Timothy Ballew, Sr.

I, Timothy Ballew Sr. am lhaq’temish an enrolled member of the Lummi Nation through the federal policy of the United States Government. I have resided in our home territory all my life. I am from the Swan clan as well as the Eagle Clan. I am married and have been so for 40+ years to Laural Ann Ballew, whom is a member of the Swinomish Tribe. We have two very magnificent children, Timothy and Raymond. Both are enrolled Lummi members. Two grandsons have entered our lives through the elder son’s. It is our duty to train both grand boys of whom they are and where they come through our family history. Both practice the fishing lifestyle today.

I have been a lifelong Harvester of the water. Over 50+ years have been spent time in the fresh water as well as the Salish Sea. The early years were spent with our grandfather, as a young person he helped me understand what both waters were for and the meaning or the power that they carry. I was able to practice our right to fish 12 months out of the year in my early teen years. As we moved to the Salish Sea we travel with the salmon during their migration route to the rivers and lakes. Later in my life bottom seafood was harvested to provide a lifestyle that most people do not get to understand. If it wasn’t for the elders in our family, this way of life would have been so much different.

I spent numbers of years in the regulatory positions. Mostly in the Law Enforcement; I was charged to monitor and protect Natural Resource from the US/Canadian border to the environs of Seattle WA. I monitored both Tribal/State commercial fishers. In the years to come I was employed in the Class 111 gaming Casino’s as a tribal gaming Agent. For a brief time, I was employed with the court systems as a lead probation officer.

I did serve on the Lummi Indian Business Council for 4 terms, both as a council member as well as the Chairperson. This public service was very rewarding not only for myself but for my family. The political issue will always play a major part of who we are as members of our community. Today I am a part-time faculty member for the Northwest Indian College, which I find very rewarding.