Page 2 - January 2010

Four Chehalis Youth Make Beautiful Music at Piano Recital 2 experience for the children and the adults grandparents and parents smiling proudly. who came to listen. They are looking forward to the next Four of our Chehalis tribal youth recital to be held in May, hopefully at our performed at this, their frst recital. new Community Center. Music is such a They sure played Jolly Old Saint Nick special way to communicate. Our program is professionally! Kelsey Bray (age 10) Kirsten working on providing other types of lessons Secena (age 10), Chayse Youckton (age 8), such as guitar and fute. These classes will and Roberta Youckton (age 11) practiced be scheduled at the Community Center. hard for this recital with their teacher Susan Guitar lessons will be held on Thursdays Lancaster. Our youth took on the task of from 4-5 pm. So if you have anyone performing together, which is not easy. The interested in joining our “Soaring Above the four did an exceptional job. Infuence” Youth Program, please contact As they were Lorrie Bonifer, Prevention Specialist, at playing, you 360-309-1717, or come by her offce at the could see Wellness Center. The Chehalis “Soaring Above the Influence” Youth Group proudly display their certificates after successfully participating in their first piano recital. All of the youth played professionally, and agreed that it was exciting and fun. Pictured (L-R) are Kelsey Bray, Kirsten Secena, Chayse Youckton, Roberta Youckton, and Lorrie Bonifer, Prevention Coordinator. Kirsten By Fred Shortman, Editor Secena (L) and Kelsey The “Soaring Above the Infuence” Youth There were children of all ages and skill Bray focus on Group participated in their frst piano levels playing the piano at the recital. The their music recital at the Music & Me Winter Recital Christmas music they performed was played as they play on December 18 at Centralia’s Church of very well, indeed. It was an awesome feeling at the piano the Nazarene. There were about 100 friends seeing the children so focused on playing the recital. It and family who attended this great recital. piano. They practiced hard for the love of was a proud The children were all dressed up and were music and to make their families proud. As moment for smiling and laughing in anticipation of their they performed you could hear the beautiful all as they performance. They were wanting to play sound of the piano echoing across the room. performed so their best for their family and friends. It was awe-inspiring. It was a rewarding professionally. This Tax Season, Be Wary of “Instant” Your 10 Minutes Filling out the 2010 Tax Refunds: They are Really High Census Will Give Voice to More Natives Interest Loans The idea of a census is to produce “a Qualifcation for funding is based on census realistic and accurate portrait of America.” data. Our Tribal Leaders use the census data Why pay for something you can get for  GET YOUR CREDITS! Every year in It’s important to Indian Country because the for grants and planning. free? You don’t have to pay high fees to Native communities, millions of Earned decennial (ten year) census count determines The census short form includes just 10 commercial tax preparers for quick cash Income Tax Credit (EITC) dollars go Congressional representation. That is why questions and takes only a few minutes to refunds. There are free tax services that will unclaimed. If your family earned less that the census is conducted: It was written into complete. Please take the time to provide help you pay less and get more refunds. $43,279 in 2009, you may qualify for the the Constitution. this information that can greatly help. As tax time comes closer remember these EITC when you fle your return. You could But beyond that, because of Native We hope all questionnaires will be in the points: get up to $5,657 depending on your income American’s unique legal and political status, mail by April 1 but the enumerators will st and number of qualifying children. we qualify for federal funding across a broad continue to work on gathering data through  KEEP YOUR CASH! Instant tax range of programs. This includes funds July. For details go to:www.census.gov/2010 refunds are really high-cost loans! Free  PUT YOUR MONEY TO WORK! Use for housing, health care, education, job census or www.ncai.org. tax sites have volunteers trained by the your tax refund to achieve your family’s creation, environmental services and so on. Internal Revenue Service who can help fnancial goals. Pay bills, improve your you maximize your tax refund and get credit by reducing your debt, or save for a Governor’s Developmental Disabilities Council it deposited electronically in your bank house, your education or a small business. account. This way, you can access your Check out the 2009 Native EITC Seeks Volunteers for Two Open Positions refund money in just a few days. outreach tools available on their website: www.oweesta.org/eitc or call 605-342-2771. OLYMPIA, Wash. – The Washington State determination, independence, inclusion, Developmental Disabilities Council is integration and productivity for people with seeking volunteers to fll two open positions developmental disabilities. The 33-member Carving Canoe Provides Chance on the Governor-appointed member organization consists of self-advocates, family members, service providers and organization. The Council’s preference is to to Learn Traditional Skills fll the vacant positions with two parents or government agency representatives. guardians of a person with developmental “Our job as council members is to disabilities; however, self-advocates are support our community, advocate for By Fred Shortman, Editor also encouraged to apply for the positions. important policy issues that affect people The Council is hoping to fll the vacancies with developmental disabilities, and Mr. Wilson invites people interested in used to fsh for the Salmon Ceremony. What with representatives from the following keep a close eye on what’s happening learning to carve to attend the carving a ftting and honorable way to use the canoe! counties: Clallam, Jefferson, Grays Harbor, in government and our communities,” classes. The dugout river canoe is partially Tribal members have been working on Mason, Pacifc, Wahkiakum, Okanogan, said George Walker, Council Chair. “It fnished with a few people diligently other projects including paddles, rattles, and Ferry, Douglas, Lincoln, Grant and Adams is so important that our council members working on it. The bottom stage of the canoe little canoes. There have been donations of counties. Selected council members will represent all of the diverse communities is almost fnished. With the winter weather different kinds of cedar, too. The donations hold a three-year term and are eligible throughout Washington. That’s why we being so cold and nasty, the canoe has been have been greatly appreciated. If you have a for reappointment for a second term. The are encouraging people of color and other moved inside the wood shop. This provides project that isn’t fnished, fnd the time and Council covers all expenses, including travel interested candidates from more rural areas a more comfortable work place. It also come on in. to meetings, meals and lodging. in Washington to apply for the positions.” solves daylight issues that the winter months There is also a plan to host a barbecue The Washington State Developmental The application deadline is April create. night. So watch for fyers. The carving Disabilities Council ensures that people 30, 2010. For more information or an There has been some brainstorming on classes are Wednesdays and Fridays, 3-5 with developmental disabilities receive application, please contact Linda West at the use of the canoe. Completion of the PM, and Saturdays, 2-5 PM. Contact Dan the support, treatment and other services (360) 586-3572, or outside the Olympia canoe by the spring would allow it to be Penn at 360-709-1747. necessary to enable them to achieve their area, 1-800-634-4473. Linda can also be maximum potential. The Council also reached by email at:: linda.west@commerce. develops public policy recommendations, wa.gov which promote the values of self- Chehalis Business Committee Tribal David Burnett, Chairman Don Secena, Vice Chairman Newsletter Jessie Goddard, Treasurer Cheryle Starr, Secretary 420 Howanut Road Dan Gleason, Sr., 5th Council Member Oakville, WA 98568 (360) 273-5911 (office) Chehalis Tribal Newsletter Staff: (360) 273-5914 (fax) Fred Shortman, Communications Coordinator newsletter@chehalistribe.org Articles and opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily the opinions of this publication or the Chehalis Tribal Business Committee. The Chehalis Tribal Newsletter encourages tribal members to submit letters, articles, photographs, and drawings to be considered for publication. These are subject to editing. Contributing writers, artists, and photographers include Chehalis tribal The dugout river canoe has been moved inside of the wood shop. The phase community members and staff. The Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis of carving the bottom of the canoe is almost finished. Pictured are (L-R) Reservation... Antonio Sanchez, Sid Smith, Jodie Smith and John Penberth. Submission deadline: 6th of each month “People of the Sands” Photo by Master Carver Dave Wilson Printed: Each month