Updates from Puyallup Tribal News http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net The Puyallup Tribe of Indians and its economic development division, Marine View Ventures, signed what many have called an historic deal with the Port of Tacoma April 22. The agreement, which the parties hope will be an economic boon for the regional economy, calls for the port and Tribe to exchange land and to work together to develop and widen the Blair Waterway. As per the agreement, the port will transfer about 19 acres to the Tribe and the Tribe will transfer about 12.5 acres to the port. Both parties have agreed to a project to widen the Blair Waterway, a project that will be undertaken and managed by container terminal operator SSA Containers Inc. The parties also agreed to cooperate on intermodal rail, road infrastructure and other development opportunities. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/281 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/281 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) The number of candidates for Puyallup Tribal Council was narrowed down from 20 to four after the first round of votes April 19. The four candidates who are moving on to the general election are current Councilmember Herman Dillon, Sr., Roleen Hargrove, Sylvia P. Miller, and Nancy Shippentower-Games. The four contestants will vie for two seats in the general election. On the same ballot, Quiasee Mills beat out opponent Chester Earl for a seat on the trust board. Quiasee Mills received 383 votes while Chester Earl received 180. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/282 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/282 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Members of Puyallup Tribe and other local tribes joined with leaders in the field of education April 26 to honor the life of Jim Egawa, a man regarded in great esteem for his efforts on behalf of Native youth in the Tacoma area. His legacy was celebrated during the Jim Egawa Memorial Pow Wow, held at Tacoma Community College (TCC). Jim Egawa, a member of the Lummi Indian Nation, passed away in 2003. He directed the Indian Education Program of Tacoma Public Schools for many years prior to his retirement in 2000. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/283 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/283 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTjlarson@tacomaweekly.com(John Larson) It was an afternoon of formal dress and delightfully informal entertainment April 26 for the Point Defiance Zoo Society's annual fashion tea fundraiser at the Emerald Queen Casino (EQC) I-5 showroom. By all accounts the event was a complete success. While the final tally of money raised was still being calculated at press time, Meleena Russell, events manager for the society, said it looks like this year's event raised even more than last year, which will help the society's ongoing support of the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium's (PDZA) programs and mission. Meleena Russell said the event was made even more fabulous thanks to in-kind donations from the EQC. Impressive decorations, the sound system, lighting, audio-visual components including a big screen monitor, and the trained personnel to run all the equipment were provided by the casino. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/284 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/284 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmattnagle@tacomaweekly.com(Matt Nagle) Katharine Pilot loves working for the Puyallup Tribe. In her eight years working for the Puyallup Tribal Health Authority (PTHA), she feels like she has done a lot of good. As a chemical dependency professional, Katharine Pilot sees a lot of people who have hit rock bottom - those with drug and alcohol addictions so strong that many may give up on those individuals. But she does not, and by not giving up, she reaps tremendous rewards. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/285 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/285 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) According to the National Step Family Resource Center, 30 percent of all children will spend some time in a stepfamily, including stepfamilies where a parent and step-parent are just living together but not married. They also report that perhaps half of all Americans will be in a "step" situation at some point in their lives. If you are a step-parent, stepchild, step-auntie or uncle, step-grandparent - you are not alone. Relationships between step-parents and stepchildren can be difficult, stressful and, sometimes, openly hostile. If you or your partner is in a step-parent role, here are some points to ponder: http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/286 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/286 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Annamarie Pederson) The program, Puget Sound Pen Palz, was created in the fall of 2007 by a collaboration between the Office of Residence Life and the Community Involvement and Action Center at the University of Puget Sound (UPS), and Chief Leschi Schools. The goals of this program are to: - To provide UPS students with positive cultural models and http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/287 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/287 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Sadie Rae Srail) As of July 2005 schools in Washington are required to provide information on meningococcal disease to parents or guardians of all students entering grades 6-12. Meningococcal disease is a serious infection of the brain (meningitis) and blood caused by a type of bacteria. Fortunately, this life-threatening infection is rare - only about 75 people are infected each year in Washington. Adolescents and young adults are more likely to get meningococcal disease, especially those living in group settings, like college dorms. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/288 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/288 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Andrea Ray-Anderson) The Diversity Resource Center and Native American Student Organization at University of Washington Tacoma (UWT) hosted a free screening April 29 of the landmark film "As Long as the Rivers Run," a riveting documentary of Northwest Native American peoples' struggles during the days of the fishing wars in Washington state. Filmmaker Carol Burns and activist Ramona Bennett attended the screening and stayed afterward to talk about their experiences back in the days when Pacific coastal tribes had to fight tooth and nail for their sovereign right to fish in a united front with other Native peoples across the country involved a nationwide civil rights movement for tribal self-determination across the board. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/289 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/289 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTmattnagle@tacomaweekly.com(Matt Nagle) Taking different routes to the same destination, Lonestar first came together in 1992 in Nashville. All four members grew up in Texas, and though none received any substantial musical training, each made their way through a series of garage bands in high school. With the exception of drummer Keech Rainwater, who devoted himself to the pursuit of a music career, everyone went on to college or day jobs, though they continued to play in bands at night. All of their paths eventually crossed in Texas. Rainwater and guitarist Michael Britt both wound up in the band Canyon. Lonestar's original singer, Richie McDonald, opened for Canyon and met Rainwater and Britt backstage. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/290 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/290 Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Tribal News Writers) Members of the Puyallup Tribe united, once again, in honor of peace, well-being and healing for the community. April 5 marked the third annual peace rally for the Tribe. A day of peaceful activities, presentations and a united walk was the culmination of an entire week of violence prevention campaigns. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/270 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/270 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) A federal judge has ruled that salmon fishing limits in Puget Sound are adequate to protect threatened Chinook. Judge Robert S. Lasnik issued his ruling in a federal court in Seattle March 21. His decision is considered a victory for Indian tribes in the region. The plaintiff was Salmon Spawning and Recovery Alliance, which consists of Snohomish County Public Utilities District (PUD), Wild Fish Conservancy, Native Fish Society of Oregon, Fish First, Friends of the East Fork, Washington Trout and Clark-Skamania Fly Fishers. The coalition had sued National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in 2006 in U.S. District Court, arguing that the federal agency had allowed co-managers of the Puget Sound Chinook to set fishing limits that harmed the fish population. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/271 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/271 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTjlarson@tacomaweekly.com(John Larson) April 7 was a proud day for Vanessa Lallashute. She graduated from Tacoma Goodwill's Office Essentials Program as the first Native American woman ever to do so. She also started her new job and felt a sense of accomplishment, something she had not felt for some time. Vanessa Lallashute, a Yakama Tribal member, recently moved to the Puget Sound area. She had been unemployed since September 2007, and after months of looking for work with no avail, she went to the Puyallup Tribe's Workforce Investment Act (WIA) office for help. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/272 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/272 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) Diana Kurtz has been working with Kwawachee Counseling Center's Helping Hands Project since its inception four years ago. As a data coordinator for the grant project, Diana Kurtz is essentially the thermometer for the program; she surveys the community to get the temperature for what sorts of services and programs are desired. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/273 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/273 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) We are excited to inform our families that we have begun a partnership between Kwawachee Counseling Center (KCC) and Grandview Early Learning Center (GELC) this year! We have agreed formally that we share the goal and desire to nurture and teach our young people to be successful in this lifetime. Our partnership includes many additional services coming to GELC. KCC Staff will join our teachers in the classroom to provide support, observe children and offer behavior management for students. KCC Counselors will also provide parenting classes, after school life skills groups as well as training for staff and parents as requested. Many of these additional supports will be provided at Grandview. If in the future, KCC and GELC Staff agree a child needs additional services, we promise to work collaboratively with the parent(s)/care giver in the referral process. KCC Team comprises many skilled, committed and caring individuals. KCC currently employs eight licensed counselors and four client advocates with varied specialties in clinical psychology, counseling, marriage and family therapy, human services field, and social work. Many members of the clinical team have more than 10 years experience in native communities and several are members of tribes. GELC Students are our future and KCC values this chance to work more closely with them to ensure they grow up to be happy and successful leaders of tomorrow. We very much look forward to this new partnership and the opportunity to work with the youth and families at GELC! http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/274 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/274 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Danelle Reed-Inderbitzin, PH.D.) March 16, 2008 Jacob Rideout (sophomore) and Russell Markishtum (Junior) participated in the Junior National tournament all-state high school basketball competition in Bellevue, Wash. After an outstanding performance in the Junior Nationals tournament, Russell and Jacob were among a handful of players selected by the coaches to continue as members of the prestigious USA Junior Nationals basketball program to represent Washington at the "International Sports Festival" in Columbus, OH. July 21-27. The USA Junior Nation-als participants are comprised of the top High School varsity athletes across the United States and Canada. Congratulations to Jacob and Russell for their outstanding achievement. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/275 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/275 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Tribal News Writers) The High School Wasington Assesment of Student Learning (WASL) test can lead to high levels of anxiety among students. To help encourage and recognize the efforts of students, all of the test takers at Chief Leschi Middle/High School were eligible to participate in a unique opportunity during lunch. Test takers who arrived to school on time, worked for the time provided, and helped to maintain a quiet testing environment were invited to eat a catered lunch every day of the High School WASL test. Lunches included pizza, sub sandwiches, Indian Tacos and teriyaki chicken and rice from Wok and amp; Teriyaki House. The WASL test wasn't only difficult for students. Staff members also found that they were a bit more anxious during the WASL testing window. To help offset some of the staff members' tensions, the Middle/High School offered staff members breakfast before the start of school. All staff members were encouraged to pick up some of the treats provided by the school to enjoy before the start of testing each day. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/276 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/276 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Jennifer Pierce) Kenny Rogers sounds like nobody else - his sweetly raspy vocals are instantly identifiable. More importantly, he inhabits each song, making it vivid and tangible. For more than five decades Kenny Rogers has delivered memorable songs, drawing fans among rock, pop, soul and country audiences. On April 20, Kenny Rodgers will reel in a crowd of fans for their one chance to see the pop-tinged country star in Pierce County this year. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/277 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/277 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Tribal News Writers) The staff at Puyallup Tribe's Children's Services department deals with it all. They're prepared at a moment's notice to handle a heart-wrenching domestic situation, sometimes in the middle of the night. They don't get enough rest, miss meals and have a caseload a mile long. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/278 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/278 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) Seven candidates for Puyallup Tribal Council spoke at a rally April 12 addressing issues ranging from education to elder and low-income housing to economic security. The rally began with a prayer and a song performed by Evan Spirithawk and others. The rally was hosted by Tribal Councilmember David Bean. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/279 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/279 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Jonas Stanup was born in 1857 in Oyster Bay and died Dec. 16, 1897. He had an allotment on the Puyallup reservation and was an active Tribal leader and warrior; a key player in the Treaty of Medicine Creek. Below are newspaper articles written after his death, as well as a letter written by Jonas Stanup himself. My Dear Friends and Relatives: http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/280 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/280 Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Tribal News) It's that time of year again: the birds are returning and the flowers are blooming. This time of year means one other thing: it's daffodil season, and time to prepare for the annual Daffodil Parade. That is just what tribal member Ron Simchen is doing these days. He is the 2008 Daffodil Festival President, and he has been working almost daily to put together three floats for the parade - the Tribe's float, the Educator of the Year float and the Queen's float. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/258 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/258 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTmerkkinen@tacomaweekly.com(Meghan Erkkinen) Springtime is here. The season is changing once again. It changes four times a year. The spring brings many new and beautiful things. Change brings many new and beautiful things. We have experienced many new opportunities at the Tribe in recent times. To name a few (as there are many): http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/259 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/259 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(David Z. Bean) A 2-year-old knowing how to smoke a cigarette. A 12-year-old with a year of recreational drug use under his belt. These are examples of the increasingly younger ages of children who are faced with adult issues. And that is why starting preventative measures early on is vital for the Puyallup Tribe. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/260 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/260 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) When music teacher Michael Anderson requested some money from the Puyallup Tribe for a few items for the music department at Chief Leschi School, he never dreamed his request would be answered in such a big way. The Tribe awarded the music department $17,000. With this money, he was able to purchase three timpani, a gong, some cymbals and a few smaller percussion instruments. He also purchased five computers, five music keyboards, and software that assists the students in composing music and learning more about music. According to Michael Anderson, "Students can create pieces using their own ideas, or take ideas from a pre-loaded palette already inside the composing program. They can then manipulate them to make their own unique pieces. The music possibilities range from guitar tablature all the way up to works for full orchestra and choir. You don't need to read music well to compose either. You can play the parts in as you hear them. The only limitation is the students' own imagination." http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/261 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/261 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Michael Anderson) The GREAT program depends a lot on people volunteering their time to make life better for kids. In the last year employees from Chief Leschi, Kwawachee and the community have given about 3,100 hours of their time to help the GREAT program serve kids. They have done so many different things that it is hard to list all of them. They have cut and hauled brush. They've stayed all weekend at camp acting as mentors for 20 or more children. They have hiked in the dark up to two miles and cooked for up to 30 people. The kids in the program also volunteer time doing anything from helping younger students during summer camp to running the school store two days a week. They also do various projects to help improve the camping experience at the Graham property. Recently our focus has been working on making cabins for summer camp. The students worked on them one weekend. On March 16, Deanne Gardner, Chief Leschi employee brought her husband and some friends to help build cabins for summer camp. Bart Brewer and Berta Lopez, Chief Leschi employees, also came and helped. Todd Salois, whose daughter is part of the GREAT program, brought some people from his work and helped on both days the weekend of March 22. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/262 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/262 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Tribal News) Dishes clanging, secret hud-dles and high energy filled the culinary arts class room March 20 at Chief Leschi High School. Sixteen advanced culinary students competed to see who would come up with the most creative, delectable, beautiful dishes for the secret ingredients provided by Officer Allan Gerking. This year's secret ingredients included shrimp, scallops, strawberries, grapes and Yukon gold potatoes. Students had one hour and fifteen minutes to design their menu and have their items on the table for judging. The winning group was Britt Kerns, Raymond Johnnie, Levi Salway and Catherine Jones with a citrus marinara over four cheese ravioli, tuxedo strawberries and special breading for the seafood. Other teams were in a three-way tie for second: Rory Yoder, Robert Loucks, Tony Nichols, Nicole Rasar, Cheyenne Winterhawk, Julian Dillon, Phillip James, Sammy Keesy, Levi Garcia, Adam Gardner, Alex Devlin and Russell Markishtum. Judges had a quite a challenge deciding as every group had at least one outstanding item. A special thanks goes to the video production class for their documenting of the event and Mrs. Gerking, Lucy Dafoe, Ray Lorton and Lieutenant Detective Todd Wescott for judging this event. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/263 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/263 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Tribal News Writers) It might not be a coincidence that in a county where obesity has climbed over the last decade, 84 percent of its citizens reportedly eat out on a regular basis. Restaurant frequenters are often exposed to inflated portions and high fat, calorie and sodium levels. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/264 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/264 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) Before Rob Graham came to work at Kwawachee Counseling Center four years ago, he had no idea what his future would hold. After graduating from Michigan State University with a doctorate in clinical psychology, Rob Graham was a little unsure of what his career path would be. http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/265 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/265 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTcjensen@tacomaweekly.com(Clare Jensen) Helping Hands Project/KCC http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/266 http://www.puyalluptribalnews.net/article/266 Thu, 03 Apr 2008 00:00:00 PDTnews@tacomaweekly.com(Janel Tobar)