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Waq’aa,
The Office of Tribal Affairs (OTA) is excited to announce our relaunch of the Tribal Bulletin. This special newsletter will serve as a dedicated space to share updates, highlight important Tribal projects, and strengthen communication between the Health Care Authority (HCA) and Tribal communities in Washington state.
Through this newsletter, we'll share insights into the workings of our OTA team for the communities we serve, as well as the Health Care Authority (HCA), interagency partners, and community allies. We believe that transparency and accountability are the underlying hallmarks for our goal of supporting Tribal communities and those they serve, which is growing beyond Tribal peoples every day.
We also take tremendous pride in our OTA team; we have Tribal members and allies who demonstrate our dedication to the health and wellness of Tribal communities. We strive to create a foundational Tribal lens into all workings at HCA. It is also important to highlight that we have HCA leadership who are helping to instill this lens into their workstreams.
We have a long way to go, but we are making inroads every day, and I’m thankful that we have an agency that's working to ensure we serve Tribal peoples and Washingtonians in the right culturally attuned ways.
Here are a couple of additional OTA projects I want to share.
Tribal Mural
HCA recently unveiled the Tribal Mural, which is a visual tribute to the 29 federally recognized Tribes in the state. The mural celebrates the state’s government-to-government relationship with Tribes and the deep connections we share.
 The Tribal Mural is located on the fifth floor of the Cherry Street Plaza (HCA) building in downtown Olympia. One wall (right) features a blanket, gifted to HCA Deputy Director Lou McDermott during a Tribal ceremony. Surrounding the blanket are 29 acrylic plaques, each displaying the official logo of every Tribe. The other wall (left) features a map with numbered pins marking the location of each Tribe, respectfully showing their presence across the state. The top of this wall reads “Since time immemorial…”
The Tribal Mural required a great deal of collaboration, and we are grateful for Tribes’ partnership and helping bring this mural to fruition.
OTA’s new logo
Last year, Tribal Affairs Deputy Administrator Christine Winn worked with Alfred Charles, a talented Indigenous artist, enrolled member of the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe and of Lummi Nation descent, to interpret the HCA logo through a Native lens. We pursued this special project because it is important for the people we serve to see themselves represented in HCA's work.
The updated design incorporates sacred elements significant to the Indigenous people of this region.
Alfred was inspired by the shapes used in traditional basketry and made sure the logo represented all Tribal groups within the state, not just Western or Eastern Washington cultures. The logo colors sacredly reflect the mountains, prairies, and waters of Washington state.
OTA will feature this new Indigenous-inspired logo in our pamphlets, brochures, fact sheets, and other publications.
We look forward to continuing this journey of collaboration, respect, and meaningful engagement with all of you.
Now, on to the rest of the Tribal Bulletin!
Quyana cak’neq,
Aren Sparck
Chevak Native Village Qissunamiut Tribal Member
Tribal Affairs Administrator
aren.sparck@hca.wa.gov
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Name: Nakia DeMiero
Work title: Tribal Opioid Response Coordinator, Medical Assistance Program Specialist
Duties: I focus on addressing the opioid crisis in Tribal communities and work to reduce health disparities among American Indian and Alaska Native people. A large part of my work involves supporting the Indian Nation Agreement (INA) with the 29 Tribes in Washington state. This agreement is focused on behavioral health services for Indigenous peoples in the state.
I play a key role in supporting Tribal opioid response through the supportive work of the Washington State Tribal Opioid and Fentanyl Task Force. I also facilitate statewide projects funded by the Opioid Abatement Settlement, working in partnership with Tribal Nations, Urban Indian Health Programs, and Tribal organizations to ensure these resources support culturally relevant and community-driven solutions.
Work style and the best way to contact you: I am a networker—I love meeting people, finding out their strengths and bridging the gaps, removing barriers, and creating that connection. You can contact me a number of ways, but whatever is most convenient for you works for me.
Favorite snack: Shrimp cocktail
Go-to office dance move when things go your way: Fist pump!
Why work in OTA? OTA gives Tribes the support they need, making sure Indigenous voices are valued and elevated, while ensuring the state upholds the agreements made in Treaties. The structure of OTA is Indigenous. I am honored to be a part of an office that brings awareness to those who are uninformed about Tribal health.
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Wellness corner
The stinging nettle is an unassuming plant, often overlooked due to its prickly nature, but is a powerhouse of nutrients and medicinal properties. Its leaves are abundant in vitamins A, C, and K, as well as several B vitamins; its roots and leaves provide essential minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, and sodium. Beyond its nutritional value, stinging nettle has been traditionally used to alleviate ailments like arthritis, allergies, and urinary issues, thanks to its anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties.
Nettles grow in dense clusters, their roots intertwining beneath the soil, creating a resilient network. This mirrors the wisdom passed down through generations in Native stories: There is strength in numbers. Just as each nettle plant contributes to the vitality of the whole patch, individuals within a community find greater resilience and power when they stand together.
How Nettles Saved the People
As told by Lower Elwha Klallam storyteller Roger Fernandes
A long time ago, the First People of this land were always afraid. They were always frightened, and they hid in the shadows of the forests all the time. They were always looking behind themselves. The thing they were afraid of, the thing they feared the most, was those big canoes that would come from the North filled with raiders, warriors from the Northern tribes. They would come from the North in surprise attacks, they would attack our villages, and they would rob, they would hurt people, and they would kidnap them and take them to the North to be slaves. They would burn down villages. These people would come without warning, and without mercy, they would attack our villages.
There was a man in the village, and he saw this, his people frightened, living lives of fear. He said, “This is not right; my people should not live lives of fear.” So that night, he prayed before he went to sleep. He prayed to the spirits; he prayed to his ancestors for some kind of guidance to help his people.
While he slept, he had a dream, and a plant came towards him. It was the Nettle plant. Nettle spoke to him and said, “When I am growing in the springtime, I want you to have your people gather my leaves and dry them, then make them into a tea. I want all your people to drink that tea together. And as you all drink that tea, I want the people to say in one voice, ‘I will be strong for my ancestors, I will be strong for my people, I will be strong for the ones to come.’"
The man woke up and told his people his dream, and the people followed the dream. They gathered the Nettle leaves, dried them, made it into tea, and drank that tea together as they said those words: ‘I will be strong for my people, I will be strong for my ancestors, I will be strong for the ones to come.’ And the people felt a little stronger.
The man had another dream sometime later. Nettle came back to him and said, “I want your strongest men and women warriors to gather my whole body: my stalk, my branches, my leaves and I want them to whip themselves with me, to flog themselves with me, and as they feel my power enter their body; I want them to say the same words: ‘I will be strong for my ancestors, I will be strong for my people, I will be strong for the ones to come.’”
The man explained his dream again, and the people followed the directions. The strongest men and women warriors gathered the plant and flogged themselves with it, and as they felt the power enter their body, they said those words. And so, the people felt stronger.
One day, word arrived that the canoes were coming from the North, big canoes filled with raiders and warriors! But instead of running away to hide in the forests or going to the mountains as the people had done before, they stood together, the whole village, and they formed one long line. And that one long line of people walked down to the beach - men, women, children, elders, everyone walked down in one long line to the beach.
They stood together in one long line, shoulder to shoulder, looking out to the salt water. As those canoes approached, they came within view; the people began to sing a warrior song, in one voice. The men in the canoes heard the people singing that song in one voice, and they saw the people standing together in one line, shoulder to shoulder. And those men in the canoes realized that the people could not be defeated, so they turned their canoes around and went back to the North, leaving our villages safe, leaving our people safe. And that is how Nettle saved the people.
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Shared by Traditional Herbalist Nakia DeMiero
The flu this year is a nasty one. Prepare to fight your cold, cough, flu, and allergies this season with this immune-boosting tea blend:
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Elderberry: Immunity booster, rich in antioxidants to lower inflammation, high in Vitamin C, good for respiratory and lung health.
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Elder flower: Aids in cold, flu, and allergy symptoms, nerve pain, inflammation, chronic fatigue. Reduces the flu by three days.
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Yarrow: Drying and astringent properties relieve sinus infections and allergies, wet coughs, dries mucous, and induces sweat to break fevers.
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Peppermint: Clears mucus, reduces congestion, relieves headaches, soothes the gut, and relaxes tense muscles by calming the nerves.
Directions: 1 tsp. to 1 tbsp. per cup, steep for 15 minutes, and enjoy!
Consult your doctor before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, have allergies, or taking any medications.
Fun fact: You can help break a baby's fever by adding elder flowers to a lukewarm bath.
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Tulalip adds second Tribal DCR
The Tulalip Tribes are taking another step forward in strengthening their crisis response services with the appointment of Rochelle Long as their second Tribal designated crisis responder (DCR). This milestone reflects Tulalip's ongoing commitment to ensuring culturally responsive mental health support for their community.
As a Tribal DCR, Long will handle involuntary treatment matters in superior courts and provide crisis services to individuals anywhere in Washington. Her role ensures a culturally grounded approach to crisis intervention and care.
Congratulations, Tulalip!
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Nisqually Corrections Center moves forward on Reentry Initiative
In early April, HCA approved Nisqually Corrections Center's Capacity Building Application (CBA), which is one of five milestones Nisqually need to achieve to implement the Reentry Initiative.
This initiative provides a set of health care services to Apple Health (Medicaid)-eligible individuals up to 90 days before their release from incarceration. These services will enhance an individual’s health and support successful reentry into their community.
Nisqually Corrections Center's CBA approval allows the facility to receive funding to implement this valuable initiative. Next, Nisqually will work on a Readiness Assessment to ensure they are fully prepared to launch the Reentry Initiative on July 1, 2025.
Congratulations, Nisqually!
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Native Project expands with new campus to support youth and families
The opening of The Native Project's new facility marked a significant milestone in expanding culturally grounded health and wellness services for Native communities in the Spokane area.
In the picture above, Tribal Affairs Administrator Aren Sparck stands with CEO Toni Lodge at the opening of the new Native Project building in Spokane. Sparck attended in support of HCA's commitment to uplifting Tribal-led initiatives that prioritize Indigenous health and healing.
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Billing and policy
Is your health clinic experiencing any challenges with Medicaid claims or billing? Reach out to Program Specialist Stacy Swan or Mike Longnecker! We're happy to schedule a one-on-one session with you and talk specifics. We can help you troubleshoot and streamline!
Third annual summit
The Washington State Tribal Opioid and Fentanyl Task Force invites you to the third Opioid/Fentanyl Summit. This year's summit is hosted by the Cowlitz Indian Tribe and American Indian Health Commission (AIHC).
This year, attendees will:
- Identify action items and solutions.
- Hear updates on steps taken to address the priorities identified during last year's summit.
If interested in attending, please reach out to AIHC.
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May is Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) Awareness Month
Sign up with the Washington State Patrol’s MMIW database. Your voice, your vigilance, and your care can help bring our loved ones home.
Photo: Lorie Shaull via Flickr
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Do you need For Our Lives promotional items?
Contact Desautel Hege (DH) to customize For Our Lives campaign products for your Tribal community!
Bring awareness, reduce stigma, and help end overdose in Indian Country. Contact Megan Mills to customize your For Our Lives products, like the ones below.
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We want to hear from you!
As we resume the Tribal Bulletin, we welcome your input on what you'd like to share or see. If you have updates, announcements, or other information that could benefit from being included in future editions and shared across Tribes, please reach out to your OTA Regional Tribal Liaison.
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