'Brave.' Please refer to the link at the bottom of the blog for the correct pronunciation in S'Klallam.
Please join me in reading about what our Natural Resources, Facilities, ECEP, Health Services, Career & Education and Human Resources departments have been up to for the month of February!
HAVE ANY EMPLOYEES RECIEVED A CERTIFICATION THIS MONTH? OR COMPLETED A TRAINING?
Michael Higgins continued training for his Wetlands Certification.
Emma Saas and Courtney Hart attended the annual PCRG crab meeting and Courtney presented on the upcoming CrABS research project. Emma and Courtney also attended the SeaGrant Shellfish Growers.
Emma attended an oyster drill working group and the annual EGS managers symposium.
Miranda Ives and Leah Mellinger completed the annual IPHC Halibut Sampling training.
HAVE ANY GOALS BEEN MET THIS MONTH? WHO REACHED THEM?
One female cougar was collared by the Wildlife Team. The Environmental Team is working on finalizing their goal setting objectives. With assistance from the Wildlife and Shellfish Programs, the finfish program completed the Juvenile Chum Thermal Tolerance Trial on wild summer run chum at Lilliwaup Hatchery with WDFW and Long Live the Kings. The Direct compensation payments were made to fishers affected by 2014, 2018, and 2019 fisheries disasters. Mike Jones and the hatchery staff completed their annual transfer of coho to the Port Gamble Bay Net pens. They transferred 600K juvenile coho that will be raised in the net pens until May when they will be released. The Research and Monitoring team successfully procured the primary equipment needed to launch the Salish Sea Marine Ecosystem Assessment Project, fulfilling our 2023-24 EPA NWIFC TIL grant milestone and they also finalized several critical grant applications, meeting our internal goals for funding diversification and resource acquisition.
ARE ANY GRANTS BEING UTILIZED? WHAT FOR?
The Environmental Program continues to utilize its EPA and BIA grants for climate resiliency, water quality, programs and engagement, and staffing. Using the DOC Tribal Climate Resilience Funding shellfish staff are finalizing the sampling plan and will begin our major effort to survey adult crab biomass in Region 2West, and we purchased all gear needed to sample and depurate shellfish for toxins in PGST U&A. Using Disaster Relief Funding we purchased supplies for the Juvenile Chum Thermal Tolerance Study and paid out direct compensation to our fishers. 2023-24 EPA NWIFC TIL Funding is being utilized for purchasing major equipment essential to the Salish Sea Marine Ecosystem Assessment Project.
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OR GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ANY INDIVIDUALS THIS MONTH?
Shoutout to Marla Powers and Mike Higgins for their work on the Kitsap County Critical Areas Ordinance and the Tribe’s opposition to their reduction of stream buffers and not following the best available science.
We would like to highlight Richard Ogle’s work on a calendar for programs and outreach, and his work with the Cultural Department to get out a call to artists for the former Mill Site, now called Nəxʷq̕íyt Point.
Leah would like to send a shoutout to Kaitlyn Gutierrez, and Makenzee Wellman for their help getting the direct payments out to fishers.
Leah would also like to shout out to Garrett Sittingdog, Cassandra Sullivan and Emma Saas for assisting in the successful Juvenile Chum Thermal Tolerance Trial.
We would like to highlight Khadijah Homolka for her extraordinary efforts in coordinating and compiling grant applications. Her diligence has been instrumental in meeting deadlines and producing high-quality proposals. We would like to thank the Tribes accounting staff for their timely assistance inprocuring supplies and equipment which has been vital to helping us reach our program goals.
ANY PROJECTS THAT YOU COMPLETED THIS MONTH?
The Shellfish program was able to rebuild, modify, and prep our light traps for the 2025 survey season. The Environmental Program brought the Mill Site name change to Tribal Council for approval and coordinated a site visit to Nəxʷq̕íyt Point with the architects to view the new plantings and coordinate with the Cultural Department.
The Juvenile Chum Thermal Tolerance Trial on wild summer run chum at Lilliwaup Hatchery was completed.
The Finfish program finished the IPHC (International Pacific Halibut Commission) and PSC (Pacific Salmon Commission) planning processes.
The Research & Monitoring program completed and submitted all applications for 2025 EPA NWIFC TIL, the PSP collaborative grant with the University of Washington, 2025 BIA ESA, and 2025 PCSRF.
The Research & Monitoring team finalized major equipment purchases for the Salish Sea Marine Ecosystem Assessment Project.
The department did its annual report to the General Council on January 28th.
HAVE ANY EMPLOYEES RECIEVED A CERTIFICATION THIS MONTH? OR COMPLETED A TRAINING?
Ron completed the leadership training
HAVE ANY GOALS BEEN MET THIS MONTH? WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) REACHED THEM?
We were able to fill all of our on-call positions
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OR GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ANY INDIVIDUALS THIS MONTH?
Shout out both the maintenance and landscaping crew for coming in early and making sure the sidewalks and campus were safe for staff during the snowy weather
HAVE ANY GOALS BEEN MET THIS MONTH? WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) REACHED THEM?
The 2nd ECE Potlatch happened on 2/12/2025. It was 5 years ago in February that ECE held the first! It is a team effort to coordinate this event and it marks the on-going goal to enhance the curriculum for all children and families with S'Klallam cultural protocols and teachings. ECE could not do this work without our tribal partners- Joe Price, Karleigh Gomez, Casey Jones from the Youth Department. Karron McGrady our ECE Cultural Manager-we raise our hands up to you for guiding and teaching the ECE staff and children as we prepared for the gathering. We also recognize the importance of the ECE Potlatch witnesses: Donna Jones, Misty Ives, Chad Sullivan, Kyle Carpenter, Bronson Hagen, Aliyah Sullivan.
HAVE ANY GOALS BEEN MET THIS MONTH? WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) REACHED THEM?
WA State DCYF Tribal Early Learning Fund supoprted the ECE Potlatch.
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OR GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ANY INDIVIDUALS THIS MONTH?
Karron McGrady for her work on the ECE Potlatch
Chrissy McBride for her willingness to join an academic 12 month cohort to support ECE's journey on Peer to Peer Coaching Support
Fathers of our program-Josh Jones and Nick Sullivan for their work as volunteers at our ECE Potlatch and supporting our meal service at the center serving children breakfast/lunch/snack.
We appreciate you!
HAVE ANY GOALS BEEN MET THIS MONTH? WHO REACHED THEM?
Sandy Daley RN has started coordinatind with the health center BHC SHannon Summer on a diabetes lifestyle program
ARE ANY GRANTS BEING UTILIZED? WHAT FOR?
SPDI - Diabetes management and prevention
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OR GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ANY INDIVIDUALS THIS MONTH?
Tameka Phelps RN is amazing at anticipating the information needs of the clinic providers and coming to us with what we need to assess and make decisions. Great critical thinking Tameka!
ANY PROJECTS THAT YOU COMPLETED THIS MONTH?
No but we have multiple ongoing projects in the nursing department
HAVE ANY EMPLOYEES RECIEVED A CERTIFICATION THIS MONTH? OR COMPLETED A TRAINING?
Rachel and Eddie Flores attended the AI innovation Summit. They brought back some tools to help our staff and students. They were able to make connections with other districts and educators in the State of Washington.
HAVE ANY GOALS BEEN MET THIS MONTH? WHO REACHED THEM?
We met our goal of handing out the secondary grades to all families. Eddie and Rachel hand-delivered grades as well as resources available to all families. We also met our goal of hosting a very successful Resource Fair.
ARE ANY GRANTS BEING UTILIZED? WHAT FOR?
We are utilizing our Outdoor education grant and have had some great classes. We are looking forward to offering more classes. All of our class offerings have been to capacity. Thank you to our Lead teacher, Serene Williams, and our assistant teachers, Jocelyn and Cedar. A huge thank you to Hannah Jones, our outdoor education coordinator, for stepping in and teaching when some of our teachers were sick. We are also utilizing our Language grant. Chris Jones has been assisting in some of our high school classes with Ms. Brooke.
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OR GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ANY INDIVIDUALS THIS MONTH?
Shout out to the Flores team and Sha’ree Vebber for creating a successful resource fair! Your hard work and dedication throughout the long planning process—coordinating vendors, reaching out to clients, and handling all the details—truly paid off. Your efforts made a meaningful impact, and it’s great to see such a well-organized and successful event come together.
Shout out to Tito for keeping our office running smoothly when our department was hit hard with sickness and absences! Your dedication, reliability, and hard work don’t go unnoticed—we truly appreciate you always stepping up and being someone we can count on. Thank you for all that you do!
Shout out to Hannah Jones for having a dream and making it a reality with Curtis to offer Canoe Fit! Your attention to detail is truly inspiring—not only are you helping people stay fit, but your collaboration with the culture department to provide a traditional meal once a month adds so much depth and meaning to the program. On top of that, your support with reading nights while Lauren is on maternity leave shows your dedication to the community. Keep up the amazing work, Hannah!
Congratulations to Lauren on welcoming a beautiful baby boy! We are so excited for her and her family during this special time. Wishing them all love, joy, and precious moments together!
Shout out to Beth for her incredible organization in hosting The Evergreen State College’s Tribal Leadership cohort! We know how much effort goes into planning an event of this caliber, and your attention to detail ensured that everything represented the tribe with excellence. Your hard work and dedication did not go unnoticed!
HAVE ANY EMPLOYEES RECIEVED A CERTIFICATION THIS MONTH? OR COMPLETED A TRAINING?
Jennifer Wright completed her FBI fingerprinting recertification allowing the Tribe to continue our required. background checks for Early Childhood & Health Services
HAVE ANY GOALS BEEN MET THIS MONTH? WHO REACHED THEM?
HR hosted a Share the Love Soup event on Valentine's Day. These quarterly multicultural events are a great opportunity for all employees to gather and learn about one another while enjoying tasy foods. Compliments were delivered on National Compliment Day and Chocolate Cake was offered to all on National Chocolate Cake Day. Thank you to all that participated in these events
WANT TO HIGHLIGHT OR GIVE A SHOUTOUT TO ANY INDIVIDUALS THIS MONTH?
Thank you to Audreena and Martha for runnning a jobs booth at the Special Needs Resource fair - on a Saturday! Many visitors came by the booth to share information about their organizations and learn more about jobs offered at the Tribe. We are grateful to Career and Education for hosting this event and the opportunity to collaborate
ANY PROJECTS THAT YOU COMPLETED THIS MONTH?
HR hosted an Employee Misconduct Investigations training with attorney, Richard McGee. Representatives from Facilities, TGA, Council, NKI, and the Executive/Admin team participated. The information was useful to better understand when to investigate incidents, how to conduct them, and who should lead the investigation.
If you haven't checked out the biweekly employee newsletter, please do! Kiana has created this awesome newsletter to help us to accomplish our goal of creating this resource for enhancing communication for all PGST team members. 
Don't forget to check back next month to read about March! Keep up the great work, PGST!
Please click here to hear the phrase in S'Klallam - it is #985 on the list.
