Tlingit & Haida Central Council
Tribal News
July/August 2015
Central Council Signs 5-Year Child Welfare Initiative with Casey Family Programs
Promoting the safety and well-being of children, families, and communities Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska (Central Council) is very pleased to announce it entered into an official five-year Child Welfare Initiative with the national operating foundation Casey Family Programs in July. This partnership is very critical in moving Central Council closer to transferring child welfare cases into tribal court. This partnership will provide Central Council access to technical assistance in the development of its child welfare and tribal court infrastructures, as well as training, and peer-to-peer opportunities on how other tribes operate their child welfare programs. Headquartered in Seattle, Casey Family Programs is the nation’s largest President Peterson signs operating foundation focused solely on safely reducing the need for foster Child Welfare Initiative with care and building Communities of Hope for vulnerable children and families Casey Family Programs across America. Founded in 1966, the foundation works to influence longlasting improvements to the safety and well-being of children, families, and the communities where they live. For more information on the foundation, please visit: www.casey.org. In April 2015, Central Council was selected as pilot program #2 under the State of Alaska’s Tribal Title IV-E Maintenance Program. This pilot program will give Central Council the opportunity to license its own tribal foster care homes and most importantly to transfer child welfare cases from state court to tribal court. “The next five years will be an exciting time of change and development for our child welfare programs and Tribal Court with the goal of continuing to pursue ways to provide culturally relevant, quality services to our tribal children and families,” said President Richard J. Peterson.
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Saxman Road Construction Project Complete Tribe Welcomes New Staff Student Success Story - Hard Work and Determination Alaska Tribal Court Development Conference Walking Event “Kúx dei yaan tootéen haa kusteeyí”
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Mark Your Calendars Congratulations Barbara Dude Fatherhood is Sacred News Second Chance Graduates First Student Central Council Secures NAGPRA Grant Youth Employment Services Andrew Hope Building – New Client Service Hours
Saxman Road Construction Project Complete Submitted By: Tribal Transportation
Central Council’s Tribal Transportation department recently completed its road construction project in Saxman. The project included paving of Frog Street and construction of an enclosed bus shelter and sidewalks for pedestrians. Frog Street connects to Eagle and Killer Whale avenues which now allows for transit buses to service the senior center and neighborhood. A ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony was held on Augustt 24, 2015 to celebrate the road construction project’s completion. “I am particularly proud of this project for several reasons,” said Transportation Manager Will Ware. “We completed a good portion of this project almost entirely with tribal citizens - our truck driver, equipment operator, and laborers were our own people from Saxman or Ketchikan. This project also now provides the opportunity for the borough to provide public r.” transit service to our elders in Saxman right to their front door.” Central Council oversees Saxman’s Tribal Transportation Program (TTP) with Lee Wallace providing local program management. The road construction project was primarily funded by the Federal Highway Administration’s Tribal Transportation High Priority Project program (HPP) as well as Saxman’s TTP funds.
Tribe Welcomes New Staff Submitted By: Office of the President
Central Council is pleased to welcome Madeline Soboleff Levy as Tribal Child Support Attorney and Myrna Gardner as Business & Ecomomic Development Department (BEDD) Manager. Madeline is Tlingit, Haida, and Norwegian. She is of the Raven moiety, L’eineidi clan (Dog Salmon), Aanx’aakhittaan house (House in the Middle of Town), and has been a member of the Xaadas Git’ alang (Children of the Haida) dance group since 2006. Madeline Soboleff Levy
As Tribal Child Support Attorney, Madeline provides legal services and representation for the Tribe in all paternity and child support cases.
Myrna is Tlingit and Haida. Her Tlingit name is Xíeishxí, she is Yéil naax xat sitee, Duk’tool, Wéix’ naax xat sitee, Taakwaaneidi Hi’t (Raven/ Skulpin house) of the Heinyaa Kwaan (Klawock) people and is Chankweidi Yadi (a child of the Haida people on her father’s side). Myrna Gardner
As BEDD Manager, Myrna leads the Tribe’s enterprise development as well as works with local, state, and federal governments to foster and improve the Southeast Alaska economy.
We’re excited to have both Madeline and Myrna onboard; please join us in welcoming them! To read the full news release on each hire, please visit: www.ccthita.org/info/press. 2
Student Success Story Submitted By: Janae Franklet
Central Council is pleased to highlight Tiadola Silva-Martin for her educational achievements. Below, in her own words, is Tiadola’s story. Hard Work and Determination
My name is Tiadola SilvaMartin. I was born in Mt. Edgecumbe to Juanita Silva and Jeremy Martin. They raised me in the small village of Angoon with the help from their parents, John & Harriet Silva and Tiadola (center) with Ed Jack and mom Juanita LeRoy & Carol Martin. My grandparents were a huge help watching me while my parents finished high school. Yes, I was born to teenage parents. I am Shangukeidi (Eagle, Thunderbird) and was adopted into the Teikweidí Clan from the Xóots Hit (Brown Bear House) in Angoon. My great grandpa Peter Jack Sr. gave me my Tlingit name Gloo'dus. Challenges began during those preteen years where you get judged for not wearing the right clothes, not being the right weight or height, not having the latest electronics, and just not fitting in. Somehow we made it past those stages and learned to accept one another for who we are. The first day of high school was hard. School work was getting harder. I was in classes with upper-classman and sports were challenging. In spite of all of this, I was a straight A student. I won academic awards and was highly involved in community/cultural groups. My extracurricular activities included cross country, volleyball, basketball, and track & field. It was hard to keep up with my classes, but I would stay up late getting all my work done so my GPA did not drop. It would have been World War III with my mom if it did drop. Through the years, there were challenges but I told myself I had to push through it. I just had to believe and pray about it. As my last days at Angoon High School came to an end, I became very emotional. They were the hardest, yet best years of my life. I graduated with high honors, quite a few scholarships, and was the 2015 Valedictorian. This was one of my goals, I pushed hard and long for this moment and once I received it, I could not stop crying happy tears. Soon after high school I started working at Greens Creek Mine, which worked out great considering I want to become a geologist. My big goal is to further my education and graduate with a bachelor’s degree. I am making that happen by starting at Fort Lewis College in Durango, Colorado in the fall of 2015. I will stop at nothing in order to become successful. My advice for students is to work hard in school, make good choices, and don't be afraid to challenge yourself. It may be scary but education is the key to success. Big thank you to Tlingit and Haida for choosing me to be a role model for the upcoming students. It is an honor to have this privilege. Gunalcheesh!
Alaska Tribal Court Development Conference Submitted By: Office of the President
In early August, the Tanana Chiefs Conference (TCC) hosted the 2015 Alaska Tribal Court Development Conference in partnership with the National Judicial College and University of Alaska. Central Council’s Tribal Court Judge Debra O’Gara, Tribal Magistrate David Voluck, and Special Assistant to the President Grace Singh all traveled to Fairbanks to participate. Judge Voluck spoke daily on tribal court issues and highlighted the progress Central Council’s Tribal Court has made on tribal child support. Various civil diversion agreements were discussed, with more opportunities for the Tribe to intervene on misdemeanor and juvenile cases in the future. Senator John Coghill presented his proposed legislation that will address the recidivism rates (SB91) and empower tribal courts (SB117) across the state. Central Council is excited for the new opportunities to expand our Tribal Court into other civil areas in the future. For more information, please contact Grace Singh, Special Assistant to the President, at 907.463.7103 or via email at gsingh@ccthita.org.
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Walking Event “Kúx dei yaan tootéen haa kusteeyí” Submitted By: TFYS
The Tribal Family & Youth Services’ (TFYS) Elderly Services program was pleased to partner with the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium’s (SEARHC) Lifestyle Balance and WiseWoman programs to host this summer’s Walking Event “Kúx dei yaan tootéen haa kusteeyí” (Bringing Back the Strength of Our People). Despite the rainy weather, the event launched with a kick-off at Twin Lakes on July 13th and ran through August 10th. A total of 47 tribal citizens registered through the Elderly Services program (23 were Central Council employees). Special “Health Talk” presentations by SEARHC were a nice highlight during this year’s event. Health Talk presentations were held on Tuesdays from 5:00-6:30 pm. Light meals were provided during these presentations and special drawings were held for participants who turned in their pedometer log sheets. Health Talk topics included: • • • • •
Setting a Goal Injury Prevention Cardio & the Benefits of Walking Lifestyle Balance Program Medications
Thank you to all who participated! For more information, please contact: Marilyn Doyle Elderly Services Coordinator Tribal Family & Youth Services 800.344.1432 • 907.463.7168 mdoyle@ccthita.org 4
Mark Your Calendars August Events 10-11: Free Two-Day Alaska Native/American Indian Small Business Development Workshop – Juneau, AK 11-12: Conducting Federally Mandated Background Investigations for Tribal Organizations Training – Juneau, AK 19: Executive Council Meeting – Teleconference 24: Saxman Client Service Fair – Saxman, AK 25: Wrangell Client Service Fair – Wrangell, AK 26: Fatherhood is Sacred Session – Juneau, AK
September Events 1: 2: 2: 3: 7: 9-10: 9: 14-18: 16: 18: 23: 30:
Craig/Klawock Client Service Fair – Craig, AK Hydaburg Client Service Fair – Hydaburg, AK Fatherhood is Sacred Session – Juneau, AK Kasaan Client Service Fair – Kasaan, AK Labor Day (Offices Closed) Tribal Self-Governance Strategy Session – Catoosa, OK Fatherhood is Sacred Session – Juneau, AK Southeast Environmental Conference – Juneau, AK Fatherhood is Sacred Session – Juneau, AK Executive Council Meeting – Teleconference Fatherhood is Sacred Session – Juneau, AK Fatherhood is Sacred Session – Juneau, AK
October Events 7-10: 12-13: 12-14: 14: 15-17: 18-23: 27-28: 28-Nov 1:
ANB/ANS Grand Camp Convention – Wrangell, AK Executive Council Meeting – Anchorage, AK Elders and Youth Conference – Anchorage, AK Inaugural Native Alaskan Leadership Forum – Anchorage, AK 2015 Annual AFN Convention – Anchorage, AK 72nd Annual NCAI Convention – San Diego, CA Native PTAC Workshop – Juneau, AK Sharing Our Knowledge: 2015 Clan Conference – Juneau, AK
Tribal News In an effort to reduce print & postage costs, Central Council encourages subscribers to sign-up to receive notice of our online newsletter in place of receiving a printed newsletter. To sign-up, please contact: Office of the President • Communications Toll Free: 1.800.344.1432 • Direct: 907.463.7368 Email: communications@ccthita.org View Tribal News online at: www.ccthita.org/info/newsletters.
Congratulations Barbara Dude Submitted By: Office of the President
C Congratulations to tribal employee Barbara Dude who was recently appointed as yyouth advisor to the Sealaska Board of Directors. In this capacity, Barbara will sserve a one-year term where she will have the opportunity to gain valuable board ttraining and knowledge of Sealaska’s many operations. B Barbara received her Bachelor’s degree in American Indian Studies from Haskell IIndian Nations University in 2011. She first joined Central Council as a youth w worker at the age of 14. In 2013, Barbara returned to the Tribe serving as a family sservice worker under the Tribal Family and Youth Services department and later sserved as a caseworker under the Preserving Native Families and Indian Child Barbara Dude Welfare Act programs. Barbara’s quality service to tribal families led to her recent promotion to child welfare specialist where she supervises approximately 13 staff. Barbara’s Tlingit name is Kajaseidi and she is Eagle, Killerwhale from the Kéet Gooshi Hít (Killerwhale Dorsal Fin House) of Klukwan. Maintaining a connection to her culture is very important to Barbara as a mother of two. At an early age, she joined the All Nations Children dance group and recently became the new dance group leader, a position held by Vicki Soboleff for the past two decades. Please help us congratulate Barbara on her accomplishments!
Fatherhood is Sacred News Submitted By: Ian Petershoare
The Fatherhood is Sacred program hosted its 2nd Annual Community Picnic to honor fathers and fatherhood on August 15, 2015 at Twin Lakes Park in Juneau. Thankfully, the weather cooperated and the picnic was a terrific success! The picnic provided families with an opportunity to get out in the sun and play games, fly kites, blow bubbles, and play in bouncy houses. Participants also enjoyed hamburgers and hot dogs, chips, fruits and veggies, and drinks. A very gracious thank you to recent Fatherhood is Sacred graduate Edward Lee Isaacs-Rusch-Guthrie, Vanessa Anderson, and Central Council’s TANF departmen department for helping make this event a su success. We look forward to expa expanding our partnerships an and hosting an even bigger and better event next year.
We are also pleased to announce our next round of Fatherhood is Sacred weekly classes will begin August 26th in Juneau. All fathers are invited. This 12-week program provides fathers with a welcome environment and fun activities that focus on the sacredness of being a father and the importance of Alaska Native/Native American heritage and how it applies to each father in the past, present, and future. What: Who: When: Where:
Fatherhood is Sacred Sessions All Fathers 5:30-7:30 PM • August 26th - December 2nd No sessions on Nov. 4th, 11th, or 25th 320 W. Willoughy Ave. (3rd floor), Juneau AK
Aside from the program curriculum, Family Fun Activity Nights are also held. This is an important aspect of the program that brings fathers, spouses, and children together to play for a couple hours a week. Some activities include swimming, hiking, games, and fishing.
For more information on the Fatherhood is Sacred program, please contact Ian Petershoare at 907.463.7737 or via email at ipetershoare@ccthita.org. 5
Second Chance Graduates First Student Submitted By: Public Safety
T Public Safety department is pleased to announce the Second Chance Reentry The p program’s first graduate - Jennifer Mixson Hartsock. Jennifer successfully ccompleted the Penn Foster Administrative Assistant program with a 93% course aaverage. Congratulations, Jennifer! Great Job! JJennifer chose to pursue her Administrative Assistant certificate to advance her cclerical skills to obtain employment at a higher-paying salary to support her ffour children. Next, she would like to pursue her associate’s degree in Business A Administration at the University of Alaska Southeast. Jennifer would like to thank h her family for always understanding and supporting her, and continuing to be p positive, and giving her the time she needed to study. She would also like to thank C Central Council for giving her the funds to obtain her Administrative Assistant Jennifer Hartsock ccertificate, as well as Marianna Bethel for signing her up for the Second Chance program and Talia Eames for the encouragement and support. One of Jennifer’s short-term goals was to complete a schooling program. Jennifer shared, “The Second Chance program has been an excellent program that has given me the tools, a positive outlook, and direction towards gaining employment.” Looking into the future, she plans to continue to her education while working for a local organization in Juneau, Alaska. Jennifer’s great-grandfather was Henry Stevens from Taku, he was Tlingit Wolf (Yanyeidi Clan). Her greatgrandmother was Sarah Kladu Stevens Bowman of Klukwan, she was Tlingit Raven (Gaanaxteidi Clan). They had a son, Joseph Stevens, her grandfather, who married Julia Shotridge from Klukwan, she was a Tlingit Eagle (Kaagwaantaan Clan) Bear House, and the daughter of Walter Shotridge from Klukwan, and Bessie Shotridge Wilson Jimmie, Tlingit Eagle. They had 11 children, their daughter Rosemary Stevens Mill is Jennifer’s mother. She had three daughters: Gina, Tammy, and Jennifer Mixson. Jennifer is Eagle Kaagwaantaan Clan, her family crest is the killer whale from the Daklaweidi Killer Whale House in Klukwan. She has two daughters, Sarah and Mariah, and two sons, Ryan and Matthew.
Central Council Secures NAGPRA Grant Submitted By: Native Lands & Resources
The Native Lands and Resources (NLR) department is pleased to report it has secured a fiscal year 2015 grant in the amount of $88,161 from the National Park Service for Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act consultation and documentation. The grant will be administered by NLR’s Cultural Resources program to conduct research and documentation, and prepare claims for repatriation of cultural items located at the Eiteljorg Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City, Missouri. The funding will also allow the program to monitor the completion of pending repatriation claims. The Cultural Resources program repatriates objects of cultural patrimony, sacred objects, funerary objects, and human remains in accordance with the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act of 1990 and the National Museum of the American Indian Act (NMAIA) of 1989. These Acts allow federally recognized tribes to repatriate from museums and federal agencies. To date, the program has successfully repatriated 125 objects under NAGPRA and 30 objects under NMAIA. For more information on repatriation, please contact Harold Jacobs, Cultural Resource Specialist, at toll free 1.800.344.1432, 907.463.7186, or via email at hjacobs@ccthita.org. 6
Youth Employment Services The Employment & Training department extends ds a heartfelt “Thank You” to all of our partners, parents, and participants for making the 2015 Summer Youth Employment (YES) program a huge success! The YES program partnered with host-employers in 13 Southeast Alaska communities to provide work experience/ employment to 54 tribal youth. For many tribal youth, this was their first experience with job applications, interviews, accountability to employers, and PAYCHECKS! A number of our youth were offered permanent positions or invited back during school breaks and next summer. Way to go, Youth! To end the 2015 summer program, youth were asked to create or update their resumes, capturing their new skills for future jobs and college/scholarship applications. One youth exclaimed, “Wow, I have more skills than I thought!” Several youth are already gathering references and submitting their resumes forr new positions. It has been wonderful to witness the growth of our youth. The youth were also asked to write a letter of appreciation in business format to whomever they chose. The exercise provided the opportunity for tribal youth to identify what was positive in their summer work experience, recognize and appreciate opportunity, say thank you to their biggest supporters, and learn how to format a business letter. The letters were addressed to host-employers for their training, local program coordinators for their guidance, parents/grandparents for their daily support, and to themselvess for “sticking with it.” In one community, the youth wrote letters to each other, recognizing one for driving others to work, another for early wake-up calls, and yet another for making the job a fun place to be! o Juneau participants were also encouraged to attend the Scholarships 101: Tap into Your Resources event and a financial literacy class coordinated by Tlingit-Haida o Regional Housing Authority. Both events had great turnouts and exposed youth to the importance of personal finance and provided financial resources for higher education. The YES program’s goal is to help create dreams through providing the necessary tools, support, and resources to accomplish those dreams. None of this was possible without the tremendous support of our community host-employers and supervisors willing to train and mentor. Special thank you to all of the local community coordinators who offer continuous guidance and support. Appreciation to the parents/caregivers who create supportive environments. A heartfelt Gunalchéesh, Háwaa (thank you!) to all of our partners, parents, and participants for making the 2015 Youth Employment Services program a huge success…and to our youth, we say, “Well done and we hope to see you next year!” 7
Central Council
Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska 9097 Glacier Highway Juneau, Alaska 99801 www.ccthita.org • www.facebook.com/ccthita
PRESORTED STANDARD
PAID
Juneau, AK Permit No. 139
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Preserving our sovereignty, enhancing our economic and cultural resources, and promoting self-sufficiency and self-governance for our citizens through collaboration, service, and advocacy.
Andrew Hope Building
New Client Service Hours Monday - Thursday: Friday:
8:00 AM – Noon • 1:00 PM – 4:30 PM 8:00 AM – Noon • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Closed Daily Noon - 1:00 pm
The Andrew Hope Building elevators are now closed to the public during the lunch hour (Noon to 1:00 PM). We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause as we work to ensure the safety of our staff. A secure drop box located across from the elevator entrance in the first floor lobby has been provided for clients who wish to submit applications or correspondence during the lunch hour. Please be assured that our goal is to consistently provide the best possible service to our tribal citizens in a pleasant and safe environment. Please share this notice with your friends and family who may be impacted by this change.