Tribal Issues to be Aired with Interior Secretary Jewell at Bainbridge Island Summit Thursday
BAINBRIDGE ISLAND — Olympic Peninsula tribes will meet with U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell at a regional summit hosted by the Suquamish tribe at the House of Awakened Culture on Bainbridge Island on Thursday.
The summit begins at 9:30 a.m. at 7235 N.E. Parkway and will include discussions on economic development, tribal sovereignty and the impact of climate change on Native American communities, including efforts by coastal tribes to move their villages upland.
Jewell will give the keynote address at noon.
Organized by U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, the summit will include representatives of the Hoh, Lower Elwha Klallam, Makah, Quinault, Quileute, Jamestown S'Klallam, Port Gamble S'Klallam and Skokomish.
As Interior secretary, Jewell, former CEO of REI, oversees the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs and the federal government's policies on Native American issues.
Kilmer represents the 6th Congressional District, which includes the North Olympic Peninsula.
Joining Jewell will be Larry Roberts, principal deputy assistant secretary-Indian Affairs, and Stanley Speaks, Northwest regional director of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
President Barack Obama has requested $2.6 billion for Indian Affairs in the fiscal year 2015 budget, a $33.6 million increase above the fiscal year 2014 enacted level, according to Interior officials.