Page 3 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - January 2024

3

2024 brings exciting initiatives

Chehalis Tribe introduces quarterly meetings,
suggestion boxes; departments share goals GENERAL MANAGER UPDATE

By Chehalis Tribe General Manager focusing on key pillars: Communication,
Long Liu Collaboration, Trust and Vision. By

As we step into the new year, I am aligning ourselves with these principles,
we are creating an environment where
thrilled to share exciting updates and everyone feels valued and safe. We
initiatives that will shape our journey in believe that together, with the right
2024. mindset and tools, we can achieve
New quarterly meeting format: In remarkable things.
response to the evolving needs of our Stay tuned for the next edition: Be
community, the Business Committee on the lookout for the next edition of
has made a strategic decision to the message from the General Manager,
transition from one annual meeting where we will delve deeper into our
to a quarterly meeting format. This initiatives, updates and progress we
change aims to enhance communication, are making as the Chehalis Tribe
foster collaboration and address any organization.
concerns that our tribal employees and Thank you to everyone for your
community members may have. continued dedication and hard work.
The three quarterly meetings will
have the same format with booths and Center, Wellness Center, Public Safety
presentations from the departments, and Community Center. Additionally,
however, the fourth meeting will have you can submit ideas and solutions
the Resource Directory and Annual via suggestions@chehalistribe.org.
Report publications distributed in Your input is important, and we look We believe that together,
November as in previous years. The first forward to hearing your valid, innovative with the right mindset
quarterly meeting will be on March 9. suggestions.
Suggestion Box Program: We are There will be appropriate signage and and tools, we can achieve
excited to introduce the Suggestion Box instructions at each secure Suggestion remarkable things.
program throughout the organization. Box location.
This initiative encourages all employees Director’s Retreat highlights: – LONG LIU, CHEHALIS TRIBE
to contribute fresh, feasible ideas Recently, we had our first Director’s GENERAL MANAGER
and solutions. Suggestion boxes will Retreat where each department shared
be conveniently placed at the Tribal goals and objectives for the year. We are

CONNECTIONS grade teacher requested resources through language, weaving, songs one of the three Es planned to
From page 1 from Talisa, who shared specific and stories and ethnobotanical guide them after graduation
(enrollment, employment and
Chehalis Tribe histories and real
knowledge. She taught us what to
The atmosphere in the histories from “The Chehalis eat and what to gather. enlistment).
classroom and school building People” book. “As an adult, I ensure my “I believe in every student’s
contribute to student success. To Talisa also requests Chehalis children know the importance of ability to succeed in the paths they
help prepare for the work, Talisa tribal departments visit schools to their culture and heritage. They choose. I encourage them to follow
asked herself, “What would help provide educational opportunities. know what to gather at each time their dreams. I see potential in all
me learn better in this class?” The Chehalis Tribal Loan Fund of year here in Chehalis. These are the students and truly want the
Greeting students daily was asked to work with students things I share with students when best for all of them,” Talisa said.
with “ʔə ́ y tit sq’ítɑčI” (Good in the Oakville School District. they ask. She was the one who Do you have any advice for
day) using Chehalis language Plant medicine will be facilitated taught me who I am and where students, parents or other
to communicate and singing a with students through the Tribal I come from. That is a powerful educators?
morning song for our middle and Connections grant. feeling,” she said. Talisa explained that
high school students are some of What motivated you to Do you have a vision for your attendance is very important for
the ways Talisa creates comfort apply for the position of Indian service to students? success in school. She said when
and rapport with students. Education Coordinator at Talisa’s goals for her life’s work students are present, they can
She helps teachers understand Oakville School District? are to: receive support and enrichment to
the difference between Treaty Working for the students is n Leave the young ones with help them grow and learn.
Tribes and Executive Order Tribes my biggest motivation. Growing all the knowledge that she has, to “Oakville School District is
and why that is important. An up in Taholah, I had a wonderful help the culture stay alive. grateful that the community trusts
example is when the third grade cultural educator, Ms. Mice. n Support the students’ choices us to provide education, safety and
was working on a social studies/ She worked with her students 100% culture for their children, and we
history writing project. The third- and built those cultural skills n Make sure students have take that very seriously,” she said.