Tribal employees receive awards

Twenty-year Natural Resources Department employee Dennis Courville was one of many who were recently honored for their years of tribal service. (Maggie Plummer photo)

PABLO - The October 2007/January 2008 employee awards ceremony was held recently in the Tribal Council chambers, with one 40-year employee - George Barce - honored with a $1,000 gift certificate and a Pendleton blanket.

Barce began employment with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1977, became a tribal employee in October of 1995, and is currently employed with the Natural Resources Department.

Peggy Haggard completed 35 years of tribal service, beginning employment with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1973. She became a Tribal employee in October of 1995 and in presently employed with the Tribal Forestry Department. She received $750 and a Pendleton blanket for her years of service.

John Barrows completed 25 years of Tribal service, having begun employment with Flathead Irrigation in 1972. He became a Tribal employee in October of 1988 and is presently employed at Mission Valley Power. He received $750 and a Pendleton blanket for his years of service.

Receiving $500 gift certificates for their 30 years of service were Evelyn Stevenson and Erick Schallock. Evelyn began employment at the Tribal Legal Department in 1977 and she has spent her entire career there. Eric began employment with the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1977, became a tribal employee in October of 1995, and is presently employed at the Tribal Forestry Department.

Honored for 25 years of service:
   • Beverly Hill, who began employment at Head Start in 1982. In 1992, she was hired at the Tribal Health and Human Services where she is presently employed. She will receive a 25-year service award jacket for her years of service.
   • Penny Kipp began employment with the Flathead Alcohol Program in 1983. She has also worked at Property and Supply, Family Assistance, Juvenile Probation, THHS, and Early Childhood Services. She is currently employed at Tribal Education. She will receive a $250 gift certificate for her years of service.
   • Rose Pierre began employment with the Bureau of Indian Affairs and has also worked with the Family Assistance Division and Tribal Health and Health & Human Services. She is currently employed at the Tribal Forestry Department. She will receive a $250 cash award for her years of service.
   • Coral Kathy Tapia, who started working at Two Eagle River School in 1982 and has remained there for her entire career. She will receive a $250 gift certificate or cash award for her years of service.
   • Geraldine Linsebigler, who in 1974 began working for Manpower in 1974 and has also worked for the Salish Culture Committee, Family Assistance Division, Indian Health Service and Tribal Health and Human Services. She is presently employed at the Department of Human Resource Development. She will receive a $250 cash award for her years of service.
   • Gregory Dupuis, who began employment at Fire Control in 1976. He has also worked for the Natural Resources Department and the Tribal Lands Department. He is currently employed at Mission Valley Power. He will receive a $250 gift certificate for his years of service.
   • Ed Dumont began employment with Tribal Law & Order in 1984 where he has spent his entire career. He will receive a $250 gift certificate for his years of service.
   • Arles Hendrickson began employment at Head Start in 1973. In 1987 she was hired at Tribal Health & Human Services where she is presently employed. She will receive $250 for her years of service.
   • Tom McDonald, who began employment at Natural Resources in 1983 and has remained there for his entire career. He will receive a $250 gift certificate for his years of service.
   • Clayton Matt, Natural Resources Department Head, started working at the Natural Resources Department in 1981 and has remained there for his entire career. He will receive $250 for his years of service.

Honored for 20 years of service:
   • Anita Matt began employment with the Administration for Native American Programs in 1981 and has also worked at the Natural Resources Department, Early Childhood Services, Kicking Horse Job Corp Center and Salish Kootenai Housing Authority. She is currently employed at the Tribal Lands Department. She will receive a diamond pin and Star Quilt for her years of service.
   • Debra Bird began employment at Tribal Fish & Game in 1981 and has also worked at Salish Kootenai Housing Authority, Department of Human Resource Development, Mission Valley Power and Early Childhood Services. She is currently employed at Tribal Law and Order. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for her years of service.
   • Josephine Stasso began employment with the Summer Youth Program in 1984. She also worked for the Personnel Office, Kicking Horse Job Corp Center, Tribal Court, and Tribal Health and Human Services. She is presently employed at Mission Valley Power. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for her years of service.
   • Shannon Burke began employment at the Natural Resources Department in 1987. She has also worked at Char-Koosta News, Two Eagle River School and Tribal Defender's Office. She is currently employed at Tribal Preservation. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for her years of service.
   • Loretta Caye began employment at Natural Resources in 1983. She also worked at the People's Center. She is currently employed at the Kootenai Culture Committee. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for her years of service.
   • Barney Finley began employment at Two Eagle River School in 1987 and has remained there for his entire career. He will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket.
   • Lorin Peterson began employment at Kicking Horse Job Corp Center in 1982. He also worked for Forestry. He is currently the Information Technology Program Manager. He will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for his years of service.
   • Wanda Salomon began employment at Char-Koosta News in 1987. She also worked at Tribal Fish & Wildlife and Tribal Personnel. She is currently employed at Central Accounting. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for her years of service.
   • David Sanchez began employment at Salish Kootenai Housing Authority in 1987. He has remained there for his entire career. He will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for his years of service.
   • Sarah Twoteeth began employment in the Tribal Administration Accounting Office in 1987. She is presently employed at Kicking Horse Job Corp. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for her years of service.
   • Jeanne West began employment at Law & Order in 1980. She has also worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. In 1993, she was hired at Mission Valley Power where she is presently employed. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for her years of service.
   • DeeAnn Birthmark began employment under the Summer Youth Program in 1984. She also worked for Property & Supply and Mission Valley Power. She is presently employed at the Tribal Health & Human Services. She will receive a diamond pin and Star Quilt for her years of service.
   • Dennis Courville began employment with the Natural Resources Department in 1987, where he has remained for his entire career. He will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for his years of service.
   • George "Adrian" Hewankorn began employment at Air Quality/Tribal Health in 1987. In 1988, he was hired at Tribal Maintenance where he has remained for his entire career. He will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for his years of service.
   • Anita Whitworth began employment with the Flathead Alcohol Program in 1974. She has also worked for the Tribal Health & Human Services. She is presently employed at the Two Eagle River School. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket for her years of service.
   • Judy Phillips began employment at Tribal Forestry in 1982. She has remained there for her entire career. She will receive a diamond pin and Pendleton blanket or Star Quilt for her years of service.

Honored for 15 years of service:
   • Jody Barber began employment at Tribal Head Start in 1986. She has also worked for Flathead Post & Pole and Tribal Law & Order. In 1999, she was hired at Mission Valley Power where she is currently employed. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Claudette Bird began employment at Two Eagle River School in 1992. She has remained there for her entire career. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Monica Caye began employment at Kicking Horse Job Corp Center in 1988. She has also worked at Second Circle Lodge. She is currently employed at Tribal Health & Human Services. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Joseph Couture began employment at Tribal Forestry in 1990. He has remained there for his entire career. He will receive a ruby pin for his years of service.
   • Todd Couture began employment at Tribal Forestry in 1990. He has remained there for his entire career. He will receive a ruby pin for his years of service.
   • Randall Dupuis began employment at Mission Valley Power in 1992. He has remained there for his entire career. He will receive a ruby pin for his years of service.
   • Yvonne Grenier began employment at Tribal Health & Human Services in 1993. She has remained there for her entire career and retired effective January 3, 2008. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Roberta Howell began employment at Tribal Head Start in 1991. She has also worked at the Kicking Horse Job Corp Center. In 1993, she was hired at Salish Kootenai Housing Authority where she is currently employed. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Emery Wilson began employment at Flathead Post & Pole in 1990. He has also worked at Tribal Forestry and Maintenance. He is currently employed at the Kicking Horse Job Corp Center. He will receive a ruby pin for his years of service.
   • Charleen Yellowkidney began employment at Kicking Horse Job Corp Center in 1992. She has also worked for Tribal Health & Human Services, Tribal Probation and Tribal Court. She is currently employed at DHRD. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Debbie Anderson began employment with Tribal Health & Human Services in 1992, where she has spent her entire career. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Donald Bell began employment at Flathead Post & Pole in 1992. He transferred to Law & Order that same year and has remained there for his entire career. He will receive a ruby pin for his years of service.
   • Rodney Couture began employment with the Summer Youth Program in 1984. He is presently employed at Tribal Forestry. He will receive a ruby pin for his years of service.
   • Linda Ebner began employment with the A.N.A. Program in 1981. She also worked for Family Assistance. She is presently employed at Tribal Health & Human Services. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Kelly Malatare began employment at Tribal Health & Human Services in 1992. In 2000 she transferred to the Office of Support Services - Information Technology where she is presently employed. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Arlene Groepper Wheeler began employment at Tribal Health & Human Services in 1992, and has spent her entire career there. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.
   • Erma Haynes began employment at the Tribal Health Department in 1990. In 1992 she was hired at Tribal Administration and has remained there for her entire career. She will receive a ruby pin for her years of service.

Receiving award pins for 10 years of service:
   • Pascal Adams began employment at Tribal Head Start in 1996. He was hired at Mission Valley Power in 1999 where he is currently employed.
   • Bevra Jacobson began employment at Natural Resources in 1992. She has also worked at the Tribal Defenders Office. She is currently employed at the Tribal Prosecutor's Office.
   • Mary Alexander began employment at Tribal Health & Human Service in 1997. She also worked at Tribal Forestry. She is currently employed at Salish Kootenai Housing Authority.
   • Honora DustyBull began employment at Tribal Law & Order in 1997. She has also worked at Early Childhood Services. She is currently employed at the Tribal Lands Department.
   • William Steele began employment under the Summer Youth Program in 1994. He was hired at Kicking Horse Job Corp Center in 1998 and is still employed there.
   • Lewis Yellowrobe began employment at the Natural Resources Roads Program in 1997. He has remained there for his entire career.
   • Dorothy Berney began employment at the Kootenai Culture in 1997 and has remained there for her entire career.
   • Arlene Caye began employment at Natural Resources in 1997. In 2004, she was hired at the Preservation Office where she is currently employed.
   • Albert Courville began employment with Community Planning & Development in 1983. He also worked at Salish Kootenai Housing Authority. He is presently employed at the Kicking Horse Job Corp Center.
   • Ron Couture began employment at Salish Kootenai Housing Authority in 1997. In 2002 he was hired at Mission Valley Power where he is presently employed.
   • Josephine Hernandez began employment for Manpower in 1984. She also worked for Head Start and Tribal Health & Human Services. She is presently employed at Two Eagle River School.
   • Christine McDonald began employment at Head Start in 1997. She also worked at Tribal Probation. She is presently employed at Natural Resources.
   • Clarissa Nichols began employment with the Elderly Indian Program in 1982. She also worked at Tribal Health & Human Services and DHRD. She is presently employed at the Tribal Lands Department.
   • Charles Pluff began employment at Mission Valley Power in 1997 and remains employed there today. He will receive a 10-year service award pin for his years of service.
   • Bryon Schliep began employment at Mission Valley Power in 1997 and remains employed there today.
   • Laura Stevens began employment at Tribal Health & Human Services in 1994. She also worked at Head Start and Kicking Horse Job Corp. She is presently employed at Tribal Health & Human Services.
   • Jan Gardipe began employment at the People's Center in 1997. She has also worked at S & K Holding and Tribal Forestry. She is currently employed at the Tribal Personnel Office.
   • Maggie Goode began employment at Tribal Health & Human Services in 1997. She served on the Tribal Council from 2000 - 2004. She has also worked at the Crime Victim Advocates Office. She is presently employed at the Tribal Probation/Parole Office.

Firefighter awards presented by Bob McCrea included:
   • Crew boss of the year - Dan Gardipe;
   • Squad boss of the year - Torrey Morigeau;
   • Firefighter of the year - David McClure; and
   • two tied for Camp Crew member of the year - Alisha Sheridan and Tiara Liberty.