Love=Love: Tulalip Celebrates LGBTQ2S+ Community

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Tulalip’s annual LGBTQ+ celebration experienced quite the glow up this year, moving from the small concession area of the ball fields to the spacious Gathering Hall. New location, same good times, with the addition of more activities and more room for event goers to get their groove on. 

The vibrant colors of the rainbow flag and the transgender flags served as official colors of the celebration and decorated the entire Hall on the afternoon of August 4, including in a variety of balloon arrangements and dessert displays. Everywhere you looked, people were smiling ear to ear and laughing whole heartedly amongst friends and family. The major inspiration behind this gathering was to create a fun environment where tribal and community members, who identify as LGBTQ+ or 2-spirit, could build community and celebrate their lifestyle in a safe space. 

From the get-go, the pride event has been a smash hit in the community and has seen both great attendance and participation. During the planning phase of the first pride celebration in 2020, event organizer and Tulalip community member, Phoenix Two Spirit (Cree), shared, “It is so very important for the 2-spirit community to be included in all of Indian Country, in all the councils, education, youth, advisory committees – It’s part of the decolonization process, recognizing that 2-spirit people have been in the Indigenous community since time immemorial. And it’s time to recognize that there is a place for 2-spirit people in the tribal community, that they hold a special place. This is not new. This is reclaiming our past.”

The gathering is sponsored and organized by the Problem Gambling Program. Coordinator Sarah Sense Wilson assured they are just getting started, and there’s still much work to be done in embracing and showing support to our local LGBTQ+ community. 

Said Sarah, “I would love to bring in even more people and have more visibility to honoring, and respecting, and holding up our 2-spirit relatives. I know in different pockets of the community that there is still a non-acceptance. Even though there’s this idea that we’re a community of inclusiveness, we know that we’re not there yet. And I don’t mean just Tulalip, I mean nationwide. And so, anything that we can do to keep moving the needle forward and marching forward and celebrating and honoring and including everybody, the healthier our communities are overall. That’s my hope. It would be wonderful to have more Tribal leaders participate as well. I wish we had more Coast Salish drumming and singing, an opening prayer in Lushootseed, and just those kinds of elements.”

DJ Monie

Aptly dubbed ‘Pride Everyday’, this particular celebration also includes a healthy dose of culture. Indigenous pride was on full display as attendees participated in events such as the popular fashion contest, which categories include best ribbon skirt, best ribbon shirt, and best earrings. And of course, there ain’t no party like a DJ Monie party, who returned this year and provided all the classic summertime jams throughout the afternoon. Also returning for the third consecutive year was MC Randy Vendiola and Grand Marshal Sage Vendiola, who ensured everything went smoothly and according to schedule, with both good humor and grace. 

With the additional space, Sarah called in a few programs to host resource booths. Event goers could learn about the services that programs like beda?chelh, the Legacy of Healing, and the Healing to Wellness Court offer, all while obtaining free swag, playing games, creating arts and crafts, getting temporary tattoos, and building sage bundles. 

Indigenous author Sasha LaPointe (Upper Skagit/Nooksack), who wrote Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk, was the guest of honor at this year’s event. Sasha held a live reading of her book, as well as a signing, and everyone in attendance received a free copy of her work. 

The five-hour event concluded with a dance party that has now officially become a yearly tradition. Everyone joins together to leave it all on the dance floor, getting down to jams like the Cha Cha Slide, the Macarena, and We Are Family.

Following the gathering, DJ Monie shared a parting message, “Thank you for all the folks who showed up today to represent. It means a lot to our community to be heard, seen, acknowledged, and included. Keep up the good work in including all of us, because at the end of the day, there’s no difference in sexual orientation when you take your last breath. Love one another. Be more compassionate of the people who are around because you never know who is listening. One of my friends’ kid was using the word gay as a slander. If I didn’t correct him, he wouldn’t know better. If you see someone using words like gay in a demeaning way, correct them, because it only perpetuates separation if we continue to allow it.” 

Embracing wellbriety for healing and empowerment

Desiree Dumont

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

There’s been a surge of Native American communities across the country embracing the concept of wellbriety. In its purest form, wellbriety is a culture-centered movement that goes beyond sobriety to include holistic healing, cultural reconnection, and community empowerment. Rooted in tradition, wellbriety offers a culturally resonant approach to recovery, addressing not just substance use but the deep-seeded historical trauma that often underlies addiction.

Back in the summer of 2023, Tulalip’s Family Services and Problem Gambling program partnered up to bring the wellbriety movement back to Tulalip. After an exclusive training called the Medicine Wheel and the 12 steps, created by Native American nonprofit White Bison, the wellbriety movement was officially relaunched within our reservation. 

“Hopefully [the concept of wellbriety] helps bring a better understanding because it talks a lot about intergenerational trauma,” explained licensed chemical dependency counselor, Robin Johnson. “So, with a better understanding of that and also their own family dynamics, this gives them an understanding of where it started, why it’s happened within their families, and why it continues to happen.”

By providing that must-needed understanding that lays at the root of the cause, wellbriety aims to arm adults with the power and cultural know how to take back control of their lives. They are first taught how, then empowered to re-chart their lives with healthy choices and healthy behaviors.

“What sets [wellbriety] apart is the medicine wheel. You do the steps in a circle,” Robin further explained. “In the linear way, when you relapse you start over. In A.A. or N.A., you start over. But with the medicine wheel, it’s a continuous circle, so you continue moving forward. That makes a huge difference.”

Continuing to move forward could’ve been the theme behind the most recent wellbriety celebration hosted at the Kenny Moses Building on August 2. An estimated 80 individuals came together to create an atmosphere of strength and support for their peers who are actively working towards wellbriety for the first time, tenth time, or wherever they may be within circle.

One of the defining features of wellbriety is its emphasis on community and family support. Programs often involve not just the individual in recovery but also their family and community members. This collective approach creates a sense of shared responsibility and support, which is essential for sustained recovery and well-being. With that in mind, the most recent wellbriety celebration began in traditional communal fashion. First with a healing song offered up by Andrew Williams, followed by Helen Gobin-Henson prayer.

“These events, whether sobriety-based or wellbriety-based, are so beautiful because they continue to bring those who are in recovery together. They are giving the families an opportunity to celebrate the changes they’ve made to their lives and all their accomplishments they’ve made along the way,” acknowledged Helen. She’s been a sponsor to so many over the years its impossible for her to even guess a number, but one number she does know exactly is the number of years she has clean and sober – a whopping 36 years.

“We gather to celebrate every day these young people have chosen the red road and to be in recovery. We gather to show them support and serve as the reminder they may need that they are not alone in this journey, no matter how difficult it might seem, they are not alone. Because we can do together what we can never do alone,” added the Tulalip matriarch.

The ultimate goal of wellbriety is to restore harmony within families and communities. This is achieved through activities that promote collective healing and the strengthening of supportive relationships. By focusing on the well-being of the community as a whole, wellbriety creates an environment where individuals are more likely to succeed in their recovery journeys.

On this particular evening, five inspirational individuals, all of whom are well on their way to wellbriety, took to the middle of the Kenny Moses Building floor one by one. Each offered up their stories of struggle, hitting rock bottom, and recounting the resources they implemented to find their way back.

Desiree Dumont (42)

“In the beginning, the hardest part of my recovery was accountability because it was never my fault. It was always someone else’s fault. It took a lot of acceptance, a lot of encouragement from my community, and many long looks at the person in the mirror. An ankle monitor didn’t stop me from using. Jail didn’t stop me from using. It wasn’t until I saw how hurt and unhappy my kids were; the moment I recognized that I was the cause of their pain and in that moment, I couldn’t blame anyone else but me. I got clean for them, but along the way I realized how much I really wanted to change myself for the better.

I didn’t want to live the rest of my life with that anger and pain that always needed to be numbed away because if I did, then I could pass it on to my children. I stand before you all now a different person than I was 18-months ago. My consistency to be clean and sober is allowing me to make a better life me for me and my children. I’ve regained my license, a bank account, and, most importantly, custody of my kids. I’m a better mom and a better Desiree.”

Verle Smith and Mitch Matta

Mitch Matta (46)

“I got clean and sober exactly 650 days ago. Like most of you, I was brought into this world watching people around me use. My father was my hero. I grew up watching him drink at least a fifth of his favorite drink R&R every day. I watched as his skin turned yellow from Jaundice. Eventually, he died of Cirrhosis of the liver in 2009. My father, my hero lost his battle to the bottle. After he died, it was easy for me to pick up that lifestyle.

I just want to stress that for me, and many others, social isolation is the trigger to use. If you know anybody who is in recovery and is in a state of isolation, then reach out to them. You have no idea how much it means to know people care. A simple phone call or text asking “how are you?” could mean the world to somebody.

After I got my year clean, my daughters moved back in with me. Their support gives me the strength to stay clean. I want to be their hero, like my dad was to me. I still have my difficult days, and when those days happen I’m thankful for my counselor Robin Johnson, the staff at the Recovery Resource Center, and the Healing Lodge. Their willingness to listen and offer encouragement is good medicine. So much so that I want to open my door to anybody and spread the word of recovery and ensure that my life revolves around being clean and sober.”

Janelle Lierman (50)

“We’re in recovery because we chose moments of fake happiness over real happiness. Fake happiness being those fleeting moments of being high, drunk, or winning at the casino. But that fake happiness is the occasional byproduct of a much larger set destructive, addictive, and life consuming behaviors that we ultimately could not control. That is why we’re in recovery.

When I was gambling, all I thought about was when I could get back to the casino again and where I could get more money from. I often gambled away my entire pay check, every week. I lied to everyone to cover up where I was and what I was doing. But at some point, each of us has decided that we had enough. Whether it was an intervention by those who love us, a criminal offense, or a near death experience, something made each of us realize we had a problem and needed to do something about it. For me, it was getting fired from my job and having to come clean to my husband.

I attend 5 to 6 recovery-based events every week because that’s what works for me. I’m very proud to say that I’ve been sober for over 15-months. The road has been anything but easy, and it’s a road that I will travel the rest of my life. I’ve learned that loving myself and forgiving myself is the first and most important step to finding healing and forgiveness in the relationships that I damaged with my addiction. I didn’t become a compulsive gambler overnight. I spent nearly 15 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars feeding my addiction. It would be unrealistic to think recovery would take any less dedication. Now, honesty, open-mindedness and accountability are the key words of my recovery. 

Verle Smith (58)

“At the beginning it was a struggle. I didn’t know which way to go. I had to give it to my higher power, listen up and work on myself. It slowly got brighter. There have been struggles, I’ve relapsed multiple times, but I continue to brighten up and just punch forward.

My daughter is here with me today. You have no idea what this means to me. I now have the opportunity to be around family and to really find a sense of inner peace on the water. I love it. I still struggle today, but every morning I have the opportunity for another day, so I’m living it one day at time. 

If it wasn’t for the Wellness Court, I don’t know where I’d be, if I’d even still be here. They gave me the opportunity to experience something that works for my life and I’m grateful for it. I do my mediation prayer and I believe that’s the key, make sure you say your morning prayers. I talk to a lot of people every day, like my best friend. Him and my family are my inspiration to fight harder for other people who need it. I love that people still have my back after everything.”  

Christopher Solomon,  (49)

“I’ve been in and out of treatment since I was 15-years-old. When I was growing up, I thought drinking and using drugs was normal. I remember watching my mom put alcohol in my siblings’ bottles and thinking ‘if she is doing that to them, then she did that to me.’ They’d have these huge parties at their house or my aunt’s house. There would always be a big stack of beer and it would all be gone by the end of the party

Drinking was so normal for me my entire life. Getting drunk, then sobering up just to get drunk again. I’m trying to make being sober normal now. My clean date is 12-26-23.”

The impact of wellbriety on our community is profound as evidenced by the truth to power spoken by Desiree, Mitch, Janelle, Verle and Christopher. Through the dedicated staff of Family Services, Problem Gambling, and the Recovery Resource Center, a culturally relevant and empowering path to recovery is now more accessible than ever before. Through wellbriety, individuals struggling with addiction can find a renewed sense of purpose, cultural connection, and hope for the future. 

Concluding, the wellbriety celebration was a countdown of days sober. Collectively, there was nearly 340 years of sobriety within the Kenny Moses Building’s walls. The next wellness celebration is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, October 24. Be on the look out for a syəcəb flyer with official time, date, and location later this fall. 

Theresa Jones

Theresa February 4, 1949 – Marie Hayes McBride Jones Theresa Marie Hayes McBride Jones born on February 4, 1949 was a beloved member of the Tulalip Tribes and ancestry from the Suquamish/Duwamish and Quinault Tribes of Washington State, she passed away peacefully on July 30th 2024. 

Theresa was the daughter of Marjorie Lydia Hayes and Harold McBride of the Quinault Tribe. Theresa was a proud descendant of Chief Seattle of the Suquamish and Duwamish Tribes. 

Her legacy will continue through her surviving children, Charles Alden Jones, Aron Jones, Michele Jones, Yvette Perrantes Jones and Matthew Teague. Theresa’s passing leaves a void in the hearts of her family and community, she will be remembered for her warrior spirit and resilience. 

A celebration of her life will be held Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024 at 10 AM at the Tulalip Gathering Hall with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.

Power Paddle to Puyallup makes memorable pit stop in Tulalip Bay

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Since 1989’s iconic Paddle to Seattle, a remarkable cultural revival has taken place across the Pacific Northwest, known to the tribes therein as Coast Salish territory. Sovereign tribal nations from Alaska to Oregon have united nearly every summer since ’89 to travel the sacred waters in honor and celebration of our common canoe culture. 

The annual summer time event, dubbed Canoe Journey, has a deep cultural and spiritual significance not just to the Tulalip Tribes but all tribal communities connected by the Salish Sea. A tradition passed down from the ancestors, Canoe Journey has been practiced in one form or another for millennia. The 2024 rendition has taken on an adaptive form due to some unforeseen complications. 

Earlier this year, the previously planned route to Ahousaht First Nation in British Columbia was quickly and abruptly upended after Ahousaht leadership put out a press release stating they would not be hosting journeys. 

“Ahousaht and the surrounding region, including the District of Tofino, are not prepared to host the 2024 Canoe Journeys. Ahousaht and Tofino currently lack the necessary infrastructure to effectively and safely host the volume of canoe families that participate in Canoe Journeys,” read the February released statement.

The ripples caused by their decision were quickly minimized before they could form full on tidal waves. Thanks to quick action taken by Puyallup elder Connie McCloud and her tribal council. 

“We saw on Facebook that Ahousaht, who was to host this summer, declined because they needed more time to prepare for hosting thousands of people. Ahousaht is a very small island off of the west side of Vancouver Island, and so people respected that,” recalled Connie, who holds the esteemed position of Puyallup’s heritage manager. “Then the next day, I got another phone call from my Tribal Council that said, “So, what are we going to do?” And I said, “Well, we’re thinking about doing a Youth Journey.” And they said, “Let’s do it. Let’s host.”

Just like that, the Power Paddle to Puyallup was spoken into existence. Participating tribes made the necessary adjustments to accommodate a new schedule with a new route, protocol times, and an agreed upon overnight, camping schedule.

Some confusion, and a whole lot of excitement, surrounded the idea of just what exactly a youth canoe journey was. Youth-only? No adults? What about elders?

These questions and the aforementioned confusion were put to rest when Connie McCloud clarified, “The whole point of this Youth Journey is to teach our children so that you have the adults, you have the elders, working with the youth to train them to be in the leadership position. It doesn’t eliminate anybody. It puts the focus on training our youth. 

“If your canoe is largely adults and elders and you have two youth, how lucky are they? They have this handful of people who can give them instruction, give them teachings and show them a direction; put them up there doing the welcoming greetings, doing their Protocol, being that voice for your canoe.”

How each tribe embraced the notions Connie put forward regarding a youth journey were unique to each canoe family. Evident by the mesmerizing moments that were created on Saturday, July 27, when 23 tidal-powered canoes made their highly anticipated arrival on the banks of Tulalip Bay.

Clearly, some tribes took the youth part of youth journey to heart by assembling canoe crews of teenagers and newly minted adults. Others stuck to the old ways and filled their canoe with seaworthy veterans. The majority of canoes that landed within the heart of Tulalip had a more equitable combination of youth, adult, and elder.

Many of the canoe families empowered a youth to come front and center upon arriving in Tulalip Bay. They eagerly accepted the microphone and were given the platform to ask permission for their canoe family to come ashore. Awaiting their request while perched on a Tulalip Bay bluff with her mom and auntie flanking her with all the confidence they could muster, was 13-year-old Tiyanna Bueno. The Tulalip youth switched back and forth between Lushootseed and English as she gave one canoe family after another permission to come ashore, enjoy a hearty meal, and rest up from the day’s long pull. 

Among the many visitors enjoying the sights and sounds of a Canoe Journey arrival was a very far from home Navy specialist who found comfort in the gathered community’s embrace of the canoe families.  The 25-year-old Tyrann Bowlin is from Jacksonville, Florida, but stationed locally at Naval Station Everett. He and a cohort of his fellow Navy men graciously accepted the critical role of canoe carriers for the afternoon.

“This is an incredible event to be experiencing for the first time. It’s my first time on a reservation period and I’m really enjoying how close knit the community seems to be,” shared Navy specialist Bowlin in between canoe carries. “Just witnessing how these people have been on the water all day canoeing and now coming home to such a welcoming is beautiful. It’s the same thing we do as Navy members. We go out for weeks or months at a time and then come home to our loved ones.”

In a true moment of profound cross-cultural clarity, while standing just mere feet from the Tulalip Longhouse and where a dozen canoes lay peacefully, he added, “Us as Navy members and you all as Native Americans got the same fight and warrior toughness.”

Fight to paddle countless strokes for dozens on dozens of nautical miles on the Salish Sea. Toughness to proudly carry on a canoe culture passed on from past warriors who resisted assimilation and protected the most precious of traditional teachings for future generations to practice. These are the endearing takeaways from this year’s Canoe Journey, the Power Paddle to Puyallup, as experienced from a quick, overnight pitstop in heart of Tulalip Bay.

Canoe Journey is a way of life

Words by Shane McLean; photos by Kalvin Valdillez

I’m excited for our youth to go be Indians in a more traditional way, to decolonize a little and go live, learn, and travel closer to how our ancestors did. Our traditions and culture are a lived experience. You cannot feel or learn what canoe journey is at school or in a book, you have to be there to fully understand.

 

It is a blessing from the creator and the cedar tree to be able to travel on the water in a canoe. This is where our people and youth get balance in their lives. When you learn to respect the water, you learn to respect yourself, because we are water, and this journey helps strengthen that connection. 

There is so much to learn while on the journey, we honor the circle everyone is a part and everyone has a voice, we all get to witness sunrise ceremonies, learning new and old ways of prayer. There are teachings from the cedar tree, we honor our canoes for sacrificing itself for us to travel. 

When we are on the canoe, we travel with a good mind and heart to show respect for the cedar tree, our family on the canoe, and the water. All of these things have the ability to feel energy, water amplifies emotions and holds memory, this all teaches us how we should be on the journey of life and how to treat nature and one another.

We not only ask permission from the canoe to be on the water, but we also ask permission to come ashore of our relative’s homelands that we visit. We are taught to leave things better then when we arrived. This is travelling in a good way. 

Our youth will be learning what it means to be a good host to our guests and how to travel in a good way. Singing a song is one of the nicest things that we can do as humans, and when we dance it shows that we are happy. It all spreads good energy and vibes to help uplift others and ourselves.

Our youth will get to witness and learn what it means to be potlatch people. These are just some of the things I’m excited for our youth to be a part of. There is so much more, but you just have to be there.

Thank you and have a good journey!

William “BJ” David Jones Jr. 

William “BJ” David Jones Jr. was born in Everett, WA on April 5th, 1966, to his parents Carol Ann Williams Hunter and William “Billy” David Jones Sr. He was taken from us suddenly on July 18th, 2024, Tulalip, Wa. He was a lifetime Tulalip member, Fisherman, husband, son, uncle, great uncle, teammate and friend to many. 


He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Juanita Bauer Jones and his fur babies, his mother Carol Ann Williams Hunter, his honorary sister and brothers; Cassandra “Cassie” (Michael) Lima, Dale “Yogi” Sanchey, Gerald (Missy) Fryberg Jr. and Darlene (David) Johnson; The Walter Moses Jr Drive Crew. His aunties and uncles; Roger Williams Sr., Kelly Roan, Valerie Williams, Dale (Barb) Jones, Dawn Simpson, JoAnn Jones, Joy Lacy, Marvin Jones, Richard (Toby) Jones, Delmar Jones, and Ray (Sheryl) Fryberg Sr. His special cousins; Beth Williams, Amanda (Chris) Hunter, JR Williams, many nieces, nephews, friends and teammates.

A celebration of his life will be held Thursday, July 25, 2024 at the Tulalip Gathering Hall with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.

Kids, crafts, and culture

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

Tulalip Lushootseed Camp wrapped up its second week of the play “Little Mink and Younger Cousin Tetyika” on Friday, July 19, at the Kenny Moses Building. This marked the end of another successful camp. Each of the two weeks, the camp welcomed 50 kids, providing both a break for the parents and an opportunity for the youth to fully immerse themselves in the culture and language of their ancestors.

Michele Balagot, Lushootseed department manager for over 15 years, was honored for her decades of service in the department at the Lushootseed Camp. Appreciating her contributions, all her former co-workers and employees gifted her a blanket.

The two witnesses, who observe all the work the children have done to put on the play, are also honored. These two are chosen on the day of the play and brought to the front of the audience to get a full view, and then they speak about the work after it is over. One of the witnesses was tribal member Dean Pablo.  

He said, “We want to take the time to honor these kids. There was a time when this language couldn’t be spoken, and now our youngest in the community get to speak it in gatherings, and I think that’s something to be proud of.”

Lushootseed Manager Natosha Gobin added, “Seeing the kids consistently for a week is good. I wish we could keep them for longer. But it seems to be the perfect amount of time for this age group to spend one week with us. They are able to pick up all the teachings, and they have fun doing the crafts. The play will never be perfect, but the kids will always remember it.”

“Camp was fun!” said Eddie, a camp student. “My favorite part was when we got to make the paddles. I made an orange one. I learned that when you bother the whale, he will eat you, and you will learn a lesson.”

Another student, Kamille, enthusiastically confirmed that she had a great time at camp. and particularly enjoyed going to the beach. When asked what she learned during the play, she replied, “I learned to sing songs.”

Wrapping up the 27th annual Lushootseed camp, one thing is sure: the kids will come and learn a bit about their culture, but the memories of being a part of the play and being with friends will last a lifetime.

Catching culture and community                       at Spee-Bi-Dah

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Event facilitators and support staff took to the calming, compact sand of Spee-Bi-Dah beach shortly after sunrise on Saturday, July 20. As they prepped the shoreline for hundreds of soon-to-be arriving guests, lifetime fishermen and current Tribal Councilman Glen Gobin captained his boat and crew as they made one large, sweeping arc after another along the coastline.

With each pass, their trailing net formed a visible horseshoe shape atop the water, which built anticipation and excitement among observers who wondered what kind of seafood bounty would soon reveal itself. Tulalip culture bearers of all ages and fishing experience were joined by local community members in a unified effort to pull in the jumbo-sized net from the ocean bank. When the net was nearly to the shore, Chinook salmon would alert their presence by splashing the shallow waters with their tails. Time and time again, the simple sound of fish tails breaking the Salish Sea would immediately lead to children screaming in absolute delight.

Only a matter of minutes later, the beach seined Chinook were expertly processed, carved into filets, smoked on the spot, and made readily available for exquisite consumption. These were the stunning scenes that laid the foundation for the always culture-fueled, community building seafood extravaganza that is Spee-Bi-Dah.

Captain Glen once described the annual beach seining event as “a lifetime of memories. This is how we used to fish all the time. Every year, I’m amazed at how many people come out to partake and enjoy the day. Spee-Bi-Dah really is a great community event. Like it was for our past generations, today is a shared community experience.”

As the temperature soared into the upper 80s on the gorgeous summer day, so too did the sense of community and shared purpose alongside the especially meaningful stretch of Salish Sea shoreline.

“One of my favorite things is seeing all the babies play on the beach and in the water. Seeing their spirits so high on in these ancestral fishing grounds reminds me that our ancestors are here, too, and we are making them so proud by keeping the culture alive,” said Tulalip elder Lena Hammons shortly after witnessing her great-granddaughter Sevi enjoy some crab. 

“The children pulling the net in and picking fish straight from the sea is a sight I’ll never tire of seeing. To me, that’s healing the community and healing the trauma inflicted upon our ancestors who weren’t allowed to be proud Tulalip people, especially those generations of children who were stripped of their culture during the Boarding School Era,” she continued. “Spee-Bi-Dah brings us all together for a good event that’s spiritually empowering. It’s just awesome to experience and grows bigger every year as our tribal membership continues to grow bigger.”

Indeed, with Tulalip membership now over 5,300 and showing no signs of slowing down, there are always blossoming families to be found immersing themselves in a tidal wave of Coast Salish culture at events like Spee-Bi-Dah. One such family seen sprawled out on the Spee-Bi-Dah sands, filling their bellies with a seafood feast were momma bear Stephanie Ancheta and her three boys Zaylen (11), Xavier (5), and Calvin Jr. (2).

Asked what’s their favorite seafood, Zaylen said crab before cracking open a crap leg, and Xavier said salmon while staring into the beady eyes of a shrimp that dwarfed his hand.

“I’ve so been looking forward to this day because I was unable to attend the last two years,” admitted Stephanie. “We’re having a lot of fun. It’s really cool to spend the day out here, eating good foods and running into people we know. It really is a special occasion to have all these delicious foods available to us. Salmon is something we have regular access to, but the crab, clams, and shrimp we don’t. For me, watching my boys try new foods and really take a liking to them is pretty cool.”

Among the many attendees were residents of the gated Spee-Bi-Dah housing community, which included a family of Chinese immigrants headed by patriarch Zhou Bailang. They shared how after immigrating to the U.S., they eventually settled in the Pacific Northwest because of the natural beauty, fantastic climate, and connection to the sea, specifically fish and fishing.

“My son and I share a passion for fishing. He gets so excited for this day because he gets to help pull the net in,” said Zhou while sitting in a shaded area with his family. “This is our biggest family gathering of the year. This year we flew in our parents from China so they could be here with us. It’s their very first time here.”

Epitomizing what it truly means to participate in a cultural exchange, Zhou and his son could be seen regularly helping to pull the net in. Zhou’s son even received some first-hand wisdom from Captain Glen that he later used when showing several Tulalip youth how to pull the net in as a team, instead of as individuals.

Over the day-long celebration of culture and community, hundreds and hundreds enthusiastic beach goers enjoyed the many sights, sounds, and delicious tastes that make the annual beach seine such a highly anticipated and coveted event. The freshest seafood-filled meals were enjoyed, while friends and families reminisced about old times. 

Stories shared and memories made weren’t just confined to the Spee-Bi-Dah shores either. Just like years past, Tulalip implemented a shuttle system for most efficient transport to and from the event. One of the drivers responsible for shuttling individuals and families from their parked vehicles at the Gathering Hall to the beach was John Ordonia-Davis.

“I started shuttling support staff down to the beach at 6:00 a.m. and then all the individuals and families who started showing up around 9:00 a.m. We continue shuttling well into the evening, until the beach is clear.” explained John. “It’s always cool to hear people’s excitement while driving them down there and then to hear all about their experience when driving them back to the Gathering Hall. One particular story that stands out is this couple of first-time tribal members, older too, who told me how much they loved seeing so much family they haven’t seen in years. They were so happy the Tribe made this happen. Their big smiles and excitement in their voices is something I won’t forget.”

Surely, that story shared with John in the shuttle van is but one of a countless number that were retold that day by Spee-Bi-Dah attendees who were eager to share their experience with others. It’s those stories and the many shared photos that prove what was really caught in those beach seine nets wasn’t salmon, what was truly caught was culture and community.