Suquamish Tribe Responds to DOJ’s Memorandum Regarding Marijuana Enforcement

SUQUAMISH, WA, January 4, 2018- The Suquamish Tribe has enjoyed a productive working relationship with the State of Washington and the United States Department of Justice (DOJ) in our efforts to address the unique challenges faced by Indian Tribes in states that have legalized marijuana for medical, recreational or agricultural uses. After Washington State legalized recreational marijuana, the Suquamish Tribe was forced to address the issue of marijuana regulation in its Indian Country. The tribal-state system we use today was developed over years of cooperative government-to-government work with DOJ, state initiative and legislation, carefully negotiated State-Tribal Compacts and six DOJ guidance memoranda. Despite the existence of this effective and well regulated system, DOJ today elected to rescind all six guidance memoranda without consultation.

“State and Tribal laws were created and crafted in response to the challenges marijuana presented to our communities. We agree with Governor Inslee that the Washington State system addresses these problems in a manner that is well regulated, keeps out criminals, protects it from falling into the hands of children, cracks down on driving under the influence, and carefully tracks production to prevent cross-border transfer,” said Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman.  “The Suquamish Tribe will continue to work closely with Washington State to best protect our people far into the future,” added Forsman.

“This is not only about the marijuana industry, it is about sovereignty, voters rights and access to safe marijuana that since becoming legal has resulted in the creation of good paying jobs and much-needed Tribal tax revenue that allows us to buy our lands back and invest in community development,” said Suquamish Tribal Treasurer Robin Sigo.

About Suquamish Tribe
Suquamish is a federally recognized sovereign Tribe. The village of Suquamish and seat of the Suquamish Tribal Government are located on the Port Madison Indian Reservation, along the shores of the Puget Sound near Seattle, WA. The Suquamish Tribe provides comprehensive government, economic and social programs to approximately 1,100 tribal members. In the last two decades, the Suquamish Tribe has become a key economic partner in the region, operating several Port Madison Enterprises business ventures, a growing seafood company and performing property management duties for lease land on the reservation.

 

Suquamish Tribe Chairman Elected ATNI President

Suquamish Chairman and newly-elected Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) President Leonard Forsman addressing attendees at the ATNI Annual Fall Convention in Spokane, WA. Photo by Robin Sigo

SUQUAMISH, WA- The Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Executive Board has a new president. Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman was elected to the position in a close race against fellow ATNI member and Confederated Tribes of the Colville Chairman Mike Marchand.
“I am honored and humbled to be elected ATNI President. ATNI has a legendary reputation as an intertribal organization that is committed to preserving culture, language, fishing and wildlife habitat, and healthy tribal communities. I look forward to leading our organization in continuing to fulfill its mission to advocate for the tribal rights reserved through treaties, executive orders and other agreements. The Tribes of the Northwest are committed to protecting their homelands and their ancient way of life and I will work hard to help accomplish this sacred duty,” said Forsman.
Forsman was elected September 20, 2017 during the ATNI Fall Annual Convention at The Davenport Grand in Spokane, WA. He replaces President of the Quinault Indian Nation Fawn Sharp, who held the position for 2 terms and did not seek re-election.
“The current climate in Washington D.C. requires us to remain vigilant in our efforts to protect our sovereignty, hunting and fishing rights, health care, education, veterans, sacred places and natural resources from budget cuts and policies and regulatory changes that violate the trust responsibility. We must also work with our allies to protect our housing and economic development programs and initiatives,” added Forsman.
Forsman, a 20-year Tribal Government veteran, is a well-known consensus builder in Indian Country, serving as the Co-chair for the Tribal Leaders Congress on Education, Vice President of the Washington Indian Gaming Association and Vice President of the Federal Advisory Council on Historic Preservation along with several other intergovernmental committees and organizations.
“Leonard is a dear friend and champion not only for the Suquamish Tribe, but for all of Indian Country. I know that he will serve all the Northwest Tribes and will represent our interests across the country. I am grateful for his leadership and look forward to working with him as ATNI President,” said National Congress of American Indian (NCAI) President and Swinomish Tribal Chairman Brian Cladoosby.
The ANTI Executive Board is made up of 7 positions, with elected officers serving staggered 3-year terms. In addition to Forsman, ATNI Member Tribes also re-elected Theresa Sheldon of Tulalip as 2nd Vice President and Taylor Aalvik of Cowlitz as Assistant Secretary this year.
About Leonard Forsman
Leonard Forsman is Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe, a position he has held since 2005. Previously, he was a research archaeologist for Larson Anthropological/Archaeological Services in Seattle, Washington from 1992 to 2003. From 1984 to 1990, he was Director of the Suquamish Museum in Suquamish, WA, and has served on the Museum Board of Directors since 2010. His experience and expertise earned him a federal appointment to the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, of which he is now vice-chair, where he assists in promoting the preservation, enhancement and productive use of the nation’s historic resources. In addition, Forsman has held the position of Vice President at the Washington Indian Gaming Association since 2005. He has also been a member of the Washington State Historical Society Board since 2007, the Suquamish Tribal Cultural Cooperative Committee since 2006, and the Tribal Leaders Congress on Education since 2005. Forsman received a B.A. in Anthropology from the University of Washington and an M.A. in Historic Preservation from Goucher College.
About ATNI
Formed in 1953, ATNI represents 57 Northwest tribal governments in from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Northern California, Southeast Alaska and Western Montana. The organization provides a forum for sharing information on matters of interest to its member Tribes allowing them to develop consensus on matters of mutual importance, and assists member Tribes in their governmental and programmatic development consistent with the goals of self-determination and self-sufficiency, and provides for effective public relations and education programs with non-Indian communities. Through its conferences, forums, networks and alliances, it is the intent of ATNI to represent and advocate for the interests of its member Tribes to national Indian and non-Indian organizations and governments. For more information about ATNI or to obtain an agenda of events, visit them online at www.atnitribes.org

Passing on Knowledge: The Art of Smoking Salmon

Schooner Adventuress visits Suquamish – Free Public Dockside Tours April 17

The Adventuress will be moored at the Suquamish Dock April 17-18, 2016.

Adventuress – Puget Sound’s official Environmental Tall Ship – to visit Suquamish on Monday, April 17 during Earth Month. The historic ship is one of only two National Historic Landmark (NHL) sailing ships still in active operation on the West Coast. Special thanks to the Suquamish Tribe for making available the use of the public dock.

Adventuress will be open for FREE Dockside Tours:

Monday, April 17 from 3:00-5:00PM

Visitors can climb aboard the ship and learn about its century-old history with a maiden voyage to the Arctic for the American Museum of Natural History, service for decades with the San Francisco Bar Pilots, and role as an on-the-water education platform for Puget Sound youth since 1963.

Adventuress is owned and operated by the nonprofit Sound Experience with a mission to educate, inspire, and empower an inclusive community that works to improve our marine environment and celebrates our maritime heritage. On occasion, the organization partners with Suquamish youth program staff to develop meaningful programs for young people involving both tribal canoes and Adventuress.

Adventuress sails “not for one but for all” with the core belief that We are ALL shipmates.

For more information, visit www.soundexp.org