HomeMy WebLinkAboutWA State Art Commission t NGELES
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® ,�® W A S H I N G T O N, U. S. A.
City Council
August 14, 2015
Washington State Arts Commission
PO Box 42675
Olympia, WA 98504-2675
RE: nomination for Jamie R. Valadez
My name is Sissi Bruch, Port Angeles City Council member, and I am writing to personally
support the nomination of Jamie R. Valadez for the"Individual Heritage Award" through the
2015 Governor's Art & Heritage Award—Washington State Arts Commission.
First of all, I would like to express my knowledge of what I know of Ms. Valadez and the work
she has accomplished, her dedication, her contributions and her commitment to the cultural
heritage of the Klallam people. I have known Jamie for almost 6 years now and it has been a
pleasure to get to know her. I've had the opportunity to experience her wide breath of knowledge
through her accomplishments and her teaching- both Klallam language and Native American
studies. Jamie has contributed 24 years of hard work on preservation, revitalization and the
expansion of the Klallam language. She is also a renowned storyteller, basket weaver, and artist,
making items such as traditional baby cradle boards and plant mats for ceremonial purposes. Ms.
Valadez has developed Klallam language and history curricula, written many publications and is
an educational support and advocate for the Native American youth at the Port Angeles High
School. She has accomplished much for the Tribe, while working hard to keep the Klallam
language alive and in daily use. In addition, she created a song and dance group for the tribe in
1995 to carry on that cultural tradition of the Klallam people.
I fully support the nomination of Jamie R. Valadez for the Heritage Award; she is definitely a
great candidate for this award, a polymath, and the legacy of her work and commitment will be
felt by all the future generations of the Tribe.
Sincerely,
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Sissi P. Bruch, PhD
Port Angeles City Council
Phone: 360-417-4500 / Fax: 360-417-4509 /TTY: 360-417-4645
Website: www.cityofpa.us/ ail: council @cityofpa.us
321 East Fifth Street- P.O. Box 1150 / Port Angeles, WA 98362-0217