The following article by Lodge member Evan Skandalis appeared in the December 2011-February 2012 issue of the OA National Bulletin.   

On March 15, 1917 Tsar Nicholas II of Russia was forced to resign from the throne in favor of his younger brother, Michael, passing over his own son Alexie, 13 years old. By 1917 Russia had been at war with Germany for over three years and was facing signs of distress in its military and discontent among its people.

The Russian-Tsarist national anthem, “God Save the Tsar” had as its theme an old Russian folktune that has been used by several composers over the years, most famously in Tschaikovsky’s Marche Slav and 1812 Overture.

The Tsar’s family and retainers were moved by the provisional government under Kerensky from Petrograd to safe-keeping at Tsarskoe-Selo, a royal palace with a military guard. Some weeks later they were moved by a guard of Red Russians to Yekaterinburg, deeper in Russia, where the royal family, servants and, guards were sent to the Ipatiev House. On July 17, 1918 the entire royal family including attending doctors and servants were assassinated by orders from Lenin, now in charge of the Red Russian government.

At the Council Executive Board Meeting on December 15, the 2012 Silver Beaver class was formally announced. Among the distinguised honorees are two of T'Kope Kwiskwis's Lodge Advisers, Jason Stewart and Rob Rosamond.

The Silver Beaver Award is given to Scouters for exceptional service to youth. The awards will be presented at the Chief Seattle Council's Recognition Night on March 28 at the 5th Avenue Theatre. The event will also feature a mystery guest speaker.

As well as recognising the recipiants of the award, the Lodge will also provide a service corps to ensure the event will run smoothly. More details on the service corps will be released soon.

The scout office was built in the beginning of the 1960's and according to the Seattle Times in an article dated January 15, 1961 by Ivan Jones the T'Kope Kwiskwis lodge donated the piece to the council as a gift for the new building.

As for the art itself; many people have noticed that the work is done in tile and not in the more traditional medium of wood. The trailblazing artists who created it were applying formline to modern materials. This group was called Klee Wyk, and there is an opportunity for you to learn more about these artists at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. The museum has a temporary exhibit: Klee Wyk: Artists on the Nisqually Flats (1953-1961) that runs through January 30, 2012. According to the WSHM website,

The Lodge is holding a competition to design our NOAC patches for our 2012! Throughout the month chapters will promote the competition and collect designs from members. The Lodge will then collect submissions at the December LEC and vote on a final design. The selected design will be featured on patches, shirts, and other NOAC memorabilia. Don't miss out on your chance to design a piece of Lodge history!

On a related note, don't forget to register for our Lodge NOAC contingent. $100 is all it takes to reserve your spot. As Allowat Sakima reminds you, the ones who chose you need you. As Lord Kitchener reminds you, the Lodge needs you for NOAC. Sign up today!

Attention chapters!

This year, chapter budgets will reset on January 1^st 2012. This means that chapters need to use as much of their chapter budgets as possible before then. This is free money that the lodge sets aside for chapters. The money does not carry over to the next year, it disappears! Use it or lose it. We’ll also be approving our Lodge budget at the December LEC so be sure your chief or a representative is there to vote.

Jeff A.

Lodge Treasurer

The large public notice of pending land use action sign, being held here by members of the Longhouse Committee, including the Lodge Chief Ian B, made an appearance at the lodge officers meeting on December 7th 2011. The signs will grace both Camp Pigott and Camp Brinkley entrances beginning Thursday as a clear symbol that the project is moving forward.

Unselfish leadership and service have brought us close to our financial goal to start construction this spring. Your timely contribution and support can assure restoration of our solemn place of friendship. Please join us now in this extraordinary opportunity and consider a tax deductible donation to the Longhouse fund. Your gift will help secure and sustain this treasured resource that Scouts of today and tomorrow can share with us...an experience like no other.

Donate Today

This past weekend, 4 Arrowmen from T'Kope Kwiskwis participated in the National Leadership Seminar conducted by the Western Region OA. Held in Milwaukie, OR, the National Leadership Seminar, or NLS, is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for OA leaders to participate in a full weekend of exceptional training.  Arrowmen learned vital leadership skills that will help our Lodge grow for years to come. We also had 2 advisers participate in the National Leadership Adviser Training Seminar, or NLATS, over the same weekend. Additionally, our Lodge was represented by four leaders serving on staff at this prestigious event.

NLS participants included: Ian B, Torin B, Willie B, and Breydon P

NLATS participants included: Beth Carter and Mike Gaylord

Staff included: Toby Capps, Ken Hayashi, Rob Rosamond, and Del Loder

The photo above shows our entire contingent along with National Chief Jonathan Hillis. Our Lodge and chapters will truly benefit from their commitment to leadership development and developing a quality program for our oganization.

This past weekend, T'Kope Kwiskwis held its annual Fall Rally at Camp Brinkley. Over 65 Lodge members came to be trained for upcoming unit elections and spend a weekend of fellowship with their Brothers. The highlight of the weekend came when the chapters battled it out for the first ever Dew-It Award, which was won by Siam Chetwoot. Our Section Chief, Caleb Hou, also came by to promote the upcoming Conclave at Fire Mountain. We even had a Brotherhood ceremony where 6 Arrowmen sealed their membership! This great event is just another example of the our Lodge's commitment to to brotherhood and cheerfullness!

Almost 200 Arrowmen, friends and family showed up to the annual Lodge recognition banquet on October 15th 2011 where we honored those people who make the lodge tick. We said good bye and thank you to our old officers and swore in this year's leaders. Master of Ceremonies Breydon P led the evening's celebration. We also honored our latest vigil class, reflected on ArrowCorps502 and promoted upcoming lodge and national activities. Very special thanks go to our key note speaker OA National Committee Member Toby Capps.

We revealed the Founders Award recipients at the event.

Fall Rally is coming up this weekend, November 11-13. Join your Brothers for a weekend of training, fellowship and fun! Get trained for unit elections and the OA Troop/Team Rep Program. Become your character as a ceremonalist and learn about Northwest Coast dance and stories. Compete against other Chapters for the brand-new 'Dew It' award. There will even be a Brotherhood ceremony on Friday! There's so much to do, but there's something there for everyone!

Check-in opens at 5 PM on Friday and the event ends Sunday at noon. Cost is $20. Register online or at the door.

Can't wait to see you there!

Your T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge Officers

Interested in being more involved in the OA? Looking for ways you can serve your unit? Become an OA Troop/Team Representative! T'Kope Kwiskwis is looking for Arrowmen willing to serve their unit cheerfully by providing a link between the Order of the Arrow and their Troop or Team. OA Troop/Team Reps are leaders in thier unit, sharing information on OA activities and programs with Arrowmen and non-Arrowmen, helping members on the trail to Brotherhood, and assisting with unit elections. Even better, the OA Troop/Team Rep is a leadership position that counts towards advancement requirements!

All OA Troop Reps must be registered with the Lodge so we can communicate and distribute infomation to Reps about new opportunities, programs, and announcements. Also new this year is specific training for OA Troop/Team Reps, which will be available at Fall Rally and in January.

If you're already a Troop/Team Rep, let us know so we can send you specifics on what the position entails. If you're interested in becoming one or want more information, let us know at info@tkopekwiskwis.org. Take advantage of this exciting and rewarding program today!

Unit Election season is finally here! With the training provided at Fall Rally, chapter election teams will have the tools and expertise needed to conduct professional, meaningful elections in our member units. Troops and Teams can begin holding elections as early as Monday, November 14. The election season will last until mid-April 2012.

Units are encouraged to sign up early as elections are scheduled on a first-come, first served basis. All unit leaders should have received a notice from the Lodge explaining the purpose and process of unit elections. Chapter are encouraged to contact units directly.

To schedule your unit election, talk to the OA at you district Roundtable or contact your chapter leadership. If you are interested in being part of a unit elections team, contact your chapter leadership to see how you can get involved.

On October 28-29, T'Kope Kwiskiws will be sponsoring a Wilderness First Aid Class at Camp Brinkley. This is the full 16-hour course developed by NOLS. Having someone trained in WFA is a requirment for attending Philmont or other High Adventure bases, and highly recommended for any outdoor activity.

We are offering a special opportunity- the first 10 youth to register are FREE. For other youth and adults, the cost is only $50, a steal considering that REI and the Mountaineers offer the same class for $250 or more!

The only prerequisites are CPR with AED and basic First Aid. Bring your cards, food for the weekend or $25 for food.

Great progress has been made on the Longhouse in recent weeks. Despite some setbacks in the land-use permitting process the Longhouse Committee expects to have all issues resolved by November, allowing the Lodge to apply for final building permits. Construction is expected to begin in January 2012.

If you have been waiting to make a financial contribution, now is the time! Thanks again for your continued support and to everyone who has contributed to this project so far.

This year, the Lodge Leadership Development is being held in conjunction with the Council Program and Training Conference on Saturday, October 15 at North Seattle Community College. As well as teaching several general sessions for the PTC, the Lodge will be running a full slate of classes on subjects ranging from how to run an OA Chapter to the OA Troop/Team Rep Program. This event is a must for all Chapter officers, chairmen, and advisers! Better yet, the event is FREE and lunch is included!

Register here for LLD (and the Banquet, if attending both):

Just because school is back in session now doesn't mean you can't start planning for next summer! Check out your new YoueTube video to get you started!

The 2012 National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) will be one of your most memorable Scouting experiences. NOAC 2012 will be held at Michigan State University from July 30 through August 4, 2012 and is projected to be one of the largest in the Order's history with more than 8,000 Arrowmen in attendance.

See that guy in the middle of the picture? That's me, circa 2006.

I have been trying for over a month to think of a way to describe the NOAC experience to Arrowmen that have never been to one before, and I finally realized there would be no way for me to convey the feeling of a National OA Conference in words.

This past week, nearly 100 Arrowmen, Scouts, Scouters, volunteers, and personnel from the USFS and NPS participated in ArrowCorps502, the largest conservation-service project ever undertaken by T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge and the Chief Seattle Council.

Here's just a brief recap of what we were able to accomplish:

Army Camp- Removed invasive Scotch Broom

Crystal Peak- Made repairs along a two-mile stretch of trail, constructed rockwall to prevent stream erosion, and surfaced trail in a rockfield area with dirt

Crystal Mountain Ski Resort- Removed trash from Silver Creek and under chairlifts

Government Meadows- Erected log fencing to prevent ATV users from driving on the PTC, remediated ATV impact, repaired and performed trail maintenance

Ipsut Creek- Packed out debris from a dechlorination building, built handicapped-accessible trail, and decommissioned several trails and campsites

Moss Lake- Resurfaced trail with gravel and installed a drainage culvert

Ranger Creek Airfield- Removed invasive spotted knapweed

In all, more than 3,000 hours of service were given to Mt. Rainier National Park and Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. There are many people who spent countless hours to make ArrowCorps502 possible, among them AC502 Chairman Mat A., Former AC502 Chairman Evan S., Lodge Chief Ian B. and advisers Bob Davies, Barbara Sher, and Lodge Adviser Jason Stewart. Please thank them for their service if you get the chance.

Needless to say, everyone who attended ArrowCorps502 had a blast! The project was so successful that talks are already underway about events next summer that will continue the legacy of service that ArrowCorps502 has set in motion. Stay tuned- exciting things are to come!

National Order of the Arrow Conference (NOAC) is the ultimate OA Scouting experience. The 2012 NOAC, to be held at Michigan State University, will be one of the largest yet with over 8,000 Arrowmen in attendance.
NOAC will feature a number of unique events, including national competitions for ceremonies, drum, and dance. Other events will include evening shows, the OA history museum, and awesome gaming events. Highlights such as the Founder's Day Parade, the Grand Hodag, and the inter-Region dodge ball battle are some staples of the NOAC program.

Attending Arrowmen can partake in service projects, high adventure opportunities, leadership training, American Indian Activities training, and much more. While enjoying the various activities, Arrowmen will have a great time meeting new friends and sharing their experiences with people from around the nation.

NOAC is an inspiring meeting of Arrowmen from across the Nation. 8,000 strong, with one purpose and one mind...at NOAC!

Congratulations to the most recent recipients:

Youth:
From the Hyas Eena Chapter - Nick T. - April 2010 Ordeal
From Lamonti Tupso Illahee - Jordan R. - April 2010 Ordeal
From Ashuk T'salil - Willie B. - April 2010 Ordeal
From the Hyiu Chuck Chapter - Austin S. - May 2010 Ordeal
From Siam Chetwoot - Justin W. - June 2010 Ordeal

Adult:
From the Hyiu Chuck Chapter - Carl B. - Fall 2009
From Lamonti Tupso Illahee - Russell B. - May 2010

This last month at the W1N Section Conclave in Alaska two T'Kope Ceremonialists earned the highest or "Honors" distinction for their ceremonies. Brain S. and Logan C. both submitted their performances for the Vigil Honor Ceremony for evaluation on the Friday night of the event. Congratulations to both of these dedicated lodge members who help T'Kope have some of the best ceremonies in the nation.

The Section's Ralph Kirschner Trophy for best ceremonies at conclave went to the Nanuk Lodge of Anchorage Alaska. Congratulations to Nanuk. T'Kope Kwiskwis had won the trophy 7 years in a row.

The Vigil Honor is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position or office to one or more of the following: T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge, the Order of the Arrow, Scouting, or our Council's Camps.

T'Kope Kwiskwis lodge is proud to announce the 2011 Vigil Honor Class:

Ian B. - Hyiu Chuck

Willie B. - Ashuk T'salil

Sam G. - Tenas Chakchak

Garrett J. - Lamonti Tupso Illahee

Ryan O. - Sahaptin Mox Khan'-nice

Keith P. - Sunyakwa

Luke P. - Sahaptin Mox Khan'-nice

Colin S. - Talapus Tillicum

Andre S. - Hyiu Chuck

Reuben S. - Hyiu Chuck

Beth Carter- Sunyakwa

John Ewell - Ashuk T'salil

Lyle Hall- Hyiu Chuck

Rob Lane- Ashuk T'salil

Terri Lovelace - Hyiu Chuck

Phil Smart, Jr. - Council Leadership

Lyle Swanson - Sahaptin Mox Khan'-nice

Helen Young - Sunyakwa

These worthy brothers will conduct their Vigil at the Spring Fellowship June 17-18. If you are a current Vigil Honorrecipient andwould like help out at this important event as a sponsor or a guide please contact us at vigil@tkopekwiskwis.org.

Please join us in congratulating the 2011 Vigil Honor Class!

This fall under the direction of Inductions VC Logan C, Ceremonies Chairman Tony M and Dance and Story Telling Chairman Keith P an inventory of the Lodge's regalia was conducted by the members of the Ceremonies team. This is a yearly inventory, but this year it also caps a project started by Logan C and others to photograph and publish all of the Lodge's regalia.
The Goals of the photo inventory were to:
- Let members know what blankets the Lodge owns and their condition.
- Inform members of the history of the regalia and the policies and procedures of use.
- Help to maintain the collection so that future arrowmen can use these blankets.

From July 31st to August 6, 2011, join us at Mt. Rainier National Park for a week-long conservation service project. ArrowCorps502 is a partnership between the Chief Seattle Council, T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge, and the National Parks Service designed to leave a lasting legacy for future park users. Build trail, restore campsites, and experiance the power and beauty of the Mountian firsthand. Join Scouts, Scouters, Venturers, and Sea Scouts from all over the country for an unforgettable adventure. There will also be a one-day Cub Scout event. For more information, please visit our website. The possibilities are endless. What legacy will YOU leave?

Registration for ArrowCorps502 is now online!

Want to go to ArrowCorps502 but need a little help paying for it? Want to help a Scout get to ArrowCorps502? If the answer is yes, consider donating or applying for a campership. ArrowCorps502 is an exceptional opportunity for young men and women to experiance camraderie on the trail and give service to one of our nation's iconic National Parks. Although every effort has been made to keep ArrowCorps502 affordable, we understand that the cost may not be ideal for every family. Along with money from your ScoutBucks account and support from friends and family, ArrowCorps502 just became an even better deal!

For information on how to apply, contact the ArrowCorps502 Committee.

To donate, please click here.

Thanks in advance for your generous support!

 Have 10 months passed since your Ordeal? Do you want to continue your service in the Order? Go through Brotherhood! We will be holding Brotherhood ceremonies at the three upcoming Ordeals, which is an excellent opportunity to staff as well. Even better, the cost of Brotherhood was covered when you went through Ordeal, so it's free!

In addition to the ceremonies at the Lodge Ordeals, some chapters are holding their own ceremonies, so contact your Chapter Chief if you're interested.

From July 31st to August 6, 2011, join us at Mt. Rainier National Park for a week-long conservation service project. ArrowCorps502 is a partnership between the Chief Seattle Council, T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge, and the National Parks Service designed to leave a lasting legacy for future park users. Build trail, restore campsites, and experiance the power and beauty of the Mountian firsthand. Join Scouts, Scouters, Venturers, and Sea Scouts from all over the country for an unforgettable adventure. There will also be a one-day Cub Scout event. For more information, please visit our website. The possibilities are endless. What legacy will YOU leave?

Registration for ArrowCorps502 is now online!

On Thursday, March 31st, join the Chief Seattle Council in recognising its newest Silver Beaver recipiants at the 5th Avenue Theatre. As usual, T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge is providing a service corps to serve as ushers and assist at the reception. Volunteers are FREE. Registration information is coming soon.

I hope you have all had a great winter season so far! I would like to invite you to join me one of the first service projects this year. Join me at Camp Pigott to begin work on an adirondack at Mt. Schucksan in creating yet another project that will help improve our Council camps and bring a renewed sense of ownership. Arrowmen of all ages are welcome. As with all Lodge service projects participation will make you eligible for a sticker to deck out your helmet and make it that much cooler!

The project will be on March 19th at Camp Pigott, in the Mt. Schucksan campsite. The project will start at 10:30am and run till about 2:00pm. Be sure to bring a pair of work gloves and safety glasses. We will also be working on the adirondack at the April and May Ordeals. 

If you have any further questions please direct them to service@tkopekwiskwis.org. This is definitely a project you do not want to miss! Click here to register.

Sincerely,

Mathew Allyn

Lodge Service Vice Chief

From July 31st to August 6, 2011, join us at Mt. Rainier National Park for a weeklong conservation service project. ArrowCorps502 is a partnership between the Chief Seattle Council, T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge, and the National Parks Service designed to leave a lasting legacy for future park users. Build trail, restore campsites, and experiance the power and beauty of the Mountian firsthand. Join Scouts, Scouters, Venturers, and Sea Scouts from all over the country for an unforgettable adventure. There will also be a one-day Cub Scout event. For more information, please visit our website. The possibilities are endless. What legacy will YOU leave?

Registration for ArrowCorps502 is now online!

Last month Snohomish County approved the first of the required permits for the new Longhouse at Camp Pigott. These authorizations are for the septic system and drain field for the bathrooms at the site. Having the restrooms at the longhouse was one of the county's stipulations for the new building. In addition to this exciting the new site drawings were released. With the civil drawing now in had the Longhouse Committee is moving forward and will apply for final building and site permitting in the next couple of weeks!

Orders will be taken starting at Fall Rally!

The Button Blanket Kit includes materials for a finished blanket, apron and leggings:

Join the official T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge Facebook Page today! Get all the latest updates and stay connected to what's going on! Post photos, ask questions, and learn more about the Lodge and its program of service.

http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=7331235963

In addition, several chapters have Facebook pages up and running. Check them out!

Ashuk T'Salil http://www.facebook.com/pages/Ashuk-Tsalil/165016470178919#!/pages/Ashuk-Tsalil/165016470178919?v=wall

Hyas Eena: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hyas-Eena-Chapter-Order-of-the-Arrow/125139030852545#!/pages/Hyas-Eena-Chapter-Order-of-the-Arrow/125139030852545?v=wall

Hyiu Chuck: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=153758743023&v=info&ref=ts#!/group.php?gid=153758743023&v=wall&ref=ts

Also be sure to visit our ArrowCorps502 page: http://www.facebook.com/#!/group.php?gid=285154120932

For more information on Chapter events and programs, visit the T'Kope Kwiskwis website and look for the Chapter pages under 'About Us' tab.

Greetings, T’Kope Kwiskwis lodge from Hyas Eena. We recently unveiled some of our long unused chapter regalia at Fall Rally. Also, our chapter will be staffing the Green River district Klondike Derby in January. For those of you who wish to staff, please contact Nick Tillotson at trails.archer@gmail.com or Josh Philips at lt.spuds@gmail.com. We will also be staffing Winter Camp the first two weekends of February, and staff is much needed, so please sign up. Attendance is also a Quality Chapter requirement, so keep that in mind. In other news, Brotherhood members are encouraged to join the Chapter Brotherhood Ceremonies team. Come to the Lodge Ceremonies meeting at 7 PM every third, fourth, and fifth Tuesdays (only third in December) at the Bellevue Jubilee Reach Center. Please contact Malcolm Allen at x.factor.polo@comcast.net or Nick Tillotson at trails.archer@gmail.com to sign up. Also, unit elections have begun! Contact Michael Mayer at memayer@earthlink.netor Nick Tillotson. As a final note, our next chapter meeting on the ninth of December will be a gift exchange, so youth please bring a $5 gift and a game. Also be sure to check out the new Hyas Eena Facebook page for the latest updates. That’s it for this time.

Hyas Eena Chapter

WWW

The morning saw candidates and current arrowmen working together to clear the longhouse site in preparations for that evening's festivities. It was a day of ceremony as all persons in camp gathered and paused at 8:46 am at the longhouse site in a moving flag ceremony to remember those who had perished on September 11th 2001. Work then continued until early afternoon.

The groundbreaking was officially started at 5:30 by Master of Ceremonies Chris Z calling the group together and thanking the special guests in attendance. After an invocation from Inductions Vice Chief Logan C, Lodge Chief Brian S gave a history of the project and spoke of the importance of the longhouse to the 1st Peoples of the Northwest Coast.

At the event we revealed the Founders Award recipients. The Founder's Award was created to honor and recognize those Arrowmen who have given outstanding service to the lodge. The award is reserved for those Arrowmen who memorialize in their everyday life the spirit of achievement as described by founder E. Urner Goodman. The award is a handsome bronze medallion bearing the likenesses of E. Urner Goodman and co-founder Carroll A. Edson. The two recipients for 2010 are longhouse adviser Mike Gaylord and outgoing Lodge Chief Peter H.

Unselfish leadership and service have brought us to within $20,000 of our goal to start construction this spring. Your timely contribution and support can assure restoration of our solemn place of friendship. Please join us now in this extraordinary opportunity and consider a tax deductible donation to the Longhouse fund. Your gift will help secure and sustain this treasured resource that Scouts of today and tomorrow can share with us...an experience like no other.

• Richard B
• Brendan F
• Stevan G

Congratulations to you all!

If it's been 10 months since your ordeal and you want to step up to the Brotherhood, there is one last Lodge sponsored Brotherhood in 2010, Friday November 12th at Fall Rally at Camp Brinkley

There may also be chapter sponsored Brotherhood ceremonies in which you may participate. Please contact your chapter chief for more details. There is no fee for the ceremony or your new sash that will mark you as a Brotherhood member of our lodge. If you are prepared now to make this important decision for yourself, we will welcome you at the ceremony.

Members of the Teenas Chackchack Chapter begin restoration of the Kwahnice Chapter Pole; more information to follow.

See More Photos

Fall Rally is fast approaching and registation is now open! Join us at Camp Brinkley on November 12-14 to get trained. If you are a Chaper officer, a Troop/Team Rep, interested in learning about ceremonies, or want to help with unit elections, this is the place to be. For those of you who have been to Conclave, we will have a similar rotation of classes and activities. Here's just some of the classes that will be offered:

-Unit Election Training

-Elangomat Training

-OA Troop/Team Rep Program

-Becoming Your Ceremony Character

-Planning a Service Project

Sign up for your choice of classes when you arrive on Friday. Trained Arrowmen means a quality Lodge and Chapter program. Hope to see you there!

On September 25th, 18 Arrowmen from T’Kope Kwiskwis Lodge participated in National Public Lands Day (NPLD), a national initiative to give service to America’s public lands. Working near the White River Campground in Mount Rainier National Park, Arrowmen cleared scotch broom on Forest Service property and worked alongside Washington Trails Association (WTA) volunteers and National Parks Department personnel to build water bars and stabilize a section of hillside. As well as a service opportunity, NPLD also served as a dry run for ArrowCorps502. Our base of operations was at Ranger Creek Airfield, which will be our base camp in the summer of 2011. The weekend allowed the ArrowCorps502 Planning Committee to explore the site and identify areas that will need consideration during the ArrowCorps502 planning process, such as the size and location of dining facilities and the tent encampment location. Being based out of Ranger Creek also allowed the Committee to get an understanding for transportation and how long it will take to bring participants to their work sites and back to camp. In addition, because of all the hard work our Arrowmen performed, the National Parks Department and Forest Service are committed to working with our Lodge on future projects.

Two weeks later on October 9th, many ArrowCorps502 Committee members, as well as other Arrowmen, got together for the ArrowCorps502 Kickoff. As a result of the Committee’s discussions, the Committee was totally restructured to better serve the needs of the project. The Committee also explored the best ways to go about promoting ArrowCorps502, and posed the question “Why Should I go to ArrowCorps502?” We are interested in hearing your suggestions, so we can further improve our promotion methods. Please let us know at arrowcorps502@tkopekwiskwis.org.

T’Kope Kwiskwis Lodge would like to thank those Arrowmen for their service during NPLD, as well as the Forest Service and National Parks Department for allowing our Lodge to give service.  We look forward to next year’s NPLD, as well as the ArrowCorps502 project.

Registration is now open for the ArrowCorps502 Kickoff! Learn about our progress so far on this momentous project, and be the first to know about the cool opportunities and activities we have planned for future events. See if you have what it takes to be a Crew Leader or a member of a Strike Team. Plan now to spend a weekend of your 2011 summer at Mt. Rainier National Park! This event runs from 10 AM to 2 PM this Saturday. Lunch will be provided, and best of all the event is FREE. Afterward, join us for the Annual Lodge Recognition Banquet!

Remember what October means? The Lodge Banquet! Get together with your fellow Arrowmen to celebrate the achievements of the Lodge and its members over the past year. Learn about the history of the Longhouse, the upcoming ArrowCorps502 service project, meet the 2010 Vigil class, and celebrate our unbelivable Quality Lodge three-peat. This year the Banquet will be held at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church on Saturday, October 9 at 5:30 PM. Cost is $30 online or at the door. Don't miss it!

On September 11^th at the Longhouse Groundbreaking ceremony, the well-known Entrance Pole to the original Longhouse was dedicated to Joe Hillaire. Joe was a Master Carver and activist of the Lummi Tribe who was commissioned by the Lodge to carve the pole designed by William Holm. The proud pole was erected and dedicated along with the longhouse in 1962.  After the S. Edmund Packard Memorial Longhouse was deconstructed in 2002, the pole stayed standing; until 2005 when the restoration of the pole began. Now, after 40-plus years of weathering and looking like new, the Joe Hillaire Entrance Pole will soon stand once again, and serve this great Lodge for many more years.

To find out more information about the Joe Hillaire Entrance Pole of the S. Edmund Packard Memorial Longhouse, please visit the Longhouse page of the T’kope Kwiskwis website.

Our fundraising for the new Longhouse is almost complete. Help us cross the finish line!

Donate Now 

The annual Council Program and Training Conference will again be held at North Seattle Community College on October 16. The Lodge is looking for volunteers to help man the T’Kope Kwiskwis info booth as well as provide service for the event. If you are interested, plan on arriving by 6:30 AM and expect to provide cheerful service until mid-afternoon.  Lunch is provided.  If you’re not able to be there the whole day, we’d love to see you for a few hours!

Remember what October means? The Lodge Banquet! Get together with your fellow Arrowmen to celebrate the achievements of the Lodge and its members over the past year. Learn about the history of the Longhouse, the upcoming ArrowCorp 502 service project, meet the 2010 Vigil class, and celebrate unbelivable Quality Lodge three-peat. This year the Banquet will be held at Mercer Island Presbyterian Church. Cost is $20 for pre-registered Arrowmen and guests and $30 at the door.  Don't miss it!

Join your brothers for a weekend of service at Mt. Rainier National Park! Working out of Camp Sheppard and the Ranger Creek Campground, this weekend will be a test run for the upcoming ArrowCorp 502 project. Build trail, clear brush, pull stumps and give service to one of America's premier National Parks. This project will be done in conjunction with National Public Lands Day, a day for people all around the country to give back to the public lands they love. If you’re interested in helping out at ArrowCorps 502, this is the place to be!

Click here to learn more about National Public Lands Day:

http://www.publiclandsday.org/

Hello Arrowmen of T’Kope Kwiskwis,

I am Lodge Service Vice Chief writing to inform you about a great new award program that is provided by National for You, the Youth of Boy Scouts. This program is called the National Outdoor Badge, it is designed to cover five major activities: Camping, Hiking, Aquatics, Riding and Adventure. These awards are designed to really test your discipline and toughness in forcing you to do more than is required for other awards. The reason I bring up this great program is because I can help you earn some of those badges! The requirements for the camping badge for instance require twenty-five nights of camping, with six days being a consecutive camping trip. The “Where To Go Camping Guide” is a perfect place to find cool places to fill out those camping trips! Follow this link to take a look: http://tkopekwiskwis.org/gocamping/destinations . In addition I can provide service project opportunities for you to help you earn a 50-miler award. For more information on the National Outdoor Badge program see the requirements here:

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/Youth/Awards/NOA.aspx

The Elangomat award is the same as the lodge flap but with a Silver Mylar border.
Congratulations to the most recent recipients:

Youth:
From the Sunyakwa Chapter - Clay M
From the Sahaptin Mox Khan'-nice - Dylan EC B

Next weekend we will be holding our first training event of the year, Lodge Leadership Development! This training will focus on preparing Chapter leadership for the coming year. Unlike in past years, however, this training will combine a focus on the very basics of leadership, like assembling a team and making decisions, with a leadership retreat. The training will be held at Camp Sheppard from 7PM on August 27 to 1 PM August 29. The cost for the weekend is free, but please pre-register. See you there!

Ian Bellows
Lodge Secretary<-->

I'm glad I caught your attention, now I am here to invite you to one of the first events of a new lodge year; National Public Lands Day Kickoff! This is event is to allow our lodge's arrowmen to ask questions about NPLD and aid the planners in making NPLD an event that will be remembered for years to come. As I subtly said earlier, it is a free event and yes there will be plenty of food. At this event we will also be unveiling a new Service Award Program.

The, "H² Program" or "Hard Hat Program" is designed to recognize those Arrowmen who give exemplary service through Chapter/ Lodge Service Projects, and select OA Events. To find more information be sure to attend the NPLD Kickoff.

The NPLD Kickoff will be held at the Chief Seattle Council Service Center, it will be on August 14th, 2010 from 9am to 3pm. Be sure to save the date because this is an event you do not want to miss!

Mathew A., Lodge Service Vice Chief

All current members and alumni of the T'Kope Kwiskwis lodge are invited to attend this historic event!

We encourage all current members to come up for the whole weekend and welcome our newest members by staffing the Ordeal. We have arranged the schedule so that if you provide cheerful service and staff you will not miss out on any of the Longhouse festivities.

Please join us in the celebration of this momentous occasion by registering for ONE of the following choices:

To register for the Ordeal Staff:

To register for the ground breaking and dinner only:

Come be a part of History!

This third award in a row is unprecedented in Lodge history and is extremely difficult to achieve given the requirements require positive growth every single year and a 30% brotherhood conversion rate.

Quality program = Quality Lodge

These are the brothers who got us over the finish line:

I am here to tell you about a great opportunity for you to not only party with some of your fellow Arrowmen but also to get you informed about a great pre-ArrowCorps502 service project. This project is known as National Public Lands Day (NPLD). Many may recognize it as a national event for the public, but you have the opportunity to rock the OA sash on the mountain while cheerfully serving! This is an event you do not want to miss! If you want to get more information, why not get it while partying with your fellow Arrowmen, complete with free pizza. The NPLD Kickoff will be held at the Chief Seattle Council Service Center, it will be on August 14^th, 2010 from 9am to 3pm. Be sure to save the date this is an event you do not want to miss!

Congratulations to our new lodge officers who were elected this past weekend at the Spring Fellowship at Camp Pigott.  The officers officially take their new positions on July 1, 2010.

• Lodge Chief: Brian S.
• Secretary: Ian B.
• Treasurer: Garrett J.
• Activities Vice Chief: Chris Z.
• Inductions Vice Chief: Logan C.
• Service Vice Chief: Mat A.

After 20 months of hard work by many members of our lodge, the Camp Pigott Barbecue Shelter is ready for use -just in time for Summer Camp.

Many thanks to all the project contributors:

The Chief Seattle Council took possession of the new lodge artifacts on May 6th. The exciting new items include miniatures of the Sunyakwa, Yakala and Kis'Kis totem poles, and several clay dolls that depict dancers, singers, and speakers all with replica blankets, hats and masks.

Congratulations to the first prestigious six:

Youth:
From the Lamonti Tupso Illahee Chapter - Matthew B
From the Tenas Chakchak Chapter - Thomas M
From the Talapus Tillicum Chapter - Colin S
From the Wau Wau Talapus Chapter - Chris L

Adults:
From the Talapus Tillicum Chapter - John R
From the Talapus Tillicum Chapter - John V

The ArrowCorps502 Committee has been making great progress so far! We currently have over half our committee filled, but are still working on more people. We are submitting a logo at the next LEC for approval and will have it out soon. Also on June 1

Also if you have a Facebook please join our group at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=285154120932 , also be sure to visit http://tkopekwiskwis.org/arrowcorps502 to keep up to date on current ArrowCorps502 events.

As Stewie has said at many LEC’s, “It’s a great time to be” Wau Wau Talapus! Wau Wau Talapus has had a resounding comeback from last year’s lull thanks to the great support from our incredible chapter members. Currently Wau Wau Talapus has recently completed our new Chapter Banner, which you will definitely have to gaze upon with awe, only wishing your chapter was cool enough to have their own. We are also nearing completion of our very own Totem Pole that will be erected at the Longhouse site soon. In addition to that we’re starting work on our very own chapter button blanket set which will help our sprouting chapter ceremonies team. An old adult of Wau Wau Talapus also recently returned three drums from when the chapter was founded.

To touch on events our chapter has been involved with, we’ve been to our two winter camps, started to have a semi-regular totem pole carving party and finally we held our Chapter Pre-Conclave Fellowship at the old Cascade Gun Range. This event was incredibly fun for all those involved, we had a huge bonfire complete with kisky pong and plenty of hilarious face-offs.

Also, we recently held our chapter election and elected a new chapter leadership. Our new Chapter Chief Kelvin F. has held the Activities Vice Chief position for the past two years, has attended just about as many Lodge and Chapter activities as I, have. Then on top of that this is a guy who knows how to make sure everyone has a good time while being an effective leader.

Matthew A.
Chapter Chief

To increase awareness of this societal problem and to create even greater barriers to abuse than already exist today in Scouting, the Boy Scouts of America is implementing several important changes to further enhance its Youth Protection policies:

Effective June 1, 2010:

- Youth Protection Training is required for all registered volunteers.

- New leaders are required to take Youth Protection Training before they submit their application for registration. The certificate of completion for this training must be submitted at the time application is made and before volunteer service with youth begins.

- Youth Protection Training must be taken every two years. If a volunteer's Youth Protection Training record is not current at the time of recharter, the volunteer will not be reregistered.

Please CLICK HERE for steps to ensure these policies are fully implemented.

28 seal their membership!

On Saturday May 22nd at the Ordeal at Camp Brinkley twenty eight brothers sealed their membership in the order by going through the Brotherhood ceremony. This was a momentous occasion for several reasons. The 28 marks the largest Brotherhood ceremony in well over a decade for T'Kope Kwiskwis and highlights the current strength of the lodge inductions program. The big night also is a huge leap forward in reaching our Quality Lodge goal for 2010 of 30% conversion of our Ordeal members to Brotherhood. At this time we only need 5 more Ordeal members to step forward and undertake the Brotherhood to achieve an astonishing three- peat of the Quality Lodge award! Will it be YOU who steps forward?

When: June 18-19, 2010
Where: Camp Pigott
Cost: $15 through June 10, $20 after

That's right - the Order of the Arrow has finally entered the digital age, and we are now accepting online registrations for candidates, members, and Elangomats to attend the Ordeal Weekends this year!

Click here to register online now!

Please consider registering online, as this will greatly reduce the amount of time required at check-in on Friday evening of the Ordeals.  It also ensures data accuracy, avoids the possibility of misplaced paper forms, and helps the Ordeal Administration team plan ahead.  You can sign up for more than one ordeal at once.  One secure transaction for the entire season!

Brothers, the Longhouse Committee has been working hard and can report great progress towards our goal. The site evaluations for the preliminary permit requirements have been completed. These evaluations include wetland studies, geo-testing and perc tests. Permit building plans are complete, and this will allow us to move ahead in the permit application with the county. We have selected several large and gracious cedar trees that will become the main support columns in the building. Soon we will be honored to have the trees blessed by our friends in the 1st Nations community before they are taken down. This is an important link from the old to the new with sensitivity to Native American customs.

When: June 18-19, 2010
Where: Camp Pigott
Cost: $15 through June 10, $20 after

Brothers, the time of year is here already. That's right, its time to elect new lodge officers! What are you going to run for? This year we're doing things a little bit differently for the Lodge Chief position. All of those that wish to run for Lodge Chief must have their plan book for their term completed and turned into the current Lodge Chief, Peter H., by the June Ordeal - June 4-6. Also, those wanting to run for Lodge Chief must be present at the June Ordeal. There will be a nomination committee that will help select the best candidates for Chief. Chapters - you will need to provide one youth for this committee. If you are not sure about running for Chief, give it a shot anyway. If you are wondering what a plan book is or have any other questions regarding running for any position, shoot Peter an email - info@tkopekwiskwis.org. With that, I hope to see you all at the June Ordeal and SPRING FELLOWSHIP!!!

The Vigil Honor is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position or office to one or more of the following: T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge, the Order of the Arrow, Scouting, or our Council's Camps.

T'Kope Kwiskwis lodge is proud to announce the 2010 Vigil Honor Class:

We encourage everyone to congratulate our latest brothers who sealed their membership in the Order by going through the Brotherhood Ceremony at the Section W1-N Conclave held at Camp Hahobas on April 24th 2010!

If it's been 10 months since your ordeal and you want to step up to the Brotherhood, there are lodge Brotherhood ceremonies at every lodge event for the rest of the year including:

May Ordeal at Camp Brinkley on Saturday May 22nd

June Ordeal at Camp Parsons on Saturday June 5th

Spring Fellowship at Camp Pigott on Friday June 18th

There may also be chapter sponsored Brotherhood ceremonies in which you may participate. Please contact your chapter chief for more details. There is no fee for the ceremony or your new sash that will mark you as a Brotherhood member of our lodge. If you are prepared now to make this important decision for yourself, we will welcome you at the ceremony. Once again congratulations to our newest Brotherhood Members:

That's right - the Order of the Arrow has finally entered the digital age, and we are now accepting online registrations for candidates, members, and Elangomats to attend the Ordeal Weekends this year!

Click here to register online now!

Please consider registering online, as this will greatly reduce the amount of time required at check-in on Friday evening of the Ordeals.  It also ensures data accuracy, avoids the possibility of misplaced paper forms, and helps the Ordeal Administration team plan ahead.  You can sign up for more than one ordeal at once.  One secure transaction for the entire season!

Aha! At Conclave 2010, our ceremonies teams once again proved that when all the Tillicum people gather, T'Kope Kwiskwis remains Chief! We entered teams in pre-Ordeal, Brotherhood, and Vigil evaluations, and left with more "honors" teams than any other lodge. This means that once again we brought home the Ralph Kirschner trophy, which is named to honor the former W-1B Section Adviser. It used to be given to the #1 Pre-Ordeal team but now it is given to the lodge with the most Honor teams at Conclave. This means we have won this award for 7 years in a row. Can we make it 8 at next year's Conclave in Alaska?

This year we had a lot of new ceremonialists, and a lot of different teams. It's really great we were able to do so well even though our teams were changing right up to the time of Conclave. The teams worked really hard, and some ceremonialists worked extra hard to learn new parts in a very short time.  Congratulations to everyone. Here are the teams that participated.

Do you ever wonder what Scouting is like in another country? The Western Region is forming an OA contingent to attend the 2011 World Scout Jamboree in Sweden. Over 100 countries and 40,000 co-ed Scouts will gather together from July 27 to August 7, 2011 to share in international friendship and adventure for personal growth and development.

We encourage everyone to congratulate our latest brothers who sealed their membership in the Order by going through the Brotherhood Ceremony at the April Ordeal held at Camp Brinkley on April 10th 2010!

• Jeremy B
• Lain L
• Stephen L
• James N
• Jordan R
• Michael T
• Brandon W
• Will C
• Quinton L
• Niemi R
• William N
• Aric R
• Cathy T
• Nicholas W

Congratulations to you all!

Sharon M. Moulds

To say Sharon has Scouting in her blood would be an understatement. Her father was a Scouting professional for 39 years and she has served in five different councils in eight different leadership positions over the last 25 years including Scout executive in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She is Wood Badge trained, Vigil Member of the Order of the Arrow and active member of her son’s Boy Scout Troop. Please join us in welcoming Sharon, her husband Al and their two sons to the Chief Seattle Council.

That's right - the Order of the Arrow has finally entered the digital age, and we are now accepting online registrations for candidates, members, and Elangomats to attend the Ordeal Weekends this year!

Click here to register online now!

Please consider registering online, as this will greatly reduce the amount of time required at check-in on Friday evening of the Ordeals.  It also ensures data accuracy, avoids the possibility of misplaced paper forms, and helps the Ordeal Administration team plan ahead.  You can register everyone in your family at the same time, and sign up for more than one ordeal at once.  One secure transaction for the entire season!

The adventure of a lifetime awaits, will you heed the call? I can personally attest to the power and challenge that the Order of the Arrow high adventure programs possess. Section W-1N is accepting scholarship applications that cover the cost of your trip, leaving you with only the cost of transportation for a two-week adventure. You have your choice to provide service and trek at one of our national high adventure bases:

OA Trail Crew at Philmont has 48 spots left. One week repairing trail on the ranch or surrounding forests earns you a no-holds-barred trek of your crews choice around Philmont. Skip the waiting list, you can go now!

OA Wilderness Voyage is a two-week canoeing trip in the Boundary Waters wilderness of northern Minnesota. Northern Tier staff provide the adventure of a lifetime canoeing like the voyageurs of old. Enjoy your week of service and then explore like you have never imagined. Still plenty of spots left!

OAWV: Canadian Odyssey allows intrepid arrowmen to travel north of the border to repair portage trails in Ontario, Canada. After a week up north, your crew travels back to base. Witness the majestic beauty of the north country, you wont ever view the night sky the same again. 19 spots left!

Make your summer one filled with epic adventure. Meet Arrowmen from across the country, travel on the cheap and leave with enough memories to keep you going until next summer. Register at http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/.

Yours in Service,
Evan Skandalis

Does your chapter have the quality chapter requirements for Winter Camp staff met? Have 10 youth staffed at Camp Sheppard for your chapters weekends? My goal as Service Vice-Chief is to help chapters succeed in service and in turn get quality chapter. That is why I want to inform you about the Camp Sheppard work party that will be happening the weekend of March 19th-21st. As some of you may know this has been a no-snow year for Sheppard, and thus we have the ability to do tasks that otherwise would not be able to be done in the winter. In past weekends we have been able to accomplish great deeds.

Please contact me at service@tkopekwiskwis.org with your name, chapter and any special skill sets/ useful tools that you can bring. Please be at Sheppard on Friday at 7pm and expect to leave camp by 12 on Sunday.

Yours in Service,
Evan Skandalis

Be a part of the council's largest gathering of the year and provide cheerful service. There will be an opportunity to represent the T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge at the council's annual recognition dessert and meeting, held March 31st at Benaroya Hall in Seattle.

T'Kope will be presenting and promoting ArrowCorps 502 for the first time at a council event and distinguished chapter and lodge advisors will be receiving the Silver Beaver. If you look at the below invitation then you can see which Scouters from your district will be recognized:

The program promises to be a good time with all aspects of the council being on display. You will be expected to represent the OA and T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge in a professional manner. You may be asked to open doors, greet and usher or serve dessert. It is a great opportunity to network and see those who make the program run. Please be in the Benaroya Hall lobby at 5:30 in your full, crisp and cleanly Class A with sash. There is free parking in the garage underneath the Hall. Please contact Evan Skandalis at service@tkopekwiskwis.org if you are interested.

Yours in Service,
Evan Skandalis

To celebrate the 100^th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America the T'Kope Kwiskwis lodge has just released a new lodge flap commemorating this historic milestone. The patch is an eagle, the symbol of the 100^th Anniversary and of the Boy Scout of America, done in the Northern Formline of the Pacific Northwest Coast 1^st Peoples.

The background color is kaki and was designed to match as close as possible the BSA uniform. The words, "100 years BSA", and "T'Kope Kwiskwis" are ghosted in this same color below the wings. There is also the "WWW" ghosted in black on the eagle's chest. With all of the lettering matching the background color, only the wing stretched eagle is easily seen.

The patch will be available at lodge events including the up coming April Ordeal at Camp Pigott April 9^th-11^th 2010. Happy Birthday BSA!

We encourage everyone to congratulate our latest brothers who sealed their membership in the Order by going through the Brotherhood Ceremony at the Sahaptin Mox Khan'-nice Chapter sponsored Brotherhood held on the Kitsap Peninsula February 4th, 2010.

Mikel A

Michael N

Christopher N

Connor S

Stanley W

Christopher Z

Congratulations to you all!

If it's been 10 months since your ordeal and you want to step up to the Brotherhood, the next lodge Brotherhood ceremony is during the April Ordeal at Camp Pigott, April 9-11th 2010. Email us at inductions@tkopekwiskwis.org or contact your Chapter Chief for more information.

Recently a series of major contributions have been made to the Chief Seattle Council to build re-build the longhouse at Camp Pigott.  This wonderful news came almost seven years to the day that the old longhouse was taken down. With these contributions the council believes that it is possible the structure will be built starting in 2010, but only if we finish raising the needed funds. We are now over 80% to our goal of $500,000. We need a decisive wave of support that will make the new longhouse a reality. We now have less than $100,000 to raise! That is an achievable goal, but we need your help!

There are several things you can do at this time!

This year T'Kope will continue its dedication to provide quality OA staff to Camp Sheppard's Winter Camp. Participating in your chapter's service weekend at Sheppard is a great way to boost chapter fellowship, earn community service hours, and gain a keener understanding of the workings of the BSA camping program. At your weekend you can expect to be fed, housed and partied out in return for supervising the tube runs, preparing and serving food in the kitchen, sanding the trails and spreading WWW throughout camp. Each chapter is assigned one or more weekends for this service. Check the lodge calendar to see when your chapter's weekends are or ask your Chapter Chief!

Yours in Service, Evan S. - Lodge Service Vice Chief

Attention to all Ordeal Members, if it has been over ten months since your Ordeal you are now eligible for Brotherhood. This means that you have served your troop and are now ready to attain further knowledge in our brotherhood of cheerful service. If you contact your Chapter Inductions Vice Chief they will help you on the trail to Brotherhood. Also if you know somebody who is eligible for Brotherhood please encourage them to go through, this will help to earn Quality Lodge. There is a Brotherhood Ceremony at all Lodge functions, the next of which would be the April Ordeal at Camp Brinkley (April 9-10)

In Brotherhood,
Ryan M.
Lodge Inductions Vice Chief

In case you have not heard, the unit election season is upon us. A unit election is when OA members go out to all of the troops and elect candidates for the Order of the Arrow. This is a great opportunity for you to serve your fellow scouts. All of the chapters have or are putting together unit election teams to go around to all the troops in your district if you are able to help with any unit elections you should contact your Chapter’s Inductions Vice Chief or your Chapter Chief.

Thank you,
Ryan M.
Lodge Inductions Vice Chief

It is with great pleasure to announce to you the beginning of the search for the 2010 T'Kope Kwiskwis Vigil Honor Class. This process over the next few months will allow you, the members of the lodge, to nominate eligible candidates for consideration by our committee.

From the Guide for Officers &Advisers: The Vigil Honor is a high mark of distinction and recognition reserved for those Arrowmen who, by reason of exceptional service, personal effort, and unselfish interest, have made distinguished contributions beyond the immediate responsibilities of their position or office to one or more of the following: the T'Kope Kwiskwis Lodge, the Order of the Arrow, Scouting, or our Council's Camps. Under no circumstances should tenure in Scouting or the Order of the Arrow be considered as reason enough for a Vigil Honor recommendation.

The year ended with some exciting news, the last of the standing chapter totem poles was identified. The tall slender pole stands down the hill from the longhouse site and has been without a name for many years as its oral traditions faded. Longtime lodge member Tom Bingaman stepped forward and identified the pole as belonging to the Tillikum Chuck chapter. Tillikum Chuck means Water People. This chapter broke away from the Hyas Eena Chapter and served the Renton, Maple Valley and Tahoma School districts in the 1970s'. Later it was reabsorbed into the Hyas Eena Chapter and the history of the pole began to fade.

Since the opening of the E. Packard Longhouse, Chapters were encouraged to carve and raise their own totem poles. Over the past 40 years some have been lost, some survive and new ones have been raised. There are currently eight Chapter totem poles at the longhouse site.

The Tillikum Chuck pole is toped by an eagle holding two salmon in its talons. The great bird is catching the salmon from the bounty of the Cedar River, which is also the name of the district that Tillikum Chuck served. The Eagle is feeding the salmon to Frog, who represents man to some Pacific Northwest 1^st peoples groups. The bottom figure is that of Beaver, the symbol of Hyas Eena, from which Tillikum Chuck split.

Today the area covered by Tillikum Chuck is serviced by Hyas Eena and Wau Wau Talapus.

We want to give a special thanks to Tom Bingaman for stepping forward with this information and allowing the lodge to better understand its own history.

Even though all the poles have now been identified we are still looking for people to step forward with old photos of the longhouse site and its poles to put on the website. We want to make sure our history and traditions are preserved and then shared so that future generations of arrowmen can enjoy and understand them.

There is a tremendous amount of activity this winter at Camp Pigott as we work to complete 24 construction projects prior to the opening of the 2010 summer camp season. The resulting new facilities will help us provide an outstanding summer camp experience while also adding several key features that will be available for year round use. We are excited about these upgrades and additions and can’t wait until summer when Scouts can enjoy all that Camp Pigott has to offer.

ArrowCorps 502 update

On Friday the 13^th of November, Arrowcorps 502 leadership met with Kevin Bacher, Volunteer Coordinator for Mt. Rainier National Park. This was a critical step in the development of the ArrowCorps 502 program. Discussion topics ranged from partnerships with other youth conservation groups to training and possible service areas. We look forward to working in the future with Mr. Bacher. He is a great resource for the project and expressed an enthusiasm to make this project a reality.

After the meeting, the core four team traveled to Fall Rally, anxious to converse the details with the Lodge. Great enthusiasm has been seen from within the lodge, everyone wants to be a part of what is sure to be the largest service project T’kope KwisKwis has ever undertaken. Currently the Core Four group is looking for capable, qualified leaders from within the lodge to plan and perform service of epic proportions. Be sure to check out the ArrowCorps 502 link on the lodge website for more information.

Other service news:

-The Camp Parsons arboretum shelters are currently in the stages of planning. The two shelters to be constructed will provide a haven for Parsons to educate Scouts and school groups in the arboretum.

On Wednesday October 21st 2009 at the monthly lodge business meeting, the council's Director of Support Services Scott Findlay announced that a series of major donations had been made to the Chief Seattle Council to build re-build the longhouse at Camp Pigott. This wonderful news came almost seven years to the day that the old longhouse was taken down. With these donations the council believes that it is possible the structure will be built starting in late spring 2010.

The longhouse committee has a goal of $500,000 to construct the new building. We are now over 80% to that goal. Now we need a final wave of support that will make the new longhouse a reality. The momentum is there now is the time to act! Now is the time to build the longhouse!

The new building will be a year round heated facility so that scouts can enjoy the building even in the irksome weather of the Pacific Northwest. The heat will also serve to extend the life of the structure, keeping the permanent dampness away from the precious wood.

The new building will be up to all state and county codes, yet maintain its important rustic appearance. In satisfying these new requirements we acknowledge the importance of safety and public and professional standards; however this does come with extra costs. The new longhouse will also hold more people. The old structure had a capacity of 144; the new one will be able to welcome over 300 arrowmen. Together we are restoring the past and rebuilding for the future. Become a part of the new traditions by making a cash or in-kind donation today. By giving today you have the piece of mind knowing that future generations of arrowmen might share in this unique experience.

To those supporters who have shown their deep commitment to the longhouse and have generously given their time and financial support this time is indeed exciting! The lodge appreciates your contributions, but now we ask to redouble your efforts to get us across the finish line.

Now is the time to rebuild the longhouse.

Remember the ones who chose you need you...

Donate Online Now

Here's something new (to some of you)! Coming later this year we'll be having FALL RALLY!!! The Fall Rally will be taking the place of Inductions Weekend, November 13-15. You're probably wondering the difference of Fall Rally and Inductions Weekend, and no, it isn't just the name. Fall Rally will be a Fellowship/Conclave-esk/Training Weekend.

Register Here

We look forward to seeing you there!  For more information, or to get involved in helping plan this event, contact the Activities Vice Chief at activities@tkopekwiskwis.org.

A Chapter totem pole that is in good condition and still stands at the longhouse site remained unidentified until this past weekend. Several people had inklings of the origin of the pole but none were very confident of their information. Using the Lodge website, T'Kope Kwiskwis put a general call out there for T'Kope alumni to step forward and help provide some of the missing history of the Lodge, the Longhouse and its totem poles. Several totem poles were unidentified, that is until last weekend when former Lodge Chief Rod Field identified one of the poles.

The beautiful pole is crowned by an Orca over a man holding a copper. The bottom crest is a beaver. Mr. Field said the pole was raised during his tenure as Chapter Chief of the Kwahnice Chapter in 1972-73. Kwahnice was later merged into Tenas Chakchak, which serves the West Seattle, Burien and Des Moines areas.

Now that the Kwahnice pole has been named only one standing pole remains to be identified. Please see the related article under the longhouse tab to help reconstruct the lodge's history. Thank you to Mr. Field in already helping the lodge in our quest.