qyuuqs - December 2012

December 2012 Volume 46 Issue 12

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sexSiCelwa?s (suhw-SHEETS-ehl-wah-s) Moon to Put Your Paddles Away

“Late November/late December is the “moon to put your paddles away.” This moon signals a time to move indoors for the coming winter season. During the winter moons, tools, baskets, and other items are constructed. Sea-run cutthroat trout, blackmouth salmon, and steelhead are fished and hunting waterfowl and game continues. Shellfish are collected during the nighttime low tides.”—13 Moons: The 13 Lunar Phases, And How They Guide the Swinomish People. S.I.T.C

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Cover photo by: Caroline Edwards

CONTENTS: An official publication

swədəbš Swinomish Indian qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) Tribal Community The deadline to submit to the qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) is the 15th of every month or nearest business day.

Officers: of

Chairman: spee pots (Brian Cladoosby) Vice Chair: Tale tale II (Barbara James) Secretary: Sapelia (Sophie Bailey) Treasurer: yal la ka but Steve Edwards General Manager: Tuk Tuk Luus (Allan Olson) Senators: sapelia (Sophie Bailey)

qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) 17337 Reservation Road La Conner, WA 98257 360-466-7258 Fax 466-1632 qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us

Advisory Committee Allan Olson John Stephens Tracy James Kevin Paul Michael M. Vendiola Editor mvendiola@swinomish.nsn.us

pay a huxton (Chester Cayou, Jr.)

Caroline Edwards Assistant Editor cedwards@swinomish.nsn.us

spee pots (Brian Cladoosby)

Photos: qyuuqs and submitted

cha das cud II (Glen Edwards) yal le ka but Steve Edwards

Tale tale II (Barbara James) SM OK O LO (Leon John) wa lee hub (Kevin Paul)

This issue of the qyuuqs is available on the Swinomish website: http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov/news.aspx The qyuuqs can viewed on the internet. When submitting information or photos, please be aware that everything published in qyuuqs will also be on the internet and available to the world. Please consider carefully whether anything you are submitting might have information or images that may not be appropriate for the internet. By submitting information or photographs to qyuuqs for publication, we consider that you are agreeing to publishing your submission in both the paper and digital versions of the qyuuqs.

ya-qua-leouse (Brian Porter)

sOladated (Brian Wilbur)

kani?ted (Tandy Wilbur)

“Swinomish qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) News”

Announcements

37

Archives

17

Around the Rez

7&11

Being Frank

16

Birthdays— December

36

Bulletin Board

4&6

Chairman’s Message

3

Community Arts

20

Community Calendar

38

Education

19

Elder Fun Day

22

Feature: Chairman/Obama

8

Feature: Community Dinner

9

Feature: Indigenous Health...

21

Feature: Treaty Tribes…

15

Free Ads

39

From The Editor

5

Lushootseed

24

Mrs. V’s 2 Cents

14

Native Business-Jim Stanley

29

National Scene: Cobell...

10

NWIC

12-13

NWIC

25

Police Department

31

Senior Lunch Menu

23

S.H.U.A

32

Sports

30

SWRP

34-35

Wellness

27

Youth Center News

18

qyuuqs Mission The mission of the qyuuqs newspaper is to provide monthly communication to swədəbš, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, near and far. We are committed to serving as an apolitical forum for SITC governing officials and all community members. The newspaper is not intended to reflect the official position of the governing body of the 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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Chairman’s Message: ‘Seven generations of planning’—Submitted by Brian Cladoosby Swinomish has been honored by fellow tribes and organizations for our commitment to protect our tribal members' treaty rights, human health, and economy. We have lived our way of life for 10,000 years and beyond in the Skagit; and we will continue to be here long after all have moved on. We are here today and we will be here for many tomorrows to come!

Brian & Nina at recent Eco Trust award ceremony—Photo by Frank dunn

Our community has entrusted with us their today's and tomorrow’s, and like all of you it is our responsibility to ensure we provide a prosperous, healthy and safe community for seven generations. We at Swinomish are blessed that we live on the land our ancestors have occupied since time immemorial. We live on the Swinomish reservation, however our usual and accustomed areas reach far beyond the Cascade Mountains to the white caps of the Salish Sea. Photo courtesy Jack Storms

part of our way of life for thousands of years. We want to make sure at the end of the day we are purchasing the resources from our surrounding native fisherpeople and providing a healthy and safe product for the World. Currently we are doing business with over 26 tribes in the Northwest including tribes in the Fraser region and as far north as Port Rupert in Northwest British Columbia.

Along the lines of economic development, let us celebrate together the success of the Swinomish Lodge. Since April 2012, the hotel has filled 85% to 95% of our rooms; thus reaching our economic goal and projects to its fullest capacity.

There is a strong synergy between the Casino and the Lodge, thus creating a strong foundation for the future of the two businesses. We are currently the third largest employer in the Skagit Valley with about 750 employees-many of which are full time with benefits. For us, supporting the economic prosperity of the Skagit Valley is good for us all and we value each of our employees, venders and patrons for their loyalty to our businesses.

“We are currently the third largest employer in the Skagit Valley with about 750 employees-many of which are full time with benefits. For us, supporting the economic prosperity of the Skagit Valley is good for us all and we value each of our employees, venders and patrons for their loyalty to our businesses.”

Our reservation is approximately 10,000 acres, but our roots run deep into that soil and into the waters in the Skagit Valley. We have harvested shellfish on our tidelands for as long as they have existed. We have fished the waters of the Skagit and the Salish Sea. We have hunted in the woods and mountains around us. We have paddled the waters of Puget Sound and up into what is now known as British Columbia long before anyone applied names in English to these places we call home. We now call our waters the Salish Sea. I believe we live on the most beautiful place on the planet and I give thanks to our Creator every day for the blessings bestowed on the Swinomish people by Mother Earth.

It is with this commitment in mind that we fight to protect the Skagit River and tributaries so our children will have the right to harvest salmon and shellfish, and to live the life way that has been protected by our ancestors.

Most recently we received the Billy Frank, Jr. Natural Resources Award from the Potlatch Fund and the Indigenous Leadership Award from Eco Trust. Both are respectable nonprofit organizations whose purpose is to provide support and to partner with tribes around the Northwest and North America to protect our indigenous way of life.

We have been honored for our work on the Coast Salish Gathering and the Swinomish Fish Company and for our investment in an economy that ensures that the balance of today and tomorrow is in check and to ensure our business venture respects the way of life for all our members and neighbors who call the great Salish Sea their home.

The Senate made a decision to take over the Swinomish Fish Company. Our purpose is to build the indigenous aquaculture market so we may support an economy that has been

The Gas Stations are a driving economic contributor to the Swinomish Tribe. Our small stations and shops are pulling their weight in the Northwest as we lead as one of the largest distributors of fuel in our area. We are doing well in sales of product, despite the changes in state liquor law, and we will continue to strive to provide services and product that is viable to the prosperity of the stations.

In all Swinomish continues to build the capacity of the government through solid investments that will grow our ability to provide a sustainable community. This year we will celebrate the largest senior graduating class and with this in mind, we will continue to invest in our members' opportunity to further their educational opportunities. The Senate has enhanced the scholarship program by offering full ride awards to those who have graduated or completed their GED. The scholarship offers a full tuition and books award to any member to any higher educational institute thus enhancing the success of our members. We are investing in our tomorrows by building the educational capacity of our membership.

Overall it has been a successful year for our tribal government. There is a strong and reputable presence in the Skagit Valley and that is the stability of our tribal government, the investment into the economic growth and the continued opportunities to provide an education to those who will be here long after we are gone. We believe in seven generations of planning and decision making and we will continue to be a strong voice in all things that matter to our tribal existence today and in the future.

Group photo at Eco Trust gathering.—Photo by Frank Dunn

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Election Announcement: Candidate Petitions for Nomination will be available November 1, 2012 in the Office of the Tribal Attorney.

Terms expiring: Barbara James, Senate Seat #8 and Glen Edwards, Senate Seat #9.

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Swinomish Christmas Program!

Christmas Eve Social Services Bldg.

Refreshments at 5pm Program at 6pm From the qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) Editor: Michael M. Vendiola With this issue comes the 1 year anniversary of my becoming the editor for the qyuuqs! I hope that I have been able to provide some refreshing issues while maintaining the rich communication the qyuuqs is known for producing.

Thank you for the opportunity to work in the Swinomish community! I especially want to thank Assistant Editor, Caroline Edwards, for being a steady hand in the whole operation of our office. She always seems to have a good answer for all the questions I ask her.

I have also enjoyed many great conversations with her in our time developing each issue of the qyuuqs. I hope that our rich and professional working relationship

is reflected in what we print.

Lastly, I would like to thank our newly joined webmaster, Heather Mills. I can always count on Heather to provide a boost of energy to any project. If you haven’t had a chance, please check out our website to see our work in progress: www.swinomish-nsn.gov.

We are making improvements to the site and have come to learn that it is a tremendous task to run a website!

In this issue our Chairman addresses the issue of voter participation. I hope that you read his words carefully and choose to participate in the voting process. While it may seem at times that we don’t have a voice, voting truly is one sure way

to have a voice in a large organization like the United States of America.

With Halloween having passed, we are blessed to have wonderful pictures of our youth! Also, please take a close read on the efforts our youth are putting forward to better the Swinomish community. It is awesome to see our young ones participate in learning about the ecology, something we should always hold dearly!

Thanks again for picking up the qyuuqs! Please offer your advice on how to improve: qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us

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RECENT TRIBAL CODE AMENDMENTS: At the October meeting, the Senate made an important change to the Tribal Properties Code. The Senate adopted a new Code section requiring Talawhalt homeowners to not allow their property – such as crab pots, boats, vehicles, boat and travel trailers, firewood and nets – to be stored or left on neighboring lots or on Tribal right-of-ways such as vacant driveways and sidewalks, or the land between the sidewalk and roadway. Under the new Code, anyone who violates this provision can be cited by the Police for a civil violation. The Code imposes fines, which begin at $100 and increase for repeated violations.

The new Code also sets out the options for someone who is issued a Notice of Infraction.

The amended code is available for review on our website at http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov. Paper copies are available for review at the Tribal Clerk's office, the Office of the Tribal Attorney, the Senate’s Executive Assistant, Social Services and Planning.

The Senate urges all Talawhalt residents to promptly remove any property from public right-ofways and other land they do not lease, in order to avoid citations and fines under the new Code.

Knitting Class Every Mon. at 7 o clock Shaker Church $5 a class Money will go towards the church See Barbara Marks

Northwest Indian College Winter 2013 Calendar General Registration Nov. 13-Jan. 5 Winter Qtr Classes Begin January 7 Late Registration Jan. 7-11

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Around the Rez: Swinomish tribal member travels to Vienna, Austria to present paper

Swinomish tribal member, Katherine Paul, lecturing at the University of Vienna, for the 54th International Congress of Americanists, http://ica2012.univie.ac.at/. Katherine presented a paper titled, "Contemporary Indigenous Language Amongst the Swinomish Indian People." July 2012.

Matika Wilbur embarks upon epic photographic journey into Native America.

For Immediete Release: October 18, 2012 Seattle, WA Matika Wilbur, widely-exhibited and collected photographer, writer, and educator from the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes of the Pacific Northwest, is hitting the road; she is bringing her sensitive and revealing lenses to every Tribal Nation in the United States, to gather the 21st century image of Native Americans and share its glory and grist with a contemporary, dynamic eye and audience in project 562: “My goal is to create a book and exhibition representing Native people from every tribe. By exposing the astonishing variety of the Indian presence and reality at this juncture, we will build cultural bridges, abandon stereotypes, and renew and inspire our national legacy.”

Legacy is a crucial goal of project 562. More than a century has passed since a photographic sojourn explored Native Americans with such creative breadth and detail. In 1906 renown photographer Edward S. Curtis was commissioned by J.P. Morgan to capture the “disappearing” race. Curtis described his mission: "Respecting the mode of life of one of the great races of mankind must be collected at once or the opportunity will be lost."

Wilbur’s motive in bringing her art to Native Americans does not come from fear that her culture will be lost, but that its enduring richness, complex variety, tenacity, and promise will be revealed as part of the beating heart and highest vision of our nation.

Wilbur, a graduate of the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, Missoula, Montana and the Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, California, has been shown at the Royal British Columbia Museum of Fine Arts, Nantes Museum of Fine Arts in France, Seattle Art Museum, Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture, and Tacoma Art Museum. Her fine art subject matter has traversed the Indian image across the socioeconomic, intergenerational spectrum, from tribal to hardcore urban, traditional elders to assimilated teens. “All the work that I have done until

this point has prepared me for this project.”

To learn more or to donate, please visit www.matikawilbur.com or give support through Kickstarter: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/matika/562-a-photo-projectdocumenting-native-america About Matika: Matika Wilbur is from the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribe. She studied photography at the Rocky Mountain School of Photography, and the Brooks Institute of Photography in California. She has exhibited extensively in regional, national, and international venues such as the Royal British Columbia Museum of Fine Arts, and the Nantes Museum of Fine Arts in France, The Seattle Art Museum,The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture and The Kittredge Gallery at the University of Puget Sound.

Wilbur's work contends with how Native Peoples shape a sense of identity in the face of cultural dualities; how a hybrid sense of identity that honors one's cultural heritage and connects to contemporary , pop culture. She says, "My name, Matika means the messenger, and throughout my life, I have been groomed to approach the politics of our society differently-- I am to influence social change not as a politician, but as an artist. These projects are important because questions are being asked and documented that might otherwise be overlooked. It is the intimacy of the studio, the presence of the camera, and the connection that the subject feels with me that allows the honesty and vulnerability to be present in every image. I have grown tremendously from visiting the wisdom of my culture, and I believe that everybody that views these images with their heart will share in this truth.

These images will leave a legacy that will be remembered for many years to come."

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qyuuqs feature: Chairman Cladoosby introduces President Obama Submitted by Debra Lekanoff, photo manipulations via LiveStream by qyuuqs staff unless otherwise noted.

LA CONNER, Wash. Swinomish Tribal Chairman Brian Cladoosby introduced President Obama on Wednesday at this year’s White House Tribal Nations Conference, a gathering that provides leaders from recognized Native American tribes the opportunity to interact directly with the president and his cabinet.

The summit is the fourth of President Obama’s administration.

Chairman Cladoosby has played major roles in the previous conferences.

“President Obama has shown a deep commitment to Indian Country and Native American issues since his inauguration, far outstripping most of his predecessors in the White House,” said Cladoosby, who has been Swinomish chairman for 16 years. “I look forward to continued governmenttogovernment relations with his administration.”

Since the administration’s first Tribal Nations Conference in 2009, the federal government has taken several historic steps to aid tribes, including making permanent the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, signing into law the Tribal Law & Order Act, reaching agreement on the Department of

Agriculture’s settlement of the longstanding Keepseagle case regarding discrimination against Native American farmers and ranchers, and signing into the law the Cobell Settlement, a landmark settlement of more than a century of government mismanagement of tribal assets.

Last year, President Obama signed an executive order to expand educational opportunities for Native American students aimed at helping to preserve Native language and culture while ensuring that these young people are prepared for colleges and careers.

At this year’s conference, seven members of the president's cabinet were also scheduled to address the tribal leaders. View online at http://youtu.be/hm3UXkonnO4

Recently elected Lummi Nation Chairman Timothy Ballew II, son of Swinomish tribal member Laural (Wilbur) Ballew meets with President Barack Obama following the President’s closing remarks. —submitted by Timothy Ballew II

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Cultural Department: November Dinner Continues Honoring of Elders Every month the Swinomish Cultural Department holds a community dinner to bring together the Swinomish community. The community dinner is a gathering place where songs and stories are shared. It is also an opportunity for community member can come together to visit. It is very common to see Swinomish’s elected officials at the community dinners as well, an excellent opportunity to visit with them and inform their leadership. Further, the community dinner is also used as an avenue to honor respected community members.

The Swinomish community gathered on November 21 to honor five of the community’s precious elders. The honorees that night were Robert Kellerman, Susan Billy, Marie Palmer, Betty Nash & Ivan Willup Sr. and were recognized by the community and family. Thank you to all who attended to support this monthly event!

Photos of honorees and their families clockwise starting with above left: Susan Billy, Robert Kellerman, Marie Palmer and Ivan Willup Sr.—Photos submitted by Aurelia Washington unless otherwise noted.

Attend the next community dinner on December 19, 2012 Photo submitted by qyuuqs

6 PM!

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National scene: Cobell Settlement final, Supreme Court denies appeals Announced: November 20, 2012

Submitted by: Governmental Affairs

The $3.4 billion Cobell v. Salazar settlement is final and will soon go into implementation. All appeals have been exhausted, with the U.S. Supreme Court denying review in both Craven v. Cobell and Goodbear v. Cobell. Both appeals had challenged the commonality, or similar injuries, among class members. The Settlement will resolve many longstanding disputes over the federal government's mismanagement of Individual Indian trust funds and resources, and was approved by Congress with significant tribal support along with a debate over the details.

Details about the Cobell Settlement The Settlement will distribute: $1.5 billion to pay individual Indian trust beneficiaries, including: Stage 1 - Trust Accounting - $1000 per beneficiary Stage 2 - Trust Resource Mismanagement - payments vary -each individual Indian trust landowner will receive a resource mismanagement payment of a base amount (likely close to $800) plus a formula amount based on the average of theindividual's ten highest IIM account balances between 1985 and 2009. The resource mismanagement payment could range from the base amount to over $100,000, depending on historical account balances. The resource mismanagement settlement included an opt-out, but the time for opting out has passed. $1.9 billion for addressing fractionation of individual Indian land. Small fractionated interests will be purchased from Indian landowners on a voluntary basis, and the consolidated land will be turned over to tribes under the terms of the Indian Land Consolidation Act. This is a very significant benefit to tribal governments that will alleviate problems of fractionated ownership and benefit Interior's land management system. The BIA has indicated that it is working to prepare appraisals for as many as 37,000 allotments - those with more than 20 owners.

Up to $60 Million for Indian Higher Education - the funds are derived from land consolidation transactions and serve as an incentive for fractionated landowners.

Secretarial Commission on Indian Trust is already functioning and is intended to make recommendations on the future of trust reform and to oversee a performance audit of trust systems and controls.

For more information on the Cobell Indian Trust Settlement, you can go to www.indiantrust.com or call 800-961-6109. #NIEA2012 Special report: Swinomish Education Dept. by @rcook360 Wow…it’s already been a couple weeks from our “fantastic” trip to Oklahoma City for the 43rd Annual Indian Education Assoc. Conference. I’m not sure where to start as I was empowered, re-energized, and enlightened throughout my time while in OKC. I think the only downer for me personally was seeing our Sonics in “Thunder” colors all over town.

The theme for this year was “maintaining traditions in a digital era” which definitely describe where we are here in Swinomish/La Conner (schools) and where our students are headed.

Conference workshops were very informative and offered much insight into helping motivate and encourage our Native youth to succeed with higher educational opportunities. I was very proud to attend workshops and hear Native American keynote speakers that opened with thanking the Creator; the land they walked on; and thanking their respective Tribal communities in which they strongly supported.

Highlights for me included witnessing the Native Hawaiian educators and leaders present NIEA with a paddle in which was inscribed, “paddle in unity.” Their presence and membership in the NIEA (since 1999) only strengthens the Native education community as their songs and traditions shared were simply “beautiful.” As one Yakama leader pointed out, “I am proud of my Tribe, but I wish I was Hawaiian right now so that

someone could sing such beautiful songs for me whenever I was called on stage.” #Key components of course were “how to work with the technology that surrounds us” like the social medias (facebook, twitter, youtube, ibooks, etc.) but also implement strong Native language and culture into everything we do in school(s). Language is paramount in making our Native communities and schools become stronger in sharing our rich traditional history and teachings of our elders – it cannot be overlooked.

With that, our qyuuqs editor challenged me to “do something Cook!” So I “tweeted” my entire journey to NIEA @rcook360 and included some fun pictures and interesting information on places I visited, like OKC Federal Building, National Museum, and the controversial Denver airport!

Check out my “twitter” page as I also plan on putting something on “youtube” or “vimeo” chronicling my virtual experience at #NIEA2012.

Stay tuned for some social media happenings to come!

Special “osiam” and thanks to our educational director Tracy James and our Tribal Senators for making this valuable - educational experience possible (attendees: Tracy James, Jill Rohrs jrohrs@lc.k12.wa.us, and myself). Next year the conference is in South Dakota, mark your iCals or google calendars, as this conference is a big “like” and not to be missed…and I didn’t even talk about the food (see @rcook360 for details).

Randall Cook ;) (rcook@lc.k12.wa.us #swedebsedu #swineducation @tallguy360)

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Around the Rez Swinomish Student Earns Kiwanis Student of the Month Submitted by Bill Schaarschmidt

Brianna Porter is a very hard worker and is very serious about her grades at school. She is a well rounded student, involved in sports as well as academics. She comes to class prepared to work, having everything she needs to be a good learner. Brianna is also very focused in class and wants to do well. It is a pleasure to work with her and she is well liked by her teachers. She is also well liked by her fellow students and they often seek her out for help with classwork and homework.

Brianna received the award for Kiwanis Student of the month for November 2012 at the Kiwanis monthly meeting, Wednesday, November 14th. Her parents were in attendance at the meeting as well. We are all proud of her accomplishments and we look forward to seeing what the future has in store for this bright young lady.

Brianna Porter, 8th grader La Conner Middle School

Bill Schaarschmidt Swinomish Para pro, 8th grade, La Conner Middle School

Swinomish Community Dinner ∗Wednesday, December 19 ∗6:00 PM ∗Youth Center Come out and enjoy spending time with one another!

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Northwest Indian College: Class visits Port Susan Bay Preserve Photos & article submitted by Caroline Edwards

Old man made dike

Before the Dike was Removed.

Old man made dike

The Port Susan Bay Preserve is a wildlife preserve owned by The Nature Conservancy of Washington.

These tidelands provide critical habitat to thousands of birds, salmon, and other wildlife. The Nature Conservancy purchased land from a local famer Menno Groeneveld one decade ago near Stanwood, Washington. Their full intension was to restore the estuarine ecosystem at the mouth of the Stillaguamish River, for it was unable to receive its natural flow of fresh water due to the dike built five decades ago by the previous owner. Without the built up of sediment the health of the marshland habitat became very unstable, leaving a detrimental impact on the many different species that depend on it. By removing the man made dike the Port Susan Bay restoration project is allowing the Puget Sound and Stillaguamish River to take back its deprived marshland and finally let it begin to thrive with life yet again.

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Northwest Indian College: Class visits Port Susan Bay Preserve, cont’d.

New dike.

Heron

Mouth of the Stillaguamish River

After the Dike was Removed.

Where the old dike used to be.

Huge flock of Snow Geese.

The Stillaguamish River deposits a great amount of sediment downstream forming a delta in the Port Susan Bay. Roger Fuller, an estuarine ecologist for the Nature Conservancy, has studied the Port Susan Bay for ten years.

He understood that the dike has been restricting fresh water flow and sediment build up on the northern part of the bay. This restricted the eelgrass to grow which is a vital chain in the marshland food web. Many shorebirds depend deeply on eelgrass, as do juvenile salmon, and other marine life. It took a lot of patient monitoring of these estuarine species who were living there prior to the dike removal. Now that the construction of the marshland restoration project has been finished, the monitoring begins again. Monitoring before and after will allow them to understand if this whole restoration project is progressing positively. The hope for new estuarine life is what the Nature Conservancy is working toward, because without this ecosystem there will be no estuarine food chain.

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Mrs. V’s 2 cents!

Out of the blue It was a bright sunshiny Tuesday. I was looking forward to hearing about the Affordable Care Act at the monthly Senate meeting. Bob Marley was singing, “No Woman No Cry” on my car’s CD player. All was right and good in the world.

And the day got even better for me when I saw my good friend walking on Front Street. I decided to park my car and walk with her. I called her name, she didn’t hear me; I called her name again and started half-jogging toward her. She turned and smiled.

A big white dog charged past her heading straight at me!

What the….?! In my toughest, deepest voice I said, “Get away from me!” My deep, tough voice did not stop the big dog in his tracks. He circled behind me and snapped at my leg!!!

A second dog joined the bigger dog and together they barked loudly at me. My friend came to stand by my side and spoke

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Submitted by Diane I. Vendiola To her back, I said, “I just want to get it cleaned out, and it looks like it is beginning to swell up.”

A nurse came out and got me into an exam room almost immediately. After she saw the bite, the nurse told me that she was going to ask the doctor to look at it and that the clinic was mandated to report this type of injury to the tribal police. The doctor told me I needed to get a shot and that it would be in my best interest to keep it iced and elevated and take mondo doses of ibuprofen for a few days. She said that it would take anywhere from 2-3 months for the injury to completely heal. I said, “Are you kidding?” The doctor said, “No”.

And she explained in detail about how a wound such as I had gotten would bleed under the skin, etc.etc...

A tribal police officer came and took a picture of the bite, gave me his card and asked me what I would like for him to do.

Guess what I said? Yes, I that’s what I told him. “Make sure that the photo of my dog bite does not show up on Facebook.

I never did get to hear the presentation on the Affordable Care

“I went into the clinic and said, ‘I just got bit by a rez dog.’ The receptionist’s eyes got round and big as saucers and she said, ‘Oh no! Are you alright? I will get the nurse to take a look at you right away!’, and off she went.” calmly but sternly, to the dogs, “Get back in your yard, go on.” she said. And they did as they were told, but stood at the edge of the yard where they lived. My friend and I stood still, and the dogs kept barking. “Go on, get back there.” my friend said.

Just then a tall, handsome young man appeared. He said that he heard the dogs making a commotion and came out to investigate. He stood in the driveway of the yard, watching the dogs. The two animals retreated and stopped barking.

My friend told the young man that the dog had charged me.

The young man said, “Those dogs won’t bother me”. He offered to walk us two Elders to where we needed to go. My friend said she didn’t need anyone to walk her, but she told the young man that maybe she (me) did, since the dogs went after her (me).

The young man offered me his arm. Just then a big red truck pulled up. “What’s goin’ on?” the driver asked. My friend told him the whole story and she added, “Maybe you better give her a ride.” The tall young man stood silently by and the driver of the big red truck opened the passenger door. I climbed into the truck and then felt my leg start to hurt. It felt like somebody had kicked me hard behind my knees. I carefully rolled up my pant leg and looked. The imprint of the dog’s big teeth marks were on my leg, it was red and it was beginning to swell up! I thought O.M.G., am I going to walk back past these same dogs after I hear the presentation?

I asked the driver of the big red truck to take me to my car instead of to the admin. building. He made a U-turn and pulled right up to the driver-side door of my car (for which I was so very thankful because by now I was scared that that blankety-blank dog would attack me again!)

I felt safe inside my car and I was glad that Bob Marley was still singing ‘no woman, no cry’. I put my left turn signal on to go left so I could proceed to the Senate meeting and then I started having a toothache in my leg. Then I thought, wait a minute, maybe I need to get this blankety-blank dog bite cleaned out before I go to the meeting. So I turned on my right turn signal and drove up to the clinic instead.

I went into the clinic and said, “I just got bit by a rez dog.”

The receptionist’s eyes got round and big as saucers and she said, “Oh no! Are you alright? I will get the nurse to take a look at you right away!”, and off she went.

Act. I decided I better go home and keep icing and elevating my sore leg.

Out of the blue, just like that; I got bit.

Factoids about biting dogs and Elders: Most dog bites occur in people less than 20 years old. (What the?)

Most bite infections from dogs and cats contain a mix of bacteria from both the skin of the patient and the mouth of the animal.

Dog and cat bites are taken seriously because severe infections related to dog and cat bites can occur in about 20% of all cases.

Bacteria can enter the bloodstream, and in bites to the hands more serious joint and tissue infections can occur. (Yikes!)

The Humane Society of the United States reports that small children, the elderly (that’s me), and USPS Letter Carriers — in that order — are the most frequent victims of dog bites. (Carry Mace.)

The governmental and business affairs of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community are conducted by the Swinomish Senate, the duly elected governing body of the Tribe. The Senate governs the affairs of the Tribe through Senate Committees, Boards and Commissions established by Tribal Ordinance.

Tribal ordinances are our tribes own laws and codes of conduct provided for the general welfare of all tribal members. Our Tribe’s ordinance as it relates to Elders can be found in the Swinomish Tribal Community Domestic Relations Code Title 7, Chapter 12, Elder Protection. For laws about dogs, the Swinomish Tribal Community Public Health & Welfare Code, Section XI, Dog Control.

I am thankful to my friend for standing by my side and to the two young men who stopped and came to help (that’s what I call, Respecting your Elders).

Thanks to the dog bite adventure, my original 2 Cents for December, (my continuing adventure in “clearing space for the coming new season”) will be continued in the next issue and is changed to “clearing space for the new year”, instead.

Diane I. Vendiola, Swinomish tribal elder, is a regular contributor to the qyuuqs (Kee Yoks), continues to serve the tribe in her retirement, and is a loving grandmother.

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Treaty Tribes Release State of Our Watersheds Report OLYMPIA 9/21/12 – Ongoing damage and destruction of salmon habitat is resulting in the steady decline of salmon populations across western Washington, leading to the failure of salmon recovery and threatening tribal treaty rights, according to a report released today by the treaty Indian tribes.

The tribes created the State of Our Watersheds report to gauge progress toward salmon recovery and guide future habitat restoration and protection efforts. It tracks key indicators of salmon habitat quality and quantity over time from the upper reaches to the marine shorelines of 20 watersheds in western Washington. The report confirms that we are losing salmon habitat faster than it can be restored, and that this trend shows no sign of improvement.

“Indian people have always lived throughout the watersheds of western Washington. We know these places better than anyone else because they are our homes,“ said Billy Frank Jr., a Nisqually tribal member and chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission. “This State of Our Watersheds report clearly shows that we must reverse the loss and damage of habitat if the salmon, our cultures and our treaty-reserved rights are going to survive.”

The report includes data gathered over decades of tribal, state and federal efforts to provide a view of watersheds across western Washington, as well as recommendations for protecting those watersheds and the salmon they produce.

Key findings include: A 75 percent loss of salt marsh habitat in the Stillaguamish River watershed is believed to be a main factor in limiting chinook populations in the river system.

Since the 1970s, the status of herring stocks in the Port Gamble Klallam Tribe’s area of concern has dropped from healthy to depressed because of degraded nearshore habitat. Herring are an important food source for salmon.

In the Chehalis River system, the Quinault Indian Nation estimates that culverts slow or block salmon from reaching more than 1,500 miles of habitat.

Since 1980 the number of exempt permit wells in the Skagit and Samish watersheds alone has exploded from about 1,080 to 7,232. Property owners not served by a community water system are allowed a water right permit exemption to pump up to 5,000 gallons of groundwater per day. This makes less water available for lakes, streams and wetlands, and can harm salmon at all stages of their life.

The report also documents: Increasing armoring of freshwater and marine shorelines by levees, dikes, bulkheads, docks and other structures that harm natural functions and reduce or eliminate salmon habitat.

Disappearing forest cover in our watersheds – especially along rivers and streams – that is not being replaced. Forest cover helps keep stream temperatures low and reduces bank erosion.

A huge network of unpaved forest roads, especially those crossing streams, which contribute to sedimentation that can smother and kill incubating salmon eggs.

Ongoing salmon habitat degradation on agricultural lands because of tree removal, diking and polluted runoff.

Despite massive harvest reductions, strategic use of hatcheries and a huge financial investment in habitat restoration efforts over the past 40 years, the State of Our Watersheds report shows that we are failing to turn the tide on salmon recovery. This fact is borne out by an assessment of the Puget Sound Chinook Recovery Plan developed by the state and tribal salmon co-managers and adopted by the National Marine Fisheries Service.

The 2010 assessment declared that while protecting existing habitat is the most important action needed in the short term, salmon habitat continues to be degraded and better habitat protection efforts are needed. The assessment acknowledges that responsible harvest management is doing its share to support salmon recovery, and that salmon populations in many watersheds would not improve even if harvest was completely eliminated. Yet while harvest is held accountable for salmon recovery, habitat loss and degradation continue every day throughout every watershed in western Washington, destroying the salmon resource and along with it, the cultures, communities and treaty-reserved fishing rights of the tribes in western Washington.

“That salmon is us. All of us,” Frank said. “Whatever happens to that salmon is going to happen to us. If we can’t protect the salmon and its habitat, we can’t protect ourselves from the same things that are driving the salmon toward extinction.”

The State of our Watersheds report can be viewed online or is available on CD through the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission Web site at www.nwifc.org/sow. The report is a living document that will be updated as new data become available.

The State of Our Watersheds report is part of the Treaty Rights at Risk initiative created by the treaty tribes in 2011 to address the erosion of tribal treaty-reserved fishing rights from the ongoing loss of salmon and their habitat. The initiative is a call to action for the federal government to fulfill its trust responsibility to the tribes and its duty to recover salmon by leading a more coordinated salmon recovery effort. More information is available at www.treatyrightsatrisk.org.

For more information contact: Tony Meyer Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, (360) 438-1180 (office) or (360) 951-9341 (cell) tmeyer@nwifc.org

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Being Frank Hatcheries Are Critical

By Billy Frank, Jr., Chairman NWIFC

OLYMPIA – I love this time of year. The chinook, coho and chum are coming back and we’re filling our smokehouses and freezers for the coming winter.

I am proud to say that a good number of those returning fish came from our tribal hatcheries. We produce more than 40 million young salmon every year.

Last year we released about 14 million chinook, 6 million coho, 20 million chum, 125,000 sockeye and 650,000 steelhead.

Most tribal hatcheries produce salmon for harvest

away from protecting and restoring habitat. In fact, we can’t have hatcheries without habitat. That’s because once a salmon leaves a hatchery it needs the same habitat as a naturally produced salmon.

Both need plenty of cool, clean water, good instream and marine nearshore habitat and access to and from the ocean.

Because every watershed and its salmon are unique, we believe that the use of hatcheries should evolve over time depending on the health of our watersheds. Those with little or badly damaged habitat will

“I love this time of year. The chinook, coho and chum are coming back and we’re filling our smokehouses and freezers for the coming winter.” by both Indian and non-Indian fishermen. Some serve as wild salmon nurseries that improve survival of juvenile fish and increase returns of salmon in our watersheds that spawn naturally.

At a time when the state is cutting back on hatchery programs because of a huge budget shortfall, tribes are increasingly picking up the tab to keep salmon coming home for everyone who lives here. Tribes are doing everything from taking over the operation of some state hatcheries to buying fish food and making donations of cash and labor to keep up production.

That’s because we believe hatcheries play a critical role in fisheries management. Without them, our treaty rights would be meaningless because there would be no salmon for harvest – by anyone.

Hatcheries must remain a central part of salmon management in western Washington for as long as lost and degraded habitat prevents our watersheds from naturally producing abundant, self-sustaining runs.

We can’t allow hatcheries to be an excuse to walk

likely need long-term or even permanent hatchery production to provide salmon for harvest and stock restoration. For watersheds where habitat can be restored, hatchery production may be reduced over time as the habitat is able to support abundant, naturally spawning runs.

Hatcheries are a tool. Nothing more. Nothing less.

We have hatcheries because of choices made in the past and choices that are still being made today about how we treat our environment. We think hatcheries work best when they work hand-in-hand with good harvest management and are combined with protecting and restoring habitat. That’s because hatcheries are not a substitute for plentiful, high-quality habitat and never will be.

Contact: Tony Meyer or Emmett O’Connell (360) 438‐ 1180, www.nwifc.org

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Archives: A History of Education in the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Part III From the Swinomish Tribal Archive A History of Education in the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Fourth in a series by Theresa L. Trebon This month’s installment of A History of Education is dedicated to that first group of Swinomish children who entered the La Conner School District in 1918, following the closure of the Swinomish Day School. They weren’t the first Swinomish students to attend LCSD, (evidence has been found of a few Swinomish students attending there from 1916 on), but given the age of these children, and what they had been accustomed to, it was no doubt a daunting school year for them as they “went to town” for their formal schooling.

Front row, Left to right: Ester George, Ethel Willup, Elizabeth Day Edge. Third row: Jimmy Edge. Fourth row: Bertha George Dan. When asked what it was like to start school in La Conner in 1918, Bertha George Dan shared these thoughts eighty-five years later: “Well, in a way, it was okay. We made friends with some kids right away, and course my Grandma Louisa had friends over there, and their children became friends with us. And there was others, maybe, that had Indians working for them in the barns or something. And so we weren’t strange to them. There were some that really didn’t accept us right away. But there was others that [said], ‘So what. They’re Indian. They got to go to school.’ That’s all there is to it. Really.”

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Education: Education department to host conferences/education dinner Submitted by Tracy James

Congratulations to the following students for being honored at the Education Dinner for High Academic Achievement!

Middle School Michael Page Kahneesha Casey Lexi Bill Jasmine Cayou Briana Porter Joreen McDonald Alicia Guerrero Gobert Zanetta Cayou Emily Montoya

Kalona Casey Ajay Damien Jace Kinsman Elijah Adams Yuanissa Cayou Cory Baker Jeanette Quintasket Alex Stewart Claudia Jack Jordan Johnston

Cheyenne Weatherby Chad John Mary Cisneros Raven Edwards Claudia Parker High School Logan James Kendall Edwards Jessie Paul

Darrell Williams Mariah Clark Kaitlyn Cultee Brendon Kasayuli Wil James Aubrey Stewart Jamall James Taysha James Hilary Edwards Levi Paul

Thank you Swinomish Education & Cultural Dept. Staff! ~ Thank you La Conner School Staff! ~ Thank you Senator Brian Porter!

Congratulations Swinomish Youth on your academic accomplishments!

Swinomish youth, you can do it!

All photos submitted by qyuuqs staff.

Swinomish youth, keep going!

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swedebS ~ Community Arts

Photo by Eric Day

Gloomy Reflections-Caroline Edwards

Huge Flock of Snow Geese at Port Susan BayCaroline Edwards

Photo by Eric Day

Pink Sky At Night-Caroline Edwards

Fall Leaves-Caroline Edwards

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Feature: Developing Indigenous Health Indicators, Part 3 This article summarizes dialogue about the Community Connection health indicator with a cross section of Swinomish Tribal Members. A focus group was held in July with tribal members to help the Planning Department determine community health concerns as related to shellfish gathering and fishing practices. Comments shared were from teens to 80 year olds.

Community Connection in this dialogue consisted of three parts: Cooperation

Participation/Roles

Familiarity

Photo Courtesy: Jim Gibson, Swinomish Shellfish Biologist

Excerpts from Tribal Members

Cooperation: “With fish traps gone, community cooperation has really gone down hill. Fish traps made catch abundant, fish traps are now a thing of the past. “ “Individuals used to pray for person who brought you fish. Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony has replaced prayers for individuals.”

Some elders expressed the only time they know they will get fresh fish is at ceremonies, the rest of the time they do not have access.

Several comments were made about the old fish trap, especially about how with its demise, it changed how cooperation and sharing occurred.

Participation/Roles: “ Everyone knew how to butcher and prepare fish. We are poor and we have been reduced to buying fish from stores.”

“We used to have Baseball games and BBQs, not anymore. “ Again, several commented that in the past more participation in harvesting, preparing, and eating together and also playing together, more leisure activities like baseball games, meant for a healthier community.

Familiarity Elder said “Our familiarity is buying fish at store! “ (Lots of laughs). Also buying “Safeway Duck”, what he calls chicken as they no longer get duck either.

“We shop ads for cheapest buy on salmon” was a repeated comment.

“Community dinners—there is never enough salmon—younger ones don’t get any. The next famous Indian food will be spaghetti!” (Lots of heads nodding in agreement.)

Continues On Page 33.

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Elder Fun Day Thanks We would like to thank everyone who helped with Elder Fun Day. Thanks to our Senators who attended. Kevin Paul, Sophie Bailey.

Joe McCoy, for our Opening Prayer and Kevin Paul for our Opening and Introduction.

Cooks and kitchen workers, Jina Bobb, Shirley Sampson, & Ramona Hart, who made delicious Indian Tacos.

Ivan Willup, Lori Ann Cayou and the Senior Center Staff for allowing us to use their offices and space.

Yoli, Sandra Radin and Michael Vendiola, who decorated and prepared the Senior Center for our event.

Special thanks to the Early Education Center children and staff for making our table decorations, feathered turkeys with poems and an extra special performance.

Much gratitude to all the people who brought gifts, and had display tables: Greg Fritz-Anacortes Physical Therapy Annie Nersten-DSHS Louis Gobert-Beading Vendor Jessica Gigot-Northwest Indian College Michelle Skidmore-Registered Dietitian Melody Coleman and Shelley Zylstra-NWRCouncil Colleen Mavar-Swinomish Fitness Center Swinomish Dental Office- who donated toothbrushes We appreciate the generosity of the Swinomish Casino and Lodge, Erica John and Jumada Schwinden, for the door prizes; and drawing gifts from the Swinomish Tribe gathered by Shelley Roberts.

We really enjoyed our Presentation by Tanisha Gobert on the Kukutali Preserve and the stretching and chair yoga lead by Colleen Mavar, from our fitness center. To the Planning Dept. and staff , we are grateful for the equipment use and assistance.

Thanks to Michael Vendiola for the qyuuqs coverage.

We hope we haven’t forgotten to thank anyone. We missed some of our elders who unfortunately could not attend due to a funeral and one elder who had an unpleasant run-in with an unfriendly “four legged” neighbor. We hope the Elders who did attend, enjoyed the event. .…..Barbara & Yoli

Thank you to the Early Education Children who attended the Elder’s Fun Day to sing!

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To all Swinomish Tribal Elders who are 55 and older: *On Mondays: Leave at 9:30 am and 1:00 pm, To transport Elders up to Walmart for shopping.

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Lori Ann Cayou Swinomish Elder’s Case Worker My Office is at the Senior Center Office phone: 360-4667374 or cell 360-391-5737

*Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday’s: From 11:00 am to 1:00 pm - transport any Elders to & from Senior Center for lunch. *Wednesday: In the am - visit the Elders in Nursing homes. **For any other Transporting: Visit or call my office 466-7374 to schedule appointment: • Then I need at least 24 hrs notice prior appointment.

• Need information of: who, where, when, and time (of how long I will be).

• No appointment to be schedule between 11:00 am - 1:00 pm everyday.

• First come, first serve basis depending on schedule.

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Lushootseed Lanuage:

usju?il XaXa weli?eAdat Merry Christmas

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Northwest Indian College: Canning and preserving workshop held Submitted by Caroline Edwards

The Northwest Indian College Swinomish Site held a Canning and Preserving workshop on November 9, 2012. Vanessa Cooper, a special guest from the Northwest Indian College-Main Campus’ Cooperative Extension Office gave a demonstration on how to make a batch of cranberry rose hip jam, and a cranberry rose hip chutney.

Jessica Gigot, a science faculty advisor at the NWIC Swinomish site gave a Powerpoint presentation on the basics of canning and preserving food.

Vanessa Cooper explaining what a rose hip looks like.

Large and Small Rose Hips

Materials used to Can and Preserve Food.

Participants of the Canning and Preserving Food Workshop.

Cranberry Rose Hip Jam.

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Wellness Program: DRUGGED DRIVING—Are you really OK to drive?

Submitted by: Dawn Lee

Drugs acting on the brain and central nervous system can negatively affect driving skills: The effects of specific drugs differ depending on how they are used, the amount consumed, the history of the user, and other factors.

How Do Drugs Affect Driving Skills?

Coordination: Effects on nerves/muscles – steering, braking, accelerating, manipulation of vehicle Reaction time: Insufficient response & reaction Cognitive Judgment: effects, risk reduction, avoidance of potential hazards, anticipation, risktaking behavior, inattention, decreased fear, exhilaration, loss of control Tracking: Staying in lane, maintaining distance Attention: Divided, not focused. High demand for information processing is severely affected Perception: 90% of information processed by our brain while driving is visual.

Glare resistance and recovery, dark and light adaptation, dynamic visual acuity – all are negatively impacted by drug use.

Opiates and Driving: Opiates can cause drowsiness, mental confusion, and visual impairment even at lower, moderate doses. A driver may have difficulty keeping the vehicle in the correct lane and may make errors in judgment.

Marijuana and Driving: Since marijuana is the second most commonly used drug associated with drinking and drugged driving after alcohol, it is important to understand why it is particularly dangerous.

THC, the high producing element in marijuana, affects areas of the brain that control body movements, balance, coordination, memory and judgment. Evidence from both real and simulated driving studies indicates that marijuana negatively affects a driver’s attentiveness, perception of time and speed, and ability to draw on information obtained from past experiences.

Alcohol and Driving: Alcohol affects most areas of your brain, so the effects are wide-ranging and impossible to compensate for. Alcohol is a depressant. This means alcohol: Slows brain functions so that you can’t respond to situations, make decisions or react quickly.

Reduces your ability to judge how fast you are moving or your distance from other cars, people or objects.

Gives you false confidence you may take greater risks because you think you’re driving is better than it really is. Makes it harder to do more than one thing – while you concentrate on steering, you could miss seeing traffic lights, cars entering from side streets or pedestrians. Affects your sense of balance - very important if you ride a motorcycle.

Makes you sleepy.

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Wellness Program: GAM-ANON—12 steps of self-help* Submitted by: Dawn Lee

Gam-Anon is a 12 Step self-help fellowship of men and women who have been affected by the gambling problem of a loved one. We understand as perhaps few can. We are familiar with worry and sleepless nights and promises made only to be broken. The message of Gam-Anon is: Come join with us. We too were alone, afraid, and unable to cope with the deterioration in our relationships, the financial problems, and the debt caused by the gambling problem. We know that living with the effects of a loved one's gambling can be too devastating to bear without help. Through GamAnon we find our way back to a normal way of thinking and living whether or not our loved ones continue to gamble.

SUGGESTIONS: 1. Accept and learn to live with the fact that compulsive gambling is an illness that cannot be cured, but with recovery in GA, the gambler can have meaningful abstinence.

2. The gambler, not you, should be responsible for calling the gambler's creditors to make restitution. Don't enable the gambler by taking this responsibility away from him or her.

3. Experience has taught us that it is not helpful to the gambler to borrow monies or co-sign notes to cover gambling debts while the gambler is gambling or even when the gambler joins Gamblers Anonymous. Gamblers Anonymous offers a specific approach to managing finances and debt through its Pressure Relief Meeting.

4. It is not recommended that anyone pay any gambling debts or the gambler's living expenses. This is the responsibility of the gambler.

5. Prudence tells us that compulsive gamblers are seldom able to handle family finances. Perhaps this condition will be altered as the gambler progresses in recovery.

The Gam-Anon Budget Relief program helps us understand and organize family finances.

6. Discourage friends and family from lending the gambler money.

7. The gambler's gambling debts were not incurred over a short period of time; therefore don't be discouraged if the gambler finds it necessary to pay back small amounts of monies over an extended period. Normal family expenses must come first. The Gamblers Anonymous Pressure Relief Meeting will help the gambler establish financial priorities and schedule debt repayments.

8. Recovery is a slow process for the gambler. Give the gambler your encouragement and have faith in the GA and Gam-Anon programs.

9. Come to Gam-Anon even though your gambler may continue to gambler. We understand your problem and can help you cope with the issues that surface due to the gambling and accompanying behaviors.

10. To question or interrogate the gambler will serve no purpose. You are powerless to stop the gambler. If the gambler has something the gambler wishes to hide, the truth cannot be forced from the gambler. It only causes us emotional distress to try.

If you want questions answered, want some education or need support; Call the Wellness program and schedule an appointment today, 466-1024 *source: GAM-ANON http://www.gam-anon.org

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Health Clinic: Invitation to enroll in a Free Insurance Program

The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is a Basic Health Insurance sponsor and we would like to invite you to enroll in this free insurance program.

Although there are income qualifications, keep in mind that Treaty income is exempt.

If you are eligible for this insurance you can be referred to providers for additional healthcare services.

If you were eligible for Energy Assistance within the last year, you are most likely to be eligible for this free insurance program and should call Mary Ellen Cayou at 360-466-7218 to schedule an appointment. All others please contact Barbara Wasserman at 360-466-3167.

We look forward to your visit What we do now affects our healthcare in the future…. ♥

Taking a stroll in the Swinomish Social Services Building! Do you know who these little ones are? :) —submitted by qyuuqs staff

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Native Business:

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Native Business: Tips for Economic Expansion

Tribal economies are transitioning from natural resource base to diverse commercial enterprises. I have a tip for sustainable economic growth -know the critical mass of your economy.

Knowing the critical mass of a tribal economy is paramount because when acquiring a new venture the tribe must be able to determine the appropriate range in size of purchase. A venture too big may have the potential to jeopardize the existing portfolio of companies because the cost of mitigating a problem(s) will require cash or manpower so large that it brings material harm to the overall operation. A venture too small or without enough profit potential could stagnate growth if there is inferior return on resources (people, property, and cash). This should not be confused with starting small with the intent and timeline to grow to material size or incubating a business to nurture entrepreneurial activity of tribal members. A venture the correct size will allow a tribal nation to manage their risk and promote stable long term growth.

Here is a simplified illustration of why acquisition size is important: A tribe owns a convenience store that has a gross income of $5million which produces a 5% profit at the end of the year ($250,000). This store is their only for-profit entity and they rely on it for jobs and to build cash in their bank account. They decide to purchase a trucking company for $5 million which has the same gross revenue as their C-store but produces a 15% profit at year end ($750,000). The tribe likes the fact that the new portfolio of companies will double their businesses and quadruple profit. They put down 20% of the purchase price ($1 million) which is most of their cash, retain trucking management, and finance the remaining $4 million; creating an annual debt service payment of $540,000. The trucking company loan is fully amortized and will be paid off at the end of 10 years. The tribe looks to be in good financial position.

Historical income for the trucking company, $750,000, covers the $540,000 annual debt payment leaving

$210,000 in yearend profit. Then something happens, the economy crashes. The actual earnings decrease from 15% to 6% ($300,000).

This is $240,000 short of the annual debt service needed to pay down the note for the purchase of the company.

Jim Stanley The tribe allocates dollars from their convenience store to pay trucking company debt. The $250,000 they usually make is now reduced by $240,000 which leaves only $10,000 in the bank for the year’s activity. There is not much room for anything to go wrong because cash reserves are low. The tribe has lived through one year of trucking company ownership but what happens if the economy does not come back and something breaks in either business? It would be difficult to consolidate trucking company management since the tribe’s experience is primarily in convenience store operations.

Tribal management is hopeful things will improve but hope is not a management strategy.

Whether you are a tribe or an individual, here are three things you can do to avoid the pitfalls of new business ownership: One, don’t pay too much at the beginning. Ask around and get good advice on valuation. Two, get the seller to carry part of the loan (if it is a purchase) –a seller that is still on the hook to be repaid is likely to contribute when times get tough or else risk losing their payback. Three, run through worst case scenario and ask yourself how long you could keep the doors open if the business has its worst year(s) ever following your purchase- if the answer is “not too long” then maybe you should look for a smaller deal.

Jim Stanley is a Quinault Tribal member and contributes his experience through writing for the betterment of Native People. To reach Jim for comment or free access to more business knowledge, go to JimStanley.biz.

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Sports: Swinomish players help La Conner to State Submitted by qyuuqs Staff The La Conner High School boys football team were successful in attaining a 3rd place finish in the Washington State Football tournament. Several players from Swinomish fill integral roles to help the team to success. Swinomish was represented strongly by Levi Paul, Jr, General Cayou, Jamall James, Loran James, Allen John, Wil James and Joey Quintasket for state football play. Congratulations to all the players and the families who supported their athlete to success!

Photo submitted by Marlo Quintasket

Photo submitted by Marlo Quintasket

Players preparing for play. —Photo submitted by Lori Ann Cayou Taking a moment for a photo. —Photo submitted by Lori Ann Cayou

Parents and friends supporting youth athletes. —Photo submitted by Lori Ann Cayou

Relatives supporting the youth athletes. —Photo submitted by Lori Ann Cayou

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Voc-Rehab: Swinomish Welcomes the Return of Gretchen Gahan Hi! My name is Gretchen Gahan, and I am the vocational rehabilitation counselor, taking the place of Tammy Cooper-Woodrich, who has been assigned to Nooksack. I am so pleased to be back at Swinomish. When I first started working with NIVRP (North Intertribal Vocational Rehabilitation Program) I worked here at Swinomish, and my office was in the dental building. I think maybe some of you might remember me. Swinomish has grown and changed a lot since I last worked here in 1997.

Gretchen at her workspace in the Swinomish Social Services Building.—Photo by qyuuqs

I earned a BA degree at WWU, and worked for State DVR and then for Chinook Enterprises before I came to work for NIVRP. It has always been a passion of mine to help people with disabilities, and feel honored to be able to serve the Indian people in this way.

I hope you will stop by to see me in my upstairs office in the Community building on Mondays or Tuesdays. I am here from 9-3 on those days.

The program serves people who are enrolled in a Federally Recognized tribe, who have a disability that is a barrier to employment. There are many services that we offer to assist you to employment, whether it is retraining, helping you to get into counseling or treatment, discovering your strengths and abilities, and being a support all the way. If you are unsure if you have a disability, please stop by anyway, and we can figure it out together. I am looking forward to meeting you and working with you to meet your employment needs. My cell number is (360) 319-1934, and you are welcome to call me any business day of the week.

Feature: Developing Indigenous Health Indicators, Part 3. Continued from Page 21 Participants ranked in their view or experience the health of “Where Are We Now?” Here are the results!

Cooperation: On a scale of 1-5 how well does the community work together and communicate?

Things are very bad 7% Not very good 21% So-So 57% Looking Pretty Good 14% We’re doing great 0% Participation/Roles: On a scale of 1-5 are community members actively involved in community gatherings?

Things are very bad 7% Not very good 7% So-So 60% Looking pretty good 27% We’re doing great 0% Familiarity: On a scale of 1-5 is the seafood eaten in the community caught by members of the community (instead of by people you don’t know/bought at the store)?

Things are very bad 9% Not very good 9% So-So 36% Looking pretty good 36% We’re doing great 9%

Comments, questions or suggestions? Email Jamie Donatuto at jdonatuto@swinomish.nsn.us or Myk Heidt at mheidt@swinomish.nsn.us or ring 466.1532. Next month we will share results of “Ceremonial Use” Health Indicator.

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DECEMBER •

12—Christmas Distribution, Social Services

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19—Community Dinner, 6PM, Youth Center

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20—SITC Offices close at 5:28 for Holidays

•

•

24—Swinomish Christmas Program, 5:00 refreshments, Social Services 31—Happy New Year!

JULY

2013 JANUARY

AUGUST

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SEPTEMBER

02—SITC reopens from Holiday break

FEBRUARY

October

MARCH

November *Please submit important dates to the qyuuqs (Kee Yoks)!

APRIL

*’CR’ denotes ‘canoe race’.

MAY

*Bolded text denotes Swinomish Community event.

JUNE Swinomish Casino & Lodge: JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS Excellent benefit package* includes quarterly cash incentive, EAP and 401(k) w/ match for all staff; medical, dental, vision and term life insurance as well as paid holidays and paid time off for full time staff (*must meet required time in service before eligible).

All positions require a criminal background check and approval of a gaming license from Swinomish Gaming Commission.

In addition, a high school diploma or equivalent is required to be considered for employment.

Pre-employment drug testing will be conducted upon acceptance of a position.

Applications for positions not currently being recruited are gladly accepted and will be kept on active file for 90 days.

Email Applications to jobs@swinomishcasino.com Mail or bring to: 12885 Casino Dr. Anacortes, WA 98221 Fax 360-299-1677

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RESTAURANT MANAGER*- 1 FT 13 Moons Open until filled

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FOOD & BEVERAGE SUPERVISOR – FT

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BUSSER* – 1 FT Two Salmon Café until filled

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BAR BACK* – 1 PT Open until filled

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BANQUET HOUSEMAN- OC Open until filled

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ROOM ATTENDANT Open until filled

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SECURITY OFFICER-

Open 2 PT Open until filled

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PASTRY CHEF – 1 FT 13 Moons Open until filled

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LEAD SECURITY OFFICER/EMT FT Closing Date: November 16, 2012

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COOK – 5 OC Banquets Open until filled.

CUSTODIAN – 1 OC Open until filled.

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COCKTAIL SERVER* – 3 PT 1 on-call Varied $8.00/hr Open until filled

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BANQUET SERVER – OC Open until filled.

HUMAN RESOURCES ASSISTANT – Temporary

swədəbš qyuuqs

FREE ADS:

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To place a free ad please contact the qyuuqs at qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us

Carvings and Prints for sale by Frank Campbell 360-333-2796 or 360-399-1043

NAMAPAHH First People's Radio is hosted and produced by Robin Carneen, an enrolled member of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, in La Conner, WA. Topics include-Native American news, views & music & you can listen online at (archives too!): http://www.blogtalkradio.com/ namapahh_radio

NORTH INTERTRIBAL VOCATIONAL REH BILITATION PROGRAM (NIVRP) Helps people with Disabilities get or keep a job Mondays and Tuesdays 10-3:00 Swinomish: 360-466-1343 Bellingham NIVRP: 360-671-7626 ggahan@stillaguamish.com

PRSRT STD US Postage Paid Permit #35 ANACORTES, WA 98221

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

qyuuqs News 17337 Reservation Road La Conner, WA 98257 qyuuqs@swinomish.nsn.us

qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) online: http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov/news.aspx

Swinomish qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) News

OR CURRENT RESIDENT