# www.greatwolflodge.com  www.luckyeagle.com  www.eagleslandinghotel.net  (2008)

> Briefs, arguments, decisions, and more.

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aconfederated_chehalis%3A4698c2a1d986e9e7

## Record

- **Collection:** Tribal code
- **Document type:** Tribal code

## Text

FREE

www.greatwolflodge.com  www.luckyeagle.com  www.eagleslandinghotel.net 

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.

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/documents/tribal%3Aconfederated_chehalis%3A4698c2a1d986e9e7. Public record. Not legal advice.
