My family roots go back to time immemorial within Humboldt County. I’ve had the privilege of participating in traditional ceremonies, fishing, hunting, and gathering with relatives, young and old. And, those experiences have taught me that we must know and own our past, plan for the future … not only the immediate but also for the next seven generations. With this knowledge, we must renew our way of thinking and build strong relationships within communities.
Why I am running?:
There are several reasons as follows:
Climate Change/Global Warming – We must begin to heal the earth by doing what we can individually and collectively as a community. We all realize that the burning of fossil fuels threatens all communities through sea level rise and increased intensity and size of forest fires, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Renewable energy sources such as wind and solar are the least harmful sources of energy available today and we should support the global effort to decarbonize our economies as quickly as possible.
However, there are many factors that must be addressed, mitigated, and resolved in order to develop this offshore wind heavy-lift multipurpose marine terminal project in the best interest of our community. We need to support workforce development. Simultaneously, we must begin to heal the earth, conserve and protect our natural resources.
Economic Growth – The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District is on the cusp of positively changing our local economy through renewable energy. Our community needs a strong, sustainable economic base from which to grow and sustain other business growth. A strong economy will help alleviate substance abuse, homelessness, and overall social problems.
Brain Drain – I want our children and young adults in Humboldt County to be able to pursue their dreams and aspirations, raise a family, within Humboldt County. Too often our best and brightest young adults move out of Humboldt to pursue their professional careers. We need to attract, build, and expand industries all the while protecting our environment, industries, and businesses. This will improve the quality of life for all of our families.
Renewal – Local tribes have always had and continue to have a generational thinking process. We think of our past and the next seven generations to come. We pray for not only all humans but also for our relatives within the natural environment (animals, plants, place, etc.). The Wiyot Tribe has brought back their tribal ceremonies, such as their world renewal ceremony, back to Tuluwat Island. We have the opportunity to renew ourselves, our energy sources, our physical and mental health, and our relationships/communication within our community.
What do you see as the most important issue in the specific jurisdiction in which you will have authority if elected?
The Humboldt Bay Harbor, Recreation and Conservation District has three important areas of focus all subjects within its name:
- Harbor Maintenance and Development
- Recreational access
- Conservation of the natural habitat.
The most important issue is the implementation of the Humboldt Bay Offshore Wind Heavy-Lift Multipurpose Marine Terminal Project such as:
- Environmental Concerns
- Workforce Development
- Minimum 25% of local labor “Targeted Workers” as defined in the Public Labor Agreement (PLA).
- Possible amendment(s) and correction(s) to the PLA:
- Correction to add all zip codes of “Targeted Workers” as the zip code for Hoopa, Weitchpec, and Pecwan are not included.
- Possible amendment(s) to ensure that a minimum of 25% labor comes from “Targeted Workers” rather than just rely upon “good faith efforts”; and, inclusion of local labor development programs as sources of labor. Local tribes and educational institutions have received federal and state grant funding to develop our local labor force specifically to support the offshore wind project, including the heavy-lift multipurpose marine terminal.
- Intended and unintended effects of the project
- Intended:
- Fulfillment of the Harbor District’s responsibility to recreation and conservation all the while of harbor maintenance and development.
- Economic development and prosperity through port development.
- Unintended
- Boom town-short timer, disrespectful mentality
- Exacerbation of Missing Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP), sexual exploitation, substance abuse, environmental problems
- Harm to the natural environment.
- Boom town-short timer, disrespectful mentality
- Intended:
If elected, what are your top priorities?
- Community engagement to consider all questions and concerns so that the heavy-lift multipurpose marine terminal is successfully implemented and achieve the intended benefits.
- Build and maintain partnerships with workforce development agencies, institutions, and governmental entities to achieve the intended economic impact directly on the “targeted workers” and our community identified in the public labor agreement.
What background, experience and/or education quality you to this elected office?
I believe that my local Native American heritage, master’s degree in business administration, 34 years tribal government work experience, and eight years on a local school board working with the community will provide much value to the Commissioner’s discussions and deliberations.
During my childhood and younger years, I had the privilege of listening to my grandfather’s traditional story-telling about the time in human history when humans talked with all living beings has taught me a deep respect for mother earth and knowing that we are all interconnected and depend upon each other.
My business administration education has taught me how to manage organizational ethics, efficiency, and effectiveness.
My tribal government work experience has taught me about tribal enterprise (for-profit) development, tribal sovereignty, and developing policies and procedures.
I applaud our community for maintaining and enhancing our cultural, recreational, and natural resources. that we already have here such as aquaculture which is being done so in an environmentally responsible manner.