Page 6 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - December, 2018

6

Court system honors Dan

‘Bones’ Gleason for work

Former chairman development stages of the court
of NICS was with system. Gleason was presented
with a separate certificate for his
organization from tenure as chairman of NICS.
Gleason was also gifted a
its start in the 1980s wood carving as part of the
gratitude the organization
The Northwest Intertribal showed that afternoon.
Court System (NICS) recognized “We are honored to have
Dan “Bones” Gleason for his worked with Dan for all these
contribution to the organization years,” Kamkoff said.
as chairman for 16 years on As NICS Chairman,
Nov. 20. Gleason headed all of the Daniel Kamkoff (left) presents a certificate to Dan “Bones” Gleason for
This intertribal operation was quarterly meetings, brought his years of service to the Northwest Intertribal Court System.
founded by a number of tribes, knowledgeable insight to
including the Chehalis Tribe. the table and is known to be NICS is to ensure that all tribes essentially helped the tribe with
Its main function is to give “extremely reliable” Kamkoff are treated equally, regardless of a majority of court matters, and
assistance to tribes with judicial explained. size or financial status. he expresses his gratitude for
courts by providing judges, Gleason said he’s been Gleason decided to step down everything NICS has done to
attorneys and other types of legal involved with NICS since it this November because traveling help develop the tribe’s court
assistance. first started in the early 80s. to meetings isn’t as easy as it system into what it is today.
NICS Director Daniel He described how when he was always has been. Kamkoff explained that there
Kamkoff and fellow board vice chairman, he used to attend Sometimes, the commitment is transition taking place with
members came to the Chehalis meetings with former Chehalis to NICS required that he drive the Chehalis Tribe; it is now
Tribe to personally honor Tribe Chairman Percy Youckton. up past Seattle to the Tulalip operating independently from
Gleason. After frequenting meetings Reservation. NICS.
Kamkoff presented the tribe and getting more involved as Gleason thanks NICS for all “We are glad to have
with a certificate of appreciation a delegate, Gleason eventually of the help it has given through participated in the work and
for being one of its founding was elected as chairman of the the years. effort with this tribe to develop
members and helping with the organization. A main focus of He said the organization its court,” Kamkoff said.

Natural Helpers provide cultural teachings

5 tribal members children and families. They
awarded for important make it their personal mission
to make connections to pass on
service to communities their cultural knowledge and
traditional teachings. They are
The Tulalip Tribes hosted noted for helping others in their
the American Indian Health journey forward to complete
Commission’s (AIHC) sixth health and well-being.
annual Maternal, Infant and Five Tribal and Urban
Early Childhood Health and Indian Community Natural
Home Visiting Summit on Nov. Helpers were nominated and
14. chosen for the special gifts and
Braiding Tradition, Culture contributions they bring to their
and Prevention to Support communities. Thank you to the
Healthy Seven Generations: 2018 Natural Helper Award
Healthy Babies, Healthy recipients: Danita Washington
Moms, Healthy Families. Five and Ron Tso, Lummi Nation;
individuals were honored as 2018 Natural Helpers – Front center: Danita Washington, Lummi. Top Christina Hicks, Chehalis
2018 Natural Helper recipients, row from left: Christina Hicks, Chehalis; Tony Johnson, Shoalwater Bay; Tribe; Tony Johnson (Chinook),
nominated from four tribes as Ron Tso, Lummi; and Lillian Henry Price, Tulalip Tribes. Shoalwater Bay Tribe; and
those who carry and provide Lillian Henry Price, Tulalip
traditional cultural teaching the importance of cultural inspire us to fulfill the vision Tribes.
and practices within their continuity in realizing the vision of Healthy Native Families for The event is supported in
tribal communities. Every year, of Healthy Seven Generations. Seven Generations. partnership with AIHC and
AIHC invites Natural Helper Natural Helpers are Natural Helpers make a the state Department of Child,
Award recipients to join the individuals acknowledged by positive impact on the health of Youth and Families, the state
event for a lunchtime ceremony. their communities as those people in their communities by Department of Health and the
Awards are a token of AIHC’s who perpetuate cultural and contributing to the well-being generous contributions of the
appreciation and to acknowledge traditional knowledge and of mothers, babies, fathers, Tulalip Tribes.