Page 2 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - March, 2018

2

Naming ceremony has special meaning

Family members’ Indian attendance about mluD is my official Indian name. for cooking it and to our tribal
names honor ancestors the significance She asked everyone in the room Fisheries Department for the
to say my name three times and
donation.
of having an
Contributed by Christina Indian name. encouraged them to ask me to We held a giveaway for those
Wa’ X mluD Simmons-Hicks My cousins introduce myself in my Indian in attendance to show thanks for
Walter Lewis name so I can get familiar with them part taking in the ceremony.
My family held a naming and Glenda the pronunciation. The name It was an important day to me
ceremony for myself and three Comenout Wa’ X mluD originates from the and my family to try to bring back
other family members on Feb. continued the Christina Kittitas Tribe and honors my traditional ways and honor our
24 at the Gathering Room of opening with Wa’ X mluD maternal great-great grandmother ancestors with our names.
the Chehalis Tribal Community songs and Simmons-Hicks Alice Secena. For each individual, our name
Center. dance. They also I am honored to be given a reminds us of our past, of our
My grandfather is Melvin performed other songs throughout family name that comes from ancestors and how important
Shortman, my mother is Jerrie the day, for which I am grateful. the Kittitas Tribe. Alice was the family is to each of us. The family
(Shortman) Simmons and my late My cousin Connie McCloud, daughter of Chief Kitsap and she names carry a responsibility to
father is Michael Simmons. who I’m related to through married Dan Secena. Dan and honor them in the proper fashion.
I have wanted an Indian name my grandmother Faith Secena Alice were the parents of Murphy I’m thankful for my mother
for a long time. After much prayer and her mother Bernice “Buns” Secena, my great grandfather, who is an elder and helped with
and talking with my mom and McCloud (sisters), conducted the Nancy (Beckwith) Secena and the history and teachings of our
other older family members, ceremony. Faith Secena (my grandmother). family and for all she shared. She
my mom told me that she had Connie spoke about the After the four of us were all played a major role in making
names for me and the others. The importance of family and where given our names, we were led this day happen. The family also
decision process and ceremony the names came from. She then off the floor with songs and used this moment to honor and
planning took almost a year. asked selected witnesses to come drumming. We then celebrated celebrate her birthday. Hands up
My good friend Rita Andrews forward to officially take part in with a meal highlighted with fish to all who donated to the table.
of the Skokomish Tribe opened the ceremony. cooked the traditional way on a Thank you,
up the ceremony with a prayer Connie said my English name stick over an open fire. Thank Christina Wa’ X mluD
and explained to everyone in and then announced that Wa’ X you to my cousin Don Secena Simmons- Hicks

EMPLOYEE

From page 1 ‘One of my favorite things
in the world is to spread
Also as part of HR, one of
Jeanette’s roles is to help arrange love. I love connecting
Employee of the Month events.
Keeping her unaware of her with people.’
nomination presented a challenge
for the rest of the department. – JEANETTE SIUFANUA
But they were able to keep it a
secret and surprise Jeanette with desire to impact others’ lives.
the award. Pickernell spoke highly of
“I didn’t anticipate this at all,” the fact that Jeanette is invested
Jeanette said. in helping tribal people find
She accredits her award to just
being true to herself and being a employment that suits the specific
caring, compassionate person. individual.
“One of my favorite things in “These are our people,” Jeanette
the world is to spread love. I love said. Ultimately, she wants to be a
connecting with people,” Jeanette Chehalis tribal employees celebrate Jeanette Siufanua’s Employee of part of the healing process for the
said. the Month recognition with a delicious feast. Chehalis tribal community.
Recently, she was given the task As part of the recognition
of recognizing tribal government working with Jeanette is how she and enthusiastic to be at for Employee of the Month, she
staff on their birthdays as well as keeps the office animated by doing work. Additionally, Jeanette received eight hours paid leave,
anniversaries of employment start things such as randomly breaking is recognized for always being a reserved parking spot, dinner
date. Director of HR Stephanie out in song. polite and boosting moral in her for two at Lucky Eagle Casino &
Pickernell, who nominated Jeanette explained that during workplace. She has a positive Hotel steakhouse Room 88 and
Jeanette, said she really made the her previous position at Facilities, influence on her co-workers. eligibility for Employee of the
project her own. she spent a lot of time in the office “I think Jeanette’s positivity rubs Year.
She has a way of making by herself but she has always off on people. Her upbeat attitude The Social Services and
everyone feel special, whether had an outgoing personality. is contagious,” Pickernell said. Planning departments teamed
she’s delivering birthday cards or The adjustment to her new work She is very appreciative of up to provide Indian tacos to
making announcements on the environment came naturally. everything, which is a trait the employees. The meal was
intercom. Working in HR allows her to Pickernell realizes she’s picked up highlighted by Marla Medina’s
Her lively personality is interact more with people on a in her time working with Jeanette. frybread and various types of
seemingly nonstop. Pickernell daily basis. What motivates her every day chili cooked by members of each
describes that her favorite part of She is noticeably excited is her passion for the tribe and department.