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North Sound ACH

North Sound Accountable Community of Health

North Sound ACH staff

Building a Regional Network – Together

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North Sound ACH is launching a learning, advocacy, and action network, open to all community members and organizations seeking to advance a just and inclusive culture and the necessary conditions required for all community members to thrive. Together, we will provide the assets, influence, and leadership for the what we are calling the Collaborative Action Network. 

North Sound ACH was founded in 2015 by regional leaders from five counties and eight tribal nations, to be a table where collective learning, planning, and decision-making could occur, crossing traditional jurisdictional boundaries to tackle issues that impact health, believing that across this region, people are more connected than we are separate. 

Advancing equity, well-being, and a sense of belonging are fundamental elements of the regional work, and we are using the framework of targeted universalism to shape and inform planning, actions, decision making, and capacity building. Leveraging investments earned through the state’s Medicaid Transformation Project, North Sound ACH is seeing areas where capacity investments are critically needed.

Anyone — individuals or organizations — can join this network and become engaged in making the North Sound region a place where people can thrive, and the assets are organized to help make that happen. 

We are excited at how partners are responding so far, and grateful to all who sent us ideas to improve the language from the first draft. We hope to publish the cohorts in the coming weeks, and we know that one level of engagement may not fit all partners or cohort areas. We are aiming for a structure that allows you to see current and emerging cohorts, and consider where you and your organization wants to start.

Please contact Team@NorthSoundACH.org if you have questions or would like to join the Network!

Aug ’21 Partner Retreat

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It was so great to ‘see’ you all on August 11 and 12! Spending a day focused on bright spots was enriching, and we ended the day with a reminder that the work isn’t done when we say we’re going to do something. We have to actually follow up and DO the work. (Watch the recordings on our YouTube page.)

When I think of how much has changed since I joined the ACH team in October 2016, it is telling. For those who don’t remember – getting certified as an ACH (2017), writing a Project Plan (2017), followed by an Implementation Plan (2018); setting up Scopes of Work with each partner organization and beginning the work on the ground (2019). We thought we knew what was at stake once we got to that point, but then COVID-19 jolted communities across the world. As a reminder, across the five counties our partners are:

  • tribal health centers
  • hospitals – large, medium and small
  • primary care clinics, including Federally Qualified Health Centers
  • pediatrics, oral health, reproductive health and other clinic settings
  • behavioral health and substance use disorder providers
  • local health jurisdictions
  • fire and EMS districts
  • community based organizations, including family resource centers, YMCAs, community action agencies, senior services providers

Knowing how busy you all are, we have a lot of gratitude that you carved out part of those two days for the retreat. On the second day we introduced the concept of a North Sound Collaborative Action Network. Based on conversations with you and others, we had drafted a set of common agreements that would ground the network. We’ve had questions and feedback since the Retreat, and will add the revised draft to our newsletter going out this week. Here is to the revised set of commitments for regional partners joining the Collaborative Action Network. There is still time to weigh in and make recommendations!

Thanks for all you do. Your dedication and passion in the work does not go unnoticed.

June 2021: Note from Liz

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So many things are rolling through our minds this month. I’m reminded of the epiphanies my sons had when they were young: when they first realized they could feel more than one emotion at a time, when they first learned how to use the word ‘bittersweet’ to describe a life transition, and about the intersectionality of our lives. Pride, Juneteenth, uncovering indigenous children at Boarding School sites – it is a lot to hold in our minds at one time.

It’s Pride month. An annual celebration born from acts of civil disobedience by members of the LGBTQI+ community, tired of being harassed, arrested and jailed by the police simply for being themselves. From large cities to small towns, Pride is celebrated to remember, lift up and show support for the lives and rights of the community – all communities – to be who they are and express themselves in the way that is most meaningful for them. You can check out the White House’s statement here.

This week, Congress passed legislation making June 19th (Juneteenth) a federal holiday. It took two years for news of the Emancipation Proclamation (passed in 1863) to reach the state of Texas – on June 19, 1865. As a nation, we are still unfinished in acknowledging the impact of slavery, understanding multi-generational traumas, and sometimes even accepting our nation’s history. We want the past to be kept in the past, but if we do that, we build and rebuild the same structural and systemic barriers to well-being and thriving that we had in that not so distant past. 

It was a little over one year ago that North Sound partners came together to grieve, cry and rage over the death of Geroge Floyd, witnessed by all the world because a young person stepped forward and recorded those last minutes of his life. Imagine those minutes seared forever not only on her phone, but in her mind. It was and is beyond words. We stand in solidarity with those who fight oppression every day, wanting a better life.

Then this month, we experienced a new wave of grief and trauma. More than a thousand burial sites have been uncovered so far, most of them children, near Indian Boarding Schools in Canada and the U.S., and there are more discoveries to come. The People of the Salish Sea, which includes the tribes in our region, are connected to the tribes in Canada; their history and families are intertwined. We experienced a pause in the universe, for all of us to imagine what it is like to bring these children home, to have closure that has waited for 100 years or more. It is imperative that we learn the history of Indian Boarding Schools, in the U.S. and Canada. 

Michaela Vendiola, Tribal Liaison on our team, pulled together a set of resources so that we could learn more, especially from tribal leaders and news sources. You can find those resources at this link. 

Thinking back to my sons, learning to feel multiple emotions at the same time. We also can’t put things in a box, thinking we are separated by time or place. Events aren’t always long ago or far away if we agree that we are all connected to each other. Our lives (and pasts) intersect and impact one another. North Sound ACH is committed to building a region – a community – where all people feel they belong, and have the tools and resources to thrive and experience well-being.  

We are honored to have tribal partners who are teaching us ways to bear witness, and join in the healing, and that so many of you are with us on this journey. It is a rich one with amazing partners, teaching and learning together.

In gratitude – 

Indian Residential Schools in the U.S. and Canada: Resources and News Updates

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This page was prepared by Michaela Vendiola, Tribal Liaison for North Sound ACH. Please reach out to Michaela Vendiola if you want more resources or connections. Updated June 24, 2021.

This blog post will be updated continuously to provide ACH partners and contacts with up-to-date news regarding statuses and developments that relate to the Indian Residential Schools that span across the continent of North America. This blog post will house current events, news, and resources from both the United States and Canada. This is an important and distinct decision to include news and resources from both countries because, uniquely, there are tribal members and families with dual citizenship status that reside within the North Sound region and who may be directly impacted by this news and findings on both sides of the U.S./Canadian Border. 

Indian Residential School Survivors Society
FAQs / How do I reach the 24 Hour Crisis Line?
Indian Residential School Survivors and Family
1-866-925-4419
The Indian Residential Schools Crisis Line is available 24-hours a day for anyone experiencing pain or distress as a result of his or her Residential school experience.For more information on the program, please refer to the FNHA website.

RESOURCES and NEWS – From Native, Indigenous, First Nations, American Indian/Alaska Native news sources:

751 unmarked graves is ‘a wake up call’ | UPDATED: Cowessess First Nation announced discovery of gravesite at old residential school in Canada; ‘We will not stop until we find all the bodies’. Indian Country Today. June 24, 2021.

Interior Sec. Haaland Announces Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative to Shed Light on the Dark History of the Boarding School System. Native News Online. June 22, 2021.

Indian Country Applauds Interior Sec. Haaland’s Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative. Native News Online. June 22, 2021.

RESOURCES – From North Sound region Natives:

Walking our Spirits Home event. Children of the Setting Sun Productions. Friday June 11, 2021. 11 a.m. at the Lummi Stommish Grounds on the Lummi Indian Reservation.

This event had representation and speakers from Lummi Nation, Nooksack Nation, Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, many other tribal nations and multiple families and friends from across the North Sound region and beyond the region. At this event, attendees also heard (by phone at minute 36:10) from one of the Secwépemc Chiefs of the Interior-Salish Secwepemc (Shuswap) Nation. Today, there are 17 remaining bands that make up the Secwepemc Nation. Three of those bands are: Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc, Sexqeltqin (Adams Lake) and, Kamloops.

215 Stand in Solidarity event. Friday June 4, 2021 at 5 p.m. at the mainstreet bridge in Ferndale, WA. Lhaq’temish Foundation was a sponsor of this event. 

RESOURCES: from the ACH June Tribal Learning Series

June Partner Learning Session – June 16, 2021. Healing Dialogue: Stepping out of the wheel of suffering and inducing our truth. Holding Space with Solana Booth. (Recording)

Protecting our Women, Protecting our Earth – Aug. 27, 2019. A discussion between Hester Dillon and Victoria Sweet of the NOVO Foundation, Solana Booth, Carmenza de Columbia, Aline Prata and Isabella James of Children of the Setting Sun Productions. Interview took place at the 2019 Paddle to Lummi Canoe Journey. (Video by Children of the Setting Sun Productions)

Children of the Setting Sun Productions is having a land acknowledgment ceremony with PeaceHealth on San Juan Island on June 22nd, and in Bellingham July 14th, both at noon.

RESOURCES – Additional resources for context purposes:

American Indian Boarding Schools by State

Source: The National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition
“367 Schools. 73 remain open today. 15 still boarding.” (2020).

US Indian Boarding School History. National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.

“The truth about the US Indian boarding school policy has largely been written out of the history books. There were more than 350 government-funded, and often church-run, Indian Boarding schools across the US in the 19th and 20th centuries. Indian children were forcibly abducted by government agents, sent to schools hundreds of miles away, and beaten, starved, or otherwise abused when they spoke their native languages.”

Standing Bear Nation artwork. By Kent Monkman, Cree Nation. May 24, 2021.

Visual Content Warning re: Kidnapping.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission Reports from the The National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation (NCTR) at the University of Manitoba, Canada.

RESOURCES – about the Kamloops Indian Residential School

Facts:

  • Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc is the what the First Nations people call themselves. But the Canadian Government calls the Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc the Kamloops Indian Band.
  • Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc lands are located 203 miles northeast of Bellingham, WA. Driving to Tk̓emlúps te Secwépemc would be less than a days travel from Bellingham, WA and would be a drive of 3 hours and 42 minutes.
  • Kamloops Indian Residential School is also a 203 mile drive from Bellingham, WA.
google.com/maps

RESOURCES – From the Tk’emlúps website:

Remains of Children of Kamloops Residential School Discovered. Press Release from Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir. Posted on: May 27, 2021.

“May 27, 2021, Kamloops – It is with a heavy heart that Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir confirms an unthinkable loss that was spoken about but never documented by the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This past weekend, with the help of a ground penetrating radar specialist, the stark truth of the preliminary findings came to light – the confirmation of the remains of 215 children who were students of the Kamloops Indian Residential School.”

May 31, 2021 | Statement from the Office of the Chief, Kukpi7 Rosanne Casimir. Press Release from the office of Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Kukpi7 (Chief) Rosanne Casimir. Posted on: May 31, 2021.

“As the last logs go on our sacred fire, I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude for the outpouring of support to our community. Thank you for helping us bring to light such hard truths that came from the preliminary findings regarding the unmarked burial sites of Kamloops Indian Residential School students so that we may begin the process of honouring the lost loved ones who are in our caretaking. We love, honour, and respect these children, their families, and communities.”

June 10 | Full C&C Update on KIRS. Posted on: June 14, 2021. From the Office of the Chief –

“On behalf of Council, I want to provide you an update on what Council has been doing to follow up on the recent, heartbreaking findings at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. This was but the beginning of what will be a long and emotionally challenging process. Chief and Council are committed to providing regular updates to our membership.

For Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Council and I, as well as what we have heard in community, ceremonies, protocols, and justice are top of mind for all. This is only the beginning.

I want to take a moment to acknowledge the grief that we have all felt. This is traumatic and each and every one of us have been impacted by residential schools. It is time to be gentle with ourselves as this brings up so many emotions and hurts. I know that I am reaching out to my loved ones and encourage you to do the same. Please note that we have included mental health supports at the end of this letter.”

Kukwstép-kucw— Walking the Spirits Home. Posted on: June 16, 2021.

“Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc Council and members would like to say kukwstép-kucw to Adams Lake Band for the “Walking the Spirits Home” ceremony that took place from June 11 to 13 2021.  We want to also acknowledge and thank all the Elders, Knowledge keepers, survivors, intergenerational survivors, the Kukukpi7 and our K̓wséltkten from throughout Secwepemcúl’ecw that came together in unity and solidarity to support the survivors and the lost children in bringing their spirits home.

We are collectively grieving and this is one step towards reconciliation and healing. The truths of the survivors and the lost children are finally being heard by so many.

In light of the preliminary findings regarding the unmarked burial site of 215 children from the Kamloops Residential School, it is fitting that the healing journey started here, at the home campfire of the residential school.

Kukpi7 Arnouse and to your leadership, and all those who helped organize “Walking our Spirits Home”, we at TteS want to acknowledge the continued work that you and your campfire have done to bring healing to your community. We were honoured to assist with protocols, resources, and support.”

Tk’emlúps History. 

Kamloops Indian Band promotional video Part #1. From the Tk’emlúps website and youtube. Note the discussion that begins at minute 4:25 as these previous treaty allotments and continued government-to-government discussions (as seen in this video) may have an impact on the ways in which the Canadian government can begin making action based accountability; especially since accountability is what is directly being asked of them from the First Nations leadership and people of the area.

RESOURCES – From Native, Indigenous, First Nations, American Indian/Alaska Native news sources:

Indian Country Today

Ontario Regional Chief RoseAnne Archibald and the Chiefs of Ontario mourn the loss of the 215 children lost at the Kamloops Indian Residential School. Indian Country Today. June 1, 2021.

“This was not just a “dark chapter” in Canadian history; this is genocide against Indigenous peoples across Turtle Island.”

Canada: Bodies at residential school not isolated incident. Indian Country Today. May 31, 2021.

“Shoes sit on the Eternal flame in recognition of discovery of children’s remains at the site of a former residential school in Kamloops, British Columbia, on parliament hill in Ottawa, Ontario, on Monday May 31, 2021. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press via AP)

From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 First Nations children were required to attend state-funded Christian schools as part of a program to assimilate them into Canadian society.”

215 bodies found at residential school in Canada. Indian Country Today. May 29, 2021.

“The former Kamloops Indian Residential School is seen on Tk’emlups te Secwépemc First Nation in Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada on Thursday, May 27, 2021. The remains of 215 children have been found buried on the site of the former residential school in Kamloops. (Andrew Snucins/The Canadian Press via AP). More bodies may be found because there are more areas to search on the school grounds.”

Native News Online

The Appalling Discovery in Kamloops is Irrefutable Evidence of a Crime Against Humanity. Native News Online. June 1, 2021.

“The appalling discovery of the bodies of 215 Indigenous children hidden in unmarked graves at the site of the residential school in Kamloops, B.C., is irrefutable evidence of a crime against humanity.

The Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Band confirmed Thursday that ground-penetrating radar had detected the remains of the children on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School, which was operated by the Roman Catholic Church.”

Remembering the 215 Indigenous Children Found in Unmarked Graves at Canadian Residential School. Native News Online. May 31, 2021.

“KAMLOOPS, B.C. — As people in the United States spent time this past weekend to remember those who gave their lives for their country while serving in the U.S. military, First Nations people and Native Americans across Indian Country paid tribute to the loss of 215 children,  whose remains were recently discovered at the site of a former residential school near the town of Kamloops, British Colombia.

A Tk’emlúps te Secwépemc Nation (Kamloops Indian Band) news release last Thursday revealed the horrifying news that the remains of 215 children, some as young as three-year-old, were uncovered at the Kamloops Indian Residential School.”

RESOURCES – From non-Native news source in the Kamloops area:

Kamloops This Week

Tk’emlups says Canada needs to add accountability to messages of sympathy. Kamloops This Week. May 31, 2021.

“Chief Rosanne Casimir said the Tk’emlups community is also asking all Canadians to reacquaint themselves with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Final Report and Calls to Action and to show solidarity by wearing an orange shirt and starting conversations with neighbours about why they are doing so.”

Who’s hiring in North Sound?

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We will keep this page updated with current job opportunities in the North Sound region. If you want to post your organization’s employment opportunities, email us at communications@northsoundach.org

As of July 2

North Sound ACH’s team is growing. Check out our most recent position postings and see if there is something there that is a fit for you!

Mercy Housing – Resident Services Coordinator I at Eleanor Apartments, Bellingham
Full time, $17.50/hour
Resident Service Coordinator I will facilitate and implement core programs as delegated by the program model. Collect and record data to measure program outcomes. Identify human and community service needs of residents. Develop strategies to link residents with needed services, including assistance in overcoming various barriers that might impede access to services. Build community partnerships that bring services and notice to the property; ambassador/advocate of the property, seeking volunteering, selling the brand. When other services are not available, may deliver direct services. Actively participate with other staff working toward resident stability. 
See details and apply at https://recruiting.adp.com/srccar/public/RTI.home?c=1211201&d=ExternalCareerSite#/

May 2021: Notes from Liz

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Like you, I have been enjoying the spring weather, allowing us to see each other with some sunshine around our often still masked faces! Overall, we see the ways that COVID is abating, allowing opening of spaces and closer gatherings, but that is still looking through a wide-angle lens. When we zoom in with the telephoto lens, we still see communities struggling with access to testing and vaccine and the ACH is drawn to offer help in those areas.

We’re amazed every day to learn of one more organization or new effort to reach people who don’t connect to the standard ways of outreach. They might be disconnected from the internet, speak another language (that I wish I could quickly learn!), not be able to navigate complex appointment sites, or not feel welcome in traditional clinic and community settings. 

We’ve been honored to share space with tribal partners who are reaching out to surrounding communities to assist with vaccine delivery, trusted community organizations working with community health workers and promotoras – living in, understanding, and supporting their community in immeasurable ways. We are so grateful for them and all they do and continue to search for ways we can support them as they support community.

We also learned that the primary effort we’ve been working on – focused on improving the lives of people on Medicaid – has been extended for another year. That brings us one more year of financial resources to invest in the region through our partner organizations. At the same time, our team continues to receive the maximum scoring on our deliverables to the Health Care Authority, a sign that the work our partners are doing is showing measurable impact. 

Through the last 15 months we’ve also seen the importance of public health, and the burden they carry in responding to a pandemic. Finding linkages between traditional public health and those amazing community organizations has shown itself to be a role for the ACH – bridging and advocating for communities to play a role in how emergency response is planned, organized, and delivered.