The Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation hosted a one-day Tribal Fall Clean-up event on Saturday, November 12, 2020. This year provided many challenges, including the cancellation of events due to Covid-19. In spite of many obstacles, the Tribe was able to carry out a successful, safe, and socially distanced event.

Each year the Tribe partners with a variety of agencies to ensure waste is disposed of are taken to the appropriate facility. This year Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation worked with 4 local agencies: The solid waste management company Recology was contracted for solid waste bins and hauling. The Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority was secured to dispose of a variety of solid waste and recyclable items. Humboldt Moving and Storage took the recyclable mattresses and box springs for free through the California Government mattress recycling program, Bye Bye Mattress which is managed by the Mattress Recycling Council. Cascade Metal, from Grants Pass, hauled away the recyclable metal for free. Tribal Citizens also participated in a short solid waste survey to gather current data for how the Tribe can facilitate solid waste management.

This year the Fall Cleanup was limited to 1 load per Tribal household within a reasonable distance to haul solid waste to the cleanup. The purpose of this event is to support pollution prevention, minimize environmental impacts, and to provide informational and educational materials, as well as educate and support tribal citizens on proper disposal of residential waste. In order to maintain environmental health conditions, citizens are discouraged from storing every-day household garbage to dispose of at cleanup events; this is why we did not take household garbage.

April is National Child Abuse Awareness Month!

In order to engage Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation (TDN) families in thinking proactively about child abuse awareness issues and how they can have an impact on preventing child abuse, Community & Family Services (CFS) is hosting a poster contest. The contest will begin October 1, 2020 and run through January 31, 2021.

DOWNLOAD Child Abuse Awareness Poster Contest Entry

All qualifying posters will be on display at the North CFS office until the judging is complete.

The winning posters will be displayed at TDN locations and enterprises during the month of April as well as placed in the newsletter and on the CFS Facebook Page.

Theme: “See Something, Say Something”

Contest Rules:

1. Posters must have a positive message and illustrate how children can bring awareness to child abuse
2. Any kind of art can be used in poster design: crayon, paint, pencil, and marker
3. Suggested poster size 11” x 14”
4. Contest entry and poster must be received prior to deadline in order to qualify
5. Originals must be submitted – pictures of artwork will not be accepted
6. No professional or copyrighted images or materials
7. Open to TDN Tribal children in grades K-7 who reside in Curry, Del Norte, and Humboldt counties
8. Two groups will be judged: grades K-4 and grades 5-7
9. Entry deadline: January 31, 2021
10. Contest entry forms may be mailed, faxed (number above), or emailed 11. Entry forms must be complete and signed by both the parent/guardian and participant
12. Qualifying participants will receive a child abuse awareness t-shirt

DOWNLOAD Child Abuse Awareness Poster Contest Entry

Contest winners will be notified no later than February 15, 2021 and announced in the March newsletter.

Original posters may be mailed to or turned in at:

North CFS Office
ATTN: Monica Calvillo
16299 US HWY 101 N
Smith River, CA 95567
Questions, contact Monica at 707-487-9255 ext. 1191 or monica.calvillo@tolowa.com

Xii-chuu-dvn Sri’-lhxvn Xwii-ne (Happy Indian New Year to all of you)….

As we greet the Xii-chuu-dvn (New Year) we reflect back on closure and renewal. During this time of the year, we actively offer our deliberate focus and attention through nourishing our acknowledgments with time, prayer, song, dance, participation, intention, food, reflection, and love of this past year’s gifts and this new year’s welcoming … of love, hope and focus which sets our heart’s intentions of renewal. We give direct attention to Nvn-nvst-a’ (Earth) creations & blessings. We acknowledge waa-ghii~-li~ our (history), k’wii-daa-naa~ – ye’ our (lineage), ghvt-li’ our (ties), Tr’aa-xee-chuu-ne our (Matriarchs), mee-ne’-dvn our (homelands), sri’-lhxvn our (happiness), duu-lhvt-talh our (challenges), mee-xwvtlhya~ our (lessons), wa’sr-‘vsh-t’i our (gifts) and wvn-shaa~- dvtlh-‘i~ our (thankfulness) for xwii-day (everything) that strengthens, sustains & balances us on our journey, deed and care. Being heartful and aware of was-li~ our (energy), which is our ultimate truest form of self, through uplifted expression in its most raw form. Being actively conscious of how we create our was-li~; how we give it and what we are spending it on helps us guide our lives in a very authentic manner. It is a key practice during our season of reflection and renewal for living in a healthy and balanced way in this new season…the New Year. Giving was-li~ is how we share our power. We share our power through an exchange. The key is our awareness of how we represent this exchange of was-li~ and how our power sets our intentions. Great care is needed in how we cultivate and conserve our was-li~. We need was-li~ available to spend on creating and transforming our lives, rather than on defending our realities. We have to train our hearts & minds to elevate and vibrate in our own chosen forms & frequencies. We choose these frequencies through our intentions, actions, what we spend our time on, and how we relate to others. This is the basis of mastering our own was-li~ and learning to focus and direct it. Experiencing the fullness of our own essence is vital. Healthy was-li~ exchange and attuning ourselves in our frequency is alchemy. Everything we do involves an exchange of was-li~. It’s our practice of heartfulness, mindfulness, consistent communication, and healthy boundaries. So, as we reflect on our past year and New Year now, we release what doesn’t serve us while reconnecting to the expansiveness and authenticity of our true inner essence of self. A healthy balance and intentional practices uplift these things that keep us whole. So we challenge ourselves to be authentic, to be true, and to expand our essence to better this world. Heeeeeee…..

Community & Family Services is accepting public comments for Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation’s upcoming TANF Plan renewal for the fiscal year 2021-2024.

Comment Submission
Due January 31, 2021  by 5:00 pm

To request a copy of the TANF Renewal Plan or  to submit a comment, please contact us via:

Mail: Community & Family Services 16299 Hwy 101 N., Smith River, CA 95567

Email: teela.james@tolowa.com or tiffany.shannon@tolowa.com

Telephone: 707-487-9255 Teela James ext. 1139 or Tiffany Shannon ext. 1128

Due to COVID-19, we are unable to have an in-person winter event (previously Christmas party); however, in honor of the winter season, CFS is providing families with the opportunity to pick up a kit with activities families can complete together to promote family engagement.

Families who have children in the household 0-13 years of age and reside in the 5 county service area (Coos, Curry, Del Norte, Humboldt, and Josephine) may apply. Families must fill out the application to be considered. If your family is approved to receive a kit, you will be notified by CFS staff of the pick-up date and location.

Application Information:

Platform: Survey Monkey (link below)(https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YKQNFB5)
(link will be posted on Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation website as well as on social media)

  Link Active: November 14, 2020 at 8:30 am

  Link Close: December 4, 2020 at 5:00 pm

If you have questions or need assistance with the application, contact Monica at 707-487-3183

This project is brought to you by a collaboration of: Child Care Development Fund (award number:21TJCACCDF), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, and Native American Child Advocacy Program.

Today (October 8, 2020) the Tribal Council of the Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation is pleased to announce an agreement in principle with the 1910 Indian Shaker Church of Washington (“Shaker Church”) regarding their joint desires to work together to secure the future of the Shaker Church on the Reservation and address the Tribal Council’s need to address beach access and environmental concerns.

Terry Charley, the Bishop of the Indian Shaker Church, along with seven other representatives including the 1st , 2nd and 3rd Elders as well as Rodney Vigil and Charlene Young, Ministers of the Smith River Shaker Church, all traveled to Smith River at the invitation of Tribal Council to
engage in a conversation regarding the Indian Shaker Church. Discussions centered on several topics, including environmental degradation and homeless encampments below the Shaker Church, illicit drug activity, beach access by non-members, and the Tribe’s desire to exert its sovereign jurisdiction over the lands of the Reservation.

Conversations were fruitful and all parties agreed to work together to address the problems identified.

Additionally, the Tribe and the Shaker Church agreed to begin the process of converting the parcels owned by the Shaker Church to Trust status. Ownership of the parcels will be transferred to the Tribe along with a stipulation that so long as the Indian Shaker Church of Washington exists the land will be available for Church use. Transferring the land to Trust status will help in alleviating the annual financial burden of the Shaker Church in Smith River, make the re-construction of the Church easier and less costly, and will simultaneously help by addressing the legal and jurisdictional concerns of the Tribe.

The Tribal Council is extraordinarily pleased that an agreement was able to be reached between the parties. Both sides agreed to have regular meetings so that open communication and friendship can continue to grow.

The Tribal Council looks forward to many years of continued partnerships.