Josh Bagley: Lessons about Leadership Suquamish Language Program

Suquamish Tribal Council Vice-Chair Josh Bagley is among the elected tribal leaders who took part in a new program, the Elected Tribal Official Academy Training, by the Evergreen State College.

The training, which took place in Tulalip in early February, focused on tribal sovereignty and intergovernmental relations.

“The training was awesome,” said Bagley. “I learned a lot about how important sovereignty is to all tribes. I did some networking. And it reinforced some of the things I already knew about leadership.”

Indeed, Bagley has been learning fast since being elected to Tribal Council in 2022 at age 44. He had previously served as Suquamish Seafoods board president and vice chair of the Gaming Commission.

Now, as Tribal Council vice chair, he is immersed in multiple issues, building on his prior experience and learning quickly.

One of his lessons – set priorities. “Before I was on council, I was willing to step up for everything and anything. Now I do pick my battles,” he said.

“A lot of people told me before I came in, you’ll want to make lots of changes, but it doesn’t happen the way you would like – or as fast.”

Bagley said he’s learning all he can from more seasoned tribal leaders.

“I’m learning from the generation that is ahead of us, picking up where they left off, and pushing us forward to the future – wherever that’s going to bring us.”

“It’s a little overwhelming. I want to do things, but being one person on council, you can’t make the changes unless you have everyone’s acceptance,” he said.

“I’m still that same person as I was before I got onto council. I still want to change things. I understand how to do it better now.”

His advice for young people who want to get involved in tribal government?

“A good way to do it is to get on smaller boards first so that you get first-hand experience of being a leader.” sxudxud ʔə tiił xaxaʔ - Phrase of the Week

Along with Bagley, in attendance at the training were elected leaders from The Tulalip Tribes, the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Tribe, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the Cowlitz Tribe, the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Colville, the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla, and the Squaxin Island Tribe.

You can learn more about the Evergreen College trainings for tribal leaders from their tribal liaison Lyn Dennis at lyn.dennis@evergreen.edu or (360) 819-7028.

Week 1 – pədč’aʔab – Time of Digging “May”

Week 2 – hiił sk’ʷuyəłdat – Happy Mother’s Day

Week 3 – łuʔibəš čəd ʔal kʷi swadač - I will walk the beach

Week 4 – ʔulaxdxʷ čəł ti tustubtubšədəʔčəł –We remember our fallen warriors

Week 5 – pədstəgʷəd – Time of the Salmonberries “June”

QR to May Playlist:

Scan the QR code for a pronunciation guide