Kim Kalliber, Author at Tulalip News

By Kim Kalliber; photos by Matika Wilbur

SEATTLE, Washington – Photography can have such an impact on our lives. Discovering nature’s beauty and exploring new cultures and opening minds to new ideas, these concepts are all found in the work of Matika Wilbur. Her emotionally complex photographs examine how Native people face cultural dualities and the connection between their culture and contemporary pop culture.

Matika is from the Swinomish and Tulalip Tribes. Her work has been shown in regional, national and international venues, such as the Royal British Columbia Museum of Fine Arts, the Nantes Museum of Fine Arts in France, the Seattle Art Museum and the Burke Museum.

Now you can find Matika’s latest project on Kickstarter, a funding platform for creative projects. Kickstarter is an online site full of independent, ambitious and imaginative projects that are brought to life through direct support of others.

Matika’s project on Kickstarter, 562 A Photo Project Documenting Native America, is currently accepting donations. The goal is to create a publication, exhibition, and lecture series documenting all 562 Tribes in the United States, although the ultimate goal is education. Matika will be traveling the United States in a photo studio equipped RV, paying a visit to all 52 states, and all 562 Federally Recognized Tribes. She will be using these donations for travel expenses, film and darkroom supplies and website development.

“I am so excited about my upcoming journey,” said Matika. “I feel as though all of the work that I have done up until this point has prepared me for a project of this magnitude.”

Matika goes on to describe events in her life that led her to explore Native cultures through the camera lens.

“When I was 17 years old I got sober, and have remained sober for the last 11 years and it was because of this experience that I had the courage to pursue higher education at The Brooks Institute of Photography. After I graduated, I took my first internship with Round Earth Productions photographing indigenous people in South America, where I realized that I hadn’t ever photographed my own people – so I came home, and began ‘We Are One People,’ a series of character study portraits documenting Coast Salish Elders. ‘We Are One People’ hangs in the Tulalip Admin Building, and has been shown at several museums. The success of ‘We Are One People’ catapulted my career into projects that explore our “indian-ness.”

“All of those experiences led me back to Tulalip Heritage High School to teach photography, where I learned so much working with our youth, and really had the opportunity to re-connect,” Matika continued. “I didn’t realize that all of that travel, exhibition and teaching would lead me to this- but I’m glad that it did. I’m so grateful for all of the support that I’ve received from my family and friends, I feel so blessed.”

Funding levels vary on Kickstarter and each pledge level offers the backers specific items in return. For instance, with a pledge of $10 or more, backers will receive a digital copy of the “562” book, while a pledge of $2,500 or more will entitle backers to join Matika on the road for two days as she explores Indian Country, along with receiving the awards offered at the $1,000 level.

Matika will be having an “End of Kickstarter” bash on October 28th in Seattle, with live music performed by Kore Ionz and Bakra Bata. Visit www.matikawilbur.com for more information and location of this event.

This project will only be funded if at least $30,000 is pledged on Kickstarter by Novemer 1st. For information and to become a backer, visit www.kickstarter.com and enter 562 under “search projects.”

For more information on Matika Wilbur, visit www.matikawilbur.com.

Tulalip child found unresponsive in car, mother arrested

By Kim Kalliber

On October 8, 2012 the Tulalip Police Department received a call about an unresponsive infant found inside a parked car. Emergency services were dispatched to the 1000 block of Marine Drive. A 17-month-old girl was taken to Providence Medical Center where she was pronounced dead. Her two-year-old sister, also found in the car, was taken to Children’s Hospital in Seattle where she is expected to recover.

The girls’ mother, a Tulalip Tribal member, is being held at Snohomish County Jail, facing possible charges of endangerment and failure to care for the children.

Community members at Tulalip describe the mother as a “good mom,” despite the fact that within the past year, she was under investigation by the Department of Social and Health Services for allegations of abuse involving the younger girl. DSHS had closed its investigation for undisclosed reasons, but due to the death of the child after closure of the investigation, their fatality review board will review the case.

The incident is being investigated by the Tulalip Police Department in coordination with the FBI. An autopsy was performed, but the results are unavailable while the investigation is underway

Tulalip leader says Native voters help protect treaties

Article and photo submitted by F. Hillery

TULALIP, Washington – Don Hatch Jr., Tulalip Tribes Board of Director, and long time advocate for tribal children and education is appealing to all eligible Native Americans to vote in the general election.

“This is about protecting our Treaty and our future,” said Hatch. “We need to support the candidates who will represent our interests in Olympia and Washington D.C. – by voting we help to maintain our livelihood.”

There are many reasons why some Native Americans do not vote. Some feel that only the tribal political process is important to their interests. Others believe that because Native Americans are such a small percent of the larger U.S. population their votes do not matter. This couldn’t be further from the truth, says Hatch.

Hatch sees the protection of the Treaties as the number one reason why Native Americans should vote. “It has taken some time, but we have built good relationships with our representatives, who know our issues and are willing to defend them, and if we don’t vote for them, it is going to be more difficult to maintain our treaty rights.”

“Everything we do here in Tulalip begins with the Treaty,” said Hatch. “Housing, education, health care – these are all issues that are central to our well-being – and we need to do everything we can to make sure we elect representatives who understand why these issues are so important to us.”

Hatch is motivated to get out the Native Vote because he sees it as protecting future generations of Tulalip people. He would like to see more participation in the political process from young people because the tribe will one day be in their hands. “We need to get our young people to understand how important their participation in the political process is,” said Hatch. “Whether it is a tribal election, a school board election, or a general election – it all matters.”

Hatch has long been part of the local political process and has learned a few important lessons. The most important lesson is that every vote really does count. “One year when I was up for re-election to the school board I won by 113 votes. Afterwards I thought about all the Tulalip people who did not vote – if they had it wouldn’t have been so close.” This is important he said because that year his opponents were not friends of the Tribes and they would not have been advocates of tribal children getting a good education.

United Way Day of Caring brings people together

Article and photo by Jeannie Briones

Volunteers conduct basic maintenance and repairs at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club as part of the Snohomish County United Way Days of Caring.

On September 22^nd, early Sunday morning, volunteers came together to have some fun and get their hands dirty for the United Way Days of Caring event at the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club. Volunteers helped out with general maintenance and landscaping to beautify the club grounds and conduct basic repairs to the playground, which was built in 2008 with help of Home Depot and non-profit organization KaBOOM!

Days of Caring, organized by United Way of Snohomish County, are two-day events, committed to creating positive change and lending a much-needed hand to local non-profit agencies. This year, volunteers worked September 21-22 at Asbery Field, Pinewood Elementary School, Allen Creek and the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club. Organizations such as Community Transit and Aviation Technical Services Inc., along with community members, donated their time at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club.

“Having volunteers here from the United Way Days of Caring, from Community Transit, Aviation Technologies, community members and staff, and seeing them work so hard and telling us thank you for letting us be here, was very humbling,” said Diane Prouty, Administrator Assistant for the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club.

Volunteers were ready to move into action and with little direction from Tulalip Boys and Girls Club staff. Over 40 volunteers diligently worked to complete the maintenance projects within six hours.

Projects consisted of staining benches, picnic tables, garbage can holders, and playground edging, and even painting over the graffiti on the overpass. Grounds keeping included weeding, pruning, and small tree removal.

Diane was amazed how fast the volunteers moved and how well they all worked together. She walked away feeling blessed by the entire experience and would like to pay it forward and volunteer in the future.

United Way is a non-profit organization with a vision to see everyone in the community working together to create a brighter future. If you are interested in volunteering and would like to support your community, visit www.uwsc.org for more information.

Native Business: Cash is Fuel for a Business

By Jim Stanley

Cash to a business is like fuel to a car. A car without fuel will not run; a business without cash cannot pay employees and workers stop showing up, vendors that stop receiving payment for goods and services discontinue the supply, unpaid taxes are followed by warrants and monetary penalties –enlarging the amount due. Cash fuels a business’s activities making cash flow essential.

There are a number of things to remember to help keep enough cash in a business which will increase the probability of success –also reducing a lot of stress and pain for the owner.

If it is unclear how many dollars a business can afford to distribute to the owner, keep the money in the business until the amount is known. This means resist the urge to buy more things or distribute cash from the business’s operating account to the owner’s personal account –not as simple as it sounds when cash piles up during certain points in the business cycle.

Keep good financials. Over time the financials will tell a story. This story will provide a platform for making good decisions. Good decisions are likely to be followed by more net income and positive feelings associated with success. Bad decisions include pain and stress for the company.

If a business’s plan is to grow sales it is likely the cash needs of a business will also increase. If a business owner plans to grow sales by 30% and inventory is a component of the business model, the cash needed to purchase inventory is also likely to grow by 30% -this number should be simple to quantify. If a business model instead relies on transactional sales, employees like support staff and/or sales people are likely to increase.

Cash is fuel for a business.

Jim Stanley freely shares his knowledge and is a tribal member of the Quinault Nation, board member of the Northwest Native American Chamber, and Treasurer of the Tribal C-Store Summit. To contact Jim for comments, go to www.JimStanley.biz.

Rub foreheads with two of the greatest wine minds around

Leslie Sbrocco and Tommy Thompson will emcee the fast-paced, fun-filled discussion, “He Said, She Said.”

“He Said, She Said” Wine Seminar at Taste of Tulalip 2012

Press Release, Lisa Severn, Food & Beverage Director, Tulalip Casino Resort

Tulalip, Washington – Tulalip Resort Casino Sommelier Tommy Thompson has devised an exuberant way to learn about wine at the 4th annual Taste of Tulalip on November 9th and 10th. Attendees will have a chance to rub foreheads with two of the greatest wine minds around: racy wine raconteur Leslie Sbrocco (a.k.a Head Thirsty Girl) and wine wizard Tommy Thompson (Tulalip’s Head Drinks Dude). The duo will emcee a fast-paced, fun-filled discussion, “He Said, She Said” – an interactive wine journey, along with a panel of five top winemakers from around the globe.

Lucio Gomiero, Vignalta Pinot Bianco ‘Agno Casto’, Veneto, Italy, 2010. Vignalta was founded by Lucio Gomiero in 1980 and is located in the northern Italian region of Veneto, in an area called Colli Euganei. Before Lucio came on the scene, these wines could best be described as underachievers. Lucio saw the potential in the unique soil and topography of the land, treating his vineyards as if they were on French Bordeaux Grand Cru estates (which he emulates). He is now the recognized champion of the area, just as Angelo Gaja is in Piedmont and Robert Mondavi was in Napa.

Marc Perrin, Famille Perrin Chateau de Beaucastel Chateauneuf du Pape ‘Vielles Vigne’ Roussanne, France 2009. It is no coincidence Famille Perrin is the leading organic wine grower of the Southern Rhône Valley, where they occupy the region’s best terroir. Their values have given them a worldwide reputation for excellence: absolute respect for the soil, a commitment to manual methods and a deep belief in organic viticulture. Nature and tradition are key to the Famille Perrin way and this approach has continued seamlessly over five generations. Each wine is unique; organic and biodynamic approaches are used, as Perrin has mastered the art of blending and bringing out the freshness of the Southern aromas.

Ron Penner-Ash, Penner Ash Pinot Noir ‘Pas de Nom’, Willamette Valley, Oregon 2009. The winery’s self-avowed “mature cellar rat,” Ron loves the physicality of winemaking. Along with his cellar work and vineyard management, he has always been fascinated with technology and innovation. During his 20 years as a public school teacher in California and Oregon, Ron’s interest in technology and its potential classroom impact led to a collaborative grant with Oregon Public Broadcasting. “The wine industry’s annual cycle parallels that of teaching,” Ron says. “I’ve learned that Mother Nature can be more demanding than a pre-adolescent drama queen.”

Sean Boyd, Woodinville Wine Cellars Cabernet Franc, Washington State 2008. Boyd joined Woodinville Wine Cellars in 2002. Growing up in a Californian family surrounded by gourmet food, fine wines and journalism (his father is a professional wine critic), Sean began cultivating his craft at an early age. After working for five years at a California wine shop, Sean left home at age 20 to learn the art of fine winemaking. He traveled the world, visiting leading viticulture areas such as Australia, Portugal, Spain and New Zealand where he worked for several prominent wineries.

Heidi Barrett, La Serena Cabernet Sauvignon, Napa, California 2008. Barrett grew up in a Napa Valley winemaking family, and great genes have helped her to become one of California’s leading winemakers. It is said that winemaking is a combination of science and art. With a scientist-winemaker father (Richard Peterson) and an artist mother, it is no surprise that Heidi was drawn to the industry. With great enthusiasm, a love for what she does and an incredible wealth of experience, she blends the art and science of winemaking like few can. Heidi has been responsible for some of California’s most notable cult wines, including but not limited to: Screaming Eagle, Della Valle Vineyards, Grace Family Vineyards, Amuse Bouche, Showed Vineyards and Fantasia. She is a consultant for Diamond Creek Vineyards and Niobium-Coppola, and has her own wine label, La Serena.

Leslie and Tommy’s “He Said, She Said” seminar will take place on Saturday the 10th at 11:30 am in the Canoes Cabaret. It is offered as part of the Taste of Tulalip 2012 “All Access Pass” priced at $225 per person (which also includes a cooking demonstration with celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, the Private Magnum Party in the Impulse Lounge and the Grand Taste). More information and ticket purchase for the November event is available at www.tasteoftulalip.com.

About Tulalip Resort Casino: Tulalip Resort Casino has become the largest and most distinctive meeting, gaming, dining, entertainment and shopping destination in Washington State. The AAA Four Diamond resort destination’s world-class amenities have earned the property Condé Nast Traveler Gold List status and the Seattle Weekly 2012 Best of Award “Reader’s Choice – Best Casino”. With six dining venues, headlined by the exceptional Tulalip Bay (TB) restaurant and Blackfish Wild Salmon Grill and Bar (BF), the restaurants have been individually honored with awards from Wine Spectator “Best of Award of Excellence” (TB) and “Award of Excellence” (BF), the Washington Wine Commission “Award of Distinction” (BF) and “Grand Award” (TB) , the Seattle Magazine award for restaurant leadership in the business community (TB), to Wine Press Northwest’s “Herbies” for an “Outstanding Washington Wine List” (TB). The Taste of Tulalip, the resort’s annual signature food, wine and tradition event has also been recognized as the “Best Wine Event Featuring Washington Wine”. Tulalip is conveniently located between Seattle and Vancouver, B.C. just off Interstate-5 at exit 200 and is an enterprise of the Tulalip Tribes. For reservations please call (866) 716-7162 or visit www.tulalipresort.com

Why Vote?

Reasons To Vote: In Indian Country

Excuse:	Response:
“I don’t want to be on jury duty”	Most states no longer use voter registration to select jury pools, they more often use Drivers License.We need more Indian people to serve on juries. Many Natives being prosecuted have no Indians on their jury.
“Doesn’t do any good”	It’s important to vote and have your voice heard, collectively we can make change happen but we have to start with you and people like you from our/your community.
“No transportation”	Vote absentee or we’ll make arrangements or give you a ride to your polling place.
“I don’t believe in voting in local, state, federal elections”	The decisions made at all levels of government affect Indian people—we need to vote to ensure that our issues will be heard.
“Too complicated,” “I don’t know how”	Set up a mock voting booth and walk them through it (sample ballots, process, etc.). You can take someone with you to the polls to help you vote.
“I don’t know who they [candidates] are”	Would you like some information? (provide info for candidate, info on race, local issues)
“My vote won’t count anyway”	Give explanation of Indian vote and importance of it. Give examples of where Native vote has counted and made the difference in the outcome. (WA, SD, MT, AK or the election in 2000 in Florida).Give examples of close tribal council elections.
“Too busy to vote”	Voting is not to time consuming and most employer’s give you time off to go and vote.
“I’m a felon”	Do you know your status? States vary on laws governing felons and voting. Often, a felon serves out a conviction and all rights are restored. Let me check for you and will get back to you.
“I don’t know the issues”	You can go to our website at www.nativevote.org or your state mails out voter candidacy guides to every registered voter. Are you registered to vote?
“I’m not political”	You don’t have to be political to vote. It’s your right and privilege to vote.
“I don’t like politics”	Why? Rebuttle
“I don’t have a permanent address”	You can use the address where you are currently residing.
“Don’t want to waste my time”	Why do you think it is a waste of time? Here are some reasons why I do not think voting is a waste of time. First, decisions are made daily that affect us in Indian country and if we do not participate, no one will ever listen to our issues. Second, “they” tried to keep us from voting for hundreds of years, many Indian people fought for our right to vote, we should take advantage of that.
“I can’t get time off”	Most employers give at least an hour off to vote. Our Tribe allows “give amount of time” off for voting. U.S. government allows at least two hours off.
“Can’t get babysitting”	Bring your kids to the polls! It’s never too early to begin to teach young people about voting. I will come with you.
“I’m in college/boarding school/military and missed deadline for absentee ballot”	Some states allow you to vote at the elections office up until election. You can also vote on Election day.
“Wasn’t reminded”	We will call and remind you about dates
“It’s not cool, it’s for old people”	It’s for everyone and in the past election, young people voted in record numbers. It’s cool to make a difference.We have many young athletes, actors, rappers, hip hop stars that are voting and being spokespeople in their communities about the importance of voting.
“I don’t know if I’m eligible	We can register you now, if you aren’t, you will be, if you are already, than you definitely will be registered.
“I can’t read or hear”	You can bring someone to the booth to assist you. this person can be a family member or one of the poll workers. Have volunteers—will have it scheduled for pick up to leave with neighbors/relatives
“I’m disabled”	Can vote by absentee ballot or we can provide assistance.Get together to do registration/absentee voting.
“No one wants to help me”	That’s what I am here to do! You can vote by absentee ballot. If I don’t have the answers or resources you need I will find them for you.
“I don’t trust machines”	Encourage them to vote absentee. Check state voting guidelines (state voter guide), for example, in Idaho, you can choose paper, etc.
“Voting is for white people”	That is what they want you to think so you are not represented. Voting is for everyone, that is the only way your issues are heard. Do you want white people to decide your future and rights?
“The decision has already been made” [Decision has been made by voters in the east]	Your vote still counts! (Where it matters most locally)The media is NOT always a reliable or honest source, don’t go by what you hear—get to the polls and make sure you did your part!
“I don’t know where to vote”	Call county elections office/clerk and give address. They will tell you where you are to vote. Call Secretary of States office or go with a friend.

Heritage Hawks triumph over Rainer Christian Mustangs

Article by Sarah Miller and Brian Berry

In the 2012 Heritage Hawks football opener, a home game played at Quil Ceda Stadium on the Maysville/Pilchuck High School campus, the Tulalip Heritage Hawks hit the field looking strong and determined. The weather was still quite warm for the 5pm kick-off on Saturday, September 8^thand both teams looked fired-up and eager to play. The Heritage Hawks scored first, within the first minute of play, and never looked back. By Halftime the Rainier Christian Mustangs managed to put only 6 points on the scoreboard against the 20 points earned by Tulalip Heritage.

After the half the Hawks dominated the Mustangs and won the contest with a final score of 60 to 14. D.J. Kidd, twelfth grade tailback for the Hawks, ran for 135 yards and scored three of the touchdowns for the team. The Hawks scored twelve points in the first quarter, eight points in the second, twenty for the third and another twenty for the fourth quarter. Let it be noted that the Heritage coaches didn’t intentionally run up the score. Heritage just dominated Rainier Christian, and short of stopping and waiting to be tackled, the scoring came as part of normal play. It’s a nice start to their football season; let’s hope they keep their momentum going.

You can watch the Heritage Hawks game on-demand at www.kanutv.com. Click on “Sports” at the top right of your computer screen and navigate to Heritage Hawks Boys FOOTBALL vs. Rainier Christian Mustangs 9-8-12.

Let Move! in Indian Country

By Sarah Miller
Nowadays, it is hard to instill healthy choices in our children. Why cook a nutritious meal when fast food is so readily available? Why go outside and play with your children when it’s easier to set them in front of the television with a video game? We live in a fast paced world where people have a desire for quick and easy. While it makes life simpler, it can cause problems in the long run. By not encouraging your child to eat the right foods and exercise regularly, the child can start to put on too much weight. While no parent wants to deny their child what they want, they end up contributing accidentally to their child’s obesity. No one is perfect, but there is a way to start making mindful decisions about how much exercise your child gets and what they put in their body. The Let’s Move in Indian Country program is here to help!
Created by First Lady Michelle Obama, the Let’s Move program began in February 2010, with the intent to tackle the obesity problem in children in the United States. Over the past three decades, obesity rates have tripled. A majority of the increase in childhood obesity since 2004 has occurred in Native American and Alaska Native children. This prompted the First Lady to take measures to get these numbers down and to reduce risks such as diabetes and asthma in native children. In May of 2011, Let’s Move! In Indian Country, a program aimed specifically for combating the obesity problem in Native American children, began.
One in three children are overweight by the age of five in Indian Country, according to the Let’s Move website. This program is an initiative to solve the obesity problem within a generation. It will help children grow up healthier and teaches them to make wiser choices when it comes to what they eat and how they exercise.
The program looks to tribal communities and leaders to help set examples of proper diet and exercise for children. By doing this, Native children will grow, thrive and meet their potential. In addition, it reduces many health risks. Healthy eating, combined with proper exercise, can reduce health risks such as heart disease, cancer and strokes.
Let’s Move works by utilizing four main goals specifically designed for this program. The goals are creating a healthy start on life, developing healthy learning communities, increasing physical activities, and increasing access to affordable, healthy and traditional foods. For those interested, the Let’s Move! in Indian Country website has a variety of tools for parents and community members that help them make better lifestyle choices not only for their kids, but themselves as well.
At the Let’s Move! in Indian Country website, www.letsmove.gov, parents are offered a way to look at how they can change the diet of their children. There are tips for setting up meal plans for your kids and it even offers traditional healthy recipes. While on the website you can also sign up for the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) challenge. PALA is not just for kids but adults too. This program requires you to maintain a healthy diet and exercise for six weeks. Adults are required to get thirty minutes of daily exercise for five days a week while kids are required to get sixty minutes of exercise a day. The challenge also helps you set up healthy eating goals. Visit the website to get signed up and to get more information on the challenge.
It may seem difficult to make these kinds of lifestyle changes, but there is help to be found at Tulalip. Sara Pattison, Dietician at the Karen Fryberg Health Clinic, offers insight on what kinds of foods to eat or shop for and how to plan meals. Her number is 360-716-5626. Also at the health clinic is Patrece Gates, Fitness Trainer. She can assist you with an exercise plan. And you can visit her fitness room to do a little exercising to see where you are physically and how much you can handle. Her number is 360-716-5643.
But that’s not it. Tulalip Youth Services has open gym at the Don Hatch Gym Greg Williams Court. With school starting, you can encourage your child to get into school sports. And don’t forget that all Tulalip tribal members have a free membership to the Marysville YMCA, where you can use the exercise equipment, take a yoga or zumba class, or even just swim around in the pool.
It’s a big lifestyle change that can seem scary and intimidating when it comes to a child, but it will benefit them in the long run. Just take it one step at a time and join in with their healthy lifestyle change.

Show us your backpack! Students sort through hundreds of backpacks at annual back to school event

Sage Herrera is shows off how big her new back pack is

Article and photos by Brandi N. Montreuil
“I’ve been coming to this [event] since I was in the 1st grade, this year the backpacks are pretty awesome, and the backpack distribution helps my family out a lot with the back to school cost,” said Jazlynn Gibson who is entering the 8th grade.

Joining Jazlyn were kids of all ages to kick off the final stages of back to school preparations with the annual Tulalip Tribes backpack distribution on August 28th, at Quil Ceda and Tulalip Elementary schools.

The Tulalip Tribes Education Department, with help from the Johnson-O’Malley grant, has provided much needed backpacks stuffed with school supplies, according to age and grade, free to Native American students enrolled in the Marysville School District.

Last year an amazing 1,400 backpacks were prepared and this year the backpacks were in no shortage as new kindergarten and Montessori students joined the lines to choose their backpacks.

This year, computer tablets were used to check students in and out faster. With a quick show of the students’ tribal ID and a signature scrawled across the tablet, the information was quickly recorded and students were on their way to enjoy the free activities the event hosts every year, such as a gaming station, bouncy house, rock climbing, and tasty treats.

Students who were unable to attend the day’s events will not miss out on the yearly choosing of backpacks. All unclaimed backpacks will be held throughout the school year until the students can claim them.

Now that backpacks have been chosen, the students will say goodbye to summer vacation and look forward to the first day of class. We wish all the students a fantastic school year!