Empowerment program for teen girls expected for 2013 school year

Tulalip Heritage High School students look forward to a new empowerment program, specifically designed for teen girls, being introduced in the 2013 school year.

Article and photo by Jeannie Briones

TULALIP, Washington – Tulalip Family Haven is working to empower adolescent Native American girls and to help prepare them spiritually, physically, socially, and emotionally for adulthood.

Alison Bowen, Family Haven Program Manager, June LaMarr, Health & Human Services Program Director and Co-Principal Director for Healthy Hearts, and Cherol Fryberg, Wraparound Coordinator, are in the developing stages for a new program for young Tulalip Tribal member girls, ages 14-17, aimed at fostering healthy living. Girls involved in the program will learn about positive life choices and building relationships with peers and adults, boosting their self-esteem and confidence and helping them through the tough transition to adulthood.

The program, which will accommodate approximately 20 girls, is designed to be an after-school venture, where three times a week girls can meet up and participate in a variety of educational and fun activities, while learning life skills.

“We are trying to focus on the positive parts of life and not necessarily talk about all the negative things that are out there, and experience ways to deal with stress, anger and things that are going to help them be successful,” said Alison.

Native American culture will be incorporated into the program, with girls learning native arts and crafts, like cedar basket making, and cooking healthy meals to share with the community.

Computer animation, photography, and writing and playing music will be taught to expand the girls’ minds and reveal hidden talents.  Girls will also learn self-protection skills, how to regulate their emotions, and reproductive healthcare.

“We are exposing them to every possible thing we can. We want them to do community work, like cleaning up the beach. We will teach them what a full life is all about, like giving back and not being afraid to experience new things,” said Cherol.

“We plan to have activities for the young women like trips to Seattle, to a play or an opera, to have them experience things that they normally don’t experience and to get off the reservation,” explained June.

Students and parents can look forward to this yet-unnamed program being available for the 2013-14 school year at HeritageHigh School.

In the meantime, Alison, June and Cherol will be working diligently on gaining information and feedback from the community to assess what types of information and topics will be best suited for this program.

Once the program is in effect, a registered nurse will be available at the high school one a day a week to address any issues or concerns the girls may have.

For more information about this upcoming program, please contact Alison Bowen at 360-716-4322 or email abowen@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.

 

Jeannie Briones: 360-716-4188; jbriones@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Tulalip event encourages men to take better care of their health

Mel Sheldon, Chairman of Tulalip Tribes participated at the 4th Men’s Health Fair and gets his blood drawn to check blood sugar levels with a Glucose Test
Tulalip Tribal Chairman Mel Sheldon gets his blood drawn, at the health fair,  to check blood sugar levels

Article and photos by Jeannie Briones

TULALIP, Washington – Men are much less likely than women to look after their health and see physicians. They’re 25 percent less likely to have visited a health-care provider in the past year, and almost 40 percent more likely to have skipped recommended cholesterol screenings, according to the U.S. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

In an effort to lower these statistics at Tulalip and encourage men to seek preventative care, staff at the Karen I. Fryberg Tulalip Health Clinic coordinates a yearly event for men in the community to educate and promote health awareness and importance of regular check-ups. The Annual Men’s Health Fair pulled in a large crowd of tribal members, community members, and tribal employees on December 14th.

“This is the fourth year for our men’s health fair. We really wanted to touch base with our men to get them to take care of their health; it is so hard to get them in here for their annual visits. We provide prostate screenings, cholesterol screenings, diabetes checks, blood pressure checks, and dental screens,” said Jennie Fryberg, Health Informatics Manager for the clinic.

This fair is an excellent place for men to ask providers questions or concerns they may have to ensure wellness and general good health. The Tulalip clinic is working to get the word out that early intervention can make a huge difference when it comes to health and to stress. Some, like Tulalip Tribal Chairman, Mel Sheldon, Jr. have found the fair to be beneficial for early detection of cancer.

“I am so grateful that we are having this wellness fair for men. I encourage all our tribal men to participate in this annual health fair. It was but a few years ago that I came to one myself.  I took a blood test and my PSA was high.  I was diagnosed with prostate cancer, and if it hadn’t been for the health fair, and the fact that we were able to catch it early enough, who knows what would have happened. What I learned from that experience was to come to the health fairs and take the tests they offer, because if you catch anything early enough, it’s usually treatable,” said Mel.

A number of informative booths at the fair, providing resources on topics that impact men’s health, such as nutrition, mental wellness, fitness, and flu shots were well received by community members.

“I am visiting to get information about nutrition. I’m thinking about changing my eating habits and getting back in shape,” said Tulalip Tribal member, Joseph Williams.

“What is so special about this health fair is that the men are the role models; they are the examples for the family. The more they learn about health, the more they can teach their children and can encourage their wives. They show leadership by taking care of their health,” said Veronica Leahy, Diabetes Prevention Coordinator.

Included in this successful day of men taking charge of their own health, is the raffle. Attendees that visited a minimum of 17 informational booths were entered into the raffle. Prizes like ab weights and even a chainsaw were up for grabs.

 

Jeannie Briones: 360-716-4188; jbriones@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Heritage High School has GIS education day

Students observe exhibits setup for GIS day at Heritage High School
Students observe exhibits setup for GIS day at Heritage High School

By Monica Brown, Tulalip Communications Department

TULALIP, Washington – Heritage High School classrooms were set-up on the morning of December 13th, geared towards teaching students the many aspects of what a Geographic information system is and how to use it. GIS is  a system for storing and manipulating geographical information on computers. Throughout the day students rotated on thirty-minute classroom sessions which covered software, planning, surveying/ground penetrating radar, natural resources, trivia and geocaching, which is basically a world-wide scavenger hunt using GPS technology.  Students were given hands-on experience using a GPS outside and were able to navigate on-foot to set points through a GPS. GIS day was hosted by the Tulalip Data Services GIS team and Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources.

Selling Golden Eagle and other migratory bird parts

Submitted by Monica Brown, Tulalip Tribes Communications Department

Department of Justice

Office of Public Affairs

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday, December 13, 2012

Arizona Man Pleads Guilty to Illegally Selling Golden Eagle and Other Migratory Bird Parts

WASHINGTON – A Tuba City, Ariz., man pleaded guilty in federal court in Phoenix to illegally selling golden eagle and other migratory bird parts, a felony criminal offense, announced Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General for the Environment and Natural Resources Division, and John S. Leonardo, U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona.

According to the plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court in Phoenix yesterday, in January 2008, Patrick Scott, 46, used the Internet to illegally offer to sell a golden eagle fan for $950.   An undercover law enforcement officer exchanged emails with Scott and ultimately agreed on a purchase price of $900.  In February 2008, a second undercover law enforcement officer went to Scott’s house and bought the golden eagle fan by making an initial payment of $550 and later deposited the remainder directly into Scott’s bank account in two installments.  Also according to the plea agreement, between July 2007 and February 2009, Scott sold, purchased, and/or offered to sell other migratory bird parts, from species including bald eagle, red-tailed hawk, golden eagle, crested caracara, anhinga and rough-legged hawk.

 Golden eagles and other migratory birds are protected by federal laws and regulations.  Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, it is unlawful to possess, offer to sell, sell, offer to purchase or purchase any migratory bird or migratory bird part, or any product that consists, or is composed in whole or part, of any such bird or bird part.  It is a federal enforcement priority to prosecute those who violate federal laws by engaging in commercial activities involving federally protected bird feathers or other bird parts.  The objective of these enforcement efforts is to reduce and eliminate the unlawful taking of federally protected birds by prosecuting not only individuals who kill protected birds but also individuals who seek to profit from the commercialization of federally protected birds or their feathers or other parts.  This helps to ensure that golden eagle and other bird populations remain healthy and sustainable.

“The Department of Justice will not tolerate the commercial exploitation of federally protected birds, which are important not only as protected species but also as sacred elements of the religious and cultural traditions of many Native Americans,” said Ignacia S. Moreno, Assistant Attorney General of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.  “This is why the department recently published a policy to clarify that while the possession and use of migratory bird feathers and other bird parts is permissible for religious or cultural purposes by members of federally recognized tribes, it remains illegal to buy, sell, or trade in them for compensation.”

Klallam language dictionary now available

By Monica Brown, Tulalip Tribes Communications Department

The Klallam native language was nearly lost until it was preserved in a Dictionary by linguist Timothy Montler of the University of North Texas. In 1978 Montler began studying and documenting the native language when he was a student until 1991 when he began to record the language on his own.

Montler worked with elders in order to document and record the ancient language and created an alphabet that conveyed the unique sounds and pronunciations used. Elder Adeline Smith was the major contributor with a 12,000 words and sentences translated.

Basics of the Klallam language have been used in booklets guides and lessons which are used in schools of all age levels in the area and will now have the use of a dictionary to extend their knowledge of the native language. The families of Port Gamble S’Klallam and Tribal Government Department each received a copy.

Research was funded by the National Science Foundation’s Documenting Endangered Languages Grant and the National Endowment for Humanities. The Dictionary was published by the University of Washington Press and is available for purchase for $85.

Montler will be book signing in Port Angeles during the month of January although no set date has been scheduled, please view Timothy Montler’s page for other project work and check out the  website for the S’Klallam language

Native American Gallery opens in Bellingham

Submitted by Kim Kalliber

Doralee Sanchez, a prominent artist from the Lummi Nation, opened her new gallery, Coast Salish Creations, in Bellingham, Washington this November. A center for Native arts education in the community, the gallery will not only feature Native American art from around the region, but will offer regular classes to nurture local artists.

Sanchez, who comes from a long line of Lummi artists, is thrilled to have opened her own gallery after years of showing her art at various shows, including selling at Pike Place Market in Seattle. Her gallery represents artists mainly from the Lummi and Nooksack Nations, but she hopes to add more art from other Northwest tribes.

Stop by to shop and view paintings, ornaments, cedar hats and baskets, dolls, drums, purses and other authentic handmade tribal art.

Coast Salish Creations is in the Bakerview Square Shopping Center, 424 W. Bakerview Rd., Suite 102 Bellingham, WA 98225. 360-922-7902.

Men’s Health Fair

 

 

 

 

By Monica Brown, Tulalip Tribes Communications Department

“It’s ideal,” said Tribal employee David Henson, “All men over 40 should come and get checked out.” Tulalip Health Clinic is hosting the Men’s Health Fair from 9am-3pm, today, Friday December 14th at the Tulalip Health Clinic. This year’s fair includes flu shots, information about keeping a healthy diets, tips for maintaining a healthy lifestyle and sustaining eye/dental health.

Snacks and refreshments are offered along with health screenings from Everest College to take blood pressure, height and weight while the Tulalip Health Clinic is offering free screenings for Diabetes, Prostate and Cholesterol.

The clinic will be closed during Health fair hours to patients seeking flu shots, Labs, X-rays and nurse visits but is open to patients with acute care.

Cantwell to Chair Senate Committee on Indian Affairs

Press Release, Rob Capriccioso, Indian Country Today 

U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., is scheduled to become the first woman chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Indian Affairs when the new session of Congress begins in January.

The Senate Democratic Steering Committee and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid put out the official word on December 12, also indicating that Sen. Mark Begich, D-Alaska, and newly-elected Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., would be joining the committee.

The plans are subject to full Democratic caucus and full Senate approval.

Cantwell will replace a retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, who has led the committee for the past two years

“I look forward to continuing to fight to support Washington state job growth and economic opportunity, through my service on the Commerce, Energy, Finance, Indian Affairs, and Small Business Committees,” Cantwell said in a statement.

“I am honored to be selected to chair the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, following the tremendous leadership of Senator Akaka. I am proud of my work with Washington state tribes, on issues such as self-determination, education, health care and environmental issues including salmon restoration. I would be proud to serve as the first female chair of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.”

Indian observers were quick to praise the pick.

“She has about as strong a knowledge of Indian country and tribal sovereignty as anyone in the Senate,” said Navajo lawyer Chris Stearns, chair of the Seattle Human Rights Commission. “Her 2000 win over Indian fighter Slade Gorton was due to the Native vote, and she has never forgotten that. My guess is that Indian country will collectively shoot a hail of arrows into the sky if she takes the chair.”

Asked to compare Cantwell’s ability to lead the committee to that of Akaka, Stearns said: “Without taking anything away from Akaka’s 35-year legacy, Cantwell is a fighter, and she has already carved out a reputation as a tough critic and watchdog of both Wall Street and the energy industry. She was not afraid to take on Ted Stevens and Alaska delegation to block drilling in ANWR, incurring Stevens’ personal wrath and his unsuccessful attempt to open up Puget Sound to an armada of oil tankers. She has 29 tribes in her state with maybe a few more on the way.”

Stearns added that the planned line-up of the committee appears strong as well. “There is not a weak point at all in this line up—it’s all heavy hitters,” he said. “Everybody here is a pro and has deep ties and a background in Indian country.”

Holly Cook Macarro, a Red Lake tribal citizen and a lobbyist with tribal affairs firm Ietan, said Cantwell’s ascension has a “great feel” to it.

“Her defeat of Slade Gorton in 2000 signaled to the nation the power of the Native vote and motivated tribal nations across the country to similarly organize their communities,” Macarro said. “I am sure many tribal leaders are looking forward to joining forces with her leadership and advancing tribal issues in the new Congress.”

The full committee line-up follows:

INDIAN AFFAIRS – 113th

Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii

Tim Johnson, D-S.D.

Maria Cantwell, D-Wash.

Jon Tester, D-Mont.

Tom Udall, D-N.M.

Al Franken, D-Minn.

Mark Begich, D-Alaska

Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D.