My name is Joel Boyd, and I am a drug and alcohol free 31-year-old member of the Arrow Lakes Band of the Colville Confederated Tribes. I am running for a position on the Colville Business Council in the Inchelium District, Position 1. My parents are Sharon deLeon (Watt) and the late Jim Boyd Sr., and I am the proud father of a six-year-old daughter named Jayme, all from Inchelium.
I graduated from Eastern Washington University in 2013 where I received my Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Sociology. I received my Associates of Arts Degree from Spokane Falls Community College. I also graduated the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center basic police academy in 2015.
I currently work for the Tribe's Parks and Recreation program as a Natural Resource Enforcement Officer, and have been in this position since 2014. Prior to this job, I was a Social Worker for TANF/Employment & Training and a Camp Counselor for Twin Lakes Youth Camp. During and immediately after high school, I was a Forestry Intern with Inchelium Forestry and attended the University of Idaho where I studied Forest Resources prior to attending EWU. All of my work experience reflects what is important to me: our laws, our natural resources, and our members.
Like the majority of our members, I am concerned with the drug problem on our reservation. We must build on the current programs we have in place to get people the help they really need not only while in treatment but when they return. Too many times, we see people go to treatment only to come home to the reservation and fall victim to the same lifestyle. We need to implement better follow-up care in order to ensure continued success for those struggling with addiction.
Job development is important for our communities with only a handful of employment opportunities in our smaller districts. Many of our tribal members must commute to surrounding areas in order to obtain a job, which is a hardship on their family and usually short lived. We need to build our economy for the social well-being of our membership.
I believe many of the candidates all have the same goal in mind and many of the same beliefs when it comes to what our tribe needs, whether that be education for the youth, or more benefits and funding for our elder programs. I will put in 100% of my effort into representing the tribe as a whole, and to always listen and consider everyone's voice when decisions must be made. I understand that transparency in decision-making is important to our members.
Now, more than ever before, I think the council and the entire tribal membership needs to start working together and stop blaming and fighting with certain individuals and programs. We will be dealing with many possible changes from the federal level while our current President is in office and have already seen what he is capable of that could be detrimental to our tribe. Aside from working on the problems we face internally, we must also take action if something were to threaten our tribe at the state and national level, such as funding which supports our health care and our tribal programs. We cannot continue fighting amongst ourselves or going after one another as we have much more important things to be concerned about and they will require group efforts. I am ready to be your voice at all levels, with honesty and integrity and respectfully ask for your support.
Limlmtx
Joel Boyd
Susie Allen
Dear Tribal Members,
I am running for re-election for POSITION No. 2, for the 2017 Primary Elections as your candidate of choice. In 2015 our community asked me to run and to work diligently for “THE PEOPLE AND PUT THEM FIRST” and to represent and respect the “VOICE” of the membership. I am honored to have served you these past two years and I am again asking you to trust me to represent you at the Tribal Council Table. In the past two years I have supported for the “good of the whole” along with the “majority vote” of the Colville Business Council leaders the following Programs:
- The Tribal prioritized investment for fiber infrastructure build-out throughout the reservation communities for the Tribal Government’s critical anchor institutions. This is bringing fiber infrastructure to the Lake Roosevelt Community Health Center, Inchelium School District, Buttercup Lane Housing, Inchelium Forestry and other Tribal Departments and Facilities. The fiber installation is underway and projected to be completed by the end of this summer’s construction season. These main fiber arteries will provide the network backbone for future economic development opportunities that could lend itself to deliver high-speed connections to homes.
- The development of a Reservation Community Wellness plan. The plan in concept will include new Community Centers in each District and includes a Treatment Facility, Convalescent Center, and Assisted Living Facility. I motioned to amend the recommendation to include the latter two critical facilities for our ELDERS and the majority vote was successful. (The 40+ year old Convalescent Center has reached its life span - we must take care of our Elders.) A Convalescent Center business plan was completed 2-3 years ago and needs to be updated. The Tribal membership will have the ability to provide their input and feedback in the near future.
As Tribal Leaders “we” have to be vigilant in protecting the TRIBES’ SOVEREIGNTY and our RESERVATION way of life. It’s imperative you have the Tribal Leadership elected who is knowledgeable and capable of addressing national policy matters that could have the potential for impacting our Tribal status and its “resources”. Our Tribe has a “unique government-to-government relationship” with the United States through the 1872 Colville Tribes Executive Order. The Tribal Leadership must consistently remind the United States government they have a duty and obligation to the Tribes for advancing initiatives to improve the quality of life for our Tribal Membership and reservation communities,”
I commit to you that I will continue working diligently for our community and for the Tribe as a whole and communicate on matters of great importance to you. I will continue to support and provide sponsorship donations for our Youth, Elders, and Community Activities.
As your Councilwoman, I will always consider the members concerns first and respect our Cultural Customs and Traditions.
Respectfully,
Elizabeth ‘Susie’ Allen
Tobias Finley
Dear Inchelium Voter –
If you don’t already know me by now, my name is Tobias Finley and I am running for Position #1 - Inchelium District, for the Colville Confederated Tribes. I have been a resident of Inchelium for nearly twenty years. I have been with my wife Kathie Finley for 23 years. Together we have raised six children - and have six beautiful granddaughters.
My family has been in Inchelium for several generations and many of my family have served on council.
If elected, there are three areas that I plan to focus my efforts:
1. Economic Development
• Issue –I would like to see more opportunities for financial growth that leads us away from being reliant upon the Federal Government. Make no mistake, these are scary times. But now is the time for us to be proactive and not reactive and to steer the Tribe in a direction that offers self-sufficiency. I have a few ideas that I strongly feel could lead us in that direction.
• How - Hemp Production (not marijuana) and developing a Water Bottling facility. Both of these alternatives are environmental friendly and renewable.
• Why – So that the Tribe is no longer relying on Federal Funds, and that we may be self-sustaining.
2. Better Governance
• Issue –Distrust, alleged backdoor dealings, nepotism, not acting in the best interest of the tribe and lack of accountability.
• How – I would propose an Ethics Board or an Elders Council where their input shall be sought & considered.
• Why – So that the Tribal Council is accountable and transparent, where major decisions are brought forth to the voters for their concurrence where routine updates are provided to the membership.
3. Housing & Infrastructure
• Issue - There a complete lack of adequate housing available. There are water concerns reservation-wide from Inchelium to Nespelem about the water quality and quantity.
• How – Building affordable housing through an on-the-job training program. Thus teaching construction skills to our members while providing affordable housing to our tribal membership and minimizing cost of construction.
• Why – The members of the Colville Confederated Tribe are living in substandard conditions, with water issues and this is no longer acceptable.
These are just some of the issues I hope to inspire. I know there are so many more issues we are all passionate about and my hope is to address these too. I will do my best to serve you in a manner that is respectable and proactive. So, if you are behind me, please contact the Elections Office at 509-634-2121 to request your Absentee Ballot. On MAY 6, 2017 & JUNE 24, 2017 BE SURE TO GET OUT AND VOTE FOR ME TOBIAS FINLEY! In the meantime, if you want to talk to me about any of these issues or any other issues, please give me a call at 509-722-3335. I want to thank you for your support.
Respectfully,
Tobias Finley
Tig Phillips
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My name is Julie Phillips you most likely know me as Tigger/Tig Phillips; an enrolled member of the Snk’ayckstx band; I am running for position #2 in the lnchelium District. Limlimtx for taking the time to read my letter and getting to know a little about me. My husband is Larry M. Kheel; we have been a couple for 20+ years and were married this past summer. I have four adult children; Jerame, Sr., Jon, Loriel and Jake and 9 grandchildren, whom I adore. I am the second oldest of nine siblings. My parents are Gene Phillips of lnchelium, and Joanne Phillips (passed), of Kewa. My paternal grandparents are Charlie and Julia (Edwards) Phillips; my maternal grandparents are Joe and Leona (Toulou) Ferguson; all of whom have crossed the creek.
I believe my life experiences, education and work experience will be an asset to our Tribe in these trying times. My higher education includes a B.A. in Business Administration with an emphasis in Management Information Systems - User End from Eastern Washington University, and an A.A.S. in General Business with a year of Accounting and a year of Computer Programming from Spokane Community College. I held the elected, non-paid, position of lnchelium School Board Director; position #1 for 10 years, 3 of which were as Board Chair and served on several of the school committees. Currently, I am on the Board of Director’s for our lnchelium Language and Culture Association and policy council member for our lnchelium Head Start; both of which are non-paid positions. My entire life I have volunteered in my community for youth and adult; I’m a firm believer in giving back to my community. I call it ‘Soul Food’ because it is so good for our souls to give back.
I realize tribal council will be challenging at times but I am at a point in my life where I can devote my full attention to the position of your council. My culture, my family and my people; this is what I value, this is what I vow to protect. For the past several years I’ve had the great opportunity to study our nselxcin language both as a full-time student and now self-studying with a local group of learners.
I’m so grateful for the opportunity to run and serve for my people. Please vote for Julie (Tigger/Tig) Phillips, position #2.
Primary election polls open May 6, 2017 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. at the lnchelium Senior Meal Site or have your absentee ballot post marked by May 6, 2017.
way’ limlimtx
Julie (Tigger/Tig) Phillips
Doug Seymour
Your vote = Your voice
My name is Douglas J Seymour, son of the late Jim and Shirley (Michel) Seymour from the Sinixt Band of the Colville Confederated Tribes. lnchelium voters on and off the reservation, thank you for your continued support over the years giving me the opportunity to serve you on council 2006-2008 and again from 2010-2012.
I am asking for your support in the upcoming election on May 6, 2017.
*If requesting an absentee, please call 509-634-2121 Election Board
Lim Limt’
Douglas Seymour
Allen Hammond
Way' My Fellow Tribal Members
I have thrown my hat into the Political arena again. I would like to explain my reasons.
I made some mistakes the last time I was elected. A big one was that I did not communicate enough to the Tribal Membership on the issues and projects I was dealing with. I do not like to talk about myself and I had assumed that my actions would speak louder than my words. I know now I was wrong and that I have learned. I will communicate more this time.
I have heard a lot of talk about the number of people running for CBC this year only because of the salary increase. I would like to say that this is not my reason. If it was just money I would stay at my current position as Chief of Corrections and not risk anything staying where I'm at. I'm just very concerned on the direction of our Tribes. I think I can accomplish more from a CBC Seat.
I have many concerns with our tribe and what is being done. When I left I had just had the Tribal Wood Treatment Plant finally cleaned up after years of sitting there being a toxic hazard to the aquifer that feeds the New lnchelium City Wells. There where $millions$ sitting in the EPA office just waiting to be filed against our tribe. I pushed and convince my fellow Council Members that this needed to be cleaned up immediately because of the possible danger of the toxins getting into the city water. I was also trying to get a Construction Training Center put into operations at the facility. So it was not sitting there doing nothing like it has for years. This was completely forgotten after my exit. This opportunity would help train anyone who was interested in the construction fields and help them to receive at least Apprentice Status on Graduation and be able to get a job anywhere in the State of Washington. I would like to finish that project to help and do something directly for our people's futures. The products could be sold back to the community at cost to help continue the training.
I was Vice Chair for the UCUT program; I was helping on the Columbia River Treaty Issues, and trying to get salmon back at least to the shores and creeks of Inchelium area again.
I was also a member of the ONA In Canada and worked a lot with a good friend who was a mentor of sorts and the Sinixt Representative for our people and who was doing an awesome job. I was very privileged to work with and help him to get Sinixt recognition in Canada. I feel this also has lost movement it seems our representation In Sinixt original territories has been put on a rear burner. I would like to see more concentration on this endeavor to fulfill our dream. I went to the Desautel Court Case to lend support and I will be there March 27. Win or lose we have to keep pushing until we are recognized.
What is our CBC doing to neutralize any action coming out of the Trump Administration? They should proactively have a plan or at least be diligently working on one. It would mean a loss of employment. I would really like to push extremely hard to become Truly a Real Sovereign Nation.
Well, can't say much in 600 word limit. I have the experience. Let's see where this election goes for our future?
Allen Hammond,
lnchelium District
Marvin Kheel
Position 2 Inchelium District
Greetings to the members of the Colville Confederated Tribes. My name is Marvin J. Kheel, and I am asking for your support in the upcoming Tribal Business Council elections for the Inchelium District, position #2.
I am the son of Ramona and Pete Kheel. I have worked for the Colville Tribe since 1994, first with the Parks and Recreation Maintenance Division , and as an enforcement Enforcement Officer for 6 years. I am a graduate of the Federal Training Academy in Artesia. New Mexico.
During my previous tenure as your Tribal Councilman, l served as the Law and Justice Chairman and the Tribal Government Vice Chairman. During that time I brought accountability to the Law and Justice Department.
At present there is an unclear future concerning Federal Funding for Native American Tribes. Currently, there are imminent cuts planned for certain tribal programs including; Natural Recourses, Head Start, and Higher Learning, among others. It will be an uphill battle for our representatives in Washington D.C. to insure adequate financial support and enhancement for the needs of the American Indian Tribes.
It is clear that the current Colville Tribal Enterprises are a long way from adequately being able to support the shortfalls that will be felt by our important Tribal Programs.
It is my intention, if elected as your representative, to actively enhance and recruit experienced, motivated, hard working grant writing personnel to research and apply for all applicable funding sources to fill the voids that are being felt within the important Tribal Programs.
As an item of concern that has come to my attention was the eighteen dollar an hour raise that the present Tribal Council chose to approve for themselves, this past October, without the knowledge and approval of the general membership. I, as well as others, feel that this was an unprofessional and self serving act that reflects a breach of trust to the wishes of the general membership. As your representative I will vigorously work to restore the trust that is expected of Council to the general membership and eliminate the back door politics.
At this time of an uncertain future for Tribal Funding it is unreasonable for council member candidates to make promises that involve expenditures with money that the Tribe does not have.
If elected I will follow the priorities that are important to the lnchelium District and the membership as a whole. These include the following....
*Proper management and enrichment of the Tribe’s Natural recourses to assure sustainability for our future generations.
* Establish an elite team of grant writers to adequately research and apply for all available funding sources to sustain and support the much needed programs of the Colvi11e Tribe.
* To insure all present programs are utilizing budgets in an efficient and compliant manner.
* Enrichment of funding for Higher Education, Healthcare, and Alcohol and Drug programs.
In closing, I thank you for your support and look forward for the opportunity to serve as your· representative for the Incheliurn District.
Please feel free to contact me at (509) 680-5259 with any questions or concerns.
Marvin Kheel
Ben Marchand
1. Real Indian, Apple Indian, or Non Indian
Which are you?
Our blood quantity is rapidly declining take a look of yourself.
1/4 blood - 2,441 enrolled members
1/2 blood - 1,311 enrolled members
3/4 blood - 205 enrolled members
4/4 blood - 367 enrolled members
If this isn’t worrying you than it should as we are rapidly declining our own members we are self terminating.
2. Housing is always a issue for everyone, look around, our members are living in poverty HUD housing and other old shacks, old trailers, or are homeless. Look at how our council members are living compared to those in need. Shouldn’t the tribal members be taken care of first before our leaders take care of themselves.
3. Start the saw mill back up on a small scale to allow us to produce lumber for housing, bring in your housing plan, that we would produce a material list for you, which you can get for free, these would be the requirements first, any enrolled tribal member, you would be required to pass a house framing carpenter test, or a enrolled family member who is trained also in electrical and plumbing, training would be available by employing those tribal members who have those skills to train others, your training will be hands on by building housing for the full bloods who are elderly. Once trained the only thing left to do would be to obtain a 5 acre lease which you would be charged 300.00 per month, at the end of each year you would get your 300.00 back in one check, if your fences are up, yard is cleaned, no wrecked cars, or garbage around your property and each following year would be the same. There will be annually inspections required on your progress. In reality you would pay for nothing you would get it all back.
4. HUD Housing, if you get a raise your monthly payments go up ask your council since they got their raise did their payments go up on their houses. Don’t be fooled by the political move by two council members who voted no for the raise they already knew the other 12 council member were going to vote, yes. Ask them if they accepted the raise cause they didn’t have too.
5. How are we going to pay for this? According to the constitution and by-laws of the Colville Confederated Tribes non tribal business can be taxed also we should be able to tax non trust lands and those funds go to our Tribal Government instead of the State/Federal government. We should be able to charge non members a resident permit, family visitor permit, and tourist permit. Tribal members should only have to have three permits blue card, building permit which you will be charged for, but get the permit fee back when project is finished, and third permit would allow a tribal member to take wood and traditional foods off the reservation for personal use.
6. Senior citizens meal sites should be for tribal members only and if you don’t want to go sit with non tribal members than you should be able to receive $25.00 per meal which would amount to $500.00 a month which would not take away from your senior stipend you already receive.
7. The tribe should never run out of funds to purchase non trust lands and education which would include our traditional languages. The Inchelium Language Program is stuffed in a small HUD house they need a brand new school 100% percent support from our tribal council.
8. The tribal members need to give the CBC our agenda instead of when they get elected make their own agenda.
9. Money put back in tribal member pockets should always be a priority to CBC here are some ideas: 25 cents per vehicle traveling across individual private lands that was taken without the consent of land owner, now they say if the paved road is ever removed you get your land back, what is the reality, that will never happen, you lost your land and are receiving nothing for it.
10. I have other ideas such as: Contest for the best idea for a tribal business and Tribal Member Lotto your blue card number is your lotto number, which would be drawn weekly, let’s start a $5,000.00 per drawing.
My name is Ben Marchand, Sr. 5/16 Arrow Lakes who is 100% for the Tribal Members Only! I am running for Council for Inchelium District Position #2 here is my phone number (509) 675-8495 if you would like to discuss anything at all.
Ben Marchand
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