Lummi chair commends federal drug bust connected to tribal deaths

Officials at the Lummi Nation say this week’s arrests in a drug ring linked to recent overdose deaths of tribal members could offer a measure of justice. The tribal nation near Bellingham put a national spotlight on the fentanyl epidemic last September, when four members died of drug overdoses in as many days and the tribe declared a state of emergency.

Tony Hillaire, chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council, said this criminal case is forcing everyone to revisit the pain of the losses last fall and beyond.

“Now we’re remembering that time of the just overwhelming amount of overdose deaths that were happening at Lummi Nation, and to see articles and media saying that Lummi Nation was a target in these drug activities is hurtful to a lot of us,” Hillaire said.

But he said, “Nevertheless, in the midst of these adversities we’re thanking and finding strength in being there for each other, being there for the families."

Hillaire said he’s grateful for what he called a notable amount of collaboration between Lummi tribal police and federal officials and investigators to pursue this case and other remedies.

“It was just a lot of sorrow, a lot of grief, a lot of confusion and a lot of questions that our people wanted answers to. And I think we’re getting closer,” he said, “and this is what can be done when we partner together.”

The U.S. Attorney’s office, the FBI and the DEA have indicted 14 people with conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and launder money. Officials say the drug ring based in Renton extended to multiple states, and targeted tribal communities.

Hillaire said it was gratifying to see the tribal council spring into action, getting answers on criminal jurisdiction to block drug trafficking on tribal land, and expanding medication-assisted treatment and other support for people with substance use disorder, among other initiatives.

Federal investigators allege that the phone of one of the overdose victims had contact information linking them with the drug trafficking organization which they say was led by Marquis Jackson. Jackson’s parents Mandel and Matelita or “Marty” Jackson, have also been charged.

Marty Jackson has been the executive director of the SE Network SafetyNet initiative through Boys & Girls Clubs of King County that receives city and county contracts for violence prevention efforts in the Rainier Beach neighborhood of South Seattle, and sends teams into Seattle Public Schools. She’s accused of helping the trafficking organization launder their money.

In a statement Thursday night, Boys &Girls Clubs of King County referred to Jackson as a “former” employee.

Seattle Public Schools provided a statement to KUOW Friday saying they have “paused” future plans with the SE Network SafetyNet initiative that Jackson led. The statement said:

Seattle Public Schools (SPS) is aware of the federal indictments involving a noted Seattle activist handed down by the grand jury on Oct. 3.

As soon as SPS learned of this issue, district representatives reached out to the City of Seattle to gather information and determine the next steps with the Boys and Girls Club as a service provider.

We have paused any plans for a memorandum of understanding with the SE Network SafetyNet until more clarity regarding future operations is known.