PAST ENDURING SPIRIT RECIPIENTS

2007 ENDURING SPIRIT HONOREES

Ivey Cheyney (Suquamish)

Ivy Cheyney, Suquamish, is Vice Chairman of the Elder’s Council and currently serves on the Port Madison Enterprise board.  In addition, she is the program coordinator for the Suquamish Elder’s program and coordinates all elder activities, including cultural events, and basket weaving.

Ivy has been instrumental in bringing elders and tribal members together to share their knowledge and skills in basket weaving.  These special weekly gatherings provide a time for sharing stories, laugher, and a good time.  Ivy encourages others to share their gifts and special talents with others.  She is always concerned with the needs of her community members and elders and makes sure that elders are well provided for.

Ivy Cheyney, is a beloved mother and grandmother.  

Ellen Hope Hays (Tlingit) 

Ellen Hope Hays (Tlingit) was the first woman and the first Alaska Native to be appointed Superintendent of a National Park in the Pacific Northwest. She was the first woman to apply and be accepted as a member of the Alaska Native Brotherhood (ANB). She played an important role in the Brotherhood’s successful effort to operate the Visitor Center craft shops wing of the Sitka National Park—a park established to commemorate the 1802 and 1804 battles between the Tlingit and the Russians. Like many of the Visitor Center’s first teachers and students, she was a direct descendent of the Kiks.ádi clan who fought the Russians. Throughout her life Ellen has promoted the values of art and the humanities. She was a founding board member of the Alaska Humanities Forum, a Commissioner on the Alaska State Council on the Arts, Chair of the Institute of Alaska Native Art, and member of the State of Alaska Historic Sites Advisory Committee. She was selected by the State of Alaska to serve on a working team to travel to European museums to inventory and document important Alaska Native art pieces and materials held in their collections. Since moving to the lower-48, Ellen has continued to serve. She is a Seattle Community Council delegate to the Tlingit and Haida General Assembly, meeting annually in Alaska, and chairs the Newsletter and Protocol committees. She has served on the boards of the Bainbridge Island Historical Society & Museum, the Bainbridge Island Arts & Humanities Council and was the secretary of the Suquamish Elders Council.  

Ellen was the seventh of fourteen children born to Andrew and Tillie Hope of Sitka, Alaska. She has one daughter, two grandchildren and one great grandson. A graduate of Sheldon Jackson School, she was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Alaska in 1996. Native contemporary history and history told from a Native perspective are two issues she continually promotes. Her clan name is Kaa Gui Tin, Raven Looking Forward. Ellen’s focus is on the younger generation. Her goal is to “help them prepare to move the tribes into the future with a sound knowledge about the past.” 

Debora Juarez (Blackfeet)

Debora Juarez is Of Counsel in WK&G’s Seattle office. With a unique and vast experience building relationships with Washington State’s Indian tribes, Debora concentrates her practice on providing legal and financial counsel to tribes in the areas of debt financing, corporate structure, economic development, natural resources, gaming, and tribal-state inter-local agreements, among others.

Debora began her career as a King County Public Defender where she provided legal representation to indigent criminal defendants. This practice required extensive trial and appellate expertise in the areas of misdemeanor and felony crimes, including juvenile representation. Later, she joined Evergreen Legal Services, Native American Project, where she represented a majority of Washington’s 29 tribes in such areas as treaty rights, natural resources, Indian Child Welfare, and economic development.

After serving as an appellate and trial Judge pro-tem, she was appointed a Judgeship to the King County Superior Court. Debora performed all duties as Judge, including presiding over both felony criminal and civil trials. Thereafter, she accepted the position of Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Indian Affairs, where she acted as lead policy and legal advisor under two gubernatorial administrations.

Debora also provides legal skills to the corporate and investments communities that do business with tribes by providing an experienced, knowledgeable and stable platform to support successful tribal economic development. She was chosen as a 2007 "Top Lawyer" by Seattle Magazine.

Debora is an enrolled member of the Blackfeet Nation and lives in Seattle with her two daughters Raven and Memphis. 

Diane Vendiola (Swinomish) Minority Mental Health Specialist has been supervisor and counselor for the Swinomish Tribal Mental Health Program for the past 19 years.  She has served as Tribal Peacemaker for Northwest Intertribal Court System since 1985, and has facilitated meetings and mediations for tribal organizations, individuals, and families.  She developed conflict resolution trainings for school staff serving Native Americans, Native American parent groups, youth organizations and tribal leaders, as well as tribal social service providers.  Diane is currently providing services to Native American individuals and families residing in Skagit County, and cultural consultation to area mental health service providers working with Native American and/or Filipino American clients.  Diane was born and raised in Seattle’s International District and is the mother of five adult offspring and grandmother of five.  She has been a long time advocate for American Indian mental health and education programs based on cultural values with mainstream services as an adjunct.

Diane is grandmother to 7 grandchildren and 5 adult children, and Auntie many.  She received her A.A. degree from Skagit Valley College, and an honorary degree from Western Washington State University.  Four of her adult children hold Master degrees in Education and one just completed his studies and had earned a Bachelor’s degree in English-Writing.  Diane considers herself a life long learner and teaches many young people the importance of celebrating life and wellness.

NATIVE SISTER SPIRIT RECOGNITION 

Senator Claudia Kauffman (Nez Perce)

In November of 2006, Claudia Kauffman became the first Native woman elected to the Washington State Senate.  She recently completed her first term of office.  Today, we recognize and congratulate her on a job well done.. 

2006 ENDURING SPIRIT HONOREES

Carol Craig

Carol Craig (Yakama) is the Public Information Manager for the Yakama Nation Fisheries  Program.  Ms. Craig is a professional journalist, educator, and public speaker.  She belongs  to the Native American Journalists Association, the Washington Association of Press  Women, National Federation of Press Women and Society of Professional Journalists. Ms. Craig was a Buffet Award finalist in 2000; was the Yakama Nation Female Employee of  the year in 2002, and received the Spirit of the Salmon Award in 2002 from the Columbia  River Inter-tribal Fish Commission for her education efforts.  Ms. Craig has served on the  Board of Directors for Salmon Corps, a branch of AmeriCorps and currently serves on the  Yakama Nation’s KYNR radio advisory board. Ms. Craig volunteers her time as a mentor to young students interested in journalism and  photography and utilizes her journalism talents to educate the public on important treaty rights.

Dr. Lee Piper 

Dr. Lee Piper (Cherokee),   Dr Piper is a retired educator and counselor from Highline  Community College where she was also Director of Minority Affairs.  She served with the  Navy Waves during WWII.  Dr. Piper was one of the original members and a past president of the American Indian Women's Service League. Mother Lee, as she is known by many, devoted her  life as an educator, mentor, advocate  and beloved clan mother whose lifetime of advocacy and volunteerism has spanned decades and continues to this day.  She currently serves on the United Indians of All Tribes  Foundation board of directors and actively teaches Cherokee language. Her tireless efforts  on behalf of women, children and families has positively impacted many in our Community.  

Theresa Parker

Theresa Parker (Makah), works for the Makah Culture & Research Center.  She is an anchor and inspiration for her community, both at home in Neah Bay, and across the northwest where she serves on the Board of Directors for the Northwest Native American  Basketweaver’s Association - NNABA.  She is one of the five Parker sisters, known across  the country for their extraordinary skills in making beautiful Cedar bark and bear-grass hats  in the traditions of their ancestors.   Theresa works continuously for her family and community where she is always doing, always busy, supporting funerals and weddings and gifting babies and birthdays.  Theresa  was on the founding board for the Basket Weaver’s Association at its start in 1995 and has  served continuously, teaching hundreds of weavers to pass on the art of basket weaving  into the hands of mostly women and young girls.   

The 2006 Enduring Spirit Award Honoring Luncheon was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Seatac, WA.

Linda Sweet Baxter & Lois Sweet Dorman

Linda Sweet Baxter & Lois Sweet Dorman (Snoqualmie) For nearly two decades, the  Sweet Sisters along with the late Emma Sweet have undertaken the Snoqualmie Tribe’s  stewardship responsibilities in the ongoing work to protect the sacred Snoqualmie Falls.  This work has included- federal processes, grassroots organizing, and public education about very sensitive cultural matters.  Currently, the work involves an  appeal at the US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals and alternative dispute resolution with  Puget Sound Energy. The sisters have many times simply gathered people at Snoqualmie Falls to pray in a way  that is inclusive, respectful and welcoming.  This has nourished, healed and strengthened  so many Native people including the Peace & Dignity runners, Sacred Earth Conference  guests and Chief Seattle Club members. 

Linda and Lois embody a kind of love and integrity that stems from the sacred connection  they maintain with the Creator, the ancestors, and their ancestral homelands.

2005 ENDURING SPIRIT HONOREES

Native Action Network took a break in 2005 

2004 ENDURING SPIRIT HONOREES

Johanna Cabuag (Tlingit) For Johanna, culture is woven throughout her life. She passes on  her knowledge of Tlingit & Hawaiian culture to her children and grandchildren and readily shares her button blanket skills with others. Johanna  gives freely of her time and expertise to a number of Auxiliaries and charitable organizations. 

Lillian Chappell (Yakama). Lillian has devoted her life to volunteerism  in the Native community and has actively participated in the American  Indian Women’s Service League for over 25 years. Lillian retired from  the University of Washington American Indian Studies department after  20 years of service. She continues to actively volunteer for local elders  dinners and organizes fundraising events. 

Julie Johnson(Lummi). Julie is an active player on the national scene  when it comes to advocating for services for Native people. She operates an independent consulting firm that focuses on strategic planning,  policy implementation, and direct social services planning with a national tribal client base. Her main focus has been obtaining the needed  funds for the social and health services that are so needed in Indian  Country. Earlier this year Julie organized “Women Supporting Women”  a luncheon focused on Native women in Washington DC Julie has  spent her life working on behalf of Native people beginning with her  work in Seattle as head counselor for the Seattle Indian Youth Program,  coordinating activities for youth that included sports and modeling.  Currently she’s working part-time for the Makah Tribe. 

Marie Zackuse (Tulalip) – Vice Chairwoman Zackuse is the first woman  to be elected to such a high position on the Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors. Ms. Zackuse has been passionately devoted to the needs of the  Tulalip Community most of her life giving special attention to the needs  of the most vulnerable of our communities, children and elderly. She is  an advocate for social services to ensure the health, welfare, and  growth of the Tulalip Tribal members, now and long into the future. She  has also demonstrated great business sense in her involvement in Tulalip’s economic development and long-term financial stability. 2003  ENDURING SPIRIT HONOREES 

Ramona Bennett (Puyallup) Ramona is the founder & Director of  Rainbow Youth & Family Services and former chairwoman of the Puyallup tribe. Ramona has supported and empowered Native families for  over 30 years. In 1972, Ramona founded the Local Indian Child Welfare Act Committee with Jim Anderson. They established and implemented the model currently in use by Washington state. Ramona had  the pleasure of presenting the model to the National Indian Organizations who used the Washington State Codes for the formation of the  Indian Child Welfare Act. 

Virginia Cross (Muckleshoot) Virginia has been a 20 year member of  the Muckleshoot Indian Tribal Council. She is a consistent advocate for improved tribal  education conditions and has met with Governor Locke and made trips to Washington,  DC to ensure that Native children are not left behind when it comes to education. She  started the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Re-Entry program that supports dropouts so they can  graduate on time and constantly monitors the effectiveness and progress of the tribal education programs. She continually reminds children about the importance of education  while encouraging and supporting them through their schooling. Law and Politics mentioned Ms. Cross as one of Washington’s 10 Most Powerful Women.  She was also named Elder of the Year by the Washington State Indian Education Association. 

Joy Ketah (Blackfeet) For nearly 20 years, Joy served as  teacher and director of the United Indians Headstart &  ECEAP where she taught thousands of Native students to have pride in themselves and to be proud of their heritage.  Today, her students are grown, but the positive influence that  Joy has had on their lives remains a testament to her unwavering belief that every child is important and deserves the  support, encouragement, and opportunity to achieve their  dreams. She has proved this through her work and it is reflected in the many comments of students who credit her for “making a difference in their  life.” Joy continues to volunteer her time to community celebrations and cultural events and has  instilled the importance of volunteerism to her daughters and granddaughter who carry on  her positive example. 

Marilyn Wandrey (Suquamish Nation) Marilyn is the great-great granddaughter of the last  traditional chief-Wa HalCut. Wa Hal Cut is her Indian name and she is one of the traditional Long House dancers. She is known for her conscientious and hard-working commitment to the Suquamish “canoe family” and elders and continually encourages others to  join in and develop their skills and knowledge with the canoe & traditions of her people. 

Marilyn takes the initiative to share her knowledge and skills with others  by teaching Natives and others how to make traditional drums and baskets. In her day job, it is Marilyn’s responsibility to build and maintain relationships between the Department of Social & Health Services and the  four tribes of Pierce & King County. 

2002 ENDURING SPIRIT HONOREES

Maiselle Bridges (Puyallup) Grandmother, treaty fishing rights activist arrested for fishing  after her husband was jailed, she worked closely with other Native women to bring civil  rights arguments to the forefront.  She has long been a powerful advocate for Indian education, and she founded the Wa He Lut Indian School at the Frank’s Landing Indian community near the Nisqually reservation in 1974. 

Adeline Garcia, Raven Double-Fin Killer Whale clan.  Adeline grew up in the village of  Hydaburg & Craig and graduated from Ketchikan High School in 1943.  She was the first  in her family to receive a high school diploma.  Adeline has been involved in the Indian  Community and in the promotion of educational opportunities for over 50 years.  Her accomplishments include, but are not limited to: Charter member and one of the founders of  the American Indian Women’s Service League.  Adeline served as the president of the board of directors of the Seattle Indian Health  Board.  Adeline passed away in January of 2004.

Gina George (Yakama) Mother, student at Heritage College in Toppenish, community volunteer and Field Director for Salmon Corps Program, working with young adults on projects ranging from fencing, stream surveys and salmon habitat restoration along the Yakima  River.  Gina’s values are rooted in her traditional upbringing. 

Joan Staples (Ojibwe) Grandmother, urban leader and founder and Director of the Tahoma  Indian Center, and volunteer for the Chief Seattle Club serving the urban homeless Native  American and Native Alaskan peoples.  Joan also served as co-chair for the Native American Task Force for the Church Council of Greater Seattle. 

Jeannie Halliday/Thomas (Confederated Tribe of Warm Springs)-posthumous In 1965, Jeannie and her husband were instrumental in the establishment of the Seattle  All-American Indian Dancers.  Jeannie worked to establish the Long House Preschool, advocated for the educational needs of Native youth, and was the first director of the American Indian Heritage Program.  She was actively involved in Indian education and cultural  preservation on the Yakama reservation serving as director of the Johnson O'Malley Program.  Jeannie remained a dedicated and strong advocate for Native people until her death  on March 20, 2002.