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About us

 

The Shivwits Band Emergency Manager will coordinate with local and county, State, Federal, volunteer, and non-profit organizations as well as with specialized teams, and the private sectors and other agencies, including our own Tribal Emergency Response Team in the management of an emergency or disaster, to save the lives of its Tribal members, pets and animals, and to protect property and to preserve our environment.

 

In Memory of our Director and Manager Norine Castro

July 12, 1957 ~ July 6, 2025

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Norine Castro

Director/Manager 2013-2025

 

Norine Castro, a member of the Shivwits Band of the Paiutes, passed away July 6, 2025. She had held the position for the Shivwits Band Emergency Manager since 2013 to 2025. Her goals as Manager was to learn all she could to help her tribal members & neighboring communities if & when a disaster happened. She has always mentioned how grateful she was for the special training and life skills she had learned over the years as it helps her to continue as a volunteer on all the FEMA, State, local & CERT trainings.

Norine will be greatly missed for her knowledge, not only as our Emergency Manager, but also as our secretary for the Shivwits Band for 30+ years.

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Norines Volunteer Roles and Accomplishments:

Education and Credentials:

  • Graduated from Tooele High School May 1975

  • Graduated from Utah Technical School-Secretary July 1975 (SLC)

  • Shivwits Band’s Health Representative August 2011-2016 & started again January 2019.

  • Land Resources Committee member for the Shivwits Band.

  • Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah’s (P.I.T.U.) Vice Chair for Tribal Emergency Response Team (T.E.R.T.)

  • Active member of (UTERC) Utah Tribal Emergency Resource Committee, Washington County LEPC, & Citizen Corp.

  • 2013 to 2017: Tribal Liaison between Red Cross & Paiute Indian Tribe to improve on all our disaster skills.

  • December 1, 2000. Completed Falmouth’s Tribal Constitutions & Bylaws

  • May 16 & 17, 2006. Completed Falmouth Institute’s Basic Budgeting for the Tribal Organizations

  • May 18 & 19, 2006. Completed Falmouth Institute’s Supervision & Management Skills

  • October 19-21, 2011. Completed Falmouth Institute’s Robert’s Rules of Order for the Tribal Recording Secretaries

  • November 26-27, 2012. Completed and participated in a Tribal Inspired Leadership Training

  • February 26-27, 2013. Completed Emergency Management & Public Safety for Tribal Officials

  • August 23, 2013. TERT-Tribal Emergency Response Team. Formed so 1 member & an alternate from all 5 bands

  • C.E.R.T. Completed Training July 2013

  • Joined Washington County LEPC September 2013

  • Utah Tribal Emergency Resource Committee (UTERC)-September 2013

  • Joined Red Cross officially on January 2013

  • April 2014-2015 & 2018. Certification of participation- The Great Utah Shake Out

  • August 26, 2014. Completed Emergency Use Authorization Course- thru the CDC-Authorization to give medication to tribal members during a Pandemic Emergency only.

  • July 17, 2014. Completed Mental Health First Aid USA

  • April 2014. Completed QPR Gatekeeper Certified-Suicide Prevention.

  • March 23-26, 2015. Completed Unified Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program

  • April 3, 2015. Completed Homeland Security-Office of Infrastructure Protection- Active Shooter Workshop

  • June 1, 2015 Completed Spontaneous Volunteer Management

  • 2013. Completed Food Handlers Permit

  • July 15, 16, 2015. Completed Readiness: Training Identification & Preparedness Planning.

  • April 25-28, 2016. Completed Emergency Management Framework for Tribal Government

  • July 28, 2015. Completed Readiness: Training Identification Preparedness Planning (MGT-418)

  • November 3, 2016. Completed Active Shooter Preparedness Workshop

  • December 1, 2016. Completed ICS-300

  • January 9, 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017. Completed Certificates of Attendance Utah Pipeline Association

  • May 4, 2017. Completed Homemade Explosives-Awareness, Recognition & Response program

  • May 5, 2017. Completed Mass Fatalities Incident Response (G-386)

  • August 23, 2017. Completed 2nd Annual Disaster & Emergency Preparedness Symposium

  • September 12-13, 2017. Completed Continuity of Operations for Tribal Government. (COOP)

  • 2010-2017. Volunteered for (P.A.W.S.)- Providing Animals with Support on weekends.

  • April 20, 2022. Securing Public Gatherings Workshop.

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Meet our new Manager

Little Sun Lavallee
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Hello, my name is Little Sun, most people call me Koda. I am the new Emergency Manager for the Shivwits Band of Paiutes. Although new, I've helped people in the past through situations before, and I feel like this is the perfect opportunity for me to expand my knowledge and carry that forward.

 

I recently completed training at the Center for Domestic Preparedness to learn all I can and strengthen my skills. I care deeply about keeping our community safe and take this responsibility very seriously.         

            

In emergency situations I always stay calm and focused when things get stressful. I am helping implement systems like Code Red alerts, to keep everyone informed and protected. 

 

I will always try my best to help, and I’m not afraid to ask for help when it means getting our best outcome in any situation. 

 

In my personal life I am family oriented, I enjoy the great outdoors, hunting, fishing, hiking and working as a Tribal Monitor on various projects, protecting our cultural which I hold very close to my heart. I enjoy learning new things when it comes to work as well as play. I love animals, especially my cats and dog. 

 

I want to thank our past Emergency Manager, the late Norine e’hype, she was full of knowledge and strength. She had encouraged me to run for Manager, saying she was retiring, so when I got the position, I knew I had a lot of work ahead of me. I had a long talk with her after she fell ill, asking her what I needed to do. She told me of important training as well as taking it slow and not rushing anything, “It will all come together” she said. She gave me comfort saying I would do a good job. I know I can never fill her shoes, but she gave me the encouragement to do my best, and I will honor her in all I do. 

 

Thank you all for allowing me to be in this position, I look forward to helping in any way I can.

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Education and Credentials

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EDUCATION
High School Diploma | Moapa Valley High ~ 2020
 
LEADERSHIP
  •     Received several High Honor Rolls for 3.75-4.0, grade average 4.0.
  •     Graduated high School early in 11th grade. 
  •     Served with JROTC as Airman 1st Class.
  •     Head Chef in Culinary class in High School
  •     Numerous awards for survival skills, plant and water knowledge
  •    Was nominated by John C. Mather PH. D for the National Academy of Future       Scientists and Technologists Award of Excellence for outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential and determination to serve humanity in the field of science and technology. One of the few delegates from Utah to attend the Congress of Future Science and Technology Leaders in June 2018. Received letter of recognition from Governor Gary R. Hubert of Utah.
 
CERTIFICATES-TRIBAL TRAININGS:  
  •     Introduction to Contract Archaeology & Constructive Monitoring Workshop (45-hour    course), April 12-16, 2021.
  •     Tribal Heritage Resource Monitor Course (36-hour course), May 2-6, 2022.
  •     OSHA-30 Certified
  •     Forklift Operator Certified
  •     CPR Certified
  •     Food Handlers
  •     Desert Tortoise & Field Techniques Certified Oct-Nov, 2024
  •     Introduction to Contract Archaeology Tribal Monitoring Course (32-hour course), September 22-25, 2025
  • FEMA Emergency Management Framework for Tribal Governments, 2.4 IACET CEU, September 22-25, 2025.
  • FEMA Exposed: Hazards Associated with Emergency Response Providers, September 26, 2025.
  • FEMA AWR-316 Emergency Management Best Practices for Tribal Nations, September 22, 2025
  • Active member of PITU TERT (Tribal Emergency Response Team)
 
Skills:
Mini Excavator Operator 250 + hours
Chainsaw Operator
Forklift Operator 12k
Water truck
Ground maintenance
Home/building repairs
Tree care
Road, fence, flood repairs
Wildlife water guzzler installs
Solar work 

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