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Suquamish.nsn.us
Suquamish News
March 2021 | 1
Suquamish News Volume 21
March 2021
No. 3
In this issue ... Tribal Council Candidates — p7,8 Impacts of Sea Level Rise — p11 Fermented Foods & Health — p12 General Council will be online — p3
Vaccinations for 9-1-1 Dispatchers — p5
Letting Go Together — p10
Suquamish News
2 | March 2021
Community Calendar Events & Meetings General Council will take place online on March 20 & 21, 2021 (See page 3.) Suquamish Tribal Council Tribal Council meets March 1 & 15. Links are sent to Tribal members via SUN or ask Rebecca Purser, (360) 9008031, rebeccapurser@suquamish.nsn.us.
Direct Deposit, contact Finance_Info@ suquamish.nsn.us. If you have an address change, please contact Enrollment.
Regular Hours
Government Offices Communications: (360) 394-7184/7102 Community Dev: (360) 394-8415 Community Health: (360) 394-8468/8594 Suquamish Warriors Emergency Management: (360) 394-8507 For information, contact Jean Belmont at Emergency Work Orders: (360) 900-7050 (360) 601-7918. Emergency Utilities: (360) 710-3223 Finance: (360) 394-8432 PME Board of Directors meets online Fisheries: (360) 394-8438 on March 10. The SEC/PMECC/ Health Benefits: (360) 394-8424 PMCC Board will meet on March 24 Human Resources: (360) 394-8409 @ 9am. Contact Emily Sato, emilysato@ Human Services: (360) 394-8465 clearwatercasino.com, (360) 598-8703 IT Help Desk: (360) 394-8485 Maintenance: (360) 394-8590 Suquamish Tribal Gaming Comm. Tribal Child Welfare: (360) 394-8480 Meets online March 4 & 18. Call Angela Tribal Court: (360) 394-8697 Brainerd (360) 394-8652 for details. Suquamish Elders — contact: Suquamish Seafoods Board meets online Della Crowell (360) 394-8417 on March 16 @ 2pm. Seafoods Retail is open Donna Sigo (360) 394-8472 Thurs-Sun. Contact Shanel Carlson at (360) 394-8512 for details. Suquamish Police Department lobby is available for government-related paperSuquamish Museum Board work. Mon-Fri, 8am–4:30pm Meets March 18 @ 9am online. Call Janet Front Desk: (360) 598-4334 Smoak at (360) 394-8499 for info. Emergency: 911 2021 Tribal Distributions will take place Wellness Center on March 26 and November 5. If you Front desk: (360) 394-8558 want to receive your payments through Crisis Hotline: (888) 910-0416
Suquamish News •
Published monthly by the Suquamish Tribe: 18490 Suquamish Way, Suquamish, WA 98392
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Email us at: communications@suquamish.nsn.us
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Send letters to: Suquamish News Editor, PO Box 498, Suquamish, WA 98392-0498
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Suquamish.nsn.us
COVID 19 Tests & Flu Shots
Testing for COVID-19 and Flu shots are available to Tribal households and employees, weekdays, 8:30am-noon, no appointment needed. Especially if you have any symptoms, please get tested. Just pull up to the back of the Tribal Administration building. Call Mickenzy Cordova at (360) 394-7177 or Barbara Hoffman (360) 394-8468
COVID-19 Vaccines Available
to all Suquamish Tribal Members and their Households, Tribal staff members and their household members age 55+ If you would like to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccination, and have not yet been scheduled, please request here: http://bit.ly/SuqVaccine. Or leave a message at: (360) 394-7191 Someone will call you back to schedule first and second shots. At this time, the Tribe can only vaccinate those 18 and older. Questions? Email COVID_questions@Suquamish.nsn.us
tix̌ix̌dxʷ tiił bək̓ʷakʷbixʷ Take care of all people
On the Cover Chief Kitsap Academy 8th Grader David Sigo is among dozens of middle school students now back in the classroom as CKA returns to in-person instruction. Plans call to get high school students back in class in the coming weeks. See story on page 4. (Photo by Jon Anderson)
Suquamish Tribal Council Leonard Forsman
Chairman
Wayne George
Vice-Chair
Nigel Lawrence
Secretary
Robin L.W. Sigo
Treasurer
Rich Purser
Member
Sammy Mabe
Member
Luther Mills, Jr.
Member
Reproduction of Suquamish News, in whole or in part, without written permission from the Suquamish Tribe is strictly prohibited.
Production Staff Leonard Forsman Sarah van Gelder Jon Anderson JoAnn Joe Heather Purser Design & Layout
Editorial Policy
Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor News Editor Photography/Design Communications Associate Georgia Brown
Publishers of the Suquamish News reserve the right to refuse publication of letters to the editor and guest editorials. Submission of editorials and letters is encouraged. However, they represent the opinion of the author and not necessarily that of the Suquamish Tribe. As such, we reserve the right to refuse to print any letter, for any reason.
Suquamish News
Suquamish.nsn.us
March 2021 | 3
General Council Plans Tribe prepares for unprecedented online meeting
P
lans are coming together for the first ever online General Council meeting, taking place March 20 and 21, 2021. Keeping everyone safe remains the priority one year into the COVID-19 pandemic, which is why the annual General Council meeting will take place online while drive-thru and walk-up voting will occur at House of the Awakened Culture. On Saturday, March 20, Tribal members will gather to lay the groundwork for Tribal Council elections, which are taking place a year after General Council 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. In addition to nominations from the floor, Tribal members will vote on a resolution regarding Tribal Council elections. Based on feedback from the Feb. 11 public hearing and the Tribal member survey, the resolution will confirm the opinion expressed by a majority of the membership, which is to elect candidates for five Tribal Council positions (Option 3): • Election of the Chairman and Secretary positions (currently held by Leonard Forsman and Nigel Lawrence) were postponed in 2020, when General Council was canceled at the start of the pandemic. The resolution to be voted on during Saturday’s session will call for these positions to be elected for two-year terms to ensure the proper staggering of terms (see diagram below). • Three at-large Tribal Council positions (currently held by Sammy Mabe, Luther (Jay) Mills, Jr, and Rich Purser) are scheduled for election in 2021 and will be elected for the normal three-year terms. Also on Saturday, March 20, nominations will be accepted from the floor, and candidates for Tribal Council will have an opportunity to make statements to the Tribal membership via live video. All Tribal members were offered the option of submitting candidate state-
ments and photos for this issue of the Newsletter. See pages 7 and 8 for the statements and photos received by Feb. 18, 2021. Moving the nominations to Saturday, March 20, allows the primary election to begin on Sunday morning. The agenda for Saturday, March 20, will also include a Treasurer’s report to membership and reports from selected government departments and enterprises. Membership input is encouraged, with opportunities for comments from the floor. Sunday, March 21, will be devoted to Tribal Council elections. If there are more than two candidates for one or more positions, a primary election will be held in the morning. Once the slate has been narrowed to two per position, a general election will be held. Both primary and general elections will take place via drive-thru and limited walk-up balloting at the House of Awakened Culture, monitored by the Election Committee and the MK Elections Company. The vote tally will be conducted by the MK Elections Company and live streamed via online video. The newly elected Tribal Council members will be sworn in at the end of the day by the Suquamish Tribal Court’s Chief Judge. The link to this online General Council will be sent to Tribal members via SUN. If you have not received a link by March 18, please email communications@suquamish.nsn.us, and a link will be emailed to you. How to get prepared The Tribe’s IT Department recommends you use a tablet, computer, or smartphone to log on. This will allow you to see the people speaking and the presentation slides, and to use the chat and other features. The app will be familiar to those who have attended Tribal Council meet-
Option 3: Chairman and Secretary elected for 2-year terms 2020 X
2021
2022
2023
Chairman (2-yr term
ViceChairman
Chairman
Secretary (2-yr term
Treasurer
Secretary
3 at-large Tribal Councilmembers
2023 3 at-large Tribal Councilmembers
2025
2026
ViceChairman
Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
General Council 2019 took place at Kiana Lodge. General Council 2021 will take place online, with drive-thru and walk-up voting.
Sign Up for SUN for General Council Links and Updates If you haven’t already, please sign up for SUN for texts & links to connect to General Council
https://suquamish.nsn.us/ suquamish-updates-now ings. Calling the phone number provided is a back-up option, allowing you to listen and speak. However, many of the features available to online users will not be available to those who call in rather than using the app. If you would like to borrow a smart device to use for the meeting, please contact Aaron Wheeler, IT Director, at awheeler@suquamish.nsn.us to request a loan. If you are in a location with unreliable internet access, you can borrow a hotspot device from IT or use one of the free wifi locations around Suquamish (outside the House of Awakened Culture and the Administration Building, for example.) Invitation to Practice Online There will be opportunities to practice with the online app. that will be used at General Council. We’ll send the link via SUN. If you have questions or concerns, please reach out to IT at (360) 394-8484 or consider joining with family members for support during General Council.
4 | March 2021
Suquamish News
Suquamish.nsn.us
Education
Chief Kitsap Academy students return to campus
R
ex Green stands under a small tent in the Chief Kitsap Academy park lot waiting for a school bus to arrive. It’s been a long a wait. Almost one year after shutting down classrooms to guard against the COVID-19 threat, and swiftly pivoting to online learning, on Feb. 18 Chief Kitsap Academy reopened its doors again for students to resume in-person instruction. “Bringing students and staff back to campus in a safe manner has been a priority,” says principal Lucy Dafoe. “We need students in school where they can interact with their teachers and one another. Staying home has had it’s effects on the social and emotional wellbeing of everyone. It feels really good to have students on campus again.” The Academy is kicking off the back-to-school effort first with its middle school students. By the second week of March, high schoolers are expected to join them. To minimize exposure to students and staff, for now only half of each grade are in school on any given day.
“Half of the middle school — from sixth through eighth grades — meet in person on Mondays and Tuesdays, with the other half coming in on Thursdays and Fridays,” says Green, CKA’s vice principal. Students are expected to work on assignments online on the days they’re not physically in school. That’s why Wednesdays are reserved for teachers to manage their curriculum online, says Green. “It’s amazing having them back,” says Green, as he waits for the school bus to arrive on a particularly foggy morning as the first week of classes begin for the second cohort of middle schoolers. “It’s like the campus is alive again.” As kids arrive, lining up with at least six feet of space between them, Green runs through a checklist of COVID-19 symptoms, checking with each student in turn. The school’s administrative assistant, Trish Chargualaf, is standing nearby, ready with a ream of student schedules in case any anyone is missing theirs. “It’s so good. I’m loving it,” she says, her smile evident even through her mask. “The best part is seeing the excitement on the kids’ faces as they come in. It’s so good.” Indeed, even the thick fog doesn’t seem to dampen spirits. “For some of these kids, particularly our sixth graders, this is their first day being in school in person. They’ve never been on campus before, and they’re literally meeting their teachers in person for the first time,” says Green. Sixth grader Joseph Alexander is among them. If he’s nervous, he’s not showing it, as he makes his way from the parking lot welcome tent into CKA’s main building, where he gets his temperature checked by thermal camera and then makes his way to his first class. To minimize risk, arrows mark one-way hallways so students don’t cross paths. Big colorful dots on the floors mark off safe distancing. Meanwhile, teacher Megan Feeney shows eighth grader David Sigo to Aughty Garden-Vazquez’s Media and Video Production class. As a transfer student from North Kitsap Middle School, it’s Sigo’s first class on his first day at CKA. Wearing a big hoodie with the word Indigenous emblazed across the front, Sigo settles into his desk as Garden-Vazquez helps him get logged into his computer. He looks intent, ready to take things on. School sports will be shifting into gear as well, says Green. Student athletes have been cleared to start practices, and CKA hosted it first girl’s volleyball game on Feb. 23. For now, spectators will not be allowed into games, but the school will livestream competitions on its YouTube channel. “It’s going to be a little different for a while,” says Green
as he checks in the last of the students. “But, hey, our kids are excited just to be doing activities again.” The fog remains heavy in the lowlands just below the Academy, but here on the hillside, it is starting to clear and the sun is shining. By Jon Anderson
Team Lushootseed Classes Health Culture Registration is open for our next eight-week session of Team Lushootseed classes! Please sign up at: http://bit.ly/Lushootseed. Questions? Call Lena Maloney at (360) 689-7200 Fitness Center changes beginning Monday, March 1st: Fitness Center will be open to Tribal Members & their household, Tribal employees and PME employees. Staffed Hours: Monday–Friday Saturday
8am–8pm 8am–12pm
Proxy Access: Monday–Friday 4–8am & 8–10pm Saturday & Sunday 4am–12 pm Maximum of 10 people upstairs at a time to maintain proper social distancing Group Functional Fitness classes will resume Monday, Wednesday & Friday 6:15am & 5pm Limited availability—please message the Fitness Center’s Facebook page to reserve your spot.
Suquamish News
Suquamish.nsn.us
March 2021 | 5
Health
Suquamish Tribe lends vaccination hands and expertise to wider community T
he Suquamish Tribe’s nursing staff and health professionals, backed by the Emergency Operations Center, Suquamish Police, and a slew of government staff volunteers, provided hundreds of vaccinations to Tribal members and their families through the windy, wet, and snowy days of February. The vast majority of Tribal households who want to get vaccinated for COVID-19 have now received their second shots, say Tribal leaders. While the rest of Kitsap County and Washington state, along with most of the country, are still struggling to get health workers and other essential personnel vaccinated, the Tribe has inoculated most of the wider Tribal community, including government and Tribal enterprise employees, among others. And now, other local agencies are getting vaccination assistance from the Tribe.
More than two dozen Kitsap County 9-1-1 dispatchers and staff got their first shots at the Tribe’s clinic in the garage of the Clearwater Casino in recent weeks. By the end of February, the Tribe is expected to have provided about 3000 vaccines doses — two shots each for about 1500 people — since it began mass vaccinations in January. Now, the Tribe is discussing whether it is able to provide vaccinations to other members of the immediate community in the coming weeks. “This is good for the Tribe and good for the local community,” said Emergency Operations Center manager Cherrie May. Tribal Council has also approved a pop-up vaccination clinic at Cedar Glen Mobile Home Park, on Port Madison Reservation, for about 50 mostly elderly residents there. “We have also scheduled about 75 folks from other Tribes and First Nations who live here in Kitsap County,” said EOC Operations Officer Eric Quitslund. These are people who are members of Tribes in CanaVaccine Reactions Vaccine Reactions COVID-�� Symptoms that ARE similar to that DO NOT occur with that DO NOT occur because da, Alaska, California, COVID-�� symptoms: COVID-�� illness: of vaccination: all over the place, but live here in our area.” Soreness, Fever Cough With all the vacciredness, or Fatigue Shortness of breath swelling at nations, along with a Muscle aches Runny nose injection site flattening of the spread Diarrhea Sore throat of COVID-19 in recent weeks, the Suquamish Nausea Loss of taste or smell Tribe has been able to Headache begin lifting some reVaccine reactions should If one of these reactions If you have the above strictions. go away in a day or two. If prevents you from doing symptoms and you think you Chief Kitsap Acadeyou feel very sick, consider normal activities (tying may have COVID-��, seek my began in-class inseeking medical advice. shoes, typing, etc.), seek medical advice. You may need medical advice. testing for COVID-��. struction again in late February. The Tribe’s Fitness Center is opening its doors again, too. The COVID-�� vaccine does not cause COVID-�� disease. The Tribe also The COVID-�� vaccine does not cause a positive COVID-�� PCR test. dropped quarantine If you just tested positive for COVID-��, follow isolation guidance at: COVIDvaccineWA.org requirements for fully vaccinated staff who travel out of state, mirDOH 820-124 January 2021 roring new CDC recTo request this document in another format, call 1-800-525-0127. Deaf or hard of hearing customers, please call 711 (Washington ommendations.
Is it COVID-19 or a Vaccine Reaction?
Relay) or email civil.rights@doh.wa.gov.
Nicole Burrell is among more than two dozen Kitsap County 9-1-1 dispatchers who received their COVID-19 vaccination at the Suquamish Tribe’s clinic in February. “The CDC is saying that for the first 90 days after getting vaccinated, if you are exposed to someone with COVID-19, you won’t need to quarantine,” said Tribal Health Officer Dr. Barbara Hoffman. “I’m hoping that amount of time will go up as the CDC gets more data on vaccine effectiveness.” Meanwhile, however, Tribal officials are urging everyone — including those who have been vaccinated — to continue to wear masks in public and practice other safety measures. “The big question is still, can vaccinated people pass on the virus? Even if it doesn’t make you sick, can you infect others?” said Hoffman. “We know people are tired of all this. But it’s going to get better. It is getting better. And we’re doing everything we can as community,” she said.
COVID Masks
If you or your family need cloth masks, please contact Cherrie May at cmay@suquamish.nsn.us or 360 394-8507. COVID questions can be sent to Covid_questions@suquamish.nsn.us
6 | March 2021
Suquamish News
Suquamish.nsn.us
Government
Chairman’s Report
T
he Suquamish Tribe maintains membership in a variety of intergovernmental organizations that are national, regional, and local in scope. As the first peoples of this land, we have the oldest form of government that has adapted to the modern times. We have been members of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) for decades and have a tradition of activism within the organization. NCAI (est. 1944) held a virtual Executive Council Winter Session this year due to COVID-19 concerns. As the Northwest Area delegate, I attended the NCAI Executive Board meeting chaired by President Fawn Sharp (Quinault). We reviewed the budget and the conference agenda and listened to staff reports. I once again co-chaired the NCAI Climate Change Task Force meeting where we heard presentations on budget requests to Congress and on how Tribes are managing climate change in their respective territories. The conference kicked off with the State of Indian Nations address by President Sharp who emphasized the failure of the federal government to honor its agreements with U.S. Tribes. NCAI staff requested I help during the conference, and I agreed to moderate a panel on working with the new Congress with two staff members, Amber Ebarb from the
Senate Committee on Indian Affairs and Naomi Miguel from the House Natural Resources Committee, who each shared best practices with the virtual audience of Tribal leaders. I also served as a panelist on a discussion with Rep. Raul Grijalva (D-NM) who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee that also oversees the Subcommittee for the Indigenous Peoples of the United States. The first day included several prominent speakers, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, and Dr. Anthony Fauci. I also testified before the US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs (SCIA) the same week as the NCAI conference. The SCIA held a hearing entitled, “A call to action: Native communities’ priorities in focus for the 117th Congress.” I joined a panel of three other Tribal leaders, including President Sharp, and testified on behalf of ATNI on the impacts of climate change on the Pacific Northwest Tribes and the need for federal action to help us adapt to and prevent further damaging impacts. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) chaired the meeting. Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-WA) also serves on the committee and asked questions both of me and President Sharp. Prior to the NCAI conference, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
(ATNI) held their Winter Convention also on a virtual platform. As ATNI President, I chaired our Executive Board Meeting on the first day of the conference. Primary convention topics were working with the Biden-Harris Administration, climate change, COVID-19 funding, and the federal budget process. We also held meetings with Tribal leaders to plan advocacy for the confirmation of Deb Haaland as Secretary of the Interior. I also joined ATNI staff in a meeting with Washington climate advocates to discuss climate change bills pending in the state legislature. I also met with our own accounting department to develop our priorities for the Bureau of Indian Affairs budget in response to a request from the Tribal Interior Budget Council. The Washington Indian Gaming Association (WIGA) continues to function as an advocate for Tribal gaming in Washington State. We spent a lot of time educating our legislators about the sports wagering bill proposed by outside gaming interests and how it would greatly expand gambling in the state and negatively impact Tribal gaming in Washington. The bill did not get out of committee. Other Tribal gaming related work included attending the Washington State Gaming Commission’s (WSGC) Tribal consultation meeting, where I co-hosted a presentation on problem gambling with WSGC Commissioner Julia Patterson. We continue to work on local boards including the Kitsap Regional Coordinating Council (KRCC) and its subcommittees such as its transportation policy subcommittee. There is a lot of discussion regarding growth management and transportation where we have concerns about impacts to our fragile environment. We are also engaged with the planning of the Gorst project that is proposed to add lanes and an overpass to improve traffic flow to minimize impacts on fishing grounds and cultural sites. Port Madison Enterprises is involved with the Kitsap Economic
Development Alliance (KEDA) as is the Tribal government since we are both major employers here on the Kitsap Peninsula. KEDA held their annual economic forecast, which was focused on the impacts of COVID-19 on the economy. The forecast says that we should see a more normal economy by August 2021. We also have our own Tribal boards and committees that perform important functions. The Culture Committee has a new member: Donna Sigo, Tribal Elder. The committee is busy managing different outside requests for land acknowledgments, proposed art projects, and traditional place names. The Suquamish Museum Board is working to get operations going again, and we foresee opening to the public on a limited basis in the near future. Tribal Council serves as the Chief Kitsap Academy School Board and has reviewed their plan for reopening in-person learning and also some athletics. We are also working with Tribal students in outside public schools, including the Central Kitsap School District, who we met with to learn more about their Tribal programs. We were not able to hold our Legislative Day on the Hill this year due to the pandemic, but instead met with legislators online. We met with our local representatives Drew Hansen, Tarra Simmons and Christine Rolfes and other key legislators to discuss our legislative priorities including capital funding for Chief Kitsap Academy and access to more funding for our Early Learning Center. In addition to these meetings I testified on two bills; one on police accountability and the other regarding producing a statue of Billy Frank Jr. for placement in the US Capitol. We continue to work with our Fisheries Department to protect and enhance critical salmon and shellfish habitat. Vice-Chairman Wayne George joined me in testifying before the Puget Sound Partnership Leadership Council on the importance of local governments to reduce or eliminate pollution of our
Suquamish News
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March 2021 | 7
Government
Candidate Statements
ancestral waters and protect treaty fisheries. We are also working with Kitsap County and State of Washington on holding a private waterfront landowner on Dyes Inlet accountable for intentionally placing fill on tidelands adjoining their upland property. We continue to engage in meetings on the COVID-19 pandemic response. The Native American Finance Officers Association (NAFOA) held a session to analyze the proposed COVID-19 funding bill. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) met with Tribal leaders to discuss how they intend to distribute new COVID-19
funding included in the last COVID-19 bill passed by Congress. I was asked and accepted membership in NCAI’s COVID-19 Tribal leaders task force that is formulating strategies for the Tribal nations to best react and respond to the pandemic. Leadership Tomorrow, which visited our casino/resort last year, held an online retreat and had me give welcoming remarks. Leadership Tomorrow works to inspire, prepare, and connect leaders across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Leonard Forsman Suquamish Chairman
General Council Eats Favorite General Council Potluck Recipes Auntie Mabe’s Fish Sandwiches Although the General Council potluck was not something I really got to partake in as an adult I know that my Grandma Mable (Auntie Mabe to most) always brought her famous fish sandwiches to every tribal function 1 can canned salmon (if you knew her, you know she canned her own) 2 celery stalks ¼ onion chopped (but not for the Sigo’s or Bagley’s) ¼-1/2 cup mayo Salt and pepper to taste —Windy Anderson
Banana Salad 6 large ripe bananas 1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk 1 1/2 cups shredded coconut 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans 3 cups shredded lettuce Peel bananas and cut in half lengthwise. Dip each half banana in sweetened condensed milk. Roll in shredded coconut. Sprinkle with chopped pecans. Arrange 1/2 cup shredded lettuce in each of six salad bowls. Add two banana halves to each bowl. Chill. Serve cold. — Julie Haubrick
Curry chicken salad 1- 8 oz can pineapple chunks, save the juice 2/3 cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard 3/4 tsp curry powder 1/8 tsp salt 4 cups cooked cold chicken 1/4 cup sliced celery 1/4 cup chopped onion 1/3 cup slivered almonds 1/3 cup raisins Mix pineapple juice with mayonnaise, mustard, curry, and salt. Mix the chicken with almonds, raisins celery, onions, and pineapple. Toss mixtures together and chill for at least an hour. Serve cold on lettuce, or bread or by itself. — Marilyn Wandrey
These Tribal Council candidate statements (presented in alphabetical order) were received in response to an open call to Tribal members. Candidate statements are not required to run for Tribal Council. Leonard Forsman
I
would like to take this opportunity to announce that I am running for re-election as the Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe. I have been humbled by the past support I have received and would be honored if I could continue working with you and the Tribal Council to achieve the vision of our ancestors. I am the son of James and Helen Forsman and a grandson of Marion Temple and Alex Forsman. I was born, raised, and make my home here in Suquamish with my wife Jana. My first full-time job with the Suquamish Tribe was at our tribal archives, and I later worked as the director of the Suquamish Museum. Today I proudly travel with the Suquamish Tribal Canoe Family as a puller in the Se-ah-ma-oaks canoe in honor of the work our elders did to preserve our culture. We have made progress on many initiatives but have many more challenges ahead. We have shown great resilience in our response and adaptation to the COVID-19 pandemic. I look forward to establishing a new health facility this year to help us continue to cope with the pandemic and provide an alternative to the off-reservation health care doctors we have relied on for a long time. In my time as Chairman I have committed, with Council support, to be as transparent as possible with you on our budget and planning. I also have encouraged public comment at each of our council meetings and public hearings on major actions. As you can see in my monthly report in our newsletter, I spend a lot of time protecting our treaty fishing rights from
climate change and pollution in collaboration and sometimes in litigation with local, state, and federal agencies. In my role as President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, I join other tribal leaders in engagement with the federal and state governments on habitat protection and restoration. Another important role I have taken with other members of the tribal council is working with the Governor and the state legislature on protecting our tribal gaming operations from the looming threat of non-Indian casino expansion in Washington. I serve as an effective and respected voice for our gaming industry in my role as Vice President of the Washington Indian Gaming Association. I also work with tribal council and staff on providing services on the reservation and in our ceded lands. I helped establish Chief Kitsap Academy with Sen. John McCoy as the first state-tribal compact school in the nation. I have worked with council on providing innovative and diverse housing opportunities for our tribal citizens. And with the return of Suquamish Shores in 2018, we have invested in recreational facilities that will serve us and our guests for many years to come. I humbly ask for your support of my candidacy. Sarah George
M
y name is Sarah George, and I am a member of the George/Mabe family. I am a 36 year-old mother of three and have lived on the Port Madison Indian Reservation my entire life. I have worked for both Port Madison Enterprises and
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8 | March 2021
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Government
Candidate Statements (continued from page 7) the Suquamish Tribal Government for almost 18 years. I am currently employed with the Suquamish Tribe’s Finance Department. As an employee of the Suquamish Tribe, I think it is imperative that a new Executive Director be hired as soon as possible. I’d like to reach out to ground level employees and get real, everyday input to help reinstate the overall morale that I personally feel has been missing for quite a while. I have been a valued member of the Enrollment Committee for over 5 years. I was a part of the interpretation change of “born to a member,” which allowed for the automatic enrollment of over 30 Tribal Members. I have been part of the team tasked with making constitutional changes and hope to share these exciting developments with the Membership as soon as time permits. I am an active placement home for Tribal Child Welfare and with that experience I have gained first-hand knowledge of some of the support and efficiencies that department is lacking. The program needs to be revamped to run more smoothly to help our children as efficiently and as safely as possible. I think it’s time our Tribe focuses on us. Our people are suffering and they shouldn’t have to. I want to take the mental health and addiction rates of our people more seriously. We need to change the way we look at people suffering and treat addiction as a side effect and not the problem. Everyone’s situation is different, and they need to be treated as an individual. We need to heal our people and give them the tools to cope and properly manage their mental health, to give them the confidence they need to make day to day decisions and to successfully live in a world outside of addiction and mental health struggles. We can all agree there is a strong need for more affordable housing; temporary, short term, long term and apartments. Our people should not be sleeping in the cold on our own reservation. I believe in conversation and accountability. I believe in communication and a dialog between the Membership and the Council, and I believe that as a Council Member, your private conversations with members require public action and follow through. I believe that even the quietest voice deserves to be heard. Most importantly I believe in change and treating everyone as an equal. If elected, I can promise to push towards healing, transformation, and transparency. Celeste Fawn Loneia reeting fellow tribal members! My name is Celeste Fawn Loneia. It is my privilege to live here and support in any way a tribal members’ needs. I stand for “all” of us! You are our future! Without you, there is no me; there is no us! As well as always
G
keeping an open mind to everybody’s perspectives, I will promote our Treaty Rights to the FULLEST! I will always strive to keep your ideas in mind when it comes to our budgets and daily duties. For decades I have been an integral part of many projects within our Tribe. It would be an honor to further that service by being chosen for the position of Council member-Rich Purser. In that position my commitment to our Tribe will only deepen. I will diligently respond to all questions forwarded to me. If I do not have the answers to your questions, I will be sure to research and get the information. In addition I will contribute 1/4 of any funds I may receive from the position directly back to our local tribal members in need! Giving back to my Tribe is my goal in life! Thank you for taking the time to review my submission. It will be an honor to serve, and I will not let you down!
sharing our cultural foods. I participated in the Ocean to Table project where I taught CKA students how to traditionally smoke and can salmon. I’ve had the honor to represent Suquamish by cooking our seafood at the Department of Commerce in Washington, DC. I’ve lectured at Olympic College and local schools, sharing the history of the tribe from first contact to our current tribal enterprises. As a Fisher, Crabber, Hunter, I advocate for treaty protection for our natural resources, and participate actively with Suquamish Seafood’s, Cultural Committee, Suquamish Foundation, Bremerton Chamber, and community events such as Canoe Journey & Chief Seattle days. I enjoy spending time with my grandchildren passing on cultural traditions. I look forward to fishing and crabbing on my new boat when I have free time, as well as improving my golf game when my shoulder heals. Your continued confidence in me and my abilities to represent you in another term for TC Position #3 will give me the opportunity to continue to advocate for a healthy Tribal Community supporting our Elders, Youth, and all those in between!
Luther (Jay) Mills Jr. y name is Luther (Jay) Mills Jr. I am the son of Dolor Mills and the late Luther Mills Sr. My Grandmother was Alice Jackson, Great Grandmother, Celia Napoleon, and Great Grandfather Henry Jackson. My wife Joanie and I have been married for 43 years, and the past 40+ years, we have lived in the first tribal housing development on the reservation where we raised our five children, (Jamie, Jana, Luther (J.J.) Mills III, Jillian, and Janelle). I’m also the proud Grandfather to 19 Grandchildren. It has truly been an honor to serve our community as Suquamish Tribal Council Member position #3. I am running for re-election as an experienced Tribal Leader who cares a great deal about the decisions I make on your behalf. I take this responsibility very seriously as it is a reflection on who I am and what I represent, Membership and Community! I have 40 years of combined experience in tribal enterprise business and government relations. My historical knowledge in council governance in previous council terms helps me bring a good balance to council decision making. I work hard to represent our Tribe and community humbly, by sharing our culture and history. I have built strong partnerships and connections with the people that I serve. This includes membership, state and national representatives, other tribal leadership, and nonprofit organizations. In my current position as an Ambassador for PME, I have the pleasure to network with the local community in sharing our tribal history and economic growth as a tribe. I have a passion for
Chris Purser y name is Chris Purser. I’m running for whatever position the people think is the best fit. My plan is to make sure that our tribe incorporates new ideas to generate capital to provide for all the people. Optimally, feedback from the people and also their ideas can easily be a catalyst into a brighter and better future. Protecting our treaty fishing and hunting rights is extremely important and making sure that there is something still there for the next generations to come. I like to get things done and will work hard for my people and definitely want to hear from you! Feel free to message me or call/text me if you have any questions at (360) 328-6232. If I’m not nominated and elected I’m totally fine with that as well since I’ll be doing this anyway. Make sure to choose the best people for the job. I believe in you.
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Suquamish News
Suquamish.nsn.us
March 2021 | 9
Government
Tribal Council seeks Fish Committee Members
The Treaty Protection and Natural Resources Department is seeking two Tribal members for the Fish Committee. This is a committee member position, not a board members position, as the committee makes recommendations to the Tribal Council. Please submit applications to the Tribal Council as part of the boards and committees assignments and approvals process. The Tribal Council will assign those positions.
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Misty Moran joins Seafood Board
Lushootseed suEabSucid Phrase of the Month
xʷabtəd (h-wahb-tud)
“one who accompanies you” like on a journey My dog is my xʷabtəd/traveling partner. Who is your xʷabtəd?
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I atnitribes
n January, Misty Moran replaced JimBobFollow Armstrong as Seafoods Board President. JimBob stepped down from his role in December of 2020 after serving three years. Moran is a Tribal Member and grew up fishing with her dad, Tribal Elder Dave Sigo. She also fished and crabbed for herself for about a decade before selling her boats and gear to focus on other career goals. Misty also worked for ATNI the Suquamish Police Department as a geoduck monitor and served The on the Seafoods Board before stepping into her Affiliated Tribes of Northw new role as President. Congratulations Misty Moran! The newself-determination board configuration is as follows: #ATNITribes
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Misty Moran—President atnitribes.org David Sigo Sr—Vice President Lorraine Brice—Secretary/Treasurer Followed byCouncil andalex1, Luther Mills Jr—Tribal Liaison washingtont Joshua Bagley—Dive Representative/ Board Member Cameron Lawrence—Dive Representative/ Board Member Alexis Anderson—Board Member
SUQUAMISH ELMENTARY
KINDERGARTEN INFORMATION NIGHT 5:30pm- Meet Mr. Bliss
POSTS
IGT V
5:40pm- Meet Mrs. Pinto and Mrs. McCormick 5:45pm- Meet Ms. Haley and Mrs. Petranek and learn about how to register your student
6:00pm- Q&A Time- ask us your questions
March 4th, 5:30pm Zoom link:
https://nkschools.zoom.us/j/9307583973 Questions- Please call (360) 396-3851
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Suquamish News
10 | March 2021
Letting Go Together
How might we recover from this year of COVID? Tribal Elders share ideas
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etty Pasco, who is one of the Suquamish Tribe’s older Elders, hopes that after COVID-19, one of the first things the people do is to come together and let go of the grief, shame, and anger that may have attached itself to people throughout their lives, and especially in this year of coronavirus. “We need to burn it up,” she tells us, “all that pain that holds us back.” Pasco suggests the Suquamish people light a fire, and in it throw anything they need to free themselves of so they can live their best lives. “We could write it all down on paper,” Betty says, “and we don’t have to show anybody or tell anyone what we write. It could be anything really. Just as long as we are doing it together and letting go of something. It doesn’t matter who you are. Everyone has something that needs to be let go.” Upon hearing the idea, Tribal Elder Peg Deam agrees with Betty that this could be a big step in the right direction. “It’s a lesson in letting go of negativity,” she says, “just assembling, just coming back together with a huge bonfire is perfect because you’re not just standing around or sitting in your camp chair. There is a force, a fire, and everyone will know why they are there, even if they only say to themselves in their mind, ‘I am not going to think about this anymore, it doesn’t matter because my life is right here, right now’.” Peg and Betty see this as something that could be healing for the people and, without having spoken to one another on the topic, both Elders see a celebration taking place to accompany the work. “Food is going to have to be involved,” says Peg, “It’s going to have to be a big, giant potluck. It’s a good way to
bring people together … it makes it a celebration.” “Everyone could bring a dish or a story from their lives or families they want to share…we could drum together and sing,” Betty says. But she doesn’t want to contribute too many details, not that she doesn’t have her ideas on them. Although she believes this could be an impactful event to help with the people’s healing, Betty feels that the planning of it is a job for a younger generation to shape and make their own. “Sometimes, people catch a good idea and hand it off. Like a song, they gift it to the people who want it, who think it’s a good idea and want to do something with it.” Betty knows that what she envisions will not solve everything or take away all of a person’s hurt, but she hopes it could help continue to steer us toward the healing we need after Covid — that something about what she’s shared might speak to the spirit of at least a few Tribal members reading this and encourage them to come together and plan. At the very least, she hopes that by sharing her idea, she might be helping others who are nervous about sharing their own. “There are so many good ideas out there; people have such good ideas. Can you imagine what it would be like if we could all hear them?” If you would like to help plan for this event, please reach out to the Suquamish Communications team and we can connect you with others who are interested. Heather Purser If you have an idea for the community you would like to share in the newsletter, please email Heather Purser at hpurser@suquamish.nsn.us.
Suquamish.nsn.us
Traditional Heritage Specialist
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would like to say that January was a hard month for me. I had to say goodbye to some dear friends, a few that were young and some that were older. I also got an inner ear infection, which made me lose my balance for a while. I was told on Feb. 1, 2021, that I could return to work full time from home with restrictions of no driving, no lifting or pulling over 25 pounds, and nothing overhead. Also limited standing for any period of time. So working from home is a good thing for now. My computer has things I can transcribe; I can hopefully have folks send me stories to work into the history of this crazy COVID-19 time and their experiences so they can be saved for the future. Please think about what you could share and would like to have placed in history. You can contact me at mjones@suquamish.nsn.us or my cell phone (360) 340-0206 and I will gladly assist you in preserving your stories. This has been a difficult time for all of us—as you all know, we are survivors. The month went by so fast that I did not get an article in February’s newsletter, so March is going to be a little long. I got my second COVID-19 shot this morning and so far so good. Second day after the shot, some symptoms lasted most of the day, and I was able to take meds to help get through. I am reviewing information from the various emails I received and looking forward to being able to see results of their final work. My emails are full of reports and papers from many offices that I work with and are giving me updated information from around the state on various activities that are ongoing. I am amazed that there is beautiful work going on in this time of craziness, we see the beauty of life-saving medical work, research, schools reopening, and many other good things daily. I hope that everyone had a Ground Hog’s Day, Happy Valentine’s Day, and Presidents Day to make your month a little fun. I hope that March comes in like a lamb and not a lion; we need to have a calmer time soon. Marilyn Jones
Suquamish News
Suquamish.nsn.us
The Beaver of Skiakʷ A Suquamish story
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here is a big rock, or rocky knoll, on the right bank of the Duwamish River (east of the old interurban railway bridge). The name of that rock is Skiakʷ, ‘Beaver House.’ Many years ago, that rock was broken in two by the power of Thunderbird. There were at that time five brothers who lived together in one house. They had heard about the big beaver who lived in the swamp and made its home in that ‘beaver house.’ The eldest brother wanted to kill and eat the beaver, so he went out to hunt for him. Every day the elder brother fought the big beaver and at night returned home nearly dead because of his encounter with the mammoth beaver. The youngest brother slept all the time, day and night. He was dreaming of Thunderbird. When the elder brother tried to rouse him to go and help fight the beaver, he would merely turn over and go to sleep. He was getting supernatural power from Thunderbird while sleeping. At last, Thunderbird said to him, “We will go now and kill the big beaver.” So it was on the fifth morning that the younger brother arose and said, “Prepare my weapons while I get ready. I shall go and kill the beaver.” He had power from Thunderbird now, and as it was getting near noon, he said to his elder brothers, “Stand there and watch while I chase him out.” Thunder came and threw down fire and broke the rock in two. When Big Beaver ran out, the brothers ran away, but the young hunter threw his spear and killed the beaver. Even if you feel you have not done what you need to do with your life and fear your opportunities have all passed, it is never too late to get up and share your power with the community. But this is only one interpretation of the story. What do you think it means? Write to the newsletter and share your thoughts! Please email us at communications@suquamish.nsn.us
March 2021 | 11
Addressing impacts of sea level rise M
ost of Suquamish sits on high ground, so the threat of sea level rise can seem distant. However, while most people’s homes will be safe, the intertidal beaches — the home of the clams, the nursery of the crab, shrimp, and fish and all the other life in the intertidal zone — could get squeezed. Since time immemorial, the sea level has shifted, and the beaches and the people who lived along them adapted by moving with it. But two things are different now. First, due to climate change, the sea level is rising faster than ever. Second, most of the land above the beach is now private property so there is nowhere for the beach to go. Unless people move back to make room, the beaches and all its life will get squeezed between the rising sea and ever higher sea walls. How fast the sea level will rise is hard to predict. That will depend on how fast the ice in Antarctica, Greenland, and hundreds of glaciers in between will melt, how much the ocean will warm and expand, and the amount of fossil fuels we will burn every year. If we continue business as usual, models predict from seas will rise between two and eight feet by 2100. If we cut way back, sea levels will still rise at least one foot. The sea level is already nine inches higher than it was in 1880, and much of that increase came in the last several decades. Another reason that sea levels are rising is because the ocean is expanding as it warms. Ocean waters have absorbed about 90 percent of the heat from climate change and warmed about 1 degree C. The cause of climate change is our use of fossil fuels to run our economy. When we burn coal, oil, and gas for energy, the waste carbon escapes to the atmosphere where it acts like greenhouse glass, allowing sunlight in and preventing the heat from escaping. The only solution is to replace fossil fuels with renewable energy. A decade ago that seemed impossible, but now energy from wind or solar power is cheaper than any fossil fuel. That is the next big opportunity. Jobs for solar panel installers will increase by 51 percent over the next 10 years. Flooding is the main threat from sea level rise. The danger comes when storms hit at high tide. A storm surge can temporarily raise the sea level almost 3 feet in Puget Sound. When storms hit at high tide, waves can crash over sea walls and cause floods, and when the water retreats, it can carry lots of bad things like toxic pollutants back into the sea. The US Geological Survey will soon be releasing new maps that will show which areas are vulnerable in Puget Sound. Another challenge from sea level rise is seawater
infiltration. In some places saltwater is under the fresh ground water. Freshwater is lighter than saltwater so it floats on top. As the sea level rises, it pushes the freshwater up along with anything in it. Homes, roads, and buried pipes can get slowly flooded or they can buckle under the pressure from below. If any hazardous waste is underground it can get pushed up to the surface where it can slowly poison people if it goes undetected. To some, the solution is more shoreline armoring. However, when we wall off the beach from the bluff to protect houses and stop erosion, we also stop the flow of sediment that comes from the eroding bluff. Beaches need that sediment from the bluffs to replace the sediment that is washed away by the waves. Without a new supply of sediment, all that remains is the large cobble — no place for all that life to live. We have already armored 29 percent of the shoreline in Puget Sound. The beach habitat that remains is incredibly important. In addition to clams, the forage fish that salmon eat lay their eggs in the sand. Without the fine sediment there would be no eelgrass — no place for young salmon to hide and little to eat as they make their way out to sea. A difficult choice is coming as sea levels rise. We can let people build bigger walls to save their homes, or we can try to get them to move back from the shore, and allow the beach and the intertidal homes of the clams, crab, and the fish to survive. However, if we switch to clean renewable energy, we might not have to make that choice too often. — Paul Williams Suquamish Fisheries Biologist To learn more: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-global-sea-level
Suquamish News
12 | March 2021
Suquamish.nsn.us
Food
Boosting your Health with Fermented Foods A
round the world, fermentation was used as a major method of food preservation before modern refrigeration. All traditional diets included fermented foods, and our bodies have evolved to enjoy better health when we include them in our diet. You may not know that Native American people included fermented foods in their diets, since these are not foods that are widely consumed today. Among Coast Salish people, fermented salmon and salmon eggs are known to have been consumed. In some areas, salmon was also fermented and rendered for oil. Tribes that hunted whale also fermented whale meat and blubber. In South America, Amazonian tribes made a fermented beverage (called Chi-Cha) from corn or yucca root, and Aztec people made a fermented cacao drink that was mixed with honey and cayenne pepper. Today, widely available fermented foods include pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi; dairy foods such as yogurt and kefir; and kombucha (caution: kombucha contains a small amount of alcohol from the fermentation process). Look for pickles, sauerkraut, and kimchi with live cultures in the refrigerated section at the store, as live cultures are destroyed by the heat used in canning. Fermented foods contain live cultures (gut-healthy bacteria) that help with food digestion as well as with making some vitamins (especially B-vitamins) in the gut. Combining fermented (or probiotic) foods with high fiber (prebiotic) foods such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains helps us to digest the nutrients in these foods and keep our gut healthy. Eating more highly processed foods, fewer fermented foods, and overuse of antibiotics are all contributing to the increasing incidence of digestive issues and food allergies that we see today. Because serotonin is also produced in the gut, poor digestive health is even associated with increased depression and anxiety! This Lemon-Fermented Honey recipe uses natural bacteria and yeast from the raw honey reacting with water from the lemons to lightly ferment the finished product. Be sure to store the honey in the refrigerator after it ferments, as the higher water content of the finished product will reduce its shelf life. Use within two months for best quality. Fran Miller Suquamish Tribe Community Nutritionist
Lemon Honey Ferment for scratchy throat season Ingredients: 1 pint raw honey 2 organic lemons 1 chunk fresh ginger 1 quart jar with lid 1. Thinly slice whole, preferably organic, lemons (2 works well for a pint of honey). 2. Thinly slice ginger with the skin on. (You can peel it, but there are a good number of yeasties on the surface of ginger). 3. Layer the lemon, ginger and honey into a quart jar (this will expand, so better for a bigger jar). 4. Shake, shake, shake it up. Make sure you fully coat all the lemon and ginger in the jar. 5. Wait. Shake. Wait. Shake. Do this twice a day for 5 days. During those wait times, make sure the lid is not tightened to allow gases to escape. Don’t forget to re-tighten it to shake or you will be a sticky mess. 6. At the end of 5 days, remove the lemon and ginger to a separate container. You can leave it in there indefinitely, but it will get more and more bitter from the pith.
Now, you have a deliciously infused honey and delicious honey coated and softened ginger and lemons. Both should be stored in the refrigerator because they will continue to ferment at room temperature. What can you do with this? You can eat both right from the jar because they are delicious. You can use them to flavor hot or cold teas and drinks. For that scratchy throat add to a warm herbal tea. Azure Boure’ Traditional Foods and Medicine Program Coordinator Note about possible alcohol content of fermented foods: It’s hard to know the exact alcohol content of homemade fermented foods, but here are some things to know: • If it becomes carbonated in the fermentation process — it probably contains a higher level of alcohol. • The majority of homemade fermented foods contain small amounts of alcohol.
Historic Photo, Courtesy of the Suquamish Museum
Suquamish Tribe Parents and Guardians
If you need help connecting with a tutor or academic coach, or want to sign your student up for Study Tables, or have technology questions about online classes, call (360) 394-8645 or email tchargualaf@suquamish. nsn.us to get pointed in the right direction.
L-R, Jennie Davis, Sam Snyder, Louisa Peters
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Suquamish News
March 2021 | 13
Suquamish News
14 | March 2021
Suquamish.nsn.us
Birthdays
h c r a M March 1 Jared Charette March 2 Della Crowell Jade Myers Marc Pugh Talia Adams
March 8 Amanda Rubeck Joan Bagley Kaeleigh Patrick Morgan Bradwell Shelly Thomas Thomas Prett Vincent Chargualaf March 10 Carl Mack
March 3 Cecilia Serrato Danielle Kimmel Donnie Adams Kaleo Nahanee Maximum Pezzanite Selena AdamsChapman
March 12 Charles Landsaw Philip Holt III
March 4 Christopher Puckett Janelle Mills John Kerns Jr. William Joe
March 13 Hannah Ballard Juli Morton Kate Ahvakana Mark Lewis
March 5 Brycen Sigo Cheryl Lawrence Nanette Sanchez Robert Purser Jr.
March 14 Christine Sheppard Hailey Crow Mary Alexander Tyzaiah Lawrence
March 6 Charles Dryden Gabriel Day Lydia Sigo Winona Sigo-Heredia
March 15 Cheyenne Myers Jamie Surratt Lillian Ballew Wahim Williams
March 7 Eduardo Reynoso-Purser Joseph Reynoso-Purser Wendy Boure
March 16 Kalise Cordero-Dizon Kippie Joe Ricky Oakman
March 11 Modelle Mudd
March 17 Dickie Johnson Kaidyn Setten Kaylie Contraro Lenora Bagley Marie Sanders Neil Howard Riley Adams March 18 Jeff Hoffman Shannon Bayes March 19 Amber Horejsi Jolene Haas Michael Smith Jr. Steve Clark March 20 Anthony Adams Edward Midkiff Jr. Neoma Boure Shayna Bagley March 21 Aidyn Saldivar Diana Riggins Dylan Fleck Tyson Oakman March 22 Cherrie May Isabelle Hedges Lucas Baker Malachi Brown-Flath Mason Johnson Teniya Lewis March 23 Ave Maria MacDonald Camilla Prett Elaina-Rose Hayes Francisco Smith Joshua Bagley Jr. Lorilee Morsette Petrina Joe-Lanham Robert Purser III
March 24 Avah Seier Caleb Snow Thomas Fowler Tyler Marquez March 26 Jase Kramer Kyle Turner March 27 Dorene McIntosh Eric Greer Isabella CorderoLaguna Leonard Barnes IV
March 30 Antonio Guardipee Clinton Jenkins Erica Isom Lawrence Sigo Malora Chee Ricky Alexander Susan Williams Tataya Lawrence Victor Chee
March 31 Grace Alexander Juanita Mabe
March 28 Ciarra Covarrubias Izabella O’Brien Juanita Lantzy Khloe Mortensen Tegan Ledesma Zhoe Mortensen March 29 Brittany Adams Cassandra Fowler Jacob Anderson
Happy Birthday to me! This year I become a Suquamish Elder. Please call me Elder or Kippie. Do not call me a Baby Elder. There is nothing about me that is a baby.
Suquamish News
Suquamish.nsn.us
March 2021 | 15
National Nutrition Month
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arch is National Nutrition Month! Each year there is a different theme-this year it is “Personalize Your Plate”. March is a time of year to celebrate healthy eating. Nutritious foods are needed for growth, to stay healthy and help in preventing many diseases. Aim to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein foods every day. Within those general guidelines, there is lots of room to make it personal for your preferences, health goals, and culture. For our tribal families, personalizing your plate could mean including healthy traditional foods such as salmon, shellfish and other seafood, berries, and greens in your diet more often. Think about trying nettles this spring; nutrition “relatives” that you can buy at the store include leafy greens like kale, spinach and chard. National Nutrition Month also celebrates Registered Dietitian Nutritionists (RDN’s) and recognizes them as nutrition counseling providers, community nutritionists and food service managers, working to help people enjoy healthy lives. We have two RDN’s here at Suquamish Tribal Health: Fran Miller and Rachel Parsons. Fran Miller is the Tribe’s Community Nutritionist and her goal is to help the community be a place where the healthy choice is the easy choice. We want healthy foods and opportunities to be physically active avail-
Fats & Oils We go real easy on oils, between a teaspoon & tablespoon is plenty
able for everyone! Rachel Parsons is the new Dietitian with the WIC Program. They’ve also both been helping with the COVID vaccine clinic. WIC is a nutrition program for Women, Infants and Children, serving pregnant, postpartum and breastfeeding women, babies, and children up to their 5th birthday. WIC is open! It might seem a bit different right now because we can’t see you in person for services, but we are doing full WIC appointments virtually. We offer personalized nutrition counseling, help you find other medical and social services in the community, and breastfeeding support. WIC has a robust food package full of nutritious foods, such as milk (cow, goat, soy or lactose free), cereal, eggs, beans or peanut butter, cheese or tofu, yogurt, canned fish and fresh or frozen fruits or vegetables. These foods can help families meet their nutrition goals, help our growing babies and children, and offer help with our food budgets. If you think you are eligible, please call for an appointment at (360) 621 5839 (cell) or (360) 394 8473 (office). If you know someone that might be eligible, please have them call us! And remember to “Personalize Your Plate”! Fran Miller and Rachel Parsons
My Suquamish Plate We use a 9 inch plate because we tend to eat what we see I/2 of our plates are Fruits & Vegetables
¼ of our plates are Whole Grains or Starchy vegetables
¼ of our plates are Lean Meat or Protein
Wise with Portion Size
PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID Kent, WA Permit No. 71
It’s a two-way street
Masks protect you & me When we all wear masks, we take care of each other
Wear masks, avoid crowds, stay 6 feet apart, and wash your hands
Take all four steps for the most protection
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