haʔɬ sləxil txʷəl gʷəlapu siʔiʔab,
Good day to you honorable people,
I am writing to inform you that I have accepted a position at the Language Department and my last day as Director of GELC will be Friday February 26th, 2021.
There is no single reason alone that led to this decision. The easiest way for me to explain is this: the responsibility was too much, too soon for me and I need more time to prepare for a leadership role of this scale. I want to return my focus directly to the revitalization of our Twulshootseed language.
I am proud of the work we have done together at GELC this last year. We kept our families safe and provided stable and reliable childcare assistance payments. We removed many barriers to accessing our services in response to COVID-19. We provided thousands of weekly meals. We have improved many aspects of our skills and services. I look forward to the day that GELC reopens safely and we can welcome our children back. We miss all of you dearly.
I am still here in the community; I am still here to serve all of you—just in a different way. I know this change of leadership will have an impact on our community, but I have faith that it will be a positive change. We are Puyallup strong and there are many qualified leaders who will step forward and continue this good work.
Thank you so much for this opportunity. I look forward to seeing you soon and speaking our ancestral language together.
ʔəsbutbutlačibitubuɬəd čəd. I raise my hands to all of you.
David Turnipseed
Director
Grandview Early Learning Center (GELC)
Puyallup Tribe of Indians
253-344-3665
