April 2012 - Swinomish Indian Tribal Community

qyuuqs
(Kee Yoks)
swədəbš qyuuqs
April 2012
Volume 46 Issue 4
Moon of the Whistling Robins
pedHiWaac (pud-hway-WHATS))
Hi Mom!
Love you!

swədəbš qyuuqs
sali (sah lee) Page 2
qyuuqs
The Seagull
An official
publication
of swədəbš
Swinomish Indian
Tribal Community
Officers:
Brian Cladoosby, Chairman
Barbara James, Vice Chair
Sophie Bailey, Secretary
Steve Edwards, Treasurer
Allan Olson, General Manager
Tuk Tuk Luus
Senators:
Sophie Bailey
Sapelia
Brian Cladoosby
Spee-pots
Glen Edwards
Cha-das-cud II
Steve Edwards
Barbara James
Taləq talə II
Leon John
SM OK O LO
Kevin Paul
Wa lee hub
Brian Porter
Ya-qua-leouse
Brian Wilbur
Tandy Wilbur
Wolfe
Chester Cayou, Jr.
Pay a huxton
qyuuqs (Kee Yoks)
The deadline to submit to the
qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) is the 15th
of every month or nearest
business day.
qyuuqs (Kee Yoks)
17337 Reservation Road
La Conner, WA 98257
360-466-7258
Fax 466-1632
keeyoks@gmail.com
Advisory Committee
Allan Olson
John Stephens
Tracy James
Kevin Paul
Michael Vendiola
Editor
mvendiola@swinomish.nsn.us
Caroline Edwards
Assistant Editor
cedwards@swinomish.nsn.us
Photos: qyuuqs and submitted
This issue of the qyuuqs is
available on the Swinomish website.
http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov/
The on-line version of qyuuqs is in full
color.
Because we are now on the internet, when submitting
information or photos, please be aware
that everything published in Kee yoks will also be
on the internet and available to the world. Please
consider carefully whether anything you are
submitting might have information or images that
may not be appropriate for the internet. By submitting
information or photographs to Kee yoks
for publication, we consider that you are agreeing
we can publish the information or photo in both
the paper version of the Kee yoks and on the
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community website.
“Swinomish Kee Yoks Newspaper”
Cover :
CONTENTS:
Announcements 37
Being Frank 16
Birthdays—April 36
Chairman’s Message 3
Clothing Exchange 35
Code amendment 4
Community Arts 15
Education 19
Elders visit new Lodge 7
Health Fair/Lodge Opening 8-9
Fish & Game, Fisheries 32
Free Ads 39
From The Editor 5
Housing & Utility Authorities 31
La Conner Sports 30
Lushootseed 12
Senior Lunch Menu 25
Swinomish Earth Day events 20-24
Water Resources Program 34
Youth Center Calendar 18
qyuuqs Mission
The mission of the qyuuqs newspaper is to provide
monthly communication to swədəbš, the Swinomish
Indian Tribal Community, near and far. We
are committed to serving as an apolitical forum for
SITC governing officials and all community members.
The newspaper is not intended to reflect the official
position of the governing body of the Swinomish
Indian Tribal Community, but rather reflects the ideas,
events, and thoughts of individual community
members and tribal staff. As such, the Swinomish
Tribe makes no claim as to the accuracy or content of
any of the articles contained therein.

swədəbš qyuuqs
Chairman’s Message:
Aix (Aee hw)
Page 3
Oh my goodness, it must be spring with all the rain in February and March!
Spring has crept up upon the Swinomish community and we are getting ready
for a busy couple of months. We have been engaged in wonderful and powerful
environmental and natural resources dialogues through out the Salish Sea.
A Swinomish delegation traveled to the 6 th Annual Coast Salish Gathering and
we were honored to gather with First Nations to engage in an important environmental
policy dialogue.
Our Salish Sea is vitally important to all of our people, as we harvest often
from the sea and rely on it for food, medicine, cultural ceremonies and to a
certain extent transportation. For a lengthy amount of time our Coast Salish
families have been divided by borders and governments. But we remember
who we are and where we come from. It is time to act now as we have environmental
challenges, and several health concerns within each of the Coast
Salish communities as a Nation.
At the Gathering we heard the messages from our youth, experts, leaders, ancestors and our elders. It is time
for us to take it to the next level and take action. As the environmental challenges are growing on a daily basis,
our fish, clams, oysters, crabs, seaweed and eel grass are disappearing at a rapid pace. We all rely on these for
survival and for subsistence. We know that there is Western World Science and we have our Traditional Ecological
Science, and we can make it work if we walk together for the better of Mother Earth.
The Coast Salish Gathering provides an opportunity for us to address issues that impact our way of life and to
then create an environmental action plan that focuses the conservation and restoration of the Salish Sea ecosystem
to a level that ensures sustainability to our Coast Salish People and our cultural way of life. We are committed
to ensuring we provide a healthy, safe and prosperous home for our future children.
My heart is full of the strong spirits and voices of the Coast Salish, and as I come home, I too share my
thoughts of walking together with our families that surround us through out the Salish Sea.
Have a wonderful and warm April! May the Creator bless you and keep you safe.
Spee-pots
(Brian Cladoosby)
“We know that there is Western World Science and we have our
Traditional Ecological Science, and we can make it work if we
walk together for the better of Mother Earth.”
Spee Pots being
honored and gifted
a paddle vest at the
Coast Salish Gathering.
“To be worn
when you represent
the Coast Salish
People.”
Photo: Leon John
The Coast Salish
Territories.
Graphic:
www.firstnations
.de

swədəbš qyuuqs
buus (boos )
Page 4
RECENT TRIBAL CODE AMENDMENTS
At the Special Senate meeting in February, the Senate
amended Title 17 - Tax, Chapter 3 - Retail Sales
Tax by passing Ordinance 302. The Swinomish Retail
Tax Code now provides for the assessment and
collection of tax on retail sales sold by the Gaming
Enterprise, Tribally owned gas stations, Tribally
owned RV park and the Swinomish Fish Company.
Taxes levied are equal to one hundred (100) percent
of the local and state retail sales taxes, currently
amounting to 8.2%. The code provides that the tribal
sales tax shall incorporate future increases or decreases
in the local and state sales taxes.
The Senate also enacted two new laws at this
Special Senate meeting. Ordinance 303 is codified at
Title 17 – Tax, Chapter Room Occupancy Tax Code.
The Swinomish Room Occupancy Tax Code was
passed by the Swinomish Senate in order to protect
the public interest and welfare of the people of the
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, its employees,
the residents and visitors of Swinomish Indian country
through the regulation, imposition, collection and
administration of taxes on the rental of motels, hotels,
and other temporary lodging businesses in Indian
country. It imposes a tax in an amount equivalent
to the special excise tax imposed by Skagit
County which currently is 2%.
Ordinance 305 is codified at Title 15 – Business
Regulations, Chapter 7 – Lodges and Restaurants.
This ordinance limits the liability of the Tribe for
theft of a guest’s personal property from the new
lodge where a safe is provided to the guest and the
guest fails to place his or her valuables in the safe.
It also limits the liability of the Tribe for lost or damaged
baggage. Finally, it provides for criminal and
civil penalties for fraud and for the exclusion of anyone
from the new lodge and R.V. camp who has
been excluded from the casino.
Lastly, the Senate amended the chapter in the
Gaming Code concerning the Gaming enterprise.
The amendments restructured the Gaming Enterprise
Committee into a Gaming Management Board and
fleshed out the guidelines for the Board as well as
the Board’s powers. The Board will be responsible
for managing operations, making employment decisions
concerning key staff, making policies, conducting
studies and developing and managing budgets.
The Board is required to prepare and submit reports
regarding the operation and financial activities, as
well as significant problems and accomplishments,
of the Gaming Enterprise. The changes to this code
also include addition of a section designating an
agent for service.
The amended codes are available for review on our
website at http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov. Paper
copies are available for review at the Swinomish
library, the Tribal Clerk's office, the Office of the
Tribal Attorney, the Senate’s Executive Assistant,
and the Social Services and Planning Department.

swədəbš qyuuqs
WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT
GROUP
Please come and join us one evening a week
as we explore topics such as the ingredients for
a healthy relationship, boundaries, effective
communication skills, grief and loss issues and
any other wounds that may be robbing joy from
your life.
“Opportunities to find deeper powers within
ourselves come when life seems most challenging”
Professor Joseph Campbell
celac (tsuh lahts)
Page 5
When: Monday nights
Where: Library – Social Services Building
Time: 6:00 – 7:30P
Planned start date: April 09, 2012
From the qyuuqs (Kee Yoks) Editor: Michael M. Vendiola
Welcome to spring! With this issue
we focus on the community events related
to Earth Day and the long standing
Swinomish Clean-up Day that celebrates
it’s 42nd anniversary this year as a Swinomish
community event. I hope you
take the opportunity to participate in this
year’s event! A list of events is featured
in this issue and you will be able to find
something to do in the community for
everyone in your family.
Further, we are very pleased to have our
regular contribution from community
members who continue to educate us
about our relationship with Mother
Earth. After you read their articles you
really understand our informal conversational
play on respecting Mother Earth
featured on the cover of this issue. In all
seriousness, though, our Swinomish
community has many roles, responsibilities
and teachings to share in the caretaking
of Mother Earth. We hope that this
issue’s focus on caretaking will help to
inspire our readership to take action!
We wish to thank the SITC Senators and
staff who have graciously contributed to
this issue in providing leadership and
information to keep the greater community
informed on the doings of the tribe.
Lastly, we’ve added a new ‘Community
Calendar’ event page. If you let us know
about upcoming events happening in the
community, we’ll do our best to add it to
this new calendar and cover it in the
qyuuqs (Kee Yoks)! Please feel free to
contact me at:
mvendiola@swinomish.nsn.gov
360.466.7258
Please find us on the web at:
or
http://www.swinomish.org/news.aspx
Facebook: ‘Swinomish Kee Yoks Newspaper’
Twitter: ‘KeeYoksNews’

swədəbš qyuuqs ulub (oo loob) Page 6
Public Notice for Canoe Racing
When: April 16th 2012
Warchief Canoe Club would like to invite you to
practice.
Attention Canoe Practice Club:
April 16th: Orientation, Schedule Review, Permission
Slips. Bring your own paddle, meet at the
Canoe Shed after school.
Who: 6th-12th grade students
What: Tutoring from our Swinomish Para Pros
and homework help.
Where: Middle and High School study labs and
snacks will be available.
When: Monday-Thursday, 3:05-4:05pm and
our Recreation van will be available to transport
students back to the Youth Center.
Why: Because our tribe believes that education
is important and wants to support our students
and help them succeed.
From the Health Clinic:
We have begun to see patients with Flu symptoms at the Health Clinic, please
consider visiting your health care clinic today.
If you have answered yes to any of the questions below you are considered high risk and should consider getting your FLU SHOT
soon.
Do you have Asthma
Are you Diabetic
Are you 65 or older
Are you Pregnant
Do you have Cancer
Do you have children younger than 5 years old
Especially children younger than 2 years old
Do you have HIV or AIDS
It is recommended that all patients receive a FLU SHOT; you need not be high risk.
You do not need an appointment for this; please drop by for a nurse’s visit.

swədəbš qyuuqs Page 7
qyuuqs feature:
Swinomish elders lunch and tour new Swinomish Lodge to open early May
On March 22 over 40 Swinomish elders,
family members, Swinomish Senators, and
guests attended a special tour of the new
Swinomish Lodge set to open in early May.
The event was sponsored by Swinomish
Senate and supported by the Swinomish
Senior center and various committees and
departments.
The event began with a short welcome by
organizer Senator Brian Wilbur and a hearty
buffet meal served at the Swinomish Casino Restaurant. A good meal was enjoyed
by all accompanied with good mealtime conversation. Senator Wilbur was assisted
other senators Senator Leon John, Senator Barb James, and Senator Kevin Paul
Following lunch, the elders began a nearly 1 hour tour of the new facility. The tour included views of a new conference center, a
restaurant and bar, guest rooms and suites, and
ended with everyone receiving a new Swinomish
Casino & Lodge t-shirt. See page 9 for
additional upcoming events.

swədəbš qyuuqs
Page 8

swədəbš qyuuqs
Swinomish Casino & Lodge:
Page 9

swədəbš qyuuqs
Page 10
Native Business: The Life-Giving and Crushing Power of Debt
Debt is something owed to another party and most often is accompanied
by an interest rate charged to the borrower for the use of money.
In business, debt is good when you have a source of repayment. Debt
is bad when a clear source of repayment does not exist. Start ups are
most often capitalized by savings from the entrepreneur, money from
friends and family, or home equity. There is no one-correct way to use
money; each borrower has to decide for themselves. This article simply
illustrates best practices to remember when thinking about borrowing
money.
A business owner should consider using debt when they need dollars
to increase the delivery of a product or service to meet demand from
existing or new customers. If it is an existing business, often contracts
for service or orders for more products are in-hand. An entrepreneur
would borrow money after they have demonstrated at least one or
more successful transactions and need money to increase their workforce
or purchase equipment to take their business to the next level of
operating size. A brand new business without a history of sales usually
has a high level of expertise in the respective industry and elects to
borrow money when there is a relationship with a customer that guarantees
sales at start-up.
An entrepreneur should be cautious about borrowing money when a
good idea comes with a large price tag for start up. This often means
the individual needs to use some sort of debt borrowed from a 3 rd party
to spend on things they think they need to get started. My advice, as a
seasoned lender, is to not borrower at start-up if you can help it and
instead start as small as possible.
Often an entrepreneur will find their sales are slower to make or
longer to collect than they initially thought. This requires patient capital;
meaning if they used their own money or the money from family
that does not need to be paid back until enough profits are generated,
they will have more time for their business to mature. At the beginning,
if an entrepreneur borrows money from a 3 rd party (like a bank),
they are required to make monthly payments which include principal
and interest which often lessens the amount of time a business can
take to mature. These obligations (monthly payments) must be met
on time and in the full amount owed or the borrower may trigger a
series of compounding problems such as late fees, an increase to
their loan’s interest rate or worse- be declared in default where the
lender requests immediate payment. These consequences caused by
late or non-payment consume cash that otherwise would be retained
in the business. A business dies if it runs out of cash.
Jim Stanley is a tribal member of the Quinault
Nation, Past-Vice President of the Quinault
Nation Enterprise Board, and board member of
the Northwest Native American Chamber. He
is a senior lender with Craft3, a non-profit loan
fund lending to Sovereign Nations and tribal
member owned businesses. Jim freely shares
his knowledge and can be reached for comment
at: jstanley@craft3.org.
Section 184 Home Loan Program for
Swinomish Tribal Members
The Swinomish Senate has been informed that the Tribe’s request to
participate in the HUD subsidized 184 Home Loan Program has been
granted.
The HUD 184 program offers home loans with:
• Low interest rates based on current market rates (rather than
credit scores)
• Low down payments
• 2.25% on loans over $50,000.00
• 1.25% on loans under $50,000.00
On April 25 th Shelter Bay will join
the Swinomish Tribe for the annual
Swinomish Earth Day event
by participating in the Community
Service Projects.
Approval of the loan requires a 1% loan guarantee fee paid at closing,
which can be financed.
The HUD 184 program requires that the borrower show that they have
enough income to pay back the loan. This is based on the ratio of the
borrower’s debt to income. Under the Section 184 program, total
monthly debts including the loan typically cannot be more than 41% of
gross monthly income.
The loan can be used, both on and off the Swinomish Reservation, to
Purchase an existing home
Rehabilitate an existing home
Construct a new home
Refinance a current loan
For information packets containing instructions on how to obtain a
loan, a list of approved lenders, frequently asked questions, and requirements
of the program, please see John Petrich at the Swinomish
Housing Authority.
Join in to help clean up
the area around the
Shelter Bay Sign!

swədəbš qyuuqs
Page 11
The Earth Day Committee is looking for Tribal homes that would like to establish
a potted "color patch" of mixed flowers that will be distributed during
Swinomish Earth Day. The plants to be given away
will be located at the Swinomish Housing Authority Office.
A few mature native plants will also be available.
In exchange, we will ask each grower to track
the care & growth of these flowers.
There will be limited supplies, first come first served !
If you have any questions contact Tony Basabe at 466-2512.
GENERAL ASSEMBLY [OF THE UNITED NATIONS] PROCLAIMS 22 APRIL
‘INTERNATIONAL MOTHER EARTH DAY’
ADOPTING BY CONSENSUS BO-
LIVIA-LED RESOLUTION
In Address, Bolivia’s President
Says 60 Years after Human Rights
Declaration ‘Mother Earth Is Now,
Finally, Having Her Rights Recognized’
As the United Nations General Assembly
proclaimed today International
Mother Earth Day, Bolivian
President Evo Morales Ayma applauded
the Members of the world
body who had “taken a historic stand
for Mother Earth” by acknowledging
humanity’s common interest in the
protection of the planet and its environment.
“Sixty years after adopting the
[Universal Declaration of Human
Rights], Mother Earth is now, finally,
having her rights recognized,” said
President Morales.
By the text, the Assembly acknowledged
that “the Earth and its ecosystems
are our home”, and expressed
its conviction that, in order to achieve
a just balance among the economic,
social and environmental needs of
present and future generations, “it is
necessary to promote harmony with
nature and the Earth”.
In his address, President Morales
appealed to all Members of the
United Nations to live up to their responsibility
to ensure life on the
planet by working for unity, equality,
dignity and, above all, humanity,
which inherently
involved protecting
–- and restoring
–- Mother
Earth.
Some 60 years
after activists had
fought so hard to
win acknowledgement of human
rights worldwide, including social,
economic, political and cultural rights,
Mother Earth was now having her
rights recognized, he continued. Indeed,
animals and plants -- all living
creatures and beings -- had rights
that deserved to be respected and
protected.
In closing remarks, Assembly President
d’Escoto said the world body
was sending a special message of
hope with Mother Earth Day. Even
as scientists and biologists sounded
the alarm that the world may already
be at the “tipping point”, at which the
damage wrought on the environment
might be irreversible, the United Nations
had moved “to put people and
the well-being of the planet at the
centre of our attention and recognize
good stewardship of the planet and
our dwindling resources as a shared
responsibility”.
“It is only right that we, as sisters and
brothers, take care of Mother Earth
[…] as Mother Earth, after all sustains
[…] our very humanity,” Mr. d’Escoto
said. He urged listening to the voices
of indigenous people, who, despite all
odds, had sustained their profound
links with nature. He urged support
for the world’s small farmers and food
producers, who, with sustainable
farming methods, could provide us
with healthy food, while not being
driven into poverty by unfair trade
policies and the actions of rapacious
agro-industries. “Our decision today
marks one more symbolic step in
changing the dominant mindset that
has brought us so close to selfdestruction,”
he said.
Courtesy of the United Nations. Edited for
space. Please view whole document here:
http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2009/
ga10823.doc.htm

swədəbš qyuuqs
Lushootseed:
Page 12
April Lushootseed Phrase:
stab I(i) adsuhuy
What are you doing
(stahb koo-ee odd-soo-who-ee)
ped
Earth; soil; dirt; dust; bury
(puhd)
uIaxad Ved tsidiUuy
I am helping my mother.
(uh-koo-ah-wa-odd chuhd seed-eekw-oowee)

swədəbš qyuuqs
Page 13

swədəbš qyuuqs
Mrs. V’s 2 cents!
Our parents and grandparents
taught us when we were very young;
how to take care of our homes and the
places where we lived and played.
Sometimes we forget.
We forget those old teachings and we
neglect taking care of Mother Earth.
Earth Day is coming again. What were
the teachings you received about taking
care of Mother Earth, not just on Earth
Day but every day
Ganga, my grandfather, Edward Frank
Hillaire would always say the same
words to my brother Jr, and me when
we were leaving the rez at the end of
summer to go back to the city. Ganga
would pick up his walking stick and he
pounded his stick on the earth. (Pound,
pound, looking into our eyes…”You
come from here.” (Pound, pound again)
…”Don’t you forget it.”
I bet that your mother and father, and
your grandpa and grandma said those
kinds of words to you when you were a
kid. Did you forget what they said Or
do you remember, and now understand
their words to you about the importance
of the earth
Now that I am older than my grandfather
was when he spoke those words to
my late brother, George and me, I believe
I understand what he was trying to
teach us. He was telling us that we
come from this earth. We come from
this earth because this earth gives
us what we need to survive. And he
was telling us to always remember
to respect and care for the Earth as
our Mother.
What did you eat for breakfast
Sometimes we forget about the
hundreds of miles and the multitude
of work it takes for the foods we put
into our bodies to get to us, in this
day and age. And if we forget, how
can we teach our kids
When I was a kid, my mother toasted
the day old bread that she got at the
day old bakery. She toasted it in a big
heavy black frying pan on the top of our
stove. And then she would cut it up like
they do nowadays for croutons. She put
these “croutons” in a bowl and that was
“We come from this Earth”
our cereal. Us kids would eat it along
with hot Carnation milk mixed with water
and a big spoonful of homemade
jam, apple sauce or canned peaches. It
was the best!
Today, the following is what I put into
my body at breakfast:
• ½ mango from Soconusco, Chiapas
Mexico
• 1 Small piece of ham from Kraft
Foods Global, Inc. – Northfield,
Illinois
• 1 slice whole grain toast from Inter-
American Products – Cincinnati,
Ohio
• Butter from Land O’Lakes, Inc.,
Arden Hills, Minnesota
• 3 tomato slices from Freska Produce
International, Mexico
• 1 egg from National Food Corp.,
Arlington, WA (Yay close by, didn’t
have to ship too far!)
• 1 Cup of coffee from Folgers Coffee
Company, Oroville, Ohio
• A glass of water. The people who
live in the city of Anacortes get their
drinking water from the Skagit
River. (Yay, again.) The water is
treated to make it safe to drink. The
current water treatment plant has
been in operation since February of
1970. It provides water to about
56,000 people.
“The reason I am thinking about
these things is that Earth Day is
this month. And Earth Day is all
about being mindful of where we
live and how we get all that we
need to survive from the place
where we live.”
My breakfast used a whole lot of fossil
fuel to finally get to the distributor in
Seattle and then to the grocery store
where I bought it. I think I need to cut
back on the out- of- season foods I buy
from Mexico.
The reason I am thinking about these
things is that Earth Day is this month.
By Diane I. Vendiola
Page 14
And Earth Day is all
about being mindful
of where we live and
how we get all that
we need to survive
from the place where
we live. It is a day to recognize how we
take care of the place where we live
and play. Everything we get from the
earth is important. The Earth is precious.
It is important and precious especially
when we remember that what we
want for our children and grandchildren
is a better place to live and play, and if
not a better place, at least not a worse
place than what we have. I can still buy
day old bread, a can of carnation milk
and even buy strawberry jam, a can of
peaches or applesauce. And I can still
mix the Carnation milk with heated
fresh water from the Skagit River. Will
my grandchildren be able to do that for
their grandchildren
I bet you remember the teachings of
your grandparents about taking care of
our Mother Earth because she gives to
us everything we need to live.
My late cousin, Chet used say to me
every year when the apple tree across
from the social services building was
full with apples, some lying on the
ground. He would slowly shake his
head and say to me, “You know, Diane,
there used to be a time when you would
never see that, nope, all those apples
would be in a pie or in apple sauce.”
If you remember words that your
parents or grandparents said to you
about how we need to walk on this
precious planet, words that you,
now that you are grown, understand,
share those words and what
they mean to you. I would love to
learn from your experience. You
can email them to mvendiola@Swinomish.nsn.us
(cc to
Diane Vendiola).
Looking forward to hearing from you,
the first five to respond will be recognized
at the Earth Day lunch on April
25 th @ the gym.
Diane I. Vendiola, Swinomish tribal elder, is a regular
contributor to the qyuuqs (Kee Yoks), continues to
serve the tribe in her retirement, and is a loving
grandmother.

swədəbš qyuuqs
swedebS Community Arts swedebS Community Arts swedebS
Page 15
Photo by Eric Day

swədəbš qyuuqs
Page 16
Being Frank
Traditional foods are treaty foods
March 5th, 2012
By Billy Frank, Jr., Chairman NWIFC
These short, cold, rainy and sometimes snowy days of
winter always make me think about our treaties. It was
during this time of year more than 150 years ago that
the U. S. government negotiated most of its treaties
with tribes here in western Washington.
The federal government wanted our homeland. They
viewed us as sovereign nations with independent authority
to govern our people, lands and resources. We
were treated the same as any free nation in the world
because that’s what we were then and still are today.
Through the treaties we reserved the things that were
most important to us as a people. Among them was the
right to fish, hunt and gather shellfish and other traditional
foods to feed ourselves and preserve our cultures.
That’s why I am excited about the new hunting department
at the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. It’s aimed at
strengthening the tribe’s traditional connection to wildlife
by improving
hunter access to deer,
elk and other game for
tribal members to eat.
The tribe also is promoting
hunting by
educating young people.
Wildlife habitat in
western Washington
is disappearing rapidly.
Deer, elk and
other wildlife are being
crowded into smaller
and smaller areas in
the remaining good
habitat, making it difficult
for tribal members
to exercise their treaty
hunting rights.
Spring stinging nettles
Photo courtesy Elise Krohn
If we lose our ability to
hunt, we lose an important
source of traditional food, and we can’t afford to
do that. Indian people evolved eating traditional foods
like elk, salmon, clams and berries. These are the
foods that are best for our bodies.
That’s why part of the hunting department’s mission is
to help connect tribal members with sources for game
meat. Tribal hunters hunt for food, not for sport. They
traditionally hunt not only for themselves, but for their
extended families. It’s common for tribes to designate
hunters to harvest wildlife for ceremonies, as wells as
for tribal elders and others who are unable to hunt for
themselves.
Helping tribal members incorporate more traditional
foods in their diets is also the goal of the Food Sovereignty
Program at Northwest Indian College’s campus
on the Muckleshoot Tribe’s reservation near Auburn.
Food sovereignty is the right of people to eat healthy
traditional foods that are produced sustainably and
don’t harm the environment.
The program grew from a project by the Muckleshoot,
Tulalip and Suquamish tribes and the Burke Museum
at the University of Washington. The museum developed
a list of traditional foods that Indian people ate
before non-Indians arrived in western Washington. The
Food Sovereignty program
helps tribal members
make those foods
– such as nettles,
camas, huckleberries,
salmon and wild game –
part of their everyday
lives.
The project reminds us
that to have traditional
foods, we must continue
to be good natural resources
managers. Our
treaties recognize that
food is at the center of
our cultures. Indian
tribes are sovereign nations,
and part of that
sovereignty includes
access to the traditional
foods needed to keep
ourselves and our communities
healthy and
strong.
Billy Frank Jr. is the chairman of the Northwest Indian
Fisheries Commission.
For more information, contact: Tony Meyer or Emmett
O’Connell, NWIFC, (360) 438-1181

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From the Tribal Archive: Theresa Trebon, Tribal Archivist
50 Years Ago:
Swinomish joins the
Century 21 Statewide
Beautification Campaign
April 22 marks the 42 anniversary
of Earth Day, a key environmental
event that reminds us of the need to
care for our planet in a focused
way. But just 8 years before the
birth of Earth Day, in 1962, a grand
exposition opened in Seattle that
many still recall, one that shaped
how Washingtonians care for their
public spaces. On April 21 of that
year President John F. Kennedy
pressed the same telegraph key
that started the Alaska-Yukon-
Pacific Exposition in Seattle in
1909, only “this time, instead of a
simple coast-to-coast electronic signal,
the key triggered a radio telescope
in
Maine, which
picked up an
Century 21 Poster
1962
impulse from a star 10,000 light
years away,” and aimed it towards
Seattle to start the Century 21
World’s Fair.
Preparations for the fair began in
earnest in 1960 with a focus on improving
Washington through the
Century 21 State Beautification
Committee: Swinomish was the first
Indian community to get on board.
The Swinomish Ladies Welfare
Club (see March 2012
Kee Yoks) had
been working
on “home
and garden
improvement”
in
S w i -
nomish
since
t h e
Century 21 Dahlia Seeds
Sent by Century 21 Beautification
Committee to Swinomish -1960
Found in Swinomish Fish Plant -2007
early
1940s but the
invitation to join the Century 21 effort
spurred them to greater action.
The club appointed a committee
headed by Laura Wilbur, and assisted
by Bertha Dan, Irene Siddle
and Marie Charles to launch
a year-round beautification
and home improvement campaign
at Swinomish. Irene
John was named to head of
the “bulldozing committee” to
contact home owners who
need bulldozing to clear lots
and brush; Claude Wilbur
would man the dozer. On May 26,
1960, the Puget Sound Mail announced
that the effort was fully
underway. One area that proved
challenging was the large “back
lots” of the homes bordering Front
S t r e e t in the village. The
solution
was to
a r -
range
f o r
t h e
Tribal Community
to take
Puget Sound Mail
May 12, 1960
over those large unused back areas
and “plant Hawthorne trees along
the street so that the people living
down below will have more privacy
in their backyards.” That June, a
large gunnysack of dahlia bulbs
arrived, courtesy of the Century 21
Beautification Committee, and the
Ladies Welfare Club directed their
planting in the village, particularly
around the tennis court area, now
the site of the medical clinic. Free
seeds also were distributed and it
was reported that Alfred Sampson
had created a “nice rockery on the
corner of his lot.” Plans got underway
to erect the first sign at the entrance
to the reservation announcing
one’s arrival to the Swinomish
Indian Tribal Community. In September,
Swinomish was invited to
Seattle where they were presented
a special plaque at an awards ceremony
honoring those who participated
in the beautification effort: it
was
the
only
Puget Sound Mail
9-22-1960
Indian tribe to participate or be so
honored.
The beautification started by the
Ladies Welfare club in the 1940s,
and taken to greater heights in
preparation for Century 21,
paved the way for the Tribe’s
embrace of Earth Day and the
important values it represents.
Whether it’s the annual spring and
fall clean up days, recycling efforts
in the tribal buildings and public
events, protecting the environment,
or celebrating Earth Day itself, Swinomish
is carrying on the tradition
of caring for this planet we all call
home.

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Youth Center Calendar
Page 18

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Education:
Page 19
April 11th Education Dinner to honor Preschool, 5th grade, 8th grade,
12th grade, GED recipients
On April 11, 2012 at 6:00 PM in the Swinomish Community
& Youth Center, Swinomish will honor Swinomish preschool,
5th, and 8th grade youth, GED recipients, and recent
college graduates. The event is designed to empower
and prioritize education as a key element of success for
Swinomish people. All community members are invited to
celebrate the accomplishments of
these youth!
Students to be honored:
Preschoolers who will be honored-Aaron
Jack, Brandon Damien,
Eyown Sam-Gustafson, Jacob Jarnagin,
Jaydin Eagleheart-Clark,
Kialah Seymour, Matt Stone, Reylean
George-Johnston, Charles
Edwards, Divinity Kochuten, Josephina
Adams, Lily Dougliss, Lydia
Grossglass, Mikailah Johnston,
Ronald Williams, Phillip McCoy
5 th Graders who will be honored-
Victor Bailey, Alexandria Bill, Jasmine
Cayou, Yuanissa Cayou, Ajay Damien, Raven Edwards,
Chad John, Emily Montoya, Claudia Parker, Cheyenne
Weatherby, Demonte Wolf-John, Jairo Castro, Molly
Clark, Darren George, Michael Paul, Ashleigh Tom
8 th Graders who will be honored-Alexander Cayou, Jarrette
Cayou, Olivia Cayou, Cillastina Edge, Kendall Edwards,
Asiah Gonzalez, Isaias Guzman, Logan James,
Sydney James, Collin LaPointe, Danika McCoy, Joey
Quintasket, Natisha Kinsman
12 Graders who will be honored-
Madeline Cayou, Tiyanna McCraiggie,
Landelin James, Dianne Quintasket,
Martin Sampson, Michael
Wilbur
GED students to be honored-
Alva Damien, Crystal Clark, Olivia
Bailey, Abrianna Sampson
College/Vocational Students who
have completed their degree for the
2011-2012 school year and would
like to be recognized at the dinner
please call or text Tracy James at
(360)540-2702.
Our list of honorees are not yet
complete for our Academic Excellence or Attendance
Awards but their invitations will be sent out by the Para
Pros and if we have missed any students please feel free
to contact Tracy James before April 9th.
La Conner School Attendance: Students missing less than 2 days of school as of Feb. 29!
Elementary:
Arjuna Adams
Isaiah Adams
Raymond Bailey
Allen Bill
Douglas Bill
Javaughn Bill
Betsy Campbell
Tredamas Casey
Chadow Cayou
Jasmine Cayou
Kaycee Cayou
Taylor Rae Cayou
Yuanissa Cayou
Boyce Charles
Molly Clark
Ajay Damien
Dakota Damien
Jamie Damien
Callie Dougliss,
Chloe Edwards
Cynthia George
Darren George
Merissa George
Liliana Gonzales
Zeb Joe
Edmond McCoy
Kennedy Miller
Kaylena Misanes
Ariana Murchinson
Mary Lou Page
Claudia Parker
Michael Paul
Elijah Porter
Daniel Rapada
Alfonso Sampson
Andrea Sampson
Shawn Sampson
Ariana Siddle
Mekayla Smith-Day
Ivory Souryavong
Dylan Stone
Ashleigh Thomas
Hunter Williams
Demonte Wolf-John
Emma Worgum
Reanne Zimmerman
Middle School:
Elijah Adams
Kobe Bailey
Alexis Bobb
Kahneesha Casey
Kalona Casey
Ben Cayou
Brett Cayou
Henry Cayou
Olivia Cayou
Zanetta Cayou
Ryan Charles
David Cruz
Nakiya Edwards
Terrence Fornsby
Asiah Gonzalez
Isaias Guzman
Claudia Jack
Janel Jack
Isiah James
Logan James
Sydney James
Jordan Johnston
Jace Kinsman
Collin LaPointe
Charlie McCoy
Danika McCoy
Joreen McDonald
Scottie Miller
Blaine Navasie
Michael Page
Kaleb Parker
Briana Porter
Jeanette Quintasket
Joe Quintasket
Tiffany Sampson
Jeremiah Williams
Lanita Williams
High School:
General Cayou
Irma Cayou
Anna Cook
Jacob Cruz
Thomas Day
Wil James
Mikey Wilbur
Darrel Williams

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April 25th
Wednesday
8:30 am - 5 pm
SERVICE PROJECTS
♥
♥
♥
♥
♥
Elder Edith Bobb’s yard cleanup
Fornsby flats/aglands cleanup
Interpretive Plant Garden project
Street cleanup
Youth afterschool service project at
McGlinn Island
COME JO
Take pride in your comm
the Reservation. Bring y
children, nieces, neph
cousins and
FREE RECYCLING
♥
♥
♥
Bring unwanted clothing to exchange
or donate to the women’s shelter!
Recycle your used cell phones, ink
cartridges, computers, monitors &
TVs !
Shredder truck-Bring your sensitive
paper documents to be shredded and
recycled.
For more information contact Tiffany (360) 466-33 7

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Swinomish Gym/
Community Center
17275 Reservation
IN US
unity and help clean up
our mothers, fathers,
ews, aunties, uncles,
friends.
AGENDA
♥ 8:30 am - Opening address, sign-in,
light breakfast,
♥
9:00 am - Service projects/recycling
opportunities
♥
12:00 pm - Blessing & lunch in gym
♥
♥
1:00 pm - Service projects/recycling
opportunities continued
4:00 pm—Youth Service Project at
McGlinn Island (meet at gym)
♥
5:00 pm - Wrap up
FREE FLOWERS, PLANTS &
CLEANING KITS
♥
Stop by housing or request drop-off of
plants, flowers & cleaning kits for your
home– free for all tribal community
members.
4 or Tanisha (360) 466-1236 in the Planning Office

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Elders Craft Project:
We will be making dream catchers
at the Senior Center on Tuesday,
April 17th from 1pm-3pm for the
Elder’s Luncheon in June.
Everybody is welcome!

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Swinomish Annual
Sobriety Dinner
May 30, 2012 at 6 PM
Swinomish Youth Center
Weekly planning Weds., 1 PM, Youth Center
Submit nominations for Joe Dunn Award &
Elder Recognition 2012 at the Social Services
Bldg. and SITC Admin. Bldg.

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Gaylene Gobert, NWIC Swinomish Site Manager, (360) 466-4380, Ext. 1

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Swinomish Sports:
Page 30
Spring sports season begins for Swinomish athletes
As the weather changes and outdoor activities begin, Swinomish athletes
will get active by participating in the spring sports season. Many
Swinomish youth will participate in sports such as golf, track, and softball.
However, don’t forget about the more traditional sports like canoe
pulling!
The War Chief Canoe Club will have their first practice on April 16 after
school. Any youth who are interested in learning and participating in canoe
pulling and the competitive canoe races are encouraged to attend
the first meeting. (See page 6 for more information.)
(Left) Taysha James at
her first at bat of the
season! She was released
by her doctor's
earlier that day, to be
able to bat. She was
really excited and went
2 for 3 with a single and
a double and scored 3
RBI's.
(Right) Mike Wilbur
studying his possible
course for a putt.
Photos courtesy of Karla Reynolds
How to REGISTER to vote in state and
federal elections
If you will be 18 by the next election (November 6) and are not
registered to vote, you may pick up mail-in Voter Registration
forms from Mary Ellen Cayou in the Social Services Building.
You can use the same form to update your registration if your
name or address has changed. If you need help completing the
form, Mary Ellen will help you. You can also register to vote
online at https://wei.secstate.wa.gov/olvrsite/.
Monday, October 8, 2012 is the last day to submit voter registration
forms by mail or to register online in order to vote
in the November General Election, scheduled for November 6,
2012. You may register in person at the Skagit County
Auditor’s Office until October 29, 2012.
Any registered voter who fails to transfer his or her residential
address by the above deadline may vote according to his or her
previous registration address.

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Fish & Game Enforcement:
Page 32
Fish and Game Enforcement implement new tool to fight crab pot theft
Theft from commercial crab pots has been an ongoing
complaint over the years. Fisheries officers have spent
hours on surveillance in attempts to catch an offender red
handed, but it’s rare that officers are at the right place at
exactly the right time. That’s about to change. This year,
Fish and Game Enforcement Director Todd Wilbur invested
in a new tool to assist officers documenting this
type of offense. It’s a weatherproof digital camera that
can be set up on shore to monitor crab gear or set nets,
24/7. The camera can be set to take a picture at specified
time intervals or when it detects motion. The camera also
has the ability to take flash pictures at night that are invisible
to the human eye.
The following picture was taken by the camera on its first
deployment. The camera was mounted on the south side
of Hope Island for three days. It was set to take a picture
every five minutes. The camera captured a fisherman
working his own gear, which is what we like to see.
Below is a picture of the camera deployed to illustrate how
well it blends into the surrounding environment. It’s
mounted on the log in the center of the picture.
This new tool will greatly increase the odds of crab pot
thefts being detected. Fishman can assist fisheries patrol
officers by having their crab pot buoys marked in a unique
manner with bright colors. If your crab gear looks different,
we can better tell whether or not someone else is pulling
it.
Swinomish Fisheries:

swədəbš qyuuqs
Submitted by: Tara Satushek
Transportation/Land use Program
Page 33
Now that we are having longer days it’s time to get outside and get active!
Not only does walking let you get outside and enjoy some fresh air but it also can improve your health! The
Centers for Disease and Control Prevention (CDC) reported key findings in a study; “Relationship of Walking
to Mortality among U.S. Adults with Diabetes” stating:
• Walking lengthened the life of people with diabetes regardless of age, sex, race, body mass index, length
of time since diagnosis, and presence of complications or functional limitations.
• Among the study group, 62 % reported doing any leisure-time physical activity; 46 % reported walking for
exercise.
• People with diabetes who walked for exercise at least 2 hours a week lowered their mortality rate from all
causes by 39 %. Walking 3 to 4 hours a week reduced mortality from all causes by 54 %.
• People with diabetes who engage in at least 2 hours of any leisure-time physical activity a week had a 29
% lowered mortality risk compared with people who are inactive.
Risk of death from heart disease could by reduced by 34 % by walking at least 2 hours per week.
If you have the opportunity to walk instead of drive for short trips or for leisure get out there and enjoy the
coming spring!
Source: Edward W. Gregg; Robert B. Gerzoff; Carl J. Caspersen; David F. Williamson; and K. M. Venkat Narayan.
“Relationship of Walking to Mortality among U.S. Adults with Diabetes.” Archives of Internal Medicine Vol. 163 No.
12 (June 2003): 1440-1447.
FOUR TRIBES
FITNESS CHALLENGE
REGISTRATION MARCH 26 TH -30 TH @ The FITNESS CENTER
CHALLENGE BEGINS APRIL 1 st ~Incentive Prizes
Individual winner:
Cassandra Gonzales
33 lbs.
CONGRATULATIONS BIGGEST LOSER COMPETITORS!
Team winner: Team Generation
Luella Breckenridge
Dena Barcott
Marilyn Barcott
Total of 44.5 lbs
Biggest Loser Challenge
total loss:
388.5 lbs!

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Birthstone-
Diamond
4/1 Karla Cassimere
4/1 Ina Cayou
4/1 Janice Bill
4/2 Matthew Stone
4/2 Colin Mitchell
4/2 Felipe Deleon
4/2 Gregory Topaum
4/3 Nathan Stone
4/3 Layla Wilbur-Westendorf
4/3 Amanda Washington
4/5 Joleine Cladoosby
4/5 April James
4/5 Mikailah Johnston
4/6 Taysha James
4/6 Darryl Dan
4/6 Jamall James
4/6 Kalikiano Adams
4/6 Troy Sampson
4/7 Gasper Sylvester
4/8 Dyson Edwards
4/8 Ajay Damien
4/8 Rosemary Cayou
4/9 Jerry Cayou
4/9 Greg Edwards
4/9 Robert Kellerman
4/10 Robert Williams
4/11 James Smith
4/11 Breanna Bill
4/11 Leonard Bill
4/11 Brenda Bobb
4/11 Ronald Day Sr.
4/12 Donna Dan
4/12 Kathryn Damien-Flores
4/12 Lornajo Dan
4/13 Frank Cayou
4/14 Ronald Williams III
4/14 Jonathan Jack
4/14 Earl James Jr.
4/14 Quentin Edwards
4/15 Glen Edwards Sr.
4/15 Ethel Barber
4/15 Darrell Sylvester
4/15 Richard Wilbur
4/16 William Keo
4/16 Richard Cayou Sr.
4/16 Russell Edwards
4/18 Ryan Charles
4/19 Sophie Bailey
4/19 Grover Topaum Jr.
4/19 Sally Wilbur
4/19 Bryan Day
4/19 Tyler Day
4/19 Joseph Sampson
4/20 Jesse Edwards
4/20 Lori Quintasket
4/21 Andre Tom
4/21 Patricia John
4/21 Jeanette Quintasket
4/22 Matthew Johnston
4/23 Josephina Adams
4/24 Francis Peters
4/24 Corey Damien
4/25 Regena Bob
4/25 Lori Dimond
4/25 Arianna Murchison
4/25 Joanna Bobb
4/25 Jadee Dan
4/26 Phillip Dan
4/26 Marie Franklin
4/27 Samantha Sams
4/27 Ada Damien
4/28 Tracy James
4/28 Wilfred Johnston
4/29 Helen Lewis
4/29 Sonny James
4/30 Craig Bill
Flower– Diasy

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Happy Birthday Dad & Uncle Joe Sampson!
We love you and miss you from the
Sampson & Finkbonner Family
To Cousin Bill Keo—Happy 44th Birthday from the
Sampson & Finkbonner Family!
Great catch!
St. Paul’s Catholic Church, Swinomish
Submitted by Bev Peters
Funds are being raised to support 4 parishoners who
have the opportunity to attend a monumental occasion
for Catholics all over the world, but especially for
Native American Catholics. The canonization of
Kateri Tekakwitha, “Lily of the Mohawks,” has been
approved by the Pope because of a miracle that happened
here in the Northwest for a 6 year old Lummi
Nation boy, with ties to St. Paul’s at Swinomish.
Jimi Grossglass
caught this
Halibut. It
took four
men to pull
it in the
boat!
Congrats!
Kateri Tekakwitha is the first Native American woman
to be venerated in the
roman Catholic
Church. Tekakwitha
was beatified by
the Blessed Pope
John Paul II in
1980, and will
be canonized
on October
21, 2012 at
the St. Peter’s
Basilica, the
Vatican, Rome,
Italy.

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APRIL
• 01—Four Tribes Fitness
Challenge begins
• 01—April Fool’s Day
• 03—Senate Meeting, 9am,
Admin Building.
• 03—NWIC Spring Quarter
Begins
• 04—Swinomish Lodge
Community Dinner, 6:30pm
• 06—Good Friday
• 08—Easter Sunday
• 11—Swinomish Education
Dinner, 6pm
• 15—Keeyoks Deadline for
articles, photos, announcements
and birthday wishes
are Due!
• 16—Warchief Canoe Club,
after school at the canoe
shed
• 17—Elder’s Craft Project, 1-
3pm, Senior Center
• 18—SITC Community Dinner
at 6:00pm in the Youth
Center
• 19—Food Commodities will
be distributed in the Social
Services Building.
• 21-3rd Annual Lushootseed
Language Conference, Seattle
University
• 18-20—2nd Annual Native
Youth Conference, Seattle,
WA
• 25—Swinomish Clean-up
Day/Earth Day, 8:30am-
5pm
MAY
• 19-20—Annual Hibulb Pow
Wow, Everett Community
College
• 23—Tribal Mental Health
Conference, Skagit Resort
• 24—Swinomish Women’s
Health Fair, 9am-4:30pm
• 30—Swinomish Sobriety
Dinner, 6pm
JUNE
• 07—NWIC Graduation
• Blessing of the Fleet
• Swinomish Elder’s Luncheon
JULY
• 12-14—7th Annual Vine
Deloria Symposium, Northwest
Indian College
• 30-31—Paddle to Squaxin
Protocol, Squaxin Island
Tribe
AUGUST
• 01-05—Paddle to Squaxin
Protocol, Squaxin Island
Tribe
• 23—Swinomish Community
Clam Bake
SEPTEMBER
OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
DECEMBER
*Please submit important dates to the
qyuuqs (Kee Yoks)!

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Page 39
FREE ADS: To place a free ad please contact the Kee Yoks at keeyoks@gmail.com
Swinomish tribal member recommended!
NAMAPAHH
:)
Get noticed! Free ad here.
Carvings and
Prints for sale by
Frank Campbell
360-333-2796
or 360-399-1043
First People's Radio
is hosted and produced by
Robin Carneen,
an enrolled member of the Swinomish
Indian Tribal Community,
in La Conner, WA. Topics include-
Native American news, views &
music & you can listen online at
(archives too!):
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/
namapahh_radio

The Swinomish Indian
Tribal Community
qyuuks
KEEYOKS Newspaper
17337 Reservation Road
La Conner, WA 98257
PRSRT STD
US Postage Paid
Permit #35
ANACORTES, WA
98221
KEE YOKS on line:
http://
www.swinomish-nsn.gov/
“NEWS”
Search: Swinomish Kee Yoks Newspaper
OR CURRENT RESIDENT
Photo: Ann Smock