Category: Education

Farewell to Dave Sienko, the quiet innovator who brought Lushootseed into the digital age

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

After 20 years of devoted service, we are saying farewell to Dave Sienko, a pillar of language revitalization efforts. Known reservation-wide as Lushootseed’s Media Developer and behind the scenes tech guru, Dave’s legacy stretches far beyond his job title. He helped usher Tulalip Lushootseed into the digital age, ensuring the ancestral language of the Coast Salish people could thrive across screens, speakers, and generations.

From the early 2000s, when cassette tapes and black and white picture books were still standard, Dave envisioned a future where technology could be an ally to language preservation. Then he built it. Take a quick visit to TulalipLushootseed.com and you’ll find songs, stories, games, family activities, and an entire assortment of language learning tools at your disposal. 

“Dave has done so much for us,” said language warrior Michelle Myles. “On our website there is 20 years’ worth of content that he’s basically built from the ground up. That website was his first work baby. I say that lovingly because my daughter Jacynta was born shortly before Dave started with us. She’s 20-years-old now. She grew up learning Lushootseed, in part, by using that site and all the fun additions Dave made to it over the years.” 

Among his most groundbreaking achievements, Dave co-developed the source code for the Lushootseed Unicode keyboard. That innovation gave Tulalip language teachers and learners the ability to write Lushootseed accurately and consistently on modern devices, opening the door to emails, websites, and digital lesson plans in the ancestral tongue.

“What am I most proud of? That’s a big question, but I’d say pushing for and never giving up on the idea of having Lushootseed keyboard,” shared Dave. “The Lushootseed keyboard enabled the language to be fully on the internet, where it can be used by anyone, anywhere in the world.

“I love seeing the text being used,” he continued. “Whether its via social media posts, websites, books and magazines, or, my personal favorite, on display at Hibulb Cultural Center, I’m always filled with pride whenever I see the Lushootseed text being used. I believe the language will proliferate the Tulalip Reservation and beyond as more and more people desire to learn and speak it. Knowing I played a role in that is, well, it’s beyond words. I’m just so thankful and eternally grateful for my time spent with Lushootseed and in this community.”

Dave’s forward-thinking approach culminated in several major digital platforms, including the extensive Tulalip Lushootseed website home to countless learning tools and teacher resources. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in the creation and launch of the Tulalip Lushootseed App – a sleek, intuitive mobile app now available for most major platforms, including iPhone and Android devices. For learners young and old, the app puts pronunciation, vocabulary, and language games right in their pocket.

“Dave is the reason our language lives online,” said a teary-eyed Natosha Gobin, Lushootseed Manager. “He truly does have a love for the language. He’s always prioritized making Lushootseed compatible with evolving technologies, which was his way of treating our culture with the highest respect. 

“Also, Dave has always tried to find the newest way to connect with our community. And he did it in a way that ensured there were no barriers for language learning. From cassette tapes and floppy disks to CDs and USB drives, and now QR codes that take you directly to our website and app, Dave made sure that regardless of what kind of technology you have available at home, we have learning resources for you.”

But Dave was more than a tech developer, he was the department’s go-to fixer. When the Wi-Fi went down or a corrupted file threatened to derail a presentation, Dave was there. His calm demeanor and quiet determination became a backbone of day-to-day operations and special projects alike.

There was no project more special than the annual two-week-long, Lushootseed Camp every summer. Where Dave remained a fixture and his technology station a children’s favorite, year after year. From bulky desktop computers to compact Nintendo DS to touch screen tablets, Dave transformed whatever the technology of the time was into child friendly learning devices. His ability to ensure the kids could navigate these tools with ease, while capturing their imagination though storytelling videos and interactive language games will not be forgotten.

During the closing ceremony of this summer’s Lushootseed Camp, Dave was honored by his fellow language warriors. First, he was wrapped in an 8th Generation wool blanket appropriately named ‘See You Again’, then he was adorned with a handmade cedar headband. 

“I’ve been with Lushootseed going on 13 years now. Dave has been there every step of the way,” shared language warrior Nikki St. Onge following the closing ceremony. “It’s been cool watching him input the language into his own life, like he’ll greet us every morning in Lushootseed and says ‘thank you’ in Lushootseed instead of English. Anytime I ever needed a story, video, or children’s book to implement into my lesson plans, he’d always find a way to get them to me. I’m definitely going to miss you, Dave, and I hope you come back to visit as often as you can.” 

As the 65-year-old Dave Sienko closes this chapter and steps into well-earned rest and retirement, the digital infrastructure he helped create will continue to empower the Tulalip tribal members of today and tomorrow to learn, speak, and celebrate their language.

“We know that Dave’s work here, with us, is finished, but he’s not done with the work,” asserted Natosha. “We want him to come and join us at future Language Camps, even if its just to bring his grandkids as participants. Wherever his heart feels drawn to continuing the work, he’ll always be welcomed here.” 

From all of us within the Tulalip community, day̓ čəd ɬušudubicid  (Be seeing you again).

Lushootseed camp week two: Language, culture, and connection 

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

Over 80 young learners, the largest group to date, gathered at the Kenny Moses Building from July 14 to 18 for the second week of the 28th annual Lushootseed Language Camp. With eager hearts and curious minds, the campers immersed themselves in a week-long celebration of language, tradition, and community.

This year’s theme, ‘How Chipmunk Got Its Stripes’, wove its way through stories, games, and projects, tying together each activity with a deeper cultural meaning. Campers explored eight engaging activity stations each day, led by culture bearers, Lushootseed educators, and community volunteers.

At the woodworking station with Michelle Myles and Thomas Williams, students crafted paddle necklaces, wind chimes made from devil’s club, and chipmunk houses, though some campers playfully insisted they were birdhouses. The weaving station, hosted by Melissa Young, guided students in creating wool skirts and sashes for the honored witnesses of the end-of-week play, tribal members Joyia Kinlicheeney and Marc Robinson.

Another popular stop was the technology station, where kids interacted with tablets and explored a new Lushootseed language app developed by the Tulalip Lushootseed Department. Longtime team member Dave Sienko, who has been a media developer since 2005, was honored for his dedication with a blanket and a cedar headband. Reflecting on the new app, Sienko said, “It makes you feel good when you see all the different ways the kids utilize the apps—some are even working on the longer Lushootseed words, and those aren’t easy to learn.”

Each day brought new adventures. Outdoors, campers played traditional games like “Owl and Chipmunk,” a language-based twist on tag. As temperatures climbed, laughter still rang out under the sun. “It’s never too hot to play,” a pair of campers said while dashing between hula hoops, shouting Lushootseed words like “kayə,” which means grandma, in a spirited chase to escape the owl.

Across the camp, joy and pride in cultural identity were evident. Eleven-year-old Cruz Pablo shared, “I liked being the basket lady and playing games. My favorite word I learned was ləqəc—it means ‘listen to me.’” She added, “I like speaking Lushootseed, but it is challenging.”

Acaela Jimicum reflected on her experience with reverence: “My favorite part was meeting new people and learning about my culture.” Her favorite word? ʔačeda, meaning “oh my goodness.” She especially enjoyed learning the Berry Picking Song. “It’s important for us to pick up the tradition and learn to speak the language since our ancestors who were at the boarding schools couldn’t. I feel excellent and happy being able to speak my Indigenous language.”

Parents, too, expressed appreciation for the camp’s cultural impact. Lisa St. Onge, mother to campers Amira and Kalayna, said, “I signed my kids up for the cultural experience. They’ve been speaking Lushootseed at home all the time. I think it’s good to see them learning their ancestral ways.”

Behind the scenes, 23 summer youth workers aged 14 and up played a vital role as group leaders, assisting at stations and ensuring the camp ran smoothly. Among them was Evan Taylor, participating in both the youth program and Lushootseed Camp for the first time. “It was fun, and I learned a lot,” he said. “Week two was a little easier because we had more older kids, so they understood more.”

Language warrior Michelle Myles summed up the week’s energy: “It was a fantastic camp. We had so many projects and such a big group, this was the biggest we’ve had. It was awesome. We might need to add a third week,” she joked.

With lively conversations, creative hands-on learning, and stories echoing in both Lushootseed and English, Week Two of Lushootseed Camp offered not just education but inspiration. The week closed with a final performance of How Chipmunk Got Its Stripes, a living expression of cultural pride and youthful enthusiasm, a sign that the Lushootseed language is alive and thriving in the voices of the next generation.

Director of District 1

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

It’s official! On the evening of July 21, a historic moment took place inside the board room of the Marysville School District (MSD) headquarters. In an intimate setting, surrounded by her family, friends, and a handful of her biggest supporters, Tulalip tribal member, Malory Simpson, took an oath to serve on the MSD Board of Directors until the end of the current term.

Taking up the duties and responsibilities of the District 1 seat, Malory joins the team in an interim position, filling the spot of Connor Krebbs who resigned from the position at the beginning of the summer season. After Connor’s resignation, Malory was voted in by the MSD Board, who all welcomed her with much enthusiasm and each shared that they are excited for her insight and the experience that she brings to the table. 

Since the news was announced mid-June, Malory has seen an abundance of support and congratulatory wishes from the Tulalip community. Immediately after she solemnly swore to uphold the U.S. and state laws, as well as fulfill all the duties of the MSD District 1 seat, Tulalip News posted pictures of the ceremony to their Facebook page. Throughout the following days, an outpouring of love flooded the comment section.

When asked how it feels to see so many people rallying behind her, Malory expressed, “It means everything to me. Who are we without our families, our friends, and the communities that shape us? These are the people who guide, challenge, and nurture us—whether through joy or adversity, each experience becomes a powerful lesson.”

For those who are just getting to know Malory, she has dedicated both her career and personal time to uplifting Tulalip and its surrounding communities. For the better half of the past decade, Malory found a passion in serving her people and bringing the communities closer together. She is the founder of the local nonprofit organization, Together We’re Better, which hosts fan favorite and family friendly events such as monthly potlucks, the Easter Bunny Run, and the annual Trunk or Treat gathering. 

Malory also comes from a long line of educators, and before taking on bigger roles within the Tribe’s government, she was once a student advocate at Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary. Currently, Malory is the Director of both the Tulalip Child’s Advocacy Center and the Legacy of Healing. Perhaps one of the biggest highlights for Malory was celebrating this achievement with her grandma in the crowd, as well as her daughters, Shylah and Elyssa, who are both following in her footsteps and are highly active within the Tribe’s community gatherings and cultural circle. And we’d be remiss to mention that Elyssa also recently accepted a teaching position at Quil Ceda Tulalip. 

Said Malory, “One of the greatest honors of this moment was having my Grandma, Dawn Simpson, by my side. She’s been a cornerstone of the education team in both Tulalip and the Marysville School District, offering wisdom, leadership, and heart. In fact, both of my grandmothers devoted their lives to education: Betty Taylor served for 35 years, and Grandma Dawn continues to uplift and empower students as the Manager of the Tulalip Homework Support Program.”

The reason that this is such a historic moment is the fact that Malory joins fellow Tribal member, Eliza Davis, on the School District’s BOD, amplifying that Tulalip voice and representation.

Eliza, who has held her position since 2023, shared, “I want to welcome Miss Mal. It’s exciting and historical that we have two Tulalip women on the school board at the same time. That’s something that’s never happened before. I am thankful you’re here and super proud of you for stepping up and putting yourself out there, because I know it’s not easy. I’m looking forward to serving with you.”

Malory added, “It’s vital to have Tulalip representation, not only to support our students and community, but to show that anything is possible when we uplift one another. Our presence sends a message: we stand together, and we show up for each other. Sitting beside Eliza today feels truly special. Not long ago, we shared an office at Quil Ceda Elementary, she served as the Native liaison, and I was the school advocate for our Tribe. Now, we’ve come full circle, united once again in service to our people. It’s a reminder of how far we’ve come and the strength we carry when we move forward together.”

Following the moving swearing-in ceremony, Malory took her seat on the podium with her constituents and locked in. While she listened to presentations regarding budgets and beautification projects, her brand-new name plaque shined almost as bright as her smile and the pride that her loved ones showed at her first board meeting. 

“I’m eager to embrace growth and tackle new challenges,” stated Malory. “Stagnation isn’t in my nature—I thrive on progress and forward momentum. My goal is to join a team committed to driving meaningful change and working collaboratively for the betterment of the district. After being sworn-in, it was straight to business—our meeting kicked off and we hit the ground running. The energy was good, the conversations were meaningful, and it felt right. I’m genuinely excited to be part of this team.”

As this is an interim position, Malory is still on the campaign trail and her name will be on the ballot this coming fall. To learn more, be sure to visit her website, www.electmalorysimpson.com.

Beyond degrees and diplomas: College grads hope to put education to use for Tribe and community

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

On Thursday, June 26, the latest iteration of Tulalip’s Higher Education grad banquet was hosted at a fancified Gregg Williams Court. Thirty college graduates were celebrated for achieving a monumental milestone and invited to attend a banquet in their honor, surrounded by community supporters on their ancestral homelands.  

Recently elected Board of Director Deb Parker served as event emcee. “My hands go up to each and every one of you here to support our graduates. As I was sitting here reflecting, I couldn’t help but think of when I graduated Marysville Pilchuck High School many, many years ago, and was only 1 of 5 tribal members pursuing higher education. If you think of how far we’ve come as a Tribe since then, to now having so many tribal members attending colleges all across the country, and even a couple outside of the country, it’s actually quite remarkable. You all, our graduates, are remarkable.

“When I was attending the University of Washington, my elder Ray Moses told me, ‘We are so proud of you. Keep doing the best that you can, and when you’re finished getting your education, you come back and serve your Tribe’,” continued Deb. “I now have the honor of serving my Tribe as a Board of Director and sharing that same message with all of you. We need your education and your skills to take us into the future. Like our ancestors who laid the foundation for us to walk today, we need you to continue striving for and building new pathways so future generations can run and even soar.”  

Deb’s opening remarks were met with a rousing ovation from college grads and community supporters who share the late, great Ray Moses vision for putting education to service for our Tribe. Routinely, attending banquet graduates echoed their appreciation for all Tulalip has done for them, including the significant financial assistance for tuition, housing, and life expenses that afforded many the opportunity to pursue their higher education dreams. They also echoed an intent desire to now return home and join the Tulalip workforce. 

Student speaker Dinesha Kane just recently returned from Georgia, where she played golf on the collegiate stage while earning her Bachelor of Business Management degree from Northwest Indian College. 

“In just one year, I completed my Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees while carrying a course load that many called impossible at two colleges,” stated Dinesha from the podium. “I did this while raising my two incredible sons – Brodie, my oldest, and Braiden, my youngest – who inspire me every single day with their laughter, their brilliance, and their love. I did this with the unwavering support of my husband JT, who never let me forget my power, even in the moments when I doubted it myself. 

“Every class I took, every page I turned, every paper I wrote—I did it for them. For my family. For my community. For every young Indigenous student who has ever wondered if they belong in these spaces. I am here to say—you do. We do. We always have. 

“And if there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s this: Don’t be afraid to fall. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble, to not have it all figured out. Fall—and then get back up. And if you fall again? Get up again. Every setback, every misstep, every late night filled with doubt and tears—it’s all part of becoming. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Strength doesn’t come from things being easy. It comes from rising every time life tries to knock you down. Keep trying. Keep showing up. That’s how we win.”

Awarded highest honors valedictorian, Dineshia is hopeful she’ll be able to put everything she’s learned into benefitting Tulalip’s youth as a sports psychologist. We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors. 

Meanwhile, fellow student speaker James Whitebear has already carved out quite the roll for himself in his Tribe. After graduating high school in 2010, he soon joined Tulalip’s working class. Fourteen years later, James thrives in his role as Category Coordinator for Tulalip Tribal Federal Corporation, where he specializes in marketing and category management. Along the way he made a promise to his mom that he’d go to college and get a degree. After his mom passed in 2019, James made it a priority to fulfill that promise. 

“She may not be here today to see this moment, but every single step that I took, every single assignment I completed, my mom was there with me, guiding me and seeing me through the process,” James shared. “Now, I’m here sharing in this sacred moment with all my fellow graduates. So whether you earned an A.A., a B.A., a Master’s or Ph.D., we are not defined simply by those letters next to our name, but by the legacy we are striving to build for generations to come.

“Make no mistake, this academic journey was not just for you or your immediate family. You carry your great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers who weren’t allowed to speak their language or practice their culture. You carry great-uncles and great-aunties who couldn’t leave the Reservation or get a job because they were too Indian. You honor all those who walked before us by telling your story today, loudly and proudly, and by refusing to be silenced.

“Now, some of you may wonder what’s next after graduation and what do to with your degrees,” James addressed. “The answer is simple. Now, we build. Now, we teach. And, now, we lead. We need you to return home to Tulalip with open hearts and open minds, for our youth and our shared future.”

The wisdom in Ray Moses’ vision for his people to go to college, get all the education they can, and then bring it back in service of their Tribe, is a call to action that this most recent crop of higher education graduates is committed to answering.

If you feel empowered to also answer the call, please contact Higher Education at (360) 716-4888 or email highereducation@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov Tulalip’s Higher Ed staff are eager to help new and returning students find their path to academic success. They can assist with FAFSA applications and finding scholarship opportunities, as well as simply reviewing the Tribe’s current policies regarding paying for college and other educational programs. 

Operation Heart to Heart: Delivering smiles and promoting inclusion 

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

A cargo van and a school bus were filled with high school students from Marysville Getchell High School. On the morning of February 11, they were enroute to a number of different schools located within the Marysville School District. Their mission, to bring smiles to their fellow students by way of songs and gifts, was officially underway and has become an event that hundreds of special needs students and MSD faculty look forward to every year. 

Operation Heart to Heart has been in effect over the past several years and is an amazing way for the MGHS students to show love to special needs classrooms each Valentine’s Day season. The participants are all members of either the Marysville Getchell Native American and Friends Club or the Leah’s Dream Activity Club, or both. 

MGHS Senior Charley Dick, President of the MG Native American and Friends Club, shared, “It’s nice to be able to go see everyone and to see all the smiles on everyone’s faces. It makes me feel like our club is doing good things and positively affecting the community, because we’re all about inclusion, building community, and making a good impact.”

The club members were warmly welcomed at each school with hugs and high fives as many students recalled engaging with them at previous gatherings. Operation Heart to Heart also gives the special needs students a break from their classroom settings as they greet their visitors in their school’s hallways or on the playground outdoors. 

At each school, after brief salutations, MGHS special needs instructor, Jim Strickland, retrieved his guitar from its case and kicked things off with a classic country song that many students knew and clapped and sang along to, “You are my sunshine”. Following Mr. Stricklands ballad, MSD Native liaison, Terrance Sabbas, led a traditional Lakota song on a hand drum, which was met with an uproar of applause from the kids, many of whom couldn’t contain their excitement and jumped up and down with joy upon hearing the cultural jam. 

The students were then gifted goodie bags with items such as coloring books, stuffed animals, bubble wands, fidgets and paint kits. The backpacks were tailored to each student’s sensory needs, making the experience even more heartfelt and personal. 

Amy Sheldon, Tulalip tribal member and MGHS Special Education Native American liaison, expressed an overall excitement to see inclusivity celebrated by students in today’s school system. During the Heart to Heart event, Amy beamed with pride as she watched the club members interact with the students at all eight campuses, which included Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary, Grove Street Elementary, Totem Middle School, and Marysville Pilchuck High School.  

Said Amy, “We started doing Heart to Heart because the Native American and Friends Club wanted to be able to give back to kids who are in self-contained classrooms, and it’s continued to grow over the years. We want to make a difference and bring a change of the culture, you know, inclusion and acceptance of everybody. And we like to see the joy on everyone’s faces. The club worked after school to get everything packed and ready to go. This year, we were able to give out 255 bags through the whole Marysville School District for all the self-contained classrooms.”

Operation Heart to Heart relies solely on donations for the gift bags, and unfortunately this past year there were not as many donations as in previous years. Thankfully, Leah’s Dream Foundation was able to pitch in some funds to ensure that each student walked away with a Valentine’s Day party favor. So, if you are reading this and would like to contribute to next year’s initiative, you can do so by visiting LeahsDreamFoundation.org.

When asked how it felt to see all the smiles throughout the day, Amy stated, “It makes me really happy. My daughter has autism. She’s 28 now and I wish she had stuff like this when she was younger. There is a lot of negativity going on in the world we live in now and to keep giving back to others is so important, so everyone knows they matter. I think we’re making a difference, like with bringing unified sports to our schools. We’re doing a lot of amazing things, and I think it’s important to highlight the good.”

In total, the clubs visited five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Both of the clubs will continue to host events and activities for the remainder the school year. Be sure to follow the MG Native American and Friends Club and the Marysville Pilchuck High School Facebook pages for more information. 

“This is really important to me, because I just want to make sure that everyone feels included,” expressed Charley. “It’s really nice to know that we’re making a lot of these kids’ day. It’s important to let them know that they have a community, that they have people who care about them, because a lot of students do face bullying. Knowing that they’re included in activities like these and knowing that when they do go to middle school and high school, that they have people who are there for them and who will give them that safe space is important.” 

Decolonizing education means growing our own teachers

Dr. Wiremu Doherty, Tulalip Tribal Chairwoman Teri Gobin and Tania Doherty.

Submitted by Dr. Stephanie A Fryberg

You may have seen a couple of resolutions about the Tulalip Academy of Excellence in the last board meeting. First, we’re excited to announce that we hired a consultant who specializes in fundraising. Building and operating a school is expensive. Our consultant has experience fundraising for both big building projects and for the ongoing operations of our schools. She will also help us set up a data tracking and grant management system to ensure we can continue to bring in funding in the future.

There was also an update to the Higher Education Policy adding the University of Te Whare Ranga Wananga o Awanularangi for a bachelor’s degree and teaching certification in education. If we strive for a school that amplifies student success and enhances child wellbeing, we have to completely re-write the playbook for education and that’s why we’re partnering with an internationally certified Māori Indigenous teacher certification program. 

Western Education has not served our people (or any other group of people) well and revising the existing system has not worked. We need our teachers to be innovative and to have teaching and behavior management strategies that work for our children; we need to do things completely different. 

Tulalip has partnered with a renowned Indigenous teacher training program in New Zealand to grow our own teachers. The program provides extensive knowledge about how children learn, what aspects make a great teacher, child developmental stages, planning, assessing and preparing for fun, engaging and challenging lessons. Future teachers are also steeped in knowledge about styles of learning and how being culturally responsive helps to enhance student engagement. 

Kamiakin Craig one of the program’s first students said, “This program means that I can further provide more in my current job position and I can also serve my community in a broader way. Auntie Linda’s (Dr. Linda Tuhiwai Smith, distinguished professor at Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi) teachings stick with me in my day-to-day job and I recognize things that need to change for our people.  This class has changed the way I interact with adults and children at school, I am forever changed as I am aware of not perpetuating colonial structures. Through this class I have been encouraged to continue to be who I am outside of school, to be a good relative to my students.”

By the end of the program, our tribal members will understand the art and science of teaching. This holistic—traditional learning approach to teaching—will help us be successful in the future and will ensure that our children have every educational opportunity available to them in the future. 

Dr. Vaughan Bidois, Instructor, Tony Hatch and Dr. Wiremu Doherty, 
University President

Tribal member, Julliana Jones, another one of our students, said, “I have learned more from this short time in class than I have in my entire educational experience. We’ve learned so many things in this class that I would never have learned going to any other school. One of the things I’ve learned that has shifted my thinking while taking this class has been simply the ways we can work on decolonizing our minds and communities. I see this class as more of a movement or step in the right direction for Tulalip to regain our language and ways of life starting with the younger generations and working our way up.”

In the end, we want teachers who bring out the best in our children because they’ve connected with our children’s hearts and minds. Our teachers will be ready to teach in a way that engages students and uses indigenous-centered ways of being; teaching through the lens of our culture and identity. Our Tulalip Tribal member, Dr. Chelsea Craig, has shown tremendous leadership in championing this program. She has recruited a full cohort of teachers in training and, thanks to the efforts of our program recruiter and mentor, Tina Brown, we have seven tribal members on our wait list to start the next round. Our teachers-in-training are from Tulalip, Yakama, Makah, Alaska Native, and one is from South America.  

“This program will change the way our students learn in a better way,” explained another Tulalip student Neah Napeahi. “One thing I like about the program is that I am learning more about different teaching methods that directly combat colonization. We are learning lots of important tools that will help us shift the narrative for our people. We are used of seeing one way of schooling and our kids are going to have different experiences in schools than we did, they will have a space where they fully belong and where they can be their whole self.”

We are recruiting teachers and sending them to learn together in cohorts because we want our teachers to be able to support each other and reinforce these ways of teaching. Once a year, the cohorts will travel to New Zealand for supervision and a cultural institute. Our teachers will have the tools to teach our children reading, writing, and math using traditional knowledge as their foundation. 

For Tribal student Shelbi Hatch, this is a stepping stone towards more than just a livelihood, it’s her calling. “To me this program is one of the final steps. I have realized this is a career I am passionate about.  I find joy in what I am learning about, and I find my mindset being shifted which is something I have never experienced in college. One thing I have learned that has shifted how I think about being a teacher is understanding thoroughly the tactics colonialism and Imperialism has had in education at a detriment of our people.”

Taking back how we raise and teach our children is sovereignty in action. If you are interested in learning more you can reach out to Chelsea Cheslea_Craig@msvl.k12.wa.us, or Justina “Tina” Brown at Jubrown@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov. Tina’s role is to support our tribal members going through the teacher certification program. She can walk you through financial aid, how to navigate the system, and where to get materials. No matter where you are in your own education and life journey, you can have a place in our school. Please reach out to learn more.

Bringing culture to the playground

TELA introduces five new culturally inspired playgrounds

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

“To see this all come to life is so beautiful. These are not your typical playgrounds – you can’t find this everywhere. This is related to us and to our kids.” – Taylor Burdett, TELA ECEAP Preschool Manager

The Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy (TELA) recently unveiled not one, not two, not three or four, but five new playgrounds at their campus earlier this fall. Featuring state-of-the-art equipment, the new play areas afford their students the opportunity to expand their knowledge of the local animals and aquatic life, as well as the habitats in which they live. 

Furthermore, the playgrounds are accented with Tulalip specific pieces, such as cedar dugout canoes, a life-size replica of the Tulalip longhouse, salmon and orca slides, and a dock that overlooks Tulalip Bay. And there are still a few more installations on the way that will enhance the cultural experience for the kids during outdoor playtime. This includes a smokehouse and a clam pit, where the students can learn how to traditionally prepare the foods of the Tulalip people such as clams, mussels, and smoked salmon. 

“I think it’s really about being able to share with the children who they are and where they come from,” said Sheryl Fryberg, TELA Director. “HeadStart talks about how community is so important in early childhood education because it gives them that sense of self-pride and builds their self-esteem. So, the more they know about their own community, the better they’re going to thrive in k-12 and through their college career and life, knowing this is who I am and this is where I come from.”

The project was over five years in the making, according to TELA Manager, Mekyla Fryberg, who spearheaded the effort. The academy began its initial planning phase prior to the pandemic, and when covid hit, the project was put on the back burner. But Mekyla was determined to see it all the way through, and she was able to secure additional Covid-19 funding to utilize for the playgrounds. She also took on the responsibility of finding a contactor and purchasing the equipment, with a goal to complete the project by the end of September 2024. 

Said Mekyla, “We have installed five new playgrounds – one specifically for birth-to-three, the rest are for ages 2-5. We have our fishermen’s dock playground; our longhouse, which will be surrounded by our smokehouse and our clam pit, where we focus on Indigenous foods with our students; our sea-life playground; and our wilderness preschool play area. And in addition to those areas, we did some renovations and added in play structures into our inner courtyard playground that was already pre-standing.”

After giving an exclusive tour of all five play areas to the syəcəb, Mekyla shared a little bit about the theme of the playgrounds, which revolve around local wildlife. She stated, “We tried to be intentional with the animals that we chose for the playgrounds and capture the classroom names that we have within our facility. We have our sea-life animals and our small land animals on the birth-to-three wing of the building. And our bigger land animals and birds in the preschool wing.”

To get a better understanding of Mekyla’s statement, let’s take a closer look at a few highlights of each playground. At the renovated inner courtyard, children will find a forest-themed playground with birch tree steppingstones and plenty of interactive fun such as a native wildlife soundboard. And sculptures of butterflies, bears, and bluejays can be found high and low throughout this entire play area. 

Next up, there is the fishermen’s dock, which not only features the canoe and the salmon/orca slides, but also a realistic pier play structure. Complete with perched seagulls and observation viewers, the kids can look out at the bay and feel as though they are at the Tulalip Marina. A few more cool pieces at this playground include oyster steppingstones and also hummingbird and eagle spring riders. 

Across the fishermen’s dock is the field where TELA holds its annual clambake ceremony. A permanent spot has been reserved for the clam pit, which sits directly in front of the new longhouse. The longhouse was modeled after Tulalip’s own cedar longhouse and the attention to detail is nothing short of stunning.

“They [contractors] actually went down to our longhouse and were able to replicate the posts,” Mekyla explained. 

Sheryl added, “We are going to develop it so that it looks more like it did when we lived in our longhouses. We want to get like food storage, and baskets, and something that replicates tule mats. I’m just so excited about it because it really gives the kids that feel. When we bring them to our longhouse, even the young kids, they feel when they walk in the door, that it’s different in there.”

Next on the tour is the sea-life playground that is located on the birth-to-three side of the academy. Upon entrance, the kids are greeted with a deep blue playground turf that serves as a replica of the Salish Sea. A whale’s tail appears to be jutting out of the ocean on the far side of the turf. On its opposite side is the head of an orca swimming alongside her calf, giving the illusion that the killer whale’s body is underwater. A few more highlights of the sea-life playground are sealion sculptures, jellyfish slides, and a giant figure of a sea turtle. 

The fifth and final playground can be found on the preschool side and is known as the wilderness playground. All the equipment on this playground is painted brown and green, to provide that outdoorsy vibe for the kids. Sitting on top of the main play structure is an owl looking out from a tree canopy. And below, the kids can reach the slides by climbing cedar logs and three cedarwood cookie steppingstones. In addition to the owl, the wildlife of this play area consists of a howling wolf, two bears, and a mama deer cuddled next to her fawn. 

The wilderness playground also has a few key features that we’d be remiss to mention. For the first time, in all of TELA’s history, the academy has a full-fledged swing set. And directly across the new swing set is perhaps the main attraction of the wilderness playground, a section with imported sand, rocks, and driftwood from the local coastline. TELA brought the beach to the academy! And it’s proving to be a place that many of the students connect with the most. 

“One of our teachers said that this is like the serenity spot for the kids,” shared Sheryl. “They run and play hard everywhere else but when they get here, they just relax. It’s like hitting Mother Earth, right? It brings such joy to my heart because we have provided so many different opportunities for them to be outside. And learning outside is the best thing we can do for our children; to experience the world, so they’re not just stuck in the classroom. They get to learn about their animals and even the sounds of the animals.”

Following the exclusive tour, the three TELA leaders took a moment to share their personal favorite playgrounds with Tulalip News.

“I think the fisherman dock is my favorite,” Mekyla exclaimed. “We have the salmon and killer whale slides. And just being able to scan out on the dock while you’re looking at the bay. I also like to see that it gives some of our teachers the opportunity to engage and learn as well, and so that’s also really rewarding for me.”

Taylor expressed, “I don’t have a favorite place but the little details of everything is my favorite, like the little oyster shells and the little accessories everywhere. From covid, we’ve seen an increase in our developmental delays and our sensory needs of our students. So, we just tried to expand that outside of the classrooms and to give them opportunities on the playground. There’s secured safe sounds, there’s a lot of different noise, auditory, and feely-sensey things for them and that’s so great.”

“The longhouse is my favorite because it gives us the opportunity to show the way we lived originally in our longhouses as well as how we utilize them today,” Sheryl revealed. “And it’s going to be a great place for our teachers and our Lushootseed department to share traditional stories and knowledge with our kids.”

Since its establishment, the early learning academy has continued to find new ways to incorporate the Tulalip culture and their ancestral knowledge into their curriculum. The new playgrounds are an extension of those ideals and values of the academy. And just a few weeks after introducing the play areas to their students, the kids are already in love with the animal sculptures and culturally inspired play structures, and they are having a blast exploring every detail of the new parks.

If you have yet to see the new playgrounds, the fishermen’s dock and longhouse are visible from the academy’s parking lot. Please keep in mind that in order to preserve the pristine look of the new play structures for future generations, the new playgrounds are closed to the public. For additional info, please contact TELA at (360) 716-4250.

In Pursuit of a Ph.D. Tessa Campbell is indigenizing space on the UW campus

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

At the cross-section of academia and culturally inclusive education, prevailing winds of change are sweeping though newly constructed learning centers and century’s old college campuses across the nation. Generated by Native American culture bearers focused on increasing representation and breaking down barriers by actively seeking to become mentors, school administrators and college professors. These individuals are powered by a fearless determination seven generations in the making. 

The Tulalip Tribes has produced several of these illustrious education change makers; from Dr. Stephanie Fryberg and Dr. Lena Hammons to Early Learning Academy director Sheryl Fryberg and Quil Ceda Elementary vice principal Chelsea Craig. Soon, Tessa Campbell will join the ranks of those marvelous matriarchs. Proving yet again that educational pursuits, even at the highest of levels, aren’t just realistic dreams, but are attainable goals for our Tulalip people.  

“The main reason I am in the Ph.D. program is because the University of Washington Information School supports Indigenous Knowledge and Indigenous Systems of Knowledge research,” explained Tessa. “There are currently three Native faculty and three Native Ph.D. students.  I am pursuing my doctorate degree so I can eventually teach. I also want to be a role model for not only younger generations but others as well. It is important to see Native people in academia. Having representation of Native faculty and students is so important to see that if other Native people can survive and thrive in these programs then so can they!

“Personally, for me, education has been empowering,” she added. “It hasn’t been an easy journey though. My Ph.D. experience is so drastically different than my undergraduate experience. When I was an undergraduate student 20 years ago, there was a significant lack of Native American representation at the University of Washington. During my undergraduate years, I never saw Native American students, faculty or staff. I even took an American Indian Studies class, and it was taught by a non-Native professor. During those years, I felt unsafe and unsupported, so I remained invisible and silent.”

  The now 47-year-old Tessa is anything but invisible and silent. With an extensive wardrobe of vibrant colors and bold Native designs that is often accessorized with stunning beaded earrings or cedar woven jewelry, she proclaims herself a proud Tulalip and Tlingit culture bearer in any space she occupies. A classroom in UW’s Moore Hall is one such space. That’s where her articulate voice speaks truth to power every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon as she seeks to indigenize education.

Only months away from earning her doctorate degree from the University of Washington, Tessa is working towards completing her Ph.D. program by teaching an exclusive course within UW’s school of Informatics.  INFO 353 Indigenous Ways of Knowing in the Digital World is the course title.

In her pursuit to become Dr. Campbell, Tessa is indigenizing education not only by recruiting and supporting Native American educators but also integrating Native perspectives, histories, and teaching methods into her academic curriculum.

“The curriculum was originally created and developed by Dr. Sandra Littletree (Navajo/Easter Shoshone), which I have kept the foundation but have integrated material about the Tulalip Tribes into,” explained Tessa after allowing SeeYahtSub staff to attend one of her class sessions. “I asked and was granted permission from our Tulalip Board of Directors to teach about Tulalip history and culture this quarter. I believe that all tribes should have control of their knowledge and information and know where it is being disseminated.

“It’s been great having guest speakers from Tulalip, such as Aaron Jones, Ty Juvinel and Dave Sienko, come to UW this quarter and speak to the students,” she continued. “The main takeaways I want students to learn is that all tribes are not a monolith. They are so unique and diverse in their languages, cultures and histories. Since most students in the class have no previous exposure to Native American history, I want them to learn about Treaty Rights and tribal sovereignty.”

That vast majority of her 30 students are international or 1st generation American. Descending from countries like China, Thailand, India, Mexico, Armenia, Indonesia and the Philippines, Tessa’s class is one of the most diverse on the entire Seattle campus. Add-in the meticulously curated course content, various guest speakers, and the unique individual teaching and that’s a formula resulting in cross-cultural learning at its finest. 

UW student Joanna Pena-Rodriguez said she was excited to learn from a fellow Indigenous person, especially one that is an enrolled Tulalip Tribes member. “I want to learn more about how Indigenous people have connections to the land and use storytelling as a way to preserve traditional knowledge for future generations,” shared the UW 4th year whose parents are both from Jalisco, Mexico. “I’m also interested in learning about building community and tying these concepts back into my own Mexican roots and traditions.”

The movement to indigenize education reflects a broader societal shift towards inclusivity and respect for diversity. As more Native Americans enter the field of education, they are redefining what it means to teach and learn in America. This effort not only empowers Native communities but enriches the educational landscape for all, creating opportunities for students to engage with the histories and cultures that shape our world.

All those Native educators working tirelessly to indigenize these historically marginalized spaces are actively dismantling colonial narratives while promoting tribal sovereignty and self-governance. For Tessa, the macro is just as important as the micro.

“Academia and education have been harmful and traumatic spaces for Native people, so creating space for ourselves and sharing our ideas and knowledge with others helps us feel stronger,” concluded Tessa. “These actions help us feel safer, building community, mentoring, uplifting and supporting each other. Any educational pursuit is empowering whether it is a training certificate program, apprenticeship program, associate’s degree, bachelor’s or whatever. We can all integrate these programs and indigenize them and bring that knowledge back to Tulalip to build a stronger and healthier community.”

What a breath of fresh air those prevailing winds of change are.

Lushootseed 101 now in session

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

During the lunch hour on September 16, close to a dozen community members gathered at the Lushootseed department library to embark on a language revitalization journey that will take place over the next several months. 

Two large dry erase whiteboards, that would soon be filled with the 40 unique characters that make up the northern Lushootseed alphabet, were set behind the class instructor, Natosha Gobin. And once she had the attention of the classroom, she officially kicked off Lushootseed 101 with a welcome statement and a brief introduction of herself, her lineage, and family, which were all spoken in traditional Lushootseed. 

Switching from her ancestral language to English, Natosha shared, “This was the (Tulalip Elementary) library when I went to school here. I also went to Marysville Middle School, Marysville Junior High School, and Marysville Pilchuck. And through all of those experiences, we didn’t have the opportunities to learn the language, to be able to honor our heritage, practice our cultural ways, and see all the cultural events that we see taking place today. It feels really good for us to be in this moment right now, where we can make sure that those opportunities we didn’t receive when we were younger are there for our kids, grandkids, and the next generations.”

Lushootseed 101, 102, and 103 follows a curriculum that was originally intended to equip potential language warriors with a strong foundation before stepping into a teacher’s assistant position with the Tribe. Natosha explained that the college level courses focus on grammar and sentence formula, and participants will learn phrases, greetings, personal introductions, names of places, and a traditional story. Students who enroll in the class through the Northwest Indian College are able to obtain 5 credits per course upon successful completion.

This year, two NWIC students elected to enroll in Lushootseed 101. Sitting at the front of the classroom, with bright smiles and open notebooks, were Tulalip tribal members, Mahayla and Odessa Flores.

Said Mahayla, “I’m looking forward to learning Lushootseed because I never really got the chance to learn my culture growing up. When I heard that I could learn the language (through NWIC), I thought this is it, I can finally learn more. I immediately took the opportunity. I literally dropped another class so I could take this one because it means a lot to me. For the longest time I didn’t know I had a mother language. When I figured that out, I was like, I need to learn it. And even though I might struggle, I’m committed to learning.”

Some years back, after gaining an interest from the Tulalip community and the Tribe’s employees, the Lushootseed department opened the class to auditors, who are able to participate throughout the course and receive a certificate at the end, in lieu of college credits. 

When asked about her decision to join Lushootseed 101 this fall, class auditor and Tribal member, Joyia Kinlicheeney, said, “It was time. I think learning the language is going to be really cool. I’m intimidated by the sounds and the dialect, but I’m excited to go home and be able to talk to my grandkids, because they already get to learn it at the elementary and TELA. It’s going to be so cool to be able to chat with them.”

Natosha shared that the duty to pass on the language through the courses fell upon numerous language warriors over the years, including Michelle Myles, Becky Posey, Toby Langen, Sarah Miller, and herself. 

After years of teaching Lushootseed at Heritage High and MPHS, this is her second stint as a college course instructor. And  Natosha is implementing a new way of learning by livestreaming each of her lectures on the Tulalip Lushootseed YouTube page. 

“With livestreaming and having the class recorded, we want to make sure we are doing our best to support the needs of our participants,” stated Natosha. “We don’t ever want people to feel like – if one day you had a hard time grasping the content, don’t let that be the day to break you. We will provide any type of support. If you missed a day or two, or if you’re home sick, maybe you want to have it playing in the background so you can hear it, which is better than trying to have someone recap it to you in a couple minutes. And you’ll also have the recorded version as well, if you want to watch it again.”

Throughout the years, the reach of the Lushootseed department has extended not only to the college level, but they are also making a big impact at the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy and in classrooms across the entire Marysville School District. Today, the language is accessible at most grade levels. As the youth continue to build upon that foundation year after year, they can step into the college courses well-prepared and ready to help progress the revitalization movement that much further. 

In regard to how they will be exploring the language throughout the course, Natosha shared with the class, “It’s important to remind ourselves that our language was an oral language. We’re learning through written form, but the way our ancestors held on to our language since time immemorial was through speaking it. And they passed it down through speaking it. So eventually, we’ll get to a point where we’ll need to let go of some of those English influences and make sure that we start producing as close to what our ancestors provided for us. There’s a lot of different sounds than the English language. It makes the English language seem boring because we have sounds where you need to use the back of your throat; some harsh sounds, clicking sounds, we use the term guttural. There’s a lot of unique sounds that are a part of our language and as we build our ability to speak it and hear it, then comes the point where we need to fine tune it.”

Natosha shared how her love for the language developed while volunteering at the annual summer Lushootseed Camp for Tribal youth. After accepting a position with the Lushootseed department 24 years ago, she confidently stated that her love for the language has never wavered over the course of time. 

If you are interested in taking the Lushootseed 101 course, it is not too late. Natosha is inviting you to join the class this year, whether in person or online. The classes are held daily, Monday through Thursday, at 12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. You can just pop in or hop on YouTube, but if you would like to give Natosha a courtesy heads up, you can shoot her an e-mail at NGobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov or you can leave a message at her desk phone, 360-716-4499. 

* Following a brief 24-hour editing period, the video recording of the livestream will be posted on the YouTube page.

Greenhouse restoration underway at MPHS

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

The long-abandoned greenhouse at Marysville Pilchuck High School, unused for the past 15 years, is being revitalized for the start of the 2024-25 school year as part of the MPHS Greenhouse Project. It all started when a few teachers, including Biology teacher Kayla Carter and Head of the Science Department Claire Luvera, walked by the neglected lot and thought, “Why is this land just going to waste?” This question inspired Kayla and her colleagues to bring the greenhouse back to life, seeing it as a valuable resource for students and the community.

Kayla and Claire took the issue to the school administration, who approved their plan to clean up the greenhouse. This was no small task, as the greenhouse had been an eyesore on the MP campus for over a decade. Undeterred, they gathered tools, secured funding, and rallied support through community donations. Blackberry bushes had overtaken the buildings, walkways, and even the inside of the greenhouse. The monumental undertaking began at the start of summer, clearing the overgrown foliage, removing debris, digging out walkways, and bringing in an electrician to get the building operational.

Inspired by this potential, Kayla Carter, who was in her first year at Pilchuck, saw an opportunity to transform the space. “From my classroom, I could see this big greenhouse and land,” she said. Motivated by what it could become, Carter started the greenhouse project. “To get it going, we needed a lot of help from the community,” she explained. Initially, it was just her and another teacher working on the project, but the community’s response has been incredibly supportive. According to Carter, they’ve been offered tools, donations of lumber and compost, and a tree company helped trim trees. 

The plan is to form a garden club to maintain everything, and involve students in activities like testing water and soil, and growing different plants in various areas. Carter said, “The garden club will sell flowers and, hopefully, tomato starts for the program,” 

For Carter, this project is about more than just gardening; it’s about bringing kids outside and connecting them with nature. “Some kids these days don’t go outside enough,” she said. She hopes that by having students grow plants they helped start, they will enjoy getting their hands dirty and seeing nature up close. “One of my dreams is to have students eat what they grew,” Carter shared, emphasizing her desire to have the students experience the entire cycle of growing and enjoying their food.

Luvera expressed enthusiasm for the new project and its potential impact on the curriculum. “We will be able to do so many labs and hands-on activities in all our life sciences,” she said. She explained that the decision to start this initiative was made earlier in the year. “Back in April, we looked around and decided to work on this project,” Luvera recalled. Her excitement for the future is apparent, especially regarding increasing student engagement through practical learning. “I am excited to get more hands-on activities for the kids,” she added. Luvera also shared her hope to revive an agriculture program, which would provide even more opportunities for experiential learning.

Eliza Davis, a member of the Marysville School Board, has been actively involved in supporting positive initiatives within the district. “I reached out to different organizations,” she said, explaining her efforts to find support for the greenhouse project. As someone deeply familiar with the challenges and negativity within the district, Davis wanted to focus on something positive happening in the schools.

“While on a tour, the Principal of MP, Peter Apple, told me about some teachers interested in getting this program going again,” Davis explained. Motivated by this opportunity, she connected with a few organizations and the non-profit Best Schools Marysville, which is dedicated to restoring schools in the community. The organization was eager to help and donated money to support the program.

Davis recalls that the program was once award-winning, with students making wreaths for Christmas and growing flowers for Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day. “There are lots of opportunity for students to learn about business and practical, real-world skills,” she said. She is enthusiastic about seeing passionate young teachers. “It’s nice to see young teachers come in and want to change the culture and rebuild the program,” Davis added, reflecting on the potential for growth in the district.

The greenhouse project will continue throughout the school year, with plans to turn the greenhouse back into a functioning classroom. The district will decide later in the year whether to reopen the class. In the meantime, Carter and her team are hopeful for ongoing community support and involvement. For more information and updates, visit their Facebook page, MPHS greenhouse project.