THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE CHEHALIS RESERVATION, ‘PEOPLE OF THE SANDS’ (2016)

THE CONFEDERATED TRIBES OF THE CHEHALIS RESERVATION, ‘PEOPLE OF THE SANDS’

CHEHALIS

A FREE PUBLICATION.

FOR MORE TRIBAL

HISTORY, HERITAGE

AND ACTIVITIES, SEE

CHEHALISTRIBE.ORG.

WINTER ACTIVITY

Push hard during 8-week

physical fitness challenge

TRIBAL

NEWSLETTER

SANTA BREAKFAST

Kids take pictures

with jolly fellow

page 2

page 4

inside

Elder Bazaar / 2

Staff profiles / 3

Health, wellness / 4-6

Head Start fun/ 7

‘

Equipment donation

protects our resources

Contributed by

the Oakville Fire Department

Santa came early to the

Oakville Fire Department in

the form of a new wildland

firefighting unit donated by

the Confederated Tribes of the

Chehalis Reservation.

The new unit has a

200-gallon tank and a 265

gallons-per-minute pump.

It replaces the much older

second-hand unit that was our

primary wildland firefighting

unit for the past 10 years.

This piece of equipment is

‘

See DONATION, page 3

A portion of Hwy. 12 and Anderson Road near the End of the Trail store is submerged Dec. 10, 2015.

Flood highlights safety needs

Help

protect

yourself

and loved

ones

during

natural

disasters

Briefs / 4, 7

Birthdays / 8

Students, family

of the month / 9

Tribe helps

firefighters

Soon

there

were no

places for

the people

to stand but

in the water.

The water

rose and

covered

everything.

There was

no place for

them

to go.

From the

Chehalis Tribal

‘Story of

the Flood’

JANUARY 2016

Contributed by Cal Bray,

Emergency Management

Winter (the coldest season of

the year in polar and temperate

climates) is when the axis of

the Earth in that hemisphere

is oriented away from the sun.

Winter’s arrival also marks the

beginning of the rainy season

and the increased possibility

of flooding on the Chehalis

Reservation.

Chehalis Tribal history

establishes that we often have

dealt with floods.

Low-lying areas in

Washington are prone to

flooding during the rainy season.

Because of its large drainage

basin area, the Chehalis River

tends to rise and fall slowly over

a long period of time.

The most predictable scenario

for the Chehalis occurs when

rains fall over all of southwestern

Washington and all regional

rivers and streams rise.

The floods can occur in

See SAFETY, page 10

WHO DO I CALL FOR HELP?

For life-threatening emergencies,

call 911. For non-emergency

assistance, call Law Enforcement

at 360-273-7051. Any calls made to

that number after 5 p.m. weekdays

or on weekends and holidays will be

forwarded to the 911 Dispatch Call

Center. Remember officers are busy

during emergency declarations and

will respond as soon as they are able.

EMERGENCY INFORMATION:

866-623-8883.

Christmas

cheer abounds

Families gather

to celebrate holiday

As if Christmas wasn’t

fun already, Sunday, Dec. 20,

was a day to remember. The

Community Center was filled

with Christmas spirit as families

gathered to celebrate and enjoy

all the fun activities provided by

the Tribe.

The gym was decorated to put

folks in the mood, and there was

never a dull moment to celebrate

this special holiday.

The event featured food,

pictures with Santa, gift cards,

bouncy houses, raffles and

See CHRISTMAS, page 12

2

Elders Bazaar features

handcrafted treasures

Tribal community finds gifts galore at festive event

People came to shop for that special

gift for their loved ones at the annual

Elders Bazaar on Saturday, Dec. 5, at

the Lucky Eagle Event Center.

The event was loaded with a variety

of vendors to choose from. Many artists

displayed their crafts and talents.

Wow, so much to choose from! The

warm atmosphere and friendly people

helped set a fun and festive tone for

many who were heading out to shop

for the rest of their presents.

These were no ordinary gifts to

purchase. Coastal Salish people artists

added a unique flair to the craftwork

they made by hand on materials such

as baskets, drums and wood.

The annual Elders Bazaar is a great

way to meet new people and funding

fun activities the Elders plan each year.

There was food, vendors and raffles

throughout the day.

It made a solid start to the

Christmas shopping season.

Mark your calendar next year for

the return of the Elders Bazaar on the

first Saturday of December.

Hope to see you then.

The annual Elders Bazaar on the first Saturday in December is a great place to shop.

Breakfast with

Santa creates

sweet memories

The Great Wolf Lodge hosted a Breakfast with

Santa for Chehalis Tribal members and their

families Dec. 19.

Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus were there to visit

and help make special family holiday moments.

This is the third year Great Wolf Lodge has

invited tribal members to join in the festive

activities creating a family tradition.

Santa was seen roaming around the room

visiting with children and their families.

The children were a little shy but they did

share what they wanted for Christmas. Some

were scared, but those precious moments were

priceless.

After eating a delicious breakfast provided

by Great Wolf Lodge, families gathered to

take a picture with Mr. and Mrs. Claus. There

wasn’t an age limit either – great grandparents,

grandparents, adults and children alike made the

most of the opportunity to take a photo.

A special treat from Mrs. Claus made an

added memory, and the candy canes did not last

very long as they were gobbled up quickly by the

children.

We cannot forget to thank the hardworking

staff who planned this event. Also to the cooks

and staff who helped create the delicious meal

provided by Great Wolf Lodge.

Thank you all for setting the tone for a

memorable experience for the 2015 Christmas

season!

Mr. and Mrs. Claus pose for pictures

and entertain children during Great Wolf

Lodge’s Breakfast with Santa on Dec. 19.

3

STAFF PROFILES

WSU student has a passion for communication

By Edmund ‘Frazer’ Myer

My name is Edmund “Frazer”

Myer. I’m an undergraduate student

at Washington State University and

I’m enrolled in The Murrow College

of Communication.

I recently was hired as the

communications assistant for the

Native American Programs at WSU,

where I’ll help produce stories for the

monthly newsletter.

I’m a member of the Chehalis Tribe,

a costal tribe near Olympia. I grew

up in a small town called Onalaska,

Washington, where I graduated high

school in 2010. I come from a large

family with four brothers and two

sisters. My mother is Carla Thomas

from Oakville, Washington, who is

enrolled Chehalis. My father, Eric

Myer, is from Onalaska and is a

Cowlitz Tribal member.

I graduated and transferred from

Centralia Community College in

2014. It was there that I realized

I had a passion for the field of

communication. They have a program

that allows students to get experience

in radio and television production.

DONATION

From page 1

used for grass and brush fires

primarily.

With the upgraded pump, it has

the ability to be used much more,

including everything from vehicle

fires to structure fires. It also offers

an on-board foam system to make it

more versatile.

After the unit was placed in

service, the fire department’s

first call was to an acre grass fire

burning into the timber on trust

land.

The new equipment handled

most of the firefighting duty by

itself and we are glad we were able

to use this great donation to help

protect the natural resources of the

Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis

Reservation.

A donation of this kind means

a great deal to members of the

Oakville Fire Department. We

would not have been able to make

this kind of upgrade on our own.

From our family to yours, a great

big thank you from the members of

Oakville Fire Department.

I hosted live radio

shows, filmed stage

plays and called

sporting events live

on the radio, Internet

and television.

These experiences

have helped me

Edmund ‘Frazer’ tremendously as I

Myer

further my studies

and pursue my career.

I’m enrolled in two communication

courses and two psychology courses at

WSU. I plan to graduate in 2017 with

an emphasis in broadcast production

and a minor in psychology. I hope to

study abroad in Cuba this summer.

After I graduate, I hope to work in

the radio industry as a play-by-play

analyst for sporting events. I feel like

the radio in a small/medium market

calling local sports is an ideal place

to start, but I have dreams of one day

working in a large market calling

games on television for a major

television company or a professional

sports team.

Learn more at native.wsu.edu/

news/december2015/myer.html.

Outreach prevention specialist teaches life skills

By Steven Dorland

Hello, my name is Steven

Dorland. I’m a Squaxin Island

Tribal member. My roots also run

deep within this community. My

grandmother was Shirley Lopeman,

and Mable (Doodle) Cooper is

my great-grandmother. I recently

became your outreach prevention

specialist with the Behavioral

Health Program.

I’ll work with youth at the

Chehalis Tribal Community Center

from 1-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays and

Fridays. I also

have developed

a program called

Soaring Together,

which helps youth

strengthen their life

skills and continue

on a healthful path.

Steven

Classes are 3Dorland

4:30 p.m. Fridays.

I look forward to getting to know

the community. Please call me

at 360-709-1652 or stop by the

community center.

Animal control officer plans door-to-door hellos

Brennan

Stoelb

The tribe has hired

Brennan Stoelb as its new

animal control officer.

During the next few

weeks, Stoelb will go door

to door to introduce himself

to you and your pets.

He is interested in

hearing suggestions or

concerns you have about

the animals that are a part

of our community.

For immediate animal

concerns, contact Stoelb

at 360-273-7051 or email

bstoelb@chehalistribe.

org.

The Animal Control

office is at 30 Niederman

Road in Oakville.

Firefighters

from the

Oakville Fire

Department

use the new

wildland

firefighting

unit donated

by the

Confederated

Tribes of the

Chehalis

Reservation.

Submitted

by the

Oakville Fire

Department

4

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

in brief

New CTWC PRC available

Are you Contract Health Services eligible?

Have you received you new ID card?

This ID card along with a purchase order will

help ensure outside providers are billing the

Purchased Referred Care Department quickly

and accurately.

If you or your family members have not

received a card, please contact Deb

Shortman at the Chehalis Tribal Wellness

Center at 360-709-1689.

Ordering medications

Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center patients: If

you need medication pickup, please have

your name put on our list by 10:30 a.m.

Monday through Friday.

You can call refills into 360-493-8614 or

360-456-5475.

If you have any questions, please call the

clinic at 360-273-5504.

Disclaimer

Information displayed on any flyer, in email or

on our website calendar is subject to change

without notice. Please refer to the flyer’s

contact person for the latest update.

Mammogram

clinic schedule

Women age 40 and older should have a

mammogram once a year.

Swedish Mobile Mammography will offer

services in the parking lot of the Chehalis

Tribal Wellness Center from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on

the following days:

n Wednesday, Feb. 17

n Thursday, March 17

n Tuesday, May 31

Please schedule an appointment with a

provider to have a clinical breast exam prior

to your mammogram appointment by calling

the CTWC at 360-273-5504.

If you have questions about mammogram

clinics, contact Christina Hicks, community

wellness manager, at 360-709-1741.

Step up to winter challenge

Participants will sweat

it out with 150 minutes of

moderate activity per week

The Spokane Tribe of Indians

invites people to participate in the

eight-week Physical Activity Winter

Challenge 2016 from Jan. 11-Mar. 7.

The tribe has challenged the entire

Portland Area Tribes, Urban AI/AN

Programs and health boards and the

Portland Area Indian Health Service

(including service units), to a physical

activity challenge to start the new

year.

We ask all participants to engage in

“moderate-intensity” physical activity

for 150 minutes or more per week.

According to the Centers for Disease

SIGN UP

If you are interested, please contact

Community Wellness Manager Christina

Hicks at the Chehalis Tribal Wellness

Center at 360-273-5504, ext. 1741, or

chicks@chehalistribe.org.

Control and Prevention, ages 18-64

need at least:

n Two hours and 30 minutes (150

minutes) of moderate-intensity aerobic

activity (such as brisk walking) every

week

n Muscle-strengthening activities

two or more days a week that work all

major muscle groups – legs, hips, back,

abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms

OR

n One hour and 15 minutes (75

minutes) of vigorous-intensity aerobic

activity (such as jogging or running)

every week and

n Muscle-strengthening activities

two or more days a week that work all

major muscle groups – legs, hips, back,

abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms

OR

n An equivalent mix of moderateand vigorous-intensity aerobic activity

n Muscle-strengthening activities

two or more days a week that work all

major muscle groups – legs, hips, back,

abdomen, chest, shoulders and arms

Participants who turn in their

weekly physical activity report and

do the 150 minutes each week for

the entire eight weeks will receive a

T-shirt.

Cut back on soda, snacks, sweets for kids’ dental health

The Huffington Post

states that “carbonated

drinks, processed snacks

and sweet treats can

seriously affect a child’s

oral health,” recommending

alternatives that have

less sugar and might help

promote oral health.

For example, the article

recommends kids eat raw

fresh fruits rather than dried

fruits, which might result in

sugar adhering directly to

the tooth’s surface.

Dr. Elton recommends

that instead of drinking

carbonated and power

drinks, try milk and fruit

juices. Water is one of the

best drinks because it is pure

hydration without the sugar.

As we start the year,

the Chehalis Dental Clinic

staff would like to invite all

tribal members to have a

dental exam this year. They

can chat about your dental

strengths and, perhaps, a

few dental needs.

Have a happy, smiling

new year.

5

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Men: Overlooked victims Foot care for people with diabetes

of domestic violence

By Deborah Behre, podiatrist, DMP,

Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center

Surveys find steady

increase of physical abuse

by wives or girlfriends

Contributed by Janita Raham,

domestic violence advocate

When I say domestic violence,

what do you think of?

Chances are you imagine a

situation where a woman has been

physically assaulted by a man.

The truth is there are thousands

of instances where men silently

suffer beatings by their girlfriends

or wives, but we rarely hear their

stories.

Surveys are beginning to confirm

what male victims of domestic abuse

have been experiencing for some

time: a steady increase in instances

of physical abuse by their wives or

girlfriends.

Men suffer in silence for many

reasons, making them less likely to

report the abuse.

Men might be embarrassed or

think they can handle the abuse.

Some victims also fear they will be

ridiculed for admitting their female

partner is abusing them.

A man who calls the police to

report domestic violence is three

times more likely to be arrested then

the women.

n Every 37.8 seconds, a man in

America is abused

n 830,000 men fall victim to

domestic violence every year

n One in 10 men in the United

States have experienced rape, physical

violence, and/or stalking by a partner

and report that they have been

affected by the incident

n Nearly one in seven men in

the country has experienced severe

physical violence by an intimate

partner.

Although we don’t hear much

about domestic violence against men,

it happens often.

Men might have a difficult time

recognizing and identifying abuse

in a relationship. You might be

experiencing domestic violence if

your partner:

n Stalks you or is constantly

checking up on you

n Controls your money

HELP IS AVAILABLE

Contact Janita Raham, domestic

violence advocate, at 360-789-3627

(24 hours a day, seven days a week) or

in the office at 360-709-1874.

If you leave a message, please indicate

whether it’s safe to call the number back.

You also can email jraham@

chehalistribe.org.

n Insults you in private or public

n Abuses or threatens to abuse the

children or pets

n Physically intimidates you by

pushing, hitting or with weapons

n Acts overly jealous

n Forces sex

Domestic violence has

long-lasting effects on everyone it

touches. Compared to men who

have not been abused, male victims

are at a higher risk for chronic pain,

poor mental and physical pain,

limited physical capabilities, trouble

sleeping and frequent headaches in

later life.

Domestic abuse is a serious issue

whether you are a man or woman.

But there is help.

If you or someone you know is a

victim of domestic violence, dating

violence, sexual assault or stalking,

you have someone to talk to.

All services provided by the

Tsapowum Chehalis Behavioral

Health Domestic Violence Program

are free and confidential.

I am here to listen in my office or

another place you feel safe.

Services include:

n Someone safe to talk with

n Safety planning

n Court assistance

n Service related transportation

n Education and prevention

This project was supported by Grant

No. 2013-TW-AX0040 awarded

by the office on Violence Against

Women, U.S. Department of Justice.

The opinions, findings, conclusions

and recommendations expressed in

this publication/program/exhibition

are those of the author(s) and do

not necessarily reflect the views of

the Department of Justice, Office on

Violence Against Women.

People with diabetes have to take

special care of their feet and should

have a comprehensive foot exam every

year even if they don’t have any foot

problems. Some things you can do to

keep your feet healthy:

n Wash your feet in warm water daily

n Dry your feet well, especially

between the toes

n Keep skin soft with a moisturizing

lotion, but do not apply in between

toes

n Inspect your feet daily for cuts,

bruises, blisters or swelling

n Tell your health care provider right

away if you do find something wrong

with your feet

n Ask your diabetes care team how

you should cut your toenails

GET CHECKED

Podiatrist Deborah Behre will be here

from 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Wednesdays,

Jan. 27, Feb. 24 and March 23.

To make an appointment with her, please

call the Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center

at 360-273-5504 and ask to speak to

Michelle Romero, diabetes outreach LPN,

or Pat Odiorne, RD, CDE.

n Wear clean and soft socks that fit

well

n Keep your feet warm and dry

n Always wear shoes that fit

n Never walk barefoot indoors or

outdoors

n Examine your shoes daily for

cracks, pebbles, nails or anything that

could hurt your feet

6

HEALTH AND WELLNESS

Substance abuse solutions

Conference offers hope to

create healthy communities

MORE DETAILS

Contributed by Tamara Clark,

event coordinator, TOGETHER!

The seventh annual Substance

Abuse: A Community Response

Conference aims to increase awareness

of new, proven and/or promising

techniques and programs that are

being used to address all spectrums of

substance abuse from prevention to

intervention, treatment and aftercare.

Join us for keynote presentations by

Dr. Chan Hellman, a world-renowned

researcher on hope, as well as our

community’s own Liz Davis, who will

provide a deeper look at neurobiology,

epidemiology, adverse childhood

experiences and resiliency. The event

also will include a screening of the

documentary “Paper Tigers.”

Topics such as marijuana policy,

recovery, peer education, e-cigarettes,

innovative prevention approaches,

prevention in tribal communities, and

housing and homelessness and their

connection to addiction/recovery will

be covered.

Highlights of the three keynote

speakers and featured plenary:

Hope Research: Dr. Hellman,

Ph.D., will give the keynote address on

the first day and a follow-up breakout

session introducing research regarding

hope and the impact it has relating to

substance abuse, ACEs and resilience.

Beyond ACEs 101: Davis will

give the keynote address the second

The two-day Substance Abuse: A

Community Response Conference kicks

off at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, and

runs through 1:30 p.m. Thursday, April 28

at Great Wolf Lodge Conference Center,

20500 Old Hwy 99 SW, Centralia.

For more information, contact Tamara

Clark, event coordinator, TOGETHER!

at 360-493-2230, ext. 10, or go to

thurstontogether.org.

The Tsapowum Chehalis Tribal Behavioral

Health Program will sponsor four tribal

members for this event. Please contact

Christine Semanko, counselor, at 360709-1701 to sign up.

day covering the neurobiology,

epidemiology and resilience related to

ACEs and the increase of new research

during the past 20 years of using ACEs

to reliably predict trouble later in life.

“Paper Tigers”: A plenary viewing

on the first conference day of this

documentary captures pain, danger,

beauty and hope of teens struggling

with toxic stress in their lives and the

educators armed with new science and

fresh approaches that are changing

their lives for the better.

The conference is planned by

TOGETHER! in collaboration with

local and statewide partners such as

the Thurston County Drug Action

Team and the Washington Association

for Substance Abuse and Violence

Prevention.

Together, we can find solutions.

SDPI’S LIFESTYLE BALANCE PROGRAM

This is a 16-week class to help you:

n Learn the facts about healthy eating and being active

n Discover what makes it hard for you to eat healthy and be active; learn how

Chehalis WIC

(Women, Infants, and Children

provides healthful food and

nutrition information for you and

your child up to age 5.

For appointments

or questions, contact:

Deb Shortman

360-709-1689

Next WIC date

9-3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 5

Chehalis Wellness Center

date and times might change

Debbie Gardipee-Reyes

360-462-3227, gardipee@spipa.org

Patty Suskin

360-462-3224

SPIPA main number

360-426-3990

to change these things so they work for you, not against you

n Get the long-term support you need

You are welcome to invite a friend or family member

When: Noon-1 p.m. Tuesdays through May 25

Where: PT Room at the Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center

For more information, contact:

Pat Odiorne RD, CDE

360-709-1884, podiorne@chehalistribe.org

Gloria Jones

360-709-1810, gjones@chehalistribe.org

NOTICE

Information on this flyer, in email

or on our website calendar is subject

to change without notice. Please

refer to this flyer’s contacts

7

in brief

Indian wills and estate

planning services

Indian Wills and Estate Planning Services are

offered to all Chehalis Tribal members who

are age 18 and older.

These include wills, powers of attorney,

medical directives and living wills.

Legal advisor Jerrie Simmons is available

from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. three days a week at

the Chehalis Tribal Center.

This service is free for Chehalis Tribal

members who do not have a will or would like

to update their will.

Simmons’ position is for legal questions,

not part of the Office of Tribal Attorney. If

you have a legal question, she can point you

in the right direction on where and who to

contact if she can’t help you.

Contact Jerrie Simmons at 360-273-5911

to set up an appointment and obtain the

necessary paperwork to get started.

CHEHALIS TRIBAL

NEWSLETTER

The Confederated Tribes

of the Chehalis Reservation,

‘People of the Sands’

Articles and opinions expressed

are not necessarily the opinions

of this publication or the Chehalis

Tribal Business Committee.

New hours set for

community center

SUBMISSIONS

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 is

the first of each month (printed

monthly).

TRIBAL CENTER

360-273-5911

420 Howanut Road

Oakville, WA 98568

360-709-1726 (office)

360-273-5914 (fax)

CHEHALIS TRIBE’S

VISION STATEMENT

To be a thriving, self-sufficient,

sovereign people, honoring our

past and serving current and

future generations.

BUSINESS COMMITTEE

Don Secena, Chairman

Harry Pickernell, Sr.,

Vice Chairman

Farley Youckton, Treasurer

Cheryle Starr, Secretary

Dan Gleason, Sr.,

5th Council Member

NEWSLETTER STAFF

Fred Shortman,

Communications Coordinator

fshortman@chehalistribe.org

The new hours for the Chehalis Tribal

Community Center are 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

Head Start kids select a tree from Tapio’s Christmas Tree Farm and carry it to the bus.

Families gather to learn

Thank you to all of Santa’s helpers

who made the Children’s Christmas

parties extra special. A big thank you

to Philip Youckton, Terry Youckton,

Jacinda Legg and Yolanda Edwards for

their efforts for Santa.

Head Start children enjoyed making

decorations for the Christmas tree they

brought back from Tapio’s Christmas

Tree Farm.

Children listened to stories and

walked out in the farm to choose a tree.

After it was cut down, they helped carry

it back to the Head Start bus.

January’s Resource Roundup for

Parents will include presentations

by Diabetes Prevention, Vocational

Rehabilitation, Healthy Families,

LEND A HAND

Volunteers are needed to read stories, rock

babies, monitor playground safety, deliver

meal carts and ride the bus. Let us know if

you are interested by calling 360-273-5514.

Nutrition and more. Families enjoyed

visiting with other parents from their

childrens’ classroom while dining on

chili and cornbread made by the Head

Start cooks.

Monthly trips to the library reinforce

the importance of reading. Children will

take field trips to area businesses this

month. One Head Start classroom is

studying community helpers.

Fun events at the center:

n Movie night starts at 5 p.m. every second

Wednesday of the month. Dinner is provided.

Bring out the whole family and enjoy.

n Open gym is at noon Wednesdays and

Sundays and 5:30 p.m. weeknights.

n Swimming pool and exercise room hours

are 7 a.m.-8 p.m.

n The Community Center will host an

alcohol-free super bowl party at 3 p.m.

Feb. 7. Activities include door prizes, food,

drinks and the big game on our 70-inch TVs.

For more information, contact Leroy Boyd,

events coordinator assistant, at 360-7091787.

USDA Food Program

If you are interested in signing up for the

USDA Food Program, call the South Puget

Intertribal Planning Agency Food Distribution

Warehouse at 360-438-4216 from 8 a.m.p.m. Monday through Friday.

Our staff will be happy to assist you in

applying for the program.

Distribution dates are Feb. 23, March 29 and

April 26.

Pickup is at the Chehalis Tribal Community

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

Save the date

Celebrate our cancer survivors and cancer

caregivers April 15-16 at the Cancer

Survivorship Conference (location to be

determined).

For more information, call Joan (Joann)

Simmons at 360-462-3222.

8

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

1

More

wishes

John McCrory

2

Sidney Cole

Geraldo Sanchez

Lauren Quilt

3

Ravenhawk Penn

Morgan Hanna

Tristan Hanna

MARGIE

YOUCKTON

DEREK

YOUCKTON

MAKAYLA

ORTIVEZ

Happy

birthday

Youckton!

From Anna

Banana

Happy

birthday.

We love you.

Happy

birthday.

Much love.

17

24

Daryl McCrory

Diana Pickernell

Jake Burnett

Bella Couillard

Daniel Gitchel

DIANA

PICKERNELL

Happy

birthday

princess.

4

18

Finley Beckwith

Cheryl Jones

Jayzen Owens

Joe Wilieferd

Leslye Wyatt

Irene Adams

Roy Wertz

19

26

5

ALLISTAIR YOUCKTON-LEGG: Happy 2nd birthday. We love you!

Jacob Christjohn

Mya Ortivez

9

20

Mimi Cayenne

Megan Christjohn

James DuPuis

Laura Fricke

Margie Youckton

Joyce Fanning

Makayla Mashburn

David Bird

Patricia Gitchel

Shyann Klatush

Anna Meas

Brooke Allen

Mariah Klatush

John Youckton

6

Daniel Gleason, Jr.

7

Zoe Albert

Alynn Clancy

Darrin Jones

Wyatte Spence

Zola Youckton

10

Robyn Fields

11

Curtis DuPuis II

Alberta Gilmore

Anna Hill

Makayla Ortivez

8

12

Eva Delamater

Kathy Pickernell

Russ Baker

Jon Brown

JEREMY FANNING: Happy

26th birthday, love all the

Fannings. We’re all so proud

of you! JOYCE FANNING:

Happy birthday. From your

loving family!

Alexander Hoheisel

Ezrah Merriman

Kaelen-Jay Sanchez

Chayse Youckton-Bonifer

Allistair Youckton-Legg

13

Jeremy Fanning

Joseph Wittwer

15

BROOKE ALLEN AND RODNEY YOUCKTON: Happy birthday.

We love you.

Sheilah Bray

Dylan Burke

21

Nathaniel Klatush

Suzette Klatush

Traci Parkinson

Jaxon Starr

Edward Sanchez, Jr.

Benjamin Starr, Jr.

Rodney Youckton

25

Jaileen Sanchez

27

Cameron Hjelm-Snell

Robert Phillips

Nikolas Romero

Cheyne Youckton

Derek Youckton

AVERY MCJOE: Happy

birthday. We love you.

CALVIN P. CAYENNE: Happy

birthday. From Mom, Don

and Dyani J

DAVID BIRD: Happy birthday

to my “lil” brother David

Lee. Have a fabulous day.

Love you bunches.

FRANK BOYD: Have a GREAT

Birthday. Frankie.

HEATHER EILEEN DANIELS:

Happy 21st birthday

Heather Eileen Daniels.

Hope your day is as

wonderful as you. Love you

bunches, Jenni, Savanna,

Jordan, Jonnie and Liam J

28

James Gunnels

Shirley Kay

Crystal Martinez

29

Akasha Slighte

30

Avery McJoe

22

Hollie Brockmueller

Calvin P. Cayenne

Jennifer Cooper

Ulises Klatush

Miya McAlister

Dreama Secena Ferguson

23

Chris Pickernell

Ashley Rosado

Patrick Simmons, Sr

JAXON, SHYANN, SUZETTE AND HOLLIE: Happy birthday to

our beautiful grandbabies. Lots of love and hugs from

Grama and Papa.

9

STUDENTS/FAMILY OF THE MONTH

Faith Hoheisel

For grades 9-12

River Ridge High School

11th grade

Faith Hoheisel is the December

student of the month. She is the

daughter of Jacob Hoheisel and

Kristie McIntyre and attends River

Ridge High School. Faith has put

up great numbers in her junior year.

She recently transferred from Yelm

High School but this has not had

any effect on her studies. In fact,

Mya Ortivez

For grades 6-8

Oakville Middle School

Seventh grade

Mya Ortivez is the daughter of

Shawn and Crystal Ortivez and is a

seventh-grade student at Oakville

Middle School. Mya has posted a GPA

of 3.71 during the school year. While

she is a fantastic student, her favorite

activities are built around the social

one of the things she

has liked about the

transfer is the staff

at River Ridge and

their ability to facilitate her move and

allow her to have continued success.

Faith attributes her overall success

to giving it all she has.

“I think that as long as you always

give 100 percent, you will always be

happy with the results,” she said.

What more is there to give? She

definitely has given it her all and has

advised other students that you have

to keep going. Giving up is not an

option.

Faith has been a part of the

athletic culture that usually comes

with high school and has participated

in basketball and fast pitch. She

also has been involved in the future

farmers of America, where she has

enjoyed livestock judging.

After this portion of her education

comes to an end, Faith plans to

attend Washington State University

to get her degree in social work.

“I would like to help children and

be there for them when it seems no

one else is,” she said.

This is a noble profession for

someone so young. Faith said her

reason for wanting to help people in

need can be attributed to her mother.

“My mom has supported me through

it all. I wouldn’t be me today without

her,” she said.

aspect of school.

“I like hanging

out with my friends

and finding new fun

things to do,” she

said.

This can be tough

in a small town but

she has been able

to build quite a social network and

keeps her education moving forward

at the same time.

The qualities for success have been

her ability to follow directions and

the leadership of her teachers. She

is able to keep her school work in

tip-top shape and help other students

that might have a harder time

catching on. Mya is always focused in

class and stays prepared for anything

that comes her way.

Not only does she have a firm

understanding of the classroom

but she also is a year-round athlete.

By being a part of the basketball,

volleyball and fast-pitch teams at

school, she shows a discipline that sets

her apart from others her age. With

the help of her Auntie Alyssa Charles,

she has been able to keep her eyes on

the prize and create a discipline for

greatness. This discipline is something

she will take with her to the next level

of education.

Mya wants to attend a college but

will not be hasty in her decision. A

good student of the world likes to

keep her options open, and Mya is

definitely that.

‘I would like to help children and be there

for them when it seems no one else is.’

Dominic Delgado

For kindergarden-grade 5

Rochester Primary School

Second grade

Dominic Delgado is the

son of Erin and Richey

Delgado and is a second

grader at Rochester

Elementary School.

Dominic has shown great

strides in his classes on all

levels including math and a

reading level much higher

than his class. The series that interests

Dominic the most is the Black Lagoon.

Dominic is a fan of the Spider-Man

series of superheroes for no other reason

than because he is cool. If you ask what

power Dom would like, he would tell you

the ability to freeze things with his mind.

For what reason, you ask? For the same

reason he likes Spider-Man, because it’s

cool (no pun intended).

When Dominic grows up, he would

like to be a first baseman in Major League

Baseball. He plans to keep up his grades.

After college, keep a lookout for his

jersey, Delgado No. 1.

Family of the semester:

Will and Misty Secena

We would like to recognize a

family that has been a shining

example showing the importance

of education and parental

involvement for children in our

program.

The family of Will, Misty,

Kirsten, Kylee and, the newest

addition, Kaelyn, has all the

makings of wonderful household.

As individuals, Will and Misty

have shared accomplishments in

education.

Misty received her Bachelor

of Arts degree in business

management and Will has an

Associate of Arts degree in

information technology.

When asked what their greatest

accomplishment in life has been,

without a second thought, they

said “our children.”

Some of their time is filled with

“Netflix and chill,” however, Misty

said they make it a point to spend

time doing things together.

Whether it is cooking a Sunday

dinner or just going out as a family

to take care of business, they do it

together.

Kirsten and Kylee always have

posted great marks in school.

Kirsten is a regular on the honor

role, and as soon as they give

Kylee a GPA, I’m sure it will be a

battle of who gets the better grades

for those two ladies with Kaelyn

waiting to beat the high bar set by

her sisters.

Will and Misty are working on

their eighth year of marriage and

have been together for 16 years.

The key to being such strong

parents and leaders of this

amazing family is giving their

children a place to be everything

they want to be and express

themselves any way they want

without fear of being judged.

They understand that to be

great, it can be as easy as just being

there for their kids’ ups and downs

and setting a good example for

their children to follow.

Will would like to one day take

his family to Japan and Misty

would like to take the family on a

road trip to the great places this

country has to offer.

It is not a matter of if they do

these things but rather what will

happen first. They are truly an

inspiring family and an amazing

group of people.

Contributed by J. William Gleason

10

IMPROVEMENTS

TO PREDICT FLOODING

Proposed actions by Mark

White, Department of Natural

Resources director, after the

recent flood:

“Install flood monitors so that we

can better predict road closures

and flooding levels. These

would be ultrasonic sensors

that will read water levels every

five minutes and electronically

transmit the data so that tribal

government and tribal business

managers can see real-time

flooding and predictions of road

closures as a flood comes.”

Three things this would

accomplish:

Better data of localized

flooding to create improved

models for predictions.

Create a live feed flood

inundation map to monitor

what roads have water on them

and at what depth.

Operate businesses more

efficiently during a flood and be

able to keep them open longer

with a safety margin and reopen

as soon as possible.

The process for this already has

been initiated.

FLOOD STAGES

According to Thurston County’s

Flood Preparedness information

for the Chehalis River at Grand

Mound gauge:

Flood stage is about 12.5 feet:

The Chehalis River will flood

several roads in Independence

Valley including James Road,

Independence Road and Moon

Road. Floodwaters also will

cover nearby farmlands and

low-lying roads.

Moderate flood stage is

about 15.5 feet: The Chehalis

River will flood several roads

in Independence Valley with

swiftly moving water including

James, Independence, Moon,

Howanut and possibly Anderson

Roads. Floodwaters could

inundate nearby farmland.

Some residential structures

might be threatened

Major flood stage is about

17.5 feet: The Chehalis River

will cause major flooding,

inundating roads and farmland

in Independence Valley. Deep

and swift floodwaters likely will

cover State Route 12, cutting

off access to the Chehalis

Reservation. Flooding will occur

all along the river including

headwaters, tributaries and

other streams within and near

the Chehalis River Basin.

The flood relief bridge on South Bank Road was completed in 2013 to help alleviate flooding issues.

SAFETY

From page 1

different ways, depending on where the

hardest rains fall in the basin. Sometimes

the headwaters flood and other times

the tributaries in one area or another

become flooded. The Black River,

which converges with the Chehalis on

the Reservation, also rises and floods,

however there are no flood-monitoring

gauges on it.

One example of how each flood

event differs from another is the recent

flood with heavy rain in Lewis, Grays

Harbor and Thurston counties, as well

as in other counties throughout western

Washington. The floodwaters were rising

at a fairly steady rate when they had an

unforeseen increase. Determining when

possible flooding would occur on local

roads also was complicated because of

the river’s flood gauge near Centralia

became stuck at one level for a few hours.

Because of these varying factors,

Reservation residents are urged to keep

an eye on the river levels and monitor

local media reports even if the rain has

stopped and all other local rivers have

receded.

The Chehalis Tribal Emergency

Management team continues developing

plans to assist and protect our Tribal

residents. Fortunately, most homes

have been built above the flood plain

though there might be periods where

Floodwaters surround the Black River Bridge on Howanut Road in the Chehalis Valley

during the last flood.

you find yourself confined on our little

island. In such instances, make sure you

have enough emergency supplies to last

the duration of the emergency. Other

natural disasters such as earthquakes,

volcano eruptions, fires and snow impact

everyone in our region. Each household

can make their own preparations in the

event of a flood or other emergencies by

assembling an emergency supply kit.

Stay put until the water recedes. It

is highly recommended not to drive

through the water. The saying, “Don’t

drown, turn around” is a good tip for all

to remember. It jeopardizes your life and

those of the people that come to rescue

you if you become stranded.

Road closed signs are there for a

reason. Please do not drive around

them. Besides placing yourself in direct

peril, driving through floodwater causes

damage to your vehicle that might not be

immediate and can lead to costly repairs.

You also might have to pay a traffic fine of

$423 for something that could have been

avoided.

11

RECOMMENDED ITEMS FOR EMERGENCY SUPPLY KIT

n Water: One gallon of water per person per

day for at least three days, for drinking and

sanitation

n Food: At least a three-day supply of

nonperishable food

n Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a

NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra

batteries for both

n Flashlight and extra batteries

n First aid kit

n Whistle, in case you need to signal for help

n Dust mask to help filter contaminated air

and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelterin-place

n Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic

ties for personal sanitation

n Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities

n Manual can opener for food

n Cell phone with chargers, inverter or solar

charger

n Unique family needs (supplies for infants,

pets, prescriptions, documents, etc.)

Heavy rain caused the Chehalis River to flood, cutting off the Chehalis

Reservation and closing roads during the recent flood. Moon Road is the lowest

point and closes first. This photo shows Hwy. 12 and Moon Road on Dec. 10, 2015.

FAMILY

Parent-child bond nurtured

Families participating in the

Healthy Families Project have seen:

n 10 percent increase in prenatal

care

n 90 percent increase in screening

for postpartum depression for mothers

n 15 percent increase in

breastfeeding

n 13 percent increase in reading to

their children

n 12 percent increase in well-child

visits

The Healthy Families Project

connects native families with a family

home visitor in your community.

n Parent/child activity and learning

ideas

n Infant/Childhood development

screening and information

n Connections with local early child

and family resources

n Monthy group connections for

families

n Positive Indian Parenting classes

Schedule:

From 5-7 p.m. at the Chehalis Tribal

Wellness Center’s physical therapy

room

Jan. 13: Traditional Parenting

Jan. 20: Lessons of the Storyteller

Jan. 27: Lessons of the Cradleboard

Feb. 3: Harmony in Child Rearing

GET STARTED

For more information, contact the South

Puget Intertribal Planning Agency’s

Healthy Families Project at 360-4263990.

Feb. 10: Traditional Behavior

Management

Feb. 17: Lessons of Mother Nature

Feb. 24: Praise in Traditional

Parenting

March 2: Choices in Parenting

For more information on classes,

contact Beth Klatush at 360-709-1627

or bklatush@chehalistribe.org.

CHEHALIS TRIBAL COMMUNITY EMERGENCY Q&A

Q

A

: When will an emergency be

declared?

: Emergency declarations can

be issued by members of the

Business Committee or by those

the committee has authorized to do so,

such as the tribal general manager, the

director of public safety or the emergency

manager, among others. Activities

during emergencies include monitoring

river levels, power outages and adverse

weather conditions. Any of these things

could contribute to an elevated level of

emergency.

Q

A

: When do I call the emergency

phone line?

: Any time you are concerned about

adverse weather, power outages

or other emergency situations. To

report an outage or for detailed outage

information call:

Grays Harbor PUD: 888-541-5923

Puget Sound Energy Thurston County:

888-225-5773. You also can download an

outage mobile phone app from the PSE

website.

Q

A

Q

A

: What happens once the

emergency is declared?

: The emergency line will be updated

with information regarding the

situation.

: Can I go to the Hotel?

: The Hotel has been designated

as a safe center during times of

emergency. Its primary use will be

for at-risk tribal community members

individuals who are not able to be safe in

their own residences and/or are unable

to have their needs met in the community

center.

Ask Aunties

Play Group schedule

Jan. 26

/

Feb. 23

/

March 22

/

April 26

/

May 24

Time: From 5-7 p.m. Tuesdays

Where: Chehalis Tribal Wellness Center’s physical therapy room

Also: Dinner will be provided

For more information, contact

Beth Klatush

360-709-1627

bklatush@chehalistribe.org

NOTICE

Information on this flyer, in email or on our website calendar is subject

to change without notice. Please refer to this flyer’s contacts

chehalistribe.org

© copyright 2016

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

12

Families share

and create

new memories

during the

annual

community

Christmas

celebration

hosted by the

Chehalis Tribe.

CHRISTMAS

From page 1

bingo. The activities made

every moment exciting for

families that could make it to

our reservation to celebrate

Christmas.

Families greeted each other

with smiles and hugs.

Children enjoyed unwrapping

Christmas gifts from the tribe.

One after another, they ran

to accept a special gift after

hearing their name on the loud

speaker. Their eyes lit up as they

excitedly unwrapped and shared

the surprise with their family.

They later played with their toys

as families sat down to enjoy

bingo.

A special thanks to all of the

elves that planned, wrapped and

volunteered their time to make

this a wonderful celebration.

It was a gift of love from

employees, the community and

all of those who helped make

the day a success.

Again, thank you. It is so

greatly appreciated how the

tribe helps create awesome

memories for its people.