Traditional tree medicine (2018)

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Text

Traditional tree medicine

Students discover

benefits of Evergreens

Employees have a blast

Tribe throws workers a

spirited holiday party

page 6

page 3

inside

Youth caroling / 4

Staff profiles / 5

CTLF board members / 5

Mary Secena retires / 5

National Wear Red Day / 7

Breakfast with Santa / 8

Birthdays / 10-11

Students of the Month / 12

Joyful

season

Community gathers to feast,

frolic at Christmas party

huge turnout made for a

successful Community Christmas

Party on Dec. 17. Activities were

offered for all ages to celebrate and

make wonderful family memories.

In the Youth Center gym, activities to

choose from included bouncy houses,

hula hoop and basketball. Kids smiled

and scampered around playing as

parents watched them having fun.

A special treat was given to youth before

or after entering the gym. Great Wolf Lodge

staff offered animal balloons for children to

play with. This created laughter and excited

chatting as kids returned to the main gym to

join their families.

The Community Center Gathering Room

featured festive decorations and holiday spirit!

The Christmas celebration on Dec. 17 was filled with merriment and cheer.

See SEASON, page 2

Fairfield Inn & Suites opens

Grand Mound project

an important step in

developing properties

Elders check in after being invited to spend the evening

at the new Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott in Rochester.

Chehalis tribal members and

their families gathered to celebrate

the soft opening of the Fairfield Inn

& Suites by Marriott on Jan. 11 in

Rochester.

It was wonderful to witness

the completion of a monumental

undertaking. The project officially

kicked off in July 2016.

Chehalis Tribal Enterprises

continues to invest in the future

through economic opportunities.

This is the cornerstone project

in developing the Grand Mound

properties to enhance employment

See INN, page 9

SEASON

From page 1

Families had their picture

taken with Santa and received

a present and gift card to

spend on what they wished.

An added bonus was nosew pillow kits provided by the

Heritage & Culture Program

for those who wanted to make

a present for loved ones.

The main gym was filled

with families taking part in

traditions such as bingo, raffles

and visiting friends.

Lucky Eagle Casino

staff served a delicious

Christmas meal. The Fisheries

Department provided fish

cooked in our traditional way.

The mouth-watering treats are

the ultimate way to celebrate a

special day!

There are many people to

thank for their contribution,

which made this a memorable

and successful event.

Thanks to all the volunteers

and program staff members.

Your time and commitment

were appreciated by all who

attended the party.

Fun new toys, balloon critters, surprise gifts, bingo and goody

bags all added to the festivities as families and friends gathered

during the Community Christmas Party on Dec. 17.

Tribal employees treated to a party

The Chehalis Tribe held its

annual Employee Christmas

Party on Dec. 22 at the Lucky

Eagle Casino Events Center.

It was an honor to gather

and enjoy this special holiday

together.

After signing in, employees

and their families kicked off

a day of sharing presents,

entertainment and feasting.

Yes, the spirit of Christmas

was in the air! Festive

decorations put everyone

in the mood to celebrate.

Attendees visited with coworkers, friends and family

and enjoyed what the Events

Department staff had put

together.

Employees participated in

fun and challenging games,

tapping into their warrior

spirit as they competed to win

a present.

It also brought fits of

laughter and encouragement

for contestants lucky enough

to have their name drawn.

They say laughter is the best

medicine, and everyone had

huge amounts.

Though some participants

were reluctant, they admitted

it was fun. Thanks for being

good sports!

Talent contest

Many talented people work

for the tribe. They shared their

voices and had the courage to

stand up in front of attendees

and sing their heart out.

Everyone came out a

winner through performing or

just rooting for co-workers.

Gift giving

The gift exchange is always

fun, and you never know

what you are going to get.

The Employee

Christmas Party

featured blackjack,

a talent contest, gift

giving and games.

The minimum spending

limit is well worth it. The

men brought gifts for men,

and the women bought gifts

for the women. The sound

of the Christmas wrapping

paper tearing could be heard

as everyone returned to their

chairs to open gifts chosen by

their secret Santa.

Blackjack tournament

Because of NIGC

requirements, the tournament

is held at the casino. While

it is free, you have to follow

the rules to come out as a

winner. Smiling casino staff

members explained the rules

and waited for tables to fill up

for additional rounds of the

blackjack tournament. Some

players ended up winning a

little extra spending cash for

Christmas.

As the party ended,

employees were grateful for a

fun day. They smiled brightly

as they returned to their offices

to lock up and head home.

Thanks to the Events

Department and Lucky Eagle

Casino staff for making this

day so special!

sss

CHEHALIS TRIBAL

NEWSLETTER

The Confederated

Tribes of the Chehalis

Reservation, ‘People

of the Sands’

Chehalis tribal youth harmonized for a delightful caroling performance on Dec. 22.

The sweet gift of song

Youth perform Christmas

carols for tribal community

Children rehearsed songs together to

prepare for an evening of caroling on

Dec. 22 in the Community Center’s

Gathering Room.

Chehalis tribal youth practiced

Christmas songs and had a chance to visit

and learn more about each other.

There was a special incentive, too!

Children were able to give a gift of love by

selecting a present for someone who has

had a positive impact on their life.

Community members came to the

especially merry event to hear children

spread the Christmas spirit through

caroling. It was a wonderful gift to hear

their voices rise up and offer energy and joy.

All of the children were given a book of

songs to help them more easily follow the

words.

Children began singing softly and

timidly as they were unsure of themselves

and what response the community would

give them. As the singing continued, voices

became stronger and bolder.

Parents beamed proudly and encouraged

their children as they shared lovely songs.

Afterward, youth were invited to surprise

their parents, grandparents and a special

person with the gift they had chosen by

themselves.

It wasn’t about the present they received

– the true gift was the thoughtfulness and

sharing of themselves through song that

made us all proud.

Great job children!

Thank you for the fond memories that

we will keep close to our hearts.

Articles and opinions expressed

are not necessarily those of this

publication or the Chehalis Tribal

Business Committee.

SUBMISSIONS

We encourage tribal members

to submit letters, articles,

photographs and drawings to

be considered for publication

(subject to editing).

Contributing writers, artists and

photographers include Chehalis

tribal community members and

staff. Submission deadline is

the first of each month (printed

monthly).

TRIBAL CENTER

Many thanks

I would like to thank all of the youth

who participated in the Christmas caroling

project in December. We wanted to create

an event that would benefit youth and our

community. Children spread the Christmas

spirit and were able to surprise loved ones

with a gift.

Gifts were donated by the Events

Department, Heritage & Culture Program

and individuals. During December, we had

six practice days. After each week, youth

who attended practices were able to gain

one present. We had a total of 15 youth

that participated and received two presents

each.

Thank you to the Events Department,

Vocational Rehabilitation Staff, Heritage

& Culture Program, Youth Program and

Tribal Business Committee.

Orinda Goddard,

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Main line: 360-273-5911

Address: 420 Howanut Road

Oakville, WA 98568

Office: 360-709-1726

Fax: 360-273-5914

CHEHALIS TRIBE’S

VISION STATEMENT

To be a thriving, self-sufficient,

sovereign people, honoring our

past and serving current and

future generations.

BUSINESS COMMITTEE

Harry Pickernell, Sr.: Chairman

Jessie Goddard: Vice Chairman

Shoni Pannkuk: Treasurer

David Burnett: Secretary

Leroy Boyd, Sr.:

Fifth Council Member

NEWSLETTER STAFF

Fred Shortman, Audra J. Hill and

the Information Technology Team

New journey after 40 years of service

reetings everyone and

happy 2018! I have

come to a point in my

life – after 40 years working

for the Chehalis Tribe – that I

decided to retire Jan. 16.

It has been a pleasure

to be able to work for the

tribe and get to know all of

the awesome people in this

community. I will miss you

all, but you might see me

filling in from time to time in

departments.

I think what really opened

my eyes is in November

2016, I was coming back

from Safeway from a clinic

medication pick up when a

car didn’t stop and ran into

me as I was driving.

My vehicle spun around

and flipped over. I prayed to

God that I would be OK and

not hit a tree. It scared me so

much, and I know we are not

promised tomorrow.

Co-workers congratulated

Mary Secena for 40 years

of work for the tribe at her

retirement party Jan. 17.

I thank God that I’m alive

and I have my health after

this ordeal.

So, now onto a new chapter

in my life. I want to be able to

enjoy life with my husband,

Don, and our granddaughter,

Dyani.

It’s hard to believe that

after 40 years, I can wrap my

life history in this message. I

feel like there is so much more

to say and that I am leaving so

much out.

If not for the Indian Action

Team back in 1973-1975, I

probably wouldn’t be writing

this. I am so grateful and

thankful for all of the people

that I work with and everyone

I have met on this journey. It

has been a great inspiration

in my life and I’ll cherish all

the memories and people

forever.

This is not goodbye, but see

you later. I’ll be seeing all of

you around our community.

Enjoy life while you can.

Always,

Mary Secena

STAFF PROFILES

New DNR director

Hello tribal community. For those of you

who don’t already know me, my name is

Glen Connelly and I’m the new Director of

Natural Resources for the

Chehalis Tribe. I’ve been

working at DNR for more

than 13 years, and I was

recently selected to be the

new director.

I grew up 3,000 miles

from here in a small town

in northern New Jersey. I

Glen Connelly

completed my Bachelor of

Arts in environmental studies at Ramapo

College of New Jersey in 1993 and moved

to Washington. I live in Olympia and am

the proud father of two sons, ages 17 and

20.

I have work experience in many different

fields including office management,

construction work and public health. I

really enjoy working in this community

and look forward to utilizing my skills and

experience to protect and enhance your

tribal lands and resources.

Feel free to stop by the office at 26

Niederman Road in Oakville, call 360-709-

1854 or email Gconnelly@chehlaistribe.org

for questions about our programs.

Nurse practitioner hired

Jennifer O’Brien has been hired as our

Nurse Practitioner at the Chehalis Tribal

Wellness Center. Jennifer

is a board-certified family

nurse practitioner.

She began her career

in health care at an

assisted living home in

Wisconsin at the age of

20. She graduated with

an associate’s degree in

Jennifer

nursing from Cardinal

O’Brien

Stritch University of

Wisconsin in 2001 and completed a

Bachelor of Science in nursing from Regis

University of Colorado in 2012. Jennifer

completed her master’s degree in the

family nurse practitioner program at the

Concordia University of Wisconsin in 2015.

She has worked in family practice and

hospice care.

Jennifer enjoys spending time outdoors

with her husband, Mike, and two boys,

Brodey and Connor.

CTLF seeks

new voices

The Chehalis Tribal Load

Fund board is seeking to

appoint three new board

members to ensure we have

the capacity and skills to

oversee the mission statement

of the CTLF work.

Vacant positions include a

treasurer and individuals who

have experience with policy

and/or financials. CTLF would

prefer two tribal members and

one non-tribal member with

financial expertise.

These are unpaid voluntary

positions.

Board members are

expected to attend 12 board

meetings each year; participate

in trainings and conferences

between board meetings; and

advise staff on major loan

decisions, HR management,

leadership and knowledge of

start-up business or expanding

existing businesses of tribal

members or surrounding local

community members; and

assist in fundraising events for

CTLF.

The current CTLF board

of directors is separate from

the Chehalis Tribal Business

Committee. Board members

are responsible for approving

major business loans and other

loans CTLF has funds for

along with revising policies,

procedures and by-laws.

CTLF functions on a separate

set of by-laws, policies and

stipulations that allows us to

include non-Indian individuals

to participate on the board of

directors.

CTLF is a certified,

nonprofit native Community

Development Financial

Institutions Fund.

sss

CONTACT

Contact CTLF at 360-7091631. Submit a signed letter

of intent to dpickernell@

chehalistribe.org (staff) or

amedina@chehalistribe.

org (board member). Learn

more at ctlf.weebly.com.

HEALTH/WELLNESS

Healing properties of Evergreen trees

Class participants learn how

to use valuable resources

The Chehalis Reservation is rich in

medicines in our aboriginal area. We

live in the shadow of beautiful cedar,

fir, spruce and hemlock. The trees play

a powerful role in our environment,

shaping the weather and the plant

communities

beneath them.

They are woven

into our winter

holiday festivities

and carry rich

cultural traditions

and teachings.

A traditional

tree medicine class

was held on Dec.

11 in the Elders building. After a delicious

meal, Elise Krohn taught about Evergreen

tree medicine. She has vast knowledge

about making medicines and the different

types of ingredients harvested. The class

is always a treat and provides a wealth of

information.

Participants divided into groups to

share and learn how to identify various

trees used in making medicines. A handout

was made available for participants

to assist on their traditional medicine

journey. Elise encouraged volunteers to

help process ingredients for samples to be

Instructor Elise Krohn leads students through a traditional tree medicine class.

taken home.

Erika offered a separate class for

children, which allowed parents to focus

on studying with Elise. Youth had fun

making holiday cards for loved ones.

The cedar tree has been named

Grandmother, Long Life Maker and Rich

Woman Maker. The cedar has provided

a rich culture and historic wealth to

the Northwest coastal Indian people.

It provides in many ways, including

longhouses, canoes, durable clothing,

watertight baskets, cordage, tools, art,

and medicine. During class, we used tree

ingredients to make cedar body butter,

cedar bath tea and forest lip balm.

Evergreen Tree Oil and Lip Balm

Evergreen leaves are rich in

aromatic oils and nutrients that

support skin health. You can

infuse many tree leaves into

beautiful-smelling oil from cedar,

fir and spruce. Extra virgin olive

oil is inexpensive, great for skin

health and high in Vitamin E,

which acts as a healing agent and

a natural preservative. Other oils

such as grapeseed oil, apricot

kernel oil and sunflower oil can

also be used.

1. Harvest healthy looking

branches from evergreen trees.

2. Pull apart leaves or pull

needles off branches. Either

finely cut the leaves or needles or

place them in a food processor

or blender to finely chop them.

This will help cell walls in the plant

open and aromatic compounds

and medicine extract more

readily.

3. Place chopped leaves or

needles in a double boiler. Cover

with extra virgin olive oil so oil

is about ¼ -½ inch over the

plant material. Heat very gently

to hasten extraction and help

remove water from plant material.

Keep the temperature low so

it does not boil. You can turn

the double boiler on and off as

needed. Oil should take on a green

color and strong smell. Allow the

oil to infuse for several hours.

You can leave it for several days,

occasionally bringing the oil to a

warm temperature and stirring it.

4. Strain oil with muslin cloth.

Compost the leaf material

and pour oil into a glass jar for

storage. If there is any remaining

water in the oil, it will fall to the

bottom of the jar.

PREPARATION

Use 1 part beeswax by weight to 4

parts of infused tree oil by volume.

One half cup of oil and 1 ounce of

beeswax will make about 251/16

ounce roll-up tubes. Gently heat

the oil and beeswax in a double

boiler until the beeswax is just

melted. Turn off heat and add 10

to 15 drops of pure essential oil

(nice options include Douglas

fir, fir needle, grapefruit, sweet

orange and lavender). Pour lip

balm into the tubes and allow it to

cool before placing caps. Address

labels work well for lip balm tubes

if you cut off about 25 percent of

the length of the label.

See TREES, page 7

TREES

From page 6

Pacific Northwest

Forest Body Butter

Wrap yourself in the nurturing

boughs of the Pacific

Northwest forest with this thick,

moisturizing body butter. Stored

in a cool and dark location, it

should last about a year.

INGREDIENTS

1 1/3 cups nut butter from shea,

coconut or mango shea butter

½ cup cedar leaf or Douglas fir

needle infused organic extra

virgin olive oil

3 Tbsp. grated beeswax

1 tsp. vitamin E

20-30 drops pure essential oil

(cedar, spruce, fir, etc.)

PREPARATION

Measure and slowly melt nut

butters, olive oil and beeswax

in a double boiler over low

heat until beeswax dissolves.

Pour into glass or stainlesssteel bowl and let cool to room

temperature. To expedite

this process, place bowl in

refrigerator for an hour. Whip

with hand mixer or immersion

blender for one minute. Add

vitamin E and essential oils.

Whip and scrape sides with

rubber spatula until desired

consistency is achieved. This can

take 5-10 minutes. Cool again

if too soft. Spoon into clean

containers and enjoy!

Medicine Tree Chest Rub

This salve can be rubbed into

the chest for easing coughs,

congestion, lung tightness and

sinus infections. Use a couple

times a day as needed. Recipe

makes about 1 cup or 8 ounces.

INGREDIENTS

1 ounce beeswax

5 ounces herbal-infused oil –

cottonwood, cedar, hemlock,

spruce, fir or a combination

2 ounces castor oil

50 drops eucalyptus radiate,

eucalyptus globules or a

combination of the two

20 drops Douglas fir or Scotch

pine

20 drops spruce

10 drops lemon

PREPARATION

Melt beeswax and castor oil.

Take off burner and allow to cool

a couple of minutes. Add

essential oils, stir and pour into

jars. Cover with a lid and label.

Courtesy of Elise Krohn

and Elizabeth Campbell

National Wear Red Day

Heart disease is not a

disease that only affects

men. Each year, one in

three women die of heart

disease and stroke. But we

can change that because 80

percent of cardiac events can

be prevented with education

and lifestyle changes.

Show your support during

Wear Red Day on Friday,

Feb. 2. A group photo will

be taken at 11:45 a.m. at the

Chehalis Tribal Wellness

Center.

When it comes to beating

heart disease and stroke,

change can be the cure. Wear

red to raise awareness and

help save women’s lives. Five

numbers that all women

should know to take control

of their heart health are:

sss

INFORMATION

Check out GoRedFor

Women.org/WearRedDay.

Contact Christina Hicks,

Community Wellness

Manager, at 360-7091741.

n Total cholesterol

n HDL (good) cholesterol

n Blood pressure

n Blood sugar

n Body Mass Index (BMI)

Knowing the numbers can

help women and their health

care provider determine

their risk for developing

cardiovascular diseases.

Screening saves lives

January is Cervical Cancer

Awareness Month. The

cancer is highly preventable

with the help of screening

tests and vaccines to prevent

human papillomavirus (HPV),

which is the main cause of

cervical cancer. However,

half of cervical cancers occur

among women rarely or

never screened for cancer,

and another 10 percent to 20

percent of cancers are seen in

women who were screened

but did not receive adequate

follow-up care. When cervical

cancer is found early, it is

highly treatable and associated

with long survival and good

quality of life.

For women ages 21-65,

regular cervical cancer

screenings help prevent

cancer. The Pap test detects

pre-cancers – cell changes on

the cervix that might become

cancerous if not treated

appropriately. Women should

start getting the test at age 21.

HPV vaccines offer the

greatest health benefit to

those who receive all three

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PROTECT YOURSELF

HPV vaccine details: cdc.

gov/hpv/vaccine.html

National Breast and Cervical

Cancer Early Detection

Program: cdc.gov/cancer/

nbccedp

Make an appointment with

your CTWC health care

provider: 360-273-5504

doses before exposure to

HPV through sexual activity.

Routine HPV vaccination

is recommended for girls

and boys at age 11 or 12 to

help prevent cervical cancer.

Vaccination is recommended

for females through age 26

and for males through age 21

who have not been vaccinated

previously. Any man who has

sex with other men, and men

with compromised immune

systems (including HIV), also

may be vaccinated through

age 26.

in brief

Flossing ‘crucial’

Women’s Health Magazine

states that flossing regularly is

“crucial to keeping your teeth and

gums healthy.”

American Dental Association

spokesperson Dr. Maria Lopez

Howell explains “the point of it is

to remove the buildup of plaque

between your teeth.” The article

adds that “not flossing can lead

to bad breath, cavities” and other

oral health problems.

If you are concerned about the

health of your gums, please call

the Chehalis Tribal Dental Clinic at

360 709-1659 for a cleaning and

exam appointment.

USDA food program

The South Puget Intertribal

Planning Agency’s USDA Food

Distribution Program offers frozen

meats such as bison, pork chops

and ham and in-season fruits.

Tribal community members

can get an application from Debra

Shortman at the Chehalis Tribal

Wellness Center. To sign up, call the

warehouse at 360-438-4216 from

8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through

Friday. The next distribution date

is Feb. 16. Pickup is at the Chehalis

Tribal Community Center from

9:45 a.m.-1:30 p.m.

WIC through SPIPA

Women, Infants and Children

provides healthful food and

nutrition information for you and

your child up to age 5.

The next date is Feb. 1 from

9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the

Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center.

For more information, contact

Debbie Gardipee-Reyes at 360462-3227, Patty Suskin at 360462-3224 and Debra Shortman

(Chehalis) at 360-709-1689.

FAMILY

It’s a lively season

for ELHS students

December brought a lot of

winter wonder to children at Early

Learning.

Head Start classrooms kicked off

the season with a trip to Great Wolf

Lodge to listen to stories and have

milk and cookies while it snowed

inside.

Holiday parties

We celebrated Christmas together

with our classroom holiday parties

before winter break kicked off.

Thanks to awesome fundraising

efforts, parents purchased a gift for

each child and expectant mother in

our program.

We were lucky enough to see

Santa take time out of his busy

schedule to stop by Early Learning to

hand out presents. Children were so

surprised to see Santa walk into their

classrooms!

A big thank you to Jose Caywood

for volunteering his time as the jolly

fellow in the red suit.

Tree selection

Head Start took a trip to the

Christmas Valley Tree Farm to

harvest the perfect tree for each

classroom. Mr. Don Tapio, owner

of the tree farm, engaged with the

children about his trees and Santa

Claus. Once the trees were back at

Early Learning, children took over

the reins by hanging ornaments on

their magical classroom Christmas

icon. Days followed with baking

cookies and listening to stories about

the holiday season.

At the beginning of winter break,

classroom trees were taken down

and offered to Chehalis community

members who might need a tree to

display in their homes for the holiday

season. We hope everyone had a

wonderful 2017 and we look forward

to a thriving 2018 program year at

Early Learning.

During the month of December, Early

Learning kids visited with Santa and

picked out Christmas trees.

Holiday smiles for miles

Breakfast with Santa is a picture-perfect gathering

Great Wolf Lodge was filled

with tribal members and their

families and friends excited to

have breakfast with Santa Claus

and Mrs. Claus on Dec. 23!

After eating an energy-building

meal served by GWL staff,

everyone was ready to create

family memories by taking a photo

with the North Pole pair. The big

guy in red had his list and was

checking it twice.

Of course, it just wouldn’t

be the same without some

challenges.

Everyone wants to create

special memories by taking a

great photo, but you also want it

to be fun! Grandparents, parents

and children were on their best

behavior to make the event

memorable.

Lines were not very long as

families took turns setting up

their family photos to be shared

on Facebook.

The sweet pictures brought joy

to everyone.

Many people who attended

said their next stop was to finish

up holiday shopping. Families

have made Breakfast with Santa

an annual tradition.

Thank you, Great Wolf Lodge,

for continuing to hold this

seasonal event.

Make the switch

to low-fat milk

Skim milk, 1 percent milk, 2

percent milk and whole milk all

have the same amount of protein,

calcium, vitamins and minerals.

Vitamin D is added to all of them.

The amount of fat is the only

difference between them, and

it’s a big difference. Half of the

calories in whole milk come from

fat and one-third of the calories

in 2 percent milk come from fat.

Only 1 percent milk and skim milk

are truly low-fat milks.

Why move to low-fat milk?

Adults and ages 2 and older

do not need the extra fat and

calories from 2 percent or whole

milk.

Reducing the amount of fat

in your diet can help you control

weight, lower cholesterol and

reduce your risk of heart disease

and stroke. For adults drinking

two to three cups of milk daily,

you could lose 12 pounds in a year

just by switching to skim milk.

sss

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

Contact SPIPA WIC by calling

360-462-3224.

Employees of the Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott prepare to receive guests on Jan. 11.

INN

From page 1

opportunities for tribal and

community members.

The opening of the 88room Fairfield Inn & Suites

was an incredible day. The

staff were busy fine-tuning

their tasks in preparation

for the day. Chehalis Tribe

Chairman Harry Pickernell,

Sr. and several of our

Chehalis tribal princesses

marked the event with a

ribbon-cutting ceremony.

David Burnett, CEO of

Chehalis Tribal Enterprises

said, “This is a great day for

the future of the Chehalis

Tribe in our continued

plans for our economic

development. This is a one

of a kind in the Fairfield

FATHERHOOD & MOTHERHOOD

IS SACRED GROUP

5-7 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 7-March 25

Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center

Native American Fatherhood & Families Association

(NAFFA) created and designed this parenting program

for dads and moms using a Native American approach.

The program welcomes non-natives to attend. The goal

is to strengthen families through responsible parenting.

The group teaches parents to connect with their

heritage as they become actively involved in the lives

of their families. Upon finishing 12 two-hour sessions,

participants will receive a certificate.

GET STARTED: For more

details or to enroll, contact

Beth Klatush at 360-709-1627

or bklatush@chehalistribe.org.

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For room reservations or

to inquire about meeting

space, call 360-858-5757

or go to marriot.com.

Please contact Cammi

Rae Wittwer for questions.

Marriott Hotel designs.

The hotel staff have been

preparing for this day, and

as you see, I am proud to say

many are tribal members.

I am honored to present

the Chehalis Tribe with

the first of many economic

development plans for the

Grand Mound property.

This was one of the easiest

projects to finish as there

are so many people to thank

that already started the ball

rolling to get the project

finished.”

After the ceremony,

everyone was invited to

come inside to see the hotel.

The Chehalis Canoe Family

greeted all those who came

with drumming and singing.

Elders were invited to

spend the evening in the

new hotel. The soft opening

helped fine tune the hotel

for the official opening to the

public the next day on Jan.

12. Everyone was invited

to enjoy a light snack and

desserts before staff gave

tours of the hotel rooms,

swimming pool and exercise

room. The hotel also features

two flexible meeting rooms

that can be used for birthday

parties and meetings.

OPEN YOUR HOME

By becoming a licensed foster parent and helping

a native child in the community, the tribe can:

n Protect and promote the youth’s best interest

n Provide connection to culture and traditions

n Work to secure additional resources and

support from Tribal Child Welfare Programs

Fostering Together is dedicated to helping ensure

every child has a safe place to stay. Homes that

honor and support culture are needed. We offer

support before and after becoming licensed. All

services are free to foster, adoptive and kinship

caregivers.

888-534-7414

fosteringtogether.org

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

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ATTENTION:

BIRTHDAYS

CHANGE

We are featuring

January and

February birthdays

in this issue of the

newsletter. Starting

next month, the

birthdays page will

be printed a month

in advance. To have

your birthday wish

included, please

email submissions

to fshortman@

chehalistribe.org

in a timely manner.

Thank you!

John McCrory

Sidney Cole

Geraldo Sanchez

Lauren Quilt

Morgan Hanna

Tristan Hanna

Ravenhawk Penn

MORE WISHES

DAVID BIRD: Happy

CHRIS PICKERNELL: Happy birthday from Erika, Emily

and Kaytlin.

Alynn Clancy

Darrin Jones

Wyatte Wittwer

Zola Youckton

Eva Delamater

Cheyenne Marcellay

Kathy Pickernell

Joyce Fanning

Makayla Mashburn

Robyn Fields

Zoe Albert

Russ Baker

Jon Brown

Alexander Hoheisel

Ezrah Merriman

Kaelen-Jay Sanchez

Chayse Youckton-Bonifer

Allistair Youckton-Legg

Sheilah Bray

Dylan Burke

Daniel Gleason, Jr.

Samuel Flores

Curtis DuPuis II

Alberta Gilmore

Anna Hill

Makayla Ortivez

Brooke Allen

Mariah Klatush

John Youckton

DANIEL GITCHELL:

Jeremy Fanning

Joseph Wittwer

Finley Beckwith

Wilieferd Joe

Cheryl Jones

Jayzen Owens

ZSane Sanchez

Leslye Wyatt

Wyatt Sanchez-Allenbach

DARRIN JONES and RUSS

BAKER: Happiest of

birthday to the two very

important men in our lives.

I love you guys and happy

birthday. Xoxo. Love JJ,

Laela, Taryn and Talisa.

birthday David Lee!!

Love you bunches,

Jenni, Jonnie,

Jordan, Savanna and

LeeAnna.

DYLAN BURKE: Happy

birthday. We are

so proud of you,

love Mom, sister,

brothers and family!

CALVIN CAYENNE and

MIKE HICKS: Happy

birthday to my sons

from Mom, Dad and

Dyani.

Daryl McCrory

Diana Pickernell

Irene Adams

Roy Wertz

Happy birthday from

your Mom, brother

and family.

MYA MCALLISTER:

DREAMA

SECENA

FERGUSON:

Happy

birthday,

love Mom

and family.

JOYCE

FANNING:

Happy

birthday,

love your

family!

Calvin Cayenne

Jennifer Cooper

Ulises Klatush

Miya McAlister

Dreama Secena Ferguson

Chris Pickernell

Ashley Rosado

Patrick Simmons, Sr.

Happy birthday from

your Auntie Jodie,

Carlos and family.

JAXON STARR: Happy

birthday Jaxon, love

Mom, Dad and family.

Jake Burnett

Bella Couillard

Daniel Gitchel

ALLISTAIR YOUCKTONLEGG: Happy birthday

Jaileen Sanchez

Allistair Steve. We

love you!

Jacob Christjohn

Mya Ortivez

David Bird

Patricia Gitchel

Shyann Klatush

Anna Meas

Jaxon Starr

Nathaniel Klatush

Susette Klatush

Traci Parkinson

Edward Sanchez, Jr.

Benjamin Starr, Jr.

Rodney Youckton

Hollie Brockmueller

Megan Christjohn

James DuPuis

Laura Fricke

Margie Youckton

Cameron Hjelm-Snell

Robert Phillips

Nikolas Romero

Cheyne Youckton

Derek Youckton

James Gunnels

Shirley Kay

Crystal Martinez

Akasha Slighte

Avery McJoe

FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS

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MORE WISHES

MEI-LIEN TANNER:

Happy birthday. Love

you bunches, Papa,

Gramma and family.

TIMOTHY GARZA:

Happy birthday,

Mom, Dylan and

Rita, Auntie Jodie

and Carlos.

JENNIFER YOUCKTON:

Happy birthday!!

Love you from your

family.

PATRICK SIMMONS,

JR.: Happy birthday,

love your family.

JOSEPH REVAY: Happy birthday, love your family!

Bailey Parkinson

Bonnie Quirke

Dakota Marcellay

Devin Olney

Kelsey Bray

Tommy Colson

Rita Hernandez

Shaylah Seymour

Don Brown

Shelby McCrory

Terry Middleton

Ray Secena, Jr.

Catherine Nemeth

Norma Flores

Shadow Hernandez

Sabrina Owens

Lois Poling

Aalyiah Meddaugh

Kesawin Washburn

Andrea Youckton

Layne Colson

Joseph Revay, Jr.

Jennifer Youckton

Daryl Boyd, Jr.

Shyloh Kinkade

Karen LeClaire

STEPHANIE PICKERNELL: Happy birthday to my loving wife

from your husband.

Michael Boyd

Yevgeni Lukianov

Mariah Vassar

Albert Ortivez III

Mackenzie Jones

Susan Sanders

Xavier Flores

Amy Potter

Chaon MacDougall

Stephanie Pickernell

Steven Pickernell

Laura Starr

Daryl Boyd

Kim Heck

Catherine Secena

Tyler Klatush

Charlotte Lopez

Bradyn Lopez

Ray-Ray Lopez

Zedikiah Sanchez

Mei-lien Tanner

Carla Thomas

Lilia Hoheisel

Patrick Simmons, Jr.

Christopher Teague

Coleton Youckton

Kayden Youckton

Atticus Simmons

Star Thomas

Ryan White Eagle, Jr.

Zayden Youckton

Marla Conwell

Mary DuPuis

Halisa Higheagle

Stevie Youckton

Virginia “Dolly” Canales

Tom Hayden, Jr.

Riley Youckton

Kilynn Owens

Jennifer Revay

Sharon Tolbert

Timothy Garza

Heather Klatush

Alayna Lopez

Albert Ortivez-Hicks

Chase Perez

Fred Shortman

Margaret Gleason

FRED SHORTMAN: Happy

birthday! Finally hit the

double nickels … lol. Love

Jodie, Carlos, your sons

and your family.

Luke Cayenne

Thomas Heck

Jerrie Simmons

Cheryle Starr

Dwayne Thomas

JERRIE SIMMONS and

ATTICUS SIMMONS: Happy

birthday to Mom on Feb. 24

and happy 2nd birthday to

Atticus on Feb. 25. Love all

of your Simmons family.

chehalistribe.org

CHEHALIS TRIBAL NEWSLETTER

is a publication of the Confederated

Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation.

PRSRT STD

* Or current resident

PERMIT No. 2

US POSTAGE PAID

OAKVILLE, WA

STUDENTS OF THE MONTH

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Jared Mordhost

Fifth grade

Rochester Primary School

My name is Jared Mordhorst. I am

10 years old and in fifth grade at

Rochester Elementary School. My

biological parents are Clinton Mordhorst

and Charlotte. I live with Chris Ortivez

and Ken Mikkleson. I have one brother

and five sisters. I enjoy watching movies

Kirsten Secena

10th grade

Rochester High School

My name is Kirsten Secena. I am 16

years old and in 10th grade at Rochester

High School. My parents are Willie and

Misty Secena. I have two sisters.

We have a dog named Tiger. One of

our favorite family times is traveling

to California.

with my family.

My favorite subject

is social studies.

Things that make me a

successful student are

that I like my teacher

and I pay attention and

help others. I would tell

other students to pay attention in class

and to stay in school.

I am not in any sports currently, but I

plan to be next year for sure.

I like to play on my tablet, play

games on the Xbox and watch movies.

I am good at gaming, being awesome,

kicking back and playing with friends.

I would like to play in the NFL when

I get older. I also would like to go to the

University of Washington. I want to get

into construction or the military.

If I were chairman of the tribe, I

would make a place for older kids to

go who don’t want to hang out with

younger kids.

I like to learn new

things in science and

math. Things that

make me a successful

student are checking

skyward daily, turning

in assignments on time

and paying attention

in class. I would tell

other students to ask for help when you

need it.

I play fast-pitch softball and am

involved with honor society. When I am

not in school, I play fast-pitch softball

and volunteer at the Chehalis Tribal

Wellness Clinic.

While in high school, I plan to attend

the running start program at Centralia

College. I would like to become a sports

physical therapist. My plan is to attend

either the University of Washington or

University of California Los Angeles.

If I were chairwoman, I would put

batting cages at the Community Center.

Nathan Kluth

Sixth grade

Rochester Middle School

My name is Nathan

Kluth; my friends call me

Nate Dog. I am 11 years old

and in the sixth grade at

Rochester Middle School.

My grandparent is Cheryl Starr. I have

four brothers. We have three dogs and one

cat. I like to play games with my family.

I enjoy being with my friends. I am a

successful student because I like to do well

in school.

I would tell other students, “Don’t

be bad.” I play basketball, football and

baseball. I am good at football.

When I am not in school, I enjoy

playing with my two little cousins. I would

like to attend the University of Washington

when I get older and then get a job.

If I were chairman, I would build a

skate park.

NOMINATIONS

If you would like to nominate

your child to become a student

of the month, please contact

K-12 Program Counselor Francis

Pickernell at 360-709-1785 or

fpickernell@chehalistribe.org.

Tell us the reason your child

should be considered. Deadline

is the last Friday of each month.

FROM THE EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT

Congratulations on your

success in school! Keep up the

good work. As a reward for your

commitment to school and

personal growth, each student

of the month will receive a

$25 gift card.

Contributed by the

Chehalis Tribe K-12 Program

BOOK BLISS

Instill a love of reading in your young child.

Encourage 20 minutes a day at home for

imagination and exploration. They can:

n Read to a pet or toys

n Make a reading nook out of blankets,

pillows and small furniture

n Read to themselves

n Pretend to be a teacher, read to parents

This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.