Four young leaders elected to Suquamish Youth Council
Suquamish tribal community youth ages 10-18 cast 52 ballots May 27 to select four new members to the Suquamish Youth Council during elections held at the Family & Friends Center.
Joseph Holmes Jr. was elected vice chair, Malia Carper will serve as secretary, Jurnee Fryberg was elected female representative, and Teylor Ives will serve as historian.
The newly elected officers join returning Youth Council members Chairwoman Talynn Marquez, Treasurer Ethan Alexander, and Male Representative Kenai Ledesma.
Family & Friends Center Director Barb Santos reminded dozens of youth and family members who gathered for the election and pizza party that Youth Council continues to play an important role in helping young people develop leadership skills to represent the Suquamish Tribe both locally and across Indian Country.
“It’s a very good position to have because our Tribal Council does request the presence of our youth,” Santos said. “Th ere is public speaking, and we represent at UNITY conference each year. It’s good to have fun, but you’re representing pretty much all the time.”
Santos said Youth Council members are expected to travel, participate in community events and carry themselves professionally while representing the tribe and fellow youth.
Holmes said he hopes to use his new role to create more opportunities for youth and families to connect.
“The reason why I want to run for youth council is to be a respected role model and to create many connections throughout the various gatherings that are provided long term,” Holmes said in his election day speech. “One way I could give back to the community is hosting fun activities for families to enjoy.”
Carper said communication and inclusion are important priorities for her as secretary.
“As a youth council member, I would involve myself and others in the culture by continuing to talk and communicate with them,” Carper said.
Fryberg delivered one of the evening’s most personal speeches, speaking openly about developing self-confidence and helping other young people feel welcome at cultural gatherings.
“I talked myself out of it every year before,” Fryberg said, referring to running for Youth Council. “I worried I wasn’t enough to be voted for or wouldn’t be good at it. I’m learning to change my negative self-talk and I hope to inspire and support other youth to take care of their mental health so they won’t miss out on opportunities.”
Fryberg also spoke about creating safer and more welcoming environments for youth participating in cultural events. “I hope to be a friendly face when someone comes to a cultural gathering or needs comfort,” Fryberg said. “We all deserve to have those experiences and learn from them.”
Ives said she hopes to use the historian role to encourage more youth involvement while also caring for the community and environment.
“I’d like to represent Suquamish in a good way, have a positive impact and create more opportunities for youth engagement and build a stronger community,” Ives said.
Youth Council elections also highlighted the long-term leadership development role the program plays within the tribe.
Vincent Chargualaf, a five-term former Youth Council member who now works managing the activities for Family & Friends Center, described the council as part of a larger “regenerative process” of mentoring future leaders.
“The youth that we’re teaching right now, we’re hoping that one day they will take the roles that we have now,” Chargualaf said. “Back when I was a Youth Council member, that was me as a seedling in the regenerative process. Now I get to help cultivate these younger seeds.”
Chargualaf said the program gives youth opportunities to build leadership, communication, and organizational skills while learning how to work collaboratively.
“They get leadership opportunities, networking opportunities and social emotional learning,” Chargualaf said. “Youth Council helps build a village by allowing youth to listen to their peers, whether they agree or disagree, and formulate group opinions based on those facts.”
Santos encouraged all youth who participated in the election process to continue staying involved in tribal activities and future leadership opportunities.
“I congratulate all of you for having the courage to run for youth council and standing up here,” Santos said.
