Kim Kalliber, Author at Tulalip News

Trends in Indian Gaming: What’s Ahead?

“Good design can provide the environment that makes people want to stay and play, and the more unique the design the greater the distance people will travel to see it.” —Thalden Boyd Emery Architects

Lee Allen, Indian Country Today Media Network

This may not be the true dawning of a new age, but Indian casinos are poised on the precipice of change —one foot anchored in time-honored methods of success, the other embracing modernity.

The move toward innovation includes a transition to progressive design with contemporary and green aesthetics, as well as finding creative ways to reach a younger audience keen on social media.

Casino owners need to straddle the chasm of traditional ways and new, understanding the social aspects of both segments of the market to keep the current crowd happy while attracting the next generation of gamers.

“We can’t see the future clearly yet, but we know change is inevitable,” said architect Nick Schoenfeldt, vice president at Thalden Boyd Emery Architects. “We need to continue serving today’s gaming public in the existing first generation of gaming facilities built in the late 1980s even as we design and build new attractions for tomorrow.”

Comments by architects, designers, contractors, owners and operators resonated at the 6th annual Native Nation Events Tribal Casino & Hotel Development Conference, February 21-22, at the Pascua Yaqui-owned Casino del Sol Resort Hotel in Tucson, Arizona. The conversational buzz was heightened by a rare occurrence—a snow storm that turned desert cacti into a winter wonderland.

Panel moderator Ronn Lansky, the business development director for the Detroit-based PENTA Building Group, noted that over the past several decades, the design of casino floors hadn’t changed strikingly. Then he cited the current trend of “building landmark buildings that will affect generations to come.”

Other attendees echoed a major voice of the industry, Casino Design magazine, which emphasized in an April 2010 article, The Brave New World of Design and Construction: An Industry Round Table, that casinos need to look “clean, edgy, contemporary”—the predominant visual appeal. The magazine quoted another design and construction expert who said, “We must dazzle the eye and soothe the senses.”

Panelists at the February conference specifically cited the advent of smaller slot banks and wider aisles at newer casinos intended to provide a more intimate sense of gaming—the same aura as that of a lounge.

“Casino floors are evolving to be more social and community-focused and you need to understand your market and design the floor with customer segments in mind,” said Janet Beronio, general manager of Harrah’s Rincon Casino & Resort.

“We used to have long, long banks of machines—essentially a slot warehouse, but change in machine spacing is now evident,” Beronio said. “We once dedicated 20-to-25-square feet to a bank of eight slots; now we’re seeing 30-square feet in a zone format anchored by carousels and dedicated pathways. The casino floor still has compelling content, but the feeling is now more community and social.”

The cost to create that feeling is not cheap, according to C.J. Graham, general manager of 2,500 employees at the Lincoln, California-based Thunder Valley Casino, which recently underwent a $700 million facelift (while continuing operations with minimal incremental disruption). “At the end of the day, you still need to show a profit,” he said.

Graham has a base demographic of age 50-plus customers, but also a growing following in the 21-to-30-year-old group. “We still have folks who love the old Red, White and Blue reels, but there’s a tech-savvy element coming along that we can ping on their cell phones and make the younger visitor special offers as they come through the door. The generational change won’t happen overnight, it will take decades, but it’s already underway.

“Even with the modern side of technology emerging, we won’t lose the energy that allows casino floors to be successful,” adds Beronio. “Brick and mortar sites still have the energy of community, people cheering for each other, and that will still appeal to multi-tasking tech-savvy youth.”

Other panelists like Osage Nation Chief John Red Eagle know that casino floor designs and technologies are forever adapting and need to stay relevant. Tribes need to capitalize on up-to-date technology like energy-saving geo-thermal capabilities. “We want the best possible development we can produce with the money we have,” he said.

Fellow panelist Jamie Fullmer (Yavapai Apache), chairman and CEO of Blue Stone Strategy Group, which advises tribes in making strategic decisions for financial growth and sustainability, summed up the challenge many tribes will face when desires meet feasibility and financing: “Here’s our dream balanced with a pocketbook reality.”

Those realities range from incorporating complex and still developing technology to making changes like widening aisles and adding more restaurants for a diverse clientele.

“Regardless of the renovation, addition, or new build,” said Graham, “you can’t diminish the guest experience…you can’t just send guests home…so you need to minimize the disruption and adjust on the fly while building a better casino for tomorrow.”

Tulalip Marina gets a makeover

NACTEP students Lisa Gable, Gary Newall, Kanoa Riveira, Burleigh Snyder are working to rebuild the deck at the Tulalip Marina

By Jeannie Briones, Tulalip News staff

Fourteen students of the Native American Career and Technical Education Program (NACTEP) are working to demolish and rebuild the deck located at the Tulalip Marina.

“We are demoing the old deck and replacing it with new material. We are adding a new wheelchair ramp, rails, and new stairs,” said William Burchett, NACTEP Site Supervisor.

Working on this project allows the students to use their recently learned skills in basic construction, use of tools and safety concerns.

NACTEP instructor Mark Newland says that with the help of this great crew, the project is going smoothly and, depending on the weather, they hope to finish by the end of the week.

“I am excited to be able to rebuild this deck, it was pretty rotten. I’m glad we came out to fix it,” said Rocky Gorham, NACTEP student.

For more information about NACTEP, please contact Mark Newland at 425-268-9145. The next quarter begins April 8^th.

William Burchett, Gary Morrison, and Rocky Gorham.

Enjoy an Easter meal at Tulalip’s Eagle Buffet

Sunday, March 31 9 AM – 10 PM

Enjoy a delicious breakfast, lunch or dinner at the Eagles Buffet at the Tulalip Resort Casino.

10200 Quil Ceda Blvd, Tulalip, WA 98271

Everett Community College Running Start Information Sessions March 19, March 26, April 16

EVERETT, Wash. – High school students and their parents can learn about Everett Community College’s Running Start program at information sessions March 19, March 26 and April 16.

On March 19, the information session is at 6 p.m. at EvCC’s East County Campus, 14090 Fryelands Blvd. SE, Suite 373 in Monroe.

The March 26 and April 16 information sessions are at 6 p.m. at EvCC’s Henry M. Jackson Center Auditorium, 2000 Tower St. in Everett.

College staff will discuss how to apply, options for full and part-time enrollment, student life and special program options, such as the Ocean Research College Academy (ORCA) program on the Everett waterfront that emphasizes local marine research.

Running Start is a partnership program between colleges and high schools. The program is available to eligible high school juniors and seniors. Students can apply college credit to their high school graduation requirements. Tuition is free for up to 15 credits per quarter.

ORCA is an early college academy for high school students, who can earn up to two years of college credit for free while completing their high school education. Most students graduate with an associate’s degree in addition to a high school diploma.

In addition to attending one of these sessions, EvCC encourages students to contact their high school counselors.

The priority deadline to apply for Running Start at Everett Community College for Fall quarter 2013 is May 1. EvCC serves more than 900 high school students through Running Start.

For more information about Running Start or other EvCC programs, contact EvCC’s High School Relations Office at highschoolrelations@everettcc.edu or 425-388-9073.

Hookah lounge can’t allow indoor smoking

Judge rules in favor of Snohomish Health District

Snohomish County Health District

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Hookah lounges are just like bars, restaurants and other businesses when it comes to the state law that prohibits smoking indoors.

Washington’s Smoking in Public Places law, or SIPP, was passed by voters in 2005 and prohibits smoking in public places and places of employment.

On Feb. 26, following a two-day trial in Snohomish County Superior Court, downtown Everett’s Hideout Hookah Lounge, also known as the Wetmore Café, was ordered to comply with the law by prohibiting indoor smoking by its patrons. In addition, the court levied fines of $89,100 against the business owners for “intentionally and repeatedly” violating the law after numerous warnings and an official Health Officer’s Order from the Snohomish Health District, which brought the lawsuit. The fine was based on $100 per day per violation..

A hookah is a glass pipe filled with water that is used for smoking flavored tobacco, often by several people at once. Hookah is a growing trend that has the attention of public health because it attracts young people to a dangerous habit.

“Smoke is smoke,” testified Snohomish Health District Health Officer Dr. Gary Goldbaum. “Hookah tobacco may smell sweet and be cheaper than cigarettes, but it is no less harmful or addictive. Tobacco use is the single most preventable cause of death and disease in the United States.

“We are glad this ruling makes it clear that hookah is not a potential business opportunity – it’s an unhealthy behavior that people can choose to do in private, but they can’t expose other people to it,” Goldbaum said.

Health District staff made several initial visits to the Hideout Hookah Lounge in February 2012, shortly after the business opened as the first of its kind in Snohomish County. Staff attempted to educate the

owners about SIPP requirements such as prohibiting indoor smoking, smoking at least 25 feet from doors, windows and air intakes, and posting “no smoking” signs which were provided by the Health District. City of Everett police and the state Liquor Control Board were also involved in seeking to enforce the state’s no indoor smoking ban

The court determined that smoking in the Hideout Hookah Lounge resulted in smoke permeating adjoining public uses within the building, directly in violation of SIPP’s goal of protecting people from secondhand smoke. The ruling also established that charging a membership fee or providing a membership card does not make the Lounge a private club. In addition, since it was established that the Hideout Hookah Lounge is a public place and a for-profit business, employees need to be protected from secondhand smoke under the SIPP law. Workers are defined as employees under state law even if they “volunteer” for no pay.

Thirteen follow-up inspection visits and numerous letters and notices directing the business to stop allowing indoor smoking were issued by the Health District before it filed the lawsuit in June 2012.

“It’s important that we provide a level playing field for all businesses that comply with the law,” explained Snohomish Health District Tobacco Program and Healthy Communities specialist Ann-Gale Peterson.

Snohomish Health District officials continue to work with county and city staff to ensure that potential business owners and code enforcement officers understand that SIPP prohibits smoking in all public places and in places of employment.

“Our goal is to educate and gain compliance with businesses through cooperation,” Peterson said. “We always hope to avoid court action and consider it a last resort when all other options for enforcement have failed,” she continued.

To report SIPP violations or learn more about local tobacco programs, call the Snohomish Health District Tobacco Resource Line at 425.339.5237. The state Tobacco Quit Line may be reached at 1.800.QUITNOW (800.784.8669).

Established in 1959, the Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier Snohomish County through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. Find more information about the Health Board and the Health District at http://www.snohd.org.

Lincoln’s Birthday Special to Treaty Tribes

“Being Frank”

By Billy Frank Jr., Chairman, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission

OLYMPIA – We’ve been hearing a lot about Abraham Lincoln in recent months after the release of the movie about how he abolished slavery by pushing the 13^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution through Congress.

Not many people know it, but Lincoln’s birthday on Feb. 12 also holds a special place in the hearts of the treaty Indian tribes in western Washington.

It was on that day in 1974 that federal Judge George Boldt handed down his landmark ruling in U.S. v. Washington that upheld our treaty-reserved fishing rights and established us as co-managers of the salmon resource.

Although he was ready to rule sooner, Judge Boldt purposely delayed the court proceedings so that he could deliver his decision on the birthday of one of the greatest presidents we’ve ever had, a president who upheld the basic human rights of all people. And that’s what Judge Boldt did. He upheld our rights, and for that we will always be grateful.

It’s been 39 years now since Boldt’s decision, and things have changed a lot since then.

More than 1 million people have moved into western Washington, making a big impact on our natural resources.
Herring populations in Puget Sound – an important food for salmon – have shrunk to a small fraction of former levels.
Our floods and droughts have gotten worse because of climate change and changes we’ve made to our landscape.
We’ve lost nearly all of our old-growth forests, native prairies and salt marshes.
We’ve also lost most of our salmon harvest. Ongoing damage and destruction to salmon habitat have led to tribal harvest levels that are lower than they were in 1974, and this trend isn’t showing signs of improvement.

Nonetheless, we are hopeful as we begin planning for the 40^th anniversary of the Boldt decision next year.

As part of the celebration, a pair of movies that focus on the treaty fishing rights struggle were recently released by our friends at Salmon Defense, a non-profit organization working to turn the tide for salmon.

The first is “As Long as the Rivers Run,” the fundamental documentary about the Fish Wars of the 1960s and 70s by Carol Burns and Hank Adams. They generously donated the film to Salmon Defense so that it can be preserved and shared. The second movie is “Back to the River,” which was produced by Salmon Defense to provide additional perspectives on treaty rights and the natural resources management challenges we face today.

Both of these movies are available for free by contacting Salmon Defense at salmondefense.org or by calling (360) 528-4308.

Changes to GED Test in 2014

Jeanne Steffener, Tulalip Tribes Higher Education

If you have begun working toward your GED, you are being urged to complete it before December 31^st 2013. As of January 1^st 2014, there will be some major changes to the test for a high school equivalency diploma (GED). One change includes starting over from the beginning if you have not completed the battery of five (5) tests before 2014.

The GED testing service is introducing a new version which will align the tests with the new Common Core curricula which has been adopted by most states to increase college and career readiness. Common Core standards place more weight on writing and content analysis. The test was originally developed back in 1942 for U.S. military personnel who had not completed high school. Although there have been regular updates, the last one occurred in 2002.

The testing will shift from pencil/ paper to computer format. The computer based version will be double the $$ cost of the current version. Instead of five (5) sections, the test series will be modified down to four (4) and evaluate reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science and Social Studies. Language Arts and Social Studies sections will absorb the essay section with writing assignments in these two (2) areas.

The test is not necessarily going to be more difficult but it will test different skills. Not only will high school equivalency be tested, there will be questions on the test addressing college/ career readiness.

In conclusion, please finish those tests this year because 2014 brings new changes to GED.

Tommy Stafford Adams

Tommy Stafford Adams IV, 62 of Tulalip,WA passed away February 25, 2013 in Seattle, WA.
He was born March 2, 1950 in Everett, Washington to Tommy and Pauline Adams. He is a hereditary chief, and great-grandson of Chief William Kanim.
Thomas was preceded in death by his brothers, George Perry (Adams) and Frank Willard Adams; sister, Pauline Margret Bodroad; special grand-nephew, Munna Suugod Tommy; special brother-in-law, Peter Maurice White (who prayed our way for his recovery and life); and too many other relatives to put on paper.
He is survived by his two daughters, Jacqueline and Tommie Adams; his son, Tommy Adams; three sisters, Toniena Adams, Tena Williams, and Nadine Williams; seven brothers,
Clarence Adams, Roy Manson, Duane Tommy, Merle Williams Jr. Michael Williams, Billy Gobin (Dog Biscuit), and Jimmy; parents, Merle and Rose Williams Sr.; three grandchildren, Davian, Chambray, and Denise, and one on the way; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, March 5, 2013 at 12:00 Noon at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home in Marysville followed by an Interfaith Service at 6:00 p.m. at the Tulalip Tribal Gym. Funeral Services will be held Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Tulalip Tribal Gym with burial following at Mission Beach Cemetery.
Arrangements entrusted to Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home.

Tyonek People in Alaska Set Month of March to Be Friendly: It’s Time for the Ida’ina Gathering

Children are all smiles at the Ida'ina Gathering in 2012. All photos by Becky Pertrovich. — Children are all smiles at the Ida’ina Gathering in 2012. All photos by Becky Pertrovich.

Tish Leizens, Indian Country Today Media Network

What started two years ago in Anchorage, Alaska as a gathering of friends has become a major yearly event for the Tebughna, the Beach People, and it is drawing popular Native entertainers like Redbone and thousands of guests.

The Tebughna Foundation, the sponsor, has set the Ida’ina Gathering for March 29 to 31, at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center (for details, click here). The three-day family affair is packed with activities and serves as the main attraction, with several events leading up to it.

“We started this gathering in March 2011. Ida’ina means friends—friendship,” said Emil McCord, executive director of the foundation, adding that they invite all tribes from Alaska and those who just want to enjoy the festivities.

The Tebughna Foundation is supported by Anchorage-based defense manufacturing company Tyonek Native Corporation. Tebughna is the name given to the Tyonek people, who live in Anchorage and in the Village of Tyonek, 40 air miles away.

The first pow wow was an immediate hit, said McCord. “The first year, we got lots of feedback after the gathering. They love the entertainment and atmosphere.”

“We attract about 6,000 people in three days. People come from South Dakota, Wisconsin, Tennessee, North Carolina and Canada,” he said.

“This year, we expect a little more because we have popular groups coming,” said McCord referring to Rebone and the Barrow Dancers, whose members are Inupiaq. In all, he said, there are 40 group dancers performing.

Among the performers on the list are drums featuring Alaska Nativedancers: Tyonek Traditional Dancers, Ida’Ina Dance Group, Cordova Ikumat Aluttiq Dancers and Ahtna Heritage Dance Group.

Drum groups Namawochi Tribe from North Carolina and Braveheart from South Dakota will also perform as well as a hoop dancer still to be determined.

Headlining the Benefit Concert on the second day is Redbone, a Native American rock group that hit the music charts with the single “Come and Get Your Love,” in 1974, and Medicine Dream, an intertribal First Nations group that perform contemporary Native American music.

Chief Lil Wolf, also known as DJ Braun, 17, who set up his own recording studio in his bedroom and writes his own music will also perform live before his home crowd for the first time.

The run-up to the pow wow are crowd pleasers on their own. On February 8 a sponsor mixer was held where the entertainers and sponsors meet and greet in a food and dance gathering.

On March 12 to 16 the first annual Ida’ina basketball tournament will be be held at the Wendler Middle School. Some 18 adult teams are competing in the tournament.

For the teens, the competition to be Miss Ida’ina ends on March 15, the deadline for Alaska Natives, ages 16 to 25, to write an essay on how they’ve helped their communities and why they should be the next Miss Ida’Ina. The winner gets a $500 scholarship.

Returning this year is the Native Style Runway, where talented artists are given a chance at the Gathering to show their individually designed regalias.

McCord said there is an effort to bring the dates closer. “We started the basketball tournament this year, but the city of Anchorage did not have gym space available close in time to the Gathering. Next year, we want to have it leading up to the Gathering so that visiting teams can attend the Gathering if they chose to.”

Native Lacrosse Players Among Early Contenders for 2013 Tewaaraton Award

Miles Thompson, Onondaga Nation, and his brother Lyle and cousin Ty and are all on the 2013 Tewaaraton Award men’s watch list. Photo: University of Albany

Indian Country Today Media Network Staff

Tewaaraton Foundation has announced the 2013 Tewaaraton Award men’s and women’s watch lists. The lists include the top players across all three divisions of NCAA lacrosse and highlight the early contenders for the 2013 Tewaaraton Award.

The Tewaaraton Award annually honors the top male and top female college lacrosse player in the United States. The selection committees are made up of top collegiate coaches and are appointed annually by The Tewaaraton Foundation. Committees will make additions to these lists as the season progresses and athletes earn a spot along side these elite players. Both lists will be narrowed to 25 men’s and women’s nominees in late April. In mid-May, five men’s and five women’s finalists will be announced. These finalists will be invited to Washington, D.C. for the 13th annual Tewaaraton Award Ceremony, May 30 at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian.

Each year, the Tewaaraton Award celebrates one of the six tribal nations of the Iroquois Confederacy : the Mohawk, Cayuga, Oneida, Onondaga, Seneca and Tuscarora. While 2013 is The Year of the Mohawk, the men’s watch list includes three members of the Onondaga Nation in Lyle, Miles and Ty Thompson from Albany. Lyle and Miles are brothers, and Ty is their cousin. All three Thompsons are attackmen for the University of Albany. On February 17 the Thompson Trio led the Great Danes to an upset of mighty Syracuse, taking the match, which went to double overtime, 16-15. Watch this savvy goal scored by Miles: