Category: Tulalip News
April 9, 2014 syəcəb
Tulalip Tribal Council swears in new leadership: Newly elected chairman Herman Williams Sr. wastes no time establishing his plans
By Andrew Gobin, Tulalip News
The Tulalip Tribal Council swore in three members on Saturday, April 5 at the Tulalip Administration board room, welcoming newly elected Les Parks and Herman Williams Sr., and returning Councilman Glen Gobin. Parks and Williams have both served on the council in prior years, which may have contributed to their winning of two seats, and the appointment of Williams as Chair and the election of Parks as Vice Chair. Glen Gobin was elected as Treasurer.
Chairman Williams spoke directly, so not to waste time, mapping out his plans for changing the direction of the Tulalip Tribes, urging for tradition and culture to be the foundation of our community, once more.
He said, “If we continue as we are, neglecting our culture and traditional ways, the man from Washington D.C. will come here and there will be no Tulalips. Without culture, Tulalip is gone.”
Williams spoke briefly about returning to the old ways of leadership, mentioning the influence of past leaders over his life and leadership.
“All these ones here behind me,” he said, motioning to the photos of all the past councilmembers, “I walked with them all in my lifetime. I may be the only one [on the council] who has had that privilege.”
The Tulalip people are a big concern as well for the new Chairman. He briefly mentioned the social dysfunction a substance abuse that plagues the Tulalip people today.
“We have our people, and we have our strength. But we have to walk together, once more. We have a lot of children born into this life of ours that have been caught in this web of drugs and alcohol. I’m gonna get this community together to take care of that. You women, you are the givers of life. But I understand that some of you are bringing children into this world that are going to have a tough time. I can’t allow that any longer. We will have to march down that road together if we want to heal,” he said.
Les Parks, elected Vice Chair for the Tulalip Tribal Council, spoke, thanking the people for their support. He praised Chairman Williams for his leadership and experience, stating how honored he was to serve with him, and the rest of the council.
Glen Gobin, elected Treasurer, echoed Parks’ sentiments, honoring Williams for his past leadership and his status as the elder councilman. Gobin, who was re-elected for a fourth consecutive term, welcomed Williams and Parks back to the council after years of absence.
Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Phone: (360) 716.4188
Tulalip family hosts Italian foreign exchange student
Article by Andrew Gobin, Tulalip News
Bernard and Sandra Duplessis and their family have been hosting exchange students for the past two years. It’s an experience that they would like to see grow on the reservation. The opportunity to see the world and experience another culture, or host a student and share your culture with them, both are ways to open yourself up to the world and appreciate your own culture.
Meet Tommaso Vaccari, a 17 year old Italian exchange student from Genoa, currently attending Getchell High School. He is very outgoing and independent.
“I arrived in August of last year, and will be here for about ten months,” he said.
He lives with Bernard and Sandra Duplessis, their son, Bernard Jr., their daughter, Dallas, and Bernard’s mother, Joan. When Tommaso arrived, he spoke very little English. After learning from his host family, and from school, he speaks so well you wouldn’t know he is new to it. The way he speaks is not what you would expect either. Idioms are more pronounced, his tone changes as he uses phrases that he is more familiar with. Although you may not realize it about yourself, you probably do these same things. You really notice with Tommaso, though, as the colloquialisms of pop culture have manifested in his English, picking up slang from his peers.
The largest culture shock for Tommaso is reservation life.
“I had no idea what a reservation was,” he said, “but my father has always been intrigued by the Indians. He rides horses with a man in Genoa, who lived with Indians for some time. They go out riding together and my father learns about Indians that way. This is totally different. Here is so much different than in town.
“In September I was fishing with my host brother, and there were some [Indian] people that did not like that. They said that if you weren’t Indian you couldn’t fish. And then there were other people [non Indians] that were mad about that. Then the police came and told everyone to leave. And they told me that I could not be there. But I was with my host brother, and I had to explain to the police.”
The Duplessis family will be sad to see him go in June, when the exchange program ends.
“We consider him part of the family. He plays with our son, Bernard, and really has become a part of our lives. We talk to his family as well. They sent us a box of gifts. On Tommaso’s mother’s birthday, we arranged to send her flowers. She was thrilled. We feel like we have a family around the world in Italy too,” said Sandra.
She continued to talk about her son Bernard Jr., and how Tommaso helps him with his medical condition. Bernard is a hemophiliac and requires daily injections.
Tommaso said, “Coming here, living with these people, and helping my host brother Bernard, I want to become a doctor. I had always considered it, but coming here, I know it is what I want.”
Tommaso comes from a family of innovators and entrepreneurs. For him, his interests have always been on other fields.
Bernard and Sandra really would like to see programs like this grow. They hope that Tulalip students will be inspired to travel to other countries for schooling, to experience some of the rich cultures of the world, and hopefully to find the richness in our own culture.
If you see Tommaso out in the community, be sure to stop and get to know him a bit.
Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Phone: (360) 716.4188
Tulalip Resort hosts Chance McKinney Benefit Concert: Together raising more than $16k for Oso relief effort
By Andrew Gobin, Tulalip news
Tulalip – Almost two weeks after a landslide devastated the Oso community, support for the persistent relief effort remains strong and unwavering. The Tulalip Resort Casino and country music star Chance McKinney hosted a benefit concert raising more than $16,000.
“We are charging $20 for admission, 100% of which goes to the Oso relief effort. Specifically we are donating to the Cascade Valley Hospital Foundation and Union Bank,” said Shane Warbus, Food & Beverage Operations Manager for the Tulalip Resort.
McKinney, who was exceedingly humble about the show, expressed his shock and sympathies for the Oso community.
“Who am I to throw a benefit for people in need? That is a scary notion. And what if no one shows up? But it’s the cause. And $20 admission, that’s what national headliners charge, I’m not that guy. This is all for the cause,” he said.
Ron Stubbs, a comic and hypnotist who opened the show, said, “You people that came and paid $20, donating your time and money for those victims in Oso, you guys rock.”
The show started with Stubbs at 8:00 p.m., with McKinney going on at 9:30 p.m., and people continued to line up to get in until midnight, still paying for admission.
McKinney said, “We received donations from New York, Tennessee, Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, and many other states. Essentially, people bought tickets to a show they will never see. All for the cause.”
The show came together quickly after McKinney approached Tulalip with the idea for a benefit, motivated by his close connection with the area.
“Watching the news of Oso versus living here so close to it every day, it’s different,” said McKinney. “My first CD was cut in Darrington, for six months I drove through that area. I know where those houses were. But I can’t imagine living so close to this, where your brother’s girlfriend had a baby that was killed there, or where your mother and father died.” he said. He still lives in the area part time.
Aside from a few in-house costs, there was no money spent on the event. Advertising and other promotional information was donated for the event.
“We didn’t want one dollar of this event to be lost to expenses. Everything was handled pro bono by the Tulalip Resort. Everything came together, and we were able to pull this off in a week,” McKinney said.
“I am proud to announce that this event in the Cabaret was well attended and well executed. We had a goal to get $8 – $10K, through the efforts of the team, we had hit that by 11:00 p.m.,” Warbus added, noting that it truly was the audience that was driving the charitable efforts. “Guests were throwing money on stage, Chance was getting money while he played. He would announce where the guest was from while he was accepting the donation, the crowd loved it. After the event was over there was still more money coming in, guests were still giving on the way out.”
Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Phone: (360) 716.4188
Don Hatch Youth Center open to spring break activities for Tulalip youth
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
by Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
TULALIP, WA. – Tulalip youth, 13 to 17 years old, now have a building to call their own with the opening of the Tulalip Don Hatch Youth Center.
A ribbon cutting ceremony held on Monday, April 7, coincided with the first day of spring break for Tulalip youth, and marks the official opening of the center that was designed with this age group in mind.
Amenities in the center include a new basketball court, game room, work out room, and large commons area for studying or visiting.
For questions about the Don Hatch Youth Center, please contact Tulalip Youth Services at 360-716-4909.
Brandi N. Montreuil: 360-913-5402; bmontreuil@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Tulalip Don Hatch Youth Center opening ceremony from Brandi Montreuil on Vimeo.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Tribal jam session raises over $3400 for Oso mudslide victims
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
by Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
TULALIP, WA – “Two weeks ago, I think most of us, like 9/11, will remember exactly the moment where we were when we found out there was a slide in Oso,” said Travis Hots, Fire Chief for the Snohomish County Fire District 21, to attendees at the Tulalip Jam Session Oso Fundraiser on Friday, April 4, that raised over $3,400 for the victims and rescue crews of the Oso Mudslide.
“At first we just thought it was just another slide like the one that occurred in Mukilteo on Camano Island. We didn’t fully understand the magnitude of the disaster at first,” Hots went onto say.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
On March 22, 2014, a portion of an unstable hill collapsed, sending mud and debris across the North Fork of the Stillaguamish River, destroying the Steelhead Haven neighborhood and covering an area of 1 square mile including a section of Highway 530, cutting off the town of Darrington. As a result of the mudslide, 33 people were confirmed dead with 12 missing or unaccounted for, as of April 7. The mudslide is considered the deadliest single landslide event in U.S. history.
Hundreds of medical aid, search-and-rescue responders and volunteers sprang into action to help with rescue efforts. This included responders from the Tulalip community, such as a Tulalip tribal member spouse with the Snohomish County Swift Water Rescue, and responders from Tulalip Bay Fire Station.
To help ease the burden of rescue relief expenses, the Tulalip community organized the jam session to raise money.
Tribal jam sessions are gatherings born out of the Coast Salish Canoe Journeys, where coastal tribes come together to share songs with one another. A charity jam session, like the one held to raise money for the victims and rescue workers of the Oso mudslide, incorporate traditional potlatching values, which include giving to those in need, praying together and sharing as a community.
The event, attended by nearly 200 people, includeding surrounding Coast Salish tribes, raised $3,486 to be donated to four organizations. The Snohomish County Swift Water Rescue will receive $870. Another $870 will be donated to Snohomish County Fire District 22, one of the stations that Fire Chief Travis Hots is stationed at to lead rescue efforts. Cascade Valley Hospital Victims Fund will receive $870 and $870 will be donated to animal rescue and shelters.
“The Oso mudslide is a tragedy that is not only close to our home, but we had tribal members grow up in the area, some still have homes close to the site of the mudslide,” said Natosha Gobin, event creator and organizer. Since it is a custom of our people to stand up for our warriors and protect them for their work, we invited Travis to attend our fundraiser, so we could wrap him with a Pendleton for protection and thank him for his work.”
The event, comprised of 10 core organizers and 25 volunteers, raised donations through concession stands selling food, water, and raffle tickets. Local Tulalip artists Jonny Dill and Sam Davis donated original art, along Essential Earth Organic Salon and Tulalip Resort Casino, who donated product packages for the raffle.
“We decided to go with a suggested donation at the door, concession stand, bake sale and raffle. Since this event was a community effort, we asked for donations of paper goods for the food and drinks. Those who stepped up to cook, donated items to cook spaghetti, hamburger soup, Frybread and a variety of desserts. There was a sense of unity, love and healing in the building that night. I felt truly blessed to have so many great team members who helped make an idea turn into a successful event for our neighbors in the Oso area,” said Gobin.
“It was no surprise to see that the Tulalip Tribes were the first entities to make a large contribution and for that I am very grateful,” said Hots before the jam session. “I want to express that gratitude on behalf of the fire fighters because those dollars are going to good use, thank you. I would also like to thank each of you for inviting myself, my wife and kids, and for accepting us into your community tonight, it is truly an honor and I say thank you.”
Brandi N. Montreuil: 360-913-5402; bmontreuil@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Live broadcast of leadership swearing in connects Tulalip tribal members across the globe
By Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
TULALIP – Tulalip TV performed a mock video set up yesterday morning in the Tulalip Tribes Board Room to work out any kinks before the first live airing of Tulalip leadership being sworn in.
While live broadcast isn’t new to Tulalip TV, a live broadcast of a swearing in ceremony of Tulalip Board members is.
Tomorrow’s first regular board meeting of the month will mark the change in leadership for Tulalip Tribes. Herman Williams Sr. and Les Parks will replace Mel Sheldon Jr. and Chuck James. Per the Tulalip Constitution, newly elected Board of Directors are to be installed during the first regular board meeting following the election, which is held on the first Saturday of each month.
Although the first regular board meeting is open to all Tulalip tribal members, not everyone is able to attend due to prior engagements, limited space in the Tulalip Board Room, or other circumstances.
The live broadcast will reach nearly 1,400 Tulalip tribal members who live off reservation, and around the world.
In addition to live streaming at www.tulaliptv.com, the broadcast will be aired lived on channel 99.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
“Live coverage is an amazing tool to keep Tulalip citizens informed and connected, especially when they live off reservation,” said Tulalip Communications manager Niki Cleary. “One of the goals of the Communications Department is to keep tribal members educated and informed about issues facing the tribe so that they can make educated decisions about, and participate fully in, tribal governance. Efforts like this one really make a difference, they keep our citizens engaged.”
Tulalip TV provides live broadcast of Marysville School District’s Heritage High School sports and the Tulalip Graduation Banquet.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
“Every year the Communications Department evolves to meet the needs of the community,” Cleary went on to say. “In the last few years we have added Tulalip News, an online, expanded version of the See-Yaht-Sub. We added new on-camera talent for Heritage Sports coverage, as well as instant replay during games. This year we are working on live coverage of events, when possible, and more interaction with our citizens through social media.”
“At General Council meetings and over the last couple of years we’ve heard increasing requests for transparency and community involvement, hopefully this is just the beginning. We are always open to suggestions from our community to make our department more responsive and effective for our citizens,” Cleary said.
Tomorrow’s live broadcast will begin at 9:00 a.m. and can be viewed online at www.tulaliptv.com, and channel 99.
If you have an idea, a critique, or just want to share your thoughts, please email, ncleary@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov , or message her on facebook.com/nikicleary. You can also reach See-Yaht-Sub/ Tulalip News staff at editor@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.
Brandi N. Montreuil: 360-913-5402; bmontreuil@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Tulalip community to host inter-tribal jam session tonight for victims of Oso mudslide
By Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Photo courtesy, Natosha Gobin
TULALIP – Tulalip community will be hosting an inter-tribal jam session tonight at 6:00 p.m. Greg Williams Court at the Don Hatch Youth Center located at 6700 Totem Beach Road on the Tulalip Reservation to raise money for Oso families as they recover from their losses.
A $5 donation will be accepted at the door. A concession stand serving refreshments, frybread, spaghetti, hamburger soup, and baked goods will be available for sale. A raffle featuring items donated by local tribal artists will be held during the event.
“This event is 100 percent community efforts,” said event organizer Natosha Gobin, who says volunteers are still welcome to
Photo courtesy, Natosha Gobin
sign up. “All proceeds will go to the victims and rescue crews affected by the mudslide. It warms my heart and spirit to have so many give their time and assistance to the planning and execution of this event. I raise my hands to the crew that is helping make this event a success.”
The session will begin with a prayer and Amazing Grace sung by Tulalip artist Cerissa Gobin followed by traditional songs, prayers, and drumming.
For more information, or to volunteer at the event, please contact Natosha Gobin at 425-319-4416.
Quinault Indian Nation partners with Corps of Engineers during repairs of Taholah seawall
Quinault Indian Tribe and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Seattle District work to repair seawall from Brandi Montreuil on Vimeo.
by Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
TAHOLAH, WA – Residents described the crashing storm waves like an earthquake hitting. Wave after wave broke over the weakened seawall that separates Taholah’s lower village from the raging North Pacific Ocean on the evening of March 25. During the storm, a section of the 1, 100 foot seawall failed, leaving residential properties and residents of the Quinault Indian Nation vulnerable to flooding.
The following morning the destruction was clear. A smokehouse lay in a twisted shamble, other outbuildings, and properties were damaged and flooded, and the weeks’ weather report came in projecting rain, high winds, and 3 to 5 foot waves with 13 to 15 second swells by the weekend. Seven hundred Taholah residents faced an emergency.
Fawn Sharp, President of the Quinault Indian Nation issued a voluntary evacuation, in which four families left the affected area. A request was also sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to declare the portion of Taholah affected as a federal disaster area and funds made available for disaster relief.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers approved Quinault Nation’s emergency assistance request on March 27, and put the Seattle District Emergency Operations center into 24-hour operations. Teams were sent out to assist Quinault with temporary repairs to the failing 500-foot section of seawall, with a 48-hour completion date before an overnight storm coincided with high tide on March 29.
During the Corps initial inspection of the wall, they reported calving of rock and core material due to wave action.
During the March 25 storm, the wall sustained damage along the entire structure length, with the toe material of the berm removed and replaced with what protected the slope. This left the slope of the berm unprotected and vulnerable to waves and more removal of slope material, which if left unrepaired, would lead to a collapse of the berm’s capstones and loss of protection.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
The repairs involved an orchestrated effort by Quinault’s Emergency Management, Quinault TERO workers, and the Army Corps of Engineers.
To make the necessary repairs, an access ramp had to be built to allow in excavators large enough to remove the capstones, and install a filter blanket and armor rock to prevent further erosion of the slope during wave action.
“We first had to make an access route to work our way down to the filter blanket,” said Brian Stenehjem, Corps of Engineers team leader on the project, about the layer of material placed between the riprap [a layer of stone to stabilize an area subject to erosion] and the underlying soil to prevent soil movement into or through the riprap.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
“The toe rock got scoured out which caused the slope rock to fall down so all we had was the caprock on top and the toe rock and nothing in the slope. And without that slope armor protection, it really leaves the whole structure susceptible to wave action. And that is the underlying problem if the structure doesn’t have any of that protection,” said Stenehjem
“We had to work our way down, creating a filter to protect the embankment, so we used class 2 riprap and you inline the whole embankment with that. Then we overlay armor rock, which is 2 to 4 ton rock, which will provide the protection. So you want the big rock, your medium rock, and then your small rock as a kind of filtering,” said Stenehjem
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
More than 100 dump trucks were used to haul in the armor rock, adding to the increased general council traffic, and annual clam-digging event during March 29 through 30. Despite issues with broken equipment and increased traffic, repairs were finalized on Sunday, March 30, costing $300,000 and resulting in the placement of 4,500 tons of rock.
Corps teams remained on site throughout the March 29 storm to monitor the seawall conditions. The temporary repairs remained intact during the storm and prevented flooding to 700 residents in the affected area, including Quinault Indian Nation’s Tribal Police Department, animal control, storage facility for canoes, public work shops, Headstart School, and a retail shop and restaurant.
“On hearing about Quinault’s breached seawall we were immediately concerned for our tribal brothers and sisters,” said Tulalip Chairman Mel Sheldon Jr., when Quinault Indian Nation announced a state of emergency. “This, along with the tragic events in Oso this past week, we’re reminded how vitally important it is to the tribes to have the best possible emergency management plans in effect.”
“We wish to acknowledge and thank the help of the Corps of Engineers as well as Grays Harbor Emergency Services, the elected officials and all others who have sent their prayers and offers of support. Our people will be kept safe and we will continue to seek a more long term solution to this dangerous situation,” said Fawn Sharp.
A permanent solution is being sought due to the encroachment of the North Pacific Ocean waters, which have become invasive over time due to sea level rise and violent storms.
Brandi N. Montreuil: 360-913-5402; bmontreuil@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
