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August 2008

Vol.

1/2

Program

News

Learn the Chehalis Language

Dan Penn is the new Language

Program Coordinator. Classes will be held

in the old dentist office on Wednesdays

at 5:00. A carving/language class is being

held on Saturdays at 1:00. Contact Dan

at the old dentist office or email him at

dpenn@chehalistribe.org.

CHEHALIS

TRIBAL

NEWSLETTER

Education Gives You

Choices

Nathan Floth is the

Education Case Manager. He

believes education is a tool

that gives you choices. The

more education you have, the more choices

you have in your life. Nathan works with

the local school districts helping tribal

families with school attendance, grades,

and graduation credits.

In 2007, the Chehalis Tribe’s education

program received recognition by the federal

government as the Outstanding Program in

the State of Washington.

Nathan’s office is located in the Public

Safety Building. If you have any questions,

please visit him at his office, or call 7091878.

Note: TELO is having a Beginning of

the Year Celebration barbecue at the Youth

Center on Wednesday, August 20th, from

12:00 to 4:00. Staff will be handing out gift

cards from Staples and Wal-Mart for school

supplies and clothing.

Tribal Housing Authority

The Chehalis Tribal Housing Authority

(CTHA) assists Chehalis tribal families

with income at or below 80% of the median

income.

 The Rental Assistance (RA) program

is currently assisting 22 tribal families

with up to 50% of their monthly rental

payments.

 The Down Payment Assistance (DPA)

program assists eligible tribal members

with affordable homeowner financing

opportunities.

 The USDA Housing Preservation

Grant funds small home repair projects

(up to $10,000), such as repair and

replacement of roofs, siding, plumbing,

weatherization, handicap accessibility

conversions, etc.

If you are interested in any of the

CTHA programs, please stop by or contact

the housing office at 273-7723.

 Dinner, door prizes, and awards were given to six graduates

and their families at the Lucky Eagle Casino, 3

Adults,

Chehalis Canoe Family Youth,

Elders Know

is Part of Huge Regional Cedar

Harvest

Cultural Journey

Reaps More

Than Bark

By Fred Shortman, Editor

Foreground (L-R): Cynthia Andy, Diana Pickernell, Heather Klatush, and

Melanie Hjelm tend grave sites at the Secena Cemetery.

Heather Youckton respectfully requests permission to leave from West

Saanich at Tsartlip. Youths Whitney Bracero and Tony Sanchez wait to begin

pulling. Also visible at the rear is the day’s skipper, Gail Miller.

 After much practice,

Chehalis Canoe Family

puts knowledge and spirit

to work on Paddle to

Cowichan Bay, BC

By Fred Shortman, Editor

Over fifty Chehalis youth, adults

and Elders took part in the huge regional

return-to-traditions journey, the Paddle to

Cowichan Bay in July.

Tribal members from scores of

Northwest coastal tribes pulled canoes, and

were greeted on shore by hosting tribes. All

learned and practiced centuries old protocol.

The Chehalis Canoe Family worked together

to pull the canoe over sometimes long, often

hot stretches of open water.

Gail Miller, a Chehalis tribal skipper

said, “The Canoe Journey gives us

something to hang on to, something to look

forward to, and to continue to work on.

Our canoe family worked year-round to get

where we are today, from learning songs, to

training, to fund raising.”

About 10 people joined in a cedar bark

harvest in June. Derek Youckton, Dept. of

Natural Resources, led the way up to the

hills south of Adna designated for cedar bark

harvest. Many rode in the youth van; others

drove their own vehicles. A blessing and

thanking to the trees for sharing with us, was

offered before harvesting began. We were

reminded not to be angry or upset while

performing this harvest.

Cedar bark harvest is done from July

to August. Normally one third of the bark

is harvested from the tree. As these trees

were due to be felled by loggers, the permit

allowed stripping of as much of the tree as

possible.

A safe perimeter was established by the

logging crew and the harvest began. During

the harvest, the sounds of chainsaws and

crashing trees filled the air.

Participants learned that a hand saw,

knife, and some good gloves are needed to

See CEDAR BARK, page 4

Scarlet

Romero (age

19) learned

how to harvest

cedar bark.

After stripping

bark from the

tree, Scarlet

coiled and

tied the cedar

strips for later

curing.

More stories in September issue.

FirstName LastName

Street Address

City, ST Zip

The 2008 Fireworks Season: A Celebration

of Tradition, Pride, and Business Savvy

 Selling fireworks isn’t

just a side business.

It’s a major part of the

economic success of

Chehalis tribal families.

It’s a celebration.

Fireworks are a Source of Pride

www.chehalistribe.org

 Beloved Elder

passes away, 3

Celebration Honors Tribal HS

Graduates and Their Families

By Fred Shortman, Editor

(under construction) ©Copyright 2008

CHEHALIS TRIBAL NEWSLETTER

is a publication of the Confederated Tribes

of the Chehalis Reservation.

Gladys

Brown

 “People of the Sands” 

Free Legal Help Available

The Northwest Justice Project provides

free civil (non-criminal) legal services

for low-income people who cannot afford

a lawyer. CLEAR is Northwest Justice

Project’s Coordinated Legal Education,

Advice and Referral system.

If you have questions about a civil

matter, and are low-income or an Elder,

you can call the toll-free CLEAR line

at (888) 201-1014 from 9:30 to 12:15,

Monday to Friday, and 3:15 to 6:30

Tuesdays.

Honoring

Elders:

The 2008 fireworks season was as

spectacular as the tribe’s fireworks show.

Stand owners honed skills useful for running

small businesses. Pride swelled in the heart

with each explosion of light and sound.

Tribal members came together to share

tradition, to remember those who have

passed on, and to honor a couple’s new life

together. Fireworks are a celebration of

freedom, community, culture, and success.

See FIREWORKS, page 4

The tribe’s

fantastic

fireworks show

can take more

than eight hours

to set up. It

takes trained

volunteers

wearing safety

gear. Thanks to

Dustin Klatush,

Manny Medina,

Sean Ortivez,

Walter Lewis,

Virgil Thacker,

Crazy Jack,

and Barnaby

Canales

for another

awesome Fourth

of July!

2

Fathers, Children Stay

Governor Meets with Tribes Warm on Special Day

to Sign Centennial Accord

At Great Wolf Lodge:

By Andy Olson, Fisheries Biologist

In front row, at left is Chehalis Tribal Chairman, David Burnett. At right is the

Honorable Christine Gregoire, Governor of the State of Washington.

By Jeff Warnke,

Director of Government Public Relations

Governor Christine Gregoire signed a

proclamation on April 28, 2008, reaffirming

the State of Washington’s commitment to

the Centennial Accord and to working with

tribes on issues in common.

The Centennial Accord is an annual

tradition that started in 1989. Tribal leaders

and Governor Booth Gardner outlined an

agreement to work on a government-togovernment basis, improving relations

and committing to be more responsive to

tribal issues. The Centennial Accord has

been honored in its spirit and process by

Governors Gardner, Locke, and Gregoire for

almost 20 years.

This year, the Great Wolf Lodge was

host to the meeting between the tribes and

Washington State. The state was represented

by Governor Gregoire, Attorney General

Rob McKenna, and the heads of 16 state

agencies. There were more than 250 tribal

representatives who came to voice concerns,

as well as remark on progress since the

Accord meetings began almost 30 years ago.

The all-day meeting touched on topics

ranging from law enforcement, taxation,

natural resources, state funding of Indian

programs, tribal gaming, and recent activity

in the state legislature. The legislative

highlights centered on the recent passage of

laws that included greater police powers for

tribal police officers, as well as protections

of human and cultural remains.

The last order of business for the day

was an opportunity for tribes to give direct

feedback to the Governor regarding the state

and how to better work with the tribes. The

Governor seemed moved by stories of how

the state has worked well with tribes, as well

as how the state has not.

Youth Travel to Warm

Springs, Honor Elders

The 2008 Northwest Indian Youth

Conference was held Memorial Day

Weekend at the Warm Springs Reservation

in Oregon. The Warm Springs people are so

friendly and very cultural. The conference

had several good guest speakers and

activities about learning to say, “No,” and

how to stand up and be heard.

The main focus for this conference was

honoring the Elders. During the Tribal Days

Weekend, the youth made giveaway gifts

for the Elders attending the conference. The

youth made about 60 beautiful gifts, from

necklaces to key chains. The most powerful

moment was watching the youth give them

out at the powwow. The Elders were very

grateful. It was awesome!

By Nancy Romero,

Heritage and Culture

Coordinator,

with Tony Medina,

Youth Center Director

The conference included workshops on

tradition, culture, basket making, drug and

alcohol prevention, education, and HIV/

AIDS awareness. There was also a youth

dance and a surprise visit by Litefoot, a

Native rap artist. We also participated in the

Celilo Longhouse, sitting on woven mats

with the men on one side and women on the

other.

Some of the kids went horseback riding.

Kendall Medina participated in the 5K fun

run. It was already warm when it began. He

got a little tired, but there were two beautiful

young ladies who helped keep him going!

At the closing ceremonies, Kendall took first

place in his age group! I was very proud of

him. Great job!

This year’s Fatherhood Fishing Day

was held on Friday, June 20, at the site of

a tribal restoration project that began in

2007 on Garrard Creek. The new site was

a pond created to recharge groundwater in

the area by holding rain and floodwaters on

the land so that they can slowly seep into

the groundwater. The kids had more room

to spread out to catch fish. The pond was

stocked with nearly 500 trout a week before

the event so they could get good and hungry

and be easy for the kids to catch.

It rained, but that didn’t dampen the

kids’ spirits. They fished in the rain unfazed

at least until they were completely soaked.

Several of the kids caught very large trout.

The crowd under the awnings was a happy

one. They all enjoyed a picnic barbecue and

got to know each other better while they

tried to avoid the raindrops.

Evelyne Kalama commented, “The

Fatherhood Fishing Day was one of the best

days for my son and his father, Kai Ramirez

and Lorenzo Ramirez. It was the first time

that either of them went fishing, and they

had a good time. I want to thank Dennis

Cayenne for the spinner he gave to my

By Glen Connelly,

Environmental Program Specialist

Burn Ban on Now

Due to dry conditions, a burn ban has

been declared for the Chehalis Reservation

to minimize the risk of wildfires. Please note

the following rules: No burn barrels. No

burning of yard debris. No fireworks.

Having small fires for ceremonial

purposes and using smokehouses are

acceptable as long as they are well

controlled and monitored with appropriate

fire control tools, such as water buckets and

shovels.

Tribal Property Access

The tribe has purchased various

properties on and around the Chehalis

Reservation over the last ten years. To

protect tribal property from thieves and

vandalism, many of these properties have

been fenced and gated. The Chehalis

Department of Natural Resources (CDNR)

uses two types of locks on gates.

CDNR recognizes that tribal fishermen

need access to their traditional fishing

areas. We have locked these gates with a

set of black locks and issued keys to those

fishermen who need access.

Bringing Civil Rights to Indian Country

Conference: September 7-10, 2008

at the Great Wolf Lodge

Featured Speaker: Eloise Cobell,

Blackfeet Nation, Lead Plantiff in

Cobell v. Kempthorne

Conference fee is $75 per participant

and free to youth and Elders

washingtonindiancivilrights@gmail.com

The Intertribal Intergenerational

Women’s &

Girls’ Gathering

August 21-24, 2008

Camp Thunderbird

Summit Lake

Get your information packet and

registration forms at the clinic.

Larger black locks with plastic covers

are being used to protect tribal property and

prevent public access. Only tribal employees

with a business reason to enter the property

will be issued keys to these areas.

Trash Update

The new convenience station at the old

Hamilton farm is now complete. The tribe

built a short wall next to a 40-yard dumpster

to make it easier for people to dump their

extra trash. A sanitation worker will operate

the convenience station on Saturdays and

Sundays, assist people with loading the

dumpster, and ensure that the dumpster is

used only by tribal members.

Most of you already pay for weekly

trash pick-up by LeMay (through Tribal

Housing) and you should continue to use

that service for your everyday trash. You can

use the tribal dumpster for extra garbage or

larger items like mattresses or furniture.

For further information, please contact

Glen Connelly, Environmental Program

Specialist at 273-5911 x1854.

General Council Remember to

Meeting Notice Vote in Primary

Chehalis

Tribal

Newsletter

“The People’s Council”

husband, so he will become a pro fisherman

while he is in Alaska.

“We had a great time. Thank you to all

of the parents who came and supported their

children. Thank you to Andy and Natural

Resources for the fish and poles. You guys

are great.”

Burn Ban, Gate Locks,

and Trash Talk

The next General Council Meeting is

on Tuesday, September 9, 2008, 5:00 at the

Tribal Center. Agenda items include:

 Business Committee nominations (voting

will be at November’s annual meeting)

 Allocation changes

 Public ordinances (pick up a copy at the

Tribal Center)

 Community Center (pool risks)

Left to right, front row: James Quilt, Carol Ann Black, Kaylee Trott. Middle

row: Art Medina, Skylar Bracero, Kendall Medina, Marla Medina, Leslie Boyd,

Joyce Thomas. Back row: Corrie Medina, Sarah Quilt, Nancy Medina, Junior

Jack, Tony Medina. Not pictured: Daryn Jones, Joleen Medina

Despite the dreary day, Gary

Ortivez and his son, Hunter, enjoyed

spending time fishing together.

420 Howanut Road

Oakville, WA 98568

(360) 273-5911 (office)

(360) 273-5914 (fax)

newsletter@chehalistribe.org

2008 is an important

election year­ for state and

federal offices. Let your

vote count!

If you are not registered to vote, stop by

Nancy Romero’s office and pick up a form,

or call her at 480-2911 and she’ll be happy

to bring you one.

Business Committee

David Burnett, Chairman

Don Secena, Vice Chairman

Jessie Goddard, Treasurer

Joyleen McCrory, Secretary

John Shortman, 5th Council Member

Chehalis Tribal Newsletter Staff:

Fred Shortman, Communications Coordinator

Articles and opinions expressed in this

publication are not necessarily the opinions

of this publication or the Chehalis Tribal

Business Committee.

The Chehalis Tribal Newsletter encourages

tribal members to submit letters, articles,

photographs, and drawings to be considered

for publication. These are subject to editing.

Contributing writers, artists, and

photographers include Chehalis tribal

community members and staff.

Submission deadline: 6th of each month

Printed: First week of each month

The Confederated Tribes of

the Chehalis Reservation...

“People of the Sands”

Honoring our Elders:

3

Gladys Brown

“...could do anything a man could

do, and probably do it better”

Written by Gladys Brown’s niece, Jeanette WhiteClaw

Portions of this story were originally written by Gladys’s niece, Jeanette WhiteClaw in February 2004

for a celebration held in the Elders’ Center for Gladys’s 92nd birthday.

Gladys was born in 1912 to Earnest Beckwith and Lizzie Williams. She had five brothers and four

sisters. In 1933, she married Wesley (Jack) Brown. In 1947, she and her husband, Wesley (Jack), moved

and raised their three boys and six girls in California. They returned to Oakville in 1967 to help care for

her aging father. On July 28, 2008, Gladys Grace Beckwith Brown passed away at the age of 96. She

leaves behind 31 grandchildren and 126 great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.

When asked what she enjoyed doing,

the family had a hard time coming up

with specific interests. Since Gladys

had nine children, she and Jack spent

their lives raising the kids and doing

everything necessary to provide a good

home and upbringing. She and Jack

planted a huge vegetable garden, and she

planted a flower garden. Most of their

energies were spent on providing for

their large family. After her immediate

family was raised and on their own, she

raised her granddaughter Carmen.

Gladys thought that going hunting

with Jack was fun. Gladys, her son,

Ken, Jack, and I would go hunting in the

woods. She had a rifle on her shoulders.

Of course I tagged along, because

Gladys was an excellent cook. Yummy!

And there wasn’t anything better than

friends, food, stories, and mountain air!

She liked working outside the home

and had various jobs around the Tribal

Center into her 70s, such as receptionist

and cook. She liked being around people,

so her working beyond the age of 70

wasn’t surprising.

Gladys could do anything a man could

do, and probably do it better. What a cook!

She could whip up meals for 12 people with

everything made from scratch. Gladys had

many interests, like fixing cars. I thought

everyone did that. It was nothing to see our

Gladys’s head under the hood of the car. Her

kids thought nothing of it, because it was

just one of her many resourceful talents. She

drew from her resourcefulness, often out of

necessity. She was truly a role model for her

children.

Gladys was very involved in tribal

politics. She served on the Business

Committee and other committees until she

could no longer drive and be as independent

as she liked. She said she served on the

Tribal Business Committee more than two

times.

Gladys attended the Assembly of God

in California. When she moved back to

Washington, she attended the Little White

Church on the reservation and the Oakville

Assembly of God. She enjoyed traveling to

different reservations to attend churches,

camp meetings, and fellowship meetings.

Her daughters remember how much

Gladys enjoyed her family. Betty’s

Gladys and Jack Brown in a photo

fondest memories were when

estimated to have been taken in 1983.

they had large family gatherings

Photos were provided by the family.

on the holidays. Nadine’s most

inspirational memories were when

she heard her mom praying for her children. store, Bible study, and wherever she

Nadine also loved the times she wanted

needed to go. The times spent with her

to skip school (very occasionally). Her

were priceless. I would like to thank her

mom would pick her up and they would go

granddaughter, Carmen. You did so much

shopping. June “Tiny” remembers her mom

for Gladys. You and your children filled

always finding the time to give her a ride

her life with joy. You made her heart glad.

home from after-school sports activities,

Gladys, you have so many stars on

allowing them a little time together alone.

your crown, and you have earned every

Gladys had a very funny sense of humor. one of them. Gladys, I’m going to sing

One time we were talking about people

this song for you, “Farther along, we’ll

reaping what they sewed: If we’re good,

understand it better by and by; and the

we’ll get something good. If we’re bad,

Lord says all we need is a joyful noise;

then we’ll get something bad. She wanted

maybe my voice isn’t joyful to you; but

to know why some of those people who do

to the Lord it is!” When we go to heaven,

bad things, don’t have bad things happen

we’ll all have the same tune. Gladys, I

to them. I told her that we’d understand

love you and will always remember you.

it better, by and by, like the song we sing

in church. She shook her finger and in a

The family would like to thank

mocking tone, laughingly said, “I want to

everybody for their prayers,

know NOW!!!”

donations, time, and efforts. They

While being her chore worker, I enjoyed

are greatly appreciated.

taking Gladys to town, to the grocery

Tribe Puts on Over-the- Program Launches

Top Event to Honor HS Tribal Artists’ Careers

Grads and Families

By Janet Chapman, Project Manager

By Cheryle Starr, Events Coordinator

On Thursday, June 12, the tribe had a

recognition dinner for the 2008 high school

graduates. Set up by the events coordinator

and the TELO Program, the event was held

at the Lucky Eagle. Dinner was provided

to all who came to honor the graduates.

Music accompanied a slide show of photos

of each graduate. A hypnotist provided

entertainment after the dinner.

Pendleton blankets, eagle feathers,

coats, duffle bags, Great Wolf Lodge stays,

steak house certificates, and gas cards were

given away as raffle prizes and awards.

Parents also received a blanket, as well as a

thank you for doing such a great job getting

the graduates to this point in their lives.

The Chehalis tribal high school

graduates and their families are:

 Stephanie Medina – Alicia and Barnaby

Canales; Gloria Jones

 Sara Myer – Carla Thomas; Josephine

and Frazier Thomas

 Jimmy James – Amil Starr, Sr. and Sally

James; Ben and Violet Starr

 Jake Burnett – David and Farah Burnett;

Nadine and Jimmy Burnett

 Jeremy Fanning – Joyce and Scott

Fanning; Grandma Faith Secena

 Chelsea Sharp – John and Kelly Sharp;

Marcy and Ron Sharp

Great job! Good luck with

your continued education!

Presenting the “Class of 2008” (left to right): Stephanie Medina, Sara Myer,

Jimmy James, Jake Burnett, Jeremy Fanning, and Chelsea Sharp.

Tribe Joins in Journey to

Protect Sacred Sites

By Tony Medina, Director of Youth Center

Friday, June 20, the Chehalis Tribe

hosted 15 people participating in the 2008

Peace and Dignity Journey, a walk from

Alaska to Panama. The Peace and Dignity

Journeys are dedicated to healing our

nations.

The 2008 Journey is focused on

preserving sacred sites throughout the

Americas. Indigenous people are facing

threats to our culture. We must fight

against corporate capitalism that seek to

exploit traditional land held sacred by the

people. Without these sacred sites,

indigenous people stress that an

unhealthy ecosystem on earth will

make it difficult for human beings

to exist.

The Peace and Dignity Journey

invites both Native and nonNative people committed to the

preservation of Native American

culture to participate. If you are

interested in participating as a

runner, contact (559) 228-0733; or

pdjrunner@yahoo.com.

In November 2007, Chehalis Tribal

2009 featuring the artists’ pieces.

Enterprises developed an initiative to

In mid June, the AEDI had its first

encourage the production of Coastal Salish

opening at Wildtrout Gallery in downtown

art by Chehalis tribal artists.

Chehalis. Pieces were beautifully framed

The intent of the Arts and Economic

and matted and featured as the gallery’s

Development Initiative (AEDI) was to

Artists of the Month with a reception and

find unknown and emerging artists. The

local media coverage. All the pieces will

program provided tutelage, exposure,

hang in the gallery throughout August.

and opportunity, and boosts both interest

Individual, unframed or matted, limited

and confidence in the Coastal Salish art

edition prints are available

form among previously

for purchase at the gallery,

unknown tribal artists.

the gift shop at the Eagles

It is a no-cost program.

Landing Hotel, or from

Eleven artists

the artists themselves. You

(Skokomish, Squaxin,

can see all of them at

Cowlitz, and Chehalis

the Chehalis Tribal

tribal members) were

Enterprises office.

tutored by Master

Contact information

Artist and Printer,

for the artist is also

Peter Boome (Upper

available.

Skagit). The artists

Look for the

Artist

ranged in age from 14 to

11”x14” calendar to

Selena

45 and most had no prior

be available soon.

Latch displayed her work at the

experience with the Coastal

The profits from the

Wildtrout Gallery opening the

Salish art form. They were

sales of the calendar

middle of June.

presented with 100 handare intended to fund

screened prints of their

another cycle of

pieces.

the program in January 2009. We will be

Chehalis Tribal Enterprises then assisted looking for 12 new artists for the next year

the artists in finding outlets for sales and

(six in January and six in April), so if you

display of their prints in local galleries, gift

are interested, contact Janet Chapman at

shops, etc. A calendar is in production for

Chehalis Tribal Enterprises, 273-6664.

Chehalis tribal members joined in prayers during the The Peace and Dignity

Journey stopover at the tribe. The Journey strives to bring the sacred staffs to

as many communities as possible to spread the word of protecting indigenous

sacred sites.

4

Cedar Bark

(continued from page 1):

harvest cedar bark. A saw is used to cut from

the base of the tree. A knife is used to make

vertical cuts up the side and pry the bark

away from the tree—enough to get a good

grip on it. The bark is pulled upward to peel

it away from the tree. It is amazing how easy

it is.

Cody Revay (age 11) had a little trouble,

as well as a bit of fun, swinging from a

stubborn strip of bark. Dino Hicks finally

helped him pull it off the tree. Cody helped

haul the strips out to people waiting to

prepare them for cleaning.

Nancy Romero, Scarlet Romero, and

Marie Griswold used knives to remove

the bark to make it into usable material.

Marie cleaned the material with a knife to

separate the bark. She then coiled it and

tied it for curing. This material is used to

make baskets, hats and mats. It is hard, time

consuming, and monotonous work, but the

finished products are awe-inspiring. Half of

the bark harvested that day was donated to

the Elders program.

Working alongside the Elders, learning

how to harvest cedar bark, listening to

their stories, and sharing our memories

uplifts and recharges the spirit. It is a time

of good thoughts and ideas. It is a time

of experiencing tradition and connection

with the Elders and ancestors. It is an

enlightening experience.

A permit is required to harvest cedar

bark. Any questions, contact Mark White,

Director or Natural Resources 273-5911.

Learn about our culture—experience it for

yourself!

Fireworks

(continued from page 1):

How it Works

The Fireworks Committee sets the

prices on firecrackers, bottle rockets,

artillery and family packs. The prices on

many of the products rose due to gas prices.

Advances in pyrotechnics have produced

some amazing new stuff. Each stand owner

had to meet the deadline to purchase their

Fireworks & Helpers Permit with half of the

proceeds going to the fireworks show that

was matched by the Lucky Eagle Casino.

There were 79 fireworks stands this year

located in different areas throughout the

reservation (Thunder Valley, Thunder Valley

II, Moon Road, Top of the Hill, Thunder

City Mall, Indian Country, Tribal Center).

A lot of work

and planning

goes into

fireworks

stands and

shows:

A Wedding and...

At 9:00 a.m., Pastor Marie Bird married

Barbara “Boo” Mora and Gus Dominick at

their fireworks stand “Ghost Busters” on the

Richardson property. The reception was held

at the baseball field before the fireworks

show. Congratulations and good luck!

On the basketball court was a tribal

“Remembrance Fireworks Show” for those

who have passed on.

Safety First

Cedar bark harvest participants included (front): Evelyn Penn; (middle row,

left to right): Tyler and Derek Youckton, Scarlet Romero, Nancy Romero,

Cody Revay, Elder Marie Griswold, Elder Carolyn Sloppy, and Stacy Brown;

(back row, left to right): Ray Griswold, Dean (Dino) Hicks, Gerald Sloppy, and

Shawn Goddard.

Tribal Staff Profiles

Cindy Gamble,

Health Services

Director

My name is Cindy

Gamble and I am proud

to be the new Health

Services Director for

the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis

Reservation. I am a member of the Tlingit

Nation in southeast Alaska. I am an Eagle

and my clan is the Kaa Xoots Hit Taan, the

Man’s Foot Clan. My husband, Jerry, and I

have three adult children: one daughter and

two sons.

For the past 22 years, I have worked

for the Southeast Alaska Regional Health

Consortium (SEARHC). Its mission is, “To

offer the highest quality health care services

in partnership with Native people.” Native

people deserve the highest quality of health

care services. Native people also have a

responsibility to our traditional values of

respect for our bodies, our spirit, our values,

and our culture. We have to be committed to

do the hard work of personal wellness and

sobriety—to take care of our children, our

Elders and our Mother Earth.

Suzanne Coombs

Retires

By Tracy Mitchel,

Pre-Kindergarten Teacher

Suzanne Coombs is

retiring this year after

eight years as a Head Start

teacher for the Chehalis Tribe. She came

to us with over 20 years of early childhood

education experience. Previously she

worked for the Yakima Head Start Migrant

Program and Olympia Childcare Center. She

is moving to Baker City, Oregon, to be with

her husband.

More than anything else, Suzanne said

she will miss the children, their families, and

the friends she made while she was here.

While she is very sad to leave, she is looking

forward to spending time with her husband,

her children, and their families. She and her

husband have plans to remodel their house,

spend lots of time in the garden, and travel.

The Head Start staff hosted a going

away party on June 26. Families, community

members, and tribal staff stopped by to wish

Suzanne farewell. She will be missed by all.

New Wellness

Center staff

(left to right):

Cori Fleutsch,

Donna Elam,

and Norine

Wells. Call us

at 273-5504.

The Chehalis Tribal Wellness

Center (CTWC) has been very

fortunate to have these dedicated

staff members. It is a pleasure to

introduce the newest staff to you:

Cori Fleutsch, RN Nurse Manager

Cori Fleutsch is our new RN nurse

manager. Patients of Dr. Wiley may

remember Cori as a nurse at Northwest

Pediatrics. Cori enjoyed her experience here

so much that when the full-time position

opened up, she jumped to apply. We are

thrilled to have a nurse manager, as well as

have Cori back with us.

Donna Elam,

Physician’s Assistant

Donna Elam is a certified Physician’s

Assistant. Donna spent the last seven

years working at Sea Mar Community

Health Center where she treated over 1,000

patients. Donna is very knowledgeable and

energetic. She is already a great addition to

our CTWC family.

Norine Wells, Contract Health

Services Manager

Norine most recently worked at the

Nisqually Health Clinic. She brings great

experience in health care management. We

are very happy to have her as the new CHS

manager.

Our licensed pyrotechnician, Barnaby

Canales, set up the fireworks show with help

from tribal member volunteers. It can take

more than eight hours to prepare for a onehour fireworks display.

This show is operated with safety as the

number-one priority. Wearing appropriate

safety gear (firefighter jackets, motorcycle

helmets, and eye protection), volunteers are

assigned responsibilities such as lighters,

loaders, box man, and counters.

Adjusting for wind conditions is an art

in itself. Tribal law enforcement officers

set up and enforced a safety perimeter. The

pyrotechnician and volunteers held a safety

meeting.

The fireworks show was stupendous! It

started off with salutes to get everybody’s

attention, and then progressed to cakes and

mortars. The finale was a combination of

cakes and salutes, a dazzling display of

color, light, and the sound of cannons.

Thanks to Tribal Volunteers

Thanks again to tribal members Dustin

Klatush, Manny Medina, Sean Ortivez,

Walter Lewis, Virgil Thacker, and Barnaby

Canales, licensed pyrotechnician, for

another awesome Fourth of July!

Each stand owner puts a lot

of effort into their business

including marketing strategies,

purchasing, maintaining stock,

and hiring helpers. Some of the

names painted on their stands

are quite unique. The artwork

was awesome.

A ditch is dug to hold the

“guns,” metal tubes, ranging

from 4” to 12”. Shells for the

main body of the show are

separated according to size,

placed into ready boxes, and

covered to prevent accidental

discharge. The finale rack,

consisting of a combination of

cakes and salutes, is next to be

set up. This makes the finale

end with a “BOOM!!!”

With a Few Simple Changes

Diabetes Can Be Prevented

By Cindy Beck,

Project Coordinator

Did you know that diabetes

can be prevented? Some simple

changes can help decrease your risk

for diabetes. Staff at the Diabetes

Prevention Program [DPP] office in

the Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center

can help you get started on the road

to preventing diabetes. Come talk to

Pat Odiorne (director), Cindy Beck

(project coordinator), Lynn Hoheisel

(community outreach), and Cathy

Visser (dietitian), or call 709-1744.

The main ingredients to good

health and preventing chronic diseases

like diabetes are exercise, healthy diet, Diabetes Program Staff, clockwise from

stress reduction, and adequate sleep. top left: Cathy Visser, Pat Odiorne, Lynn

DPP also helps people make

Hoheisel, and Cindy Beck.

healthier food choices, and reduce

portion sizes. Many people know which

Walking is a Win-Win!

foods are healthy, but don’t take the time

DPP sponsors Community Health

to cook. Below is one of Cathy’s recipes

Walks. If you walk or exercise on the third

that is easy to make, takes only 30 minutes

Thursday of each month for at least 20

to prepare, is healthy for you, and is super

minutes, let us know and we’ll enter your

delicious!

name in a raffle for a sweatshirt!

Oven Baked Fish

1/3 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp. pepper

1 egg

2 tbsp. water

2/3 cup crushed corn flakes

1 tbsp. grated parmesan cheese

1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper

1 lb. haddock fillets (or other fish)

 Preheat oven to 425°.

 In a shallow bowl, combine flour and pepper.

 In a second bowl, beat egg and water.

 In a third bowl, combine corn flakes, cheese, and

cayenne.

 Dredge fish fillets in flour mixture, then egg

mixture, then coat with corn flake mixture.

 Place fish fillets on a baking sheet coated with

nonstick cooking spray.

 Bake for 10-15 minutes until fish flakes easily

with a fork.

Serves 4, 177 calories per serving.