Lyn Dennis March 27th 2019

What do you do?

I am doing fundraising and public relations for the Lummi Nation Boys & Girls Club Auction and Golf Tournament. The Club serves over 100 Lummi kids, and I am proud to make a difference for our Lummi Nation’s future. We have an Auction Committee, led by Henry Cagey, Lummi Indian Business Council and Chair of the Committee. We had a very successful Auction in December 2018 at the Silver Reef Casino. Our next Auction will be June 21, 2019, once again at the Silver Reef Casino and the Loomis Trail Golf Tournament.

Concurrently, I am doing fundraising and public relations for our 73rd Annual Lummi Stommish Water Festival, located at Gooseberry Point on the Lummi Reservation. “Stommish” means warrior and honors the veterans, and the entire community is invited. Events include the 11 men and women war canoe races; the sla-hal bone games; traditional dance performances; the famous barbecued salmon and fresh crab. The festival has sentimental value to me because my Great Uncle Vic and Great Aunt Edit gift deeded the property to the Lummi Nation.

I am a film producer, director, and narrator. My film, “Muckleshoot Sla-Hal Bone Game Tournament 2015” premiered at the American Indian Film Festival in San Francisco and at the Cascadia International Women’s Film Festival in Bellingham, WA.

I am a business owner of MyTribeTV, a livestreaming business, covering tribal meetings, conferences, and the first meeting between President Obama and the tribes throughout the U.S.

Due to legal issues, my non-Indian business partner, Gaard Swanson, (TV personality) had several questionable expenses. We went to court, I was victorious and am the sole owner of MyTribeTV, presently, I have put that business on hold.

I am getting ready to launch a new website, NativeShoppingNetwork.com, which will highlight Native businesses, artists, and more.

Advice/words of wisdom that affected your life you’d like to pass on?

I believe education is very important, whether it be college or technical college. If I hadn’t gone to college, a B.A. in Broadcast Communications at Western Washington University, I would not have had the opportunities. For example, I worked for all the Washington State Tribes who were just getting into Indian Gaming and casinos, and served as the Executive Director. Also, served as Executive Director for the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, comprised of over 60 Tribes in the Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Northern California, and S.E. Alaska. This organizations advocates on behalf of the Tribes in areas such as Natural Resources, Education, Health, Indian Gaming, Economic Development, and other areas addressing them on the policy level.

I would like to advise anyone who has a dream to pursue it, you may fail, but when you get knocked down, you have a choice, either stay down or get right back up. I choose to get back up! Don’t listen to the people who say you can’t do something, always persevere and continue to move forward and believe in yourself.

Whatever you want to achieve, I would recommend that you seek out supportive mentors and organizations that have a mission that goes along with your belief system.

Finally, surround yourself with people who love you and care about your well-being. It is important to have good health, a balance in your life, both professionally and personally, and happiness will prevail.