Back to Newsletter

Training Brought Leaders of Ten Tribal Nations to Tulalip

The training was focused upon what an elected tribal leader needs to know today to be successful in their role and for their tribe. Topics included intergovernmental relations, the foundation of tribal sovereignty, and the role of tribes as sovereign nations.

The steering committee included Jamestown S’Klallam chairman Ron Allen; Tulalip chairwoman Teri Gobin; Lummi Indian Business Council member Henry Cagey; and Squaxin Island chairman Kris Peters. The committee guided the development of this unique training to make sure it met the needs of tribal leaders in the Northwest.

Chairwoman Gobin said that it is better to work together as tribes, and “it is amazing how much you can learn” from other tribes and tribal leaders who will share information and ideas. She said, “It is important to make notes, make friends and have respect for one another.”

Lyn Dennis, tribal liaison for The Evergreen State College, took the lead in recruiting attendance and organizing the three-day training, which concluded with elected leaders receiving certificates of completion in a graduation ceremony. “The desired outcome is that you will be better prepared to represent your Tribal Citizens,” said Dennis.

Jamestown S’Klallam chairman Ron Allen said this training was an opportunity for elected tribal leaders to step back from their busy schedules and look at the big picture of how and why their roles are important to their tribal nations.

He said, “Becoming a tribal leader in the 21st century has become a much more complicated and challenging duty for tribal council members today. Even though Tribes have become more successful in the last twenty to thirty years, finding balance for all the programs, services, and duties to represent our tribal nations requires focused dedication, commitment, and sensitivity to our communities’ countless needs.”

Mel Tonasket, former chairman of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville, who is also a former National Congress of American Indians president, urged tribal leaders to hold onto their Tribe’s sovereignty with all their knowledge and strength. He said that is what an earlier generation of leaders did, and taught him and others to follow in their footsteps. He said part of the role of leaders is to pass on knowledge to the next generation of leaders, whether they are in your tribe or not.

Eric Eberhard, associate director of the University of Washington’s Native American Law Center, told the elected leaders to grow their network of contacts in the state and federal government, and particularly with Congress. He said, “It is very important for elected tribal leaders to be the voice for their tribe when it comes to dealing with the Congress. It is also important to make sure that the information you provide to members of the House and Senate is consistently accurate and reliable. That will become the foundation for the relationships that are necessary to achieve your goals in Congress.”

By Lyn Dennis

Tulalip, WA. —A new program, The Elected Tribal Official Academy Training by The Evergreen State College took place on Feb. 7 to 9, 2023, at the Tulalip Resort Casino and the Tulalip Gathering Hall. Elected leaders from The Tulalip Tribes, the Lummi Nation, the Nooksack Tribe, the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe, the Cowlitz Tribe, the Sauk-Suiattle Tribe, the Confederated Tribes of Colville, the Confederated Tribes of Umatilla, the Suquamish Tribe, and the Squaxin Island Tribe were in attendance.

Lummi Indian Business Council member Henry Cagey told the elected leaders of tribal nations assembled, “As we look at the lay of the land with our leaders, we want them to be well informed and well equipped for any issue

that they face,” said Cagey, a member of the steering committee for this training. “We want good strong leaders to lead our people. And that they be able to stand up for their Tribe and speak for their people.”

Evergreen’s Tribal Relations, Arts and Cultures Division collaborated with the Native Nations Institute of the University of Arizona, and with a core team of leaders, including Cagey, who served as the steering committee for this training.

A reception was held to connect tribal leaders with seventeen tribal liaisons from agencies in the State of Washington, such as the Department of Social and Health Services, Department of Corrections, Department of Revenue, Labor and Industries, and Deputy Insurance Commissioner Consumer Protection Division.

The Tulalip Tribes hosted the graduation on February 9 at their beautiful Tulalip Gathering Hall located on the Tulalip Reservation overlooking the water. They served a delicious breakfast and lunch for the tribal leadership.

The following are comments by the tribal leadership about the training:

Tulalip Tribes chairwoman Teri Gobin said, “This is an amazing training. I have learned so much.”

Tulalip Tribes board of director secretary Debra Posey said, “I had served on the Board for twelve years previously. I learned from former leaders and the tribal members that built our tribes. I don’t remember ever receiving formal training. It was an eye-opener, and we are never too old to learn.”

Suquamish Tribal vice-chairman Josh Bagley said, “I liked the reception and meeting tribal liaisons, and those are the connections we need to make.”

Confederated Tribes of Colville Nespelem district representative Alison Ball said, “I liked the legal presentation and recognizing our true sovereignty. We need the tribes to work together and be involved with problem-solving.”

Samish Tribal Council member Theresa Metcalf said, “During the break-out sessions, there were a lot of differences amongst the tribes. I would also like to thank the Tulalip Resort Casino staff.”

Cowlitz Tribal Council member Larry Kestner said, “Networking is invaluable, we are much stronger together.”

Nooksack Tribal chairwoman Rosemary LaClair said, “I enjoyed our lunch presentation by Mel Tonasket about the importance of holding onto our sovereignty.” She said the training reminded her to be aware of the topics when voting on behalf of the tribal council and this training was very informational.

Lummi Indian Business Council member Jim Washington said, “There was so much information at this training and connections were made, and it’s important to continue them. The training is amazing and I would like to extend gratitude to the Tulalip Tribes.”

Certificates of Completion graduates for the “Elected Tribal Official Academy” Training:

Josh Bagley, vice-chairman, Suquamish Tribe

Alison Ball, Nespelem District representative, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation

Marvin Campbell, treasurer, Squaxin Island Tribe

Patty Kinswa-Gaiser, chairwoman, Cowlitz Tribe

Kim Appelt, Tribal Council vice-chair, Cowlitz Tribe

Larry Kestner, Tribal Council Member, Cowlitz Tribe

Vanessa Robertson, Tribal Council member, Cowlitz Tribe

Kris Dillehay, Tribal Council member, Cowlitz Tribe

Cheryl Bell, Tribal Council at-Large, Cowlitz Tribe

Robin Torner, Tribal Council at-large, Cowlitz Tribe

Whitney Mosback, general council secretary, Cowlitz Tribe

Teri Gobin, chair, Tulalip Board of Directors

Misty Naphtha, vice-chair, Tulalip Board of Directors

Pat Contraro, treasurer, Tulalip Board of Directors

Debra Posey, secretary, Tulalip Board of Directors

Marie Zackuse, council member, Tulalip Board of Directors

Mel Sheldon, council member, Tulalip Board of Directors

Hazen Shopbell, council member, Tulalip Board of Directors

Theresa Metcalf, council member, Samish Indian Nation

Lindsey Watchman, M.Ed., chair, general council, Conf. Tribes of the Umatilla Reservation

Yvonne Cagey, Lummi Indian Business Council member

Vendean “Jim” Washington, Lummi Indian Business Council member

Rosalee Revey-Jacobs, Lummi Indian Business Council member

Kevin Lenon, council member, Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe

Rosemary LaClair, chairwoman, Nooksack Tribe

Ryawn Cline, council member, Nooksack Tribe

Victoria Joe, council member, Nooksack Tribe

Dana Ward, Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Council member