De-Qualla was born into the Stone family, and raised here on the Swinomish Reservation.
     In recent years he has become actively involved in the workings of our community and served the people in the following areas:

--SCEPA-4 yrs. (Swinomish Cultural and Environmental Protection Agency) 1999 Vice-Chairman

--Election board-3 yrs.  (1yr. as chairman)

--HESS-2 yrs. (Health, Education & Social Services)

--FIREWORKS COMMITTEE-1999

--Skipper of Swinomish Canoe on Power Paddle to Puallup August 1998

--Site Council-(La Conner Elementary)  2 yrs. as the only Native representative in policy setting guidelines.

--La Conner Middle School Circle of Learning advisor.

--La Conner High School Circle of Learning Advisory Board Director.
 

     I have come to realize that I have a continuing commitment to our Swinomish people.
     I believe that my role in our tribal government continues to be one of action.
     We must bring the government to the people with full disclosure and accessibility.  Everyone needs to be informed of the decisions being handed down by the Swinomish Tribal Senate.  In turn, everyone must be responsible for the Senates’ actions and therefore must be encouraged and enabled to participate.  As a people, we must be able to voice our opinions as things unfold, before decisions are made.
     We need to enable all households to provide for our children.  There are job opportunities in tribal endeavors.  Now we need to retain, train, and promote ourselves as provided for in our existing ordinances and tribal employment policies.  We need to develop programs based on those policies, and keep our people on the job.  We need to support each other.
 

1) Establish Open Communication between the Swinomish People and the Swinomish Indian Senate by:

a) Full Disclosure
b) Monthly Printed Senate Minutes
c)   Standardize Roll Call voting in all Senate Decisions.

a) Research and develop programs that train our teachers in Our Ways of Learning.
b) Establish  tribal parent/teacher group under the Direction of SCEPA & School
c) Incorporate our teachings by the employment of our Elders in our classrooms

3)   Establish the Swinomish Youth Center by

a) Attaching percentage requirement to the monthly net of the Casino for Youth
b)  Working with SCEPA to develop source of funding for additional generated funds
c) Find out what our kids really want in the way of a Youth Center

a) Studying all existing ordinances concerning Land Use
b) Studying all proposed land use issues
c) Attend Planning and Development meetings
d) Work with SCEPA to ensure that the Cultural aspects are taken into consideration in relation to any land use development.

5)  Restructure our Fisheries by:

a) Enhance restoration of salmon runs 
b) Develop Swinomish Hatchery Plan

6) Address Concerns of the People by:

a) Hiring a Public Defender
b) Addressing Housing Issues

 
7)   SPEAK for Our People by:
          LISTENING to Our People!
 

I come before the Swinomish People seeking a seat on the Swinomish Indian Senate. My goals and reasons for running for Senate have not changed since deciding to run last year. I feel that what I bring to the table will benefit our community as a whole. I believe that if we want the lives of our children to be better that it's up to us to take action now to make things better for the future generations of our Tribe. Our children are faced with the same difficulties that we faced as children in a world that is on a much faster pace with so many more outside influences. In the past, our teachings came from our elders and we are here today as a result of the actions taken by our Ancestors. In the same respect, if we wish for Swinomish to be here at the turn of the next millennium, we must follow their example. It's our responsibility to pass on their wisdom to our children, regardless of the outside influences they are faced with.
As stated in my mission statement for last year's election1 I believe that Leadership is Action, not Position. In that respect, I have continued to my goals throughout 1999. I believe that an entire mountain can be moved one rock at a time with persistence, and what seems to be the impossible can be accomplished even faster if we work together towards common goals.

De-Qualla
 

"Believer"
Unregistered User
(1/29/00 2:04:53 am)
Reply: Time for Change

"Oh-Seum! It brings joy to my heart to see such words of encouragement and strength coming from the Swinomish People. Oh-Seum! 

Dear Relatives, (Free Swinomish), and those who continue to choose to oppress us,

Thinking about our situation and our politics brought a story to mind. My Mother told me this story and her father told her. It was said that one day the Great Changer would come and that it wasn't known what shape or form the Great Changer would come to us in. It could be a man, a woman, an Indian or white or even an animal. But when the Great Changer came to us it would change things and bring a better and happier life to the People of Swinomish.We must believe in that change and the Great Changer, we must embrace it and we must pray for those that oppose it. For Change is near. Believe that. It has begun. We must be proud of our ancestory and carry ourselves accordingly. We must be Humble and move forward with a positive mind, thinking only of our children's future, together as one, the Swinomish People. 

Wishing all good Healing. Oh-Sium! Hoit for now!"