Submitted by Leonard Forsman
Washington State School Directors Association Annual Meeting
I joined Darlene Zacherle of the Colville Tribes in making a presentation before the WSSDA conference in Bellevue on Tribal/School District Relationships. Outgoing NK School Board President Val Torrens was in attendance. This is part of an ongoing relationship between school board officers and tribal governments as we work to educate them on our share responsibility to successfully and appropriately educate our tribal students.
Washington Indian Gaming Association – Squaxin Island
The monthly WIGA meeting included discussions of federal and state legislation that could potentially impact tribal gaming. Tribal leaders discussed proposed state legislation that would expand gaming statewide. These proposals would severely impact our successful gaming operations that have provided jobs and economic opportunity to our respective nations and their surrounding communities, reversing a historical trend of poverty and socioeconomic decline on many reservations. We discussed strategies to inform the legislature and the public of the positive impacts of tribal gaming to the Tribes and the state.
Thanksgiving Interfaith Service
I provided a short statement on the importance of ancestors to the Suquamish Tribe during a service held at Rolling Bay Church celebrating Thanksgiving. The theme of the service was on the importance of past generations.
Washington State Board of Geographic Names
The Board of Geographic Names held their meeting in Olympia. This was my first meeting as a board member. One of the first agenda items regarded correcting the name Squamish Harbor in Hood Canal to Suquamish Harbor. This name was incorrectly transcribed in an early map, but not on the original map. Explorer Charles Wilkes named the harbor after a group of Suquamish who camped on the site in 1841.
White House Tribal Nations Meeting
The third annual meeting between President Barack Obama and the tribal leaders was held on December 2, 2011 at the Department of Interior in Washington D.C. The week was packed with events and meetings and culminated in a speech by the President on Friday afternoon.
National Indian Education Association Reception
The NIEA held a reception at the National Education Association headquarters to recognize those who have worked to improve the educational success of our native students. Sen. Jon Tester of Montana attended the reception and discussed his commitment to the cause.
Health and Human Services Self Governance Training Session
HHS and the Indian Health Service held a session assessing the feasibility of Self-Governance Tribes compacting HHS programs that currently serve Indian Country.
NIEA Indian Education Roundtable for Tribal Leaders
NIEA held a roundtable discussion for Tribal Leaders on Capitol Hill. Rep. Joe Baca (D-California) and Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii) were two members of Congress to address the group. The importance of passage of the NATIVE CLASS ACT, a bill to enhance opportunities for tribal students, was emphasized.
Northwest/Pacific Region Meetings with Obama Administration Representatives
Northwest and Pacific Tribes met separately with members of the Obama Administration working on Indian issues, including Asst. Secretary for Indian Affairs Larry Echohawk (Pawnee), Department of Interior Solicitor Hilary Tompkins (Navajo), NIGC Chairman Tracie Stevens (Tulalip), Senior Policy Advisor for Indian Affairs Kim Teehee (Cherokee) and the Director of the Office of Tribal Justice Tracy Toulou. Tribal leaders spoke of their needs including federal help in our fight to protect rivers and streams for salmon, improving education opportunities and fighting climate change, and taxation issues.
Northwest Tribes Meeting with Senator Patty Murray
Northwest Tribal leaders attended a meeting with Sen. Murray to discuss issues surrounding the budget, education and natural resources. Sen. Murray was on the super committee on the Debt and expressed her frustration with the Republican’s inability to come to consensus on revenue.
White House Tribal Nations Meeting
The White House Inter-governmental Affairs Office structured this year’s meeting with President Obama a little differently. The breakout meetings were held in the morning and the President spoke in the afternoon. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar opened the meeting with remarks detailing the accomplishments the Obama Administration has made for Indian Country during his first term. One of my favorites is the efforts towards restoration of homelands; the Obama Administration has increased land into trust by 736 percent over the Bush Administration. The next cabinet member to speak was Shaun Donovan, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development who outlined the investments they have made in Indian Country, especially through the ARRA (Stimulus) funding. Then Heather Higginbottom, Deputy Director of the Office of Management and Budget addressed us regarding the President’s budget. The 2013 budget will focus on the “President’s values” crime prevention, housing and Indian Health Care. HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius spoke to the Tribal leadership about the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. She also emphasized her efforts to get states to recognize their duty to honor the Tribes’ as full partners in all federally funded health initiatives. Breakout Session “Promoting Safe and Strong Tribal Communities” This breakout session was presented by the Department of Justice, the Department of Interior, Office of National Drug Control Policy, the U.S. Border Patrol and the Federal Emergency Management Agency. FEMA made an important announcement that the Administration would be seeking to introduce legislation that would allow Tribes to directly request disaster declarations to the President, rather than go through the state. Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education Arne Duncan addressed us before the President arrived regarding the efforts made to improve Indian Education nationwide. They have created a new Senior Indian Affairs Advisor Position in the Department. He noted that if the new ESEA reauthorization bill is passed, Tribal Education Departments will be empowered. President Barack Obama The President made his remarks at the end of the day. He praised Secretary Salazar, Assistant Secretary Echohawk, and Solicitor Tompkins for their work improving conditions in Indian Country. He thanked his adopted parents of the Crow Nation, who were in attendance and gave the final blessing. He has great optimism for Indian Country and is committed to leading a federal government that “helps rather than hinders” tribes. The President is proud of his appointment of Native Americans to key positions and important policy achievements in land into trust, the Cobell settlement, the Tribal Law and Order Act, and streamlining of the land leasing process. He acknowledged the passing of Elouise Cobell and praised her commitment to helping Indian Country. The President ended by stating “our work is far from over” and that Indian Tribes “have a President who ‘has your back.’”
Charles Lawrence Memorial Pole Celebration
The Lawrence Family and the Suquamish Tribe held a ceremony acknowledging the completion of the Charles Lawrence Memorial Pole in downtown Suquamish.
National Indian Gaming Commission Consultation, Suquamish
The NIGC held their regional consultation and meeting here at the Clearwater Casino Resort. I provided a welcome to the group, that was chaired by NIGC Chair Tracie Stevens of Tulalip, who is a member of the Contraro family.
Suquamish Tribal Employee Luncheon
The Suquamish Tribe held their annual employee luncheon at Kiana Lodge. This is an opportunity for employees to learn about the benefits offered by the Tribe. We also recognized tribal employee years of service, including Wayne George who has 30 years of service.
Meeting at Tulalip Museum
Janet Smoak and I met with staff from the Tulalip Museum to see their facility and also explore partnership opportunities.
Leadership Kitsap
I joined Russ Steele in our annual address to the class at Leadership Kitsap to tell them about the history and economic development accomplishments of the Suquamish Tribe.
Meeting with US Forest Service
Tribal staff met with USFS representatives to discuss ways of improving access to USFS lands for traditional gathering.
Halibut Fishing Mediation
I joined Michelle Hansen for a federal mediation session on Halibut fishing with coastal and Puget Sound tribes.
Government to Government Meeting with US Navy
The Suquamish Tribe continues to meet with the Navy on mitigation of the proposed Explosive Handling Wharf at Bangor Subase.