Page 8 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - December 2023

8

FUNDRAISER

Building the future Brick by Brick

Chehalis Tribal Loan
Fund evening puts
money in coffers for
tribal business needs

The Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund
(CTLF) held its annual fundraiser
Brick by Brick from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Dec. 1 at Great Wolf Lodge. The
event bolsters efforts by CTLF in
supporting the tribal community.
Dan Gleason opened with a
prayer. CTLF Chairman Kevin
Bray made opening remarks and
welcomed everyone. There were
80 people who signed in and had a
meal of salmon or chicken. Silent
and live auctions rounded out the
evening.
The Chehalis Tribal Canoe
Family sang three beautiful
songs. Trudy Marcellay, Alicia
Medina and baby, Skylar White
Eagle-Rosebaugh and daughter
Siprianna White Eagle joined
Albert Combs in the welcome. It Chehalis tribal members and loved ones show support for CTLF during its annual fundraiser dinner.
was wonderful to hear Skylar’s
daughter lead a round in the song!
Chehalis Tribe Chairman Dustin
Klatush described the development
of the Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund
and how the tribal government
supports the work to serve tribal
members and the community.
CTLF Executive Director
Tamra Marlowe began with an
overview of services offered in her
department. Included are small
Indian-preneurship loans for
business startups, fireworks loans her mom told her to plan to break the class. She said she enjoyed and a friend of the Hazel Pete
and car loans. Another service that even on those kinds of events. how relatable the stories and family. Samantha was invited
will soon be available is housing Halisa Higheagle, great examples were and the idea that to participate in the Indian-
loans for people who complete granddaughter of Hazel Pete, native people need to be the next preneurship class by Yvonne. She
their orientation and financial spoke on her learning experience entrepreneurs. The class taught said the class was presented in a
literacy training. through the CTLF Indian- that we all have business ideas and teaching/learning style by people
Indian-preneurship class preneurship class. She was culture. she knows and trusts, making
content more culturally relevant.
Betty would like to see the
honored to be part of the class,
The Hazel Pete Institute of which enlightened her on effective Hazel Pete Institute become more Samantha said information was
Chehalis Basketry had a strong business procedures. business savvy and use technology accessible and understandable.
presence at the fundraiser. Too Halisa learned how to organize to expand its brand. She also wants Content on nonprofit business
Nee Mu Sh, Yvonne Peterson, events such as Weavers Teaching to create her own brand featuring development was included, which
sixth generation master weaver Weavers and understands that her basketry and art on a website. she was very interested in learning.
and daughter of legendary master continually making improvements She said the program is amazing
basket weaver Hazel Pete, spoke is essential. Halisa said being and guides participants through Master entertainer
about her mother’s guidance and able to teach, learn and pass on branding, marketing techniques One Crazy Raven Gene
training of all her family to be knowledge of basketry to the next and developing a business plan. Tagaban is an influential
basket weavers. generations is important to her. Betty said the program is valuable storyteller, trainer, speaker,
Hazel also taught her family Betty Pacheco, Hazel Pete’s and well worth the hours, time, mentor and performer. He is of
how to plan for big events, such granddaughter and daughter of reading and work. the Takdeintaan clan, the Raven,
as Weavers Teaching Weavers Donna Choke, thanked Chehalis Samantha Hiatt was up next.
(held twice a year). Yvonne said Tribal Loan Fund for offering She is a student of Yvonne’s See FUTURE / page 9