Page 12 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - May 2025

CHEHALIS TRIBAL NEWSLETTER

The Confederated Tribes STAFF
of the Chehalis Reservation,
‘People of the Sands’ Communications Coordinator
Frazier Myer, Communications
Articles and opinions expressed Specialist Bobbie Bush,
are not necessarily those of this Designer Audra J. Hill and the
publication or the Chehalis Tribal Information Technology Team
Business Committee.
TRIBAL CENTER
SUBMISSIONS Main line: 360-273-5911
Tribal members are encouraged Address: 420 Howanut Road BUSINESS COMMITTEE © copyright 2025
to submit birthday and anniversary Oakville, WA 98568
wishes, letters, articles, photos Office: 360-709-1726 Chairman: Dustin Klatush The Chehalis Tribal
and drawings to be considered Fax: 360-273-5914 Vice Chairwoman: Sheilah Bray Newsletter is a
for publication in the newsletter Treasurer: Farley Youckton publication of the
(materials are subject to editing). VISION STATEMENT Secretary: Cheryle Starr Confederated Tribes
Contributing writers, artists and To be a thriving, self-sufficient, Fifth Council Member: of the Chehalis
photographers include Chehalis sovereign people, honoring our Thomas Trott Reservation
tribal community members/staff. past and serving current and future generations.

12
Vision leads to Lifetime Achievement Award

Tribal leader has built when I should have when I was
a successful career 18. But moving forward, I was a
good mentor to the freshmen and
By Bobbie Bush In everything that we sophomores in going to college,”
Rodney Youckton, Chief do in our lives, it’s all Rodney said.
“Another thing my parents were
Community Relations Officer part of that vision of strict about was going to school
for Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel the future that you every day, which means that you go
was nominated for a Lifetime to work every day so that you make
Leadership Award through create for yourself. good habits for yourself. You go to
recommendations from his peers. work every day, on time, you are
Rodney will have worked at – LUCKY EAGLE CASINO’S prompt, do your work, and just like
Lucky Eagle for 21 years this July. RODNEY YOUCKTON school, you do your assignments.
He started in the Tribal Gaming It’s so important because these are
Agency as a commissioner before good habits that you develop. In
the casino opened. He was a everything that we do in our lives,
commissioner for seven years Operations Security for Title 31 freshman orientation with it’s all part of that vision of the
before he began work at the casino. certification program. Rodney 17- and 18-year-olds and looking future that you create for yourself.
The Tribal Leadership Council acquired work experience in all around. I did not see anyone my I was told to never give up your
award recognizes those who have departments at the casino except age. I wished I had listened to my paddle,” Rodney explained.
served their community through surveillance. He has built a parents about being a lifetime Congratulations Rodney on
many phases and years. Recipients successful career at the casino. learner and get my college degree your well-deserved recognition.
adapt their leadership to the Rodney has five children, eight
ever-changing environment of the grandchildren and four great
nation, fostering relationships with grandchildren.
other governments and advocating “Our parents were strong
for inherent rights. Rodney is a believers in being a lifetime learner. CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR HARD WORK!
leader that has left a remarkable They preached to my brothers,
imprint for future generations. sisters and myself to be a lifetime
Rodney followed learner, because once you stop
recommendations from the learning, you die,” Rodney said.
Chehalis Tribal Business “It’s so important to pick up any
Committee and the Tribal kind of training and certifications
Development Program to earn his to go forward in your career
bachelor’s degree. He took night because we all have been put on
courses at The Evergreen State this Earth for a purpose. Finding
College while employed full-time that purpose is the main goal of
and raising children with his wife. your lifetime,” he continued. Chehalis Tribal member Kaylena Delgado graduated from
He also attended courses “Being in the Tribal Washington State University on May 3 with a bachelor’s
through the Dale Carnegie Development Program, I didn’t degree in business.
Leadership program and have a college degree. At age 50,
completed the University of Reno I was sitting at Centralia College