Yooyoolah! COWLITZ INDIAN TRIBE VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 SPRING 2011
The complex sequence of events • May 2009: Larry EchoHawk CHAIRMAN’S REPORT of the past two years led us from confirmed as Assistant Chairman Bill Iyall a moratorium in the BIA response Secretary. to fee to trust applications after the • June 2009: The Cowlitz Tribe decision in Carcieri v. Salazar to the submitted an 86 page memo to the Department of the Interior approval of our ROD below. Importance of Sovereignty presenting the legal arguments The Cowlitz Tribe was reaffirmed by Sequence of Events why the Carcieri decision should the federal government recognition not prevent them from • January 20, 2009: President process in 2002 as a sovereign approving our project. In it, we Obama inaugurated and the identified over 260 documents nation in what was a turning point in Proposed Record of Decision in the federal records, mainly the history of the Tribe. (ROD) sent to BIA Central Office from the 1920s and 30s, which Sovereignty is important to all by BIA Portland Regional show clear evidence that the of the nation’s tribes and provides Director, Stan Speaks with a federal government exercised recommendation for a positive for self-governance and self- jurisdiction over the Cowlitz as determination. required by Carcieri. determination protected by federal • February 24, 2009: U.S. law. The Cowlitz Tribe is now on the • July 2009: BIA Consultation on Supreme Court issues its Carcieri in Sacramento. verge of achieving full sovereignty Carcieri v. Salazar decision. The with the establishment of our initial decision was made without input • July 2009: The deadline for the city of La Center to respond to reservation as designated in the from the parties and the federal the Tribe’s offer to meet and Department of Interior Record of government concerning federal jurisdiction for the Narragansett negotiate a MOU passed. Decision (ROD) in December 2010. Tribe. • October 2009: Senate Indian This is a profound advancement • April 2009: Clark County Affairs Committee Chairman in our Tribe’s history that realizes rescinds the MOU and agrees to Dorgan, and three other the dreams of generations of our rely instead on the Tribe’s Senators, introduced a bill to past Cowlitz leaders including John Environmental and Gaming “fix” Carcieri. Barnett, Roy Wilson, Joe Cloquet, Ordinances for mitigation, after • November 2009: The first White Frank Iyall, and countless council the Growth Management House Conference with Hearing Board had issued a President Obama and tribal members that served for the better decision striking down the MOU. leaders. part of the preceding century, who • April 2009: The House Natural • November 2009: Testimony at a dreamt of the day when the Cowlitz Resources Committee held its hearing of the House Committee people would again have a home first hearing on the Carcieri of Natural Resources discussing land. Decision. Chairman Iyall sent a two Carcieri fix bills. letter to Chairman Rahall With our progress and the • December 2009: The Senate encouraging the Committee to Department of Interior’s ruling came Indian Affairs Committee passes act quickly on a Carcieri fix. an appeal of the Record of Decision that has been filed in federal court • April 2009: President Obama Continued on Page 2 appoints Larry EchoHawk to in Washington, D.C. This challenge serve as the Assistant Secretary Inside this issue: is proceeding with a review of the for Indian Affairs. very comprehensive record of Vice Chair Report 3 • April 2009: At the NIGA Tribal Council Chair Report 4 federal documents. conference in Phoenix, We expect a favorable court Chairman Iyall met with John Committee Reports 5 ruling by the fall. We will conduct a Echohawk, Native American Department Reports 12 Announcements 21 blessing of our reservation on June Rights Fund Executive Director, to secure their support for a Tribal Council & Committees 22 25, 2011 where there will be a great Carcieri fix. Department Directory 23 celebration for all. Page 2
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Chairman’s Report-Continued beginning of the Coalition of a position opposing any Landless and Disadvantaged amendments to the Indian the “Carcieri Fix” bill out of Tribes. This provided a powerful Gaming Regulatory Act. committee. statement on behalf of • November 2010: Chairman Iyall • February 2010: At the National disadvantaged tribes and and Mohegan Chairman Boszum Congress of American Indians allowed the BIA to move sent a joint letter to the (NCAI) Winter Meeting the forward in earnest. Secretary and the Solicitor Executive Board first passed, • July 2010: Chairman Iyall and pressing for action on our but then reversed itself and Tribal Gaming Attorney Ed application and explaining the tabled, a resolution calling on Fleisher attended a NCAI devastating consequences that the Department of the Interior conference in Washington, D.C. delays are having on both to end its de facto moratorium to meet with administration and tribes. Chairman Iyall sent a on fee-to-trust applications. We congressional leaders and lobby strong letter to our meet with several other members of congress to support congressional delegations disadvantaged tribes at the a Carcieri fix. Letters of support stressing the urgent need for a NCAI Winter Conference to were gathered from tribal clean Carcieri fix and opposition establish a Fee-To-Trust- leaders across the country. The to the Feinstein language. coalition and to work to reverse department made its decision to this NCAI decision. • December 2010: Chairman Iyall take land into trust for the sent a letter to Senate leaders • March 2010: Chairman Iyall Tohono O’odham tribe as the urging a Carcieri fix in the meets with Assistant Secretary first gaming acquisition of the budget bill. Larry EchoHawk, Deputy Obama administration. The Assistant Secretary Lavedure, Carcieri fix language was added • December 2010: Chairman Iyall and Deputy Solicitor Pilar to the House Interior attended the second White Thomas in Washington, D.C. to Appropriations bill. House Tribal Nations Conference in Washington D.C., attended a present the arguments stating • August 2010: The Coalition of why the department should DOI consultation work session, Landless and Disadvantaged and met with DOI chief of staff move ahead with the Cowlitz Tribes sent the second of three application. Laura Davis and DOI solicitor letters to Secretary Salazar Hillary Tompkins. • June 2010 Mohegan asking for a private meeting Chairwoman Lynn Malerba and with our group. • December 2010: Congress came very close to getting a Carcieri Chairman Iyall meet in • August 2010: The 9th Circuit Washington, D.C. with Asst. Fix included in the budget bill. It Court of Appeals in Seattle ruled was included in the House Secretary Larry EchoHawk and against City of Vancouver in Asst. Solicitor Pilar Thomas. We version. Thanks to the work of their challenge to the Cowlitz the Coalition and NCAI we had a ask the BIA to proceed with a Gaming Ordinance approved by decision and not wait for letter signed by 127 Indian the National Indian Gaming tribes supporting our position. Carcieri legislation. Secretary Commission. Salazar finally announced the • December 23, 2010: The department’s position on • September 2010: Chairman decision was finally announced! processing fee to trust Iyall sends a letter to Solicitor We have a Record of Decision applications, saying that he Hillary Tompkins and Assistant approving the Cowlitz Tribe’s would move forward “in a lawful Secretary EchoHawk restating Initial Reservation! On January and timely manner” on the our Carcieri arguments and 4, 2011, the ROD is published. backlog of fee to trust expressing concern to them of • January 2011: Clark County, applications, including those unreasonable delay on our Vancouver, CARS, Al involving gaming. Asst. Sec. application. Alexanderson, Greg and Susan EchoHawk met with Chairman • October 2010: Chairman Iyall Gilbert, and the card rooms filed Iyall at the NCAI conference in again met with Department of suit opposing the Cowlitz Initial South Dakota and confirmed the the Interior officials in Reservation in federal district Secretary’s message. The NCAI Washington, D.C. to encourage court in Washington D.C. General Assembly passed a them to move forward on our Resolution, which we sponsored, issues, and ask for • February 2011: Grand Ronde calling on the Secretary of the administration support for a Tribe files suit in federal court in Washington D.C. Interior to follow through on his Carcieri fix. commitment to acquire trust • October 2010: The National Initial Reservation land for tribes. We had broad Indian Gaming Association at Very soon, after 150 years of support from tribes around the their mid-year meeting adopted nation. This marked the real persistence, our initial reservation is Page 3
VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 to be established in north Clark opportunities, improve health and been a part of this process which County near Chelatchie Prairie as safety, and support the tribe's took over a year of negotiations and was originally proposed by Indian elders and youth while increasing meetings with the Indian Health Agent William Tappan, giving us their prospects and building a strong Service. Congratulations to the equal footing with the other foundation for our future. Tribal Council, our Health Board and established tribes in Washington The Cowlitz Tribe will be a our Health officials for getting this and Oregon. strong, prosperous native done for our Tribe. The passage of the Indian community for generations to come. Tribal events Gaming Regulatory Act (IGRA) of Thanks to our recent progress and On February 13, 2011 we celebrated 1988 has allowed for increased the perseverance of generations of the eleventh anniversary of our growth and progress on many our tribal leaders, we will have an Federal Acknowledgment in the gym levels, and has subsequently opened unlimited ability to improve the lives at St. Mary’s. BIA Regional Director many doors for the native people of future generations, to ensure our Stan Speaks again, attended the across the country. Through the stability, and protect the values of celebration and gave kind remarks IGRA tribes operate casinos, which our people to be passed onto future in support of the Cowlitz Tribe. We in turn have helped fund improved generations. had a great meal and had a great health services, new infrastructure, time. tribal housing and myriad of new In March we held a smelt and expanded community VICE CHAIRMAN’S celebration on the Cowlitz River at programs. The Cowlitz Casino, when Gearhart Gardens Park in Longview. opened, will be a source of pride for REPORT This year, we had smoked smelt our people and it will fuel Vice Chairman Phil Harju that were taken by Cowlitz tribal community development and tribal members from the Cowlitz River at services as gaming enterprises have Self Governance a smelt ceremony in late February. in other communities. We begin 2011 with great news. Roy Wilson blessed the smelt at the Landless tribes Finally, we have the long awaited ceremonial taking in February. Amongst the 565 federally decision that our land in Clark Because the rivers were closed for recognized tribes in the United County has been taken into trust, taking smelt, this ceremonial taking States, the Cowlitz Tribe has been for our reservation, by the was arranged on very short notice. at the forefront of the plight of Department of the Interior. The Many of us were very landless tribes to gain reservation official Record of Decision is over disappointed that the Tribe was not status, a hard fought victory in the one hundred pages and a complete able to get timely notification of this battle of tribal sovereignty and the victory for the Cowlitz Tribe. Over smelt ceremony to our members. recognition of our inherent rights. the years, many in our Cowlitz Our hope for next year, is that we The advancement of Native family have worked long and hard to will be able to have a ceremonial Americans’ rights faces challenges in accomplish this historic and taking approved well in advance, so the Carcieri vs. Salazar federal court important event. Since an appeal that as many Cowlitz members and case. The Cowlitz Tribe has set a has been filed, we will have to wait friends can be there to participate in precedent for other disadvantaged for a court ruling in Washington, the ceremonial taking. landless native peoples across the D.C. before the final trust As Roy Wilson noted at the country, with the affirmation of our documents can be filed. March celebration, there were smelt initial reservation by the federal In another important decision, in the Cowlitz River this year, government. the Federal Government has because of the smelt ceremony we The Cowlitz Tribe will continue approved a Self Governance held last year. This year’s smelt to work at improving our Tribal compact with the Cowlitz Tribe for were kept, prepared and smoked by programs, diversifying our economy the funding and administration of our Natural Resource and Cultural and improving conditions for Cowlitz our health programs. This is another Departments. people. We must ensure the historic event for our Tribe, and protection of tribal rights, preserve another clear exercise of our Tribal sovereignty. I am proud to have tribal culture, enhance education Continued on Page 4 Page 4
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Vice Chair Report-Continued and to give my best for the Cowlitz. many different ways you can I again want to thank you for the participate in this event. Tribal Court continuing honor and privilege to The Heads of the Canoe Family Funding on our Tribal Court planning serve as the Vice-Chairman of our for this year’s journey are Steve grant will be ending this year. Tribe. Kutz and Willie Koch, with Devin Unfortunately, the Justice Reck as vice-chair, Cassie Sellards Department did not approve our Reck as Treasurer, Rhonda 2011 request for an implementation Grantham as Secretary, Devin Reck grant to fund our tribal court. They TRIBAL COUNCIL and Patty Kinswa-Gaiser as heads of said we need a reservation before CHAIR’S REPORT the ground support crew, and Skeet they will fund a full tribal court. Chairman Steve Kutz Jensen and Karen Cota and as Without funding, we will not be able needed, John O’Brian on the support to start a full tribal court. The Tribal Canoe Journey boat. If you would like to Council has authorized a request to The Cowlitz Tribe will be participate and get involved or get apply again for a tribal court grant participating again this year in the on our e-mail list in order to keep in 2012. At this time, the Tribal inter-tribal canoe journey. We will up with this cultural event, you can Court project advisory team has begin our canoe practices on March contact Steve Kutz at 360-731-2885 requested that I present a plan for a 20 th and conclude with our arrival at or follow our schedule on the Tribal Tribal Elders Council to the Tribal the Swinomish Tribe on July 25 th web site. Council. Also, out of this planning where the journey will conclude with grant, we are working on updating Your support the protocol celebration of the our employment code and our The Canoe Family struggles for Tribes for the remainder of the Indian Child Welfare procedures. adequate funding to support this week. canoe journey, so we are soliciting June General Council This year we plan to start our funding support from many sources Once again, I am looking forward to Journey on the Columbia River and and would deeply appreciate any our June General Council Meeting, travel with some of the Tribes that monetary contribution toward this the encampment and the First historically used the Columbia River journey. Salmon Ceremony. This truly makes as their highway. For the first time Donations to the Tribe are for a wonderful weekend for our the Cowlitz Tribe is planning to host eligible for deduction on your Cowlitz Family and our many a protocol celebration when the income tax as a charitable donation. friends. I hope that as many of our canoes arrive at the mouth of the For donations questions you may Cowlitz family and friends as Cowlitz River. We tentatively plan contact the canoe family treasurer, possible can attend these events. on a landing at Gearhart Park after Cassie Sellards-Reck at This is truly an exciting time for which we will travel to St. Mary’s for [email protected]. Send the Cowlitz People. There are many the protocol celebration and camp. your check, with a notation that it’s new things happening every day for We invite members of the Tribe for the Canoe Program, to: the Cowlitz Tribe. We are working who would like to participate in this with other Tribes, other cultural event to begin practicing Cowlitz Indian Tribe governments, have established a with the canoe family and travel PO Box 2547 Language Department and a Youth with us this journey. If you have an Longview, WA 98632 Department, just to name a few. opportunity to join us in the canoe I have always remained practices, or join us on the journey Your concerns confident that with the strength, in the canoe or in a support role, or Finally, if any Tribal member wishes wisdom and courage of our at any of the protocol and to talk to me about any of these or membership, the Cowlitz Tribe will ceremonies at each stop, and most other topics, you can reach me at continue to maintain our especially at the week of celebration [email protected] or on my cell sovereignty, provide for our at Swinomish, you may find that phone at 360-731-2885. You can members, to grow, and to prosper. you have participated in a life reach me after hours at this You continue to have my changing experience. There are commitment to listen, to work hard, number. Page 5
COMMITTEE REPORTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 AWARDS & RECOGNITION Rod Van Mechelen, Chair
More Vests! Due to the popularity of both the new Tribal Elder and the Cowlitz Warrior vests, Tribal Chairman Bill Iyall authorized the purchase of 44 vests in the most common sizes. For the elders, these include 12 women’s and 12 men’s vests. For the veterans, these include 16 men’s and 4 women’s vests. We will have these vests, as well as the previously ordered elder vests, at the June General Council meeting. You can preorder vests by clicking on the “Awards & Recognition” link on the Tribal website, downloading the appropriate order form, filling it out and mailing it in. Note: these are for elders and veterans who have not already received a vest. Patty Kinswa-Gaiser honored At the November 13, 2011, General Council meeting, Tribal Secretary Nancy Osborne and Rod Van Mechelen Photo by Jeanne St. Martin honored Patty Kinswa-Gaiser with a “Cowlitz Indian Tribe Elder” blanket and certificate for her many years of service to our Tribal elders. Patty manages the Tribe’s senior nutrition program. The certificate, featuring a photo of Patty, read: “For the past several years you have taken care of our Elders. You feed them, transport them, hold banquets for them, and generally show them that they are important to you and to our Tribe. This certificate and Cowlitz Elder blanket are to show our appreciation for your devotion.” The Committee Being a standing ad hoc committee, we have not been holding meetings but have handled our committee work by email. Following the 2007 honoring of selected elders, the committee was directed by Tribal Council to honor new elders and veterans every year. When the Tribe’s budget allows, we hope to expand the program to recognize the service of our many unsung heroes, volunteers who contribute many long hours without recognition, as well as noteworthy achievements. What we can do now is to note their names, service or accomplishments in this column. If you know of someone whose service or achievements warrant recognition, write to me c/o of the Tribal Office, so that we can be sure to recognize them in a future issue. Photo by Jeanne St. Martin Page 6
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many published articles, editorials, CANOE COMMUNICATIONS some essays, two (unpublished) Steve Kutz, Co-Chair Rod Van Mechelen, Chair books, and I published a ‘zine, or large newsletter, similar to this one. When I began the ‘zine I knew Possible Practices & Events Radio nothing about layout, design and editing, so I read several manuals When Grandfather Roy Wilson • May 13-15 - Cold Water Training and books to improve my skills. The with Nisqually – Camping TBD proposed to establish a Tribal writers with whom I worked Communications Department, he • May 27-30 or May 28 for Cold included nationally syndicated Water Training at Makah, or suggested that we consider several columnists, college professors, Swinomish practice landing activities, including production of a several widely read authors, • June 4th Salmon Ceremony radio show. From February 2009 to including a few of international September 2009, Roy was a regular • June 17-18, or Saturday 18th renown, and a cadre of sometimes only – Site to be determined. guest on a radio talk show on KEDO cantankerous activists. All of them in Longview, WA. He did a wonderful • July 3 Fundraiser at Eatonville expected professional quality 4th of July weekend – Indian job of educating his audience about editing, none of them complacently Taco’s the Cowlitz people, our history and accepted anything less than my • July 4 Fundraiser at Eatonville - heritage, legends and culture, and best, and I worked hard to present Salmon Bake the hosts invited Chairman Bill Iyall them at their very best. • July 9th final practice TBD or and others to appear on the show I brought this same zeal for pack for the journey with him to speak about our current quality and clarity to bear on the • Early July 15 - 16 pull with activities. Unfortunately, the hosts Tribe’s newsletter. We missed a few Warm Springs on Columbia – dropped their show. typos, but all things considered they TBD after discussion with Warm Since then, KEDO has changed Springs. Possibly hosting Warm have been credible efforts, I think. their format and now features Springs, Grand Rhonde and But I made one big error in conservative news talk and sports. Chinook for protocol at Cowlitz judgment: like me, the board and (St Mary’s on Saturday evening Nonetheless, they remember Roy committee chairs, and some (July 16th) with fondness and are open to officers, are volunteers. In addition • July 17th Leave for journey and making room for a nominal fee. And to all that they do for the Tribe, they Travel to Squaxin Island Tribe to so the station manager has have lives that leave little time for begin Journey. expressed a willingness to work with details of some importance to an • July 18th Travel to Nisqually us to put together a proposal for a obsessive editor but nobody else. • July 19th Travel to Puyallup Voice of Cowlitz Country show. In plain English, a few said Considerations will include show • July 20th, Travel to Muckleshoot enough already, and so Chairman topics, guests, whether to take calls • July 21st Travel to Suquamish Iyall agreed to provide light editing and stay extra day July 22nd and emails, and more. The reach of of the reports. Hence, I handled the the 1,000 watt station is limited to • July 23rd Travel to Tulalip layout, but have not edited any of Cowlitz County, but that could be • July 24th Travel to Coupeville these reports. extended by archiving the • July 25th Travel to Swinomish broadcasts on the Tribal website. Savings continue and final landing. Light editing The new format and printer for the • Begin protocol July 26th Tribal newsletter, and bulk mail Starting in grammar school I had an permit now used for all bulk affinity for writing. This continued mailings, continue to save the Tribe into college, where, along with all money. For additional information, the business, science and math, I contact: Steve Kutz, took journalism, speech and writing. Increased attention [email protected] After college, regardless of my On May 7, 2011, I submitted written Cell: 360-731-2885 vocation, writing remained my notice of my resignation from the primary avocation, and I wrote Health Board to give more attention to the Communications Committee. Page 7
COMMITTEE REPORTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1
expenses down. I really appreciate ECONOMIC EDUCATION the help and advice each member of Mike Iyall, Chair DEVELOPMENT the Committee brings to the Tribe. Rod Van Mechelen, Secretary HEALTH BOARD Tribal Entrepreneurs Important website updates Cassandra Sellards-Reck, Chair We have Tribal members who are or As you read this, some important want to be entrepreneurs. But we things have happened. The have multiple governmental Committee has updated our regulations that make it hard for webpage on the Tribe’s website, Honor to serve small businesses to survive. We with help from our Tribal It’s such an honor to be able to want to help our members, and this webmaster. We will have received serve on the Cowlitz Health Board. is a problem the Tribe might try to scholarship applications. The It is with pleasure that your Health address. But how can we do this? Committee will have evaluated Boards able to advocate, build and How can we help alleviate the those applications and assigned grow the Cowlitz Health and Human burdens of regulations and taxes? scholarship awards, to be Service programs. We have been Several tribes are testing announced at the June meeting of able to invest and have pushed to different models, including business the General Council. exercise more control over our health care programs legislatively in incubators, grants and seminars. In High value on education Washington and Nationally. We addition to these, what else might As a Tribal Council member who advocate for Federal funds to reach we do? helped write the distribution plans the tribal member level where they To see some of the possibilities, for our land claims settlement can be used to maximize our check out the Tribal Business funds, I know the value my elders services and in turn help you and Structure Handbook, from the Office placed on education. The guidelines your family. of Indian Energy & Economic in the Docket 218 materials instruct Congress passed a continuing Development, Tribal Self- us that the funds are to be used for resolution to fund the Federal Governance Project of the Tulalip tuition at accredited institutions for government after it was unable to Tribes, Sponsored and Published by vocational and college education. complete the regular appropriations The Office of the Assistant Secretary We sometimes get requests for process for fiscal year 2011. The – Indian Affairs, that is available to funds for other educational continuing resolution funds the download on the Internal Revenue experiences. The Committee government at the fiscal year 2010 Service site at http://www.irs.gov/ reviews and discusses those level. President Obama requested pub/irs-tege/ requests. We look to our guidelines $4.4 billion for the Indian Health tribal_business_structure_handbook to help guide our evaluation, and to Service, which represents an 8.7 .pdf. help us make consistent and fair percent increase over fiscal year Participation invited decisions. The committee members 2010. The business environment is tough, know how expensive higher The budget demonstrates the and the Economic Development education is and that our Tribal Administrations continuing Committee is working to develop members depend on these commitment to honor the Federal the resources to provide assistance scholarships to help fund their governments trust responsibilities and services to our Tribal members. education. We have listed other and treaty obligations. Exempting We invite members to join us. scholarships and links to scholarship Indian Health Service (IHS) from websites to assist you in finding the same freeze that the other help in funding your education. All programs and agencies are under is of this information can be found at To learn more about the a significant sign. However, with www.cowlitz.org/education. Economic Development IHS deeply and chronically The members of the Education Committee, contact Taylor underfunded, IHS services remain in Aalvik : 360-575-3306; Committee donate their time and serves without a stipend to keep [email protected] Continued on Page 8 Page 8
YOOYOOLAH! COMMITTEE REPORTS Health Board Report-Continued POWWOW: HONORING THE SPIRIT need. Over 104,000 Indian people in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho OF ALL COWLITZ PEOPLE Linda Foley, Secretary receive their primary health care from Indian health programs. during the planning Nationally, over 2.1 million Powwow in September Greetings once again from the phase and when the American Indian/Alaska Natives Powwow Committee. Preparations powwow arrives. It receive care from Indian health are well underway for the 2011 really is a huge group effort! programs. In many areas of the Cowlitz Powwow in late September. Meetings are held monthly during country, the Indian health care As you might expect, it takes a lot the winter until the fall when the provider is their only option for of effort and working together by a powwow date arrives, and health care. The partnerships dedicated group of individuals to do committee members are busy in the forged among Congress, Tribal the planning, fundraising, weeks between meetings fulfilling Governments, urban Indian health coordinating of efforts, notification their specific tasks. organizations and the Indian Health of vendors, and asking for and then Service over the last 60 years has Fundraising utilizing the volunteers to help put Fundraising has been a large focus resulted in significant improvements on our annual event. of the committee through the years in the health status of Indian and has been successful enough, people. While American Indians Committee members along with fees paid by the vendors, continued to lag behind in a number Our committee is made of 12 donations, and sales of concessions, of health status measurements, real members, some of whom work from to support the thousands of dollars progress has been made. Death a longer distance and contribute that the event requires. As you may rates of Indian people from behind the scenes or who come to know, each year a new design is infectious diseases, gastrointestinal help the last few months chosen for the T-shirts and disease, and tuberculosis have beforehand. These individuals are sweatshirts that have become so decreased dramatically. In the Kim Bublitz who prints the flyers, popular for tribal members and Northwest, mortality from sudden brochures and mailings; Jane friends to buy starting in June. infant death syndrome has declined Meyer, who has connections in the Other merchandise is also ordered significantly and other diseases have local community and provides and several items have also been prevented due to the increase janitorial help for the powwow; and very popular. The Pendleton blanket emphasis on health promotional and Lindsey Foley, who helps with raffles are always a well-liked disease prevention projects for merchandise decisions and has fundraiser. Last year the committee diabetes, HIV/AIDS, cancer and come home from college to be in hosted a pancake breakfast the commercial tobacco use. charge of the raffle and morning of the November General At the Health Board we take all merchandise sales the day of the Council meeting and we will this work very seriously and meet powwow. continue to provide that fundraiser monthly sometimes more often if Our committee officers include twice a year in June and November. needed. Many of the Board Suzanne Donaldson-Stephens, who Thank you for supporting us through members and HHS staff members is Chair; Larry Knutson, who is Vice your purchases and donations to our sit on local and national committees Chair; Jess Groll, who is the tribal fundraising efforts! and lead in health organizations that CFO and works with the budget and promote the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. I finances; and Linda Foley, who is Powwow Princess want to personally thank each and Secretary. Other committee When summer arrives, some of the every Tribal member for their members not yet mentioned include focus shifts to the Powwow Princess support. We are open to comments, Lenny Bridges, Jennifer Johnson, competition. A sub-committee concerns and questions. Please Patty Kinswa-Gaiser, Curt Stephens, reviews the applications of contact me anytime at and our newest member this year, interested young women who are [email protected] or my Teona Kinswa. Each individual on tribal members and helps them and cell phone at 1-360-513-1243. the committee has a variety of jobs their parents or sponsors that he or she does at various times understand the commitment Page 9
COMMITTEE REPORTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 required to fulfill the position for a all of them here. We welcome help St. Mary’s. This is the same year’s duration. The competition is and have opportunities for anyone weekend as the Tribal Council held the last day of the Cowlitz Kids who has time to give in one way or weekend so we should have a good Camp held at St. Mary’s in August. another before, during or after each turnout. The Encampment will start Volunteer judges question the powwow. Please contact Suzanne Friday evening and end Sunday applicants, observe their dance and Donaldson-Stephens for any afternoon. So bring your chairs and regalia, and choose the princess for additional information. The tribal tents for a good time. Meals will be the following year. She then website at www.cowlitz.org/events pot luck and the weather should be represents the Cowlitz Tribe at our is another good source of perfect for social gathering and own powwow and tribal gatherings, information, including the vendor sharing, drumming, Sweat Lodge as well as at other powwows and registration form and princess and Medicine Wheel Teaching, all in events around the region. This year application, and contact numbers of honor of our Vets, and our Warriors our chosen princess Elora Shields some of the committee members. coming home. was unable to continue after a few This year’s event Contact person – Mike Caso 360 months, so Teona Kinswa (the The Powwow Committee looks -457-0579 -- [email protected] previous year’s princess) was asked forward to seeing you at this year’s Agent Orange to step in and hold the position for powwow. Many individuals near and I just recently went through the remainder of this current year’s far look forward to attending this receiving an Agent Orange disability reign. annual cultural event to listen to the rating. One of the first things I Other details drums, dance on the floor, learned was that there isn’t a Other important details for reconnect with old friends or Cowlitz who helps our Korean and committee members to attend to relatives, be honored as a military Viet Nam Vets with the process. We include working with the vendors veteran, watch the dance never needed one because most who register to come sell their competitions, or enjoy an Indian Agent Orange medical situations wares, inviting individuals in the taco. Our new friends from last year happened way back when. But traditional way to be head man and Jeff Guidry and Freedom the eagle today advancements in medical head woman dancers, securing the from Sarvey Wildlife Care Center research are uncovering new master of ceremonies, arena will be attending again and disorders and connecting older director, and head cook for the 5 participating in the grand entries. disorders to Agent Orange. pm salmon dinner, determining host Please come and join us and Everything from Diabetes, and honor drums, soliciting perhaps even help out by Parkinson, soft tissue cancers, skin donations of cash or food items volunteering. You won’t be disorders, heart problems, and the from various businesses and disappointed that you did! list goes on. individuals, making a special item to suzanne@donaldson- The VA has learned that some of honor each of the veterans who enterprises.com the medical problems can be attend during the grand entries¸ Suzanne Donaldson-Stephens directly linked to Herbicides while preparing prizes for the children’s 360-280-2321 others have a frequency higher than program following dinner, and normal and the only common working with the budget to make denominator is Agent Orange. To sure that all anticipated costs are VETERANS GROUP help with their case load and to considered. In addition, just before Mike Caso, Chair make the process easier for our the powwow, a lot of activity centers Veterans to navigate, the VA now around preparing St. Mary’s Center says that if a Veteran has one of the for the event and the attendance disorders on the Agent Orange that numbers in the hundreds. Encampment to honor our “presumptive list” of diseases, then veterans As you may by now realize, it is presumed to be caused by The weekend of August 6th there there are a number of ways that exposure to Agent Orange. will be an encampment to honors all volunteers can help with the of our Veterans. It will take place at planning and implementation of the the Vader Property, which is close to powwow each year, too many to list Continued on Page 10 Page 10
YOOYOOLAH! COMMITTEE REPORTS
Veterans-Continued Returning Veterans is a veteran, or know of a tribal Presently we have Warriors who are member who is returning from In the middle of my case the VA returning from both Iraq and deployment or served in the military added Stents to the presumptive Afghanistan wars, as well as those during a time of conflict, we would list, which meant my heart, who already returned from the Gulf like to know about them and give cholesterol and stents went to the War. All not only need our open them the honor they deserve. If head of the disability claims list, hearts and understanding, but our you know of a service member who along with every heart, cholesterol support. A few decades back a is currently deployed or stationed and stent case that had been denied couple of White men discovered that away from home, please pass their over the last several decades. But, the Indian way of welcoming and name on as well. the VA had mine in hand so they integrating Warriors back into If you have a name and ruled on it then. Of course my Indian society through Talking information to pass along let us diabetes which was the disability Circles worked, and the White man’s know: that I had requested went way down way didn’t. These men began using Contact Charity Sabido-Hodges to the bottom of the pile along with the Indian way and gained at (360) 270-3762 or email all the other non-heart, cholesterol worldwide fame for their work. [email protected] and stent applications. Part of what we need to do is or Mike Caso at (360) 457-0579 Diabetes form a Cowlitz Veterans Group, with or email [email protected] I knew that my shipmates from Da talking a circles and Sweat Lodge. Nang, Viet Nam were coming down And that is where our older Warriors with diabetes, so when I came down come in with your perspective on how to handle problems, how they COWLITZ WARRIORS with it I applied for a Disability. Mark Anderson, Proud Parent of a Cowlitz They asked me to write down every dissipate and ebb away. And the Warrior medical problem I have or had, and importance of no blame because all but one is on the presumptive one did what our country required. list. So because I was in the Agent Remember, from the Atlantic to Orange Area, they are presumed to the Pacific, our people have stood be caused by it, and connected to up for America in greater my military service. Medical percentages than any other group of problems that arise while in the Americans and have served proudly military or are later connected to as privates to high ranking officers. military service are considered We have honored America and we military connected. Remember some have honored our people. And now military related medical problems the time has come to honor our show up 30, 40 years later. Cowlitz Warriors. Disability Determination Your Tribe is asking who among our Cowlitz Warriors is close to St. Two experienced people have Supporting our active Duty Mary’s and the Fir Complex. volunteered to teach me how to Tribal Members and their help our veterans determine if they families As we now enter the 10 th year of the have a military connected disability Afghanistan War with the Iraq War and how to apply for Disability. I CALLING ALL VETERANS winding down, it’s good time to don’t know how long the training Charity Sabido-Hodges reflect upon the sacrifices our young takes, so in the meanwhile go to active duty men, women and their your local V.A., D.A.V., V.V.A. for Calling all Veterans and their families!!! families are facing every day. help. For a list of medical problems We are attempting to put together a Many of our current warriors associated with herbicides go to list of Veterans who are returning experience deployments to a www.vva.org/agent_orange.html or from deployment or have served in combat zone time and time again. http://www.dav.org or http:// the time of conflict. If you are a That takes a toll on our warriors and www.vfw.org. veteran, have a family member who their families, for some it’s
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COMMITTEE REPORTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 devastating. Because of this, they they all need us. Not just their -defunct “Technology Committee,” will need our help, support and families’ help, but ours as well. or Tech Team, briefly managed the understanding for a long time to Make sure you reach out and website. And, since 2003 I have come. see how they’re doing and help been the Tribe’s volunteer Coming home them feel like they’re a part of our webmaster. Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome world. Get them involved with our In 1995 I taught myself how to (PTSD), Alcoholism, Divorce and the Tribal Community. build websites so I could publish my slim chances of employment, once And make sure they are not left writing on the web. And, for a few they get out of the service, are to themselves. When someone feels years, I had one of the most widely problems our young warriors and alone with their problems, they read websites in the world because their families face together on a sometimes feel those problems are it was one of the very few that had daily basis. bigger than they really are. Let’s any regularly updated articles on it. Many of them don’t know how not let that happen. Time for a professional to face these problems. It’s hard to Tribe can help It was never my goal to be a talk to their parents about these One way you can help is to call our professional webmaster, and by things and their friends can’t relate Cowlitz Council member Mike Caso 2000 I stopped trying to keep up to what they’ve seen, done and at 360-457-0579 or just call the with the changes in technology. But experienced. Tribal office at 360-577-8140 and when the Tribe needed a better The Veteran Groups try, but it’s let them know of your sons or website I stepped up to fill the need, not easy for our active duty warriors daughters service. That way, we though it was always understood to join these groups. First of all, can work together to help our active that the day would come when I they’re still active duty and when or recently active duty warriors feel would be replaced by a professional. they get out of the service, they’re at home again. That day has come. At my looking to put those experiences Contact information is request, the website was placed on behind them. important, because we all want to the agenda for the April 2011 Tribal So our warriors keep their help. We need to know how to get Council meeting, and we discussed thoughts and feelings inside a hold of them. several issues. A number of Council themselves. Many times, those Personal connection members expressed concerns about become demons that force them to This subject is near and dear to my my limited skills, and the question make life choices they normally family and me. My son Ian is a was asked why I don’t use more up- wouldn’t. We’ve all heard the Sergeant in the Marine Corp and is to-date tools. stories of suicide, homelessness, currently deployed to Afghanistan. It has never been my intention divorce and diminished work careers This is his third deployment in four to do that. I have a day job working that our returning warriors struggle years. As a Heavy Machine gunner for the State of Washington, and in with when they get home. in an Infantry Battalion he has now addition to my volunteer work on Toll on families seen a little of over two years of Tribal Council, and other boards and Families of deployed service combat in two different wars. He’ll committees, I write, keep current on members also carry a heavy burden. need all the help we can give him leading edge longevity and health Each day, worrying about their when he gets home. (not to be confused with “health son or daughter can take its’ toll. care,” which is a euphemism for Alcoholism and drug abuse are “sickness care”), I spend a lot of hidden ways for parents to lessen time researching and making WEBSITE investments, and I look forward to the stress. They need our help and Rod Van Mechelen, Webmaster understanding as well. working with my best friend to That’s where we come in as a produce movies about natives, Tribal family. Each time one of our starting with a biopic of Jim Thorpe, warriors comes home, make sure Time for a change I have a magazine concept in they’re welcomed. Whether it’s on The time has come for a new development, and much more. a leave or getting out of the service, webmaster. dAVe Burlingame was the Tribe’s first webmaster, the long Continued on Page 12 Page 12
YOOYOOLAH! DEPARTMENT REPORTS Website-Continued CULTURAL RESOURCES Several years ago when Tribal dAVe Burlingame, Director Council appointed me to take over as webmaster, I made a solemn promise to Chairman John Barnett Sweat Lodge that I would remain webmaster and I want to start off talking about the Sweat Lodge on our property near the I- act as gatekeeper to maintain the 5 Vader exit. The Lodge has seen some rough times lately, and needs to be integrity of the Tribal website, rebuilt; it has become unsafe to use. To that end, one of our Elders has ensuring that it was never used for taken the blankets off the Lodge, disassembled the frame, and smoothed the political purposes and held to a high ground over. Once the weather allows, when the sap is right, the Lodge will standard, until either we found be rebuilt. Let me know if you're interested in helping rebuild the Lodge or somebody better to replace me or just want to learn about the Sweat in general, and I'll make sure you're the Tribal Council relieved me. notified when the time comes. At the April 2011 meeting, Tribal Another concern with our Lodge is the difficulty in having enough wood Council voted to relieve me. By the on hand so people can sweat; many times have people ventured down to time you read this, we may have the Property only to find there is not enough—or any—wood to start a fire. already found a replacement. The Therefore, I would ask that people donate wood or funds to purchase wood transition will be an orderly one. It so there will always be an adequate supply. Please contact me if you can has been a privilege to serve as this help out in any capacity. Tribe’s webmaster, and I will give my enthusiastic support to help 12-14 October —Ed and I attended the State/Tribal transportation whoever replaces me get quickly up conference at Tulalip. Among the topics covered were employment to speed. opportunities for Tribal members and cultural resources issues. At one of the Bright future sessions I asked if any Native plant guidelines in the state had been The future of the Cowlitz Indian produced in consultation with any Tribal government or organization; the Tribe is bright, I see a day when all answer was "No". the people of the world will look to Cowlitz Country as a shining 18 October —We hosted the Oregon Department of Transportation in one of example of what an Indian tribe can our regularly scheduled meetings to discuss upcoming ODOT projects. We do, and the majority of our Tribal also discussed mitigation banking opportunities. members will once again call Cowlitz Country “home.” (Rod, A note of 21 October —Ed and I traveled to the Portland Yacht Club to discuss thanks for many years of diligent museum plans and opportunities. The group sought our advice regarding service as our webmaster, thanks appropriate historical displays and input, given our presence on the again. - Bill Iyall) Columbia. While funding, planning, and construction are still years away, it's still exciting to know we can have a big part in the outcome as well as having our concerns represented. Tribal Veterans 13 November —I flew to DC to participate in a couple panels regarding our We would like to compile a list of successful participation in the NAGPRA (Native American Graves Protection our Cowlitz Veterans who were and Repatriation Act) process—namely the forming of the Intertribal Killed in action, Prisoners of war, Consortium that sought the return of Ancestors who were unearthed during and who have passed away. the construction of Interstate 5. The first panel I sat on was a bust; the Please send in their names and all time was taken up by Federal agencies congratulating themselves on what a military information on these brave great job they were doing, without the two Native speakers being given a Warriors to: chance to relate their ponts of view. The second panel afforded me an Mike Caso, Administrator opportunity to tell how well our project went, and I touched a little on the Cowlitz Indian Tribe respect consistently denied our Elders… P.O. Box 2547 Longview, WA 98632 Page 13
DEPARTMENT REPORTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1
15 November —Lower Columbia College, as part of 9 February—Smelt Ceremony: After conferring with Native American Heritage month, hosted a "Native the Chairman, Ed, and Nathan, I was instructed to American Day" on their Longview campus. Roy gave a contact Guy Norman from Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) and presentation, Robert demonstrated his woodworking, inform him of our intention to dip for Smelt on the and drum group members performed. Cowlitz River on Feb. 9. The Chair and Mr. Norman agreed the Tribe could take Eulachon under the Tribe's 29 November —Several members of the Columbia River Endangered Species Act (ESA) grant, as long as the fish Crossing (CRC) project met with us to discuss the latest first went to the Natural Resource Department (NRD) for developments, namely, at the Chairman's behest, the processing. The end result is the Tribe has around 80 status of the proposed waterfront park being planned Eulachon for the Smelt Celebration on 6 March. beneath the bridge. The City of Vancouver is heading up the park project, with advice from CRC. 17 February—CRC: I went to the Columbia River Crossing Tribal Leadership meeting, as the Chairman and 18 January —I met with Rose Bowman, Treasurer of Taylor had other commitments. The talk centered mostly Centralia (we know each other from previous meetings) around the progress of the project, with an opportnity to discuss the installation of new tennis courts and for Tribes to voice concerns, which ranged from the associated structures near the current ball fields by the effectiveness of ground penetrating radar (GPR) to the middle school. We had requested an archaeological "fluidity" of the area of potential effect (APE). survey, and I explained it could take forms other than a full-blown dig. We discussed the failure that is Opus, and 22 February—Camas: Ed and Nathan met with Rick the "unboundaried" Mellen Street site that still has no McClure of the US Forest Service to discuss the possible defined borders. Ms. Bowman resolved to keep us in the reintroduction of Camas at Chelatchie Prairie. Topics loop as the project moves forward. Update: Centralia included possible funding sources and site preperation contracted with an archaeological firm who has since (invasive species management). performed a study on the site and found an isolate, corroborating our concern about site borders. 24 February—Newaukum Bridge: Ed traveled to the I also wrote a letter of support for the city of Mossyrock Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation as it moves forward with a grant designed to enable the (DAHP) to discuss the draft Memorandum of Agreement building of a community center near a former cemetery with WSDOT, DAHP, Lewis County, and FHWA. As you that contained many Cowlitz and community members. may recall, the rebuild of the bridge over the Newaukum Most, if not all remains have been removed from the River on Jackson Highway hit a snag when a previously cemetery and relocated in other grounds (including the unknown archaeological site was discovered. While the Kinswa family cemetery), and Mossyrock wants to particular resources were cared for, the county ensure proper attention and respect is paid to the Tribe destroyed other resources in the project. The process is and its People. ongoing.
14 January —Nathan and I went to a Mr. Bob Cramer's 6 March—Smelt Celebration: The weather was residence. His land, located in Longview, contains a unexpectedly nice; enhancing what was already a great landmark known as Huntington Rock, which was once a Celebration. Singing, dancing, and drumming were all skyward-reaching column of basalt that stretched some part of the event allowing us to thank the Eulachon for 70 feet into the air. It has since (in the 1970s) been making the journey, to show the Cowlitz has not reduced by blasting to a form that stands between 20 forgotten the swimmers. As many as 70 people showed, and 30 feet. Mr. Cramer has had some difficulty with including invited guest Guy Norman. trespassers claiming the rock holds great spiritual power, and they have repeatedly accessed the rock and ignored Thank you for your time. his "no trespassing" signs. Mr. Cramer contacted the dAVe Burlingame, Director, Cultural Resources Tribe to elicit our help in resolving the situation. At some 360.577.6962 point in the near future we will be granted access to the 360.508.1677 (cell) formation to try to determine the cultural relevance of [email protected] the rock. Page 14
YOOYOOLAH! DEPARTMENT REPORTS
There may be another grant insulation under a new metal roof ENROLLMENT opportunity this spring that would and closing gaps that have Randy Russell, Enrollment Officer allow the program to expand to decreased the efficiency of the serve people who have been victims heating and air conditioning system. of other sorts of crimes. Pathways The project would also largely Enrollment Criteria to Healing Program Manager Debbie complete the energy conservation Our current enrollment criteria, Medeiros also provides advice to improvements in the building that effective 01/01/2006, are: Applicant other Northwest Tribes interested in were done last year with federal must be a lineal descendant of a starting or improving their stimulus funds, with Mike Iyall Cowlitz Indian, Applicant must have programs. managing the project. Under that a parent (mother/father) on Cowlitz DOJ Grant grant, we were able to replace the Tribal Roll and Applicant shall be no In 2008, the Tribe received a two- exterior doors, all windows, and the older than 12 months of age. year DOJ grant to plan and interior lighting. We also had the Updates implement a Tribal Court, and Tribal heating and air conditioning units revamped or replaced and We have enrolled 35 infants Attorney Phil Harju and Legal improvements made to the since our Fall Newsletter went to Analyst Tessa Cohen have been ductwork. The lighting changes print, 11 in October 2010 and 24 in working to draft legal code to allowed the Tribe to receive a March 2011. The enrollment office present to Tribal Council. Some significant rebate from Cowlitz PUD. has been advised of the deaths of form of an Elders Council and 16 tribal members September 01, possibly a more formal Tribal Court DOT Grants 2010 – March 15, 2011. are part of the project's The Washington State Department Please try to remember to recommendations. The Tribe did of Transportation should be advise the tribal office when you not get a 2010 DOJ grant for the announcing grant awards soon for have a change of mailing address. Tribe's emerging justice system, but transit services. The Tribal we have applied for 2011-2014 Transportation Department has funds to enhance the Tribe's justice applied for operating funds for the GRANTS PROGRAM system. transit program and to purchase an We have also submitted another all-wheel drive vehicle that will be Jan Healy, Grant Writer application to the U.S. Department useful in icy-road situations. of Health and Human Services Salmon Recovery Fund (HHS), Administration for Native The Tribe's Natural Resources Pathways to Healing Americans, for a grant to conduct Department restoration biologist Since my last grants report to you, comprehensive planning for the Rudy Salakory is hopeful that the it has been six months of long Tribe. Our previous application Tribe's proposal for salmon and winter and rainy early spring. I will didn't convince reviewers that steelhead habitat restoration will get fill you in on developments. One of enough members of the Tribe funding through the Pacific Coastal our successes was a grant for supported a big planning project— Salmon Recovery Fund (part of the another three years of funding from efforts have been more based in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric the U.S. Department of Justice Tribe's departments—but we now Administration, National Marine (DOJ) for the Tribe's Pathways to have more evidence of broad Fisheries Service). Besides funding Healing program. The program support, and will emphasize about five restoration projects to advocates help American Indian and developing youth projects as part of benefit salmon and steelhead, the Alaska Native people who have been the planning process. grant would allow the Tribe to victims of domestic violence and/or DOE Grant develop a unique plan for choosing sexual assault. Another two-year The U.S. Department of Energy is future projects. grant from Washington State's considering the Tribe's request for HHS Electronic Files Office of Crime Victims Advocacy an energy efficiency grant to replace We are about to start the third year focuses on advocacy for victims of most of the roof on the Tribe's office of a grant from the HHS, Indian sexual assault and this year we will building in Longview. The project Health Service, to shift from paper emphasize prevention activities, too. includes installing solid foam Page 15
DEPARTMENT REPORTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 files and reports to electronic health records (computerized files) in the HEALTH & HUMAN Tribal clinic, including for mental SERICES health therapy, and later for the Todd Bratton chemical dependency treatment program. Services This is a major effort requiring Over the past several years, the Health Board and Health and Human staff training and it will streamline Services Department have been engaged in ongoing discussions about the recordkeeping and could lead to future of the department and the health programs offered by the Cowlitz improvements in patient care. Indian Tribe. The Tribe currently offers several programs including: Primary Elders Nutrition Medical Care, Mental Health Services, Alcohol and Chemical Dependency We also expect to receive another Services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault three years of funding from HHS, Advocacy, Indian Child Welfare and Senior Nutrition. In 2011, the Tribe Administration on Aging, for Elders provides these services from the following locations: nutrition (group meals and home- delivered meals) and support for Longview Seattle Vancouver Toledo Elders' caregivers. Medical X Canoe Grants Mental X X X As in years past, we've applied for a grant from the Potlatch Fund in Health Seattle, to help cover costs for the Alcohol/CD X X Cowlitz Canoe Family to take part in the annual Intertribal Canoe Journey DVSA X X in mid-July. Senior X X This year, it's the "Paddle to Swinomish". The Canoe Family's Nutrition been active in fundraising, too, such Voc. Rehab X X as preparing and selling meals during Eatonville's Fourth of July Child X weekend, plus crafts and t-shirt Welfare sales, and raffle tickets. Language Grant Growth to continue Another cultural grant we've applied The Health and Human Services Department is not done growing. The for, from the organization Native Health Board has already asked the Department to conduct feasibility Languages of the Americas, would studies regarding Dental, Pharmacy, and Lab. These studies are currently fund a series of 18 monthly classes underway, though there is no easy way to provide these services without in the Chinook Jargon language. additional funding. There is high interest from Tribal One important program the department has been able to expand is members, based on a survey mental health. Last summer the Tribe began to operate a mental health conducted last winter. program in Seattle. Tribal Council approved the program as long as the Roy Wilson would teach the department could operate it without losses. After some initial classes, using his new compilation implementation issues, that program has taken off and revenues are of Jargon dictionaries, a phrase exceeding expenditures by a good margin. This is good news for Tribal book, and compact disc recordings Members and other American Indians and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) from the to guide pronunciation. Seattle area who need access to Mental Health Services. Several Tribes have extended their appreciation to the Cowlitz Indian Tribe for stepping up to provide these services, and the Tribe should be proud to sanction this good work.
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YOOYOOLAH! DEPARTMENT REPORTS HHS-Continued Internet access HOUSING The Toledotel grant to provide The Seattle mental health Gary Lowe, Services Manager training, internet access & laptop program is an example of how the computers is in full swing. Classes department will work with the began at the first of the year and Health Board to manage growth. As Assistance will continue for the next 18 months Cowlitz Indian Tribal Housing (CITH) financially viable, the department to qualifying tribal members. provides direct monetary assistance will seek ways to enhance, expand, Toledotel will soon be reaching out to an average of 150 households per and create programs which promote to tribal households in Thurston, month, plus rehab work to an an optimal level of health for Tribal Lewis, & Cowlitz counties urging average of 5 tribal member homes Members and other AI/AN from the households who have not already each month. The need for mortgage area. Unfortunately there are not done so to sign up for this great and foreclosure counseling is rising large pots of money out there right program. every month and is provided to any now to immediately add dental, Heating pharmacy and lab services. The tribal member who calls Sheryl Bertucci at 360-864-7019. CITH has installed a new propane need for these services is well heating system in the gym to understood, and Tribal Members can Construction replace the boiler ruined in a flood The Membrane Bioreactor plant for trust that we are working on ways caused by a broken pipe. to add these and other services. St. Mary’s has been built and is awaiting installation in a new Longhouse Self-governance The tribe asked CITH to apply for an The Tribe’s primary health contract building provided by Lewis County. CITH Executive Director Larry Coyle ICDBG grant to build a longhouse on with IHS was recently converted to St. Mary’s land. CITH paid a grant a Self Governance compact after worked out a sweet deal with the county to locate the plant on county writer to submit a grant request for several years of planning. Self the maximum of $500,000, with Governance will allow the Tribe to property, thereby avoiding a sewage treatment facility on St. Mary’s land. Housing contributing matching funds utilize funding in a more flexible to make the grant acceptable to manner within the health programs. Survey HUD. We did not receive the grant In October we sent out a survey to The Health Board is currently and will try for it again this year; all tribal households, and the wrapping up strategic planning and however news reports indicate that responses are still trickling in 4 beginning to have discussions about the Federal Government is cutting months later! CITH would like to say needs for infrastructure, facilities, back or eliminating Community a big THANK YOU to the 250 + services, and more. Block Grant Funds, so our longhouse households who took the time to fill New clinic is on hold till funding is procured. The completion of the new facility in out and return the surveys!! The intention of the survey was to get Recognition Day Longview is a major milestone for A celebration of Cowlitz Recognition opinions from ALL tribal members the Tribe. News about the grand Day was held February 13th, 2011 opening and ceremonies will be about our housing services and to collect fresh data on the NEEDS of at St. Mary’s. Many eagles nest in announced soon, but the move will the area, and on this day at least 3 start in the next several weeks. This Cowlitz Tribal members how so we can better serve our people. of the majestic birds circled will not be the last new health overhead as members and guests facility for the Cowlitz Indian Tribe. Fire Extinguishers arrived. The Tribe’s members are dispersed CITH is delighted to report that we across western Washington and provided automatic over the stove Housing Services Available Cowlitz Indian Tribal Housing offers beyond. With direction from the fire extinguishers to more than 200 a wide range of services to Tribal Tribal Council and Health Board, the tribal homes in Nov. & Dec 2010. members. We have a beautiful Elder department is ready to start The extinguishers were sent to tribal housing facility at St. Mary’s in expanding services to meet Tribal homes as far away as Florida and Toledo, Washington, situated in a Members’ needs. Thank you for the New York! If you would still like to pleasant rural setting with sweeping opportunity to serve you now and in order a set you can call Bob views of Mt. Rainer and Mt. St. the future! Bouchard at 360-864-7000. Page 17
DEPARTMENT REPORTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 HUMAN RESOURCES Nancy Osborne, THRP, Director
Sharing office space With limited space most departments have not had the ability to expand. Those that have been approved to add staff at the Longview offices have done so by sharing office space, phones and so Zoomed view of Mount St. Helen’s as seen from St. Mary’s Center, photo by Rod Van Mechelen on. Once the new clinic is open we will have space to expand and to seek additional funding for new Helens. If you are a low income $500.00 per month maximum as staff. Elder you may qualify for one of the our Standard Rental Assistance apartments at St. Mary’s. For more Program, but there is no six month New positions added information on our Elder housing limit on assistance. Since the last newsletter the new positions we have added were facility, please call Bob Bouchard at Rehab & repairs Eulachon (Smelt) Biologist, two 360-864-7007. We also do rehab and repairs on Fisheries Technicians, Medical Biller, Tribal members homes. From roofs In the market? Executive Administrative Assistant Thinking of buying a home? We can to foundations and everything in (Longview HHS), Chemical offer up to $20,000 in down between our skilled carpenters can Dependency Clinical Supervisor, payment assistance to Tribal do it all. Mental Health Receptionist/ members who meet our eligibility Water & septic problems Administrative Assistant (Seattle), standards and who qualify for a Water, septic, or sewer line Mental Health Therapist Extern home loan. problems? We work with Indian (Seattle), Fill in/on call Receptionist, Need temporary assistance? Health Service to fix any water or Psychiatric, ARNP (Longview), and If you need temporary assistance to sanitation problem you may be Accounts Payable Clerk. get you through a tough time we having. Cowlitz Indian Tribal We still have not posted to hire can help with your rent or mortgage Housing facilitates the application the two Administrative Assistant payments for a maximum of six process for you and Indian Health positions approved by Tribal Council months at a maximum of $500.00 Service does all assessment, at the December 4, 2010 meeting. per month. engineering, repairs, or Watch the website replacement. Student rental assistance Please check the Cowlitz website for Our Student Rental Assistance Limitations any future job postings. I would Program is for full time students (12 All of our programs, with the recommend checking at least once a credits or full time equivalent) who exception of Student Rental week, as we never know when a need help paying their rent while Assistance, are limited to the State position will be available. they are in school. We can pay a of Washington, and all programs are All job postings are posted on maximum of $350.00 per month in subject to other eligibility criteria. the website for seven (7) days. If rental assistance for as long as Contact us the Director/Program Manager feels students are enrolled. To find out if you qualify for housing there were not enough qualified Rent & Mortgage assistance services please call us at applicants then the position is Elders (62 and over) and disabled 360.864.8720, mail us at PO Box posted out to other media sources. Tribal members may qualify for 219 Toledo WA 98591 or e-mail rental or mortgage assistance as Gary Lowe, Housing Services well. This program has the same Manager: [email protected] Page 18
YOOYOOLAH! DEPARTMENT REPORTS
This treaty between Canada and the Columbia River. The Bonneville Power NATURAL RESOURCES United States over the management of Administration is close to funding our Taylor Aalvik, Director all the dams and water on the Columbia ability to bring large restoration projects River is nearing a point where there is a forward to be implemented. We are great potential for it to be amended. working to acquire additional lands for The tribes with our direct conservation purposes and are exploring Smelt Research underway involvement are working hard to have options of mitigation banking as a The Natural Resources Department has ecosystem function as an important natural resources business venture. We begun and is well underway on a smelt component of a future treaty provision. submitted for a multi-million dollar grant research program. We are poised to take Currently, the US and Canada primarily to do additional salmon restoration and the lead in future knowledge and manage for flood control and power associated salmon restoration management for their recovery. We production, which has done considerable coordination efforts throughout the continue to work with the US Fish and damage to salmon, and other natural region through the National Marine Wildlife Service’s Abernathy fish resources and creates a big problem Fisheries Service. If funded, it will technology center in research projects towards restoration efforts. This process greatly improve the tribe’s capacity and on understanding the science of how of pushing for a better managed river status in the region as a major player they spawn, rear, and other scientific system will be long and arduous, towards looking after the health, details of the needs for their survival. perhaps as much as two decades. The sustainability, and overall positive future Once we secure additional infrastructure tribes are being very proactive and of natural resources in the region. to house the program, we plan on diligent to see positive changes in the Copper Mine Concerns developing our own laboratory, and future and are very committed to see it The department has been looking closely research projects in regards to better through. There are plans to take the at a number of concerns in our region. understanding smelt. We have plans to issue to Washington DC in Mid-May. We One is the issue of potential copper expand our smelt program and foresee plan to be a part of this concern for mining in the Mt. St. Helens area. There many future opportunities to work years to come as the health of our is a company planning to test drill for towards their restoration. Currently, we salmon resources and habitat of the gold, copper, silver, etc on National are also studying smelt larvae which are Lower Columbia River Estuary within our Forest lands. It is a difficult, complex, making their way to the ocean. homelands are at stake. and concerning situation. If mining was White-tailed Deer Huckleberry Restoration ever developed, it could have serious After successfully transferring We are well underway on planning consequences and long-lasting damages endangered Columbian White-tailed deer efforts with the US Forest Service and of the environment. to Cottonwood Island last fall, we are the Pinchot Partners on a Huckleberry Mining practices are well known for beginning plans to follow up with an restoration project. We recently the damages that they do. If brought additional work. There continues to be a submitted for a grant to assist in future here, it would bring another concern and need to monitor the transferred deer and implementation of increasing huckleberry potential environmental devastation to add to their numbers. This work is resources in the Gifford Pinchot National the region. We will be seeking formal important to re-establish them above Forest. After the planning faze this consultation with the BLM in the Longview, WA, particularly to raise the summer, we have to do an permitting issues. We plan to work population to a point where inbreeding Environmental Assessment and hopefully closely with tribal leadership as we move concerns and other health issues do not be ready to implement projects during forward. become a problem. Our program the summer of 2012. On a related We are also addressing issues successfully developed a new protocol on matter, the Forest Service is looking to concerning restoration of salmon in the how to handle the deer in a delicate way change rules on how they implement Cowlitz River. Plans are to push for where no harm comes to them as part of there management protocols. We are additional reforms in the management of our management strategy. There is also participating in the development of these salmon at both the hatcheries and habitat improvement plans needed to be future rules which would hopefully transporting concerns. We continue to developed to improve the value of feed increase our influence in getting push for better alternatives and protocol for these deer. Funding for future efforts improved management of the forest and on getting the fish above the dams in an is a focal point for this program and we to further recognize the sacred resources efficient manner. are turning over many stones to find the tribes need protection over. adequate resources to continue this very Funding Staff has been very busy and doing a important work. Salmon Habitat Restoration We continue to build upon our salmon wonderful job on finding new sources of Columbia River Treaty habitat restoration program with a set of funds and keeping very important We continue to be a proud partner with new projects in the works for the Lewis projects and programs alive. Tribal 14 other Columbia Basin Tribes in River. Plans are underway to tackle Council has adopted a very broad and regards to the Columbia River Treaty. potentially large projects on the extensive strategic plan which calls for Page 19
DEPARTMENT REPORTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 considerable expansion for the future. It is planned for us to become a leading role in the future health of our environment. There are many day-to-day activities we continue to implement. Please contact me for additional information.
To learn more, contact Taylor Aalvik : 360-575-3306; [email protected]
TRANSPORTATION Kim Stube, Program Manager Clinic Phase III-A Complete As of March 15 th Phase III – A of the Clinic/Admin Project is complete. We had some difficult weather to work New Tribal Clinic in Longview, WA, photo by Kim Stube through trying to do this part of the project in the winter months. As the project started with all the mud and qualified riders in the Winlock, Toledo concrete tore up it was hard to imagine and surrounding areas of Lewis County. YOUTH how beautiful the final product would be. Cassandra Sellards-Reck I know the tribe will enjoy the fire pit Funding continues Vice Chair, Interim Youth The Transit Program has been awarded Board and all the native plants surrounding it. another year of funding through the I am now putting the final touches Federal Transit Administration/Tribal on the scope of work and budget for Transportation Program FY 2010 for Schedule of Events Phase III-B which is the Administrative The Cowlitz Youth Department provides $373,658. We currently have applied for parking area and the complete overlay of this List of Cowlitz Youth Gatherings that a continuing grant application with the whole area, lighting and new are sponsored by the tribe from around WSDOT to sustain existing service and landscaping in the parking lot and access the Northwest. Many of these th th an expansion capital and operating for road between 9 and 11 street. I will gatherings are being scheduled in FY 2011-2013. I hope to hear by the be adding approximately $45,000 to conjunction with other tribal event. We middle of May if these 3 grants have cover change orders recommended by been awarded to the tribe. the BIA Northwest Region. This part will With the WSDOT sustaining existing January 15 Plank house Gathering start up on June 1 st due to the required service grant I have put funding for a February 13 Cowlitz Recognition Celebration temperature for the overlay and is a 20 March 6 Smelt Ceremony web page for the department. This is a calendar day’s contract. March Cedar gathering Trip much need service to help our tribal April 5-9 Spring Break Gathering Reserve-A-Ride Contract members with transit and to keep up on April 23 Red Heart Band Ceremony May 21 Kelso Powwow The Transit Program now has a Medicaid construction projects and will be posting June 4 Youth Day/GC Meeting and Reserve-A-Ride contract with Human RFP’s to the Cowlitz Tribe existing web June 3-5 Cowlitz Encampment and 1st Service Council out of Vancouver which page and transits web page. Salmon Ceremony July 13-31 Cowlitz Canoe Journey covers Cowlitz and Clark counties. This New Phone Numbers August 15-19 Summer Camp contract is a reimbursement of qualified August 30-Sept. 3 Huckleberry Camp riders that comes back to the Kim Stube 360-636-4444 Sept 30-Oct 2 Northwest Native American Becky Morton 360-636-4523 Weavers Conference Transportation Department. The October 27 October Gathering department is currently working with the November 5 Youth Day/GC Meeting broker that services Lewis and Thurston November 19 Thanksgiving Gathering December 17 Christmas Winter Gathering counties so we can get reimbursed for Continued on Page 20 Page 20
YOOYOOLAH! DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Youth-Continued them priceless attention and we are so Native Basketweavers Conference in grateful for the work he puts in. October. If your teen is interested they will have Cowlitz bus available for Another goal of the Youth need to come to the summer gathering transportation. Departments is to be able to teach our and participate to show us their interest. **Health Summit Youth Conference youth the traditional teachings and We will start a list of those who are through the Northwest Portland Area cultural activities that our Cowlitz thrived interested. This conference is focused on Indian Health Board in Portland- in the on since the beginning of time. We want youth and preserving the cedar art. This summer the date is to be announced to be able to offer ceremonial activities, is so important to our people and ***There are always gatherings traditional events like Huckleberry history. with the Drum Group and Canoe Family picking, the Cowlitz Canoe Journey, and Darlene Rhodes with the help of that are open to all youth who are Cowlitz youth gatherings at St. Mary’s. other volunteers has started another interested. Please contact Cassy for Health education and prevention garden at St. Mary’s and there will be more information. teachings are instrumental in growing teachings of our traditional plants and We have a beautiful group of Cowlitz our people. Improving the health status values. The youth will be able to work in Youth. It is such a blessing and privilege of our youth by promoting wellness and the soil and help grow the plants that to be able to work with and them. We reinforcing the healthy choices is another were started at the Spring Break have been able to increase the number goal we share with the Cowlitz Health gathering. of events that we will be offering to the and Human Services Department. We This is just a small snap shot of youth in 2011. The largest of these are are so grateful to have many of the staff what we are working on for the summer the Canoe Journey and August willing to come to camp to share and gathering. So stay tuned to the website. Gathering. We will be offering teach their knowledge and skills with our The youth are currently working on a transportation thanks to the Cowlitz youth. We understand that our youth Cowlitz Youth Program website Transportation Department. They have learn by doing so we provide as much www.cowlitzyouth.com they will manage opened up their fleet and generously hands on as possible. We have a with adult supervision of the Youth work with us to be able to assist us with Nutritionist coming this year to teach Department. So look for that it! getting the Youth all over the Northwest. and play Food Bingo with all our kids. In 2011 we are focused on The thought is to expand our reaches all There is drumming and dancing empowering our Youth. We are over the Northwest. We want to be a every first Thursday in Longview and the currently forming a youth group which is part of our Native family. We are striving second and third Thursdays are at St. dedicated to helping develop some though these events to create a Cowlitz Mary’s. The Drum Group that is family policies, By-laws, website and events. community for our youth to interact focused and all are welcome. We always We want to work with them and have grow and learn. have great food so just bring your drum. them invested in everything we do. With the help of the many Tribal At the Summer Break Gathering this The next seven generations are programs the Youth Department has year we are excited to be able to start what we are dedicated to improving. been able to grow from a couple of working with our teens on making their The Tribal Council has approved an gathering a year to meeting weekly for regalia (dance blankets), cedar weaving, interim Youth Department Board. We drumming, monthly for Youth beading, wool and fiber weaving, wood are looking for people to come and help Department meetings, events and carving, health education, cultural us do the work. This is such a rewarding gatherings. The Health and Human knowledge, language, history, drug and way to get involved with your Tribe. We Services (HHS) and Cultural Department alcohol prevention and even some will have upcoming Board meetings have been instrumental in being able to education encouragement and personal announced on the Cowlitz website and provide funding and support. Many of fiancé. Cowlitz Youth website. Tentatively we the staff from HHS programs like, Elders Our little ones gain so much by are trying to meet the 3 rd Friday of every Program, Alcohol Chemical Dependency being a part of all we do. Watching month. The location will be announced. program, Pathways to Healing, Health them grow and be able to participate in Please contact us to donate financial Education and Voc Rehab has been able all we do is amazing. We have so many support, supplies, ideas, and volunteer. to come to the gatherings and educate activities for our little ones that they are Contact us if you want to get your family our Youth. It really does take a village! able to partner and learn. involved at any event. The goal of the Youth Department is Working with the cedar continues to Respectfully Submitted, to be able to have our youth learn from be a focus for our youth. Cedar is sacred Cassandra Sellards Reck our Elders. The Elders have so much to and was essential to way of life. At each Contact Information for the Youth offer our youth. The knowledge, values, gathering we are able to teach those Department history, culture and teachings they have who haven’t had any experience to start Cassandra Sellards Reck 1-360-513- to offer are priceless. Grandfather Roy weaving. Many of our youth are able to 1243 has been tirelessly giving and teaching teach other youth how to start weaving. Patty Kinswa-Gaiser 1-360-520- Cowlitz history, stories and language at This is an amazing sight. We will be 2578 almost every event we have. He gives taking a small group to the Northwest Darlene Rhodes 1-360-846-5088 Page 21
DEPARTMENT REPORTS ANNOUNCEMENTS VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 DRUM GROUP DUES ARE DUE EDUCATION Cassandra Sellards-Reck Jess Groll, Tribal Treasurer PROGRAMS Debbie Medeiros, Tribal Council Your dues are important! Cowlitz Drum Group It’s time to send in your Tribal dues! Kelso and Longview Indian Education Title VII Programs Everyone’s invited to Drum with the Dues are used to pay for expenses Indian Education Programs, located Cowlitz Drum Group. Families and that cannot be covered by grants, in the Longview and Kelso School Children are Welcome contracts, D218 income and indirect st Districts offer many features to help We meet every 1 Thursday at reimbursement. the Longview Clinic office. students in academic and social This year will be tighter than ever as The second and third Thursday settings, as well as strengthening our Docket 218 income is being of the month we meet at St. Mary’s pride in their rich Native heritage. used up at a rate that we have in Toledo. Indian Education is a federally never experienced before and the Please call Cassy at: 1-360-513- funded program participation pressure for Cultural activity 1243 or Steve at: 1-360-731-2885. requires being registered in your exceeds our funding. Dues are $10 Visit the Tribal website and check district as well as a signed “506 per adult, $5 for children and the calendar for drumming form”, to be kept on file in the seniors. locations. Indian Ed offices. This form is a Send your dues to: declaration of Indian heritage, Cowlitz Indian Tribe listing the tribe, and enrollment of a Food Voucher Program P.O. Box 2547 relative – no further back that The Food Voucher program is now Longview, WA 98632 grandparent. up and running since June.
It is also for any tribal member that Services Offerings include one on one resides in the State of Washington TWELFTH ANNUAL POWWOPOWWOWW tutoring, culture classes, parent and is low income and it does help Honoring the Spirit of All meetings, newsletters and many out our Tribal members. Cowlitz People other resources and events. Contact Your students enrollment, To apply, contact Carolee Morris at whether he/she actively participates 360-575-3300 at the Cowlitz Indian in the program or not, will help Tribal Office. make it possible for others to do so, as funding is directly related to the Low Income Home Energy number of students with a form on Assistance Program file in the Indian Education Offices. (LIHEAP) For information or forms The new program year for LIHEAP contact: starts October 1, 2010. St. Mary's Center Kelso School District 107 Spencer Road Toledo Shelley Hamrick—360-501-1655 Any tribal member that resides in Washington 98591 the State of Washington who is low Longview School District income may apply. Saturday September 24, 2011 Judy Duff—360-423-6741 Contact Grand Entry: 1pm, 7pm Carolee Morris at 360-575-3300 at Salmon Dinner: 5pm the Cowlitz Indian Tribal Office. Newsletter Submissions Dance Competition The newsletter is prepared by the This program certainly helps our Special Guests: Jeff Guidry Communications Committee. Send Tribal families. and Bald Eagle Freedom comments & submissions to [email protected] Page 22
YOOYOOLAH! TRIBAL COUNCIL & COMMITTEES General Council Officers Canoe Committee—continued Chair: William Iyall 253-677-4833 Linda O’Brien Mark Anderson Term expires 2012 Mike Caso Debbie Russell Vice Chair: Phil Harju 360-957-3036 Robert Harju Melody Pfeifer Term Expires 2011 Secretary: Nancy Osborne 360-623-5675 Communications Committee Term Expires 2012 Rod Van Mechelen, Chair 360-480-7093 Treasurer: Jess Groll 360-508-1350 Phil Harju Celine Cloquet Term Expires 2011 Elissa Washuta Mike Caso Executive Council Cowlitz Country Bulletin William Iyall, GC Chair 253-677-4833 Rod Van Mechelen [email protected] Phil Harju, GC Vice Chair 360-957-3036 Nancy Osborne, GC Secretary 360-623-5675 Cultural Resources Board Jess Groll, GC Treasurer 360-508-1350 Roy Wilson, Chair-for-life 360-990-4265 Steve Kutz, TC Chair 360-731-2885 Steve Kutz, Vice Chair Cassy Reck, Secretary Taylor Aalvik, TC Vice Chair 360-575-3306 Gerry Brickey Linda Foley Mike Caso, at-large 360-457-0579 Mike Caso Phil Harju Rod Van Mechelen, at-large 360-480-7093 Ed Arthur Celine Cloquet Robert Harju Rod Van Mechelen Tribal Council Patty Kinswa-Gaiser Taylor Aalvik Terms expiring 2011 Melody Pfeifer Linda Foley 206-364-6757 Cassandra Sellards-Reck 360-666-2417 Drum Group Committee Cassy Reck, Chair 360-513-1243 Karissa Lowe 360-261-4683 Steve Kutz, Vice Chair Becky Lowe, Treasurer Mike Iyall 360-456-8720 Melody Pfeifer, Secretary Lenny Bridges 360-330-5718 Debbie Medeiros 360-624-7040 Economic Development Committee Terms expiring 2012 Taylor Aalvik, Chair 360-575-3306 Larry Coyle 360-736-3482 Tim Van Mechelen, Vice Chair Steve Kutz Steve Kutz 360-731-2885 Rod Van Mechelen, Secretary Jess Groll Rod Van Mechelen 360-480-7093 Mike Caso Lenny Bridges Patty Kinswa-Gaiser 360-864-4658 Ed Arthur Robert Harju Randy Russell 360-425-4986 Karrie Monohon Dan Meyer Katherine Iyall-Vasquez 360-413-5897 Don Ryan Don Van Mechelen Terms expiring 2013 Education & Scholarships Committee Carolee Morris 360-846-5410 Mike Iyall, Chair Karissa Lowe, Vice Chair Taylor Aalvik 360-575-3306 Becky Lowe, Secretary Celine Cloquet Mike Caso 360-457-0579 Lenny Bridges David Iyall Celine Cloquet 360-268-4123 Suzanne Donaldson-Stephens Cathy Raphael 360-508-1326 Karrie Monohon 253-582-1376 Enrollment Committee Michael Caso, Chair 360-457-0579 Awards & Recognition Committee Nancy Osborne, Vice Chair Cathy Raphael, Secretary Rod Van Mechelen, Chair 360-480-7093 Ernie Donovan Lenore Monohon Bill Iyall Phil Harju Larry Coyle Melody Pfeifer Nancy Osborne Steve Kutz Daryl Cota Renee King Mike Caso Katherine Iyall-Vasquez Karen Cota Cathy Lombard Cassy Reck Debbie Medeiros Gaming Board Budget Review Committee Sonny Bridges, Chair Carolyn Medeiros, Secretary Lenny Bridges, Chair 360-330-5718 Bill Iyall Carolee Morris Pat Iyall-Barnes Katherine Iyall-Vasquez Bruce Bozsum, Mohegan Tribal Chairman David Barnett Karrie Monohon Cassy Reck Phil Harju, ad hoc member Jess Groll, ad hoc member Ed Fleisher, Gaming Atty. Canoe Committee Willie Koch, Co-Chair Health Board Steve Kutz, Co-Chair 360-731-2885 Cassy Reck, Chair 360-666-2417 Devin Reck, Vice Chair Cassy Reck, Treasurer Steve Kutz, Vice Chair Linda Foley, Secretary Rhonda Lee Grantham, Secretary Tom Fica, Head Skipper Cathy Raphael Ernie Donovan Patty Kinswa-Gaiser, Co-ground crew lead Sean Britt, Skipper John DeNobrega Patty Kinswa-Gaiser Skeet Jensen, Support Boat Skipper Teri Graves Charity Sabido-Hodges To be determined John O’Brien, Support Boat Skipper Ernie Donovan Page 23
TRIBAL COUNCIL & COMMITTEES VOLUME 13, ISSUE 1 Health Committee DEPARTMENT DIRECTORY Carolee Morris Melody Pfeifer Sheryl Bertucci Darlene Rhodes Administrative Office ...... 360-577-8140 Bill Iyall, COO ...... 253-677-4833 Housing Board [email protected] Ernie Donovan, Chair [email protected] Jess Groll, CFO ...... 360-864-7005 Sheryl Bertucci, Vice Chair Bob Bouchard, Secretary To be announced Carolee Morris [email protected] Rene King Patty Kinswa-Gaiser Carolee Morris, Administrator ...... 360-575-3300 [email protected] Parliamentarian Nancy Osborne, HR Director ...... 360-575-3302 Michael Caso [email protected] Personnel Committee Phil Harju, Tribal Attorney ...... 360-575-6222 Open for volunteers [email protected] Randy Russell, Enrollment Officer ...... 360-575-3310 Powwow Committee [email protected] Suzanne Donaldson-Stephens, Chair Larry Knutson, Vice Chair Clinic/Health Administration ...... 360-575-8277 Linda Foley, Secretary Jess Groll, Treasurer Jim Sherrill, Director of Health ...... 360-575-3307 Patty Kinswa-Gaiser Curt Stephens Lenny Bridges Jennifer Johnson [email protected] Lindsey Foley Teona Kinswa Steve Kutz, Clinic Manager ...... 360-731-2885 [email protected] Sergeant-at-Arms and Election Officers Tribal Treatment ...... 360-575-3316 Michael Caso Ed Arthur [email protected] Debbie Medeiros, PTH Program Manager ...... 360-397-8228 Veterans Administration [email protected] Michael Caso, Veterans Administrator Vocational Rehabilitation ...... 360-575-3318 Interim Youth Board [email protected] Patty Kinswa-Gaiser, Chair Cassy Reck, Vice Chair Patty Kinswa-Gaiser, Elders Program Manager .... 360-864-7006 Katherine Iyall-Vasquez, Secretary Debbie Medeiros [email protected] Claudia Tenney Sean Britt Cultural Resources ...... N/A Lenny Bridges Steve Kutz dAVe Burlingame, Cultural Resources Director .... 360-577-6962 Devin Reck [email protected] Ed Arthur, Assistant Cultural Resources Director . 360-575-3314 [email protected] Natural Resources ...... 360-575-1952 Taylor Aalvik, Natural Resources Director ...... 360-575-3306 [email protected] Tribal Housing ...... 866-254-3353 Larry Coyle, Housing Director ...... 360-864-7001 [email protected] Kim Stube, Transportation Director ...... 360-232-8526 [email protected] Miscellaneous Volunteers David Russell Fish Program ...... 360-673-2516 Roy Wilson Spiritual Leader ...... 360-990-4265 [email protected] Rod Van Mechelen, Volunteer Newsletter Editor [email protected]
For a complete Tribal Employee Directory, see the Contacts section at www.cowlitz.org
Copyright © 2011 Cowlitz Indian Tribe, All Rights Reserved Yooyoolah! is is the official news publication of the Cowlitz Indian Tribe, P.O. Box 2547 Longview, WA 98632. Submissions from Tribal members of news and views that are relevant to the Tribe are welcome. The necessity to edit for length, good taste and relevance is reserved. COWLITZ INDIAN TRIBE NONPROFIT ORG P.O. Box 2547 U.S. POSTAGE PAID 1055 9th Ave Ste B LONGVIEW, WA Longview, WA 98632 PERMIT NO. 49 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Please update your name and address! Call or write the Tribal Office: 360-577-8140; email [email protected] JUNE GENERAL COUNCIL MEETING NOTICE
The June 4, 2011 meeting will be held at the St. Mary’s Center, 107 Spencer Road in Toledo. The meeting will start at 10:00 a.m.
For those of you who have not been there, from I-5 take Exit 68, and then take Hwy 12 East to Jackson Highway, turn right at the Chevron Service station and go South approximately 6 miles. The facility is on the left. *Raffle (Please bring raffle donations)* *Potluck Dinner* Please bring the following to share according to your last name: A-G Salad H-N Hot Dish O-U Dessert V-Z Beverage Please bring enrollment card and photo identification to sign in. 10:00 a.m. June 4, 2011
7TH ANNUAL COWLITZ IINDIANNDIAN TRIBAL HEALTH WALK Saturday, September 17th, 2011 Registration starts at 9 a.m. — Walk begins at 10 a.m. Lake Sacagawea Park, Longview, WA — For details, call the Tribal Clinic 360-575-8277
12TH ANNUAL COWLITZ INDIAN POWWOW: HONORHONORINGING THE SPIRITSPIRIT OF ALL COWLITZ PEOPLE Saturday, September 24th, 2011 — See pages 8, 9 & 21 for details COWLITZ INDIAN POWWOPOWWOWW PANCAKE BREAKFAST! 7 a.m.—10 a.m. Saturday, June 4, 2011 Pancakes, Ham, Eggs, Orange Juice, Coffee $5.00 Donation Requested to support the Powwow!