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January 13, 2016 syəcəb
“Being Frank” More Salmon Habitat Protection Needed
By Lorraine Loomis, Chair, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
We’ve seen some incredible salmon habitat restoration projects the past few years, but there’s a big difference between restoring habitat and protecting it. We must remember that restoration without protection does not lead us to recovery.
The Elwha River on the Olympic Peninsula continues to heal itself after the largest dam removal effort in U.S. history. Two dams on the river had blocked salmon migration and denied Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe’s treaty fishing rights for more than 100 years.
In another big project, the Tulalip Tribes and partners recently returned tidal flow to the 400-acre Qwuloolt Estuary. The estuary was drained and diked for farming in the early 1900s, blocking access to important salmon habitat.
Both were huge, costly projects that took decades of cooperation to accomplish. Every habitat restoration project – large or small – contributes to salmon recovery. But if we are going to achieve recovery, we must do an equally good job of protecting habitat, and that is not happening.
Treaty Indian tribes are seeking federal leadership to help turn this tide.
Salmon recovery efforts cross many federal, state and local jurisdictions, but it is the federal government that has both the legal and trust responsibility to recover salmon and honor tribal treaty-reserved rights. Through our Treaty Rights at Risk initiative, we are asking the federal government to lead a more coordinated and effective salmon recovery effort.
One way is to ensure that existing federal agency rules and regulations do not conflict with salmon recovery goals.
An example is the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ jurisdictional boundary they use for permitting shoreline modifications. The Corps regulates construction of docks and bulkheads in marine waters, and uses a high water mark based on an average of each day’s two high tides to determine its jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act.
But the Clean Water Act specifies the protection boundary should be the single highest point that an incoming tide can reach.
In Puget Sound, the Corps’ boundary is 1.5 to 2.5 feet below the highest tide. When you apply that to 2,000 miles tidelands, a large portion of important nearshore habitat is left unprotected.
That needs to change. We need to be protecting more habitat, not less.
Another example is agricultural easements issued by the federal Natural Resources Conservation Service that can block salmon habitat restoration efforts.
Federally funded agricultural easements pay landowners to lock in agricultural land uses permanently, regardless of whether those areas historically provided salmon habitat and need to be restored to support recovery.
The federal government needs to change the program to ensure agricultural easements do not restrict habitat restoration and other salmon recovery efforts.
These are just a couple of examples of how federal actions can conflict with salmon recovery goals to slow and sometimes stall our progress.
We know that habitat is the key to salmon recovery. That’s why we focus so much of our effort on restoring and protecting it. Many amazing restoration projects are being accomplished, but the more challenging task of protecting that habitat is falling short.
We must do everything we can to protect our remaining habitat as we work to restore even more. One way to do that is to harmonize federal actions and make certain they contribute effectively to recovering salmon, recognizing tribal treaty rights and protecting natural resources for everyone.
Lady Hawks continue dominant season with 58-38
by Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
On Monday, January 5, the Tulalip Heritage Lady Hawks (8-0) hosted the Lopez Lobos (2-4) at Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium. For the Lady Hawks, it’s been smooth sailing through the first eight games of the season. Owners of an undefeated record and winning by an average margin of 24 points, the Lady Hawks are on a dominating form of cruise control.
The dominance has been showcased on both ends of the floor, as they are averaging a league high 52 points per game while holding their opponents to a measly 29 points per game.
In the 1st quarter of Monday’s game, the Lady Hawks displayed everything that’s been working for them thus far. They were able to work the ball inside to Adiya Jones and Cyena Fryberg at will, their ability to draw a double team opens up wide open looks for wing players, and those wings have been knocking down the good looks. Then on the defensive end, the Lady Hawks use a nice combination of 2-3 zone and full court press to either force their opponents into a highly contested jump shot or a turnover. The home team led 17-9 at the end of the quarter.
In the 2nd quarter, guard Keryn Parks caught fire from 3-point land, making three straight 3-pointers. Aliya Jones chipped in a 3-pointer of her own, while Adiya started to have her way inside scoring three fields goals in the paint. Defensively, the Lady Hawks were putting on a clinic. It seemed like every other possession they would come up with a steal or block. Forcing so many turnovers left the Lobos dazzled and they weren’t able to do much scoring. At halftime the home team had a 20 point lead, 38-18.
During the 2nd half, with such a large lead, coach Bubba Fryberg was afforded the opportunity to give his bench players some heavy minutes. It was good a learning experience for the Lady Hawk reserves as they tried to run their offensive sets while remaining active on the defensive end.
When the final game buzzer sounded, the Lady Hawks had moved to 9-0 on the season with a 58-38 win. Keryn led all scorers with a career best 21 points, while Adiya filled the box score with 13 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 5 steals and 5 blocks.
Contact Micheal Rios, mrios@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Hawks on 3-game win streak, beat Lobos 59-33
by Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
After a disappointing 1-5 start, the Tulalip Heritage Hawks have turned their season around with a 3-game win streak. Their latest win came at home on Monday, January 5, when they hosted the Lobos of Lopez Island.
Defensively, the Hawks opened the game with active hands and constant movement. They contested every Lobos shot and forced several turnovers that they were able to turn into easy transition points. The Hawks rode the hot hand of Josh Iukes, 13 points in the first half, and their suffocating team defense to the tune of a 30-9 halftime lead.
The game would tighten up in the 2nd half. However, seniors Robert Miles, Jr. and Willy Enick put the offense on their backs and combined to score 21 points down the stretch to secure the victory. The 59-33 win moved the Hawks record to 4-5 on the season and only 1 game below .500.
New Look in the New Year for Tulalip’s hotel
Photo/Micheal Rios
By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
A new year brings hope. A new year triggers a desire to change an aspect of your life. An optimistic spirit of “new year, new me” motivates many to make a New Year’s resolution. Even the casual social media user had their timeline plastered with New Year’s resolution aims, goals, lyrics, or memes. Most people declared to do more or less of something in their day-to-day lives, such as eating healthier, exercising on a regular basis, losing weight, quitting a bad habit, or learning how to better manage money.
Well, as a brand and as a resort destination, the Tulalip Resort Casino has made a New Year’s resolution of its own: to return as the standard bearer for luxury accommodations that balance artistry, stylish elegance, and an abundance of comfort.
When the Tulalip Resort Casino (TRC) opened in May 2008 there was no question who had the most luxurious accommodations in the area, it was Tulalip. Fast-forward nearly eight years to the present and the TRC no longer stands head and shoulders above the rest. Over the past eight years, many tribes in the state have followed Tulalip’s lead and built their own resort casinos. Those with standalone casinos have added a hotel, those with a subpar hotel have upped their game by remodeling, and then there are the tribes who decided to enter the gaming world and invest in newly constructed resort casinos. All this is to say Tulalip now has competition where once there wasn’t any.
“Since we’ve opened our tower and been operating the Tulalip Resort Casino, we’ve seen Swinomish open their property, Silver Reef has opened their second tower, Angels has opened their new property, and Clear Water has added a tower,” explains Sam Askew, General Manager of Tulalip’s “four-diamond rated” hotel. “The competition, in terms of gaming within the state, have all upped their game because they want to emulate what Tulalip has done and continues to do.”
Over the past eight years, the accommodations industry has seen trends change and upgrades in technology, furnishings, and in-room amenities that are now in demand by today’s guests. Frequent guests of resort casinos can notice the difference in room quality from an out of date accommodation, as do tribal members who have stayed at other newly minted hotels in the region. Because of this, the Tulalip Board of Directors and TRC executive staff deemed it time to renovate the hotel guest rooms and bring back the WOW-factor that Tulalip is known for.
Of the two new room designs to be implemented in the renovation, it’s the Tulalip design that will be most prevalent. The Tulalip room design is self-evident; everything from the predominantly red and black color scheme, styling, design elements, artwork and even the carpet graphics have you feel like you are at Tulalip. Everything in this room is designed and geared for Tulalip culture and history, whether it’s a weaving token, fishing reference, or a stunning piece of artwork created by Tulalip artists James Madison and Joe Gobin.
Bringing back the WOW-factor to the guest rooms will include introducing many new enhancements to each room.
“One of the interesting things, too, is that most of the guest enhancements in the new rooms come from a culmination of guest requests and suggestions, recommendations from our facility and maintenance teams, and our continued mission to provide the best service we can,” says GM Sam Askew. “Guest enhancements include an improved heating and cooling system, in-room refrigerator, lowered countertops, vessel sinks, improved ventilation in the bathroom, new electrical outlets with USB ports to charge your electronic devices, faster in-room WiFi, and all TVs will be smart TVs with over 100 channels provided by Tulalip Broadband. There will also be smart media hubs in each room so that you can hook up a gaming system, tablet or even PC to the TV. We’ve also got state of the art Bluetooth enabled smart mirrors in the bathroom, so you can listen to your favorite music while enjoying Tulalip’s famous shower.”
So from a whole new design with new and upgraded technology, furnishings, and amenities that will make guests have no doubt they are staying in Tulalip, to a whole list of guest enhancements that will continue to grow as renovation is underway and new ideas are introduced, Tulalip will be getting its WOW back.
“For us, I think the big takeaway will be the rooms clearly identified as Tulalip. There will be no ifs, ands, or buts about it, when you see the room you’ll know it’s a Tulalip room. I’m proud of that,” continues GM Sam Askew. “In our industry most people go with safe and comfortable, but here we’re able to go with WOW and a sense of heritage and belonging. For me, that part is the best. It demonstrates the culture of service we are known for at Tulalip and it also demonstrates the Tribes long-term commitment and vision.”
TRC guest room renovation is currently underway and estimated completion is March 31, 2017. Be sure to follow Tulalip News on Facebook for updates as the renovation is ongoing.
Tulalips, Forterra to preserve land near Wallace River for salmon
By Chris Winters, The Herald
GOLD BAR — A 1.25-mile stretch of forested land along the Wallace River will now be protected forever as salmon habitat.
The land, covering 121 acres on five parcels, was purchased by the environmental nonprofit Forterra in July for $490,000. Forterra, formerly known as the Cascade Land Conservancy, transferred the property to the Tulalip Tribes in November for future management.
A conservation easement ensures the property will never be developed.
“There’s a stewardship plan that we’ll be working on with the Tulalips” to maintain the tract’s value to the watershed, said Michelle Connor, Forterra’s executive vice president of strategic enterprises.
The property on the north bank of the Wallace River consists of five parcels that are a mix of wetlands and mature second-growth forests. It was last logged several decades ago.
“The trees have grown back nicely and the land is actually in pretty good shape,” said Daryl Williams, the Tulalip Tribes’ natural resources liaison.
The tract is located just west of Gold Bar and close to the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, the Wild Sky Wilderness and other protected lands managed by the state Department of Natural Resources.
The land lies across the Wallace River from a state salmon hatchery, and provides habitat for bull trout as well as four types of salmon: chinook, coho, pink and chum. The land is also home to black bear, elk, deer and beaver.
Williams said the land is likely to remain in its present state, as it already provides ideal habitat for fish in the water as well as for land mammals.
“Right now we don’t have any money to do anything with the property,” Williams said. “Perhaps we’ll thin some of the trees to allow some of the others to grow faster.”
The deal came together when Forterra learned the owner of the parcels, a property investment firm called Robinett Holdings, soon would put them up for sale, Connor said.
“When we first learned the property was coming on the market, we contacted the Tulalip Tribes to see if (the land) would be conservationally significant,” Connor said.
That turned out to be the case, she said.
“The property itself has historical oxbows and natural features that in and of themselves are very, very important,” she said.
It also fit in with the Tulalips’ efforts to restore the watersheds associated with the Snohomish, Skykomish and Snoqualmie rivers.
“We’ve been spending a lot of time and effort trying to restore areas on the watershed,” Williams said.
“With new development and redevelopment, we’re losing habitat faster than we’re replacing it,” he said. “We need to do a better job with what we have.”
The deal marks the second large habitat protection project the Tulalips have undertaken. Last year the tribes breached the levees and restored tidal influence to the Qwuloolt Estuary in Marysville. The 315-acre tract took 20 years to convert from farmland to a salt marsh and cost nearly $20 million.
The transfer of the Wallace River tract is also consistent with Forterra’s goals in working with local Native American tribes on preservation, Connor said.
Last year Forterra carried out a similar property transfer with the Makah Tribe involving 240 acres near Lake Ozette on the Olympic Peninsula that is considered critical salmon habitat.
“We see that repatriation of indigenous lands is an important part of our conservation mission,” Connor said.
Snohomish County was the primary provider of funds for the land purchase and transfer, providing $280,000 in Conservation Futures funds toward the purchase, and toward other costs associated with obtaining the conservation easements and transferring the property to the tribes.
County Parks Director Tom Teigen said the Conservation Futures Advisory Board often tries to strike a balance between acquiring land for active recreation, agriculture and habitat preservation, but this particular exchange stood out for its potential benefits to salmon.
“At the end of the day, preserving that property and getting that much acreage as well as the riverfront is significant,” Teigen said.
Forterra also received $250,000 from the state Recreation and Conservation Office toward the property purchase.
Tulalip Tribes Homework Support Program
To find out more, contact Dawn Simpson, dsimpson@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Martha Carol “Muffy” Ordonia
Resided in Tulalip, Wash. for the past 21 years before moving there from Lummi, Wash. She was born and raised in Seattle, Wash. Born August 9, 1957, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle. Entered to Rest on December 27, 2015.
Muffy was a childcare worker most of her life. She really enjoyed watching and caring for other babies and children by spoiling them and sending them home to their parents – that was her Motto!!!!! Muffy was a trooper! She had suffered with pain most of her life, being diagnosed at the young age of eight with Rheumatoid Arthritis, and having to deal with pain of fluid building up on her knees. It soon continued to reach her hips and spine which lead to requiring surgeries to Hip replacement. The doctors also discovered three of her vertebrae fusing and growing together within her upper neck, making it difficult for Muffy to physically hold her head up straight with limited motion of turning her head. This was diagnosed as Rheumatoid Ankylosing Spondylitis. Yet despite the diagnosis,this did not stop her from holding her head up high with loads of smiles, like there was nothing wrong even though pain was a consistent part of her life.
In 2009, she was also given the prognosis of having Nasopharyngeal Cancer. She began chemotherapy and the occasional radiation treatments to deal with it. She had her up and down moments throughout the years… sometimes not needing treatment at all! Yet on October 21, 2015, she was informed by the doctors that no more treatments could be done, and the Cancer had taken over some of her organs. Who but her family would have known that she suffered throughout her life in pain not only because of the cancer, but with the arthritis. She walked through life with joy and pride. Ailments did not dictate anything less than a Powerful and Generous woman.
She was always on the go somewhere and with her “kids” aka Montessori or tribal extended family… as we all know Muffy didn’t have any children of her own. She chose the easy way of having “Kids” by letting others give birth to them, and she gladly babysat and toted them with her everywhere. What a great babysitter/Auntie she was to so many within the community! Being the Trooper and Strong-willed soul…Muffy began making her own arrangements for her journey on to Paradise of the Afterlife. She wanted to make sure it would be an easy transition for her surviving siblings and family. She made sure that her puppies would be taken care of. As many of you know, Cruz was her first dog, and she will be taking Cruz’s ashes with her on her Journey. She made sure her surviving Baby Reeses will be well taken care of and going to a good home within the family. She was an amazing lady thinking of others, and offering her help within the tribal community.
She is survived by her sisters, Marcelina “Lena” (Cubby) Martin, Monica “Monie” Ordonia, Connie (Cliff) Matteson; her brothers, Melition “William” (Coco) Ordonia, as well as David and Joe Fernandes. Muffy has numerous nieces and nephews as well as many many extended nieces and nephews throughout the Tulalip community and beyond.
Visitation will be Monday, January 4, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home with an Interfaith service to follow at 6:00 p.m. at the Tulalip Gym. Funeral Services will be held Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Tulalip Gym with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.
Leonard Daniel Charley
“The Dog” Leonard Daniel Charley, “The Dog” was born March 2, 1952, and passed away December 20, 2015, in the year of our Lord.
He was born and raised in Everett, Washington. He graduated from Everett High School and served in the United States Army.
He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carolyn; four children, Donna, Les, Trina, and Tracy; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; siblings; nieces, nephews, and many friends.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, December 30, 2015, from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. followed by a celebration of Leonard’s life at 11:00 a.m. at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home
Shannon Arlene Edwards-Pablo
“Looks Twice” Mar. 2, 1961 – Dec. 16, 2015 Shannon was born in Everett, Wash. on March 2, 1961 and went home to be with the Lord on December 16, 2015.
She grew up on the Tulalip Indian Reservation where she was also an enrolled tribal member. She was a very well respected Native artist. She did beautiful beadwork, paint, sculpted, crocheted, carved, basket weaved, and she was a very good tattoo artist. She was a den mother to a lot of young people who came to her not only for an ear to listen but for advice as well. She was easily called mom to many. Her most recent favorite pastime was spending it with her grandkids, either making clothes for her granddaughter or her dolls. Building stuff with her grandsons with their Legos or giving them “secret” missions playing Army. She really enjoyed watching all her grandkids practice their Taekwondo.
She has four children with her first husband, Louie Pablo Jr., Louie Pablo III, Colette (Tommy) Kaula, Charlo. Five grandchildren, Aaron, Nico, Echo, Louie, Jarome. She has seven siblings, Gary, Lisa (Lisa) Rocky, Miles, Shawna, Shirley, and Pat.
She is preceded in death by her son, Louie III; her mother, Jeanie; her brother, Rocky; and grandmother Helen. She leaves behind her father, Alvie; and her biological father, Ernie; and numerous cousins and friends. Shannon will be missed by all who were blessed to know her.
Visitation will be Monday, December 21, 2015 at 1:00 p.m. at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home. Interfaith service will be held Tuesday, December 22, 2015 at 6:00 p.m. at the Tulalip Gym. Funeral Service will be Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the Tribal Gym with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.