3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
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3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
Skokomish Indian Nation
August 2026
p3dkW3’lab
“Time of Sun”
Celebrating Chairman Guy Miller’s 27 Years of Dedication
O
n July 15th, the Skokomish Community Center filled with laughter, gratitude, and the rich aromas of a
traditional feast to honor Charles Guy
Miller. The surprise recognition dinner marked a historic milestone for
our people: Miller’s 27 years of selfless service on the tribal council, including 17 consecutive years leading
us as our Tribal Chairman. It was a
beautiful evening dedicated to a leader who has given his all to the community he grew up in.
Tom Strong took the floor to share
words of acknowledgment for the
work Guy has done throughout his
tenure. Tom emphasized that over
the decades, Guy has taught our
community what real leadership
looks like. He noted that sometimes
leadership means taking bold steps
toward our future, while other times
it is simply offering a steady shoulder
to lean on collectively as the Tribe
trudges forward through challenging
times.
True to his humble nature, Guy was
Guy and Tahnee Miller
shrimp, elk, spaghetti, homemade
rolls, fry bread, and desserts.
Looking forward, Guy expressed
immense optimism for the days ahead,
stating that the Tribe has a bright
future in very capable hands. Passing
the leadership torch, he looks forward
to seeing where the community goes
next under the guidance of Tom
Strong, our new Chairman. With
many years of knowledge under his
belt, Tom ensures the Skokomish
Tribe remains in steady, capable
hands. Thank you, Guy, for a lifetime
of caring and leadership.
Vice Chairman Louis Auld, Executive Secretary Jasmine Johnson-Krise
welcome the crowd and start the evening of honor for Charles “Guy Miller
quick to deflect the solo praise. He
reminded the crowd that the major
decisions over the years were never
his alone, but rather the work of the
council as a whole for the betterment
of the Skokomish Tribe. He shared that
he feels the Tribe has made incredible
strides and accomplishments over
his long tenure. Looking back
affectionately, he spoke fondly of his
time working alongside long-time
council members like Bill Smith, Tom
Strong, Alex Gouley, Terry Butler,
and Tim LaClair, with whom he spent
most of his time on council.
As tokens of deep appreciation for
his unwavering dedication, Guy was
presented with several beautiful gifts.
These included a stunning eagle vest
and shirt crafted by Taylor Krise,
an amazing heron plaque by Dennis
Allen, and a beautiful blanket gifted
by his daughter, Tahnee Miller.
Kimberly Miller knows how to hit
the sweet spot with a homemade
huckleberry pie she made just for Guy
making the rest of us jealous. Yet, as
attendees noted, no physical gift could
ever fully thank him for the countless
hours of love and care he has poured
into our community. The celebration
continued with a spectacular feast
prepared by head cook and Vice
Chair Louis Auld. Attendees enjoyed
a magnificent spread of salmon,
Chairman Tom Strong and
Councilman Guy Miller
Here are just a few of the many
accomplishments that our Tribal
Council has achieved over the years:
Paid off Waterfront Motel
Purchased Bourgault farm
Completed New Community Center/
Gym Paid in full Wastewater At
Ta³badas/Completed to Potlatch/
Minerva
Casino doing well,paid back the
Tribe 7 Million.
Twin Totems doing well
Completed 5 Restoration Projects to
the Nalleys Estuary
Helped Divers by Ending Stumpage
Helped Harvesters by Ending taxes
Got ownership of the River back, the
River bed and both sides.
Paved and Lighted Tribal Center
and Reservation Road.
Complete Renovation of Elder
Homes- siding, roofs, windows,
painting, etc
Just a few things to show what our
Tribal Council and staff has done for
our Tribe over the years.
Our Hands are raised to you
for all your hard work
Education Updates: Planning for your Future
Employee Spotlight
School Sports
Back-to-School Bash
tudents, it’s that time of year to
get ready for school sports! If you
haven’t already, make sure to make
an appointment for a sports physical.
Right now, if you get an appointment
at the Skokomish Health Clinic for a
physical it will get you halfway into
the back-to-school bash raffle.
his year our department is working
closely with the Youth Program
and the Skokomish Wellness Center to
hose the annual back-to-school bash.
The education department will be giving out backpacks for students in kindergarten through college; the youth
program will have packets for families to fill out for Tom’s After School
Program and the Wellness Center will
be helping families get registered for
their youth’s physical. There will also
be fun water activities and games for
the youth to enjoy. By filling out your
forms required by the education department, youth program and completing a
physical, youth will be entered into a
raffle that will be held after September
1st. There will be food! The only thing
we ask is that you bring your own chair
as seating will be limited. Please see
the flyer in the Sounder for more details.
S
W
e would like to give a shoutout
to Kasiah Brown. She is one of
our tutors here in the education department and she tutors grades 3-5 at Hood
Canal School. She has been with our
department for close to two years. Kasiah has also worked for the Skokomish
Wellness Center and Tuwaduq Family
Services. We are so glad she has brought
her knowledge and skills to the education department. Kasiah is passionate
about her job and when she isn’t working, she enjoys beading, clam digging
and spending time with her kids. They
are always out on weekend adventures.
Kasiah works hard while tutoring in
the school, works hard fishing, gathering clams and oysters and selling her
beadwork. Kasiah is the Secretary for
the Early Childhood Education Parent Policy Committee as well. She
supports our youth through tutoring,
culturally, as a parent and through creating change in policy. She is an inspiration and role model not only for her
boys, but for all the youth she supports
through her work. We are so glad you
are a part of our team, and we appreciate what you do for our youth. Thank
you, Kasiah!
If you are interested in tutoring services for your student(s), please reach out
to us in the education department and
we will get you set up with services.
Page 2
For parents wanting to sign your youth
up for sports at Hood Canal School,
you can find the link to sign your youth
up on the perspective sports page your
student(s) wants to play. If you need
extra assistance, please contact Dan
Winter, Athletic Director at Hood Canal School (360-877-5463 ext. 224),
any of the Hood Canal Tutors (Leah
Andrews, Kasiah Brown, or Helen
Tinaza) or Education Manager, Amber
Hanson.
Sports at Hood Canal include flag football, volleyball, boys’ basketball, girls’
basketball, and track & field.
T
Freshman Orientation at
Shelton High School
O
rientation for incoming freshmen
at Shelton High School will be on
August 26th and 27th. The orientation
will go from 8:30-11am both days and
is in the mini dome. This is a time for
students to participate in activities, get
to know students and SHS teachers,
pick up class schedule, learn about programs SHS has to offer, get school pictures taken, and pick up ASB/ID card.
See flyer for registration information.
If you are a freshman and you need a
ride to orientation, reach out to us in
the education department, 360-8772460, and we will make a plan to get
you to the high school on time.
For any questions, comments or concerns please reach out to Amber
Hanson, Education Manager, at 360877-2460 or by email at Amber@
skokomish.org.
See Flyer on Page 11
For parents wanting to sign your youth
up for sports at Shelton High School,
you can find the link on the Shelton
High School page under the athletics tab. While on the athletics page
you can click, “Athlete Registration”
and fill out the necessary paperwork.
If you need extra assistance, please
reach out to Scott Chamberlin, Athletic Director at Shelton High School
(360-269-3458), our high school tutor,
Hattie Williams or Education Manager,
Amber Hanson.
Sports at Shelton High School include
cross country, football, soccer, swimming/diving, tennis, volleyball, basketball, bowling, wrestling, baseball/softball, golf, track & field, dance team,
and cheerleading.
It’s important for our students to keep
their grades up and attend school consistently to remain eligible to participate in sports. We are here to help with
tutoring and transportation. Please
contact us for extra support when needed and we will set up a plan that fits
yours and your students’ schedule.
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
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Skokomish Head Start Honors Little Graduates
with Blanket and Sash Ceremony
O
n Saturday, July 18th Our
families gathered at the
Skokomish Community Center
for the Skokomish Head Start
Graduation Celebration.
It was a beautiful morning to honor
our little ones. We started in a
good way with a prayer by Cody
Andrews, and then our singers
Gussy Blacketer, Norma Cagey,
Kris Miller, and Kimberly Miller
sang the Canoe Song and the Eagle
Song. Hearing the drums, paddle
songs, and seeing our children
honored with their blanket and sash
ceremony and Eagle Dance was so
special. It Reminds us of who we
are and who they belong to. The
Blanket and sash ceremony was
done to honor our graduates as they
move on to kindergarten. Being
wrapped in love and protection from
their families and community. The
Children were wrapped in blankets
and sash’s regalia and presented
with candy leis to mark their next
step into kindergarten.
The blanket represents protection,
love, and being wrapped in the
strength of family and community
as they walk forward.
[The Graduating Students wore the
blankets, and the returning students
wore the sash]
The sash honors their hard work
and achievement.
The sound of the drum and the
movement of the dancers lifted
the room a powerful way to honor
our little ones, our culture, and our
future.
Elder’s, Teachers, families, and
friends stood together to sing, drum,
and cheer for each graduate. There
were smiles, happy tears, and pride
for how far these children have
come this year.
The Skokomish Head Start staff
thanked all the families, cultural
leaders, drummers, dancers, and
volunteers who helped make the
day happen and who support the
children all year long.
www.skokomish.org
Congratulations
to
all
our
Skokomish Head Start graduates.
We are so proud of you. You carry
our songs, our strength, and our love
with you wherever you go. This
year we celebrated 12 Graduates
Graduating Students
Kalaiah Andrews
Lakota Andrews
Cameron Brown
Alakai Bean-Busenius
Elliana Carrington
Shay Emerson
Jordyn Grover
CJ Guillen-Martinez
Kymari Johns
Sayalts Miller Jr.
Dakota Qintero
Easton Twiddy
We also honored our returning
students who will be back next
year:
Returning Students
Urijah Andrews-Atalig
Persephone Bean-Miller
Salish Carrington
Valeria Castelan Dominquez
A’naiya Chay
Melodiee Dan- Best
Enatai Grover
JanayCee Gillen-Martinez
Renni Larsen-Riley
Hazel Long
Alexander Longshore
Talon Miller
Aurora Regna
Kaeo Stratton
Koa Twiddy
Theodore Twiddy
Emory Ware
Paige Ware
Warren Zinga
Special Thanks
Skokomish Tribal Council
Lead Cook: Tahnee Hawk-Miller
Assistant Cooks:
Mary Williams
Kimberly Miller
Ocean Sparr
Marcy Tinaza
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
Page 3
Our Bright Stars:
Our Future Leaders
I
A
s the school year came to an end,
Hood Canal School fourth grade
students attended a clam seeding field
trip. Students brought their curiosity
and excitement as they learned about
clams, the environment, and the role we
all play in caring for the places around
us. Students enjoyed the hands-on experience of helping seed 16,000 manila
clams! Pictured checking out the tiny
clams are our boys, Corbett Gamber
Jr and James Byrd IV. A special thank
you goes to fourth grade teacher Payton Herdman for making this field trip
a reality.
ncoming kindergarteners and a few
that are still at headstart have been
getting a test run at the big school
this summer during Summer School!
They’ve been busy practicing the alphabet and letter sounds, creating
fun arts and crafts, and exploring the
outdoors on nature walks. Along the
way they’re building new friendships,
practicing classroom expectations and
routines, and gaining confidence before their first day of kindergarten.
We can’t wait to welcome them back
at hood canal for an amazing school
year! Pictured is Paige Ware and Kymari Johns.
ne of our outstanding 7th graders Harmony Taylor, has been
making the most of summer school
by showing determination, a positive
attitude, and a strong commitment to
learning. She shows up ready to work
hard. We are so proud of all the hard
work she’s put into the new school
year. Keep crushing it, Harmony!
O
Page 4
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
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THE 4TH ANNUAL ELECTED TRIBAL OFFICIAL ACADEMY TRAINING
“AT THE END OF THE DAY….WE ARE RESILIENT”Jamestown S’Klallam Chairman Ron Allen
By Lyn Dennis, , Lummi/Tahltan
Band of B.C., Tribal Liaison, The
Evergreen State College
he Evergreen State College’s 4th
Annual Elected Tribal Official
Academy Training took place May
5-6th at the beautiful 7 Cedars Casino
Resort in Sequim, Wa. and hosted by
the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe.
T
The Steering Committee includes Ron
Allen, Chairman of the Jamestown
S’Klallam Tribe; Teri Gobin, Tulalip
Tribes Board of Directors; and Kris
Peters, Chairman of the Squaxin Island
Tribe. They provided highlights about
the importance of leadership at the
beginning of the Training.
Chairman Allen said, “It’s a journey to
serve our tribes. Our world is complex.
Self-Governance began with eight
tribes, today we have almost 400 tribes.
We are citizens of Nations and you are
a citizen of a government. At the end
of the day we are resilient. I encourage
you to build your businesses, so you
can take care of your people.”
Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors,
Gobin said, “We do everything we
can to help our people. How can we
bring back the teachings, including
our culture and language, and how
can we assist one another for moving
forward.”
Squaxin Island Chairman Peters said,
“Networking and relationship building
is important. We uphold in many
directions. We need to stay humble.
Don’t forget where you come from and
our time in these positions are short.
Mental health and addiction are the
biggest challenges. My people come
first and remember your values.”
A special thanks to the Bureau of
Indian Affairs Northwest Regional
Office who has supported the Training
the past three years. Kurt Fredenberg,
Acting N.W. Regional Director
presented an overview of the BIA and
provided a handbook.
There were presentations including:
Finance, Lobbying, Jurisdiction issues
on reservations, the Bureau of Indians
Affairs, the Governor’s Office of
Indian Affairs, TVW, Indian Gaming
101 and Tribal Energy.
Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony
Hillaire presented about the first
inpatient detox facility in Washington
State and on the Lummi Reservation,
entitled “SHOQWEL YA’ LHAOLHEX’XW’ the Lummi translation is ‘A
building where one transitions toward
a healthy way of life.’
Lyn Dennis, Lummi/Tahltan Band
of B.C., Tribal Liaison said, “The
Evergreen State College staff including
facilitator, Emily Washines of the
Yakama Nation and Skokomish Tribe,
and Program Coordinators Josh Grady
of the Cowlitz Tribe and Linda Terry
helped make this Training a success,
definitely a team effort. A special
thanks to Rosina DaPoe, Deputy
Director, Washington Indian Gaming
Association and Operations Manager,
Linda Edwards for their assistance
with the Training.”
We had a Tribal Leaders and Tribal
Liaisons Reception in the Prince
Pavilion. We had delicious frybread
with a special berry butter, shrimp
and more. Some of the Washington
State agencies represented included
the Department of Commerce; Office
of Equity, Office of Governor Bob
Ferguson; Department of Health;
Department of Enterprise Services
and this was a great opportunity for
networking.
The following are graduates for the
2026 Elected Tribal Official Academy
Training:
1.
Nalani Barela, Burns Paiute
Tribal Council
2.
Anthony Purcella, Burns
Paiute Tribal Council Vice-Chairman
3.
Kristopher Kitz, Cowlitz
General Council
4.
Tim Van Mechelen, Cowlitz
Tribal Council Member
5.
Michelle Lawrence, Cowlitz
Tribal Council Member
6.
Terrance “TJ” Adams, Lummi
Nation Vice-Chairman
7.
Amber Caldera, Port Gamble
S’Klallam Tribe Chairwoman
8.
Renee Veregge, Port Gamble
S’Klallam Tribe Council Member
9.
Quintin Swanson, Shoalwater
Bay Chairman
10.
Rita Andrews, Skokomish
Tribal Council
11.
Louis Auld, Skokomish Tribal
Council
12.
Chris James, Skokomish
Tribal Council
13.
Teri Gobin, Tulalip Tribes
Board of Directors
14.
Ryan Miller, Tulalip Tribes
Board of Directors Treasurer
15.
Malory Simpson, Tulalip
Tribes Board of Directors
16.
Deland R. Olney, Yakama
Nation Tribal Council
17.
Brian
Saluskin,
Yakama
Nation Tribal Council
18.
Jessica
Garcia-Jones,
Muckleshoot Tribal Council Secretary
19.
Eileen
Richardson,
Muckleshoot Tribal Council
For additional information, please
contact Lyn Dennis, Tribal Liaison, at
lyn.dennis@evergreen.edu or cell: 360
819-7028.
Tribal Members with Birthdays in August
1st
Shirley Cameron
Tra-Shawndra
Henry
Christine Tinaza
2nd
Michael
Dominguez
Ariel Johnston
3rd
Viola Rouse
6th
Ralph Pulsifer
Shelby Tinaza
Mystique
Hurtado
7th
Tanya Lewis
Willinda
Johnson
8th
Elizabeth
Ghramm
9th
Duane Edwards
Nichole Green
Patrick A.
LaClair
Nathan Roush
Joseph C. Pavel
Kathleen Miller
www.skokomish.org
10th
Pete Peterson
Jr.
Andrew Tinaza
III
11th
Roger Pulsifer
Chevy Thomas
Ellen Martin
Alan Peterson
13th
Judy Delreal
14th
Carol Johns
Conner Blue
Bird
Octavia Johns
16th
Dakota Gamber
Christopher
James
17th
Tyler Auld
Aurora Gouley
18th
Aliyah Grover
Gary James
Christian
Pulsifer
Drevyn Hainline
19th
Charles Henry
Lea Miller
20th
Shilo Peterson
Colton Twiddy
21st
Doug LaClair Jr.
Marie LaClair
Avery Wilbur
22nd
Wesley Perry
John Strong Sr.
Leah Evernden
23rd
Steven James
Charles Miller
Jessica Miller
Bella Peterson
24th
Lisa Carrington
Serena Gouley
Brett Peterson
Chinook Sparr
25th
Lucy James
26th
Mykah
Longshore
28
Hattie Williams
Abel Elguero
James Kenyon
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
30th
Bessie Blacketer
Luhreaya
Kenyon
31st
Angel Bean
Corbett Gamber
Laila Longshore
Roberta Pulsifer
Willie Grover
Happy 1st Birthday
Nephew,
You are growing up so
fast and
looking so handsome.
We love you bunches
Revan.
Page 5
Our River, Our Future:
Skokomish Restoration Progresses
Log jam at side channel outlet
onstruction on two restoration projects along the Skokomish River are well
underway, involving numerous partners collaborating alongside the Tribe’s
Natural Resources Department. One of these projects, in the Upper South Fork,
continues work that began over a decade ago. The second project is the river mile
6.5 project on the mainstem and includes the WDFW area at Rocky Beach. At
both sites, side channels are being created to connect floodplains with the river,
and engineered log jams are being placed to create habitat and aid in restoring
natural river processes. The projects have recently entered the in-water work
window, which allows for work to take place in and around the water with certain
procedures in place to protect the animals living there. Surveys were conducted
prior to ensure the work would not impact fish spawning. At the Upper South Fork
site, water is temporarily being diverted to allow for construction, and several
engineered log jams have been completed, as well two side channels. At the river
mile 6.5 site, several engineered log jams have also been completed on the north
bank of the river, and side channels defined for improved wetland connection.
Work will begin on the south bank in the upcoming weeks. Construction for both
projects will continue into early fall.
C
Deflector jam with cofferdam
Page 6
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
Visit us on the Web @
Housing Waiting Lists as of August 1st, 2026
Rental Applicants
1 Jonathon Dominguez
2 Jonathon Edwards
3 Willie Grover
4 Brandon Carrington
5 Alexie Moon
6 Aaron Wilbur
7 Tyler Andrews
8 Lashya Johns
9 Maxamus Miller
10 Shera Johns
11 Timber Ware
12 Jimmy Byrd III
13 Jose Mendoza
14 Kristine McMann Sweatland
15 Sunsomay Keith
16 Torina Kenyon
17 Billy Allen
18 Valani Andrews
19 Baily Plant
20 Vera Smith
21 Edward Smith
22 Charles Henry Jr.
23 Joseph B. Peterson
24 Doreen Strong
25 John Smith
26 Beth Burfiend
27 Ben Peters
28 Taylor Strong
29 Malakai Seymour
30 Rachel Smith
31 Thomas Peterson Bluebird
Ownership MH/ Applicants
32 Kevin Prest
33 Justin Miller Wilke
34 Ben Tinaza
35 Valerie Peterson
36 Charlie Henry Jr
37
38
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40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
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1 Eleanor Smith
2 Myranda Andrews
3 Jeff Johns
4 Jimmy Byrd III
5 John Smith
6 Addison Emerson
7 Jamie Kenyon
8 Shannon Edwards
9 Spilyay Miller
10 Kayla Strong
11 Matthew Auld Plant
12 Joel Allen-Johns
13 CarrieAnn Smith
14 Alan Peterson
15 William Pickernell`
16 Kaylean Mendoza-Lopez
17 Beth Burfiend
18 Jonathon Dominguez
19 Ben Peters
20 Jonathon Edwards
21 Helen Tinaza
22 Willie Grover
23 Tyler Auld
24 Brandon Carrington
25 Alexie Moon
26 Chase Burfiend
27 Hattie Peterson-Williams
28 Taylor Strong
29 Treyton Andrews
30 Rachel Smith
31 Aaron Wilbur
32 Jeremy Wilbur
33 Tyler Andrews
34 Lashya Johns
35 Maxamus Miller
36 Shera Johns
37 Amy Kenyon
38 Timber Ware
39 Jose Mendoza
40 Kristine McCann Swetland
41 Sunsomay Keith
42 Angel KingGeorge Parker
43 Torina Kenyon
44 Valani Andrews
45 Bailey Plant
46 Vera Smith
47 Joseph B. Peterson
48 Rachel Smith
49 Billy Allen
50 Haidi Williams
51 Kevin Prest
52 Justin Miller Wilke
53 Ben Tinaza
54 Charlie Henry Jr
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Eligibility income at the time of admission shall not exceed the most recent amount established either by the
Skokomish Tribe or by HUD, but in any case, cannot exceed 80% of the Median Income. Income as defined by 24CFR
You will be requred to update your wait list application every (12) months to keep you active
on the housing wait list. Applicants who have no change in circumstances still need to update
their application in order for the Housing Department to determine if you are still interested.
Spring Cleaning the Medicine Cabinet:
How a Simple Drop Box Keeps Our Community Safe
T
ake a look in your bathroom
cabinet and chances are you'll find
it: that half-empty bottle of painkillers
from a procedure years back, sitting
next to expired cough syrup and a tube
of something you can't quite remember
buying. For years, folks were told to just
flush old medications or toss them in
the trash. These days, we know better.
It matters more than you might think.
Old medications left sitting around are a
real hazard, particularly in houses with
grandkids visiting, curious pets, or kids
underfoot. And when those chemicals
end up in the trash or flushed down the
drain, they don't just disappear — they
can make their way into the waterways
we all depend on here in Skokomish.
That's where the pharmacy medication
return box comes in. Think of it
like a mailbox, except instead of
letters, it's built for dropping off
unwanted prescriptions safely and
anonymously — no questions asked.
Using the box couldn't be easier. Just
gather up your old pills, capsules, or
patches, black out your name and
info on the label (or skip the hassle
altogether and dump the pills into
a Ziploc bag), and drop it in the
slot. No paperwork, no pharmacist
www.skokomish.org
conversation required. Just skip
needles, liquids, and illegal drugs —
the box will list what it won't take.
Locally, the Skokomish Police
Department now has a Medx return
box on-site, making it easier than
ever for folks in the area. You'll also
find drop boxes at Neil's Pharmacy,
Mason General Hospital in Shelton,
and the QFC and Safeway pharmacies
over in Belfair, plus a 24/7 bin at the
Sheriff's Office. Can't make it into
town? The state offers a free mailback program — call 1-844-4825322 (TTY: 711) or order online
through MED-Project Washington.
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
Next time you're tempted to toss that
old bottle in the trash, swing by the
Skokomish Police Dept. drop box
instead. It's a small errand that makes
a real difference.
Page 7
Rez Photo of the Month Answer
The beautiful young lady in this photo is none other than:
Jean Smith! Thanks Jasmine for sharing this amazing photo
Page 8
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
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Resolutions Approved by Skokomish Tribal Council
RESOLUTION NO. 2026 – 061 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE
APPOINTMENT OF CELESTE VIGIL
TO THE HOUSING COMMITTEE
PURSUANT TO THE APPOINTMENT
PROCEDURES CONTAINED WITHIN
S.T.C.
1.06,
THE
SKOKOMISH
COMMITTEE
STANDARDS
ORDINANCE
RESOLUTION NO. 2026 – 062 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE
APPOINTMENT OF JENNIFER ADAMS
TO THE HOUSING COMMITTEE
PURSUANT TO THE APPOINTMENT
PROCEDURES CONTAINED WITHIN
S.T.C.
1.06,
THE
SKOKOMISH
COMMITTEE
STANDARDS
ORDINANCE
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-063 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE
APPOINTMENT
OF
ROSETTA
LACLAIR
TO
THE
HOUSING
COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO THE
APPOINTMENT
PROCEDURES
CONTAINED WITHIN S.T.C. 1.06,
THE
SKOKOMISH
COMMITTEE
STANDARDS ORDINANCE
RESOLUTION
NO.
2026064
A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE APPOINTMENT OF TRICIA
LONGSHORE TO THE HOUSING
COMMITTEE PURSUANT TO THE
APPOINTMENT
PROCEDURES
CONTAINED WITHIN S.T.C. 1.06,
THE
SKOKOMISH
COMMITTEE
STANDARDS ORDINANCE
RESOLUTION
NO.
2026-065
A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE SUBMISSION OF A GRANT
APPLICATION TO THE BUREAU OF
INDIAN AFFAIRS (BIA) TIMBER, FISH
AND WILDLIFE (TFW) SUPPLEMENT
FUNDS
RESOLUTION
NO.
2026-066
A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
SUBMISSION OF A U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF
HEALTH
AND
HUMAN
SERVICES FY2025 AND 2026 SMALL
AMBULATORY PROGRAM GRANT
APPLICATION
RESOLUTION
NO.
2026-067
A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE
SUBMISSION
OF
A
GRANT
APPLICATION
TO
THE
U.S.
DEPARTMENT
OF
TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL
HIGHWAY
ADMINISTRATION
NATIONAL CULVERT REMOVAL,
www.skokomish.org
REPLACEMENT, AND RESTORATION
GRANT PROGRAM FY 2023-2026
(CULVERT AQUATIC ORGANISM
PASSAGE CULVERT AOP)
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-068 A
RESOLUTION TO
AUTHORIZE
DRAWS FROM THE SKOKOMISH
TRIBE’S ACCOUNTS WITH THE
BUREAU
OF
TRUST
FUNDS
ADMINISTRATION
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-069 A
RESOLUTION APPROVING SPIPA’S
SUBMISSION OF A RENEWAL
APPLICATION TO THE USDA FY 2027
FOOD DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM
ON INDIAN RESERVATIONS (FDPIR)
ON BEHALF OF THE SKOKOMISH
INDIAN TRIBE
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-070 A
RESOLUTION APPROVINGA GRANT
APPLICATION TO THE FY2027, U.S.
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN
SERVICES
(USDHHS),
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES
LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM (LIHEAP) WITH SOUTH
PUGET INTERTRIBAL PLANNING
AGENCY AS LEAD APPLICANT
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-071 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE
SUBMISSION,
NEGOTIATION
AND EXECUTION OF A GRANT
APPLICATION TO THE WASHINGTON
STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
(DOH), USDA FOOD AND NUTRITION
PROGRAM FOR WOMEN, INFANTS
AND CHILDREN (WIC), WITH SPIPA
AS THE LEAD APPLICANT FOR FY27
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-072 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE
SUBMISSION,
NEGOTIATION
AND EXECUTION OF A GRANT
APPLICATION
TO
THE
US
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES, WITH SPIPA AS
THE LEAD APPLICANT FOR FY2027
RESOLUTION
NO.
2026-073
A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
SUBMISSION OF A U. S. DEPARTMENT
OF JUSTICE 2026 TRIBAL VICTIM
SERVICES FORMULA GRANT.
RESOLUTION
NO.
2026-074
A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE EXECUTION OF A GRANT
AGREEMENT WITH THE NATURE
CONSERVANCY
FOR
FUNDING
TO
SUPPORT
TRIBAL
LAND
ACQUISITION
DEVELOPMENT
STRATEGY
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-075 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
AN
AMENDMENT TO THE MEMBERSHIP
ROLL WITH BLOOD QUANTUM
CORRECTION FOR JACQUELINE
TAYLOR MCCANN.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-076 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
AN
AMENDMENT TO THE MEMBERSHIP
ROLL WITH BLOOD QUANTUM
CORRECTION FOR KRISTINE LAURA
MCCANN.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-077 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
AN
AMENDMENT TO THE MEMBERSHIP
ROLL WITH BLOOD QUANTUM
CORRECTION FOR NICOLE LINDSAY
MCCANN.
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-078 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE
ENROLLMENT APPLICATION OF
OAKLAND CHARLES SEYMOUR FOR
MEMBERSHIP IN THE SKOKOMISH
INDIAN TRIBE.
TOMORROW’S FUND 2026 GRANT
APPLICATION FROM THE NATIVE
AMERICANS IN PHILANTHROPY
RESOLUTION
NO.
2026-080
A RESOLUTION TO IDENTIFY
OFFICIALS AUTHORIZE TO ACT FOR
THE TRIBE WITH THE BUREAU OF
TRUST FUNDS ADMINISTRATION
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-081 A
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING THE
THREE TRIBAL COUNCIL OFFICERS
AS OFFICIALS TO SIGN CHECKS AND
OTHER DOCUMENTS ON BEHALF OF
THE SKOKOMISH INDIAN TRIBE ON
ACCOUNTS WITH UMPQUA BANK
SOON TO BE RENAMED COLUMBIA
BANK
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-082 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
AN
APPLICATION FOR FUNDING FROM
SOUTHERN
RESIDENT
KILLER
WHALE FY 27 PROGRAM
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-083 A
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE 20262027 HOOD CANAL INTERTRIBAL
DUNGENESS CRAB MANAGEMENT
AGREEMENT
RESOLUTION NO. 2026-079 A
RESOLUTION
APPROVING
THE
SUBMISSION OF THE INDIGENOUS
PUBLIC NOTICE
SECOND PUBLIC HEARING ON THE PROPOSED SKOKOMISH
TRIBAL CODE: TITLE NINE CRIMINAL CODE
The Skokomish Law and Order Committee will hold a second public
hearing to receive comments on the proposed Skokomish Tribal Code Title 9
Criminal Code.
Date: Thursday, August 27, 2026
Time: 5:00 p.m.
Location: Skokomish Community Center
The proposed Title 9 Criminal Code includes revised criminal offenses,
offense classifications, penalties, enforcement provisions, and procedures.
The hearing will also address proposed amendments and new chapters
concerning jurisdiction, domestic and family violence, property offenses,
public administration, public order, weapons, alcohol and controlled
substances, traffic offenses, juvenile justice, restorative justice, and other
matters affecting Tribal public safety and the administration of justice.
Tribal members and the Skokomish community members are encouraged to
attend, review the proposed provisions, ask questions, and provide comments
for consideration before final action by the Skokomish Tribal Council.
Copies of the proposed code materials may be obtained from the Skokomish
Community Development Office in the
Tribal Center building (360) 426-4232.
Written comments may be submitted to
Douglas Smith at dsmith@skokomish.org.
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
Page 9
~Skokomish Wellness Center News~
Vaccines: The Saxophone That Is
Loud For A Reason
rimarily in Western Washington, a
story is unfolding that feels like it
belongs to another era. Haemophilus
influenzae type b (Hib for short), a bacterium that once caused devastating
infections in children, has resurfaced.
Washington is currently experiencing a Hib outbreak among adults who
are experiencing housing instability,
participating in illicit substance use,
and heavy smoking. Most importantly,
many of those affected were unable
to receive the Hib vaccine as children
because it was not introduced until
1987. The average age of those infected is 56. Hospitalizations have risen.
Lives have been lost.
P
Vaccines
protect
grandparents,
teachers,
neighbors,
and
immunocompromised adults who
may not be able to fight off Hib,
measles, or other serious outbreaks
we have seen in recent years.
The Hib vaccine is given routinely in
childhood, typically beginning at 2
months of age and continuing through
12–15 months. There are no routine
Hib boosters for teens or most adults,
and there is no treatment that prevents
Hib after exposure to the general
public. The strongest defense is high
childhood vaccination coverage.
You may read this and think, “Now I
know more about Hib.” But this article
is really a call to action: families with
children should make sure their child
is up to date on vaccines. Hib is the
example, but the message is bigger…
vaccines matter.
If you have questions about vaccines
in general, please reach out to
our providers at the Skokomish
Wellness Center. If your child is due
for vaccines, we are holding Well
Child Visits from August 1st through
September 1st. We also have limited
appointments available on Thursday,
August 20, 2026, during the Back
to School Bash. Please call early to
make an appointment for your child.
Below
is
a
recommended
immunization schedule from the
Washington State Department of
Health, adapted from the American
Academy of Pediatrics.
For many families, Hib is a name
they have never heard before. For
pediatricians, it is a name they
hoped they would never hear again.
Yet here we are, and the most
heartbreaking part is that there is
no routine Hib vaccine for most
adults. The best way to prevent
adult Hib infections is to ensure
children are fully vaccinated, helping
build the community immunity that
protects everyone.
Before the Hib vaccine was
introduced in the late 1980s, Hib was
one of the leading causes of bacterial
meningitis in children under age
five. It also caused pneumonia,
bloodstream
infections,
brain
damage, and death.
The childhood vaccine changed
everything.
Cases
plummeted,
pediatric wards grew quieter, and
parents no longer had to fear fevers
the way they once did. But Hib never
disappeared. It simply became rare
because children were vaccinated.
Now, as childhood vaccination rates
slip in Washington State and across
the United States, Hib is finding
openings again and adults who have
limited vaccine options are paying
the price.
This outbreak is not just a medical
event. It’s the saxophone playing
louder by the day when families
and individuals choose not to
vaccinate.
Page 10
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
Visit us on the Web @
Antibiotic Stewardship and Dentistry
I
f you have ever suffered from an
infected tooth, you may have been
prescribed antibiotics by your dentist.
Antibiotics are a powerful tool for
managing oral infection, but their use
requires a great deal of responsibility
on the part of the prescribing dentist
and the patient. Antibiotic stewardship
is an effort to make sure that the right
antibiotic, at the right dosage, is used
in situations supported by evidencebased guidelines.
As a dental patient this means that if
you have an infection in your mouth
there may be times when antibiotics
are not prescribed such as when:
•
The infection is isolated
•
The infection can be treated
directly (e.g. root canal therapy,
extraction, or draining)
In dentistry, antibiotics are primarily
recommended when an infection
has spread into adjacent areas, is
www.skokomish.org
rapidly expanding, for infections with
systemic symptoms such as fever, or
for patients whose immune systems are
compromised. While very effective,
antibiotics are rarely a definitive
treatment. The source of the infection
must be treated. This usually means
root canal therapy or extraction of the
infected tooth.
As a patient you can help your dentist
prescribe antibiotics effectively and
responsibly by providing a detailed
medical history complete with any
history of allergic reactions. Like
many medical decisions, the decision
to utilize antibiotics has potential risks
and benefits. Your dentist will want to
talk with you about all your options.
Dental providers and patients share
a responsibility to utilize antibiotics
safely and in a way that maintains their
effectiveness in the future.
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
Page 11
August Is Grief Awareness Month, And The
Community Health Representatives Would Like
To Share A Few Thoughts As We Move Through
These Seasons Together
A
ugust is already here, and summer
is in full swing. Although some may
be reluctant, families are beginning to
prepare for back-to-school routines.
Soon, the days will begin to get a little
shorter. During this time, when life
becomes quieter, outdoor gatherings
slow down, and the sunshine slips
away earlier each day, some of us
may feel waves of past grief return. We
slow down and think about those we
miss and those we have lost over the
seasons. Grief is a natural emotion we
all experience, yet it is not something
many people talk about. For some, it
can feel overwhelming. On days when
grief feels heavy, we may not feel like
doing much, and that is okay. It is
healthy to rest when we feel mentally
overwhelmed, anxious, or sad.
Grief comes and goes in waves.
In a single day, we can move from
sadness to anger, frustration, and even
moments of peace. Grief is a form
of love, and that is why it can feel so
powerful. To grieve someone means
you loved them deeply. That love
does not end; it becomes mourning,
longing, and memories we carry with
us. In those moments, we must learn
to sit with our feelings and allow
each emotion to come and pass. It is
important for our children to see us
process heavy emotions in healthy
ways, because they experience loss
too and may be afraid of death. Death
Page 12
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
is the one thing guaranteed in this
life. Rather than fearing it, we can
work toward accepting it as part of
life’s natural progression. As we move
through this life journey together, every
loss affects us differently. We may
lose grandparents, parents, aunts
and uncles, siblings, and some may
experience the heartbreaking loss
of a child. It takes a tribe to heal and
start thriving. We help one another by
showing up during hard times. We do
this because we understand the weight
of grief and how heavy it can be to carry
alone. Processing grief in a healthy way
can help prevent long-term physical
and mental health concerns, and it
helps us adapt to change. Loss can
bring an emotional release, and while
it is difficult moving through these life
events; these events can help us grow
stronger as individuals while honoring
those who have passed on. If you ever
feel you need extra support processing
your grief, please reach out to a friend,
family member, or our Mental Health
Therapist at the clinic. We are here
for you, and our trained staff can
help you through these matters with
compassion.
With our warmest regards,
Your Skokomish CHR Team
Danielle, Tamela, and Nydesta
Visit us on the Web @
Skok Elders Corner
H
ello Elders, and Community
Looking Ahead to August
As summer continues, we’ve enjoyed
some wonderful outings together and
are looking forward to several exiting
events in August.
We are planning a day trip to attend
the Jamestown Elder Luncheon on
August 11th. If you are interested in
participating, please let me know as
soon as possible. We will attend if there
is enough interest from our elders.
June 24th – Burke Museum Outing
Our June 24 trip to the Burke Museum
was a memorable experience. One of
the highlights of the day was visiting
the archives collection featuring
Skokomish baskets. We were amazed
to see such a large collection of baskets
created by Skokomish weavers, with
some dating back to the 1870s. While
it was inspiring to see these beautiful
pieces of our history and culture
preserved, it also left us wishing we
knew the names and stories of the
talented basket weavers who created
them. Their artistry and craftsmanship
www.skokomish.org
continue to represent the rich culture of
the Skokomish people.
July 11- Black River Blueberry
Picking
On July 11, 27 Elders traveled to the
Black River blueberry fields for a day
of berry picking. We had a wonderful
turnout, and everyone enjoyed
spending time together outdoors. There
were plenty of blueberries to pick, lots
of laughter and good conversation, and
it was a beautiful day to enjoy being
outdoors. Thank you to everyone who
joined us and helped make the outing
such a success.
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
We are currently gearing up for our
Elders Picnic Raffle Fundraiser; I
will be looking for any Elders who
would like to help at the raffle table
selling raffle tickets. Also looking for
donations to the Elder’s Picnic Raffle
any donation helps, and all proceeds
are appreciated and go back into the
Elders program. We will be purchasing
and looking for local Skokomish
artwork as well.
Page 13
Ice Cream, Water Marbling, and
What’s Next for Skokomish Programs
hank you to everyone who came
to celebrate PRIDE in the community. There were 61 participants
who signed in, although I suspect
there were more than that, some did
not sign in. There was an ice cream
social celebration, celebrated with a
bowl or a cone of Olympic Mountain
Ice Cream, along with water marbling
of cups.
T
The water marbling was a new craft
idea that went well, with the exception
that the marbling did not dry. The cups turned out wonderful, much better if they
dried!
A “Father’s Support” group was planned but has been postponed until August
12, 2026. The “Our Strong Father’s” program from United Indians of All Tribes
Foundation is coming down to give a presentation to the fathers of Skokomish
Tribe on how to put together a father’s support group. This group is open to all
men, young and old, who are involved in the lives of Skokomish children. The
initial group will be held in the covered area behind Tuwaduq Family Services.
All are welcome, any questions call Linda Charette at 360-426-7788.
Domestic Violence Program is also busy helping with the Elder’s Picnic,
scheduled for August 15, 2026 at the Skokomish Community Center. The DV
program is honored to be included in the preparation of gifts and honoring’s for
the picnic.
Turning Trash into Treasure: Mastering the Art of Composting
I
f you're tossing out your household
kitchen waste—such as coffee
grounds and eggshells—and you're
not recycling yard waste, such as
leaves and grass clippings, you're
wasting all the good stuff! All of these
items, which end up in a landfill,
actually belong in your compost bin.
Composting is easier than it seems,
and it gives you a chance to create
your own gardener's gold, which is
what gardeners call this rich mixture
of decomposing materials that can
be used to enrich your garden. A
compost pile doesn't have to take
up a ton of space, so you can do it
on a small or large scale—and it
doesn't matter whether you have a
tiny garden plot or a rambling country
garden.
Best of all, compost is free! All you
need is a mixture of yard and kitchen
waste materials, time, and patience.
Eventually, solid materials will break
down enough for you to use—and
your compost will improve your soil's
texture and water-holding capabilities
in containers (or mixed in with native
Page 14
soil when you plant shrubs and trees).
You can compost a lot of stuff! A
lot of different materials can go into
your compost bin. Keep a lidded
countertop bin handy (or just a bowl,
though that can get smelly) to collect
food waste when you're cooking.
You need a balance of green
materials—which are fresh, moist
plant
materials—and
brown
materials, which are dry, carbon-rich
plant materials with no life in them.
Green/wet materials:
•
Fruit and vegetable scraps
•
Eggshells
•
Grass clippings
•
Coffee grounds/filters and
tea leaves/tea bags without staples
Brown/dry materials:
•
Dry/dead leaves
•
Wood chips and wood ash
•
Straw
•
Chopped up twigs
•
Dryer lint
•
Paper towels or napkins
•
But some items don't belong
in your compost pile.
•
Some items should never
be put into your pile. That includes
pet waste, meat scraps, whole
eggs, bones, dairy, fat, leftovers, or
diseased plant material or weeds.
Food waste can attract unwelcome
visitors, like rats, while disease may
survive to infect new plants when you
use your compost. And weed seeds
may not be killed if your compost pile
isn't hot enough.
•
. Make sure you mix and
layer wet and dry materials.
•
Layering them like a lasagna
is the best way to build up your
compost pile or fill your bin. The ideal
ratio of green/wet items to brown/dry
items is three parts brown materials
to one part green for most efficient
composting. Some experts say you
can fudge that a bit if you end up with
more brown or more green material
from time to time, but it will take the
pile longer to break down.
•
If your compost gets smelly,
add some air.
•
This is when you need to turn
the pile and add dry materials if the
compost feels too wet.
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
There are three main methods
of home composting: open-air
composting, closed-bin composting
and the tumbler composting method.
Each method works just as well and
depends on the amount of space you
have available. You can find more
information in our downloadable
resource, available below.
All three methods follow the same
basic principles. A simple home
compost guide to help you be more
sustainable at home.
1.
Find a dry and shady area for
your compost bin or pile
2.
Mix brown materials (i.e.
our wipes, cardboard, cotton, wood
chips) with green materials (i.e.
leaves, food waste, coffee grounds)
3.
Add water to ensure your
compost stays moist, not wet
4.
Regularly turn compost to
ensure aeration
Visit us on the Web @
www.skokomish.org
3sXeXa?L “It’s All Written Down”
Page 15
E WORLD
T
A 98801
or Current Resident
Skokomish Indian Tribe
80 N Tribal Center Road
SKOK, WA 98584
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Rez Photo of the Month
NONPROFIT
US Postage
PAID
Permit #241
Wenatchee, WA 98801
Can you name the young lady in this photo?
Please turn to page 8 for the answer! Good luck!
Rez Sudoku Puzzle of the Month
The Sounder
3sXeXa?l “It’s All Written Down”
North 80 Tribal Center Road
Skokomish Nation, WA 98584
Phone: (360) 426-4232 ext 2053
Fax: (360) 877-5943
E-Mail: sounder@skokomish.org
Mark Warren, Editor
Fill the empty squares with numbers 1 to 9 so that each row across, each row
down, and each 3x3 square contains all the numbers from 1 to 9. Good Luck!
Letters to the Editor are published at the discretion of the
Editor, as space permits. No letter which contains defamatory
or malicious statements will be published. Any letter which
contains questionable material will be sent to our legal office
for review. All letters must contain the writer’s signature,
address and telephone number. Letters not signed will NOT
be published. The Editor reserves the right to edit a letter for
content, clarity and length.
Views and opinions expressed in Letters to the Editor are
those of the writer of the letter. They are not endorsed by the
Sounder, Tribal Administration, Tribal Council or the Skokomish
Indian Nation as a whole. The deadline for the sounder is the
third Thursday of every month.
This is a copy of a public record, reproduced as it was published. It is not legal advice, and it may not be the version a court would rely on. Check the official source before you cite it.