Janie Beasley given 'Enduring Sprit Award'

Through the years Janie Beasley has been lauded locally for having shown an enduring spirit while working on the Swinomish Reservation, in Skagit County and at La Conner Schools.

Now that enduring spirit is being recognized by the Seattle-based Native Action Network.

Beasley, a former longtime La Conner School Board member, is among four recipients of the organization’s 2020 Enduring Spirit Award.

Becky Bendixen (Unangax), Renee Swan-Waite (Lummi), and Sondra Segundo (Haida/Katzie) have also been selected for the honor.

“The Enduring Spirit Award,” says Native Action Network Program Manager Asia Tail, “recognizes the lifetime achievements of Native women, who through their commitment of time, energy and volunteerism contribute to health communities.”

Beasley, a La Conner High alum, has filled various civic leadership roles here over the course of four decades, including 15 years on the school board.

She was also an advocate for Swinomish and La Conner during service on the Economic Development Alliance of Skagit County (EDASC), Skagit Valley College Foundation Board and Tribal Leaders Congress on Education.

She continues to serve on a variety of panels, including the Native Studies Advisory Group for Northwest Indian College, the Protect Mother Earth Committee and Leadership Skagit Curriculum Committee.

Beasley is often called upon to deliver bilingual messages at local community gatherings.

“Janie has learned to speak the Lushootseed language and has been teaching it to children in the La Conner School District over the last three years,” Tail says.

Tributes poured in on social media as soon as Beasley’s selection was announced last week.

“This is so amazing,” said Swinomish Cultural Affairs Director Aurelia Bailey. “It’s a well-deserved honor.”

La Conner Superintendent of Schools Dr. Whitney Meissner offered congratulations.

“I’m so proud of this woman,” she said of Beasley. “What an amazing honor.”

Based in Seattle, the Native Action Network is a non-profit organized to promote Native women’s full representation, participation, and leadership in local, state, tribal, and national affairs.

Beasley and the three other Enduring Spirit Award honorees will be celebrated virtually during an annual Native Action Network leadership forum June 25-26.