Here - the NookSack Indian Tribe

Cover Artist Jonathan Williams
Jonathan Williams is a Nooksack tribal member
who descends from Josephine Phillips. Jonathan,
from the Cheam First Nation, grew up and lives in
Chilliwack. Jonathan has been an artist ever since he
could remember. At the age of 7 he was introduced
to realism drawing by Delvis Morrison. In the year
2000 he started to teach himself how to draw First
Nation/ Stó:lō art . In 2002 Jared Deck showed him
some illustrated art work, and taught him some
basics then he continued teaching himself how to
use the computer program called adobe illustrator.
Jonathan loves to draw, paint, and carve, and use
illustration. He enjoys creating art work, creating people’s vision of what they
want. Jonathan is excited and is looking forward to where his art career will
take him.
The two wolfs represent family - mother/father, male / female, brother /sister.
Wolf packs stick together and work together as one. The beaver represents
the hard work it takes to survive. So together, this piece is like our teachings
of family and hard work to pull together as one.
© 2015 Nooksack Indian Tribe. All Rights Reserved. No Part of this document may be
reproduced in any form without written consent of the copyright holder.
Nooksack Indian Tribe
5016 Deming Road | P.O. Box 157
Deming, WA 98244
Phone: (360) 592-5176 | Fax: (360) 592-2125
www.nooksacktribe.org
Table of Contents
Table of Contents……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 1
Message from the Council…………………………………………………………………………………………… 2-3
Administration………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 4-6
Community Events…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 5
Veterans Program…………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Grants Program……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 6
Committees……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Diabetes Program……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 7
Health Clinic…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 8-14 …
Billing………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 11
Contract Health Staff and Benefits Coordinator………………………………………………………………… 11
Nooksack Behavioral Health…………………………………………………………………………………… 12-13
Nooksack Dental Center…………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
Fitness Program……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 14
Nooksack Way of Life……………………………………………………………………………………………… 15-16
Genesis II………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 16
Tribal Enrollment Department………………………………………………………………………………………… 17
Information Technology (IT)…………………………………………………………………………………………… 18
Education…………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 19-23
Social Services …………………………………………………………………………………………………… 23-24
Human Resources………………………………………………………………………………………………… 25-27
Nooksack indian Tribal Organizational Chart………………………………………………………………… 26-27
Family Services……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 28-29
Youth …………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 30
Tribal Court……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 31
Police Department……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 32
Planning………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 33
Housing……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 34-36
Facilities and Maintenance……………………………………………………………………………………… 37-38
Natural Resources………………………………………………………………………………………………… 39-41
Office of Tribal Attorney…………………………………………………………………………………………… 42-43
Accounting………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 44-46
Culture……………………………………………………………………………………………………………… 47-48
Tribal Gaming Authority (TGA)………………………………………………………………………………………… 49
Market Center……………………………………………………………………………………………………… 50-51
Nooksack Automotive………………………………………………………………………………………………… 52
Prayer………………………………………………………………………………………………… inside back cover
1
Message from the Council
We are pleased and honored to bring this Annual Report to the Tribal membership, which chronicles our
accomplishments for the 2015 fiscal year. 2015 was a productive year: good in many ways. However, we had to
weather some difficult political and economic conditions; regardless, we forged ahead, working diligently towards
the mission and goals outlined in our 2012 Strategic Plan.
We, as council members, are proud and pleased to be leaders of such a dedicated sovereign nation that
works in so many different arenas to the effect of our people. We rely on our membership for their support and
recommendations; on our staff to accomplish what we could not do without their skills and expertise; on our
fellow Tribal collaborations; and on those who work tirelessly at federal, state and local levels to represent us
and move ongoing priorities forward.
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Robert Kelly, Jr.
Nooksack Tribal Council
Chairman
2015 Tribal Council
Robert “Bob” Kelly, Jr., Chairman ([email protected])
Rick D. George, Vice Chairman ([email protected])
Agripina “Abbie” Smith, Treasurer ([email protected])
Nadene Rapada, Secretary ([email protected])
Robert “Bob” Solomon, council member (position A) ([email protected])
Carmen Tageant, council member (position B) ([email protected])
Agripina “Lona” Johnson, council member (position C) ([email protected])
Katherine Canete, council member (position D) ([email protected])
The governmental and business affairs of the Nooksack Indian Tribe are conducted by the Tribal Council
(as council members and as board members). The Tribal Council exercises, promotes and protects Tribal
sovereignty on the Reservation, on trust land (including housing sites), and within the Tribe’s off-reservation
(U&As) usual and accustomed treaty areas and open and unclaimed (“O&U”).
The Council adopts Tribal ordinances and applies them to all activities within Reservation boundaries, trust
land, housing sites, and within the Tribe’s off-reservation U&As and O&Us.
Notable accomplishments of the current council:
1. This Council has turned the Tribe around financially - went from a deficient to a balanced budget.
2. The Tribe is now in good position to receive additional funding and we are now considered a low-risk
guarantee.
2
Message from the Council
3. The Housing Program is now self-sufficient and all audits are without findings.
4. The Tribal Council is currently moving land from fee status to trust status, which in-turn will create a larger
Reservation land base. And we are constantly looking for land to possibly purchase.
5. The Tribal Council, in conjunction with the Health Clinic, is making strides to build a new Health Clinic to
better serve the Tribal membership.
6. Many programs, such as SAMSHA and the Si:wesa:ylhem tset Class have been created and put into
practice to better serve the Tribal membership.
7. The heart of this Tribe will always be our culture. Tribal Council and the Culture Department are ever
diligently preserving our cultural ways through preservation of artifacts; teaching of our language; and,
recording of our history. This also occurs through promoting unity by bringing our members together at
community events.
8. With the current Council, elders and the youth are protected and provided for better than ever before.
The elders are our gateway to our history and important to our way of life. And the youth are our future.
9. The Veteran’s program, in conjunction with Tribal Council, acknowledge the significant sacrifice that our
military veterans have so willing given of themselves to our Tribe and to our country. It is only right that we
work steadfast to acquire as many benefits possible for them. Currently, the Council/VA program is working
to secure a reimbursement agreement with the VA so that our Veteran Tribal members can work more
closely with their own familiar Tribal Health Clinic (and the Health Clinic will be reimbursed by the VA for the
vet’s care, providing a revenue stream to the Health Clinic).
10. Since 2012, the Tribal Council has put into place a full-time working Court system to ensure that the
Tribal membership has a justice system for most legal needs. It has not been an easy feat keeping this
system in place – we have seen two judges, two probation officers and a few public defenders. However, at
the center of any good government, is a sound and prudent Court system.
11. In 2015, one hundred and thirty-five (135) resolutions were passed for the oversight of the government
and departmental operations.
12. The Council is vigilantly protecting Tribal natural resources and U&A rights. This is a constant and steady
battle.
13. Council is and has been fighting to protect our sovereignty and our rights to make laws and self-govern.
14. Council successfully negotiated the settlement of a large debt against the Northwood, acquired
many years ago. Now the casino is in good financial standing and able to provide revenue to the Tribal
government, to provide services for our membership.
On a sad note, our beloved River Casino was constructively forced to close. The lender in this matter
was unwilling to negotiate a settlement. The casino did not generate enough revenue to make the monthly
payment causing the lender to become impatient. The lender swept the accounts leaving the casino without
enough money, as prescribed by law, to open.
The Tribal Council members are aware of what the River meant to the membership and tried very hard over
the course of five years and many court proceedings to prevent this outcome.
3
Administration
Greetings and Happy New Year!
It is with pride that I present to you the Nooksack Tribe’s 2015 annual report!
I hope you enjoy the information contained within this report which provides a
brief description of the Nooksack Tribe’s achievements made during the past year.
There is so much to be proud of here at Nooksack. Our staff has been dedicated to
continually work to expand and improve services available to the tribal membership.
The Tribal Council, Tribal Administration and the Tribal Staff have all maintained its
priority to provide services that the tribal members can see, touch and feel.
In the past year all departments within the tribal organization has continued to
grow and improve to provide high quality services while preserving our Nooksack
culture and way of life. Most recently a very important spiritual message was
delivered to the Nooksack people. This message was very clear to tell us that
our Nooksack ancestors are here, they are real and they are here to help us. This
TsBaDo Whichtalum
Katherine R. Canete, MPA
message is most important to believe while we work to provide and protect our
General Manager
elders, children and families, and the future of the Nooksack Tribe.
The work and accomplishments within this report would not be possible without the hard work and
dedication of all employees, committees, and of course the Nooksack Tribal Council. I hope you find the 2015
Annual Report to be informative!
Sincerely,
TsBaDo Whichtalum (Katherine R. Canete)
General Manager
The Nooksack Tribal Administration is
comprised of the General Manager, Chief of
Staff, and Administration Receptionists. The
Nooksack Tribal Administration is committed
to serving the Nooksack people in a manner
guided by the Tribal Council. Admin focuses on
maximizing the Tribe’s resources and to present
an operational environment that allow programs
Charity Bernard
Sarah Cline
LaCree-Sha Roberts
Chief of Staff
Receptionist
Receptionist
to best meet the needs of Tribal members.
The Tribe’s General Manager oversees all tribal staff and directly supervises the directors of the Tribe’s
eighteen principal departments. The Chief of Staff mainly provides support to the General Manager and the
Receptionists answer the phones for the government, as a whole, and also provide light clerical support to the
General Manager, Chief of Staff and to the Accounting Department.
Administration works closely with the Tribal Council to ensure their strategic goal plans are carried out,
as well as other goals as they are developed. The Tribe has received clean audits since 2012; in process of
publishing a plan for a Tribal Center; employee benefits package is now in place; the pay grade scale has
been established; the personnel policy manual has been implemented; and the Tribal Council in conjunction
with the Administration are on track to meet the future goals outlined in the 2012 Strategic Plan.
4
Administration
Community Events
Community Events assists with coordinating and organizing annual events for the
Nooksack Indian Tribal Community. In 2015, at the direction of Tribal Council, hosted the
events below. For each of the hosted events, much work goes into planning and or ganizing
the event; planning prize money and give-aways; canning; making crafts; and buying blankets
and handmade items from our Tribal members. For any outdoor event, the Community
Events Coordinator, with the planning committees, hire canoe clubs to do the clean-up and
garbage detail after the event to help the canoe clubs with fund raising. In addition to events,
Community Events also has a budget provided b y Tribal Council for repairs for Journey
Canoes and Racing Canoes that are owned by the Tribe and Nooksack Families. Agripina Abbie Smith
Mother’s Day Races (May, 2015) - There were thirty-five canoes total and
Events Coordinator
approximately $20,000 was given away to the winning canoes, handshakes and for
Tribal Council Treasurer
giveaways (canned salmon, towels and blankets).
(May, 2015) Sla hal Tournament was held over the weekend of May 16th and 17th at the community Building.
Fifty teams showed up to compete and approximately $17,000 was given away for prize money.
(June, 2015) On June 3rd, the Salmon Ceremony was held at the Nooksack River by a small drum group,
Georgie Swanaset, Jr., and our own Salmon boy, Aden Delgado. This small but very important group held the
ceremony before Noon. Upon return, this same group went to the elders Luncheon and barbequed salmon.
The ceremony members were each wrapped with blankets and thanked.
(June, 2015) The Spring Dinner was held on June 25th and was catered by the Northwood Casino. For
entertainment, we hired Travis Holtman, to show one of his film “Legends of the Sky”.
(June, 2015) Graduation Honorarium – In June, to honor the 2015 high school, GED and college graduates,
Community Events gifted Nooksack Tribal Blankets and an honorarium check to each of the graduates in honor
of their achievement.
(July, 2015) Canoe Landing and Canoe Journey – Many months went into planning and coordinating the
landing and journey with other tribes, such as, Swinomish, Puyallup and Muckleshoot. Our landing was the
start of this mini Journey from the Nooksack Tribe Birch Bay site to Muckleshoot. The tribes that started at
Birch Bay were Chinook, Warm Springs, Puyallup, Nisqually, Blue Heron, Swinomish, Samish, Lummi, Nooksack,
Squaxin, Suquamish, Cowlitz Tulalip and one Island Canoe. Three canoe families came to share a meal, we had
a giveaway, and we shared some songs. The journey for the Nooksack consisted of stops at Lummi, Samish,
Swinomish, Tulalip, and the final destination Muckleshoot. We celebrated there for three days.
(August, 2015) The Employee Picnic was held on August 24th for all tribal staff and their families at the
Deming Log Show. The picnic was catered by Northwood casino. Entertainment included a performance by a
Hawaiian dance group that Georgie and Lolita’s daughter, Lainoni, is a part of.
(September, 2015) Nooksack Days was held the weekend of September 19th and 20th. During the weekend,
the Tribe hosted a pow wow, Sla hal tournament, and dinner catered by Northwood Casino. Approxiately
$17,000 was given away for prize money at the Sla hal tournament at which forty-three teams competed.
Approximately $10,000 was given away as prizes for the pow wow dance contest.
(November, 2015) Heritage Dinner — November has been declared by the State of Washington as Heritage
month. In celebration, Community Events hosted a Heritage Dinner for the Community. It was catered by
Northwood casino. Indian lotions, homemade jelly and jams, homemade fruit rollups, handmade socks,
hats, headbands, cedar hats, baskets, carvings, and drums were purchased from our Tribal members for the
give-aways.
(December, 2015) On December 17th, Community Events hosted a Christmas Dinner for the community.
Four Hundred Sixty goodie bags were put together by the committee. Dinner was catered by Northwood and
Santa made an appearance. This event had a record attendance of approximately 700 people.
5
Administration
Nooksack Tribal Veterans Program
The Nooksack Tribal Veterans Program is under the direction of the General
Manager and in existence to assist Tribal veterans with obtaining their discharge
papers; applying for assistance from the VA Health Care System and for connected
compensation benefits; applying for home loan benefits; and to help educate
veterans on all of the benefits available to them.
Annual Events Hosted by the Nooksack Tribal Veteran’s Program:
• May 31 – Memorial Day Ceremony
• November 11 – Veteran’s Day Ceremony and Luncheon
Jovie Joven
Veterans Program Manager.
Projects Initiated and Completed by Nooksack Tribal Veteran’s Program:
• Outreach Pilot of the mobile MMU primary care and mental health check-ups
for Nooksack
• Office located for the Nooksack Tribal Veteran’s Program office
• Veteran’s Museum
Veteran Program Projects In Process:
• VA Reimbursement Sharing Agreement for Direct Care Services at Nooksack Health Clinic
• Pursuing a permanent home for American Legion, Wendell H. Fidele Post 83
• Find a volunteer, etc., to assist with veteran transportation for medical appointments
• Improve attendance of monthly meetings
• Improve volunteerism to help with military burial ceremonies
• Develop a roster of tribal veterans (deceased and living)
• Advocate for more veteran benefits
• Develop a veteran’s cemetery
In 2015, the Veteran’s Office was relocated to the Social Services Building on Deming Road. Should you
need assistance, please call or visit the Veteran’s Office.
Monthly Meetings:
The American Legion, Wendell H. Fidele, Post83, meets every third Wednesday of the month, at 6 PM, in
the lower level Conference Room at the Tribal Administration Building, located at 5016 Deming Road, Deming
Washington. We encourage all Veterans, Tribal and non-Tribal to join us.
Grants Program
The Grants Program is under the direct supervision of the General Manager.
In 2015, the grants program applied for fourteen grants and the Tribe was awarded nine.
Currently, the Tribe is looking to hire an additional grant writer.
Raynell Wurtz
Grant Manager
6
Committees
Education Committee
• Denise Jefferson, Chairman
• Vacant, Vice Chair
• Deanna Francis, Secretary
• Frank Leyva, Treasurer
• Julie Jefferson, Elder
• Sandra Bura, Community at Large
• Precious Luli, Community at Large
Head Start Policy Council
• Frank Leyva, Chairman
• Jessica Flores, Vice Chair
• LeAndra Smith, Secretary
• Jennifer Williams, Treasurer
• Melissa Lopez, alternate
Nooksack Housing Advisory Committee
• Maureen Marshall
• Heidi Davis
• Mary Delgado
• Sandra Joseph
• Stewart Roberts
Cultural Committee
• Pete Joseph, Chairman • George Swanaset, Jr.
• Sandra Joseph
• Wachekiya Roberts
• Jeremiah Johnny
• Trevor Delgado
• Crystal Bailey
• Roy Bailey
• Lawrence Bailey
Hunting Committee
• Gary Kentner, Chairman
• Richard Julian, Vice Chair
• Rosemary LaClair, Recording Secretary
• George Swanaset, Jr. • Jack Cline
• Mike Rabang
• Mike Kentner
• Jeremiah Johnny
• Cody Anderson
Elders Committee
• Gary MacWilliams
• Walter Roberts
• Maureen Marshall
• Merle Leathers • Sandra Joseph
• Elouise Zapata
• Gordon Cline
• Sherrie Johnny
Diabetes Program
The Nooksack Diabetes Program works through education and wellness activities with a
goal to prevent diabetes complications in tribal members with diabetes and to prevent
diabetes in tribal members who may be at risk. We have a Diabetes Team which includes medical providers,
nursing staff and diabetes program staff that meets monthly to review patient care and education activities.
In 2015, we continued to provide individual and/or group education on nutrition, diabetes and diabetes prevention.
We offered a monthly diabetes clinic with breakfast, education on a health topic and diabetes check-up with a
medical provider. We offered cooking classes and food demonstrations at Community Housing sites and the clinic.
We conducted or supported a number of activities to promote wellness including:
• A monthly diabetes lunch with an education topic (May through Sept.)
• Annual diabetes health challenge
• Diabetes screening at the Community Health Fair in September
• Assisted local tribal sports team and canoe club with registration
fees or uniforms
• Paid registration fees for tribal members to participate in local
Jingle Bell Run in Dec. (100 members signed up)
• Paid for visits for tribal members to utilize the Arne Hanna Aquatic
Center in Bellingham for swim activities.
Sandra Bura
Barbara Himes
Physical
Activity
RD, CDE, Registered
Barb Himes is available on Monday, Wednesday and Thursdays for
Specialist, Healthy
Dietitian / Nutritionist
individual appointments.
Heart / Wellness
Certified Diabetes
Assistant
Educator
Sandra Bura is available Monday through Thursday.
7
Health Clinic
Improving Health in our Community
The Medical Clinic is an ambulatory clinic that provides on-site acute and preventative care to the Nooksack
Indian Tribe and eligible members of federally recognized Tribes.
The Nooksack Health Clinic services include: Family Medicine, Pediatric Medicine, Family Planning,
Women’s Health, Diabetes Screening and Testing, Nutrition Education, and
Community Health/Community Nurse services. The Medical Clinic has a
highly skilled team of physicians, nurse practitioners and nurses to provide
comprehensive personalized health care for our patients of all ages.
We offer medical care services, Monday through Friday 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
and Walk-ins 9:00 AM to 9:45 AM and 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM, with the exception of
the morning of the first and third Wednesday of the month, major holidays, and
planned Tribal closures.
The clinic participates in various programs including: Citrine Health – Breast,
Cervical and Colon Cancer Preventive Care; Special Supplemental Nutrition
Program for Woman, Infant and Children; Diabetes; Afterschool Health Education
Programs; Head Start; and Community health.
Our health care team consists of two Registered Nurses, two Licensed Nurses,
Lona Johnson
and
a Medical Assistant who work closely with our providers consisting of two
Health Clinic Director
Nurse Practitioners, a Pediatrician, and a Doctor of Osteopathy.
In 2015, we implemented our Electronic Health Record system (EHR) to improve
continuity of care with screenings and immunizations. With that we were able to
identify and increase our Government Performance and Results Act screenings.
The clinic hosted its annual Community Health Fair, as well as three separate
screenings for Breast Cancer. Our nurses worked with the afterschool program
to develop educational sessions targeted towards various age groups, these
included: Hygiene, Healthy Relationships and Smoking Cessation.
Andrea Garcia, RN
Our three year ‘Project Connect’ grant ended, and what a year it was! With
Medical Clinic Manager
this grant we were able to provide services to victims of Domestic Violence and
Sexual Assault. The grant funded the Nooksack Youth Retreat in October, where forty Nooksack youth/teens
participated in a two day conference, which included an education session on: Hygiene, Domestic Violence,
Healthy Relationships, and Suicide Prevention. Each participant then took part in the IFly experience in Tukwila.
The grant also hosted the Mother’s day Canoe race at Lummi.
Nooksack Medical Providers
Sara Sheaffer is board certified in Family Medicine by the American College
of Osteopathic Family Practitioners, and provides a full spectrum of primary
health care services, including the care of children, adults, elders and women’s
health services. She is also skilled in Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine, a
hands-on technique for relieving muscle and joint pain, headaches and many
other chronic health conditions. *She is available for appointments Monday,
Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
8
HC - Billing
Health Clinic
Nooksack Medical Providers, continued
Kathy Puderbaugh is an Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner; board certified
as both an Adult Nurse Practitioner and Women’s Health Nurse Practitioner. She holds
ADN and ATA degrees from Olympic College, Bremerton, and BSN and MN degrees
from the University of Washington, Seattle. She can provide primary care to adults,
male and female, and has extensive training in gynecological procedures particular to
women’s health. Her family is enrolled Jamestown S’Klallam. *Available for appointments
Monday-Thursday.
Cate Webb has been serving this community since 2010. She specializes in
Pediatric medicine and sees patients, birth to 21 years old. She earned her MD
degree from the University of Washington and completed her residency training
in pediatrics from the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. She has 17 years of
experience in her field. One of her favorite aspects of her job is to see the
children at their check-up appointments and watch them grow up over the
years. Her philosophy for her profession is to treat her patients like she would
someone in her own family. *Appointments available Monday, Thursday and
Fridays.
Evelyn Oxenford is nationally certified as an ARNP (Advanced Registered
Nurse Practitioner) and provides primary health care to people of all ages,
with specialty in Family Care. She is also licensed as a Registered Respiratory
Therapist, with special interest in Asthma and COPD care and prevention. She
attended Ohio State University and University of Washington. She has been with
the Nooksack Community since 2012. *Appointments can be made with her
Tuesday-Friday.
Nursing and Medical Support Staff
Georgiann Ruiz, LPN
Community Health Nurse
Amy Kalsbeek, CMA
Tanya Mack, RN, BSN
Sophia Curl, RN, BSN
Lead Nurse
Alicia Johnny
Medical Support Specialist
Elaine Hillaire
Patient Registration
Not Pictured:
Althea Roberts
Medical Records
9
Health Clinic
CHR Program
The CHR Program was implemented to improve health knowledge by
promoting, supporting, and assisting the Nooksack Health Care Center.
The goal of The CHR Program is to address health care needs through the
provisions of community-based, well-trained, medically-guided health care
workers.
Curative, preventive, rehabilitative and home health care services are
provided by the CHR Program.
Transportation is provided within the local community to/from our Tribal
Clinic for routine, non-emergency problems to a patient without other means
of transportation, when necessary.
Candace Kelly
CHR Supervisor
CHR:
• acts as an advocate for the communities served by Federal, State and local
agencies.
Peter Kelly, Chris Cooper, CHR
• assists the agencies by clarifying the role of Native traditions, value systems
and other cultural beliefs to meet the health care needs of the communities,
thereby reducing health conditions of the Nooksack People.
• coordinates with the health care provider and the Nooksack People to
ensure the provisions of people are met.
Victoria Joe, CHR
Kurtis Kelly, CHR
• assists in demonstrations on safety, nutrition, diabetes and other areas of
health concerns.
• promotes health care education and host booths at health fairs or
community events.
Nooksack WIC Program
Our WIC program is managed by Natasha Miranda. WIC services are
available Monday through Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm.
Natasha Miranda
WIC Manager
10
Nooksack WIC has been slowly growing over the past two years. In 2013,
our WIC grant covered 175 clients. We are now at a grant allowance of
250 clients and continuing to do outreach to maintain or exceed grant
allowances. We are always open to take in new clients and help out families
with checks for nutritious foods, breastfeeding support, and nutrition
education. We also provide resources and do classes at the Nooksack Clinic
for Car Seat Safety and Breastfeeding support. **Our Registered Dietician
has been helping WIC grow and provide additional services at no charge to
WIC clients.
Health Clinic
Billing
In the third party billing department we work behind the
scenes to maximize the amount of reimbursement from health
insurance companies for the services provided here in the health
department. Our program is comprised of four billing staff. We
coordinate closely with the Medical Clinic, Chemical Dependency
Skinner
Lindsay Paez
and Behavioral Health programs, billing for all applicable services Kristi
Medical Billing Supervisor Medical Biller & Coder
provided by the programs. We send claims to all qualifying health
insurances, including Medicaid, Medicare, Shasta, and many more.
We process each claim individually, including submitting, tracking,
receiving, and applying the payments sent by the insurance
companies. We provide weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly
reports to the program managers, health director, and to the
finance department. We also work with registration, tribal assistors,
Lori Charlie
Nate Smith
and the benefits coordinator to identify any community members
Medical Billing Specialist Medical Biller
who may qualify for assistance in getting health insurance.
In the Spring, we decided to move to a new claims submission clearinghouse with the intent of streamlining
our electronic claims submission process. This was a success, and we have greatly reduced processing time.
This year the federal government mandated a change in the diagnosis coding system. We prepared,
trained, and coordinated with the providers and program managers to make the transition as smooth as
possible. When the change happened the first of October, we were ready, and so experienced no interruption
in claim processing. One of our billing specialists received professional training in the new coding system, and
will soon become a certified coder.
In the coming year as more services are deemed payable by the insurance companies, we will continue to
work closely with the program managers and health director to ensure we take advantage of any new available
billable service opportunities.
Contract Health Staff and Benefits Coordinator
Stacy James is our Contract Health Technician. She is responsible for authorizing and processing medical
services. She works with providers and vendors to issue purchase orders for our tribal members’ medical needs.
Benefits Specialist LeAndra Smith is a certified Navigator thru Washington Health Planfinder. She assists tribal
members with their health benefits application and manages Elder’s Medicare.
Stacy James
Contract Health
Technician
LeAndra Smith
Benefits Specialist
Jeff Bailey
Contract Health
Clerk
Jeff Bailey works for the Nooksack Clinic as Contract
Health Clerk, where he assists in authorization of
medical services for our members. He also manages the
Community Health Fund which is available to all tribal
members that are in need of services that may not be
available through CHS. Jeff also contacts vendors for
available payment options and receives and records all
payments sent out.
11
Health Clinic
Nooksack Behavioral Health
Treatment Philosophy and Description of Services
Provided:
Amanda Shannon
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor
Dr Aamer Kahn
Licensed Clinical
Psychologist
Hailee Stassner
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor
Jennifer Tietz
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor
12
The Nooksack Behavioral Health unit under the leadership of the Health Director has
adopted the philosophy of outreach and is also in the process of establishing the culture of
trauma informed care. Trauma is a near universal experience of individuals with behavioral
health problems and the individual’s experience of trauma impacts every area of human
functioning — physical, mental, behavioral, social, and spiritual. No one is immune to
the impact of trauma. Trauma affects individuals, families, and communities by disrupting
healthy development, adversely affecting relationships, and contributing to mental health
issues - including substance abuse, domestic violence, and child abuse.
The path to healing occurs by adopting the philosophy of trauma-informed care, this
treatment is based on the understanding that the impact of violent experiences and
damaging relationships affects not only the survivor’s physical, mental, emotional, and
economic wellbeing, but the spiritual as well.
Outpatient Program:
In outpatient programs, individuals are seen for individual counseling, family
counseling, crises stabilization and assessment. Sources of these referrals come
from ICW, Medical Clinic, self-referrals, families and friends. Outpatient program
also runs the Psychiatric clinic from the Behavioral Health location once a month.
Head Start:
Head Start Consultations are provided to Head Start staff to improve the
identification of interventions that lead to academic success of children.
Assessment and screening is conducted at the beginning of each year and then
prevention and Skill building groups are conducted three times a week for all
children.
Health Clinic
After School Program:
Counseling and skill building groups are provided for all age groups three
times a week for all students attending the after school program. The goal of
these groups is to build and improve culturally appropriate skills in the students
to support social emotional health. Research supports that this will help achieve
academic success.
Public School Based Advocacy and Individual
Counseling:
Individual counseling is provided in eight public schools attended by Nooksack
children. Schools covered by the service are Everson Elementary, Everson Middle
School and Everson High School, Mount Baker High School, Mount Baker
Junior High, Acme Elementary School, Kendall Elementary School and Harmony
Elementary School. The aim of the counseling is to support the social and
emotional health of the students. Additionally, the consistent weekly presence of
Nooksack Tribal counselors in these public schools help to advocate for native
students in many different situations.
Jason Geiblel
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor
Sara Majumdar
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor
Summer School Program:
In the Nooksack Youth Summer Program, the Behavioral Health unit conducts
screening and assessment for all youth and children attending the program and
continues to conduct three intervention groups per week with all attendees of the
program.
Joseph Popelka
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor
Provide Wellness Education on Behavioral Health
Issues
The Behavioral Health program also provides suicide prevention education
to the community and continuity of care for patients that are discharged from
hospitals after attempting suicide or having active suicidal thoughts.
Sarah Bulgar
Associated
Licensed Mental
Health Counselor
13
Health Clinic
Nooksack Dental Center
The Nooksack Dental Center offers general dental services to improve the health and well-being of the tribal
community. By placing an emphasis on prevention, the dental center’s primary goal remains to help prevent
cavities and disease.
Patients have an opportunity to receive routine, restorative, preventive, and pediatric dental care, as well as
other dental services. The clinic improves access to dental care for the tribal community and reduces the need for
dentally-related emergency room visits.
We also have a part-time pediatric dentist to serve the needs of young children who may have severe decay or
apprehensions. The community health fund also enables Nooksack tribal members to receive additional dental
services, which can also
substantially improve quality
of life.
We are open Monday to
Friday 8:30AM to 5:00PM.
Please call us at 360-306-5151
for an appointment.
Dr Burke Cheung,
DDS
Rosemary Morris
Office Manager
Lolita Swanaset
Office Assistant
Rosalie Ochoa
EF Dental Assistant
Fitness Program
Chris Pash
Head Instructor
Maggie Mamac
Assistant Instructor
The fitness program, which started in late 2014, continues its growth in participants and
size. More people are starting to understand how important it is to include exercise in their
daily routine and healthy eating in their diet. Each class offers various exercises so that
everyone can participate, no matter the athletic level and limitations.
In the last couple months of 2015, the fitness program hit a huge growth spurt. One
additional fitness instructor has been added on to the program, Maggie Mamac. More
classes had been added to each day of the week, for the employees of the tribe, elders,
youth, and the community. Chris Pash, head instructor, and Maggie have made it easy for
the participating members to come in during their lunch break and also in the evening
hours, after work. Starting 2016, more classes will continue to be constructed and added
to the program. There will be better ways for members to join in classes that they see fit
for them personally as well as help the community maintain and better their canoeing
capabilities.
The fitness program has also encouraged the members to join fitness competitions
and events. Examples include, 5k and 10 k races, canoe races and Crossfit Invitational
competitions. This community has increasingly shown their fight and dedication through
fitness.
Weekly Fitness Schedule: Bootcamp for Beginners: Mondays & Thursdays, 12:00 - 1:00pm;
Elders Workout: Tuesdays, 11:00am - 12:00pm; Strength Training: Wednesdays & Fridays, 12:00 - 1:00pm;
Crossfit for Teens: Mondays, Thursdays & Fridays, 3:15 - 4:15pm; and Evening Strength Training,
Tuesdays & Thursdays 5:00 - 6:00pm.
14
Nooksack Way Of Life
Nooksack Way of Life Youth Prevention program is currently in its sixth year of existence
operating under no cost extension. The philosophy of the program is that Nooksack Way
of Life is Prevention - when youth are engaged in their culture and participate in their
traditional heritage, they are less likely to use drugs or alcohol; they more likely to stay in
school; and to pursue secondary education.
The program aligns itself to seven strategies identified in the SAMHSA grant awarded
in 2010. These strategies were designed to address the underlying concerns identified
by the Tribal Epidemiological team regarding the Nooksack Indian Community. The main
concern was determined that Tribal youth would first drop out of school and then become
addicted to drugs and alcohol. Therefore, the team determined that the best way to
address this need was to develop seven strategies: 1) Youth Development Curriculum; 2)
Parent and Family Training; 3) Tribal Program Coordination; 4) Improving the School System;
5) Engaging Community Leaders and Elders; 6) Providing Healthy Community Laws and
Norms; and, 7) Building and Sustaining Tribal Prevention Capacity. Under these guidelines
our program provides youth with support within the school system, offers activities after
school, and develops a close relationship with the surrounding school districts. Presently,
the program is working on developing sustainable partnerships within the Nooksack Indian
Tribal departments.
Nooksack Way of Life has worked with seventy-one youth throughout the 2015 calendar
year. Recruitment is open year round and simply requires that the youth to fill-out a
registration form and have it signed by a legal guardian. Forms are available at the Genesis
II offices located at 2505 Sulwhanon Drive, Building B. The program provides transportation
to events when requested by families.
The current deliverables offered by the program includes:
Canoe Racing for youth ranging in age from 12-18. Registered youth begin the canoe
racing season in April where they are practicing canoe pulling four times a week and race
each weekend starting Mothers’ day week until the last weekend in August.
Canoe Journey is an annual event that occurs in July and lasts between 2-5 weeks. Youth
participate in pulling, camping, cooking, and cleaning campsites. Their program is launched
with safety training, journey etiquette and protocol teachings, and cold water training. Youth
are chaperoned by adults within the program, parents, and volunteers. A Wrap Around program is offered for struggling students and families of concern.
Families are referred to the program and the team leads the family towards identifying
solutions. The program also works in collaboration with the other NIT Departments to
assure that families receive all available services. continued on page 16
Victoria Mayers
Edna Revey
Michael Jimmy
Frank James MD
Health Officer
Rick D. George
Pete Joseph
Julia Dilly
Jennifer Williams
15
HC - Diabetes
Program
Nooksack
Way Of Life
Task Force Meetings with school districts occur quarterly. The team meets to determine
various barriers, areas of concern and opportunities for improvement. One major success
was bringing parent teacher conferences to the tribal community building, which improved
parent participation from 22% to over 85% in one year. This annual event is well attended.
Our program offers raffle items, a meal, and provides child care for fam ilies during the
conferences.
A youth crossfit class is offered three times a week by the fitness program. In addition, there
are four lunch work out sessions and two evening sessions provided by the specialists. They also
offer one elder fitness class weekly at the senior center, which is really enjoyed by the elders.
The team offers monthly cultural classes for the youth; such as, Coast Salish arts and crafts,
canning classes and we support the Traditional Way of Life Committee cooking classes.
Positive Indian parenting classes are offered annually with families being encouraged to bring
the whole family. Our program provides the funding for the food, supplies, and the rental fees.
Our staff collaborates with Social Services and TANF programs in rotating teaching various
topics and genres.
The Community Garden behind the clinic has been an annual summer project. This year
the NWoL team is joining forces with the Traditional Way Committee to develop a larger
community garden located in Deming, near the Cultural Department.
The after high school advising support team takes students to college campuses, career
fairs, and various job training exploration sites.
Maggie Mamac
Marty Gladstone
Maintenance
Genesis II
Outpatient Treatment for Substance Use Disorders
Our staff at the Nooksack Genesis ll Chemical Dependency program provides:
Washington State Certified education; and, treatment and prevention services to
the Nooksack Tribal community, other Native Americans living in the area, and other
community members.
Nooksack Genesis II Chemical Dependency Program offers the following services:
Annette Solomon, Roger
• Serving Adolescent and Adult • Intensive outpatient groups
Melville, and Joni Hamilton
• Outpatient and aftercare groups
• Intervention and treatment
• Alcohol and drug assessments including DUI assessments
• Information and referral
• Advocacy
• Working closely with Nooksack and Mt. Baker schools
• Organized drug and alcohol free community events/activities
• Individual counseling The Nooksack Genesis II Chemical Dependency Program has 3 different groups offered weekly:
Education Group – Wednesdays 6 – 8 PM
Relapse Prevention Group – Tuesday and Thursday 6 – 8 PM
Youth Group – Tuesdays and Thursdays 3 – 4:30 PM
Our goal is to help the Nooksack Tribal Community learn to live alcohol and drug free. We offer the tools to
help clients achieve their goals for recovery.
16
Tribal Enrollment Department
Mission Statement: To ensure that our Tribe continues as a Sovereign nation by serving
the rights of membership, preserving our identity, culture, religion, language, social wellbeing, healthy life-styles and harmony within our people and neighbors.
Vision Statement: The Nooksack Tribal Enrollment Department was established to
provide for the development and the maintenance of the Nooksack Tribal membership
rolls in accordance to the Nooksack Tribe’s Constitution and By-Laws and Membership
Ordinance, Title 63.
Elizabeth King George
Tribal Enrollment
Director
Roy Bailey
Enrollment Clerk I
Membership is an important aspect of nationhood. By exercising the right to determine
who can be a member, the continuity and integrity of the Nooksack Indian Tribe, an
independent sovereign, is assured. By becoming a member of the Tribe, an individual
obtains the rights and benefits of Membership in the Nooksack Indian Tribe, which
maintains a unique status and special relationship to the federal government.
So, in determining membership, the Nooksack Tribe is exercising the most important of
its sovereign powers, and the tribe’s power over its own membership is the starting point for
any discussion of Indian identity.
Tribal Enrollment Department Purpose: The tribal enrollment office is under the
supervision of the General Manager and the duties of the Tribal Enrollment Office are
set forth in the Constitution, Bylaws and in the Membership Ordinance, Title 63. The
Tribal Enrollment Department’s purpose and goal is to provide for the development
and maintenance of the tribal membership rolls and to provide an orderly method for
considering enrollment applications for review by Tribal Council. This office certifies
tribal members for all services provided by the Nooksack Tribe, such as: Housing, Health,
Education, Social Services, Natural Resources and Cultural. The Enrollment Department is
responsible for maintaining an address database and statistical information to provide as
needed to inner governmental programs that provide services to members.
Mary Delgado
Enrollment Clerk II
2015 Statistics:
Total members at year end: 2074
New Members in 2015: 96
Relinquished in 2015: 13
Age:
0-5 Years
6-17 Years
18-20 Years
21-54 Years
55+ Years
Male:
51
217
56
527
160
Female:Total:
58
109
196
413
55
111
551
1078
203
363
Our oldest member is 97 years old.
Enrollment is the basic building block of our Tribe and is the link between our past to
our future.
17
Information Technology
Daleno Cooper
IT Director
Christine Naughton
Database
Developer / Analyst
Christopher Roberts
IT Technician
Michael Flyger
Network & Systems
Administrator
18
2015 was a year of changes for the Information Technology (IT) Department…
IT purchased and implemented a new Virtual server environment in both areas. This will
improve disaster recovery and downtime due to failure or environmental disasters. Using a
virtual environment gives IT the ability and flexibility to move/restore servers “On-demand”
at either site, Deming or Everson.
IT has also beefed up NIT’s data back-up solution, where data is being backed-up at
both the Deming Administration building and also the Everson Health Clinic. Meaning, that
the Tribe’s precious data is being backed-up and saved in two different locations, creating
a redundant back-up solution.
In 2015, the IT department has hired a new Database Developer/
Analyst, Christine Naughton. Christine grew up in Seattle. After high
school, travelled extensively before completing her 2 year degree at
Edmonds Community College. Then she travelled some more and
went to the University of Plymouth in England and Western Washington
University for her 4 year degree. She got married and had 3 children.
Her husband is Irish so they lived abroad for approximately 15 years.
Destry Miller
Her parents retired to live in Anacortes. So, when she returned to
IT Supervisor
the USA with her family, they chose to settle this area. She has been
living in Glenhaven and working for the Tribe and/or its’ Casinos for
the last 7 years. Christine has worked in IT for 20+ years. Some of the
fun companies she has worked for before coming to the Tribe include
Microsoft, Intel, Guinness, and the City of Bellevue.
Future Projects:
The IT department is still looking into a better wireless infrastructure
solutions that we hope to implement in year 2016. This will create a
more secure wireless network not only for our employees, but also for
our guests! We are also looking into a more reliable Internet Service
provider (ISP). Throughout last winter season we experienced more
than usual downtime caused by service interruptions. We are looking to
partner with Greenhouse Data, located in Bellingham, to assist us with
this project.
Robert Meador
IT Technicican I
Nicholas Johnson
IT Technician II
Education
Education And Leadership Program
The Tribe finds that empowering the tribal member youth population is in the best interest of the
government and supports our future as a Tribe. In an effort to empower its youth, the Tribal Council established
this Program to provide limited funds to assist with the payment of certain activities in order to nurture the
youth and assist them in becoming positive contributors to our society.
Students who are taking part in non-school sponsored sports, such as Boys and Girls Club or other
organized sports are encouraged to apply for funds under this program. Please keep in mind that the funds are
limited per tribal member, per year.
Donia Edwards
Education Director
Keith Lindsey
Youth Academic
Intervention Specialist
Charise Wenzl
Academic Enrichment
Manager
Ravenia Hillaire
Youth Tutor
Lorraine Zapata
Education Programs
Assistant
Burean Of Indian Affairs Education Appropriation Program
Lorraine Zapata, Employment Career Coordinator, administers the BIA Education Appropriation Programs.
Twenty-First century jobs require some level of post secondary education. Consequently, the need to
help our tribal members through post education programs aligned with the Tribes economic needs of our
community. This is vital to the tribe’s future, security and stability. Funds are provided by the BIA to promote
career pathways by assisting students in successfully transitioning from post-secondary programs to careers in
high demand fields.
Funds from The BIA Appropriation for Adult Basic Education are allocated and designed for participants
to follow a pathway with two specific ladders: an academic ladder that starts at their current level education;
and secondly, a career ladder that prepares for certification, an associate degree and ultimately employment.
Individualized and confidential one-on-one wrap around services are offered for all participants to minimize or
eliminate barriers to entry, retention and completion of the program of choice.
Bia Higher Education
The Education Advisory Board assists with the allocation of limited funds and selection of students awarded
higher education assistance. This fund is limited to students pursuing an Associate or Bachelors Degree. 28 Tribal
members are currently accessing the Higher Education program.
The Employment Career Coordinator provides case management, assistance with completing Federal
Financial Aid applications, developing scholarship portfolios, admissions and assisting the applicant with
identifying the financial barriers of college, such as admissions costs and other processing fees.
In 2015, one student graduated with an Associate using Higher Education funds.
One student, who was funded by Higher Education funds, is expected to receive a BA by the end of 2016
Spring quarter.
19
Education
Bia Adult Vocational Training – Technical Assistance
Tribal members may access Adult Vocational Training fund to prepare for careers in many fields. The technical
college approach is high-tech, hands-on, and student-centered. Tribal members are encouraged to take advantage
of BIA AVT funds not only for their own professional development, but also to advance on the Classification Scale.
Based on a recent Community Needs Assessment, 31% of the respondents were not in school or
unemployed. One in Seven adults ages 16-24 who are not in school or working indicates that the opportunity
gap is widening, making it harder for our tribal members to get a head.
The Education Department has developed partnerships with both external and internal tribal programs,
including the WWIETP Program, SAMSHA, Behavioral Health Programs and Tribal Administration Directors. The
WWIETP Program in conjunction with the AVT funds have provided a work based learning experience by providing
job related work experience coupled with a 9 week technical training program at the Bellingham Technical College.
Johnson Omalley Program
JOM funds are used to help students with sports related expenses, extracurricular activities, graduation
ceremony assistance, school sponsored field trips, student recognition functions, student incentive programs,
and driver’s ed fees. Nooksack Tribal TANF program is a partner with the JOM program. The Academic
Manager is visible at tribal community functions, assists with requests on behalf of the student, and provides
tutorial assistance for positive academic achievement. Over 65 students were provided for during the 2015
budget period. There are nine known high school graduates in 2015. Nooksack Tribal Library And After-School Student Support
The Nooksack Tribal Library currently has over 7500 books shelved in the library. The library serves the
Nooksack Tribal community and has books organized into easy to navigate sections. The sections include:
Preschool through 2nd grade; 3rd grade through 6th grade; Young Adult; and a large resource/non-fiction
area. The library currently has two grant projects: the first grant provides for basic services to purchase new
publications for the library, add a new computer to our lab and send the library manager to professional
training conferences; and the second grant is a digital technology grant, which provides for the library to
enhance the digital knowledge of the tribal community. In 2015, the grant was used to start the making of
several documentary films centering on Nooksack culture. Nooksack teenagers are filming and producing
the film with the help of professionals and other support staff. They will be out in the community interviewing
elders and other members of the Nooksack Tribe who can share culturally relevant content for the films.
20
Education
In the past, this grant has been used to increase the digital knowledge of the Nooksack Elder population by
providing classes for the elders to learn how to use iPad tablets, access the internet, set-up email, take photos
and explore websites with culturally relevant information such as native language and history. Our tribal library
provides a computer lab with Wi-Fi, 5 desktop stations, 3 laptops, 11 iPad tablets, printing services and a sixperson listening center for audio books.
The Tribal After School Tutoring Program serves tribal students in grades K-12. Our services include:
• After school homework assistance
• Summer reading/math programs
• Cultural workshops
• Liaison for a parent having difficulty communication with school teachers or administrators
• Liaison to accompany parent to conferences or IEP meetings/provide transportation
• Communication with teachers about student performance and home work completion
• One on one tutoring (with a referral)
• Small group tutoring (with a referral)
• Community partnership with WWU Woodring College of Education to provide volunteers to our Education
program every quarter to assist with classroom tutoring
• Arts, crafts, music and movies on celebration days
The Nooksack Tribal Library and After School Student Support classrooms are staffed by one full-time
Academic Enrichment Manager and one part-time Youth Tutor.
S ’í:wesá:ylhem Tset Class
When you know who you are, when your mission is clear and you burn with the inner fire of unbreakable will,
no cold can touch your heart, no deluge can dampen your purpose. You know that you are alive.
—Chief Seattle, Duwamish (1780—1866)
The best way to discover who you are and where you want to go in life is to hit the road. How can you
possibly find the right direction without exploring the possibilities, seeing up-close what the world offers, and
developing a discerning depth of knowledge, of your
culture and society and the earth, to formulate and
choose the best path for the years given to you?
To that end, above and beyond classwork and credit
retrieval, the S’í:wesá:ylhem tset Class has hit the road at
least once a week to discover the opportunities offered
at regional institutions of higher education, as well as
vocational schools, offered military specialties, and other
career options. These travels have also been journeys
of self-discovery for the students as they developed
knowledge of personal talents and inclinations parallel
with the encounter of possible livelihoods that best meet
those abilities. Just as important, we are learning how
the world works, from local industries, to infrastructure
and government. Put simply, we are working on
answering one of the big questions about life: where do Left to right- me, Charise Wenzl, Sakara Roberts,
“Lt. Fang” (his pilot callsign) Dylan Roberts, Tyler Tageant.
you want to go and how are you going to get there?
This is at the Whidbey Island Naval Air Station.
21
Education
Here’s what constitutes the path:
Preparation: First, basic skills have to be acquired, a toolbox to build the brain. This is where our
time in the classroom focuses on broadening vocabulary, fostering reading skills, and communicating clearly through writing and personal journals. The students also work on mastering math fundamentals, learning
Halq̓eméylem and their culture, and acquiring an understanding of local, national, and world history, all while
fulfilling credit requirements to achieve a high school diploma.
Exploration: To name just a few of our learning adventures, the S’í:wesá:ylhem tset Class has toured
Western Washington University, the Boeing factory in Everett, various Whatcom County museums, the Museum
of History and Industry and the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, Whidbey Island Naval Air Station (the No. 1
Navy base in the country!), Louie Gong’s studio, and Bellingham Technical College in the last four months.
Service: A major aspect of personal growth is learning how to return back to your community a portion of
the care and love that you have been given. S’í:wesá:ylhem students are developing this aspect of their characters by helping run the craft tables at the NVSD parent-teacher conferences, aiding with the preparation and
presentation of a thank-you Thanksgiving dinner for the Education Department staff and board members, and
assisting with the Elders’ Christmas Luncheon. One of our S’í:wesá:ylhem students, to help define and focus
the educational needs of tribal children, has chosen to serve on the Nooksack Valley School District Task Force.
Finally, the class has taken on the task of creating a documentary of the Nooksack Tribe to show the world
where we, as a people, came from, and what dreams we wish to fulfill in the future.
The past four months have been exceptionally busy; the coming months will offer even more challenges
and opportunities. These students have shown that they are capable and ready to continue their personal and
academic progress. Thank you for granting the resources to do so and your continued faith in them.
Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family.
—Kofi Annan
Head Start
Amy, Teacher
Vernon, Teacher
Angie, Teacher
Margretty, Teacher’s
Aide / Bus Driver
Tracie, Cook
Vasiliy, Bus Driver
In April, 2015, a Federal Monitoring Review of the Nooksack Indian Tribe Head Start Program was
completed and conducted on the Health and Safety Performance Standards. The Tribal Chairman has received
the results of that Federal Monitoring Review and found that there were zero deficiencies and we are in full
compliance with Health and Safety.
The Nooksack Head Start was invited to take part in a national research project involving AN/AI Head
Start Programs with researchers from the Mathematica Policy Research. For years, Tribal Head Starts have not
been involved in the Head Start Family and Child Experiences Research Survey. Research from this project will
provide data to assess the service needs of the children and families in Region XI and to help develop practices
for addressing these needs.
Last year, our Head Start Program had 56 children enrolled. We were under-enrolled by 8 children by the
end of the school year. The Head Start staff is diligently developing strategies and working with the Office of
Head Start to increase enrollment.
In June 2015, we graduated 25 children.
22
Education
Message From The Education Director
As the Education Director for the Nooksack Indian Tribe, it is my duty to keep abreast with research and
policy development as it relates to Education. In 2015, I was granted the opportunity to attend two National
Conferences: the National Indian Congress of American Indians (NCAI); and the National Indian Education
Association (NIEA). These conferences helped me understand the major legislative actions including: Indian
Self Determination Act and Education Assistance Action of 1975 (P.L. 93-638), Education Amendments Act of
1978 (P.L. 95-561), the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, the Head Start Act, and the Workforce Investment
Act. Policy analysis has helped me design quality education opportunities in accordance with the Tribe’s need
for cultural and economic well-being, while keeping up with the diversity of the Tribe as a distinct cultural and
governmental entity. Program design manifests were created with consideration of the whole person - the
spiritual, mental, physical, and cultural aspects of the individual within his or her family and tribal context.
Qualitative and quantitative data has helped design the Head Start Program. By providing high quality Head
Start services; it strengthens the outcome of the children and families that we serve. I believe that because
Head Start is so highly regulated, with over 1,800 Performance Standards, I am able to transfer those director
skills, such as data collection and synthesis, into my other programs.
The Education Advisory Committee and the Head Start Policy Council assist me with the design implementation, and monitoring of what I consider best practice and models of the Education Programs that I administer.
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the Nooksack Tribal Community and I am committed to work
tirelessly to help create further education opportunities.
Respectfully,
Donia Edwards, MEd., Education Director
Social Services
Pictured left to right:
Nadeen Jimmy, Director; Sherie Johnny, Assistant Director;
Crystal Bailey, Energy & Food Assistance Coordinator
The Social Services Department provides a wide range of services to Nooksack Tribal Members. This includes,
Energy Assistance (LIHEAP & CSBG), Food Assistance Programs (EFAP), food vouchers, monthly food bank, commodity
foods, Childcare, TANF, Elders Program, GED and Domestic Violence Program (End Violence Against Women).
In 2015 Social Services Energy & Food Assistance Programs provided the following services to the Tribal Membership:
• Energy Assistance Program assisted 375 household
• Food Bank provided 18,820 pounds of food to 498 household assisting a total of 1,842 members
• Commodity foods (STOWW) on a monthly assist 20 households
• Food voucher program issued 264 food vouchers
Crystal Bailey has been with Social Services for 11 years and has the highest volume position in Social Service.
23
Social Services
Elders Program
Nooksack Elders Program is open to all tribal elders 55 and older, the program provides a nutritious lunch
five days a week at the elders complex, located at the Five-Cedars Housing site. Elder are also eligible to eat
one time per day at the Nooksack Northwood Casino. In 2015 elders went on four overnight trips to other
tribal elders’ annual gatherings: Lincoln City (57 elders), Grand Rhonde (51 elders), Puyallup (51 elders), and
Coeur D’Alene (58 elders). They also travelled locally to
Tulalip, Samish and Upper Skagit. We assisted 38 elders with
Tax Preparation; offered classes and training throughout the
year; Medication Awareness program; Digital Elders class;
Honoring our Caregivers; Honoring our Elders; Domestic
Violence Awareness; and had seven (7) elders graduate
Wisdom Warriors.
Pictured left to right: Rozelda Roberts, Elders Program Assistant; Phyllis Char Roberts, Elders Advocate, Elders Victim Assistance;
Tresea Doucette, Elders Events & Travel Coordinator
Domestic Violence Program – End Violence Against Women
Leon Cline
DV Program
Coordinator
Tammy Woodrich
DV Advocate
The Nooksack Social Services Domestic Violence - “End Violence Against
Woman” Program coordinated a “Wear Purple Day” to help bring awareness
to Domestic Violence on October 21, 2015. It was a smashing success for
a first time event. We had well over 150 photos submitted! Pictures were
submitted from San Diego, Lummi Nation, Chilliwack B.C., Everson, Deming,
Lynden, Mt. Vernon and Bellingham.
In 2015, the Social Services Domestic Violence Programs, in its first year of
operation, provided services to 30 applicants, had 29 referrals, and provided a
variety of other services to 9 other clients.
TANF
In 2015, Social Services TANF, Child Care, and WWIETP Programs provided the following services:
• TANF assisted 42 families
• TANF assisted clients’ children with back-to-school clothing & school supplies
• Child Care assistance to 19 families
• two tribal members successfully complete program to gain FT employment with the tribe through WWIETP
In 2015, Social Services’ GED Program instructor, Debbi Alexander assisted 6 Students with successfully
obtaining a GED and 28 GED students are currently working towards completion.
Pictured above, left to right: Heidi Davis, TANF Program Manager, WWIETP & Child Care Coordinator; Rosalena Joseph, Case
Manager; Dan Roberts, Employment / Training Coordinator WWIETP; Sativa Robertson, Skagit Case Manager; Hameesh Jimmy,
Receptionist / NEW Program Coordinator; Jill Walker, Skagit Receptionist; Debbi Alexander, GED Instructor
24
Human Resources
Suzanne Brownrigg
Human Resources Director
The Human Resources Department is a cohesive, collaborative team dedicated
to creating partnerships by supporting all programs and departments. We strive
to support, guide and maintain the Personnel Policy requirements and to create
a healthy and positive work environment in order to assist staff in accomplishing
individual program goals, as well as overall organizational goals. We strongly
encourage the recruitment and hiring of qualified individuals consistent with the
Nooksack Tribes’ goals of Indian Preference.
Because we care about our employees, we stand for integrity, efficiency,
problem solving, equity and character in all of our relationships and interactions.
We do this to promote growth, accountability and empowerment in our
representation of the Nooksack Tribe.
In 2015, the Human Resources department has implemented an on-line
application process. This new process allows applicants to apply for all position
on-line and only need to complete their application
one time to apply for any positions available.
Applicants develop an account in the system and
simply log-on, update their application (if needed),
and submit their application to open positions. This
site and our current openings can be found on the
Tribal website at: http://www.nooksacktribe.org/
departments/humanresources/.
Current Employee Statistics:
Total Employees: 263 – 100%
Josephine Grant
Human Resources Specialist
Carrie Kentner
Employee Benefits Specialist
George Swanaset
Nooksack Tribal Members = 144 - 55%
Other Enrolled Tribal Members = 23 - 9%
Non Native Employees = 96 - 36%
George Swanaset, Mrs. James, Lottie Tom
25
26
27
Family Services
The Nooksack Family Services Department is composed of two distinct but related programs:
• Indian Child Welfare (ICW) - The mission of the ICW Program is to ensure that all Nooksack children are
safe and provided the care they need to thrive and grow while promoting family and cultural preservation.
• Child Support - The mission of the Child Support Program is to ensure that all children receive the
financial support they deserve from their parents.
Family Services is focused on providing active and responsive services to our clients. Whether a client is
seeking assistance with a child support or child welfare issue, Family Services attempts to work with the client
to figure out how we, along with other Tribal and partner agencies, can best help the client get what they want
and/or need. Having strong ICW and Child Support programs providing direct services to Tribal families, is an
important method for the Tribe to exercise its sovereignty.
Tasha Yatchmeneff
ICW Caseworker II
ICW
Tess Cordero
ICW Caseworker II
Sierra Faulks
ICW Office
Assistant
Denise Jefferson
ICW Program
Manager
In 2015, ICW worked with 99 families involving 128 children, while investigating approximately 96 referrals
for child abuse and neglect concerning Nooksack children. Throughout the year, ICW staff had over 564
contacts with families ranging from home visits to court appearances, family staffings, and other provider
appointments.
Denise Jefferson is the ICW Program Manager, having assumed that role in mid-2015 after many years
working in tribal and state child welfare programs. Denise, along with ICW Caseworkers, Tasha Yatchmeneff
and recently-hired Tess Cordero, worked tirelessly to connect with families prior to crises that may have led
to removal of their children. Nooksack ICW case workers accompanied every investigation conducted by
Washington State CPS (unique amongst tribes in WA state), except for the few cases where it was not possible
to be there, such as, if the investigation was on the other side of the state, or in the rare instance where law
enforcement asked us to refrain because they were conducting criminal investigations. ICW caseworkers also
contacted every family named in a referral for abuse and neglect, even if the referral was not investigated by
Washington State because that agency determined the referral did not merit an investigation. We know if
we reach the family at the earliest possible date, then perhaps we will be able to prevent more serious future
allegations of child abuse and neglect.
All of the outreach and active case management done by the ICW staff has led to a reduction in the number
of dependencies being filed and Washington State CPS closing many of its investigations because Nooksack
ICW has been able to work directly with the families on a voluntary basis.
Sierra Faulks joined the ICW staff during 2015 as an Office Assistant and provided not only quality
services to families but also much needed office support to ICW staff who spend a great deal of their time
in the field.
28
Family Services
Ken Levinson
Director of Family
Services
Elaine Zapata
Child Support
Program Manager
Roberta Humphreys
Child Support
Intake Specialist,
ICW Liaison
Diantha Doucette
Payments
Specialist
Brian Kelly
Data Specialist
Rodney Johnny
Receptionist
Kristen Regan
Child Support
Case Manager
Juana Branson
Child Support
Case Manager
Child Support
In 2015, Child Support had 288 open cases involving 261 children for which $104,891 was collected.
As the Child Support Program Manager, Elaine Zapata provided day-to-day management to the Child
Support staff ensuring that quality services were provided to the community. Throughout the year, Child
Support Case Managers, Juana Branson and Kristen Regan, worked with clients to help them be selfsufficient and employable. In addition to meeting clients in their offices, the case managers met clients at
other more convenient locations throughout the community even going into the Whatcom County Jail, when
necessary. Case managers also transported clients to job-training and readiness classes at Goodwill as well as
appointments with other service providers. The Intake Specialist/ICW Liaison, Roberta Humphreys, focused on
child support cases involving families who are also working with the ICW Program to ensure that service plans
from each program are interwoven as much as possible. Data Specialist Brian Kelly and Payment Specialist
Diantha Doucette managed all incoming payments and determined how the funds were distributed and
tracked. As our Receptionist, Rodney Johnny is our main point of contact for clients and will always connect a
client to the appropriate staff member.
Ken Levinson serves as the Director of the Family Services Department and represents the Child Support
Program, and occasionally ICW, in court while also managing personnel, budgets, and development of the
programs.
29
Youth
This year was one of positive growth and development for the Tribe’s Youth Department.
The Youth Department manages an After-School Program, a Summer Program, and several field trips and
conferences throughout the whole year to serve
Tribal youth aged five until their graduation from
high school.
We experienced higher volumes of attendance
in 2015, with an average of 50 to 60 youth and
teens after school. And our popular Summer
Program field trips were attracting an average of
100 youth and teens.
The Summer Program was action-packed
with great field trips to fun places including,
Wild Waves/Enchanted Village, the Woodland
Park Zoo, a Mariner’s baseball game, the Birch
Bay Water Slides and more! We lift our hands to
many of the Head Start staff that worked with us
this summer to help all of our youth have the time
of their lives!
We worked hard this year to improve the
customer service and reliability of our programs
to ensure that our youth are in good hands with a Front Row: Erikka Edwards, Youth Aide; Victoria Williams, Youth Receptionist;
Second Row: Precious Iuli, Program Manger; Jamie Johnson, Youth Aide;
great team the truly cares. By doing so, we hope Christian Cueva, Youth Aide; Third Row: Rikki Auguston, Teen Mentor;
Dante Aure, Teen Mentor; Dean Ollinger, Program Coordinator. Fourth
attendance and participation will continue to
Row: Roxanne Murphy, Youth Director; Richard Edwards, Youth Aide.
grow so even more of our young ones can learn
Not Pictured: Pauline Hoskins, Transportation Coordinator; Gigi Julian,
and have fun.
Lead Cook; Alina Tageant-Revey, Youth Aide; Jeremy Spotted Bear, Youth
Aide; Taumafai Iuli, Youth Aide; Matthew Aure, Youth Aide.
The department greatly values our
partnerships with all Tribal Departments, and especially with Education for offering tutoring and language
sessions; and Behavioral Health for offering groups sessions that help our kids with basic life skills.
Additionally, we support our families by offering all-day program services and local field trips during early
dismissal days and extended school breaks. For 2015’s winter break, our kids went to Bellingham for a movie,
the Trampoline Zone, the Aquatic Center, and we hosted a New Year’s Eve party.
Research shows that the youth involved in our programs will be less likely to ever try a substance in their
life. Our local school districts are also reporting that the grades and student involvement of our Tribal youth is
improving due to their participation in our Youth and Education Programs.
This year we had the great fortune of sending six of our teens to Washington D.C. for the President’s first
White House Tribal Gathering. We are still gleaming that Hamilton Seymour earned a spot to introduce First
Lady Michelle Obama during the gathering, and he had the chance to meet President Barack Obama during a
separate trip to Washington D.C.
The department also took our youth to other gatherings, including the Northwest Indian Youth, United
National Indian Tribal Youth and National Congress of American Indians conferences. We are happy that all of
our teens got to have such life-changing experiences.
It has been a great year to work with all of our families to focus on learning, growing, laughing and having
fun, and we look forward to supporting our families in all future years!
For more information, contact the Youth Department at (360) 966-9696.
30
Tribal Court
The Nooksack Tribal Court exercises jurisdiction to the full extent conferred by Tribal Council and
permitted by law. The Court presides over criminal cases involving both adults and juveniles. The Court
handles a variety of civil matters, including child dependency, child custody and support, divorce,
guardianship, domestic violence protection orders, housing, and civil traffic citations. The Court provides
both trial and appellate services.
The Tribal Court is open Monday through Friday, 8:30-5:00. Court forms and information are available in
the courthouse lobby. Although they cannot provide legal advice, the Court Clerks can assist in selecting
proper forms and can provide notary services at no charge to Tribal members. Betty Leathers, Civil-Child
Support Clerk, has been with the Court since 1995. Deanna Francis, Criminal-ICW Clerk, has been with the
Court since 2007. Betty and Deanna account for significant expertise and continuity at the Court.
In December 2014, Washington Governor Inslee appointed Nooksack Chief Judge Raquel Montoya-Lewis
to fill a new judicial position on the Whatcom County Superior Court. Thereafter, the Tribal Court used the
services of Pro Tem Judge Randy Doucet until the Tribal Council appointed Susan Alexander to be the new
fulltime Nooksack Chief Judge, beginning June 1, 2015. Judge Alexander has been an attorney for 40 years
and has served as a Tribal Judge for nearly 20 years. She received her Certificate in Judicial Development,
Tribal Judicial Skills, from the National Judicial College in 2010.
Also beginning in June 2015, the Tribe contracted with Attorney Dana Halbert to provide Public Defender
services and, a few months later, contracted with Attorney Matthew Deming to provide such services when
Ms. Halbert is unavailable. The Court operated without a Probation Officer until late summer 2015, when the
Court and the Nooksack Tribal Police Department entered a Memorandum of Understanding, providing for
a shared fulltime position to serve as both Police Patrol Officer and Court Probation Officer. That position is
currently filled by Officer Brent Greene. The Court has added an additional day of criminal court each month
in order to increase probation review hearings and to enhance defendant accountability.
At the beginning of 2016, we are focused on two special projects: (1) the Court and the IT Department are
exploring options for electronic archival of critical Court records dating back 20 years; and (2) the Court and
other departments are exploring options for implementing restorative justice models.
Susan Alexander,
Chief Judge
Brent Greene,
Probation Officer
Deanna Francis,
Criminal-ICW
Clerk
Betty Leathers,
Civil-Child
Support Clerk
31
Police Department
Chief
Rory Gilliland
Lieutenant
Mike Ashby
The mission of the Nooksack Tribal Police Department is to provide the
highest level of community service and ensure a safe place for families to
live and grow.
The Police Department employs a staff of nine officers and responds to
a thousand calls each year. The officers respond to calls for service in all five
housing areas, several scattered housing sights, administration buildings,
and both the Nooksack River and the Northwood Casinos. Additionally,
officers patrol and respond to Fish & Game violations throughout the
traditional lands of the Nooksack Tribe.
Department Composition
Over the last three years, Chief Gilliland has focused the hiring
of department personal based on Native American preference. The
department now has 60% of the officers as enrolled members of a Native
American tribe, with 30% of the department being enrolled Nooksack
Tribal members.
Sergeant
Stephen Valentine
Officer
Derrick Charlton
Corporal Roman
Swanaset
Officer
Curtis Flatray
2015 Crime Statistics
The following is an example of the number, and type of calls for service
the Nooksack Tribal Police received in 2015:
911 Hang-up: 5
Alarms: 36
Attempted Suicide: 9
Assaults: 9
Burglary: 11
Child Abuse: 33
Domestic Violence: 37
Drug Complaints: 72
Deaths: 2
Disorderly: 16
Fish & Game: 11
Harassment: 7
Lost & Found: 11
Noise Complaint: 40
Paper Service: 5
Resisting Arrest: 5
Security Checks: 150
Suspicious Activity: 40
Thefts: 36
Trespass: 11
Suspicious Activity: 40
Unsecure Building: 189
Vehicle Accidents: 9
Warrant Arrests: 38
2016 Department Goals
Officer
Brett Greene
Officer
Devin Cooper
Officer
Francisco Sanchez
Rikkole Edwards
Administrative
Assistant
32
The Nooksack Tribal Police have formed a partnership with the Northwest
Regional Drug Taskforce and will focus 2016 enforcement efforts on drug
activity within the Nooksack Tribe. The police department is in the process
of developing a Narcan first responder overdose protocol, where Nooksack
Tribal officers would carry and administer Narcan to victims of an Opiate drug
overdose. Other departments employing this protocol have been responsible
for saving countless lives of overdose victims. We have partnered with
Nooksack Tribal
Housing and the
Nooksack Legal
Departments
to work toward
drug free
neighborhoods
within the
Nooksack Tribe.
New police vehicles and boat
Planning
The Nooksack Tribal Planning Department aids with various activities within the Tribe including:
transportation planning; maintaining various lands records; working closely with other agencies and other
Tribal departments to complete various land tasks; and by providing draft designs for presentations, design
review, and preliminary designs for projects. The Planning department currently employs six staff members.
Back Row: Ross Cline, Planning Director; Sarah Kentner, Driver’s Ed Instructor
Front Row: Ed Kelly “Edyatill” - Planner/ architectural designer; Keri Shepherd, Transportation Planner; Gary Kentner “Stsa Stel Quyd”,
Driver’s Ed instructor; Clayton Roberts “Yulamaluck”, Planning Tech Assistant
The Nooksack Tribal Planning Department works with BIA to obtain reports for tribal members, such as
Title Status Reports (TSRs), and Individual Interest Reports (IIRs). This department also assists land owners with
obtaining partitions of undivided interests; working with the BIA to help obtain Lease agreements; and with
processing I.H.S. Well Water and septic system applications. [What is generally not known is that for I.H.S.
funding, the tribal member receiving aid does not need to be living on Trust land. The drawback is that the
tribal member would have to apply through the tribe that would have jurisdiction.]
Currently, we are working with the Office of Tribal Attorney on getting several Tribal Fee properties moved
into Trust status. A special thanks to Charity and Sue with all their help and hard work for aiding in the title
searches on the fee properties that the tribe owns.
Also currently, we are working with Department of Interior (DOI) on the Land Buy Back Program. Tribal
members that have interest in trust property and want to participate, need to call and register with DOI as
a potential seller. Once there are enough potential sellers, DOI will begin outreach and the appraisals of
property that could be eligible for sale.
Transportation has worked hard to bring new services to the Tribe.
• There are new routes for a few of the county WTA 71X & 72X runs in which the Tribe and the county
entered into an agreement to bring more runs closer tribal housing sites.
• The department was successful in bringing in BIA cooperative funding to help fund the new Potter Rd
Bridge.
• Transportation worked with Education to help train Driver’s Education instructors in hopes of bringing
more affordable services to the tribal members. When this program formally starts, services will be offered
on a sliding scale rate for tribal members.
• The safety project will: bring speed bumps to the housing sites that do not currently have speed
bumps; improve storm runoff for False Creek; increase street lighting at Suchanon; and promote overall
neighborhood safety.
If you have questions or need help working with BIA or I.H.S., please contact Planning at 360-592-0162.
33
Housing
Lisa Cooper
Intake Specialist
Admin. Assistant
Chasity Madera
Case Manager
Tiffani Zamudio
Case Manager
Serrano Cueva
Tenant Accounts
Manager
Montaine
Sorrenson
Ross Service
Coordinator
Jesse Madera
Maintenance
Specialist
The Nooksack Indian Housing Authority (NIHA) is a department of the Nooksack Indian
Tribe’s government operations with an estimated annual budget of $1,177,086 for 2015.
The NIHA operates with grant funding authorized under the Native American Housing and
Self-Determination Act, and rental and program income. Services currently provided by the
NIHA include, Case Management, Inspections, Administrative and Resident Compliance, and
services to promote self-sufficiency and housing security. The NIHA currently employs 11 full
time employees.
Current Housing Programs
Leo Redfox
Maintenance
Specialist
Andy Garcia
Certified Building
& Housing
Inspector
MHO: Mutual Help Occupancy, an affordable homebuyer program. The MHO program
was the first federally funded housing program offered at Nooksack. Most houses
constructed in our existing housing sites were built with federal funding through the MHO
program. MHO units are located in the “Five Cedars”, “Rutsatz”, and “Suchanon” housing
sites as well as scattered on individual tribal trust lands from Deming to Lynden.
LIHTC: Low Income Housing Tax Credits, an affordable homebuyer program. The LIHTC
program is a lease to own homeownership opportunity for Nooksack tribal members.
Nooksack’s first LIHTC program was developed in 2005/2006, commonly known as the
“Sulwhanon” housing site located in Everson, a 24-unit new construction development.
Jeremy Roberts
Nooksack’s second and fourth LIHTC program was developed in 2006/2007 when 39 existing Inspector
homes (formerly MHO units) were completely rehabbed. The third LIHTC program was
developed in 2006/2007, commonly known as the “False Creek” housing site, a 22-unit new
construction development located in Deming.
Low Rent: The Low Rent program provides affordable housing in the Elders Complex
and Whispering Cedars apartment complex. The Elders Complex is a 7-unit development
of 2 bedroom duplexes and a triplex and also includes a dining hall for the elders to enjoy
daily meals together during the week located in Deming within the Five Cedars housing
development. The units are designated for Nooksack tribal elders (55 years old and older)
Setoga Tigilau
Maintenance
and a caretaker. The Whispering Cedars Apartment Complex is located in Everson and
Worker
consists of 12 multi-family apartment units.
ROSS: The Resident Opportunity and Self Sufficiency program employs a ROSS Service Coordinator to
provide one-on-one case management to families living NIHA housing. The ROSS Service Coordinator links
NIHA residents to programs and services to assist with overcoming the families’ barriers to self-sufficiency.
DPA: Down Payment Assistance, a program providing Nooksack tribal members with up to $5,000 in
assistance toward purchasing a home utilizing the 184 home loan program. DPA is a federally funded program
as an activity under the Tribe’s annual NAHASDA grant.
34
Housing
Message from the Executive Director
Housing is not only a basic human need, it is a fundamental building block in the
development of strong families and communities. The factors of quality, price and availability
of housing have far reaching effects. Housing is an issue of equity, and a healthy community
strives to provide affordable housing to families at all incomes. Every community and
neighborhood needs a healthy mix of housing sizes, types and prices affordable to family
earning potentials of the area.
Nooksack is evidently suffering an acute shortage of housing aggrivated by natural
population increase. To meet the current and projected tribal members’ needs for housing
will be challenging and will require critical and creative planning. The Nooksack Indian Housing Authority
(NIHA) is cognizant of the need for housing for Nooksack tribal members at ALL income levels. During a time
of federal funding shortfalls and inadequacies, innovative housing solutions are needed to accommodate the
growing demand for housing in Nooksack.
As the Executive Director, I am poised to embark on a journey of profound urgency and importance of further
creating housing opportunities and revitalizing our Tribal community. Elements to be considered on such a
journey are the current housing patterns, projected population growth and the most-likely growth scenarios, and
to suggest realistic ways to provide for those housing needs within the wishes of the tribal membership.
The federal government appropriates funding to address Native American Housing under the Native
American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996 (NAHASDA). However, NAHASDA is only the
starting point for an effective housing strategy and Indian Housing Block Grants (IHBG) provide only a fraction
of funding needed to address the housing needs at Nooksack.
There are housing programs in Whatcom County that address affordable housing, but Nooksack tribal
members want to live on Nooksack lands. Assessment of the tribal community by NIHA demonstrates a need
for all forms of affordable housing including multi-family and single-family housing for both “low-income” and
“self-sufficient” families.
When envisioning a housing community in Nooksack, the vision is not income restricted. The vision is anybody
who is Nooksack, regardless of income, who want to live in Nooksack, have the opportunity to do so. Considering
the NIHA waiting list and the belief that there are many more Nooksack Tribal members who desire to live in the
Nooksack community that are not on the list, it seems most realistic to pursue housing in a fashion that provides
equal housing opportunities for all Nooksack families at all income levels. Designing programs to serve our lowincome families, as well as our self-sufficient families, placing an emphasis on mixed-income housing programs,
fosters the idea to end the concentration of poverty in our housing communities. A mixed-income housing program
by design will create a healthy community of families who are inherently Nooksack. Mixed-income housing will work
best where there are sufficient housing units aimed to the higher income families to create a critical mass of market
housing units and there are no differences in the nature and quality of the units being offered to the low-income
families. A mixed-income property or properties can help revitalize distressed neighborhoods by creating a healthy
and safe community that truly is Nooksack by nature and not by economic classification.
I am thankful for the opportunity to serve the Nooksack Tribal Community in the capacity of NIHA Executive
Director. I am committed to work tirelessly and enthusistically to help create further housing opportunities and I
look forward to what is to come for Nooksack.
Respectfully,
Katrice Romero, MSW
Qwa:l-The-Mot
35
Housing
Administrative
The NIHA Indian Housing Block Grant (IHBG) program underwent monitoring review; a compliance review
of funding expenditures and program operations by HUD officials from the Northwest Office of Native
American Programs. The Monitoring Review was closed with zero unresolved issues or findings. NIHA staff
takes pride and works dilligently to ensure program compliance and quailty program service delivery.
The 2015 IHBG Annual Performance Report will be made available for public review and comment at the
NIHA office during the month of February. Inquire within the NIHA office to review and make comment.
Congrats to the Paez family who recently purchased a new home on their individual trust land! Jesse
& Lindsay Paez utilized the 184 Home Loan Program and the Nooksack Indian Housing Authority’s Down
Payment Assistance program to make their new home dream a reality!
Repairs and Maintenance
In additional to other repairs and maintenance, both routine and substantial, the Whispering Cedars
Apartment Buildings and the Five Cedars Elders Apartments and Dining Hall were freshly painted in 2015!
36
Facilities and Maintenance
The Facilities and Maintenance is organized into four Departments: Maintenance; Landscaping; Custodial;
and Water.
Facilities and Maintenance is responsible for the maintenance and cleaning of all tribal buildings. We also
set-up and clean-up for special events and funerals. The Department contributes time during events such as,
Canoe Journey, Mother’s Day Canoe Race, Nooksack Days, and the employee picnic.
Richard Edwards
Facilities and
Maintenance
Director
Sharon Point
Administrative
Assistant
Mike Davis, Jr.
Maintenance
Manager
Kerry Roberts
Maintenance
Rickie Jimmie
Maintenance
Leno Almojera
Maintenance
Maintenance
The Maintenance Department continued this past year to provide day-to-day maintenance for twenty-seven
tribal buildings, which included general maintenance, repair, upgrade, and emergent needs. This department
also ensures that buildings are safe and meet standard codes and requirements.
The Maintenance Department worked with Abbott construction and Risk Management to repair water
damage to Head Start Kitchen. The maintenance crew quickly discarded water-damaged materials to prevent
structural damage and mold growth; replaced all damage materials; and got the kitchen back-up to code. The
crew also replaced four outdated hand-washing stations for eight hand-washing sinks in both Head Start facilities.
We worked closely with Northwest Washington Indian Health Board to get the Mi sq’ eq’ o community
building kitchen in compliance with the 2009 FDA food codes; and to bring it up to code, we established a
Policy and Procedure guideline for the renters of the facility’s kitchen.
In 2015, a HVAC Preventive Maintenance Plan was put into place with Smith Mechanical for all our HVAC
systems in our Tribal buildings.
In 2016, the roof of the Head Start building in Deming will be replaced. And the Everson Head Start roof will
soon follow.
Augie Joseph
Custodial
Bazil Jimmy
Custodial
Carl Flores
Custodial
Justin Johnny
Custodial
Orlean Almojera
Custodial
Custodial
The Custodial Department consists of five custodians that ensure the sanitation, health, and safety for all
tribal buildings. Throughout the year, the custodians participated in classes on blood borne pathogens, hazard
communications, and Housekeeping.
37
Facilities and Maintenance
This coming year, we are excited about going green by using microfiber. By using a microfiber system, we
would eliminate a lot of the harmful chemicals in our janitor closets. This is safer for our employees and it saves
the Tribe money.
Alex Mata
Landscaper
Kreg Sulkanum
Landscaper
Kyle Tabor-Cooper Jerome Zapata-Tom
Landscaper
Landscaper
Landscaping
The Tribal properties and cemeteries are well maintained by four employees. They provide valuable
assistance in setting-up structural tents; set-up and clean-up for employee and community functions; and
during the winter months, they provide outdoor safety by de-icing sidewalks and parking lots.
In 2015, we replaced a riding lawnmower to save on repair costs and downtime. This past spring Housing,
Planning, and our department worked on clearing the right-of-way on Uluquance Road. It was a good
experience for our young crew to learn how to use different equipment safely.
To enhance the skills of our landscaping crew, we are working on setting-up a small engine repair class soon.
Joe Bob
Kevin Roberts
Russ Roberts
Water Department Water Department Water Department
Manager
Water
The Nooksack Water Department is responsible for maintenance, repair, and improvements to the water
systems located at: Nooksack housing sites, Nooksack Market Center, Tribal Administration building, and at
the Northwood Casino.
The Water Department performs the necessary system adjustments to ensure water quality is maintained.
Our state certified operator, Kevin Roberts, routinely monitors the water quality. The department strives for
the best possible delivery of safe drinking water to the Nooksack tribal members residing in the Nooksack
Tribal Housing sites, the Mi sq’ eq’ o community building, and to the other Tribal buildings. The water
distribution systems require knowledgeable. certified water operators to maintain adequate treatment and
distribution of the tribal water supplies. The water department is also needed for fire suppression. If there is
ever a need for immediate water supply to aide in the response of a fire, the water system and supply needs
to be readily available.
38
Natural Resources
The mission of the Natural Resources Department is to protect, restore, and sustainably manage the Tribe’s
treaty natural resources. Department staff contribute to this mission in four categories: (1) fisheries harvest and
hatchery management; (2) habitat restoration, watershed management, and ecosystem recovery planning; (3)
monitoring assessment; and (4) resource protection. The department is comprised of eighteen full-time staff.
The department is supported by grant funding with an annual budget of approximately $3.5 million.
Gary MacWilliams
Natural Resources
Director
Ned Currence
Fisheries Resources
Protection Program
Jim Bura
Fisheries Data
Specialist
Michael Maudlin
Forest and
Fish Specialist,
Restoration
Geomorphologist
Darren Malloway
Fisheries
Technician
Joe Rodriguez
Fisheries
Technician
Fisheries Harvest and Hatchery Management
The Harvest Management component of the Natural Resources program involves managing numerous
natural resources, which are part of the Tribe’s treaty rights. These rights were reaffirmed in the 1974 US
v. WA, Judge Boldt decision and the subsequent Judge Refeedie decision, which reaffirmed the Tribe’s
right to harvest shellfish. The Nooksack Tribe is a co-manager of finfish and shellfish harvest with other
tribes in which we share a common usual and accustomed fishing area (U&A) and Washington State. The
management of many marine and freshwater natural resources is an annual process and involves a number
of state and federal agencies, along with treaty tribes. Through a number of management forums, in which
tribes meet with state and federal natural resource managers, agreements are typically reached which specify
management methods and harvest levels. The agreed-to annual management plan for Bellingham and
Samish Bay, along with the salmon fishing schedule for the Nooksack River, is published annually in the Tribal
newsletter. The weekly commercial fishing schedule is also available on the Natural Resources Information
hotline. That number is (360)-592-5140. The management of marine areas 7 and 7A (charts are available in the
Natural Resources Office, which delineates these areas) are typically done by in-season management. The
only commercial salmon fisheries that occur in these areas are Fraser River sockeye, pink and chum salmon.
Shellfish management areas include 20A- Point Roberts, Cherry Point area, 20B and 22A- San Juan Islands,
21A and 21B- Bellingham and Samish Bay and 22B- Padilla Bay. There are opportunities for tribal members to
harvest shellfish commercially and for subsistence or personal use. Tribal members may harvest clams, oysters,
Dungeness and rock crab, shrimp, urchins, sea cucumbers and geoducks. There is also a limited commercial
halibut fishery in the spring and subsistence halibut. The halibut subsistence fishery typically remains open
through December 31.
Accomplishments during 2015 include:
• Promulgated 45 Nooksack Tribal salmon and shellfish regulations to man age the commercial, ceremonial
and subsistence harvest of clams, halibut, crab, shrimp, urchins, Chinook, sockeye, Coho, pink, chum and
steelhead. Managed these fisheries, and the catch data from them.
• Issued licenses to fish and shellfish buyers who buy from our fishers, and issued vessel registrations for
fisher boats and species specific decals to fishers.
39
Natural Resources
• Participated in preseason harvest planning forums including Pacific Fisheries Management Council, the
North of Falcon planning process where tribes and the state agree on salmon run forecasts of abundance,
harvestable surpluses, and agree on fisheries to target these in the List of Agreed Fisheries (LOAF).
• Attended Pacific Salmon Commission meetings, with emphasis on the Fraser River Panel to manage
sockeye harvest and escapements.
• Reached agreement with other tribes and the state on shellfish management plans including crab and
shrimp.
• Coordinated with Lummi Nation and the state to conduct spawn surveys for salmon, with emphasis on
spring chinook and steelhead, to estimate population abundances for these and other species. Our chinook
survey reaches included the middle and lower South Fork and portions of the North Fork.
• Provided input on management plans for existing and future hatchery salmon and steelhead programs in
Nooksack and Samish watersheds to provide for our fishers, while also protecting wild salmon runs.
• Participated in the Interagency South Fork Nooksack Chinook ad hoc interagency committee which is
guiding implementation of a hatchery captive brood population rebuilding program. The first substantial
returns from releases from this program came back in 2015.
• Issued and collected hunting tags for tribal hunters. Department staff served as Secretary for the Nooksack
Hunting Committee.
Treva Coe Habitat
Program Manager
Arin Smith
Restoration Crew
Lead
Lindsie Fratus
Watershed
Restoration
Coordinator
Eric Stover
Watershed
Restoration
Coordinator
Sindick Bura
Restoration
Technician
RoseMary LaClair
Administrative
Assistant
Habitat Restoration, Watershed Management,
and Ecosystem Recovery Planning
• Planned and completed two habitat restoration projects: (1) Downstream of Hutchinson Phase 2A
restoration, which constructed 8 log jams to form pools and temperature refuges and add complex woody
cover in the South Fork upstream of Acme; and (2) Farmhouse Phase 2A restoration, which constructed 7 log
jams in the North Fork upstream of Kendall to provide stable spawning habitat for chinook.
• Advanced design for habitat restoration in the Nesset Reach of the South Fork, between Acme and Saxon.
• Replanted restoration project sites and maintained previous plantings to restore riparian (river-adjacent)
forests along the North and South Forks.
• Evaluated potential impacts of climate change on salmon in the South Fork Nooksack River watershed and
developed recommendations to adapt to climate change.
• Participated in numerous salmon recovery, water resources, and watershed management forums to
coordinate protection and restoration of treaty resources, including salmon and shellfish
• Participated as a member of the interagency Puget Sound Steelhead Recovery Team to assist with
development of a recovery plan.
40
Natural Resources
Resource Protection
• Reviewed all logging and forest road building permits in the Nooksack watershed for protection of Treaty
fisheries resources, and visited any that appeared to potentially affect salmon habitat or water quality.
• Reviewed development proposals that could impact the Tribe’s Treaty Resources to ensure that habitat
was being adequately protected and impacts appropriately mitigated.
• Participated in state-wide workgroups evaluating the effects of logging on unstable slopes.
• Participated in a state-wide forum for replacing fish passage barrier culverts under state roads to restore
salmon use of former habitat.
• Participated in Whatcom County’s Critical Areas Ordinance Technical Advisory Committee tasked with
updating those regulations.
• Participated in and shared water quality monitoring data with the Whatcom Clean Water Program that
focuses on fecal coliform pollution of shellfish harvest areas in Drayton Harbor, Birch Bay, and Portage Bay.
This program was developed as a function of the Governor’s Shellfish Initiative.
• Serviced the Tribe’s water rights litigation case
Oliver Grah
Water Resources
Program Manager
Julie Missing
Project
Coordinator
Tom Cline
Water Quality
Supervisor
Jezra Beaulieu
Water Resources
Specialist
Rich Auguston
Water Quality
Technician
Monitoring and Climate Change Assessment
• Monitored water quality and quantity throughout the Nooksack River watershed and nearby coastal
watersheds at over 150 sites including:
o 6 stream gages;
o 20 suspended sediment and turbidity;
o 66 water temperature;
o 34 general water quality and fecal coliform;
o 14 oxygen isotope;
o 20 air temperature; and
o 3 glacier ablation sampling sites.
• Developed a comprehensive climate change project, nationally recognized and unique, that extends from
glaciers on Mount Baker to Bellingham Bay and that evaluates climate change impacts on glacier behavior,
river basin hydrology, stream temperature, sediment loads, and impacts to salmon habitat.
• Gave professional presentations on our climate change program at 6 conferences and workshops.
• Developed a collaborative team with the Lummi Nation, and Stillaguamish, Sauk-Suiattle, Swinomish, and
Upper Skagit Tribes.
• Monitoring and adaptive management of restoration projects to ensure they were effective at restoring
productive salmon habitat
41
Office of Tribal Attorney
Ray Dodge, Jr.
Senior Tribal Attorney
Rickie Armstrong
Tribal Attorney
Dana Halbert
Public Defender
Sue Gearhart
Legal Assistant
The Office of Tribal Attorney (OTA) provides legal advice and representation to the Nooksack Indian Tribe’s
government, tribal programs and enterprises in their official capacities within their scope of work. OTA serves
as the legal representative for the Nooksack Indian Tribe (NIT) in active litigation before tribal, state, federal
and administrative forums.
Tribal Council: OTA attorneys attend Nooksack Indian Tribal Council (Council) meetings and provide the
Council with legal advice and assistance across the range of matters facing NIT. OTA provides assistance to
the Council in the development of tribal laws and ordinances and other related project work. This includes all
of NIT’s policies. OTA also provides legal support to various Committees, Commissions and Boards.
Governance: OTA attorneys provide ongoing support to NIT’s administrative staff who keep the
administrative machine of NIT going. Our support duties include, grant and contract review, assistance on
various governance matters, representation of NIT in personnel matters, representation on financial and
budget matters that impact the government, and its various departments. OTA and NIT Human Resource
Departments have made significant progress in updating NIT’s personnel policies. In 2015, OTA drafted the
Sex Offender Registration Code and policies, procedures and forms to comply with the federal Adam Walsh
Act; often referred to as Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act (SORNA). This will allow NIT to have its
own sex offender registry system and not have that jurisdiction default to the State of Washington. In addition,
OTA amended: Title 10 - Tribal Court System and Court Rules to add time frames for instituting legal actions in
Tribal Court; Title 62 – Election Ordinance to allow for voting by mail; and to, Title 20A – Domestic Violence to
add anti-harassment provisions.
Child Protection: OTA represents NIT in a number of cases involving Indian Child Welfare, Minors in Need
of Care, and Child Support Enforcement. We provide assistance to NIT Family Services by appearing in various
court cases.
Land: Our office provides day-to-day assistance to the Planning Department, giving advice on land use,
land leasing, and transportation issues. OTA is working with the Planni ng Department on gaining access to
the Cobell land buy-back program for NIT.
Finance: OTA provided legal advice and consultation to the finance department on various legal issues
facing that department. Due to on-going litigation, we are unable to provide any additional comments on
most of those matters. OTA did assist in settling contract support claims with Indian Health Services for 2006
and 2007. OTA continues to monitor developments in the Ramah case involving similar contract support
claims on behalf of NIT.
Natural Resources: OTA provides legal advice to NIT Natural Resources Department staff on a myriad of
issues including, cultural resources, water quality, enforcement, off-Reservation treaty right protection, forest
practices, Endangered Species Act issues, hunting and fishing.
42
Office of Tribal Attorney
To protect NIT’s treaty fishing rights off-Reservation, OTA is involved in a continuing collaborative effort with
staff from the Division of Natural Resources to develop a strategy for protecting the Nooksack River fishery
habitat.
In litigation, OTA continued to work with other tribes in representing NIT’s interests before the Federal
District Court of Washington to prevent the State of Washington from maintaining a culvert system that blocks
salmon migration, diminish salmon populations, and interfering with the Tribes’ treaty fishing rights.
Economic Development and Enterprises: OTA continues to work on a standard contract template that NIT
now uses as the foundation for all non-construction contracts.
OTA provides advice concerning federal procurement requirements for both qualified tribally-owned
businesses and NIT government.
Related to tax considerations, OTA is working with the Department of Revenue in an effort to gain exempt
status for various NIT owned property. This office advises NIT and it enterprises in various areas of taxation
and business operations, including pension plans, sales tax, and cigarette tax, impacts from land repurchasing,
as well as construction issues.
Prosecutor’s Office: The office serves as attorney for civil legal enforcement of hunting, fishing and various
other civil violations. The prosecutor also represents NIT in enforcing its civil and criminal laws through the
Tribal Court.
43
Accounting and Finance
During 2015, the Accounting and Finance Department had twelve full-time staff that focus on grants & records,
travel & credit card usage, and general accounting services. The Department is responsible for maintaining the
Tribe’s financial records in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) and applicable
federal, state and Tribal regulations. Together with other NIT departments, the Accounting and Finance
Department plays a key role in safeguarding Tribal assets, avoiding waste and protecting against unnecessary
liabilities and provides the means by which NIT can accumulate, develop, and efficiently use financial resources in
the promotion of the highest levels of Self-Governance, Self-Sufficiency and Self-Determination.
The CFO directs and is ultimately accountable for all Tribal government financial matters including, internal
auditing, budgeting, relevant taxes, accounting, purchasing and long-range financial forecasting for the
government. Among other duties, the Department: (1) prepared monthly financial statements for all NIT
departments, which aids them with their program management; (2) prepared financial reports for over 125 grants
ensuring that the Tribe receives all of the funds obligated by various funding agencies; (3) provided bi-weekly payroll
for approximately 285 employees; and, (4) processed more than $31 million in expenses during 2015 fiscal year.
Joe Mace
Chief Financial
Officer
Rebecca George
Accountants
Payable
Coordinator
Bella Pulido
Accounts Payable
Specialist
Elouise Zapata
Contracts and
Grants Coordinator
Frank Leyva
Treasurer Assistant
Grant Accountant
Richard Jenkins
Grants Accountant
Mimi Marshall
Payroll Coordinator
Stephanie Johnson
Enterprise
Accountant
Nikole Knauft
General Ledger
Accountant
Elizabeth Ames
Controller
Eileah Fornsby
Accounting
Specialist
Rhonda Roberts
Accounting
Specialist
A few of the more notable events that occurred in the Accounting and Finance Department during 2015 were:
• The Independent Auditors completed the 2014 audit on time and reported no material findings. As a
result of the good audit, the Tribe is considered to be a “Low Risk Grantee” by the funding agencies and is
in favorable position for future grant and contract revenue.
• Due to the reorganization of Tribal Enterprises, the Department started providing accounting services to
the Nooksack Market Center, Inc. and added an Enterprise Accountant position to the staff.
• A new Chief Tribal Financial Officer was hired mid-year bringing broad tribal financial experience to the
team.
• Monthly departmental financial statements have been improved.
• The 2016 governmental budget is more comprehensive.
44
Accounting and Finance
45
Accounting and Finance
*VETERANS, AUTO SHOP, POLICY, COMMUNITY EVENTS, TRIBAL COUNCIL, INS. FUND, PROSECUTOR, PLANNING, IT,
MAINTENANCE, FIVE CEDARS WATER, COMMUNITY CENTER, GRANTS, INDIRECT COST POOL, AND INDIRECT.
46
Cultural Resources
George Swanaset, Jr.
Director
Jeremiah Johnny
Cultural Resources
Technician
Sandra Joseph
Adovcate
Trevor Delgado
Cultural Specialist
Wachekiya Roberts
Cultural Resources
Assistant
Preserving our cultural resources is of paramount concern to us here at the Nooksack Indian Tribe. We strive
to achieve respect and assurance that our cultural resources are not negatively impacted and are preserved as
well as protected - not stored away, but lived by our people here and now, as our culture is our law.
In the past year, the Cultural Resource Department has been working on gathering more information
pertaining to our place names in order to promote awareness to our surrounding communities of our historical
“footprint” in our traditional territories.
Activities
Historic Preservation Program Area - Tribal Historic Preservation (sec 106): Review and planning
activities continue with the inventory of additional areas of historical and cultural significance. Federal, State,
County, and City development applications are reviewed and screened for Area’s of Potential Effect (A.P.E.).
Following Federal and State guidelines, where there are projects with Federal dollars attached to it, and the
proposed project sites do consist of cultural/historical concerns, section 106 consultation process under the
federal historic preservation act will be triggered. Thus resulting in preservation, and protection of the site and
its findings. The new areas of effect are documented and recorded into our data system. Projects that do not
have Federal dollars attached to them, but are state, county, or city projects, the Washington State Historic
Preservation Act applies, and consultation begins under executive order 05-05 with the same result as far as
preservation and protection in our data system.
Forestry: The Cultural Specialist works closely with Nooksack Department of Natural Resources in
protecting our cultural resources in the forested areas of our homelands. US Forest Service lands, National
Parks, Washington State Department of Natural Resources (State Lands), and Private Industrial Timberlands
are the focal points of concern. Following Federal and State guidelines concerning historic preservation, each
proposed timber harvest, along with any ground disturbing activity application is screened and reviewed for
potential disturbance to cultural resources. Hunting and gathering sites, historical fishing sites, plant gathering,
spiritual bathing sites, and culturally relevant cedar stands are closely watched and protected.
NAGPRA: We are currently in the early planning stages of developing a Tribal museum. We are visiting
other tribal museums gathering information that is relevant to the Nooksack People, which they may have in
their archives. In these visits, we are learning the process and what it takes to establish a proper museum. It
is going to take and will take a lot more work and more funding, which is being sought out through the visits
as well.
continued on page 48
47
Cultural Resources
Cemeteries: The Nooksack Cemeteries have been needing upgrades for some time, not only to the fences
surrounding the perimeter, but also to the grave markers themselves. Due to loss of records, there are some
graves that are not easily located in some of our tribal cemeteries. That being said, we have started using GPS
units to record known graves, in order to keep accurate records for our families - not meaning to disrespect,
but attempting to preserve. It is our intent to take care of our loved ones’ final resting place and to ease the
minds of our Nooksack families.
Along with the work of placing headstones, the Tribe is also in the process of replacing the existing fences
around our cemeteries.
Two Totem Pole dedications occurred – one at the Nooksack Valley Middle School and the other at Mount Baker School District Campus.
Community Awareness
Together with other agencies, we have been reaching out to the community in order to promote awareness
of Nooksack Indian Tribe’s presence.
In working in conjunction with agencies, such as the U.S. Forest Service, there will be trail heads in national
forests that will have the Nooksack place name associated with the area, as well as significant information
pertaining to the site.
School Districts within Nooksack Indian Tribal historical areas have reached out to us, and have invited us to
share a little about our history. Our relationship with the schools is getting stronger.
48
Tribal Gaming Authority
The Tribal Gaming Agency represents the Nooksack Gaming Commission to implement the Gaming
Ordinance and ensure compliance with the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act and relevant Tribal laws. The
Tribe’s certificate of self-regulation issued by the National Indian Gaming Commission under Indian Gaming
Regulatory Act creates regulatory responsibility for gaming. The Tribal Gaming Agency serves the Tribe as the
Enforcement Body.
The Tribal Gaming Ordinance gives the Nooksack Gaming Commission/Tribal Gaming Agency the
regulatory responsibility. To promote the public order, peace, safety, health and welfare of all persons coming
within the jurisdiction of the Nooksack Indian Gaming establishment. The Agency will ensure that any gaming
activity conducted is fair, responsible and consistent with applicable Federal and Tribal Laws.
The Agency conducts daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and annual audits to ensure compliance. The Agency
investigates regulatory or compliance issues that are not normal to the gaming operations, observing and
documenting incidents in reports or daily logs.
The Agency ensures that all gaming vendors and employees are licensed according to the regulations. The
Licensing Department completed the review with National Indian Gaming Association with no compliance issues.
The Agency bars patrons from the gaming property for criminal or health and welfare concerns as well as
patrons that wish to self-bar, maintaining a list that is shared with Security and Surveillance.
The Original Gaming Ordinance was established in 1993 to provide for the Tribe the ability to self-regulate.
The Nooksack River Casino opened in April of 1994 and the Nooksack Northwood Casino opened November
of 2007.
Licensing Statistics for 2015:
Northwood Casino - 46 Class II employees, 79 Class III employees
Nooksack River Casino - 44 Class II employees, 109 Class III employees
Vendors - Currently 19 licensed
Charlotte Melland
TGA Director
Karina Asencio
Administrative Asst.
Art George
TGA Commisioner
Mike Davis, Sr.
TGA Commisioner
Jim Bura
TGA Commisioner
Todd Dusenberry
Agent
John Fox
Agent
Ed Doherty
IT Technician
Ken Collyott
Agent
Dusty Botteron
Agent
John Bass
Agent
Roy Compton
Agent
Jenette Cuellar
Agent
Susan Epp
Licensing
49
Market Center
2015 has been an exciting year for the Market Center. The
year started out with the Tribal Council taking action to move
the Market Center out of the Nooksack Business Corporation
and into its own Corporation “Market Center INC”. Along
with the move, the Market Center started to contract the Tribe
to handle all of its administrative needs such as Accounting,
Human Resources, Loss prevention, and Maintenance. The
Market Center weathered all of the business altering issues
in 2015: 1. Canadian Exchange was very low all year long 2.
Safeway opened up on Sunset Avenue in Bellingham 3. Road
construction on the Mount Baker HWY all summer. We were able to make adjustments early in the year to help us
meet our budgeted dollars to the Tribe.
Strategically: We focused on our local market with Facebook giveaways
and selling tickets to the Deming Speedway. We also ran instore promotions
with giveaways provided by vendors. The key factor was to put an emphasis on
tracking margins in each of our instore departments to make sure we hit our
target percentages for profit. We are entering into year 10 of audits and continue
to strive for zero audit findings as in our past 9 years.
Networking: The Market Center is a founding member
of the Tribal Summit Group, which is an association for
Tribal C-Stores. We network together with 26 of the 29
tribes in Washington and are reaching out to tribes in
Idaho, Oregon, and California. Together we network
to share best business practices and work as a
group with national vendors to promote national
brands. Also as an association we bring in national
speakers to educate our group in the latest trends. We focus on topics
such as loss prevention, security solutions, human resources practices,
merchandising, in-house investigations, and other areas to advance our
exposure to the latest industry common practices.
Concerns: The Market Center will be 14 years old this coming fall and we are starting to have equipment
issues. In many cases it requires replacement of equipment, although we do have preventive maintenance
programs in place, wear and tear does still happen.
Goals: The 2016 goals of the Market Center is to
continue operating under best business practices, staying
focused on maintaining margins, and growing the business.
Customers are always looking for innovative products,
and the Market Center strives to meet those demands by
offering an assortment of new products in the various instore
departments. Food service is a growing segment in the
convenience store industry and moving forward we will look
for ways to grow this portion of our business. We will continue
to look for ways to offer customers an assortment of quality
products in a convenient and accessible location.
50
Market Center
Review of 2015: The Market Center is continuously working to battle the
industry trends of declining tobacco and cigarette sales. We do this by being
involved in promotional offerings and expanding the tribal cigarette and tobacco
brands that are being offered.
We work with our vendors to make sure we have the best variety of products,
as well as a wider selection of products that are offered by our surrounding
competitors.
Our food service program is year after year showing growth. We do this by
being creative with our offerings and controlling the margins, shrinkage, and food
quality.
Throughout seasonal changes we strive to maintain a clean visible presentation
of our stock and levels to meet our sales. We look for price incentives to push
Bob Solomon
Retail General Manager
products that the customer is looking for.
2015 Distributions: The Market Center closed out 2015 exceeding our budgeted distributions to the tribe.
These include Fuel, Liquor, Cigarette, Title 100, and Sales Tax. We continue to drive sales and generate tax
dollars in order to make distributions to the tribe for future growth.
51
Nooksack Automotive
Greg Pulido
Lead Mechanic
Service Manager
Jeff Haug
Technician I
Billy Wheeler
Technician II