The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation CHEHALIS “People of the Sands” TRIBAL NEWSLETTER July 2012 Free Tribe Honors the High School Graduating Class of 2012 Tribe Honors by Brandon High School Canales with Graduates and an intentional Families “wardrobe- Sixteen malfunction” students were freeze that recognized by had the crowd the community roaring. The Thursday, graduates were June 14 at a good sports, celebratory despite the dinner held in humiliation, their honor. and the room The Lucky grooved with Eagle Casino laughter and 2012 High School graduates wrapped in pendleton blankets pictured with the Massive Event Center was delight. Monkeys Pictured back row (L-R) are Josh Burnett, Ryan Burnett, Whitney Lewis, Gabe decorated with Higheagle, Sara Quilt, Johnathan Jack, Jr., Massive Monkey member, Brandon Canales, colorful displays The capstone Jordan Hutchinson, Victoria Parent, Alyssa Charles. and ornaments of the reflecting the celebration Youth Center Manager Tony Championships in London 2004 theme of the evening. An endless was the presentation of gifts. Medina made his yearly and have more recently appeared slide show flashed images of the Each tribal graduate received an presentation and gift to the on MTV’s “America’s Best Dance students’ days from babies to proud endowment from the Education students, most of whom he has Crew.” Led by Anna “Banana” graduates. Nearly two hundred Department which included a known since they were born. “I Freeze, the crew pumped up the members of the community were new laptop computer to use in the felt jealous because I didn’t have bass and got the crowd moving present to show their support and pursuit of further education. The a flashy red suit. I gotta get me with death-defying spins, slides, to pay tribute to the students’ one of them,” playfully mocked and body rock for which they Business Committee, represented accomplishments. All in attendance Tony, referring to the celebratory are famous. Members of the by Cheryle Starr, presented the were treated to a delectable dinner apparel donned by the evening’s crew have performed with or provided by the Lucky Eagle. Continued on page 2... MC William Thoms. “But choreographed dances seriously, tonight was the best ever. for the likes of 50-Cent, The evening opened with Language Outstanding job by everyone, from Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Coordinator Dan Penn addressing Nathan’s (Education K-12 Manager Missy Elliott, but tonight the students. He spoke of the Nathan Floth) wife who made the they unleashed the talents history of the tribe, our thousands cake, to the dance crew, to the great of our tribal community of years in this location, and the showing by the community. And graduates. Though long-held connection to the land of course, congratulations to the hesitant and embarrassed, beneath our feet. He credits this whole big group of graduates. I’m the graduates took to the longevity and resilience to the real proud of them.” stage with the Monkees, ability of our ancestors to adapt and after a brief lesson, to any situation. He encouraged The highlight of the evening was engaged in an epic dance the graduates to look into this the after-dinner entertainment battle. Josh Burnett and past, should they need to find the featuring the Massive Monkees. Ryan Burnett squared strength to overcome the obstacles The Massive Monkees are a off first, flaunting some that will surely come their way B-boy group, or break dancing wicked improvised The Education program employees throughout life. He wished them crew, from Seattle. They were floor moves. The most introduced themselves at the High luck and expressed support in all crowned the best breaking crew memorable move of School recognition dinner. Pictured their future decisions. in the world at the B-Boy World the night was supplied are Bill Sanders and Jason Gillie. Recognition Dinner continued... ceremonial gift of a Pendleton Charles, Jordan Hutchinson, blanket to each graduating tribal Jonathan Jack Jr., Sarah Quilt, member. Students and parents Richie Revay, Zach Starr, Sarah participated in a raffle giveaway to Sutterlict, Whitney Lewis, Ryan end the evening. Burnett, Josh Burnett, Gabe Those honored included: Michael Higheagle, Querida Perez, Kaleb Boyd, Brandon Canales, Alyssa Merriman, and Victoria Parent. Page 2 chehalistribe.org greatwolflodge.com luckyeagle.com eagleslandinghotel.net The 2011-2012 Head Start Graduation The 2011-12 Head Start Graduating class. Pictured top row (L-R) are Teacher Tracy, Mikaelah Mowitch-Johnson, Maddex Mowitch-Penn, Dyani Cayenne, Koner Burnett, Lela Miller, Walter Daniels-Pickernell, Carolann Charles-Black, Teacher Jessica. Middle row (L-R) are Lataya Tanner, Dominic Charles, Andrea Mendez-Castro, Mailee Tianza, Riley Smith, Daniel Rodas, Kylee Secena, Haakan Kenney, Jolynn Reed. Front row (L-R) are Marcus Harp, Rachel Simmons, Jomar Gutierrez, Desiree Knutson, Oscar Sanchez, Aiyana Moore-Young, Jared Mordhorst, Viviana Cruz, Shadow Hernandez. The 2011-2012 Head Start Head Start parents and the Graduation was another huge members of the community for success which was hosted at the all the support the Head Start Lucky Eagle Casino on June program receives each year. We 15th. There were twenty-five could not do this without your preschool graduates and many help!! Fundraisers were held families who attended to witness throughout the year, with the this proud moment. Guest communities support helping speakers were Roberta Secena make this successful. Volunteers who had dedicated many years and parent are recognized for to our Head Start Program. Don their time and commitment Secena, Vice-chairman an alumni through 2 awards which were also remains involved with the Parent Involvement Award: Head Start Program. Teachers, Peggy Freist; and The Fishermen parents and most of all the head Award: Rikki and Dominic start children worked very hard Charles. It’s hard to choose to prepare for the next part of with so many parents who stay their journey to Kindergarten. dedicated to help make this a successful program. This year marked the 49 year the tribe has been awarded the Next year will be an even bigger Head Start grant and 8 years for celebration marking 50 years of Early Head Start grant. Big Head Start. Our program will be thanks to the community for all asking for copies of pictures to your support over the last half a display at next year’s ceremony. century! We would like to thank Start digging up those old Head the Chehalis Tribal Business Start photos! Share a little history Council, the Lucky Eagle Casino, with everyone. chehalistribe.org greatwolflodge.com luckyeagle.com eagleslandinghotel.net Page 3 doing this. He admits, “This is fun, safe atmosphere for all. Mason The 2012 Fireworks Season planning my show. I do give credit County Fire District #12 was there to Tommy for teaching me about to oversee the safety of the show. wiring it up. But it’s so exciting People were seen all over “blowin’ and I look forward to doing it next stuff up!” in established areas. year!” There was a spot reserved for tribal members along the ball field. Remembrance Fireworks Show Many thanks to Barnaby Canales There was Tribal “Remembrance and his helpers for doing another Fireworks Show“ for all those that great job giving everyone that heart have passed on that took place on pounding tribute in celebrating our the basketball court. Many of the Independence!! fireworks stand donated cakes or mortars. This year they were not Thanks to the clean-up crew Selling fireworks is a family tradition on the Chehalis Indian wired up, so cakes and mortars was Reservation. Pictured is Todd Delamater and Luke Cayenne lit up by our own min-pyro’s. Over Many thanks to everyone else who making their sales pitch to a potential customer. seventy cakes boomed, burst and lit helped clean up after the show: As up the sky with a heartfelt display always, cleaning up the mess is The 2012 fireworks season has come All of the veterans at various for everyone to enjoy. a necessary evil after a fun filled to an end. Fireworks stands and locations depend on their base of night of lighting fireworks. It roadside signs are coming down and “repeat” customers, while looking to The Chehalis Tribe’s Fireworks was nice that people attending the stored until next year. This season establish more. Show show cleaned up their mess. And there were ninety-one Fireworks especially to our grounds crew stands located within the Chehalis This year presented the challenge of The Chehalis Tribal Fireworks Correna Young, Josh Terry, Jeremy Reservation. These stands attract competing with city bans on lighting Show was awesome as the local Fanning, their time and effort on this customers from all over following fireworks, safe-n-sane fireworks people came to see the show. Law momentous task. There wasn’t as their family tradition of getting the stands, and the economy, all of Enforcement set up the safety much trash this year, maybe 2 or 3 “good stuff” from their favorite which impacted sales. Many stand zone and patrolled to provide a truck loads of fireworks debris. fireworks vendor. owners commented on it was an average year for their stands. Others Selling fireworks is a family stands that moved to the Tribe’s tradition on the Chehalis Indian property on Anderson Road and Reservation. Many tribal members it made a difference. Other stand were seen preparing their fireworks locations said they did better than stands to provide to the public for last year. their private 4th of July celebrations. It’s not easy for first time fireworks Pyrotechnic in Training stand owners. Competition is a tough learning curve. Many 15 year old tribal member, Sid successful fireworks stand owners Sanders planned, saved, and rent their spot for their stands, build shopped for cakes and mortars to their stand, select their product, set be used in his firework show.