2 new Suquamish councilmembers elected

By Staff report • March 19, 2024 1:30 am
Suquamish Tribe courtesy photo The new Suquamish Tribal Councilmembers, (left to right): Luther “Jay” Mills Jr., Azure Boure, Vice Chair Josh Bagley, Chairman Leonard Forsman, Secretary Irene Carper, Lorilee Morsette and Treasurer Denita Holmes.
Suquamish Tribe courtesy photo The new Suquamish Tribal Councilmembers, (left to right): Luther “Jay” Mills Jr., Azure Boure, Vice Chair Josh Bagley, Chairman Leonard Forsman, Secretary Irene Carper, Lorilee Morsette and Treasurer Denita Holmes.

The Suquamish Tribe elected three of its citizens to Tribal Council at its annual General Council meeting March 17 at Kiana Lodge.

Azure Boure and Lorilee Morsette were elected to the councilmember positions previously held by Rich Purser and Sammy Mabe, who did not seek re-election. They were thanked for their service in a traditional blanket wrapping ceremony.

Luther “Jay” Mills Jr. was re-elected to his seat. Mills has served intermittently since 1984 and in his current position since 2009. He also serves as an ambassador for the tribe’s business arm Port Madison Enterprises.

Boure leads the tribe’s Traditional Food & Medicine Program, part of the newly formed Cultural Resources Department. Morsette has served in a variety of leadership and strategic planning roles in the tribal and nonprofit sectors and was recently accepted into Harvard Business School’s Executive Education – Leadership Program.

Suquamish is led by a seven-member Tribal Council; they all serve three-year staggered terms. Officers on the council are: Chairman Leonard Forsman, Vice Chairman Josh Bagley, Treasurer Denita Holmes and Secretary Irene Carper.

The tribe is comprised of approximately 1,200 citizens.