S q u a l l i A b s c h Nisqually Tribal Newsletter 4820 She-Nah-Num Dr. SE Olympia, WA 98513 Phone Number (360)456-5221 Volume 9, Issue 2 www.nisqually-nsn.gov February 2019 New Look for the Newsletter Editor’s Note: Welcome to the new look of your Squalli Absch Newsletter. We appreciate your patience as we work through the bumps of the transition. We’ve gained space and cut costs and we will be working to bring more information in and trying different design elements. We hope you are please with the newsprint and information that is provided. We are sorry if the information in these first few newsletters are late or have passed. Newsletter Staff Debbie Preston Leslee Youckton Welcome the New Controller/Acting CFO- Alvin Aganon Greetings Nisqually General Council Alvin came on board in October, 2018 and everyone to understand. Since I have Members, we’ve been working closely together, been the Treasurer, we have lacked these I am pleased to introduce you to our getting to know each other and working on two key positions in our Financial Services newest member in our Financial Services goals for the future. Department that are important to our Department. This is a new position that is future and development. long overdue: One of the first projects I had Alvin start, working with the CEO, was restructuring Projects we are working on include: Alvin Aganon is our Controller/Acting CFO the financial services department to make � Policies and procedures, to tighten I am so excited to sure we are providing the best services to up spending and accountability bring Alvin on board. our membership and making sure the � Evaluation of He has many years’ department is functioning to its best debts/loans/investments experience in Indian capability. � Searching for grant funding, to help Country and with his Alvin started here at Nisqually during our the supplemental debt experience and annual budget process and was also able � Financial plan/master planning guidance, I believe we to give input on how we can manage our � Working with the Red Wind can get back on track funding and find ways to cut costs without Casino’s CFO on the calculation of and add the missing hurting services. dividends from the casino funds pieces for our (RAP) finances, goals and My focus and goal is to be able to put � Weekly/Quarterly updates, visions for our tribe. together a full picture of our finances and Treasurer Report for everyone to to be able to present them in way for understand/shorter Continued on page 3-ALVIN Nisqually Tribal News 4820 She-Nah-Num Dr. SE Tribal Estate and Rural and Tribal Olympia, WA 98513 Will Planning Transportation 360-456-5221 A fixed route service serving Tribal Estate Planning Services the Nisqually Reservation, Debbie Preston, Information Officer provided by Emily Penoyar-Rambo Rainier, and Yelm areas [email protected]. Cost is $1.00 Services offered: Vets and active duty military Leslee Youckton � Last will and testament ride free. Customers with [email protected] � Durable power of attorney transit passes ride free. � Healthcare directive � Tangible personal property Submission deadlines are the second bequest Please call Monday of every month. � Funeral/burial instructions 1-800-650-7846 � Probate for information Nisqually Tribal Council She is on-site in the Administrative Chair, Ken Choke Building legal deposition room on the Vice Chair, Chris Olin first and third Thursday of each Wellbriety Talking Circle Secretary, Jackie Whittington month. Available appointment times Where: Nisqually Recover Cafe Treasurer, Julie Palm are 8:30 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. When: Friday Nights 5th Council, Brian McCloud and 11:30 a.m. Time: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m. 6th Council, Hanford McCloud Recovery cafe is located at 4820 Billy Frank Blvd., Olympia Please call the tribal office (360)456- 7th Council, Willie Frank 5221 to set up an appointment. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to share Recovery, the struggles and the Information strengths. You will find support for each other and spread hope at this open Nisqually Tribal Center 360-456-5221 talking circle meeting. Health Clinic 360-459-5312 Youth Center 360-455-5213 Natural Resources 360-438-8687 Nisqually Indian Tribe Victims of Crime Advocacy Services The Nisqually Indian Tribe Victims of Crime Program offers advocacy services for individuals In this issue who are currently experiencing, or are survivors of, domestic violence, sexual assault, Eagle Rescue ……………………….. 3 stalking, or any form of intimate partner violence/dating violence. Our services are free and Valley Sign ………… ………….……. 4 confidential, and are available for Nisqually tribal members and Nisqually community members. State Park …….…………………….. 5 - Information and Referral - Emergency Services - Advocacy - Safety Planning - Charitables …………… ……………. 6 - Weekly Women’s Group - Contact staff for more information and resources Archive History .…………………….… 8 Women’s Healing Circle Victims of Crime Program State House ….……………………… 9 Tuesdays from 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. in the Nisqually Public Safety Complex IT …..……………………..…………. 10 Recovery Café 11702 Yelm Highway SE, Olympia, WA 98513 4816 She-Nah-Num Dr SE, Olympia, WA Office (M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.): CHS ……………..……….………… .. 11 98513 360-459-9603 Pharmacy …………………………… 12 Building K, next to the Nisqually Market. Advocate: 360-878-7199 Call 911 for emergencies. Diabetes ……………………………. 13 This project was supported by Grant No. 2015-VA-GX-0031 and Grant No. 2016-VA-GX-0044 awarded by the Office for Victims of Crime, US Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed Elders News …..……………………. 14 in this publication/program/exhibition are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime. Grant funds are administered by the Office of Crime Victims Elders Menu … ………..…………… 15 Advocacy, Community Services and Housing Division, Washington State Department of Commerce. Volume 9, issue 2 2 February 2019 Nisqually Wildlife Officers Aid in Rescue of Raptor While on routine river patrol on Wednesday Jan. 2, Officer The adult female bald eagle was captured without incident and Blanksma noticed a bald eagle acting strangely. placed in a dog crate for transfer to the rescue Upon further investigation, he found that the bird headquarters. had what appeared to be a damaged wing and a milky looking eye. Officer Blanksma contacted Officers received an update to the eagle’s status from Officer Jackson who then contacted Stephanie Stephanie via e-mail. The eagle suffered from a broken Estrella from Raindancer Wild Bird Rescue. humerus bone which will require surgery to heal Stephanie arranged to meet officers the correctly. The eagle also had a BB in her right eye. The following morning to ride to the location along Eagle was transferred to Discovery Bay Wild Bird the Nisqually River and collect the eagle. Rescue in Port Townsend, as they have the proper Officers met with Stephanie and her assistant access to veterinarian care for the eagle. Oia at the Trotters Woods boat launch and Officer Blanksma transported them up to the Officers will be keeping up on the healing progress of site. this eagle. Continued from cover-ALVIN of sacrifices to be where I am today. I Please welcome Alvin Aganon to the graduated with magna cum laude honors, a I started my career in Indian Country in Nisqually Financial Services Department. licensed CPA in the Philippines, an ACA in 2001, serving in various positions such as New Zealand and an AICPA Candidate for Finance Manager, Compliance Auditor, Welcome Alvin! CPA License in the U.S. My alma mater, Acting Housing Authority Executive Julie Palm Holy Angel University, hired me as one of Director, Controller, Housing Program Tribal Council Treasurer its college accounting professors from 1981 Director, Acting Tribal Administrator and to 1987. I taught and lectured subjects in now, as your Controller. I guess I will never accounting, auditing, taxation and finance. have the urge to stop serving in Indian Greetings to you all! Though I consider myself to be one of the Country. First, I would like to express my profound lucky ones, I always take humble gratitude to all members of the Nisqually recognition of my success. My hobbies include watching movies and Indian Tribe. Through the leadership of your television, especially comedies. I am into Honorable Council and your CEO, you have I migrated to New Zealand (NZ) in 1987 and Karaoke singing and I love to travel and go given me this great opportunity to serve had the opportunity to make more economic on cruises, especially in the company of your tribe. Since the year 2001, my progress for me and my family. I served the my loved ones. continued service to Indian Country truly commercial and business sector in provides me with deep job satisfaction. Not capacities such as company accountant, I am looking forward to my service only do I give great importance to the management accountant and administration commitment to the Nisqually Indian Tribe. progress made by previous Indian Tribes manager. I attained NZ citizenship through Once again, thank you for giving me this that I have had the privilege to work with, its naturalization process and continued to great opportunity to serve you! but I also cherish quite a few tribal live there until my U.S. green card came members I have befriended through the down in 1998, when my successful NZ Alvin E. Aganon years. professional career was at its peak. As Controller difficult as it may seem, I gave that up to Tel. No. 360-486-9598 Ext. 1223 I want to take this opportunity to introduce pursue the ultimate dream of coming to Cell No.