Environment Archives - Tulalip News

Back to the berry fields

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

High in the Cascade Mountains, where pavement gives way to gravel and the everyday sights and sounds of civilization slowly disappear behind a wall of evergreens, a treasured sign of late summer has returned. The huckleberries are ready!

Tulalip tribal members once again have access to swədaʔx̌ali, Lushootseed for “Place of Mountain Huckleberries,” marking the beginning of a precious harvesting window that lasts only a few weeks. For those willing to make the journey into the upper Skykomish River watershed, the reward is measured in purple stained fingertips, buckets of berries, and an opportunity to participate in a cultural practice carried forward since time immemorial.

Nearly 5,000 feet above sea level, swədaʔx̌ali encompasses approximately 1,280 acres within the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Through years of cooperation between the Tulalip Tribes and U.S. Forest Service, the area has become an important co-stewardship landscape where treaty rights, traditional knowledge and modern resource management meet.

Mountain huckleberry has long been an important food, medicine, and trade item for Coast Salish peoples. Generations before highways and Forest Service roads reached these mountains, Native families traveled into high elevation gathering areas when the berries ripened toward summer’s end. Knowledge of where to gather and when to gather was passed from one generation to another.

That relationship with the land remains at the heart of swədaʔx̌ali. In previous Tulalip News coverage, elder and cultural knowledge keeper Inez Bill explained the importance simply, “Huckleberry is a superfood and medicine to our people.”

Indian man with huckleberry basket, OSU Special Collections.

Inez shared how ancestors knew their gathering places intimately, including the plants that grew alongside the berries and how each resource could be used. Caring for the environment was also a part of maintaining culture itself and ensuring those resources remained available for future generations.

“Through the teachings of how we value, take care of and utilize our environment, we pass down our history and traditions, and what is important to the cultural lifeways of our people. This connection to the land enables us to know who we are as a people,” added Inez.

That responsibility is visible throughout the huckleberry fields today. Mountain huckleberries flourish in open landscapes, particularly areas shaped by natural disturbance. Long before contemporary forestry practices, Indigenous people intentionally used fire to maintain productive gathering grounds. Controlled burns cleared competing vegetation, returned nutrients to the soil, and helped create the sunny openings where huckleberry plants thrive.

Tulalip Forestry has increasingly incorporated that ancestral knowledge into its management of swədaʔx̌ali. Forest Manager Tisen Fryberg explained that restoring fire to the landscape became a priority after seeing the berry fields struggling several years ago. Controlled burns and the clearing of accumulated slash have since helped reduce competing plants while allowing huckleberry bushes greater access to sunlight and nutrients.

“Using fire and controlled burns in the same way our ancestors did ensures that the berries will continue to be abundant,” Tisen said prior to the 2025 harvest season. “This is what planning for the seventh generation is all about.”

Last summer, those efforts were already producing noticeable results. Berries were reported to be larger and more plentiful throughout portions of swədaʔx̌ali offering a tangible example of what can happen when generations of Indigenous ecological knowledge are once again allowed to guide stewardship.

Every handful gathered represents continuity. Children picking beside their parents and grandparents are learning through experience. They see which berries are ripe and which should remain on the bush. They learn patience while searching beneath leaves for flashes of red, blue and deep purple. They hear family stories while filling containers one berry at a time.

Last year, the Tulalip Lushootseed Department made its own harvesting trip shortly after the fields opened. Department manager Natosha Gobin shared that berries gathered at swədaʔx̌ali are incorporated into lessons about traditional harvesting and food processing, served during community events and used for culturally meaningful gifts.

“Reconnecting with the spaces that our ancestors traveled to harvest brings a sense of belonging,” shared Natosha. “It’s an emotional connection that helps increase our desire to continue learning, teaching and honoring the ways of life that helped our ancestors thrive, since time immemorial.”

That connection is especially meaningful because the opportunity is so brief. Mountain huckleberries generally ripen toward the end of summer and into early fall, leaving only a matter of weeks when conditions are ideal. Unlike grocery store produce available year-round, their limited season demands that harvesters follow the calendar of the land.

When they are ready, you go. When the season passes, you wait until next year. That fleeting availability is part of what makes the annual opening of swədaʔx̌ali special. Each August brings another opportunity for Tulalip families to renew a relationship extending countless generations into the past while simultaneously ensuring those teachings continue into the future.

Love for the birds

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

Growing up on the Tulalip Reservation, I spent countless hours at my grandmother’s house, where every moment was filled with adventure, from playing video games and exploring the woods to indulging in sweet junk food. Yet what I cherish most from those early days is simply sitting in her vibrant garden, alive with cherry, apple, and peach trees and a dazzling array of berries: raspberry, blackberry, strawberry, and huckleberry. During harvest season, finding these fruits felt like uncovering hidden treasures.

The garden was a magnet for wildlife, attracting squirrels and a kaleidoscope of birds eager for the feast. Hummingbirds danced among the flowers, robins eagerly pulled worms from the rich soil, and a majestic Steller’s jay pecked among the trees. These everyday sights sparked my curiosity about these feathered visitors.

Is it age that fuels this fascination? I like to think it’s just a pure love of the game. Recently, that childhood curiosity was reignited after watching the movie The Big Year, which follows birders competing to see how many species they can spot in a single year. Watching the characters chase rare sightings and keep track of every bird they encountered made me wonder what species were already visiting my own yard. Wanting to attract more birds and learn to identify them, I asked myself, “What do I need to get started?” The answer, as it turned out, was bird feeders.

A quick trip to Home Depot led to a pair of feeders, one for hummingbirds and another for small songbirds. I prepared a sweet nectar mixture of four parts water to one part sugar, picked up a variety of seed mixes, and added a few hanging plants after learning that birds prefer a little cover while they feed.

Initially, it was a bit challenging. I set up the feeders and plants, eager for the birds to arrive. But days went by without a single visitor. I quickly learned that not all nectar is created equal. The store-bought nectar I purchased did not seem to attract the hummingbirds, while a simple homemade sugar-water mixture did the trick. The seed mix also sat untouched, so I improvised by spreading seed on a fencepost near the edge of the property, creating a trail that eventually led birds back to the feeders.

Then everything changed.

Slowly, the birds began to discover the feeders, igniting my newfound birding frenzy. The first species I identified was a song sparrow, thanks to the Merlin Bird ID app. The app can identify birds by their songs simply by listening or by analyzing a photograph. For someone just getting started, it felt almost like carrying a field guide in my pocket. What started as a simple curiosity soon grew into a hobby. Before long, I found myself listening for bird calls, studying photographs, and keeping track of every new species that visited the yard.

Today, I have identified 26 different species. While I am nowhere near setting any birding records, keeping track of each new species has become one of the most enjoyable parts of the hobby. Some of my favorites have been the Stellar’s jay, Rufous hummingbird, American goldfinch, yellow warbler, black-headed grosbeak, and northern flicker. Each new visitor feels like a discovery, and every morning brings the possibility of adding another bird to my growing list.

One of the biggest surprises was how quickly the birds adopted the feeders once they found them. The first few days were quiet, but once the birds discovered the food source, they began returning daily. It did not take long before I found myself checking the feeders several times a day to see who had stopped by.

Along the way, I learned birding is about much more than simply hanging a feeder. I discovered that some species, such as the Eurasian collared dove and house sparrow, are considered invasive and can compete with native birds. I also learned that if you have dogs, it is often better to use shelled seed, as discarded seed hulls can create a mess and may not be ideal for curious pets.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson has been patience. Birds operate on their own schedule, and there is no substitute for sitting quietly and waiting. More often than not, if I spend 10 or 15 minutes still and attentive, I will either spot a bird or hear one calling nearby.

For me, part of the fascination comes from watching a small animal that lives without many of the boundaries people face every day. Birds can take to the sky and travel wherever their wings will carry them, moving from forests and shorelines to neighborhoods and back again. There is something freeing about watching them come and go as they please.

Beyond that freedom, birds are simply beautiful creatures. The more time I spend observing them, the more I notice the incredible variety of colors, patterns, and designs nature has created. From the bright orange feathers of a Rufous hummingbird to the striking blue and black plumage of a Steller’s jay, each species seems to have its own unique personality and style.

What began as a simple attempt to attract a few birds to my backyard has grown into a daily hobby that encourages me to slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the wildlife that has been around me all along. In many ways, it has brought me back to those afternoons spent in my grandmother’s garden, watching the birds come and go among the trees and berry bushes that first sparked my curiosity years ago.

Energy summit brings clean energy conversation to Tulalip

By Shawn Dick, Tulalip News

The 4th Annual Tribal Energy Evolution Summit opened at the Tulalip Resort with prayer, song, dance and a sharing of cultures, bringing tribal leaders and clean energy advocates together to talk about energy sovereignty and the future of Indian Country.

From May 11-14, the nonprofit organization, Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy, brought together more than 200 tribal leaders and members representing more than 50 Native nations from across the country. Founded in 2016 by Chéri Smith, a Mi’kmaq descendant, the Alliance works to support tribes as they pursue clean energy projects on their own terms.

Chéri Smith and Tim Nuvangyaoma, of the Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy

“The Alliance is here to serve all 575 federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native villages and state-recognized tribes,” said Smith, who serves as CEO, president and founder. “At any one time, we’re actively supporting about 150 tribes.”

Smith said clean energy means energy that does not rely on fossil fuels and does little to no harm to the land, water or communities. The Alliance focuses on solar, wind, geothermal and what Smith calls “good hydropower,” such as run-of-river systems that work with the natural flow of water instead of damming it or disrupting fish.

“Not all hydropower is created equal,” Smith said. “Our Indigenous communities know better than anyone what happens when you disrupt that water flow.”

When asked if there is a tradeoff between clean energy and saving salmon, Smith gave a direct answer. “In our collective opinion, take the dams out, all of them,” she said.

Smith explained that clean energy changes depending on geography. Solar may work well in the Southwest, wind may be a better fit in the plains, and geothermal may only be possible in certain regions. “The Alliance never comes into a tribal community with one answer already picked out. We start with what the community’s needs are and their resources, and most importantly, their self-determination and their vision for their own energy future. “

The Alliance was created after Smith witnessed energy poverty on a reservation in Montana. She said she saw Native families paying $800 to $1,000 a month for heat in the winter, while others faced shutoffs in freezing weather. That experience pushed her to leave her work in the commercial clean energy industry and start helping tribes with small demonstration projects.

“Energy isn’t a luxury,” Smith said. “It’s infrastructure, it’s health, it’s economic necessity.”

The Alliance now has about 55 staff members across 33 states and provides technical assistance, project development, project finance, policy support, education and workforce training. Smith said the organization does not charge tribes for its services and is funded through philanthropy, so it can remain independent from changes in federal funding.

One of the Alliance’s short-term goals is responding to emergency energy needs through the Indigenous Power and Light Fund. Smith said the fund helps tribes cover costs for projects, including feasibility studies, predevelopment work, storage and emergency energy infrastructure. Since 2024, she said the fund has deployed millions of dollars into tribal energy projects and helped unlock additional funding.

The long-term goal, she said, is energy sovereignty for every tribal nation and Alaska Native village “Energy sovereignty means that a community controls its own energy supply, generates its own power, builds their own economic base, and whatever that looks like is unique to their region,” Smith said.

For Tulalip, the energy conversation is already happening. Andrew Gobin, Director of Treaty Rights and Governmental Affairs, said Tulalip has several energy-related projects, including Qualco, a food waste digester that creates methane gas and converts it into electricity. Tulalip is also working with solar energy, electric vehicle charging stations, and small-scale microgrid projects near the Gathering Hall.

“We are looking for ways to become energy independent,” Gobin said. “I encourage the membership to pay attention to the projects that are happening.”

Gobin said one of the biggest barriers for Tulalip is public education and outreach. He said tribal members should be open to learning more about clean energy and what it could mean for Tulalip’s future.

“I encourage the membership to be visionary or to be open to the vision of energy and the industry and what it means and the potential it has for Indian Country and for Tulalip,” Gobin said.

Tim Nuvangyaoma, former chairman of the Hopi Tribe and vice president for tribal engagement with the Alliance, said hosting the summit at Tulalip was meaningful. He said the opening prayer, songs and dances showed the strength of Tulalip culture.

“When a song and dance and prayer was shared with us and knowing that the elders are passing this down to the younger generation, I have a deep respect for that,” Nuvangyaoma said. “To see that actually being carried on through that song and dance was just amazing.”

Nuvangyaoma said the summit’s theme, “Stronger Together,” reflected the purpose of the event. “It’s a place for tribal leaders and those that are associated with wanting to advance their energy sovereignty and self-determination,” he said. “It’s a shared space for everybody where we can offer assistance to one another.”

For Nuvangyaoma, the summit was also a reminder of the responsibility Indigenous people carry as stewards of the land, water and all living beings. He said clean energy connects to protecting sacred places and thinking about generations that have not been born yet.

“It isn’t about us today,” he said. “It’s about what we’re going to leave for those that aren’t here yet, for the next generations.”

Young minds, big ideas: KidWind Challenge inspires local youth

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Inside the gymnasium at Heritage High School, the steady hum of spinning blades and the excited chatter of young minds at work filled the air on a recent Saturday. Elementary students from across the Marysville School District gathered on the Tulalip Reservation for the Pacific Northwest Regional KidWind Challenge. The event transformed Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium into a hub of creativity and clean energy innovation.

Representing seven local schools, student teams put their engineering skills to the test in a multifaceted competition centered on renewable energy, with a particular focus on wind power. The event marked the district’s sixth year hosting the regional qualifier and its largest turnout yet.

From the moment turbines began turning around 11 a.m.., the energy in the room was undeniable. Carefully crafted blades, made from everything from cardboard to 3D-printed materials, spun inside a 4-foot wind tunnel, itself a student-built creation courtesy of WSU’s Everett-based engineering department. Each design reflected weeks, and in many cases months, of hands-on learning and experimentation.

“My kids saw Conservation Club as a new adventure and learning opportunity,” said Amy Andrews, multi-lingual teacher at Cascade Elementary. “Being a rookie team, and I as their rookie advisor, there was a bit of nervousness but definitely more excitement.

“Early in the school year, we discussed how a lot of electricity comes from hydropower and its impact on the salmon, specifically how it makes it much harder for salmon to reach their spawning areas,” she continued. “We also discussed how important salmon are to our local ecosystems, especially to our neighboring Native people.”

The KidWind Challenge, part of a national initiative dedicated to advancing clean energy education, aims to spark student interest in STEM fields through real-world applications. By engaging youth in the design and construction of functional wind turbines, the program emphasizes problem-solving, teamwork, and environmental awareness.

“This is learning in action,” said WSU assistant professor and one of the event organizers, Gordon Taub. “Students aren’t just reading about renewable energy, they’re actually building it, testing it, and improving it. That kind of experience sticks with them. Getting them curious and asking ‘Why?’ questions that they can apply via STEM-related exercises is how we develop the next generation of scientists and engineers.”

Throughout the day, teams rotated through a series of events, including turbine testing, an instant challenge, a knowledge bowl, and formal presentations with judges. At their display stations, students confidently explained their engineering process, detailing how they refined blade angles, adjusted materials, and experimented with different designs to maximize energy output.

For many participants, this was their first exposure to engineering principles. Guided by their schools’ Conservation Clubs (after-school programs led by a dedicated group of volunteer educators) students learned foundational concepts like electricity, energy transfer, and generator function. Using the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) design process, teams worked collaboratively to build turbines capable of producing measurable power.

“The clubs are completely student-led,” explained a coach. “We provide the background knowledge, but the ideas, the designs, the troubleshooting…that all comes from the kids.”

Among the awe-inspiring KidWind participants was ten-year-old Tulalip tribal member, Priscilla Valelncia. She and her fellow Conservation Club schoolmates chose The Winders as their team name.

“I enjoy trying new things, so when I first heard about the club I signed up for it,” admitted Priscilla. “We tried are very best at this competition. Creating the wind turbine was a lot of fun. Turns out our solar panels charged at the 2^nd fastest rate, which we are proud of.

“It’s cool that this competition is hosted here in Tulalip because I just live right down the road, so it was easy to get here,” she chimed. Small in stature, but large in presence, Priscilla is well aware of her responsibility as a steward of Mother Earth. “Salmon hold a special place in my heart, as do all animals really, and it’s up to us ensure they survive. In order to do this, we must create new forms of energy, like wind and solar, that don’t harm them.”

The Tulalip-based competition served as the only World KidWind Challenge qualifier in the Pacific Northwest, raising the stakes for participants. Top-performing teams earned the opportunity to represent the region at the World KidWind and Solar Challenge, set to take place in May in Wisconsin.

By introducing young learners to renewable energy at an early age, programs like KidWind not only build technical skills, but also inspire a better understanding of environmental stewardship. Something humanity, the world over, could use more of these days. But don’t take our word for it, instead let 5^th grader Allison McCall of Cascade Elementary wax poetically.

“Wind energy is important because we have machines in the waterways polluting the water and dams blocking rivers. Both of these things make it hard for salmon to make it back up the river to lay their eggs and are killing schools of salmon,” declared 10-year-old Allison. “There are 137 species in the Pacific Northwest that rely on the salmon, humans are just one, and so its very important we stop them from dying.”

As the children-created turbines spun down and recognition was handed out later that Saturday afternoon, one thing was certain. With young innovators like Priscilla and Allison at the helm, the future of clean energy is in capable and enthusiastic hands.

Caring for Tulalip begins with individual action

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

On Friday, January 30, nearly 40 community members gathered along Turk Road for the ninth annual neighborhood cleanup organized by tribal members Josh Fryberg and Rocky Harrison. What began nearly a decade ago with the help of Ryan Gobin, has grown into a steady effort rooted in pride, accountability, and care for Tulalip’s homelands.

Looking back to when the cleanup first began nine years ago, Josh said the motivation was simple but meaningful.

“The main thing that my brother and I wanted to do is bring the community together in a good way, to pick up our homeland one area at a time and get as many people involved as we can,” he said.

From the beginning, the goal extended beyond collecting trash. The brothers also began advocating for stronger accountability for littering on the reservation. “One of the other solutions was to raise our penalty fee for littering on the rez,” Josh explained, noting that they have worked with the chief of police and the board of directors in hopes that changes will help deter illegal dumping in the future.

Over time, the cleanup has grown not only in participation but in awareness. Josh said he has seen more community members and departments step forward to support the effort. “The goal is to get everyone together, raise that awareness together and make it a little bit cleaner for our future generations,” he said. He believes the continued effort is making a difference. “I feel like people take more pride in the area now.”

For Rocky, the inspiration came from looking beyond Tulalip and imagining what was possible. Driving through neighboring communities and seeing how well their land was maintained left a lasting impression.

“I remember thinking, dang, we gotta get Tulalip looking like that,” Rocky said.

He explained that the cleanup is about restoring respect for the land and maintaining community pride. Although he believes awareness has improved over the years, one challenge remains consistent.

“I wish we could move to different areas of the rez and not have to clean Turk,” he said. “Yet every year, Turk is dirty, so we still have to clean Turk.”

The amount of garbage collected each year reinforces the need for the effort to continue. “We usually have over a thousand pounds every year,” said Rocky, noting that previous cleanups reached around 1,800 pounds. This year, volunteers collected more than 2,300 pounds, marking the largest haul to date.

In the early years, the brothers handled much of the logistics themselves, borrowing trailers and weighing loads manually. Now, with assistance from the Tribe’s Solid Waste department, the process has become more efficient.

“Initially, we didn’t want to ask the Tribe for help; we wanted community participation,” Rocky said. “This year, we have the police department, fire department, and several community members. It’s nice to have people who want to help.”

For the first time, signs were also placed along the roadway to help manage traffic and improve safety for volunteers working near vehicles.

Beyond the visible results, the cleanup represents something larger. It demonstrates what happens when neighbors take responsibility for their own space and lead by example. Josh emphasized the importance of youth seeing adults come together in a positive way.

“All these kids are watching us and seeing what we’re doing,” he said. “It’s up to each and every one of us to move forward in a good way.”

When asked what he hopes people feel when they drive through the neighborhood, Josh said he wants it to reflect a sense of community and ownership.

“I want them to feel pride, everybody coming together to keep it how we want it and how the kids deserve it. A safe place for them to be, especially for our elders.”

Nine years in, the message remains steady: change does not happen overnight, but consistency matters. What started with a small group has grown into an annual reminder that caring for Tulalip begins with individual action.

Another cleanup is planned for February, focusing on Marine Drive from the administration building to the fire station. Community members are encouraged to watch for upcoming announcements on the Tribal Member Facebook page and through Tulalip News and continue taking part in caring for the place they call home.

Harvesting Health

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

On an early fall morning, the fields behind Garden Treasures Nursery & Organic Farm in Arlington buzzed with kinetic energy. Elders leaning on canes, parents pushing toddlers in wagons, and teens with pruners in hand made the short journey north by carload to pick fresh produce. The occasion was a community U-Pick organized by Tulalip’s Diabetes Care & Prevention Program, in partnership with Garden Treasures, to reconnect tribal members of all ages with the land’s luscious bounty and time-honored dietary traditions.

The annual U-Pick is part of a concerted effort by the Diabetes Prevention team to reverse rising trends of diabetes and metabolic disorders in Native communities. By encouraging people to harvest their own fruits and vegetables, the program is generating a path to healthier living through cultural reconnection and food sovereignty.

“Over the last 14 years, our partnership with the farmers at Garden Treasures has been a steady source of learning and shared purpose,” explained program coordinator Roni Leahy. “When COVID struck, and we could no longer bring healthy people into the health clinic because of the risks of treating those who were ill, we turned to the farm as a safe place to gather. Out of that difficult time, the U-Pick days were born. What started as a way to keep our community connected and nourished during the pandemic has now become one of the most joyful and inspiring traditions we share”

Nestled in the Stillaguamish Valley, Garden Treasures supplies a wide seasonal palette of vegetables, berries, and fruit. From tomatoes and beans to peaches, potatoes, and winter squash. The farm’s ownership is committed to naturally grown, bio-regenerative production that makes it an ideal partner for health and community initiatives to provide access to the freshest farm-grown produce possible.

For our Diabetes Care & Prevention Program, the opportunity to host another U-Pick at Garden Treasures unites with a larger mission to restore traditional diets. Staff eagerly guided more than 500 community members through the farm’s acres of freshly grown food before organizing an on-site, do-it-yourself pickling activity.

“We want to bring people back to what our ancestors knew – that food is medicine,” said food sovereignty coordinator Rudy Madrigal. He organized the pickling activity that was well-received by one family after another who pickled their favorite veggies. “A big part of food sovereignty is education and teaching yourself and your family how to preserve, so we decided to offer a pickling station. It’s super easy to learn and a fun, family-friendly activity that the kids can do, too.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about education, making learning fun for our people, and changing what we’re eating at home so we can live longer, healthier lives.”

A truly memorable event for those in attendance who sat mesmerized as elders shared memories of picking fruits and veggies from their childhoods, preserving and canning with aunties and grandmothers, and even shared a recipe or two for hearty, nutritious stews that are primo options for a vegetable medley.

“This is such an exciting event. I absolutely love it!” exclaimed rez-renowned chef Lynette Jimicum as she showed off her harvest of Roma tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, onions, and zucchini. “Everything here is so fresh and good for our bodies. I can’t wait to cook with my vegetable harvest.

“There are definitely some people here who are seeing how their food is grown for the very first time, and you can see the excitement in their faces as they roam from garden to garden,” added the soon-to-be Tulalip elder. “I watched one family be in complete awe in the kale garden. They thought kale grew in a tree, not low on the ground like lettuce. Now, they’ll have the memory forever and, hopefully, they add kale as staple to their kitchen and laugh over that story for a long, long time.”

By harvesting their own food, the U-Pick participants bypassed industrial food chains filled with refined sugars and processed carbohydrates. They also reclaimed, even if just for the day, what colonization intended to sever – the connection between people, land, and nourishment.

The Diabetes Care team sees these U-Pick opportunities not as a one-time outreach, but a seedbed for sustainable change. It’s about mobility, quality of life, and dignity for all our people. When elders are stronger, when parents feel less disease burden, when children grow up with taste memories of sweet berries and savory vegetables instead of sugary snacks, the ripple effects are profound.

“To witness our community’s growing excitement for harvesting, cooking, and experimenting with new foods is not only deeply meaningful to me, personally, but also reflects the very heart of our Program’s mission,” shared Roni. She’s been diligently coordinating diabetes prevention in Tulalip for the past 17 years.

“It shows that families are feeding their children more nutritious meals, perhaps even rethinking their relationship with food and how food affects our bodies, and becoming more creative in their kitchens with colorful, nutritious foods,” she continued. “Seeing this transformation fills me with hope because it affirms that through resilience, collaboration, and tradition, we are cultivating healthier generations for the future.”

The link between consistent nutritional habits and metabolic health is well documented. Those who regularly eat foods rich in fiber, phytonutrients, and low in processed sugars reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. For Native communities disproportionately impacted by these conditions, nutritional education is a powerful tool. By bringing elders, adults, and children together at a local farm under the promise of fresh food, Tulalip’s Diabetes Care & Prevention Program is fighting common ailments in our community, while also sowing the seeds for a future rooted in traditional teachings and vibrant bodies.

This fall’s U-Pick may have wrapped up in a single day, but its harvest lives on. In edible memories, in strengthened bodies, and in renewed commitment to establishing the mind-body-spirt connection within our shared Tulalip community. And that’s a harvest worth celebrating.

Qwuloolt Estuary: A decade of restoration

**The Qwuloolt, meaning “marsh” in Lushootseed, is located within the Snohomish River floodplain approximately three miles upstream from its outlet to Puget Sound.**
**(drone shot by Justin Salva/Tulalip TV)**

Ten years ago, on August 28, 2015, excavators breached a levee along Ebey Slough and tidal waters surged into the Qwuloolt Estuary for the first time in more than a century. That single act reconnected 354-acres of historic wetlands to the life-giving rhythm of the Salish Sea.

At the time, the Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project was hailed as the second-largest estuary restoration effort in Washington State. A decade later, its impact reaches far beyond those acres, serving as real world example of what community, culture, and collaboration can accomplish.

Breathing life back into the land

“This is a great, great day. It’s been a long time coming,” said Kurt Nelson, Tulalip Tribes Environmental Department Administrator, during the levee breach celebration in 2015. “I’ve been on this project for 11 years and there have been many challenges and hurdles, but we’ve gotten through them all. What we have now is a 354-acre estuary wetland complex that saw its first tidal flows in 100 years.”

Kurt’s words proved prophetic. Today, the estuary is a living system of tidal channels, mudflats, and native vegetation. Juvenile salmon once again feed and grow here before migrating to the ocean, while migratory birds fill the skies above.

“If you watch the live-stream webcam in fast motion, you’ll notice it’s almost like this site is breathing,” Kurt said back then. “The estuary is flooding and draining, flooding and draining with tidal waters, like a lung does with oxygen. It’s a nice comparison to bringing some life back to an isolated floodplain that hadn’t seen that kind of life in a long time.”

Kurt Nelson, Tulalip’s Environmental Department Administrator, is blanketed for his influential role in Qwuloolt’s restoration.

Reviving salmon

The Qwuloolt project was about salmon, which are central to Coast Salish culture. For decades, levees and drainage channels prevented saltwater from mixing with freshwater, cutting off essential habitat. By reopening the estuary, the project restored a natural nursery for fish central to both ecosystem health and tribal identity.

“Qwuloolt is not only a nursery area for hundreds of thousands of juvenile salmon that migrate from the upper basins of the Snohomish that will come through this estuary and feed on various prey species and grow very rapidly, but also contributes to the survival of fish all over the Snohomish basin,” Kurt explained. “It will improve the water quality of Jones and Allen Creek, while being an extremely important bird habitat for migratory waterfowl, as well as restoring native wetland vegetation.”

For the Tulalip people, these outcomes are deeply tied to cultural survival. Every salmon that passes through Qwuloolt strengthens treaty rights, sustains ceremonies, and creates opportunity for traditional foods to remain available to future generations.

The Snohomish River watershed drains 1,856 square miles of the western Cascades and is the second largest river basin draining to
Puget Sound. (drone shot by Justin Salva/Tulalip TV)

A model of partnership

The success of the Qwuloolt Estuary Restoration Project was rooted in unprecedented cooperation. Tribal, federal, state, and local agencies worked side by side for nearly two decades, securing $20 million from a patchwork of funding sources.

“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers were responsible for the levee construction and the levee breach, while the Tribes were responsible for the channels, the berms, the planting, and some of the utility work that needed to be done,” noted Kurt. “From beginning to end, QERR was all about partnership and working together in getting this project done.”

That spirit of collaboration continues to inspire restoration work across the region.

Col. John Buck of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers speaks at the levee breach celebration in 2015.

“As evidenced here today, it really has been a tremendous collaboration between the tribes and federal, state and local governments to bring this project through and really make a significant change for our environment,” said Col. John Buck of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. “Over the past century, we’ve seen this continuing degradation of our environment in the northwest and it’s through collaboration and partnership that we can really affect change.”

Nature’s classroom

In the years since its rebirth, Qwuloolt has become a destination for school field trips, birdwatchers, and community members seeking to connect with the land. Native vegetation flourishes where cattle once grazed. Eagles, herons, and migratory waterfowl now feed in abundance, drawing residents from Marysville and beyond to witness the return of nature to their backyard.

Teachers bring students to the site to see science in action, such as tidal flows carving new channels, salmon fry darting among sedges, and restored wetlands filtering water before it flows downstream. These visits deepen the community’s awareness of the interconnectedness of ecosystems, while inspiring future generations to be stewards of the environment.

The estuary also stands as a reminder of resilience. Where there was once a Superfund landfill site and abandoned farmland, there is now a thriving ecosystem that improves water quality, mitigates flooding, and combats global warming by sequestering carbon in wetland soils.

Juvenile salmon are returning to Qwuloolt in abundance. (photo by Roger Tabor/USFWS)

A lasting legacy

In its first decade, Qwuloolt has proven that damaged lands can be healed and that healing can ripple outward to fish, to birds, to water quality, and to people. The estuary is now a living classroom, a haven for wildlife, and a reminder that communities can correct past mistakes through persistence and partnership.

For Kurt Nelson, 2025 marks nearly 40 years of employment with Tulalip. He maintains that the estuary project is one of the largest and most impactful initiatives the Tribe has accomplished to date, and that its impact will continue to evolve.

“There’s a lot of area here that will continue to fill in with vegetation, and I expect to see an increasing number of salmon using this particular area,” boasted Kurt. “This was built to not have to do a lot of maintenance, instead it was built to evolve and change over time with changing tidal levels. It’s only going to get better and better over time.”

A decade after Salish Sea waters rushed back in, Qwuloolt Estuary is thriving. Its channels pulse with the rhythm of the tide, its wetlands hum with birdsong, and its waters nurture the salmon that sustain both local ecosystems and our people.

Huckleberry Harvest

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Mountain huckleberry has served as an important food, medicine, and trade good to Coast Salish cultures since time immemorial. Prior to European colonization of the Americas, Native peoples managed the land using controlled burns to create and maintain huckleberry habitat in prime gathering areas located high above sea level. These traditional teachings live on today.

“I joined the Forestry team in 2022. At that time, the huckleberry fields were looking scarce,” explained Tisen Fryberg, Tulalip Tribe’s Forest Manager. “That was due in part to the pandemic and a staff shortage that resulted in less resources being available to manage the huckleberries. But to me, even with less resources, if fire was being used effectively to manage that land like our ancestors did in their day, then the scarcity could’ve been avoided.

“It was a priority of mine to implement that traditional teaching of using fire as a means of stewardship so that the huckleberries could thrive once again. Over the past few years, we’ve been successful with using fire to clear underbrush and slash piles. This not only recycles the nutrients into the soil and allows the huckleberry plants to grow bigger and stronger, but it also is an effective way to reduce the presence of competing plant species.

“Using fire and controlled burns in the same way our ancestors did ensures that the berries will continue to be abundant for future generations,” continued Tisen. “This is what planning for the seventh generation is all about.”

In 2016, the Tulalip Tribes began working cooperatively with the U.S. Forest Service to sustain huckleberries at a 1,280-acre parcel of land, 4,700 feet above elevation in the upper Skykomish River watershed. This particular location is one of several co-stewardship areas throughout the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest where Tulalip collaborates with the Forest Service to preserve and maintain important cultural resources.

This picture catches a glimpse of the past. An ancestor harvesting huckleberry.
Photo OSU Special Collections Archive, 1933.

Named swədaʔx̌ali, Lushootseed for ‘Place of Mountain Huckleberries’, this end of summer destination gives Tulalip’s membership an opportunity to walk in the shadows of their ancestors and harvest the highly prized mountain huckleberry.

Mountain huckleberries generally ripen in the late summer and can be picked into the early fall. Well-known for boosting the immune system and being rich in antioxidants, huckleberry has a strong relationship to the area’s Northwest Tribes. Coast Salish peoples consider the huckleberry to be an important dietary staple because of its medicinal properties and sweet, delicious taste.

“Huckleberry is a superfood and medicine to our people,” explained Tulalip elder and knowledge keeper Inez Bill. “Our ancestors visited certain areas for gathering these berries. They knew where the berries were growing, what companion plants were growing there too, and how to use them.

Photo OSU Special Collections Archive, 1933.

Swədaʔx̌ali is a prime example of how Tulalip is diligently working to reclaim traditional areas. Stemming directly from the Point Elliot Treaty of 1855, which secured claims to gather roots and berries in all open and unclaimed land, the ‘Place of the Mountain Huckleberries’ is a living expression of Tulalip’s sovereignty.

Embracing that sovereignty is every tribal member who journeys to this harvesting area and practices a berry picking tradition that continues to be passed on from one generation to the next. Tulalip mother-son duo, Maria and Enzo Rios, recently made the 65-mile journey to swədaʔx̌ali. It was 2-year-old Enzo’s first time on the mountain, but he looked right at home as he picked berry after berry. Often letting out a “hmmm yum!” while filling his belly.

“It was a beautiful, uplifting experience. Once we hit the forest, where there were no buildings, no cars, no people, just trees…my spirit soared,” reflected Maria after staining her hands purple from successful day of harvesting. “Watching my son pick his first huckleberries, I couldn’t help but think of his great-grandparents picking berries when they were kids. Berry picking just feels natural, like we’ve always done it. These are the meaningful experiences that we all need to share in. The smells are intoxicating, the sounds are beautiful, and the views are absolutely stunning.”

Huckleberry season is short, lasting only a matter of weeks across August and September. Thanks to the Tribe’s dedicated Forestry team and effective use of fire as a land management tool, the berries at swədaʔx̌ali are more abundant and larger than they’ve been in years.

The sought-after superfood ranges in color from bright red to deep blue to plum purple. Similar in size to blueberries and much sweeter than cranberries, many people rate huckleberries as the tastiest of the berry bunch.

Huckleberry harvest season is here. Every Tulalip tribal member and Tulalip family is invited to make the most of this window of opportunity by journeying to swədaʔx̌ali. There are two gates that require a combination to unlock. Please visit or call the Admin Building front desk at 360-716-4160 and provide your full name, followed by enrollment number, to obtain the lock combination.

For the Tulalip Tribes, the mountain huckleberry is intimately tied with traditional lifeways and culture. Nearly 5,000 feet up, in the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, berry pickers are completely immersed in the grand splendor that is the Pacific Northwest. Epic views of luscious forestry, towering mountains, and clear waterways are mesmerizing.

The Lushootseed Department was quick to capitalize on the harvest opportunity. They spent a Thursday at swədaʔx̌ali, living out the seasonal harvesting traditions they incorporate in their teaching lessons.

“As soon as we found out the huckleberries were ready – our team prepared for a trip for the ‘Huckleberry Opener 2025’,” shared Lushootseed manager Natosha Gobin. “Berries picked are used in lessons teaching the importance of harvesting and processing as a traditional food for year-round usage; for foods shared during Lushootseed department community events; and utilized to create giveaway/honorarium items.

**Wild mountain huckleberries prefer elevations between 4,000 to 6,000 feet.**

“Reconnecting with the spaces that our ancestors traveled to harvest brings a sense of belonging,” continued Natosha. “It’s an emotional connection that helps increase our desire to continue learning, teaching and honoring the ways of life that helped our ancestors thrive, since time immemorial.”

An expression of tribal sovereignty. Offerings of traditional teachings and sustainable land management. An invaluable cultural medicine. In addition to their high concentration of antioxidants and nutrients, it’s clear the peewee sized berries are also packed with purpose.

Earth Day every day

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

Approximately 20 percent of the Tulalip Reservation comprises wetlands—natural systems that help prevent flooding, filter contaminants from water sources, and provide vital habitat and spawning grounds for salmon native to the Salish Sea. These ecosystems play a crucial role in both environmental health and cultural preservation.

Cleansing Mother Earth and empowering tribal members to protect their homelands for future generations has never been more urgent. On Tuesday, April 22, Tulalip’s Earth Day Celebration brought the community together for a day of learning, restoration, and stewardship across several locations on the reservation.

At the Tulalip Health Clinic, participants revitalized the community garden by repurposing raised beds and transplanting plants grown for giveaways, including calendula, a healing herb often used to make salves. Meanwhile, community members gathered at Mission Beach to remove debris along the shoreline, while others participated in a cleanup effort along 27th Avenue near Heritage High School.

A guided plant walk took place around the ballfield behind the Youth Center, educating attendees about the reservation’s wetlands. Booths were also set up at the Youth Center, offering tips on nutrition, home renovation, gardening, and recycling. Creative and sustainable living ideas were introduced, such as using hempcrete—a bio-composite building material made from hemp—to construct affordable homes. Tulalip is set to become one of the first tribal communities to build a hempcrete house in collaboration with the Indigenous Habitat Institute later this year.

Other booths shared exciting initiatives. TERO provided information about solar panel installation programs available to Tulalip residents. Knox Cellars encouraged families to support pollinator populations by raising backyard beehives. At a fruit nutrition station, attendees could spin a prize wheel to win fruit and learn about healthy eating.

Tribal member Joyia Kinlicheeney was among those who came out to support the Mission Beach cleanup. As garbage bags were handed out and participants began making their way toward the shore, Joyia cheered, “And it starts!”—capturing the day’s spirit.

Michelle Bahnick, Wetland Biologist with Tulalip Natural Resources, led the plant walk and shared her expertise on local plant species. When the group reached the first wetland, Bahnick asked if anyone could identify a plant. A young girl excitedly called out, “Cattails!” Bahnick confirmed and explained their dual role. While cattails filter pollutants and provide habitat, their aggressive growth can threaten biodiversity by overtaking native species.

“We have excellent stormwater developments, but it’s nothing compared to what nature can do,” Bahnick said. She pointed to the wetlands surrounding the ballfield as an ecological restoration site. “If you impact an environmentally sensitive area, you become responsible for offsetting those impacts,” she noted, referring to replanting efforts that have taken place near the Youth Center.

Environmental Education and Outreach Coordinator Melissa Gobin spoke passionately about fostering a deeper connection between the community and the land. “I want them to love the land like I love it. I want them to take care of this land and take pride in it. I don’t want people coming here and throwing garbage everywhere. This is where we all have to live, and we need to act as a community. I want them to love it like it’s their mother.”

She also sees youth education as the key to lasting change. “Teaching kids through outreach education is what I think will get people more passionate about caring for the land—it’s contagious,” she said.

Gobin warned that neglecting the land will bring severe consequences. “If we don’t care for Mother Earth, she will fight back. You can expect a polluted environment where fish could become extinct, and animals will have nowhere to live. The water will be polluted, the air will suffer, and climate change will worsen. We’re already seeing these effects and need to act to prevent further damage.”

When speaking on how all those who came out took away from today, she hopes participants walked away feeling inspired and empowered. “I want them to develop a love for nature, to get their hands in the dirt and truly appreciate what Mother Earth provides. They should feel empowered to grow one plant or start a garden. They can volunteer and learn about important restoration projects for salmon, bees, and other pollinators. It’s all connected, forming one huge cycle of life that we must protect.”

Tulalip’s Earth Day celebration served as a reminder that environmental responsibility doesn’t begin and end with a single day- it’s a continuous commitment rooted in culture, community, and care for the land. From restoring gardens to learning about native plants and sustainable building, every action taken reflects a growing movement toward harmony with nature. As more people participate in these efforts, the hope is that Earth Day becomes more than a date on the calendar- it becomes a way of life. Let every day be Earth Day.

A call to Stewardship: Uniting for Earth Day 2025

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
Our lands are sacred. Protecting our community and the surrounding environment is essential for restoring the land and creating a healthier future—not just for the people who call this place home but also for the plants and animals that depend on these lands. They don’t have a voice in how their environment is shaped, making our role as caretakers even more vital.

Natural Resources Environmental and Education Outreach Coordinator Melissa Gobin, reminds us that every day should be treated as Earth Day. She emphasizes the importance of being stewards of the land and inspiring others to embrace this responsibility. With this spirit in mind, the Natural Resource department is reaching out to gather ideas and support for this year’s Earth Day initiatives, which will take place on April 22 and the days leading up to it.

Last year’s events brought the community together for meaningful activities, including a plant walk that educated participants about native species and invasive plants, clean-up efforts at local rain gardens and public spaces, and salmon habitat restoration at Quil Ceda Creek. Multiple organizations collaborated to plant trees, create shade, and support the creek’s ecosystem. These events showcased the power of teamwork and community action, leaving a lasting impact.

Building on last year’s successes, the aim is to create an even more significant impact this year, focusing on trash removal, invasive species management, and maintaining public gardens. Community clean-up efforts will target areas such as 27th Avenue on the Rez, Tulalip beaches, and other local spaces.

This year’s initiatives include creating a seed bank and food-sharing program, encouraging community members to donate seeds, grow their gardens, and share homegrown produce to promote food security. Volunteers will clean and repair gardens across multiple Tulalip buildings and plant native vegetation to enhance green spaces.

Natural Resources will also be collaborating with local and national organizations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Sound Solutions, the Marysville School District, and various tribal entities such as beda?chelh.

This is a community-driven initiative, and it needs your input to succeed. Share ideas for new activities or locations that need attention, volunteer at clean-up events, plant walks, or educational booths, or donate seeds, gardening tools, or financial contributions to support restoration projects. These initiatives are focused on Tulalip but are open to everyone—not just tribal members, to create a better future for all living beings who depend on these sacred lands.

Melissa Gobin emphasizes, “Raising awareness about our community’s health, the environment, and sustainability efforts is crucial. Let’s inspire everyone to love Mother Earth.”

Please get in touch with Melissa Gobin at mgobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov to share your ideas, volunteer, or donate. Let’s make this year’s Earth Day a celebration of our shared commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring a thriving future for all.