By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
At the Tulalip Tribes Annual Salmon Ceremony, Vice-Chairman Glen Gobin spoke passionately about the importance of keeping Tulalip traditions alive on Saturday June 11, 2016. Inside the Longhouse, the Vice-Chairman expressed how great it was to see Tulalip youth involved in the culture, stating that they are Tulalip’s future generation, and teaching them the traditions of the Tulalip Tribes is top priority.
Glen asked for all of the fisherman and everybody who spent a large amount of their time on the water to come forward, and asked for blessings and safety throughout the season for the tribal members that now stood before him.
Traditional Tulalip songs echoed throughout the Longhouse as dancers in traditional regalia performed and the community members observed and enjoyed the ceremony.
The first salmon of the year was brought ashore, blessed and thanked for its sacrifice. The ceremony moved to the Donald Hatch Youth Center where a traditional feast was prepared. Before the ceremony concluded the remains of the first salmon were returned to the water, so that it’s spirit can tell all the salmon in the area of Tulalip’s gratitude, which results in a good season for the fisherman of Tulalip.
At a time of year when everybody feels extremely busy, and people are juggling work, graduations, holidays and social events, it was amazing and grounding to witness the community get together to carry on the traditions the Tulalip ancestors began.
