Tulalip News

Flathead Reservation in next phase of $1.9B land buy-back program

By Matt Volz, Associated Press

Elouise Cobell, right, looks on as Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Hayes testifies in December 2009 during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, D.C. EVAN VUCCI/Associated Press — Elouise Cobell, right, looks on as Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Hayes testifies in December 2009 during a Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing in Washington, D.C.
EVAN VUCCI/Associated Press

HELENA – The Flathead Reservation is among 21 Indian reservations that will be the focus of the next phase of a $1.9 billion program to buy fractionated land parcels owned by multiple individuals and turn them over to tribal governments, Interior Department officials said Thursday.

Besides the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, other Montana participants are the Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation; Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation; Crow Tribe; and the Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana.

Government officials will work with tribal leaders to plan, map, conduct mineral evaluations, make appraisals and acquire land on the reservations from Washington state to Oklahoma in this phase, which is expected to last through 2015.

Other reservations could be added to the list, but the 21 named Thursday meet the criteria, particularly tribal readiness, said Assistant Secretary for Indian Affairs Kevin Washburn.

“We knew it wouldn’t be successful unless tribal leaders were interested in the program,” Washburn said.

The land buyback program is part of a $3.4 billion settlement of a class-action lawsuit filed by Elouise Cobell of Browning, who died in 2011. The lawsuit claimed Interior Department officials mismanaged trust money held by the government for hundreds of thousands of Indian landowners.

The 1887 Dawes Act split tribal lands into individual allotments that were inherited by multiple heirs with each passing generation, resulting in some parcels across the nation being owned by dozens, hundreds or even thousands of individual Indians.

Often, that land sits without being developed or leased because approval is required from all the owners.

The land buyback program aims to consolidate as many parcels as possible by spending $1.9 billion by a 2022 deadline to purchase land from willing owners, then turn over that purchased land to the tribes to do as they see fit.

So far, the program has spent $61.2 million and restored 175,000 acres, said Interior Deputy Secretary Mike Connor. To buy even that much land, officials had to locate and contact owners in all 50 states and several countries to find out if they were willing to sell, Connor said.

The work primarily has been focused on South Dakota’s Pine Ridge Reservation until now.

Last month, tribal leaders from four reservations criticized the buyback program’s slow pace and complained they were being shut out of decisions over what land to buy. The leaders from tribes in Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon and Washington state spoke before a U.S. House panel.

Rep. Steve Daines, R-Montana, who called for the congressional hearing, said he welcomed Thursday’s announcement by the Interior Department.

“However, I am concerned their efforts here may not provide tribes with the necessary tools to ensure the Land Buy-Back program is properly implemented,” Daines said in a statement.

He said the Interior Department should use its authority to give tribes more flexibility, and it should move swiftly to address consolidation problems on other reservations not included in the announcement.

Washburn said Thursday that his agency has entered into or is negotiating cooperative agreements with many tribes in the buyback program, though others say they want the federal government to run the program.

21 reservations next up in consolidation program

These are the American Indian reservations the Department of Interior plans to focus on in the next phase of a $1.9 billion buyback program of fractionated land parcels to turn over to tribal governments. The program is part of a $3.4 billion settlement over mismanaged money held in trust by the U.S. government for individual Indian landowners.

– Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes of the Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana.

– Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe of the Cheyenne River Reservation, Wyoming.

– Coeur D’Alene Tribe of the Coeur D’Alene Reservation, Idaho.

– Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Reservation, Montana.

– Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation, Oregon.

– Crow Tribe, Montana.

– Fort Belknap Indian Community of the Fort Belknap Reservation of Montana.

– Gila River Indian Community of the Gila River Indian Reservation, Arizona.

– Lummi Tribe of the Lummi Reservation, Washington.

– Makah Indian Tribe of the Makah Indian Reservation, Washington.

– Navajo Nation, Arizona.

– Northern Cheyenne Tribe of the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation, Montana.

– Oglala Sioux Tribe of the Pine Ridge Reservation, South Dakota.

– Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, Kansas.

– Quapaw Tribe of Indians, Oklahoma.

– Quinault Tribe of the Quinault Reservation, Washington.

– Rosebud Sioux Tribe of the Rosebud Indian Reservation, South Dakota.

– Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate of the Lake Traverse Reservation, North Dakota and South Dakota.

– Squaxin Island Tribe of the Squaxin Island Reservation, Washington.

– Standing Rock Sioux Tribe of North Dakota and South Dakota.

– Swinomish Indians of the Swinomish Reservation, Washington.

Senate confirms first Native woman federal judge

by The Associated Press

PHOENIX (AP) – A former U.S. Attorney from Arizona will be the first Native American woman to serve on the federal bench.

Hopi citizen Diane Humetewa easily won confirmation on May 14 in the U.S. Senate in a 96-0 vote. The four senators who didn’t vote were Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Christopher Coons (D-Del.) and Jack Reed (D-R.I.)

She will fill one of six vacancies in the federal District Court of Arizona.

Humetewa currently serves as special counsel at Arizona State University, where she is also a professor.

She served as U.S. Attorney for Arizona between 2007 and 2009.

She also was an appellate court judge for the Hopi Tribe.

The National Congress of American Indians praised the confirmation, saying Humetewa has dedicated her time to serving the interests of Native peoples.

“The National Congress of American Indians congratulates Diane J. Humetewa of the Hopi Indian Tribe on her confirmation as federal judge in the U.S. District Court of Arizona. As the newest member of the federal bench, she is the first Native American woman ever appointed to serve in that position,” a NCAI press release states. “The Honorable Humetewa is impeccably qualified for her new role. She has practiced law in federal courts for over a decade – as Special Assistant U.S. Attorney, as Assistant U.S. Attorney, and as the U.S. Attorney for Arizona – and is experienced in a wide array of complex proceedings, hearings, and cases. Further, Judge Humetewa has dedicated time to serving the interests of Native peoples. She has been the Appellate Court judge for the Hopi Tribe, counsel to the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, and special advisor to the President on American Indian Affairs at Arizona State University. NCAI greatly appreciates the efforts of the President and Senate in achieving this historic confirmation. There are many qualified, talented people like Diane Humetewa in Indian Country who are able and willing to serve. We eagerly anticipate many more nominations of Native people to the federal bench and other offices.”

The overburdened District Court of Arizona remains one of the busiest in the country, having declared a judicial emergency in 2011

Changes in Tulalip Tribal Loan Policy take effect June 1

Source: Tulalip Tribes Finance Department

Loan Policy Amendments

On May 2, 2014 the Tribal Loan policy was amended by Resolution 2014-243. The new loan policy will be effective June 1, 2014. The new loan policy will only effect new loans. All existing loans will remain on the same terms as agreed. The following are the changes:

Tribal Loans

· Loan term/maturity 22 months

· Minimum monthly payment $200.00

· Payment due date the 1^st of each month

· All payment via payroll deduction or per capita/tribal distributions

· Loan must be paid in full (zero balance) before applying for a new loan

Default

· If defaulted, no new loan until six (6) months after previous loan paid in full

Emergency Loans added

· Rental deposits to prevent homelessness

· Loss of an Out of State or Out of Country Family member

The new policy will be available on Tulalip Tribes website for review and details.

http://www.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov/Home/Government/Departments/Finance/Policy.aspx

Cabela’s celebrates hometown heroes

By Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News

TULALIP – Cabela’s Hometown Celebration, which honors all active military service men and women, reservists, veterans, law enforcement, firefighters and Emergency Medical Services personnel, begins today until May 18. As a show of appreciation Cabela’s is extending their employee discount to these hometown heroes. Must present badge, valid government ID or other proof of eligibility to receive the discount on wide variety of merchandise through out the store.

Cabela’s will also be hosting their Armed Forces Appreciation Weekend this Saturday-Sunday, that includes a barbecue lunch by Famous Dave’s and a variety of interactive activities with local veterans, armed forces, and recruiters. A flag raising ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. Boy Scouts of America will raise the flags in honor of the armed forces and hometown heroes. Worn and tired American flags can be given to the Boys Scouts of America, who will properly burn the flags through a flag retirement ceremony between 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. in front of the store near the flagpoles.

Cabela’s Tulalip is located within the Quil Ceda Village on the Tulalip Indian Reservation at 9810 Quil Ceda Blvd., Tulalip, WA 98271. Please visit their website at www.cabelas.com.

Tale of Pioneering Native American Woman Inspires Writing of Tribal Histories

Tom Banse

Voice of America | May 13, 2014 1:39 PM

Author LLyn De Danaan at home in Mason County, Washington. (Mary Randlett.)

OYSTER BAY, WASHINGTON — The discovery of long-forgotten gravestones in a thicket of bramble and alder set one author on the trail of a singular Native American woman and oyster farmer who lived in 19th century Washington state.

The book that resulted is inspiring others to reveal the stories of people who’ve been out of the nation’s collective history.

Cultural crossroads

The waterfront cottage LLyn De Danaan calls home in Oyster Bay, Washington State, overlooks a cultural crossroads that is rich in history. She’s a cultural anthropologist whose eyes and ears are attuned to the signs and stories of place.

From the earliest times, Oyster Bay drew waves of settlers looking to reap shellfish.

De Danaan, who moved to the area in the early 1970s, heard so many tales about pioneer Katie Gale ‒ independent businesswoman who owned property and tidelands in her own name in the late 1800s ‒ that she started a file on her.

“That was all a little bit unusual from conventional wisdom, and things I had heard about both people in the oyster business and Native American women,” De Danaan said.

She was fascinated by Gale’s ability to straddle different worlds, standing up for herself and her mixed-race children.

“I suppose there just were too many things about that that intrigued me that I couldn’t let go of it,” De Danaan said. “I literally could not let go of it for years.”

"Katie Gale: A Coast Salish Woman's Life on Oyster Bay" by LLyn De Danaan. — “Katie Gale: A Coast Salish Woman’s Life on Oyster Bay” by LLyn De Danaan.

Katie Gale’s story

A turning point came when De Danaan and several friends from the historical society discovered an overgrown homestead graveyard not far from her house. One of the headstones belonged to Katie Gale.

“I was so amazed, excited, [and] enthralled that I began beating on Stan’s shoulders as he was kneeling in front of me holding this stone,” she said. “I literally said, ‘I know who this is,’ as if she were an acquaintance of mine. But it almost felt that way. I would say that was a moment of calling. I have to tell this woman’s story. I have to know her.”

But the long-dead Gale left no letters or journals. De Danaan found no photographs or living descendants. The best source material was a divorce case file.

It took almost a decade to accumulate corroborating details, context and enough educated guesses to write a biography. Katie Gale: A Coast Salish Woman’s Life on Oyster Bay was published last fall.

But the tale doesn’t stop there.

Reclaiming lost histories

“There are so many stories not told,” De Danaan said. “There are so many histories and people left out of our histories. That is what my work has to be now. I feel that it is my obligation to do that.”

The biographer is a guest speaker in a writing class at the Evergreen State College Longhouse in Olympia. She encourages students to bring forth stories before they are lost, perhaps starting with family history. It’s a message De Danaan returns to again and again in regular public talks and one-on-one mentoring.

“You are able to find out a lot,” she told the young people, “more than you think.”

All of the students this day are Native American. It takes awhile, but eventually sensitivities come out.

“I was really hesitant about taking the class,” said Melissa, a student who attended.

Her grandmothers warned against exposing too much of their Spokane tribal heritage to outsiders for fear they might twist or exploit it.

Makah tribal member Vince Cook heard that from his elders, too. “That is a tough one, because when I was younger we were told not to record, not to videotape.”

Cook says attitudes are changing now as people see tradition and culture slipping away. He feels spurred to write about his great grandmother and all the things she taught him.

“I think it is important to continue on, not only for myself, but for my family and for others to know about the Makah culture and to keep it alive,” he said.

Other Native Americans also recognize the urgency of gathering history before it’s lost.

Amateur folklorist Si Matta focuses on gathering the stories of his ancestors from the Cascade (Watala) Indian tribe that once lived and fished in the Columbia River Gorge.

He’s using modern means to collect the old stories, by soliciting and sharing material and photographs via a website and Facebook page.

Salmon-skin boots win Native designer a shot at national prize

By MIKE DUNHAM

mdunham@adn.comMay 13, 2014
Anchorage Dimond High School graduate Michelle Brown has become a finalist in a national search for stylin’ footwear with a design that makes ingenious use of salmon skin.

Brown, who will graduate from Parsons The New School for Design in New York City this month with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in women’s ready-to-wear, has one of four designs competing in an online contest sponsored by the upscale Allen Edmonds company.

Brown said she was drawn to use remnants to create a striking design by how the company found ways to make shoes during World War II, when leather was rationed. In that history she found parallels with how Alaska Natives made efficient use of materials.

“Being Native American myself, and from Alaska, I was attracted to the Natives of the Northwest and their own unique approaches to solving design problems,” she wrote in her contestant statement. “I was inspired by their conservative use of materials and wanted to emulate the idea of using resources in a meaningful way. I thought that their use of strips of material and other remnants was a great way to make use of every piece.”

In an email, she describes her “Frontier Boot” as “a classic men’s boot with a twist on the fabrication because of the use of salmon leather. Function was also important, so I finished with the metal lace hooks mounted on cognac-tinged Dublin horween cowhide.”

That sounds fancy, but Brown has also factored in practical features. “The boots are recraftable,” she said, “meaning that the soles can be replaced at least three times through the boot’s life span.”

People can vote on the finalists at allenedmonds.com through May 16. A link to the voting page appears every few seconds in rotation with other links at the top of the home page.

The winning design will be produced and sold as a special edition later this year.

Reach Mike Dunham at mdunham@adn.com or 257-4332.

Alaska Native rapper shares positive message with youths

By TARA YOUNG

Alaska Dispatch May 13, 2014

Samuel Johns likes to refer to himself as an artist, a storyteller. He raps, plays traditional Athabascan drums, and gives motivational talks to inspire youth. Johns grew up in Copper Center, a depressed Alaska village on the road system. He cites the availability of liquor in the village as one of the downfalls of the community.

“Growing up in the village, it’s good for some people. Some people find their peace in the wilderness and (aren’t) affected by addiction. But then when they are caught in that life, it could kill them.” It’s a story Johns knows well; many of his friends and family in the village have died after getting stuck in addictions.

“Growing up in the village is hard,” Johns said. “That’s why I have the ability to share my story, because I know where some of those kids are at.” With few opportunities and an epidemic of alcoholism in rural villages, Johns became depressed and after an alcohol-related death in his family he fell into drinking. He finally gave into the depression and desperation he had been feeling and drank away five years of his life. Johns now sees clearly that there has been a lack of sober male role models in his community. He didn’t have a role model and acknowledges that even he wasn’t present for his first daughter during his years of drinking.

Johns now wants to help change that environment for the younger generation living in Alaska Native villages. Through his positive message raps, he’s trying to reach youth in a way that’s relevant to their lives.

“Everybody has heard everything on the radio and I’m the exactly opposite of that,” he said. “Rappers, they talk about cars, money, making it rain. People can fantasize about it, but they won’t have a real connection. But when it comes to lyrics about domestic abuse, they can picture that in their mind if they’ve been around that. They can picture it, they can feel it because it’s real. My target is the younger generation. So they can listen to it and say, ‘Man, I kind of want to make a difference in my community.’”

Johns, who has been sober for almost seven years now, feels that in the village he never found a healthy way to grieve for the deaths of loved ones. Since January, Johns has been bringing his traditional drum to Bean’s Cafe to play traditional music for the homeless community, many of whom are Alaska Native. He plays music for them to “reconnect them to their lost identity.” He says the drumming is healing and traditionally a way to unite people. It’s his way of helping people heal and connect to their Native history.

You can see Samuel Johns’ videos on his YouTube channel.

Contact Tara Young at tara(at)alaskadispatch.com.

Boozy Native American head on North Dakota college kids’ shirts not a ‘Siouxper’ idea: critics

BY MICHAEL WALSH

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS | Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 5:05 PM

The University of North Dakota does not organize the Springfest bash for which the shirts were made, so it’s unclear whether the school will take disciplinary action against the students for the questionable apparel.

A group of college students made T-shirts showing a Native American head drinking from a beer bong that read “Siouxper drunk” for a huge party before finals week.

The University of North Dakota does not organize the Springfest bash, scheduled for Saturday, so it’s unclear whether the school will — or can — take disciplinary action against the students for the questionable apparel.

What is clear is that this is far from the first time people came to a head over the representation of Native Americans on the campus.

“There’s a really long history of fighting over the logo and nickname for the university. These T-shirts are just the latest event that connected to that,” Sebastian Braun, chair of the school’s American Indian Studies Department, told the Daily News.

Several years ago, the NCAA pressured the university to drop its “Fighting Sioux” logo and name, which were deemed offensive.

This T-shirt designed for a big, unsanctioned party near the University of North Dakota is being criticized for the use of an American Indian image. *Photo: Twitter*

University President Robert O. Kelley was appalled that people wore t-shirts that perpetuate derogatory and harmful stereotypes of American Indians.

“The message on the shirts demonstrated an unacceptable lack of sensitivity and a complete lack of respect for American Indians and all members of the community,” he said.

Just last week the Gamma Phi Beta sorority displayed a banner that read, “You can take away our mascot but you can’t take away our pride. Mens 2014 NCAA Frozen Four.” It was quickly removed, the president said in a statement.

Last month, students put up a poster on campus criticizing the old logo and presumably people who are nostalgic for it.

Racist or merely rowdy? ‘Siouxper Drunk’ T-shirts draw smiles, anger at University of North Dakota. Photo: Twitter — Racist or merely rowdy? ‘Siouxper Drunk’ T-shirts draw smiles, anger at University of North Dakota. *Photo: Twitter*

Braun said the upcoming party will be held off-campus but nearby.

“Part of it is in a city park and there’s a business in town with a liquor license. It’s a neighborhood with a lot of student residences,” he said.

Students who are upset about the T-shirts on Friday organized a walk from the American Indian Student Services building to the administrative building.

University spokesman Peter Johnson said the situation was under investigation.

The University of North Dakota Fighing Sioux logo has long been a source of controversy. Photo: University of North Dakota

Serving patients while raising awareness Quarterly diabetes day at the Tulalip Health Clinic

By Andrew Gobin, Tulalip News

The Tulalip Karen I. Fryberg Health Clinic held their quarterly Diabetes Day Tuesday, May 13. Diabetes Day is held once every three months, and for four hours the clinic makes all the services readily available to patients.

“With diabetes, it’s just convenient to have everybody right there and then to see me,” said Veronica Leahy, diabetes educator for the clinic. “People can come in and do their labs. Some people have had to fast, so we have healthy snacks available for afterwards.”

While Diabetes Day is intended to provide convenient all inclusive same-day service to patients, there is also an effort to bring awareness to people on how to prevent the disease. Clinic nurses used diagrams and models to show the effects of unhealthy lifestyles and how they can lead to or magnify diabetes.

Burleigh Snyder is a patient of the clinic and an advocate for diabetes awareness. He participates in most of the diabetes events, and contributes the gardens at the clinic and at the Hibulb Cultural Center.

He said, “I should be six feet under. My highest number (highest blood sugar level) was 1873. I was found in a coma, I died three times at the hospital. I advocate for diabetes awareness so that maybe what happened to me will help someone else prevent diabetes in their life.”

Rob Taylor, who volunteers at the clinic’s garden, said, “We are showing people how to eat better. Diet is so closely tied to diabetes and obesity. Healthy eating to reduce weight is very beneficial to diabetes. We would like to expand the garden, maybe include an orchard, but that’s a ways out.”

The next Diabetes Days are August 12 and November 18. Stop in at the Tulalip Health Clinic from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. on those days to learn more.

Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulalipnews.com
Phone: (360) 716.4188

Canoes return to the water

Article and photos by Andrew Gobin

The weather is heating up, the water is calming, and the canoes are back out on the water. On April 30 at the canoe shed near the Tulalip Veterans Office, families and friends from the Tulalip community gathered to wash the canoes, getting them ready for the year’s activities, including Salmon Ceremony and the annual Canoe Journey. On May 7, the first canoes hit the water, kicking off weekly canoe practice.

Every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. one of the three Tulalip canoes will be at the marina, waiting to be paddled around the bay. Whether you are a returning, seasoned canoe puller or are just starting out, besure to get there and get on a crew.

As practices progress and pullers get stronger, the practice route will venture outside of the bay. Sometimes the canoes will make a spontaneous stop and have an afternoon at the beach, with hotdogs and marshmallows if you bring them. Even if you don’t plan on going on the canoe journey, it is a good chance to get on the water.

Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Phone: (360) 716.4188