And now:Ish <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes: link provided by Pat Paul Samish Nation holds elections with renewed focus http://www.skagitvalleyherald.com/daily/99/june/26/a3samish.html With official federal status regained, tribe hopes to revive culture, develop economy By KEN BRIERLY Staff Writer ANACORTES -- In the wake of a 26-year legal battle to regain federal tribal recognition, the Samish Nation is trying to make up for lost time. Building a government, writing a constitution, and seeking ways to generate tribal revenue are just some of the tasks tribal leaders began tackling since the 1996 federal recognition, which gave them back their official status as a tribe. And Samish leaders say it will be the job of those elected this weekend to the Tribal Council to lead the 650-member tribe into a new millennium, while trying to revive the past. Tribal Chairman Ken Hansen said that the years of court battles all but put on hold the Samish's culture. "A small segment has always held on to our traditional teachings and values," said Hansen. "Now, after 30 years of fighting the government, we can begin to focus our energies on resurrecting culture." Having no reservation is another factor Hansen said has hurt Samish culture. In fact, many of the tribe's members don't live anywhere near Anacortes, where the Samish government is based. Many Samish -- government officials and citizens -- live in areas such as King County, Eastern Washington and Oregon. "Not having land -- that makes us different," Hansen said. "Having no reservation to economically rely on, many had to go make it elsewhere. They worked in the Everett shipyards and Boeing. But they always considered this home. They're like the migrating birds that always came back to their home." The 47-year-old Hansen knows what he's talking about. He's made Indian affairs his life, working as a tribal consultant for other American Indian groups. At the age of 18, he was first elected to the Samish Tribal Council, and served as its elected tribal chairman between 1979 and 1987, as he does today. "Our people, by not living on reservations, had access to better education, health care and employment opportunities," he said. "However, many haven't had exposure to some of the cultural teachings. Our members may generally be economically better off. But culture -- that's our weak point." Integrating Samish culture into the lives of its members is the reason Billie Jo Settle ran for a council post two years ago, and it is one of the reasons she's seeking re-election. "We've learned a great deal of our history, and I would like to see more of that culture in our community," Settle said. "Bring back the culture we almost lost." <<end excerpt Reprinted under the fair use http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.html doctrine of international copyright law. &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Tsonkwadiyonrat (We are ONE Spirit) Unenh onhwa' Awayaton http://www.tdi.net/ishgooda/ &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&
