By Shaun Scott, Puyallup Tribal News
Retirement doesn’t mean goodbye for Grandview Early Learning Center Director Roberta Basch.
Basch worked for the Tribe in various capacities for the past 26 years and spent nearly five years at GELC. A retirement celebration for Basch was held on Jan. 20.
Even with retirement, she said she will remain involved in helping the Tribal community.
“Puyallup is my home. It really means that I’m not going anywhere. I’m here just like our ancestors were here. They are not going anywhere. They are always here and guiding us,” Basch said. “We’re all one family.”
Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller, along with Councilwomen Annette Bryan and Anna Bean, blanketed Basch in front of the crowd.
Basch spoke to the crowd and gifted necklaces to councilmembers, GELC Co-Director Traci Gonzalez, GELC Kitchen Manager Jeri Roy and two children seated in the audience.
Language Department staff and GELC’s pre-K class honored Basch with songs and drumming throughout the afternoon. The event wrapped up with lunch and dessert inside the building.
While addressing the crowd during her speech, Basch said she looked at everyone there as part of her song, happiness and joy.
“When we think about the wonderful things that we are doing in our lives, we never do it alone, we do it together. We harmonize together,” she said. “We’re like flowers in a mantle and every one of them sprouts because they are so beautiful.”
Here are excerpts from Tribal Council remarks.
Vice Chairwoman Sylvia Miller
“I just wanted to say to you, Roberta, that in all of my years that I have known you, you are an amazing individual. You have done so much for this Tribe, no matter where you were. Anywhere she was, she always gave her efforts to make sure this Tribe was OK. I just want you to know how much we appreciate everything you have done for us. … I’m so glad you have contributed to the culture of our Tribe, the children of our Tribe, the adults of our Tribe and everything you have done for us. Thank you so much.”
Councilwoman Annette Bryan
“You are someone I can always look up to. Someone who always has the time to give when there is hard things. … The spirituality that you have from the bottom of your feet to the top of your head, and the way that you show that with me and with others is so beautiful. That is what I really appreciate and love. … You have been a good inspiration. Thank you. We love you.”
Councilman James Rideout
“One thing I really enjoyed is you talking about your family. That impacted me the most when talking about the way it was before we were born. I took that in because that’s an important piece to where we’ve gotten today. We’ve all had to fight for something to get to the point to where we are at today and you’re leaving in the best place possible, you’re leaving a place who has blessed you with a good blessing. Thank you.”
Councilwoman Anna Bean
“When I did get on Council, she (Roberta) was working out at Salish (Cancer Center). … She was still out there promoting the Tribe in that capacity and doing it in such a good way to a large number of folks across Indian Country, representing the Puyallup Tribe. She did a beautiful job of doing that and then she came to Grandview. I actually got the opportunity, when you came back here, to soak in those things that I valued of her so many years ago. … With Roberta, I really appreciated the first presentation that she did when I was on Council. It was so well defined and she also had options. … She delivered so much truth. … I just think wherever she plants seeds; things will grow.”
Councilwoman Monica Miller
“I want to thank you for everything that you have done. Your knowledge, your education and your heritage here. You have taught so much to all of the Tribe. … Her speech about her dad (at the Fishing Wars Memorial Bridge) was just phenomenal. You give such good speeches. … We have grown together here at this Tribe all of these years. Your family has meant a lot to our family and to this Tribe. We love you.”
Councilman Fred Dillon
“There is always talk from Indian Country, especially when you do something that you love and are so good at it and it comes effortlessly, you don’t ever get to retire. … I witnessed that so many times before with a lot of our great people from all over Indian County that do just amazing work, just being you. … Welcome to retirement, but now the real work starts. … I’m looking forward to that and I’m looking forward to seeing what you are going to bring to the table for the Tribe and for Membership. It is going to be pretty amazing.”
