Greetings,
I’d like to welcome Administrative Assistant, Emily Nephew, back to our office after her extended maternity leave. She has a new daughter. We have such a great team of staff in my office and when someone is out, they are truly missed. Welcome back Emily!
Recently, Brandon Crouse, our Allegany Chief Marshal, was nominated by national peers and chosen to participate in Department of Homeland Security Academy (DHSLA) training at a Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), in Glynco, Georgia. The training consisted of a two-week immersive leadership program which brought together senior law enforcement executives and command level staff of federal, state, local, tribal and territorial law enforcement from across the United States. Training was taught by subject matter experts in the areas of leading through crisis, resiliency, diversity and other contemporary law enforcement topics. Participants also worked closely in groups to discuss and develop proposed solutions to common challenges facing law enforcement. Participants are selected on the basis of their commitment of service to the law enforcement profession. Brandon was selected as one of thirty from the entire United States through a nomination process as a representative from the Eastern U.S. and was the only tribal attendee. He has proven himself to be a hard worker and an ethical, dependable, fair problem solver, who is resourceful and very capable of making quick, sound decisions in difficult situations. At the end of this training, Chief Crouse was awarded a diploma and is now an alumni member. When asked, Brandon stated that “the ability to network with national leaders to develop dialog, discuss issues and make resolutions to bring back to our communities was priceless”. He also said he learned “we are all dealing with the same issues and the solutions are reachable on all levels”. Congratulations go out to Brandon on his distinguished privilege to participate in this elite training opportunity!
On October 5th – Nicole Aunapu Mann, the first Native American woman, made history when she was launched into space aboard the SpaceX’s Crew-5 Dragon spacecraft, heading to the International Space Station. Mann, a Colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, is a member of the Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes, in California, and is the mission commander, which means she’ll be leading all phases of the flight from launch to re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere. She will also serve as the Expedition 68 flight engineer on the space station, where she and her other crew members will live for six months. Her message for Native youth is that these are possibilities here for the taking and they may be inspired to be a Marine, or an engineer or an astronaut and they’ll go after their goals, no matter what they are. Congratulations to Nicole Mann and the people of Wailacki of the Round Valley Indian Tribes!
I’ve noticed we have had some great sunsets to accompany our nice fall weather in the past week or so. Time to get out the flannels and gear up for all the fall activities planned for both territories!
Respectfully,
Rickey L. Armstrong, Sr.
