Long-time 4-H Volunteer Leaders Honored

February 26, 2013 – The Colville Confederated Tribes Business Council recognized and honored four long-time 4-H leaders for their volunteer service. During the (CDC) Community Development Committee meeting, Ben E. Marchand, Colville Business Council member & CDC chairman, welcomed guests and turned the floor over to Linda McLean, Colville Reservation-Ferry County Extension Educator, for introductions of visitors and to read the honoring speech.

Those recognized for outstanding service were: Ian Wilder, Nespelem Creek Kids 4-H, 26 yrs.; Janell Townsend, Big Goose Kids 4-H, 25 yrs.; Marilee Seymour, Kewa Hillbillies, 25 yrs.; Karen Neal, Keller Valley Highriders 4-H & Keller 4-H Culture Club, 20 yrs.

Three of the four honorees were present to receive their award: Ian Wilder, Karen Neal and Janell Townsend and all acknowledged their appreciation for the Colville Confederated Tribes and the support that the Tribes have shown for youth over the years.

“There are only two areas in the state where a tribe works with the state for 4-H children…the Colville Tribes stand out as unique for that,” said Ian Wilder at Wednesday’s honoring. He went on to say “I would also like to thank the tribe for always being there to help the youth of the community; we do appreciate the Tribes’ involvement.”

Karen Neal thanked the tribe and the community both, stating that “4-H is conducive to families, and that her daughter, Storey Jackson, is now taking the lead with the Keller 4-H club and her grandchildren are enjoying 4-H. This was a sentiment repeated by Colville Reservation-Ferry County Extension Educator, Linda Mclean, as she noted “Many of these volunteers are working on their second generation of 4-Hers.”

Dan Fagerlie, recently retired Ferry County Extension Director and the current WSU Tribal Liaison & Project Director for Colville Reservation Extension, was on hand to show his appreciation for these 4-H Leaders; all of them began their tenure as volunteers during his Ferry County 4-H Agent work. Dan acknowledge Darlene Wilder, wife to Ian Wilder, for her many years of dedicated service also saying, “Behind every great man is a great woman.” Where ever Ian goes, Darlene is right beside him assisting in any way possible.

“Youth development is a priority of the Colville Tribes; the youth of today are our leaders of tomorrow. It is important to recognize the positive efforts that people put forth for the benefit of our young people and our communities. Ian, Janell, Karen, and Marilee have shown that they are truly dedicated to the positive development of our reservation youth. Their actions and their continued leadership make the Colville Reservation a stronger community by engaging our youth and bringing out the potential for greatness in each and every young person that they work with.” stated Linda McLean.

As a sign of recognition, appreciation and gratitude, Colville Business Council members, Ben E. Marchand, N. Lynn Palmanteer-Holder and Joe Somday presented each of the 4-H leaders with a Pendleton Blanket embroidered with the Colville Confederated Tribes seal.

For information on how to become a 4-H leader or how you can start a 4-H club in your area, please contact Linda McLean, Colville Reservation-Ferry County Extension Educator, (509) 634-2305 or ljmclean@wsu.edu . Or you may contact Dan Fagerlie, Project Director, (509) 690-0009 / (509) 775-3087 or fagerlie@wsu.edu or Debra Hansen, Interim Ferry County Director, (509) 775-5225 ext. 1116 or the Okanogan County Extension office (509) 422-7245.