Announcement

The Suquamish Tribe to acquire Kitsap OBGYN in January 2026. 

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The Suquamish Tribe to acquire Kitsap OBGYN in January 2026. 

Suquamish, Wash. — The Suquamish Tribe and Kitsap OBGYN are pleased to announce that they are joining forces in the new year. This partnership allows Kitsap OBGYN to offer the same level of health services that women in the region depend on for obstetric and gynecological care.  

“Kitsap County is often referred to as an ‘OBGYN desert’ with more demand than there are available providers,” said Amity Marriott, a doctor at Kitsap OBGYN. “I have seen estimates that one in four expectant mothers in Kitsap travel to King or Pierce counties for care. By becoming part of the Suquamish Tribe’s medical offerings, we are able to operate more efficiently and effectively, allowing us to focus on our patients.” 

For the Suquamish Tribe, acquiring the practice makes sense both practically and fundamentally.  

“When the tribe opened our Healing House in 2023, we filled a void for both tribal and non-tribal members seeking primary care in North Kitsap,” said Leonard Forsman, Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe. “Expanding our scope of services to include specialized care for women allows us to make progress toward our goal of improving the health of our tribal community, while also providing resources that will benefit the greater region.”  

Both organizations are working behind the scenes to ensure as smooth of a transition as possible, which includes having the tribe credential with the same insurance providers currently accepted by Kitsap OBGYN. And as fortune would have it, the name of the medical practice will remain the same — Chief Kitsap was one of the tribe’s great leaders from the 19th century. 

“We will continue to offer compassionate and personalized medical care for women,” said Marriott. “The only difference will be that we will be offering this level of care with the support of the Suquamish Tribe. We are honored that the tribe recognizes the importance of our work and is helping us maintain our high standard of excellence.”  

 

WHAT HAPPENS IN 2026?  

  • Healthcare services provided by Kitsap OBGYN will be open to both tribal and non-tribal members of the community.   
  • Kitsap OBGYN locations in Poulsbo and Silverdale will remain open and will continue with deliveries and surgeries at St. Michaels Medical Center, as well as surgeries at Pacific Surgery Center.   
  • Kitsap OBGYN staff will fall under the Suquamish Tribe’s umbrella, joining the 450+ staff members across tribal government.  

 

 

Planning for the future

Strengthening community resilience.

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  • The Suquamish Tribe is exploring the creation of a new center to strengthen community resilience, safety, and emergency preparedness. The center can include services and supports for everyday life, like a food bank and community gathering spaces, as well as spaces necessary for disaster response for the Port Madison Reservation and surrounding areas.
  • This effort is currently in a visioning phase. The Tribe received a grant from the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Planning and Predesign Capital Equity Program (PPCEP) to support planning and predesign activities.
  • The preplanning phase runs through December 2025. The Tribe is assessing needs, studying site feasibility, and gathering input from community members about what should be included in this future facility. The next project phase will focus on identifying funding opportunities.
  • The proposed project site is at the northwest corner of NE Suquamish Way and Division Avenue NE, on Tribal trust land.
  • Visit this page for project updates, upcoming opportunities to contribute your thoughts, and future concept designs. Together, we can build a space that protects, prepares, and reflects the values of the Suquamish community.

WHAT IS THE NEW CENTER MEANT TO SUPPORT? 

  • The new center is meant to support community resilience. It can bring together community supports, public safety coordination, and emergency operations in one location. It could also serve as a shared space for community and regional partners before and during emergencies, improving coordination and response capabilities.
  • The project is being developed in collaboration with North Kitsap Fire & Rescue and other partners across North Kitsap and Bainbridge Island.

WE NEED YOUR GUIDANCE:

The Tribe invites all community members to share their thoughts and ideas as planning moves forward. Your input will help guide the design and priorities of this project.

Strengthening community resilience

The Tribe invites all community members to share their thoughts and ideas as we plan for a center to strengthen community resilience, safety, and emergency preparedness. Your input will help guide the design and priorities of this project.

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Call to Artists – TANF Logo Design

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The Suquamish Tribal TANF Program (STTP) seeks a logo design that embodies the spirit of community, growth, and self-reliance. The logo should represent the program’s dedication to supporting families and children while reflecting cultural values, natural elements, and the journey toward independence and well-being. 

The design should tell a visual story of connection, evolution, and empowerment — honoring tradition while embracing progress. It should convey warmth, depth, and inclusivity, reflecting the strength and unity of the Suquamish people. The logo must be colorful and vibrant, yet clear and impactful when printed in black and white. 

Key themes and elements may include, but are not required:
• A welcoming, community-centered design that carries depth and meaning from multiple perspectives
• Evolution and progress represented through water, plants, and natural cycles
• Family, growth, and support — symbolizing resilience and empowerment across generations
• Cultural representation such as the medicine wheel, basket weaving, or circular motifs, expressing unity and balance
• Animal symbolism representing all different walks of life — such as salmon, otter, bear, frog, eagle, deer, or hummingbird — reflecting connection, journey, and harmony among all living beings
• Nature and place, including mountains, cedar leaves, and other elements signifying strength, growth, and connection to land and culture
• Movement and diversity — showing that whether flying, walking, or swimming, all paths lead toward shared outcomes of strength, leadership, and self-sufficiency 

The final logo should serve as a visual representation of the Suquamish Tribal TANF Program’s purpose: to honor tradition, uplift families, and celebrate the collective journey toward independence, balance, well-being, finding employment, and growth. 

The Suquamish Tribal TANF Program (STTP) is dedicated to empowering eligible Suquamish and other American Indian/Alaska Native families by promoting self-reliance through cultural preservation, healthy living, and access to education, employment, and career development opportunities. Through temporary financial assistance and culturally grounded supportive services, STTP helps families build lasting self-sufficiency and a strong foundation for future generations. 

Program Purpose:
Rooted in the values of the Suquamish Tribe, STTP strives to strengthen families, reduce dependency, promote healthy lifestyles, and empower parents to achieve self-reliance. By supporting children within their homes and fostering strong family connections, the program encourages growth, balance, and long-term independence through education, employment, and community connection. 

Call to Artists:
If you are inspired to create a logo that reflects the values and purpose of the Suquamish Tribal TANF Program, we invite you to submit your design proposal. Show us your vision of community, culture, and growth, and help visually tell the story of STTP’s commitment to families and self-reliance. We value the talent that goes into creating a logo, and the selected artist will be compensated for the work. Deadline to apply: January 15, 2026.

For more details, call 360-394-8646, visit the TANF office located in Human Services, or email Faith Reese at FReese@suquamish.nsn.us. 

November 2025 Suquamish News

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Halloween Eve Event

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Oct 2025 Suquamish News

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Federal Government Shutdown

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Dear Suquamish Tribal Members and Staff,
As anticipated, the federal government shutdown last night at 9 pm PST, after the two parties were unable to come to agreement on a continuing resolution to keep the government open.
We want to inform you that the Tribal Council and Tribal Government are monitoring the situation closely and are in contact with our congressional delegation and consultants in Washington DC.
We are unsure how long the shutdown will last.  In the short-term the initial impact on the tribe should be minimal.
Over the past couple of years, we have worked diligently to strengthen our budget and we are in a solid financial position.  This will help us to weather this challenging time for the United States and Indian Country.
As always, our top priority is our tribal members, and we will work to offer the same care and support you count on and expect.  We will be meeting weekly to assess the impacts of the suspension of federal programs and services caused by the shutdown.
In addition, we will remain vigilant and continue to advocate for our tribe at both the state and federal levels.
Sincerely,
Leonard Forsman
Tribal Council Chairman
Catherine Edwards
Executive Director

True Tales of the Suquamish Sasquatch

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Beings of the Forest

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Mysterious woodland creatures
long part of Suquamish culture

For many Suquamish people, stories about Sasquatch are not modern myths or campfire tales. They are connected to a deeper understanding of the world and the unseen forces within it.

Sasquatch is more than a creature of legend — it holds spiritual significance and ties directly into long-standing traditions about beings that share the land.

Denita and Joey Holmes created these Basket Ogress and Sasquatch costumes for Halloween in 2023.

Kate Ahvakana, the Suquamish Tribe’s Cultural Resources Director, grew up hearing stories about Sasquatch and other culturally connected creatures of the forest.

“Sasquatch is similar to other beings we talk about, like the Stick Indians,” Ahvakana explains. “They aren’t necessarily good or bad — they just are. They live in the woods and have their own way of being. You have to be careful with them because they don’t think like us.”

The Stick Indians are part of Suquamish oral history. These trickster spirits are said to lure people into the woods, leading them astray. Although they are not malicious, their actions can be dangerous. Ahvakana explains that whistling at night can attract their attention — and potentially the attention of other beings, including Sasquatch. “It’s like you’re inviting them into your space, and that’s not something you want to do.”

Another creature of the woods that has long been used to teach lessons to children is the Basket Ogress, a cautionary tale that has been passed down through generations.

“The Basket Ogress is like a boogeyman story,” Ahvakana says.

“She comes after children who are unclean or unkind. The story is meant to teach kids to be mindful of their actions.”
In the tale, the Basket Ogress captures disobedient children, placing them in her basket and carrying them away. While the story has variations across different Coast Salish cultures, it is always used as a way to remind young people to behave properly and respect the world around them.

The Suquamish people have long understood that the forest holds mysteries, and it’s important to respect them. For generations, stories of Sasquatch and other spirits have taught young people to be mindful of their actions, especially when they are in the woods.

Ahvakana explains that these beings are often encountered by those who are particularly sensitive to the spiritual world or spend long periods of time in the woods. “Hunters, fishers, and people who live closely with the land are more likely to experience these things,” she says. “It’s not something everyone sees, but it’s something many of us feel.”
By Jon Anderson
Suquamish News Staff Writer

 

Fraud

Protect yourself from fraud.

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The Suquamish IT Department is sharing this information to help protect tribal members and staff from becoming victims of fraud. Please note that the breach did not occur within the Suquamish Tribal Government. Rather, it involved TransUnion, one of the three major credit reporting agencies.  

On July 28, 2025, TransUnion reported a data breach affecting over 4 million people. Information exposed may include your name, date of birth, address, phone number, email, and Social Security Number (SSN). Even if you have never signed up with TransUnion, your information may still have been compromised. TransUnion collects information on nearly all consumers with a credit history.  

How to Protect Yourself and Your Family 

  • Trust your gut. If you receive a phone call requesting personal information, do not provide it and hang up. Legitimate banks and businesses will never call “out of the blue” requesting this type of information. Only share this information if you made the call — and only to a number you’ve called before. For banks, call the number that is listed on the back of debit/credit cards.  
  • Check your accounts regularly for unusual activities. Despite its name, Annual Credit Report provides free weekly online credit reports. Learn more here.  
  • Update passwords and use unique passwords for your accounts.   

What Scams May Look Like 

Be cautious if you receive: 

  • Phone calls asking you to “confirm” your SSN, birth date, or account info. 
  • Emails or texts using your real details to seem real. 
  • Requests to say your SSN out loud or answer “yes/no” questions — your voice could be recorded and reused. 
  • Messages using scare tactics like “your account will be suspended.” 

If You Are Affected 

  • Contact the Tribal Cybersecurity or Membership Office for help. 

Resources 

TransUnion Data Breach Recovery Plan 

Replace Passwords with Passphrases  

Child Identity Theft 

 

Your safety is our top priority. We will keep you informed as more details are released.