Page 11 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - June 2015
P. 11
Workshop Encourages Oakville High School Seniors To Pursue Higher Education
By Erika Pickernell, Oakville High School Pictured top row (L-R) are Trey Brown, galleys from the house and senate. They
Indian Education Coordinator Jordan Bird, Ray Lopez Jr., Brittany experienced first-hand the negotiation skills and
Maass. Front row (L-R) are Jordan Bray, discussions to make a bill successful.
On Friday May 8th, I took a group of native Kelsey Bray, and Geraldine Youckton.
students to the Capital for a workshop along Next item for our agenda was a tour of the
with Jessie Gleason and Renee Davis from the Photos provided by Erika Pickernell Supreme Court Building with Supreme Court
Chehalis Tribal Education program. The itinerary Justice Debra L. Stephens. After the tour she
for the day was to learn about what different parts Once the mock trial was finished the students spoke to the students on what education and
of the government’s responsibilities and how they toured of the State Capital building. They background needed to become a Supreme Court
interact to accomplish these monumental tasks witnessed a mock bill being passed in both Justice. She talked about how their responsibility
for the people. It was a great experience for all is not to make the laws, but to protect the
the youth who attended. Constitution and not infringe on the rights of the
people.
The day began at the Red Lion in Olympia where
they met Brie Coyle Jones, Attorney at Miller The students toured the Washington State
Nash & Dunn LLP (brie.coyle@millernash. Governor’s Conference Room. The Governor’s
com) and Sarah Clinton Executive Director Conference Room is used for a variety of
YMCA Youth & Government (sclinton@ purposes. News conferences, bill signings and
seattleymca.org). The students then did a mock gubernatorial meetings are the majority of
appellate proceeding that examines the extent of assemblies in this room.
tribal sovereignty under federal Indian Law. The
objective of the workshop is to encourage native It was an enjoyable experience!
students to attend college and law school.
Award continued from Page 1 About Yvonne Peterson in civic engagement. Renaissance of Chehalis
culture led by Hazel Pete meant a recovery of
Three generations take a photo with She is soft-spoken, thoughtful individual and many facets of the recent and distant past: history,
guest speaker Dr. Suzanne Jarvjo. dedicated to preserving many traditions from her legends, language, oral traditions, ceremonies and
Pictured (L-R) are Halisa Higheagle, Dr. upbringing. protocols, celebrations, foods, regalia, songs, and
Suzanne Jarvjo, Billie Higheagle, and arts.
Yvonne Peterson. Traditional arts like basketry have to be What an honor to be nominated for such an
learn and lead. reclaimed and the art has to be raised to a stature achievement award. Along with the three
The goal of NAN is to provide an environment on par with that of the dominant society. Indian other women nominated, their inspiration and
for daughters, mothers, granddaughters, and identity through the arts means empowerment dedication is an awe-inspiring event to be
great-grandmothers to interact with one another. and requires requisite tools to function and witnessed by future generations. Congratulations
To unite Native women of all ages and create a have success at the highest levels of American Yvonne!
forum that celebrates the power which women and Indian society. Respect education, have an
have in creating positive change within their affinity for hard work, have a strong sense of Yvonne Peterson is wrapped with a
families and communities. self-worth - these are the qualities Hazel Pete Pendleton blanket in recognition for
instilled in her brothers and sisters. Yvonne being an nominee for the Enduring Spirit
is the middle child of 14 brothers and sisters. Award
They are Chehalis/Nisqually/Potawatami/ For more information go to
Sac-n-Fox. The home they grew up in on the
Chehalis Reservation was without running water, www.enduringspirit.org
electricity, and a paved road until 8th grade. Like
Hazel Pete, they grew up fishing, gathering,
hunting, and making art. They attended an all-
white public school and involved themselves with
student government activities.
When one itemizes the steps of colonization –
take the land, take the resources, discredit the
legitimacy of thought, denigrate sovereignty and
governance, and take the children. Indigenous art
can play a major role because it can be the visual
that makes the point and begins the conversation
chehalistribe.org greatwolflodge.com luckyeagle.com eagleslandinghotel.net Page 11
By Erika Pickernell, Oakville High School Pictured top row (L-R) are Trey Brown, galleys from the house and senate. They
Indian Education Coordinator Jordan Bird, Ray Lopez Jr., Brittany experienced first-hand the negotiation skills and
Maass. Front row (L-R) are Jordan Bray, discussions to make a bill successful.
On Friday May 8th, I took a group of native Kelsey Bray, and Geraldine Youckton.
students to the Capital for a workshop along Next item for our agenda was a tour of the
with Jessie Gleason and Renee Davis from the Photos provided by Erika Pickernell Supreme Court Building with Supreme Court
Chehalis Tribal Education program. The itinerary Justice Debra L. Stephens. After the tour she
for the day was to learn about what different parts Once the mock trial was finished the students spoke to the students on what education and
of the government’s responsibilities and how they toured of the State Capital building. They background needed to become a Supreme Court
interact to accomplish these monumental tasks witnessed a mock bill being passed in both Justice. She talked about how their responsibility
for the people. It was a great experience for all is not to make the laws, but to protect the
the youth who attended. Constitution and not infringe on the rights of the
people.
The day began at the Red Lion in Olympia where
they met Brie Coyle Jones, Attorney at Miller The students toured the Washington State
Nash & Dunn LLP (brie.coyle@millernash. Governor’s Conference Room. The Governor’s
com) and Sarah Clinton Executive Director Conference Room is used for a variety of
YMCA Youth & Government (sclinton@ purposes. News conferences, bill signings and
seattleymca.org). The students then did a mock gubernatorial meetings are the majority of
appellate proceeding that examines the extent of assemblies in this room.
tribal sovereignty under federal Indian Law. The
objective of the workshop is to encourage native It was an enjoyable experience!
students to attend college and law school.
Award continued from Page 1 About Yvonne Peterson in civic engagement. Renaissance of Chehalis
culture led by Hazel Pete meant a recovery of
Three generations take a photo with She is soft-spoken, thoughtful individual and many facets of the recent and distant past: history,
guest speaker Dr. Suzanne Jarvjo. dedicated to preserving many traditions from her legends, language, oral traditions, ceremonies and
Pictured (L-R) are Halisa Higheagle, Dr. upbringing. protocols, celebrations, foods, regalia, songs, and
Suzanne Jarvjo, Billie Higheagle, and arts.
Yvonne Peterson. Traditional arts like basketry have to be What an honor to be nominated for such an
learn and lead. reclaimed and the art has to be raised to a stature achievement award. Along with the three
The goal of NAN is to provide an environment on par with that of the dominant society. Indian other women nominated, their inspiration and
for daughters, mothers, granddaughters, and identity through the arts means empowerment dedication is an awe-inspiring event to be
great-grandmothers to interact with one another. and requires requisite tools to function and witnessed by future generations. Congratulations
To unite Native women of all ages and create a have success at the highest levels of American Yvonne!
forum that celebrates the power which women and Indian society. Respect education, have an
have in creating positive change within their affinity for hard work, have a strong sense of Yvonne Peterson is wrapped with a
families and communities. self-worth - these are the qualities Hazel Pete Pendleton blanket in recognition for
instilled in her brothers and sisters. Yvonne being an nominee for the Enduring Spirit
is the middle child of 14 brothers and sisters. Award
They are Chehalis/Nisqually/Potawatami/ For more information go to
Sac-n-Fox. The home they grew up in on the
Chehalis Reservation was without running water, www.enduringspirit.org
electricity, and a paved road until 8th grade. Like
Hazel Pete, they grew up fishing, gathering,
hunting, and making art. They attended an all-
white public school and involved themselves with
student government activities.
When one itemizes the steps of colonization –
take the land, take the resources, discredit the
legitimacy of thought, denigrate sovereignty and
governance, and take the children. Indigenous art
can play a major role because it can be the visual
that makes the point and begins the conversation
chehalistribe.org greatwolflodge.com luckyeagle.com eagleslandinghotel.net Page 11
