Page 4 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - November 2023

4

New GM shares long-term goals

Long Liu to focus on cultural Do you have an
interdepartmental
sensitivity, communication, communication strategy?
training and empowerment Create a positive communication
plan: Develop a structured
By Bobbie Bush communication plan that includes
regular updates, reports and meetings to
What motivated you to apply for keep departments informed and aligned.
the position of general manager Encourage open dialogue: Foster a
of the Chehalis Tribe? culture of open communication where
First and foremost, I want to see employees feel comfortable sharing
the Chehalis Tribe grow and prosper. I ideas, concerns and feedback across
have worked for the Chehalis Tribe for departments. Encourage cross-functional
eight-plus years and understand some of teams and collaborative projects.
the challenges faced by our community. Provide training: Offer training and
I am dedicated to achieving positive resources to employees to improve their
goals. Secondly, I am motivated by the there should be mechanisms in place for communication skills. This might include
satisfaction of seeing my team succeed transparency, accountability and feedback workshops, conflict resolution and cross-
and reach its potential. Finally, I believe from the community to ensure that the functional collaboration exercises.
in tribal sovereignty and my past upper service aligns with the tribe’s needs.
management experience in various Ultimately, my vision of service to What is going on with the clinic
industries gives me the organizational a tribe should be a collective effort, expansion?
tools to contribute to the success and reflecting the aspirations and priorities
legacy of this tribal community. of the tribe’s members, leaders and We are working very closely with
stakeholders. It should be built on a individual departments responsible for
How long did you work in foundation of respect, cultural sensitivity the expansion – Planning, Accounting
and a deep understanding of the unique
Information Technology? challenges and opportunities facing the and the Wellness Center – for a clear
plan to be presented to our Business
Eight years and nine months. I started tribe. Committee. I will keep everyone posted
as an IT analyst and moved up to Help after the plan is approved.
Desk manager, but I have prior executive What happened to our culture
experience in the newspaper industry. and heritage? When will the building that
previously housed the Elders
Do you have a vision for your The culture and heritage of native Center be complete for Early
service to the tribe? tribes were affected by the colonial Learning/Head Start to use?
domination of settlers that arrived from Only a small amount of work is left for
My vision is in line with the tribe’s Europe, if I understand your question the contractor to complete the project.
mission statement: “To be a thriving, correctly. This had a historic negative Afterward, the building inspector will
self-sufficient, sovereign people, effect. After the American Indian check structural quality and general
honoring our past and serving current Movement (AIM), the U.S. government safety of the building. This transition
and future generations.” has made reparations and tried to should happen very soon based on my
Here are a few things that I would restore cultural heritage across the communication with Facilities.
like to focus on: nation.
Cultural sensitivity: Respect and
honor the Chehalis Tribe’s cultural How can we include more cultural
traditions, values and customs. education for our community
Community empowerment: My through programs – especially for Ultimately, my vision of
vision aims to empower and benefit our youth? Wood carving? Canoe
the members of the tribe, helping them practices? Gathering native service to a tribe should
achieve their goals and improve their plants and making medicine? be a collective effort,
quality of life. First, I will reach out to individual
Sustainability: My service is designed directors and managers to discuss the reflecting the aspirations
for long-term sustainability, considering challenges and opportunities within and priorities of the tribe’s
environmental, economic and social these programs. My goal is to strengthen
factors that impact the tribe’s well-being. youth programs and the cultural members, leaders and
Education and capacity building: My activities presented. I want to bring stakeholders.
focus will be on education and capacity in native experts to do more training
building to help the tribe develop skills with a positive affirmation for wood – LONG LIU, CHEHALIS TRIBE
and knowledge that empower them to carving, canoe traditions and gathering GENERAL MANAGER
become more self-sufficient. medicines from native plants and
Transparency and accountability: making those remedies.