Yanity recognized for decades of service as Stillaguamish leader

Former Stillaguamish Tribal Chairman Shawn Yanity was recognized by the Snohomish County Council for more than two decades of service to the Stillaguamish Tribe and the community-at-large.

Yanity has served as chairman of the Stillaguamish Tribe since 2004, with only a brief one-year period in 2009 to 2010 where he served as a board member.

Before becoming chairman he had served as vice-chairman since 1998.

“It’s been a true blessing to be able to not only work for my people, the Stillaguamish, and improve the quality of our lives but to help with Snohomish County,” said Yanity.

Yanity stepped down in September 2021 and announced his retirement.

The Snohomish County Council recently passed a resolution to recognize Yanity for his service to the community.

“In addition to his positions within tribal government, Shawn has been a dedicated advocate for preserving the culture and fishing and hunting traditions of the Stillaguamish people,” said the resolution.

Yanity has served on boards such as the EPA Local Government Advisory Committee and the Snohomish County Sustainable Lands Strategy.

In 1987 he helped start the South Fork Hatchery Program which supports local salmon populations.

By working with the Snohomish County Drug Task Force Yanity brought a lot of programs to the Stillaguamish Tribe and broader community.

“He [former Snohomish County Sheriff Rick Bart] put a phenomenal thing together bringing people together to learn about drug addiction, how to stay away from it and then we started a mixture with our clinics that serves our people but also the community as well,” said Yanity.

“We’re the first tribe in the nation to do that, to open up our methadone clinics to non-Natives.”

Yanity’s wife Tonya recalled how busy he was during the Oso landslide and mobilizing the Stillaguamish Tribe to help with recovery.

“Before we even had shelters set up we had 1,700 bottles of water being delivered by the Red Cross,” she said.

The Stillaguamish Tribe has helped a number of local nonprofit organizations while Yanity was chairman, including the Snohomish County Boys & Girls Clubs and the Arlington Community Food Bank.

During his time as chair the Tribe was also a big funder of community projects such as the Haller Park splash pad, which the Stillaguamish Tribe donated $500,000 to help complete.

Yanity thanked Snohomish County officials for their partnership over the years.

“The work relationship that we have has been phenomenal when it comes to taking care of our elders, law enforcement, roads and natural resources,” he said.

Snohomish County Council member Nate Nehring brought the resolution forward and said he appreciates Yanity’s service.

“It has been a pleasure to work with Shawn. I think he’s done a phenomenal job as Chair of the Stillaguamish Tribe and he has been a fantastic community partner here in North County,” said Nehring.

He added that Yanity is a great example of a leader who makes the right decisions for their community.

“Shawn is the embodiment of a servant leader and I wish him all the best in his retirement,” said Nehring.

Yanity said he appreciated the recognition from the Snohomish County Council.

“Definitely didn’t get into politics for any recognition, but this is very humbling,” he said.