By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
With Tulalip Bay serving as a scenic backdrop, the Kenny Moses Building pulsed with energy and laughter this past week as 60 elementary-aged boys and girls gathered for the 28th annual Lushootseed Camp. The vibrant, week-long immersive experience was dedicated to preserving Tulalip’s ancestral language and cultural traditions.
Hosted by the devoted Language Warriors, plus the assistance of 23 summer youth workers, the camp offered a fun summer diversion for students only a few weeks into their school-free season. For many families, this opportunity provided crucial cultural learning during hot summer days when children might otherwise be at home, disconnected from community and spending zero time outside.
“It’s really exciting to think about the history and all the success that our Lushootseed children’s circle, better known as Lushootseed Camp, has achieved over the past 30 years. During that entire time, we only missed two summers because of the pandemic,” reflected department director, lead instructor and lifelong Language Warrior, Natosha Gobin. “In week one we had 60 kids participate. I just want to say thank you to all the parents and guardians who continue to trust us with their kids, and for encouraging them to be a part of keeping our language and culture alive.”
Each day, from June 7 to June 11, the Kenny Moses Building and its surrounding grounds were transformed into a learning village. Campers rotated through a variety of stations, each uniquely designed to bring the Lushootseed language and Tulalip traditions to life in fun, creative ways.
Inside the woodworking station, instructors Michelle and Thomas guided children in crafting miniature chipmunk houses, which was an engaging nod to the week’s culminating play performance. Campers also created wind chimes from Devil’s Club, a plant traditionally used for medicine and tools.
“The kids learn Lushootseed words for the materials, but also how important these plants, like Devil’s Club, were and still are to our people,” said Thomas.
At the weaving station, instructor Melissa introduced campers to traditional wool work. Children learned how to wash wool and even wove whimsical designs and yarn berry baskets. The kids fine finger skills were carefully honed as Melissa taught the Lushootseed names for each step.
In the traditional teachings station, Jasmyne guided campers through Lushootseed flashcards covering animals, nature, and everyday words, connecting vocabulary to everyday cultural practices. Campers also made fresh berry jam, learning Lushootseed terms for berries, cooking tools, and ingredients.
Assisting Jasmyne, Melissa, and any other camp instructor who required extra assistance was the recent college graduate Jacynta Myles. She recalled spending nearly every summer at Lushootseed camp both as a participant, then as a group leader, so it only made sense that she volunteer as an assistant.
“It’s such a different light being able to witness today’s kids go through the same experience I did as a kid,” shared Jacynta. “Knowing I’m an adult in the room now and have a responsibility to help the kids learn and realize these are the steps to keep our culture alive, it’s empowering. Helping them learn Lushootseed is practice for me, too, and makes us all better as a collective. That’s what we should be striving towards as a Tribe, making everyone better.”
Outside, in the summer sun and the occasional bay breeze, instructor Lois kept the kids active with a mix of games and cultural play. Children pretended to fish, practiced building whale shelters, and raced each other in lively games of tag.
The language station, led by John and Angel, turned familiar games into linguistic adventures. Children played Connect 4 and Plinko, calling out colors, numbers, and directions entirely in Lushootseed. Games like these can make language fun and build confidence.
Technology also played a powerful role in the week-long camp. Dave and Brian transformed tablet devices into modern Lushootseed learning tools that the kids could navigate all too well. Campers used the devices to learn traditional songs, practice lines for the upcoming play, watch Lushootseed storytelling videos, and play interactive language games.
“Technology is a big part of the kids’ lives nowadays. There’s just no getting around that,” said Dave. “So instead of resisting technology and modern-day software, we’re using it to keep Lushootseed relevant and exciting for the kids. It makes me quite happy to watch and listen when a returning camp kid teaches a first-timer how to use his or her tablet. That, to me, shows how much they learned and how excited they get to pass on what they learned.”
In the art station, Nikki and Kylee guided children through making story bracelets and puppets as they read aloud two traditional stories, “How Chipmunk Got Its Stripes” and “Owl & Chipmunk”. Each bead color on the bracelets represented a key element of the story or a camper’s emotions as they recalled lessons learned from the adventurous chipmunks. Campers also created puppets for retelling stories of the Lushootseed legend at home.
All week, campers also spent time with Natosha, learning the songs and practicing lines for the big performance. Under her guidance, they mastered the berry picking song and siyaway, a popular song amongst Tulalip families that celebrates community spirit.
The culmination of the week came on Friday afternoon, when families and community members gathered in the Kenny Moses Building for the youth performance of “How Chipmunk Got Its Stripes” and “Owl & Chipmunk”. The campers made their mock big stage debut and acted out the two stories entirely in Lushootseed. The tales, rich with humor and life lessons, explain how Chipmunk’s daring words to Owl and Basket Lady led to the stripes along its back.
As the children delivered their lines and songs with an understandable mix of nervousness, excitement and pride, the audience responded with laughter, applause and visible emotion. For many parents and elders, the performance was an afternoon entertainment rich with reminders that the language of their ancestors continues to live on.
“Instead of being home telling me they are bored and what to do something, my kids came here every day excited to learn,” shared momma bear Michelle Martin of her three boys attending week one of camp. “They’d get home wanting to teach me and their dad the Lushootseed words they learned. They’d even quiz us on the words to make sure we were listening.”
When the Friday play ended, the campers departed the Kenny Moses Building clutching their handmade crafts, some still singing Lushootseed songs, and waving to new friends. Several children expressed their already great anticipation for next year’s camp.
“It was so much fun!” said 9-year-old Anthony Martin Jr., who was joined at camp by his two younger brothers. “I thought it would be not that fun with my brothers here, but it was. We got to make jam, windchimes, went to the beach and football field, played tag every day. Next year, I think I want to have a speaking role in the play. That would be cool.”
Added 11-year-old Deion Edge, who had a speaking role in this year’s play, “It is cool to have a speaking role. Two years ago, I had an acting role but didn’t get to say anything. I enjoyed being a part of the play and wanted to keep getting bigger parts. This year, I got a speaking role and showed my family and friends who came to watch how well I can speak Lushootseed. Now that the play is over, I feel amazing and hope everyone continues using and learning Lushootseed.”
If young Anthony and Deion words ring true, then the 28th annual Lushootseed Camp proves that even summer break can be a time of communal learning and memorable fun. Their energy, their spirits, and their hunger for more language is the fuel that keeps the cultural fires burning.