Meeting Minutes

Meeting was called to order at 7:30am.  Michael Peters led the flag salute.

Guests: Michael Peters, Danille Turissini, Rich Erickson, Jackson May, Jonathan Maestas, Judith Morris, Jesse Major, Sherry Curran, Rev. Trisha Burson-Johnson, Rev Clancy Blakemore, Ron Richards, W. Ron Allen.

Candidates Attending:  Maggie Roth, Ron Richards, Randy Johnson, Gabe Rygaard, Danille Turissini and Dave Neupert.

Minutes:

Maggie Roth moved and Andrew May seconded acceptance of PABA minutes for July 26.  Motion carried.

Membership:

President Brewer introduced and gave membership certificate to new member, John Halberg.  Mr. Halberg told a little about the 1936 and 1960 Olympics.

Announcements:

George Bergner said the “Ride to the Ridge” on Sunday, August 7, could attract over 400 riders.  Some of those will be local, some from the Seattle area, others from elsewhere in the country and still others from Canada and other foreign countries.

Andrew said the Corn Roast was still on and invited all to it.

Jack Glaubert said the “Unity of Effort” which is “dedicated to the men and women that protect our communities and nation” will be on Saturday, Aug 13 from 10am to 6pm. It will be at Fort Discovery, located off Old Gardiner Rd. near Sequim adn since parking is limited, people are asked to park at the Casino and take a shuttle from there.  RSVP must be made by Wed., Aug 10.

Program

Michael Peters, CEO of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, and a member of the Squaxim tribe came to this area via Northern California.  He explained ways that tribes are a vital part of a local community and how using their sovereignty can be advantageous for all.  He plans to use his background with the Boldt Decision, conflict resolution, Governor Locke’s cabinet, and casino management to help the tribe.  He said that since tribes don’t have the taxing ability that other political entities have, he has to look at different enterprises to bring in money.  “Economic Development vs Culture vs Place?”  The Elwha Tribe, unlike other tribes has been focusing its time on cultural interests such as language programs, health and head start.  They do have some economic interests in a small casino and shellfish sales.

Recent accomplishmnets include the mural downtown, a food and fuel store and improvements on Highway 101 and Dry Creek Rd.  The tribe self-funds projects but does bring in some outside to help meet a time frame they have set for themselves.  They have invested over $7.5 million in the projects.  The Law Enforcement building was removed, for the store, and those offices have been moved to the old bunkers at Angeles Point.  The bunkers have been updated with ventilation and heating.

Q & A Period

Old Rayonier site for a casino?  Graving site for a museum? – Community study is being done.

Employment vs. Profit? – Tribal preference is given if a person has the training for the job.

Balanced need vs. Sound business decisions? – Money, jobs, experience, training and getting people ready for a job cannot always be the responsibility of the tribe. Government can play a role with bus passes, education and training, etc.)

** Andrew May moved and Edna seconded extending the meeting until 8:45am. Motion carried. **

What are plans for the Elwha? – Mouth of the river has transformed into a huge delta and may become an estuary. There is still some discussion about who owns the new land.  The Elwha is still in an evolutionary stage. Tribe is concerned about overuse by people, vehicles and horses.

How does tribe get its taxes? – Tribal members do not pay property tax. Non-tribal business doing work on tribal property do not pay B&O tax. Tribes might disagree on the wording on contracts.  They tend to feel if a contract or law does NOT say you cannot do something then it means that you CAN do something.

What is to happen to the Carnegie? – The Carnegie will be retrofitted to hold 15 offices for Natural Resources business.  Their offices had to be moved because of constant flooding.

The Heritage Center has closed the gift shop and that room will be remodeled to hold items from the graving site dig that are now at the Burke Museum.

Upcoming Speaker

Next weeks’ speakers are Kevin Van De Wege and Danille Turissini.

Meeting adjourned at 8:47am.