Ninth Circuit of Appeals
Hears Case
Colville Tribes continue to address Lake Roosevelt
contamination
Six years ago the Colville Tribes petitioned
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to assess and clean
up pollution in the Upper Columbia River and Lake Roosevelt
related to more than a century of mining-related industry.
EPA has identified the Canadian mining and smelting company
Teck Cominco Metals, Ltd., in Trail, B.C. as the primary
polluter. Cominco is estimated to have dumped millions of tons
of slag and liquid wastes into the Columbia River just across
the international border.
The U.S. government’s “Superfund” is typically used to pay for
studies and cleanup in sites similar to Lake Roosevelt.
However, Superfund is depleted because Congress has not
renewed the taxes that feed the program.
Efforts by the federal government to compel the primary
responsible party, Teck Cominco, to adequately fund
environmental and human health studies have been unsuccessful.
EPA issued a Unilateral Administrative Order to the company in
2004, which Cominco refuses to obey claiming a foreign company
can not be required to comply with US law.
In 2004 Tribal Business Council Members Joe Pakootas and DR
Michel, supported by the Colville Tribes, filed a citizen’s
suit to force Cominco to comply with the federal order. In
federal district court Judge McDonald ruled that the U.S. does
have jurisdiction in this case and that Cominco is subject to
compliance with the federal order. Cominco’s appeal of Judge
McDonald’s straightforward decision was heard on December 4,
2005 in Seattle before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. A
ruling has not yet been handed down.
The Tribes, EPA and the State of Washington are concerned
about Lake Roosevelt’s water and sediment quality. In 2002 EPA
conducted a screening level Site Inspection which included the
analysis of sediments taken over a ~60 mile stretch of the
Upper Columbia the Canadian Border south to near Inchelium.
The results of these samples showed elevated levels of metals
such as arsenic, zinc, lead, copper, cadmium and mercury. With
this data EPA began a Remedial Investigation and Feasibility
Study, a process leading to study and development of
recommendations for possible cleanup.
In 2005 EPA Region 10 out of Seattle began Phase I fieldwork
with sediment and fish tissue sampling and analysis. Results
of those studies are not yet available and funding for
continued work at this site is in serious jeopardy.
The upcoming the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruling may
garner significant media attention to Lake Roosevelt and the
Colville Tribes.
National Public Radio recently aired a 17-minute story about
Lake Roosevelt on its “Living on Earth” program. For tribal
members that missed the airing, it is available at www.loe.org
or www.npr.org.
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Indian Estate Planning
Project Continues Free Estate Planning and Will Drafting
Services on the Colville Reservation
Priscilla Selden, paralegal with Northwest
Justice Project, will continue the valuable work begun by
previous externs providing free estate planning services for
enrolled tribal members on the Colville Reservation.
Due to changes in the law effective in June of this year, it
is now especially important for tribal members to make a will.
For example, without a will, trust allotment interests less
than 5% may be sold off during probate without the agreement
of heirs. Making a will avoids this.
A will represents your choices about who should receive your
property when you pass away. Your will is confidential. You
can change your will or make a new one. Indian Estate Planning
Project staff are committed to drafting valid wills that
reflect your wishes.
A will is a good idea for all tribal members over age 18, who:
· Have trust land, non-trust land, or personal property;
· Have children, or stepchildren under age 18, who will need a
guardian in the event of their parents’ death;
· Want to leave property to someone outside their immediate,
blood-related family.
· Have heirlooms, artifacts, or regalia they would like to
pass on to specific friends or family members;
· Would like to leave instructions for burial ceremonies or
giveaways; and who
· Want to make their intentions known to family members to
prevent conflict or hurt feelings.
In addition to drafting wills, NJP also will draft health care
directives (living wills) and powers of attorney. These
documents determine who should act in your place, if you
become incapable of handling your own affairs.
Northwest Justice Project (NJP) delivers free legal services
to low-income clients statewide. Any Colville tribal member,
or Native community member living on the Colville reservation,
over the age of 18, regardless of income, is eligible for
these free estate planning services. NJP is offering these
services under a contract with the Indian Land Tenure
Foundation’s Institute for Indian Estate Planning and Probate,
a nonprofit organization specializing in Indian land and
probate issues. The funds are provided through a grant with
the Office of Special Trustee. Wills created with the Indian
Estate Planning Project meet both federal and state drafting
requirements.
If you are interested in scheduling an appointment to make a
will or other estate planning documents, or want to know more
about the changes in Federal Indian Probate law as they affect
you, please call Priscilla Selden at (888) 201-1021, ext. 23.
In-home visits are available and meetings are confidential.
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Tribal Health & TANF Presents: The
Alcohol Awareness Relay “Run Across the Reservation”
April 11-14, 2006
Sign up today!
April is Alcohol Awareness Month, and what
better way to help raise awareness than participating in the
“Alcohol Awareness Relay”. The relay will be during the second
week of April, 11th through the 14th. The entire course is
over 90 miles and we’ll need your help to cross it! You can
help us by encouraging your family, friends, and coworkers to
participate as well. We need runners and walkers in each of
our four districts.
Special Tributes: People participating in this year’s Alcohol
Awareness Relay will be able to dedicate a balloon in
someone’s name, which will be released daily.
For more information, contact:
Inchelium: Pam Phillips – 722-7019, Jerry Signor – 722-7020,
Diane Mills – 722-7015
Omak: Angela Rois – 422-7456, Quail Orr – 422-7458, Alice
Desautel – 722-7455
Keller: Dianne Sutton-Mellon & Hope Achenbach @ 634-7325
Nespelem: Peggy Cleveland – 634-2939, Joanne Gleason –
634-2941, Lori Joseph – 634-2943 or Val Vargas-Thomas –
634-2944/2957
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Inchelium Head Start 2006-2007 School
Year Open Enrollment
If your child will be three
years old by August 31, 2006 they are eligible to apply for
enrollment.
Contact Lourie Meusy or Myra Aubertin, Family Service
Specialists at 722-7052 or 722-7025 for an application packet.
Education - Family Support - Culture - Social & Physical
Development
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CREDIT CORNER
COLVILLE TRIBAL CREDIT
REAL ESTATE NEWS
It has been and will continue to be the policy
of Colville Tribal Credit (CTC) to help in development of the
local communities by encouraging home ownership by Tribal
Members. It is CTC’s desire to assist qualified members in
their housing needs, home purchases, construction, and
remodeling. In all instances, sound credit analysis will be
applied to the extension of any real estate loan. Real Estate
loans are restricted to property within the boundaries of
Washington State on fee property and to 100% ownership of
trust property.
The maximum consumer real estate loan is $125,000.00.
HOME EQUITY LOANS
A home equity loan allows you to borrow money for almost any
purpose, using your home’s equity as collateral. “Collateral”
is the property that you pledge, as a secondary source of
repayment of the debt. “Equity” is the difference between the
value of the property and what you owe against it. Colville
Tribal Credit can lend eligible borrowers up to eighty percent
(80%) of the value of the property.
For example: Let’s say that you purchased your home in 1998
for $88,000, and after your down payment, you financed
$79,200. You have been making your monthly payments
faithfully, and currently owe $64,000. A recent appraisal on
your property has determined the market value to be $97,500.
Eighty percent (80%) of this value is $78,000, meaning that
after you subtract the $64,000 still owing, you could borrow
about $14,000 against your home.
Congratulations on gaining such equity in your property!
Second, what a great opportunity to get the money that you
have wanted to pay off your high interest bills, purchase a
new automobile, or take a family vacation. Perhaps you want to
turn around and renovate your home, helping to preserve and
add to the growing value of your property.
Why apply for a home equity loan? Interest rates on home
equity loans tend to be relatively low, and the interest paid
is generally tax deductible. A home equity loan that is used
for debt consolidation can also be termed (# of months) longer
so that you can enjoy smaller monthly obligations.
Take careful consideration before taking out a home equity
loan. Remember, if you default on the loan, you could lose
your home, which is often your biggest asset. You may not want
to tap into your homes equity if you are nearing retirement
age, when monthly income often decreases.
If you are ready to apply for a loan from Colville Tribal
Credit, please feel free to access our website
www.colvilletribalcredit.com for complete instructions and to
download our loan application form. You may also call our Real
Estate Loan Officer, Storey Jackson, at 509/634-2662.
Colville Tribal Credit offers loans for a variety of purposes,
including Real Estate, Mobile Homes, Land purchase, Personal,
Auto, Computer purchase, Education, and Business. Please
contact us at 509/634-2664 for additional information on our
loan programs.
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ARTICLE PUBLISHED BY
INDIAN HEALTH SERVICE HEADQUARTERS, WASHINGTON, D.C.
A Frequently Asked Question
(FAQ) by IHS patients
I am eligible for health care from Indian Health Service,
But the local Service Unit will not pay for the [surgery,
health care, medicine] that I need? Why?
The Indian Health Service is funded each year through
appropriations by the U. S. Congress. The Indian Health
Service is not an entitlement program, such as Medicare or
Medicaid. The Indian Health Service is not an insurance
program. The Indian Health Service is not an established
benefits package.
Direct health care services are services provided at an IHS
facility. Contract Health Services (CHS) are services that the
IHS is unable to provide in its own facilities. CHS are
provided by non-IHS health care providers and facilities. CHS
payments are authorized based on clearly defined guidelines
and are subject to availability of funds. The Indian Health
Service cannot always guarantee that funds are always
available. Funds appropriated by the U.S. Congress currently
cover an estimated 50% of health care needs of the eligible
American Indian and Alaska Native people.
Unfortunately, that means that services obtained under CHS
must be prioritized, with life-threatening illnesses or
injuries being given highest priority. It also means that the
IHS formulary (the list of drugs and medicines available from
IHS pharmacies) may not include all drugs and medicines, but
will include most of the ones that have proven to be
beneficial and cost-effective.
Available to view this article on-line by linking http://www.ihs.gov/general
03/03/2006 Colville Indian Health, Nespelem Washington
Nespelem and Omak IHS Clinics
PATIENT SATISFACTION SURVEY RESULTS
JANUARY 2006
The survey format we used this year has been utilized by all
Indian Health Service clinics in the IHS Portland Area
(Oregon, Washington and Idaho). We want to thank our patients
who filled out their surveys and turned them in. With this
tool we are able to fine-tune the way we do things, so as to
improve the performance of the facilities and serve you
better.
From the 301 surveys turned in during the month of January
2006, we derived the following data:
The average waiting time (from time of sign in, to the time
first being seen by a provider) is 8.6 minutes. Of course,
this is an average; some not waiting at all, and some, on
unusual days, having to wait as much as 30 minutes or more
(only 3 were over 30 minutes).
98.3% indicated that they were treated with courtesy and
respect at the clinic that day.
97% indicated that they were treated with courtesy and respect
the last time they called for an appointment.
82.7% indicated that they were able to get an appointment when
they needed one.
99.7% indicated they thought the clinic was clean and
sanitary.
98.3% indicated they thought their privacy was maintained
while in the clinic.
98% indicated that their questions were answered fully during
that visit to the clinic.
99% stated they received good care at the clinic that day.
In addition to the excellent scores noted above, greater than
33% of the patients surveyed chose to commend various
departments and staff members for their work. Conversely, only
3% indicated their expectations had not been met that day in
the clinic.
As one can see, the results were quite favorable overall, but
that still leaves plenty of room for improvement, and you have
given us some ideas on which to work.
Thanks for taking an active part in helping to improving the
functioning of your clinics here at Nespelem and in Omak.
Colville Indian Health Service Staff
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Convalescent Center News
On February 14th, we sold 50
Teddy-grams on Valentine’s Day. Thank you to everyone who
bought one.
On February 24th, 2006, CTCC had our Winter Spiritual dance,
thank you to Tinker Watt and Jeanette Timentwa and Donna
Marchand and Marge Dunlap & Carlene McDowell.
New residents: Merle Desautel and Virginia Troxell. New
employees: Pamela Bentley, NAC; Anna Flett, Dietary Aide.
Condolences to Fay Wilson Family and Pete George Family.
Thank You,
Sally Hutton, Administrator
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NESPELEM HEAD START
PROGRAM
Dear Returning/Potential
Head Start Student and Families:
Thank you for your interest in the Nespelem Tribal Head Start
Program. We are going to have an Enrollment Round-Up on April
6, 2006 from 10:00-4:00 p.m.
Please bring in the following documents:
• Birth Certificate
• Certification of Indian Blood
• Current immunizations
• Income Verification (Pay stub, TANF/DSHS
Award Letters, Unemployment Statement)
We will be offering the following stations: Dental, Vision,
Hearing, WIC Developmental, Family Parthership Agreements,
Enrollment Applications.
Please let us know if your child has completed a recent Well
Child Screening.
Please confirm as soon as possible, if your child will be able
to attend the Nespelem Head Start Round-Up. If you have any
questions please call Carrie or Margaret.
Sincerely,
Carrie George Margaret R. GunShows
Family Services Specialist Family Service Specialist
509-634-2403 509-634-2404
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