Tulalip offices ready to serve
Published on Wed, Oct 7, 2009 by Beckye RandallRead More Local News
The Tulalip Tribes' new state-of-the-art administration building is situated high on a hill, overlooking the bay around which most tribal members have built their memories.
"It was hard to move away from the bay," said Rose Anne Green, head of the tribes' Education Services department. "But at least we can still see it, and have that connection."
For years the tribes' services have been managed from makeshift offices located in multiple portable buildings and repurposed houses. Some departments were housed at the main administration complex on Mission Beach Road, which also contains the gym, but more than 65 locations around the reservation supported the tribes' various services.
"It was not an effective way to serve our members," said John McCoy, the tribes' business manager and state representative. "People had to drive from one location to another, sometimes spending a whole day getting the information they needed. Now it's one-stop shopping."
The glass and cedar building is an impressive combination of tradition and new technologies. Designed to be energy-efficient and ecologically sustainable, the construction incorporated the site's unique properties to assist in heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation. A ground-coupled heat pump takes advantage of the earth's constant temperatures, and built-in raingardens help control runoff.
The building's wide overhangs help shelter its occupants, and the cedar exterior, from the sun's rays, and the surrounding landscape is filled with plants chosen for their ethno-botany, meaning they have historical significance for the local native Americans.
As the plantings mature, other outdoor features will join them. A veterans' memorial is planned for the northwest side of the building.
"Our elders remember when our tribal office was one small building, and we had three employees," said board chairman Mel Sheldon. "Today we have built a new kind of house, but inside are the same treasures we hold dear-friends, community, relationships, old stories and new opportunities."
Employees and tribal leaders admit there was some resistance to the new building at first.
"We were used to having our own private space," said Green. "Our old offices were crowded, but we could close a door and work in quiet."
In the new building, most departments are housed in an open floor plan, with spacious cubicles that share dividing walls. Getting used to the openness was a challenge, Green admitted, but she and other employees are also pleased with the benefits of togetherness.
"If I have a question for Finance for one of my students, I can just walk over there and ask," said Green. "Instead of waiting two or three days for interoffice mail, it's a 5-minute visit. It's much more efficient."
The work areas are ringed by private conference and meeting rooms, available for all employees to use as needed, and larger training rooms incorporate new technology like Smart Boards, integrated digital media players and teleconference capabilities.
To promote the tribes' quest for wellness, administration employees also have access to a well-equipped workout room, and several kitchens allow workers to prepare healthy meals.
The biggest benefit, however, is for the clients who utilize the many services now provided at the administration building. From health care to education, financial support, housing and employment services, members can simply stop at the reception area and be directed to a myriad of services.
During a tour of the new Council chambers, which occupy much of the building's third floor, board member Tony Hatch remarked, "A member told me she got three things handled at once that would have taken her all day before."
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours, visitors were treated to a buffet lunch while children romped in the bouncy houses and enjoyed cotton candy and popcorn.
"The building's name means 'the place where we make available training, teaching and advice both spiritual and practical'," said general manager Shelly Lacey. "That teaching and training part is very important to us. It's part of our commitment to provide service to our community."
"It was hard to move away from the bay," said Rose Anne Green, head of the tribes' Education Services department. "But at least we can still see it, and have that connection."
For years the tribes' services have been managed from makeshift offices located in multiple portable buildings and repurposed houses. Some departments were housed at the main administration complex on Mission Beach Road, which also contains the gym, but more than 65 locations around the reservation supported the tribes' various services.
"It was not an effective way to serve our members," said John McCoy, the tribes' business manager and state representative. "People had to drive from one location to another, sometimes spending a whole day getting the information they needed. Now it's one-stop shopping."
The glass and cedar building is an impressive combination of tradition and new technologies. Designed to be energy-efficient and ecologically sustainable, the construction incorporated the site's unique properties to assist in heating, cooling, lighting and ventilation. A ground-coupled heat pump takes advantage of the earth's constant temperatures, and built-in raingardens help control runoff.
The building's wide overhangs help shelter its occupants, and the cedar exterior, from the sun's rays, and the surrounding landscape is filled with plants chosen for their ethno-botany, meaning they have historical significance for the local native Americans.
As the plantings mature, other outdoor features will join them. A veterans' memorial is planned for the northwest side of the building.
"Our elders remember when our tribal office was one small building, and we had three employees," said board chairman Mel Sheldon. "Today we have built a new kind of house, but inside are the same treasures we hold dear-friends, community, relationships, old stories and new opportunities."
Employees and tribal leaders admit there was some resistance to the new building at first.
"We were used to having our own private space," said Green. "Our old offices were crowded, but we could close a door and work in quiet."
In the new building, most departments are housed in an open floor plan, with spacious cubicles that share dividing walls. Getting used to the openness was a challenge, Green admitted, but she and other employees are also pleased with the benefits of togetherness.
"If I have a question for Finance for one of my students, I can just walk over there and ask," said Green. "Instead of waiting two or three days for interoffice mail, it's a 5-minute visit. It's much more efficient."
The work areas are ringed by private conference and meeting rooms, available for all employees to use as needed, and larger training rooms incorporate new technology like Smart Boards, integrated digital media players and teleconference capabilities.
To promote the tribes' quest for wellness, administration employees also have access to a well-equipped workout room, and several kitchens allow workers to prepare healthy meals.
The biggest benefit, however, is for the clients who utilize the many services now provided at the administration building. From health care to education, financial support, housing and employment services, members can simply stop at the reception area and be directed to a myriad of services.
During a tour of the new Council chambers, which occupy much of the building's third floor, board member Tony Hatch remarked, "A member told me she got three things handled at once that would have taken her all day before."
Following the ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours, visitors were treated to a buffet lunch while children romped in the bouncy houses and enjoyed cotton candy and popcorn.
"The building's name means 'the place where we make available training, teaching and advice both spiritual and practical'," said general manager Shelly Lacey. "That teaching and training part is very important to us. It's part of our commitment to provide service to our community."
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