Women candidates turn focus to social issues

Could this be the Year of the Woman for the Tulalip Tribes?

Women candidates for the Tribal Board of Directors say the Tulalips have focused for too long on new business enterprises and have neglected social services, including housing, health care and protections for children.

Four women candidates have filed for two open seats on the Tribal Council. They planned to stage a women's ''get-out-the-vote" rally last night, and have made "Women Power" a campaign theme.

Now only one woman, Marie Zackuse, serves on the seven-member board.

"I think there's a feeling that we've been testosterone-driven for too long, and it may be time to let the women have more of a say," said former board member Les Parks.

Seven men, including Chairman Stan Jones and former board member Herman Williams Jr., who resigned in January after testing positive for drug use, also are seeking election.

Tribal members will cast their ballots Saturday from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The results will be announced shortly after the polls close.

Here's a look at each of the candidates.

Helene Contraro's campaign slogan is "Give 'Em Hell," fitting, she said, for a woman known for her outspoken opinions.

Contraro, 52, has worked for the Tulalip's Indian Child Welfare office and for nonprofits in the human-services field. She said Indian hiring preferences in tribal businesses need to be strengthened.

"Men have done their part. We need to get back to basics," she said.

Mark W. Hatch, 37, a Tulalip police officer, said his job lets him see many of the unmet needs of the reservation, including health care and housing.

He said there is a lack of medical and dental services for tribal members and too few new houses being built.

"I see the drug use, the alcohol. I know I can help make a difference," he said.

Hatch's cousin, Tony M. Hatch, 36, said both business and the social services need to be promoted.

Tony Hatch is a language teacher and a historian for the Tribes, and also a member of its Gaming Commission. As a board member, Hatch said he would defend treaty rights.

"Those are always in jeopardy. Without those, we're nothing," he said.

Jones, 80, said maintaining economic growth is key to providing more social services. Jones has served on the board for 41 years, leading its fight for fishing rights and then for a diversified economy.

He said more housing is in the works, and the Tribes will continue to improve the education of its young people.

"Before you can do that," he said, "you have to keep up the economic development. That's what provides the money for all the services we need."

Debbie Posey, 54, said economic development should be balanced by expansion of the housing program and better medical and dental services.

Posey, who previously served on the board for 12 years, currently manages the Tulalip Amphitheatre and is co-owner of the Tulalip Arby's.

"Business is critical, but there's also a need for more social services," she said.

Dale (Yogi) Sanchey, 41, said he would work to strengthen the Tribes' cultural identity.

He said too many young people think of the Tulalips as "the tribe with the big casino." Sanchey served in the Army and now teaches native history for the Tribes.

"To survive, we have to have good business, but we can't forget who we are and where we come from," Sanchey said.

Marilyn Sheldon, a 26-year Tribal employee, said members face a significant wait for housing and health care. She said she'd focus more attention on human services. Sheldon, 45, is currently responsible for compliance and internal auditing for the Tulalips, a position she said has allowed her to work with many Tribal employees.

"Our business is phenomenal, but our people and their needs are being overlooked," Sheldon said.

Danny Simpson works in the Tulalips' natural resources office. Simpson did not submit a candidate statement and could not be reached for comment.

Danny Simpson's mother, Dawn Simpson, 69, said she would like to see the Tulalips start their own K-12 school to give their children a better education. Simpson, who served on the board for 21 years over two different stretches beginning in 1975, said she'd like to see more drug and alcohol counselors and more staff for Indian Child Welfare.

"We've done economic development. We need to do more on social programs," she said.

Herman Williams Jr., 53, is seeking his seventh term on the board. He recently completed an alcohol-recovery program and has spoken openly with tribal members about his regret for briefly using marijuana following the breakup of his marriage last year. He said he welcomed the involvement of the Tribes' women.

"We've always had strong women leaders," Williams said.

Billy Zackuse, 52 — Marie Zackuse's cousin by marriage — would like to see tribal-hiring preferences strengthened and more training provided to help members qualify for jobs.

Zackuse, who works as a security officer for Quil Ceda Creek Casino, said that overall, the Tulalips are "going in the right direction."

Lynn Thompson: 425-745-7807 or lthompson@seattletimes.com