2016 Honorees

Congratulations to our 2016 Enduring Spirit Award honorees Peggy McCloud (Puyallup), Sue Henry (Suquamish), Emma Medicine Whitecrow (Cherokee/Comanche), Maria Pascua (Makah), and Charlanne Quinto (Colville).

Peggy McCloud, Puyallup

In the early 1970s a daycare called “Orenda” was established for parents who were working at the Puyallup Tribal offices. Peggy was one of the teachers who taught about love, kindness, speaking our language, the importance of identity, and knowing who you are and where you come from. She now serves as the Grandview Early Learning Center Director for the Puyallup Tribe, and 40 years later she’s still teaching the same values and passing on the teachings to our future generation.

In addition to working at Puyallups Against Violence, Peggy has worked in other areas of their Tribal Government. As a teacher at Chief Leschi School, she is honored with a large mural on the elementary wall showing her raising her hands in thankfulness. Peggy has taught about healthy foods, taking care of your spirit, remembering and learning traditional ways from our ancestors.

Peggy remains a valued teacher to her students, co-workers, and tribal members and has left numerous imprints on those touched by her many contributions to family, community, and culture.

Sue Henry, Suquamish

Sue Henry has served as the Suquamish Tribal Elder's Program Coordinator for over ten years. She works tirelessly to ensure Suquamish Elders have access to quality healthcare, activities, healthy foods and companionship. She does this with a quiet and fierce strength that is wrapped in kindness and love, allowing her to make connections with everyone.

In addition to her work in the healthcare field, Sue volunteers her time to assist at community events, funerals, tribal schools (from elementary through college), and to teach cultural arts. Sue finds ways to say yes to all challenges and challenges systems that are not meeting the needs of vulnerable people.

A smile is a powerful tool that is often under-appreciated in modern times, but health research has shown that someone who makes an effort to see and appreciate others for who they are builds self-esteem and confidence. Resilience is grown through these interactions. It is Aunties like Sue Henry who foster tribal leaders so that they can face the hard times cloaked in their love and strength for protection as we fight for sovereignty.

Emma Medicine Whitecrow, Cherokee/Comanche

Emma has worked tirelessly to improve health, education and well-being for all, but particularly those in the Native community. She mentors not only youth, but those working in the community to be the best they can be.

Emma currently serves as the Chair for the Governor’s Inter-agency Council on Health Disparities. This work began when she was a Program Officer at the Washington Health Foundation and began work with Senator Rosa Franklin to spearhead the legislation to create the Governor’s Inter-agency Council on Health Disparities. She was first appointed as a consumer representative in 2006 and later appointed Chair by Governor Christine Gregoire. The mission of the Council is to help Washington State become the healthiest state in the nation by eliminating health disparities by race/ethnicity and gender by identifying priorities and creating recommendations to the Legislature and Governor.

Emma is a dedicated mother of four, grandmother of two, and community leader for many. She is sought out for her wisdom and leadership. She is a strong role model and mentor. Emma has spent many years working in health policy, education policy and social justice. She mentors/volunteers with high school and University students.

Maria Pascua, Makah

Maria has devoted her life to the preservation of the Makah culture through the teaching of the Makah language and basket weaving, to name a few. She has written articles for the National Geographic Magazine, Peninsula Daily News, and participated in a Makah exhibit featured at the Smithsonian Institute.

Maria is currently a Makah language teacher at Neah Bay High School and is also the language specialist for the Makah Cultural and Resource Center (the facility that houses artifacts from the Ozette Archaeological Site). She also is a part-time faculty instructor, teaching Makah language in a local adult education program. Maria speaks fluent Makah and has raised her two children speaking Makah as their first language.

Ms. Pascua and her husband are actively engaged in the canoe journeys and work with youth in preparation for the annual Makah Day’s Celebration. When not involved in her community, Maria has participated in international cultural exchanges representing her tribe and culture.

Charlanne Quinto, Colville

Charlanne is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. She is an inspiration to others and serves as an advocate for Indian and non-Indian children, for women of all ages, and the unemployed and underemployed. She works on the preservation and revitalization of the Colville Tribes three languages still spoken on the Reservation.

She currently serves as the Training and Organizational Development Manager for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation. During her career she has served as a presidential appointee on the Department of Labor Workforce Investment Act for Indian programs; co-chaired Washington State Indian Education, Northwest Indian Education Association, and appointed to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education.

Charlanne continues to champion the documentation of the Colville Tribe’s history which has been used to develop culturally relevant curriculum for school-aged children and college-level students.