Face masks now required in public spaces on Reservation

The Suquamish Tribal Council approved a new resolution requiring a face covering in all public spaces on Port Madison Indian Reservation where physical distancing cannot be maintained.
This applies to areas including, but not limited to:
• Inside any Tribal-owned buildings, including any Tribal business, that are open to the public.
• Inside all other businesses open to the public.
• In healthcare settings, including Human Services Department, Wellness Department, and Health Benefits.
• While in or on a Tribal Government-owned boat with more than one occupant.
• While operating a Tribal Government-owned vehicle with more than one person.
• In outdoor public areas, including Tribal-owned and/or operated parks, trails, streets, sidewalks, lines for entry, exit, or service, and recreation areas, when a distance of at least six feet cannot be maintained from any non-household member.
This policy does not apply to children under five years old, although children two- to four-years-old are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings in public when they are unable to maintain a six-foot distance from non-household members. Anyone with a medical or mental health condition or disability that prevents them from wearing a mask is also exempt.
Face covering are not required in your own home, and – provided you can maintain a six-foot distance from others – while seated at a restaurant, while engaged in indoor or outdoor exercise activities, while in outdoor areas, among a few other specific exemptions.

Suquamish Tribal Court slated to resume operations June 8

The Suquamish Tribal Court announced it will tentatively resume regular operations on June 8.

In an update to its Emergency Administrative Order filed May 28, the Court said the reopening could be delayed “depending on the status of the COVID-19 public health emergency.”

In the meantime, the Court  will continue to be available “to hear all matters of an urgent nature, including requests for all types of protection orders and emergency child welfare orders.”

Questions should be sent to the court clerks at suquamishcourt@suquamish.nsn.us or by calling (360) 394-8697.

You can read the full order here.

 

Suquamish Court Extends Modified Operations

The Suquamish Tribal Court extended its modified operations until at least May 15 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The Court is striving to address the needs of the community, while taking every precaution to keep community members healthy and prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” reads an updated Emergency Administrative Order, signed by Chief Judge Cindy K. Smith on April 30.

As part of the order, all criminal cases and jury trials are delayed until the court resumes normal operations, tentatively slated for May 18. This date, however, may be extended depending on the status of the public health emergency.

Meanwhile, all civil and child welfare cases have been rescheduled to June 2020.

The Court continues to be available “to hear all matters of an urgent nature, including requests for all types of protection orders and emergency child welfare orders.”

Any hearings will continue to be conducted via video teleconference.

Questions should be sent to the court clerks at suquamishcourt@suquamish.nsn.us or by calling (360) 394-8697.

The full order can viewed here.

Suquamish Tribe extends modified operations

The Suquamish Tribal Council has extended the order on Temporary Remote Tribal Government Operations until May 18, 2020.

This action was taken to minimize the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The full resolution can viewed here.

For information about how to contact Tribal government staff or obtain services during this time, please check here.

Tribal Court Orders Suspension in Payments

The Suquamish Tribal Court issued an Emergency Administrative Order this week that all court-ordered payment plans are now suspended through April and May.

“The Court is striving to address the needs of the community, while taking every precaution to keep community members healthy and prevent the spread of the coronavirus,” reads the order, signed by Chief Judge Cindy K. Smith on April 20. “Due to the pandemic, many people are not able to work and may be facing financial hardships.”

The order adds that those who had recently fallen behind on fishing fine payments, but were current as of March 1, will now be deemed current and will be able to obtain a sticker from the Court to show they are eligible to fish.

Those who were not current on their fishing fine payments as of March 1 are still not eligible to fish. However, Tribal members who get their payments up to date through March will be then be eligible.

The order also makes clear that the suspension of payments does not effect that total amount owed.

For more information email suquamishcourt@suquamish.nsn.us or call (360) 394-8697.

The full Emergency Order can be viewed here.

CARES Act: How much you can expect

Here’s a handy chart to help you determine how much stimulus money you should expect from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, better known as the Cares Act.

Click to enlarge.

Or download here:

CARES Act Cash Rebate One Pager

Wipes & paper towels clog the sewer!

Important Notice on Tribal-supplied Water and Sewer
From Suquamish Community Development Utilities Office

Wipes & paper towels clog the sewer! We are all using more cleaning supplies in response to the COVID-19 Stay Home – Stay Healthy Order. High demand of disinfectant wipes and low supply of toilet paper has created a sanitation challenge. Please discard ALL paper towels, wipes, and personal hygiene products in the trash, not the toilet. This includes all items marketed as flushable or disposable.  These items clog sewer lines and pumps.

Only toilet paper is safe to flush.  If you are served by a Tribally-operated sewer system and observe an alarm, please call 360-979-0109.

Water Supply— Residents may experience periodic discolored water and/or low pressure during this period of high residential demand. If you are supplied by a Tribally-operated system and experience sustained color and/or a significant drop in water pressure, please call 360-979-0109.

Tribal Government Operations (updated 4/6)

The Tribal Administration facilities will be closed to the public, and services will be suspended, effective April 6 – May 4, 2020. We will have limited staff available to respond to urgent issues with staff working remotely at a limited capacity.

Should you have any questions or concerns, please call (360) 598-4334, which is monitored regularly. You may also contact our response team by sending emails to: covid_questions@suquamish.nsn.us

The Suquamish Police Department

The Police Department lobby will be available to drop off child support payments, applications, housing payments, and other government-related paper­work. Staff and officers can also forward messages to other Tribal departments as needed.

Lobby Hours:
Mon-Fri – 8am to 4:30pm

Contact
Front Desk: (360) 598-4334
Emergency: 911

Telework and On-call Services

Child Tribal Welfare: (360) 394-8480

Communications: (360) 394-7184/7102

Community Development: (360) 394-8415

Emergency Work Orders: (360) 900-7050

Emergency Utilities: (360) 710-3223

Elders Meals: (360) 394-8413

Health Benefits: (360) 394-8466

Human Resources: (360) 394-8409

Human Services: (360) 394-8465

IT Help Desk: (360) 394-8485

Finance: (360) 394-8430

Fisheries: (360) 394-8438

Tribal Court: (360) 394-8697

Wellness Center

Therapists are still meeting with existing clients through phone/video sessions. A contact list of providers is available here.

Contact

Front desk: (360) 394-8558
Wellness Fax – (360) 598-1724
Emergency: 911
Crises Hotline: (888) 910-0416
Chat: www.imhurting.org

Video update from Chairman Forsman (3-30)

Suquamish Tribe Chairman Leonard Forsman provides the latest update to the Tribe’s ongoing efforts to address the coronavirus crisis.

 

Update on Tribal Government Operations

In order to minimize the spread of Covid-19, the Suquamish Tribe is reducing face-to-face operations, while increasing remote telework services as much as possible.

The main/lobby numbers to all Suquamish Tribe offices are being monitored. You may leave a voicemail and someone will respond as soon as possible. Many other direct lines are also now being forwarded to staff who are able telework.

We appreciate your patience as we settle into this way of working and providing services. All staff should speak with their supervisor about their schedule.

Critical services are still being provided during reduced hours at the following locations.

 

Suquamish Tribe Administration
Including Finance, Health Benefits, Human Resources, Human Services, Wellness

Lobby Hours:

Mondays – 8am – Noon
Wednesdays – Noon – 4pm
Fridays – 8am – Noon

 

Contact:

Finance: (360) 394-8430
Health Benefits: (360) 394-8466
Human Resources: (360) 394-8409
Human Services: (360) 394-8465
IT Help Desk: (360) 394-8485
Wellness: (360) 394 8558

 

The Suquamish Police Department

Lobby Hours: Mon-Fri – 8am to 4:30pm
Front Desk: (360) 598-4334
Emergency: 911

The Police Department lobby will be available to drop off child support payments, applications, housing payments, and other government-related paperwork.

Police Department staff will also be able to forward messages to other Tribal departments as needed.

 

Wellness Center
Limited services and assistance for Tribal members will be provided:

Mondays – 8am – Noon
Wednesdays – Noon – 4pm
Fridays – 8am – Noon

Front desk: (360) 394-8558
Wellness Fax – 360-598-1724
Emergency: 911
Crises Hotline: 1-888-910-0416
Chat: www.imhurting.org

With the exception of Suquamish Tribal members or other Native Americans, Wellness is not able to accept any new patients at this time.

All other current clients can reach their counselor/provider directly at the following numbers:

 

Barbara Allen 360-394-8556
Brian Burwell 360-394-8553
Dan Brewer 360-394-8559
Dr. Alex Kraft 360-394-8555
Dr. Lisa Pratt 360-394-8692
Elizabeth Tonti (DV Advocate) 360-394-1756
Jill Stenerson 360-394-8643
Jonathan Glover 360-394-8601
Margot Katz 360-394-8551
Marlaina Anderson 360-394-8552
Mary Russell 360-394-8678
Sara Olsen 360-394-7134
Selina Ayes (Legal Advocate) 360-394-8599
Shoshanna Bayes (Peer Support) 360-394-7186
Tom Axtelle 360-394-7139
Tyler McLain 360-394-7110
Wendy Boure (TM Assistance) 360-551-9632
Will Scott 360-394-8598