Events & Webinars  

Samish Fitness Challenge: Registrations Due October 1st!
Challenge Runs October 6th, 2025 - November 30th, 2025
 

Samish Halloween Party: Saturday, October 25th, 2025, at Fidalgo Bay Resort Event Center. 4701 Fidalgo Bay Rd, Anacortes, WA 98221.

3v3 Basketball Tournament: Saturday, November 22nd, 2025. Details coming soon!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month

What is Breast Cancer?
Breast cancer is a disease in which malignant (cancer) cells form in the tissues of the breast.

Understanding Breast Cancer
Cancer is a broad term for a class of diseases characterized by abnormal cells that grow and invade healthy cells in the body.  Breast cancer starts in the cells of the breast as a group of cancer cells that can then invade surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to other areas of the body.

Cancer begins in the cells which are the basic building blocks that make up tissue. Tissue is found in the breast and other parts of the body. Sometimes, the process of cell growth goes wrong and new cells form when the body doesn’t need them and old or damaged cells do not die as they should.  When this occurs, a build up of cells often forms a mass of tissue called a lump, growth, or tumor.

Breast cancer occurs when malignant tumors develop in the breast.  These cells can spread by breaking away from the original tumor and entering blood vessels or lymph vessels, which branch into tissues throughout the body. When cancer cells travel to other parts of the body and begin damaging other tissues and organs, the process is called metastasis.

Risk Factors

Genetic: Gender, Age, Race, Family History and Genetic Factors, Personal Health History, Menstrual and Reproductive History, Certain Genome Changes, Dense Breast Tissue. 

Environmental and Lifestyle: Lack of Physical Activity, Poor Diet, Being Overweight or Obese, Drinking Alcohol, Radiation to the Chest, Combined Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT). 

Resources

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) offers a free online breast cancer risk assessment tool. This tool uses a woman’s personal and family medical history to calculate her risk of developing invasive breast cancer. Click here to use NCI’s Breast Cancer Risk Assessment Tool: Online Calculator*.

*Please note that this assessment tool is not able to take into account every detail of a woman’s medical history, such as a previous history of breast cancer or a BRCA gene mutation. It also cannot actually predict whether a person will or will not get breast cancer. Always talk with your doctor about your risk of developing breast cancer or any new or worsening symptoms you may be experiencing.

Below is health guide with details on risk factors and developing healthy habits to lower the risk of breast cancer. 

Tribal Wellness Services: 

Diabetes Prevention & Management

In an effort to combat the growing epidemic of diabetes in American Indian and Alaska Native communities, the Samish Indian Nation Diabetes Program provides a variety of services to help delay or prevent a diabetes diagnosis while also reducing the risk of complications. These services are designed to educate tribal citizens on the risk factors of diabetes while encouraging prevention and management, physical fitness, nutrition, foot care, and vision care.

Eligibility Requirements:

You must be an enrolled Samish tribal citizen.

You must reside in our 12-County Service Area (Clallam, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Mason, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Snohomish, Thurston, or Whatcom County)

Diabetes Application Packet
Note: Physical signature is required on HIPAA form. Return completed forms by:

Mail:
Samish Indian Nation
PO BOX 217 
Anacortes, WA 98221
ATTN: Olivia Duvall 

Or scan completed form to diabetes@samishtribe.nsn.us.

If you would like us to send you an application with paid return postage, please reach out to diabetes@samishtribe.nsn.us. 

Services We Currently Offer:

Monthly Diabetes Educational Information:
Informational flyers regarding how you can prevent and manage your diabetes will be posted each month. 

Diabetes Care Incentive Program:
This initiative is designed to support and encourage citizens in managing their diabetes and health while recognizing their dedication to wellness. Eligible participants may receive incentives per completed activity. Qualifying activities include: 

     - Eye Exam (once per year)
     - Dental Cleaning / Exam (twice per year)
     - Foot Exam (once per year)
     - A1C Test (twice per year) 

To utilize this program, you must be enrolled in the diabetes program. 
To receive the incentive, you can submit this form: Diabetes Care Incentive Program Verification Form or provide other proof of appointment such as a visit summary or EOB. 

Email forms to diabetes@samishtribe.nsn.us. 

Open to All Samish Citizens in Our Service Area:

Samish Fitness Challenges: Now Open to ALL Citizens in Washington State!

Fall Fitness Challenge 8 Weeks: October 6th - November 30th REGISTRATION DUE OCTOBER 1ST.
Samish Fitness Challenge Registration - Fall
 
Extra Activity Logs: Activity Logs
Click Here to Submit Digitally: Digital Activity Log Submission

Send Registrations & Activity Logs to: wellness@samishtribe.nsn.us.
By Mail: 
Samish Indian Nation
PO BOX 217
Anacortes, WA 98221
ATTN: Olivia Duvall

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at wellness@samishtribe.nsn.us.

SKAGIT COUNTY RESIDENTS:

Farm to Table Program: NO INCOME LIMIT 
We will be introducing a bi-weekly food box pick up at our cannery campus in the atrium. This partnership with the Puget Sound Food Hub Farmers' Cooperative will bring fresh food from our local farmers around the Puget Sound.

Sign-ups for this service is required: Farm to Table Sign Up Sheet