Go to a cooler location. Remove excess clothing. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if cramps last more than an hour.
Heat Exhaustion
• Signs: Heavy sweating, paleness, muscle cramps, tiredness, weakness, dizziness, headache, nausea or vomiting, fainting.
• Actions: Go to an air-conditioned place and lie down. Loosen or remove clothing. Take a cool bath. Take sips of cool sports drinks with salt and sugar. Get medical help if symptoms get worse or last more than an hour.
Heat Stroke
• Signs: Extremely high body temperature (above 103 degrees) indicated by an oral thermometer; red, hot, and dry skin with no sweat; rapid, strong pulse; dizziness; confusion; and unconsciousness.
• Actions: Call 9-1-1 or get the person to a hospital immediately. Cool down with whatever methods are available until medical help arrives.