Post by Okwes on Dec 28, 2007 10:42:58 GMT -5
It's year of the woman on Tulalip Tribes ballot
By Lynn Thompson
Times Snohomish County Bureau
Could this be the Year of the Woman for the Tulalip Tribes?
Female candidates for the Tribal Board of Directors say the Tulalips have
focused for too long on new business enterprises and have neglected social
services, including housing, health care and protections for children.
Four women have filed for two open seats on the Tribal Council. They have
made "Women Power" a campaign theme.
Now only one woman, Marie Zackuse, serves on the seven-member board.
"I think there's a feeling that we've been testosterone-driven for too long,
and it may be time to let the women have more of a say," said former board
member Les Parks.
Seven men, including Chairman Stan Jones and former board member Herman
Williams Jr., who resigned in January after testing positive for drug use, also
are seeking election.
Tribal members will cast their ballots today from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The
results will be announced shortly after the polls close.
Here's a look at each of the candidates.
• Helene Contraro's campaign slogan is "Give 'Em Hell," fitting, she said,
for a woman known for her outspoken opinions.
Contraro, 52, has worked for the Tulalip's Indian Child Welfare office and
for nonprofits in the human-services field. She said Indian-hiring preferences
in tribal businesses need to be strengthened.
Mark W. Hatch, 37, a Tulalip police officer, said he sees many of the unmet
needs of the reservation while on the job, including health care and housing.
He said there is a lack of medical and dental services for tribal members and
too few new houses being built.
Hatch's cousin, Tony M. Hatch, 36, said both business and social services
need to be promoted.
Tony Hatch is a language teacher and a historian for the Tribes, and also a
member of its Gaming Commission. As a board member, Hatch said he would defend
treaty rights.
Jones, 80, said maintaining economic growth is key to providing more social
services. Jones has served on the board for 41 years, leading its fight for
fishing rights and then for a diversified economy.
He said more housing is in the works, and the Tribes will continue to improve
the education of young people.
Debbie Posey, 54, said economic development should be balanced by expansion
of the housing program and better medical and dental services.
Posey, who previously served on the board for 12 years, currently manages the
Tulalip Amphitheatre and is co-owner of the Tulalip Arby's.
Dale (Yogi) Sanchey, 41, said he would work to strengthen the Tribes'
cultural identity.
He said too many young people think of the Tulalips as "the tribe with the
big casino." Sanchey served in the Army and now teaches native history for the
Tribes.
Marilyn Sheldon, a 26-year Tribal employee, said members face a significant
wait for housing and health care. She said she'd focus more attention on human
services. Sheldon, 45, is currently responsible for compliance and internal
auditing for the Tulalips, a position she said has allowed her to work with
many Tribal employees.
Danny Simpson works in the Tulalips' natural resources office. Simpson did
not submit a candidate statement and could not be reached for comment.
• Danny Simpson's mother, Dawn Simpson, 69, said she would like to see the
Tulalips start their own K-12 school to give their children a better education.
Simpson, who served on the board for 21 years over two different stretches
beginning in 1975, said she'd like to see more drug and alcohol counselors and
more staff for Indian Child Welfare.
Herman Williams Jr., 53, is seeking his seventh term on the board. He
recently completed an alcohol-recovery program and has spoken openly with tribal
members about his regret for briefly using marijuana following the breakup of
his marriage last year. He said he welcomed the involvement of the Tribes'
women.
• Billy Zackuse, 52 — Marie Zackuse's cousin by marriage — would like to see
tribal-hiring preferences strengthened and more training provided to help
members qualify for jobs.
Zackuse, a security officer for Quil Ceda Creek Casino, said that overall,
the Tulalips are "going in the right direction."
Lynn Thompson: 425-745-7807 or (_lthompson@seattletimes.com_
By Lynn Thompson
Times Snohomish County Bureau
Could this be the Year of the Woman for the Tulalip Tribes?
Female candidates for the Tribal Board of Directors say the Tulalips have
focused for too long on new business enterprises and have neglected social
services, including housing, health care and protections for children.
Four women have filed for two open seats on the Tribal Council. They have
made "Women Power" a campaign theme.
Now only one woman, Marie Zackuse, serves on the seven-member board.
"I think there's a feeling that we've been testosterone-driven for too long,
and it may be time to let the women have more of a say," said former board
member Les Parks.
Seven men, including Chairman Stan Jones and former board member Herman
Williams Jr., who resigned in January after testing positive for drug use, also
are seeking election.
Tribal members will cast their ballots today from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The
results will be announced shortly after the polls close.
Here's a look at each of the candidates.
• Helene Contraro's campaign slogan is "Give 'Em Hell," fitting, she said,
for a woman known for her outspoken opinions.
Contraro, 52, has worked for the Tulalip's Indian Child Welfare office and
for nonprofits in the human-services field. She said Indian-hiring preferences
in tribal businesses need to be strengthened.
Mark W. Hatch, 37, a Tulalip police officer, said he sees many of the unmet
needs of the reservation while on the job, including health care and housing.
He said there is a lack of medical and dental services for tribal members and
too few new houses being built.
Hatch's cousin, Tony M. Hatch, 36, said both business and social services
need to be promoted.
Tony Hatch is a language teacher and a historian for the Tribes, and also a
member of its Gaming Commission. As a board member, Hatch said he would defend
treaty rights.
Jones, 80, said maintaining economic growth is key to providing more social
services. Jones has served on the board for 41 years, leading its fight for
fishing rights and then for a diversified economy.
He said more housing is in the works, and the Tribes will continue to improve
the education of young people.
Debbie Posey, 54, said economic development should be balanced by expansion
of the housing program and better medical and dental services.
Posey, who previously served on the board for 12 years, currently manages the
Tulalip Amphitheatre and is co-owner of the Tulalip Arby's.
Dale (Yogi) Sanchey, 41, said he would work to strengthen the Tribes'
cultural identity.
He said too many young people think of the Tulalips as "the tribe with the
big casino." Sanchey served in the Army and now teaches native history for the
Tribes.
Marilyn Sheldon, a 26-year Tribal employee, said members face a significant
wait for housing and health care. She said she'd focus more attention on human
services. Sheldon, 45, is currently responsible for compliance and internal
auditing for the Tulalips, a position she said has allowed her to work with
many Tribal employees.
Danny Simpson works in the Tulalips' natural resources office. Simpson did
not submit a candidate statement and could not be reached for comment.
• Danny Simpson's mother, Dawn Simpson, 69, said she would like to see the
Tulalips start their own K-12 school to give their children a better education.
Simpson, who served on the board for 21 years over two different stretches
beginning in 1975, said she'd like to see more drug and alcohol counselors and
more staff for Indian Child Welfare.
Herman Williams Jr., 53, is seeking his seventh term on the board. He
recently completed an alcohol-recovery program and has spoken openly with tribal
members about his regret for briefly using marijuana following the breakup of
his marriage last year. He said he welcomed the involvement of the Tribes'
women.
• Billy Zackuse, 52 — Marie Zackuse's cousin by marriage — would like to see
tribal-hiring preferences strengthened and more training provided to help
members qualify for jobs.
Zackuse, a security officer for Quil Ceda Creek Casino, said that overall,
the Tulalips are "going in the right direction."
Lynn Thompson: 425-745-7807 or (_lthompson@seattletimes.com_