Fantastic Friday

August 2, 2019

Happy Fantastic Friday!

It has been a whirlwind week, including the selection of newly elected House Speaker-designate Laurie Jinkins.

Here is what we have been up to this month!

WATCH: Paddle to Lummi, an annual canoe journey of the Coast Salish Nations

Paddle to Lummi

This year we celebrated the 30th anniversary of the annual Coast Salish Nations canoe journey with Paddle to Lummi.

Parallel to how lawmakers in Olympia gather together each year during the legislative session to create laws and policies for Washington state, the Coast Salish Nations of Washington and Canada come together from the north and south to meet in the Salish Sea to develop our own tribal laws and policies and celebrate a shared history as one.

As our state Legislature works toward developing stronger relations between our government and tribal nations, understanding and walking in both of worlds is how we can best come together and create legislation for one Washington.

Learn more in my video update.

What should the Anacortes Ferry Terminal look like?

Survey

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is seeking public input from the communities of Anacortes, the San Juan Islands, members of our tribes and those who use the ferry system as transportation as they develop the 35-acre Anacortes Ferry Terminal.

Last session, the Legislature invested in updating our ferry transportation system, because a functioning ferry system is essential to linking communities that are not otherwise served by bridges or roads.

Let us know what you think, and take the survey here.

WATCH: Native American Voting Rights in Action

NAVRA

Alongside Sen. John McCoy, I worked to pass the Native American Voting Rights Act (NAVRA) to ensure that tribal members living on reservations have equal access to democracy this past session, which includes placing ballot boxes on reservations. Prior to passage of NAVRA, the closest ballot box to some of our tribal lands was up to 200 miles away.

Learn more in my video update from Lummi Nation.

Thank you all for taking to the time to read this month’s Fantastic Friday, and for taking an interest in our progress at the House of Representatives.

Please feel free to reach out to me using the information below, with any questions, inquiries, or concerns you may have.

I am here for you!

All best wishes,

Lekanoff sig

Rep. Debra Lekanoff