Embracing the spirit of the holiday season, Youth Services shuttled several dozen excited kids to Seattle for the unveiling of WildLanterns – a brand new experience at Woodland Park Zoo that is illuminated by large-scale animal and nature scape lanterns.
“We were particularly excited for this event because we know the holidays can be a financial strain for families, and by providing dinner, transportation, and zoo tickets we were doing what we could to create a memorable holiday experience,” explained Sarah Murphy, Youth Enrichment Manager. “In the days leading up to this trip, you could hear kids in the Youth Services building talking about it and asking their friends and cousins if they were going to go. Now that we’re here, you can definitely see the excitement on their faces. And for me, that’s the best part is witnessing their excitement and knowing they can have fun on and off the reservation.”
The youth, along with their chaperones, traversed through the zoo’s Mystical Forest where stunning creatures gleamed brightly. They then embarked on a journey through the bright Desert Highway to see desert flora and fauna. Imagination took flight in the Birds of Paradise Zone, where magnificent peacocks flaunted their flamboyant plumes and birds of a feather perched above on enchanted branches.
Izzy Wolftail enjoyed everything WildLanterns had to offer while being both an event chaperone and proud father to his children in attendance. “The kids are just loving all the lights and attractions, especially the interactive jump pads,” shared Izzy what walking along the Mystical Forest with the kids. “I have a 7 and 9-year-old here, too, and they keep saying they want to see everything, and we better not be missing any cool displays.
“As a tribal member and a father, I’m so grateful the Tribe gives my kids and, really, all our kids opportunities like this,” he continued. “Shoot, I’m enjoying being here and soaking in all the excitement, too. This experience is making good memories for my family to look back on one day.”
During Izzy’s interview, his 7-year-old daughter Marilyn gleefully exclaimed, “It’s so much fun! Have you seen the monkeys? If not, you better check them out!”
If you have yet to experience Woodland Park’s WildLanterns, there is still plenty of time. The illuminated zoo attraction is running from 4:00pm to 9:00pm now through January 19, 2025. Tickets can be purchased online at www.zoo.org/wildlanterns
At the behest of young Marilyn Wolftail, be sure to check out them monkeys.
“I did receive a Pendleton and a blanketing ceremony! It was very emotional because they (beda?chelh team) all seen the growth, because I did grow a lot through the program. I was able to dig deeper into why I do what I do and why I think the way I do. And I’m really thankful that they acknowledge the work that is put in, that they acknowledge that you are a good parent. I feel that’s very important.”
-Jaida Wasko, Tulalip Parent/beda?chelh client
Shelly Lacy and her team at beda?chelh have been on a mission to reinstill trust with their clients since she took the helm at the Tribe’s child welfare program. This effort is to show the community that their number one goal is to keep Tribal families together and to reunite children with their parents, if the court removes them from the home.
A common misconception about the program is that beda?chelh’s only interest is separating the kids from their parents, and that beda?chelh makes the final decision to place them in another home. When in actuality, their role is to assess the child’s living environment and open a case if there’s a safety issue that calls for removal.
Following a co-investigation with the state, the Tribal court system will determine if the child needs to be placed in another home or can remain with the family. beda?chelh is there regardless of the outcome to help you plan your next step, whether that’s addressing those issues with the children still living in the home or beginning the reunification process.
Jaida Wasko, Tulalip Parent and beda?chelh client, recently regained custody of her kiddos. In an interview with Tulalip News, she expressed a great amount of gratitude for beda?chelh and her caseworker. And though her partner may have had a slightly different experience with beda?chelh, she credits the program for their growth as parents and states that with their help, they were able to reunite as a family in an expeditious fashion.
Said Jaida, “I feel like the program is protecting and looking out for the best interests of our children, whether or not people are able to see the hard work that they do. Because it is hard work pulling kids out of families when they don’t want to, but they have to. It’s case by case, but I feel it’s important for someone to step in and motivate parents to reunite and get better for the wellbeing of our kids. Because our kids need stability, discipline, structure. beda?chelh is a really good resource for people like me who are going through things, and they just can’t quite get out of it. They give me motivation to keep going.”
Through their latest efforts, like the implementation of a monthly cultural class for their families, beda?chelh is going the extra mile to show that they are a resource and not the enemy, that they care for the wellbeing of the kids and the entire family unit. And that they are there to support and uplift you through those challenging times.
“I had tested positive for fentanyl and meth, and my kids ended up having to come out of the home,” explained Jaida. “It was kind of hard because they were stuck between opening a case and not opening a case, because me and my husband were both functioning addicts. From the get-go, it was very hard, but they were very understanding. And at the end of the day, we are very thankful for the opportunities we did get. We were able to get help financially from them with clothing vouchers, food vouchers, gas vouchers. They were also able to get us into the same parenting classes, so we were able to do it together. It’s a lot of hard work, but if me and my husband can push through and do that work, anybody can.”
Photo courtesy of Jaida Wasko
Upon the closure of a case, when the child is back in the care of their parents, Tribal Court usually holds a blanketing ceremony, accompanied by a prayer chant or song by local culture bearers. beda?chelh recently took this ceremony over, utilizing the event as an opportunity not only to acknowledge the families’ work of completing their journey with the program, but also to celebrate each accomplishment that their other clients make throughout their time with beda?chelh.
Shelly expressed, “That’s always the fun part of our job, because we get to celebrate that they’ve done it. We make sure to remind them of all their hard work, and how far they’ve come, because sometimes people think we don’t value their work. We want them to know how proud we are of the work they’ve done to get their kids back, reminding them that their kids will always remember the work that they’ve done for them. And then we’ll also award certificates at the celebration lunch, for every family that hits a major milestone.”
In Native America, a blanketing ceremony is held on momentous occasions, such as a graduation or a marriage, to honor your successes. The blanket serves as a physical reminder of your accomplishments and your growth through a certain phase of life, as well as an indicator that you are ready to begin your next journey. In traditional ceremonies or gatherings, blankets are a sign of wealth within tribal families, and to receive a blanket as a gift is a high honor.
When asked about the significance of the blanketing ceremony at beda?chelh, Shelly said, “Now, this is just how I think of it, because it depends on what family you’re in and where your beliefs come from. To me, when we wrap you in that blanket, we put our hopes for you, our love for you, our caring for you in that blanket. We are wrapping you in hope, love, and our caring, so when you’re having a rough day, you can wrap yourself up in that blanket and you can still feel that from us.”
Photo courtesy of Jaida Wasko
With one last case on the verge of closure in the coming weeks, Jaida is excited to join the next blanketing ceremony and celebrate the work her family put in as well as the efforts made by other parents.
“It’s so awesome to see that they go out of their way to do blanket ceremonies for our people,” she said. “It was a surprise when it happened to me. I was surprised, it was emotional, and it shows that we truly do recover. My caseworker said she was so proud of us both, because they don’t see a lot of couples do it together. The way I look at it is our kids are our future. My kids are the most important people on the earth to me. And all the work that they do at beda?chelh is in the best interest of our kids, that’s who they are doing it for.”
Jaida and her family’s experience with beda?chelh is a good example of the saying ‘it works if you work it’. With many new success stories coming from beda?chelh, one could assess that team’s new hands-on approach and emphasis on celebrating their client’s victories is helping overturn that negative perception that many folks on the reservation hold against beda?chelh. One thing is for sure, the program is going to have to stock up on wool blankets as more parents are buying into the program, doing the work to reunite their families, and understanding the need for and the importance of the Tribe operating their own child welfare agency.
“It’s just about providing that extra layer of support for our clients. We really do want you to keep your kids, and we want to be there to help you get your kids back,” Shelly stated. “This is a way to really celebrate with the parents and give them that encouragement to keep going. Because it can feel like there is so much you have to do. It can seem like you have so far to go and you’re not going to make it. So, it’s important to stop and celebrate the work you’ve done.”
beda?chelh is planning to hold a blanket ceremony on the first Tuesday of every month to celebrate their clients’ accomplishments and inspire them to keep working toward reunification. The celebration will be held during the lunch hour at the beda?chelh headquarters. For more information, please contact Shelly Lacy at (360) 716-4059.
On Friday, December 6, the Tulalip Tribes hosted the Providence General Foundation’s 39th Annual Festival of Trees Holiday Gala and Live Auction in the Orca Ballroom at the Tulalip Resort Casino. This cherished event brought together over 500 attendees, including community leaders, medical professionals, corporate executives, and other generous donors, to support a cause directly benefiting North Puget Sound’s children and families.
“This event has a long history; it’s the largest event of its kind in North Puget Sound.” shared Aimee Martin, Senior Philanthropy Officer with Providence General Foundation. “People come together during the holidays to make a difference in the lives of local children, ensuring they receive the care and support they need to thrive.”
One of the two chairpersons for the event, Tim Halliday, has been attending the Festival of Trees since the early 2000s. “He represents a second generation of giving back to the community and is passionate about supporting women’s and children’s services,” said Martin. Halliday, along with chairperson Karen Wetzel, ensured that the evening was an entertaining and smooth running success.
The gala featured 14 stunningly decorated Christmas trees designed by local community members. The auction of these trees raised thousands of dollars, with seven trees donated back to local organizations, including the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club. Interestingly, the trees already slated for donation drew the most considerable bids of the evening.
The highest bid went to the Decadent Holiday Dreams tree, which sold for an astounding $33,000. The winning bidder agreed to donate the tree and its gifts to Dawson Place, a center dedicated to helping children in need. The tree was a whimsical masterpiece adorned with pastel sweets, sugary donuts, cotton candy garland, and ornaments shaped like macarons, cakes, candies, and sprinkled donuts. It also included plush Squishmallow toys, 77 free drink gift cards, and other delightful surprises, making it a true treasure trove of holiday cheer.
This year’s gala proceeds will benefit children’s services at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. Martin explained, “The children’s services fund offers comprehensive support to children under Providence’s care. Contributions will help finance vital programs and services, including our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, The Children’s Center, the Providence Boyden Family Autism Center, and Camp Prov, a summer camp for kids with special health care needs.”
A unique “Fund-a-Need” portion of the evening raised additional funds for the Providence Pavilion for Women and Children, supporting safe and healthy births for mothers and babies.
“It’s a higher priority at Providence to guarantee that babies and children receive the necessary care and support to grow strong,” Martin emphasized.
A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Spirit of Festival Award to local florist Stadium Flowers. “Since the late 1980s, Stadium Flowers has been a cornerstone of the Festival of Trees,” said Martin. “Their stunning floral arrangements enhance the ambiance yearly, and we’re excited to recognize their contributions.”
Reflecting on the generosity of the event, Tulalip Tribal Chairwoman Teri Gobin shared, “It’s wonderful that we could donate that money, see these beautiful lights, and it’s for a good cause, especially to help with the kids at the Providence hospital.”
The Tulalip Tribes bid on two displays during the auction, one of which will be at the Tulalip Tribes Administration Building, further sharing the holiday cheer with their community.
The Annual Festival of Trees Holiday Gala demonstrated the power of community, generosity, and holiday spirit. From the beautifully designed trees to the heartfelt donations, an incredible $1,452,581 was raised to benefit children’s services in the region.
“This event is an opportunity for people to give back during a special time of year,” Martin said. “It’s a generous group of people coming together to make a meaningful difference in the healthcare of North Puget Sound.”
For nearly four decades, the Festival of Trees has been a beacon of hope and support for children and families, and this year’s event spectacularly continued that tradition.
The Tulalip Heritage girls basketball team returned to the court for the 2024-2025 season on December 5 in an away game vs. the Shoreline Chargers. Many of the core players from last season are back, plus some key additions to give the Lady Hawks more depth and more skill sets for head coach Sabrina Moses to work with.
“We’ve added several new players, including Aylani Lewis. She’s just a freshman, but has the game of a much older player. She’s a true point guard who can control the tempo of our offense and get us into sets that her teammates are comfortable with,” said coach Sabrina. “She’s joining her sister Raylee who played with us last year.
“Also returning are sisters Lilly and Isabelle Jefferson to fortify our defense. I can always count on them to give full effort every minute they are on the court, which gives us an intensity we need.”
Controlled tempo on offense and intense defense were both on display by the Lady Hawks in their dismantling of Shoreline. Aylani’s effectiveness with the ball in her hands was evident from the jump. She scored 12 points in the 1st quarter by blowing by much larger defenders and scoring layups over their outstretched arms. Meanwhile, Heritage’s defense was wreaking havoc. The girls were jumping passing lanes and hounding Chargers ballhandlers into one turnover after another.
After one quarter of play, Tulalip led 16-2. They stretched that lead to 22-5 at halftime. In the 3rd quarter, Lady Hawks forward Laniyah Moore made the most of a couple well-timed offense rebounds and scored on back-to-back high percentage shots.
The Lady Hawks were rolling until an unfortunate moment of friendly fire when Aylani and fellow guard Audrielle Mclean both went for a loose ball and collided at full speed. The collision resulted in both players exiting the game; Audrielle with a forehead cut that required 5 stitches and Aylani with concussion-like symptoms.
Without their top playmakers, the Lady Hawks held on for a well-deserved 34-18 victory. Aylani led all scorers with 15 points, while Laniyah and big sister Raylee both added 6 points each.
Following the season opening win, Lilly shared, “It felt really good to get this win. For me personally, I worked a lot on my shooting and dribbling to be more confident in games. Last year, I looked to pass lot. Now, I’m looking to shoot and handle the ball more, when the team needs it. It paid off tonight after losing Audrielle and Aylani, I was asked to play point guard. It helped for me to get to the areas I like to shoot, and I made a couple buckets in that 4th quarter. It just feels good to be undefeated
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Without several starters, Lady Hawks fall to Darrington
The Lady Hawks produced a valiant effort on the evening of December 9. In their second straight road game to the start the season, the Heritage girls played the Darrington Loggers extremely shorthanded. In fact, they were down three starters; both Lewis sisters and Audrielle Mclean.
Without their primary ballhandlers, sisters Lilly and Isabelle Jefferson were asked to step up and run the offense. Playing against a Logger’s defense consistently applying full court pressure, the sisters were regularly forced to dribble around multiple Darrington defenders just to get the ball up court. The constant pressure made it difficult for the Lady Hawks to execute their sets, let alone produce an unhindered view of the basket to attempt a shot.
Undermanned and outgunned, the Lady Hawks trailed 5-28 at halftime, and ended up losing 13-47. Isabelle led the Lady Hawks with 4 points.
Even in an emphatic loss there are always positives. With the injuries, several players got extended run. One such player was freshman Janiesha Zackuse. She scored her first Lady Hawk point with a made free throw. Something she knew made her family who made the hour-long venture to watch her very happy.
“It felt pretty good to play so much. I’m tired out now though,” admitted Janiesha post-game. “We had a lot of supporters in the stands. It’s pretty awesome to see everybody who drove all this way to watch us play.”
Last season, the Heritage Hawks basketball program exceeded even the loftiest of expectations. They began the season (1-3) while developing their on-court identity with a mix of stout senior players and phenomenally talented freshman. Once they found their rhythm and groove, they also discovered their winning ways. Their midseason turnaround culminated in a 2nd place finish at Districts, 3rd place finish at Tri-Districts and, ultimately, the boys fell just one win short from a State Tournament bid.
The Hawks are returning a number of players from that (17-9) squad, including the starting backcourt of J.J. Gray and Amare Hatch who are both sophomores now. They are joined by a plethora of new faces who are eager to carve out impactful roles on a team primed to build off last season’s success.
“We’re looking to accomplish all around growth for the program, and to continue developing our boys for what we hope is another lengthy post season run. Of course, this year we want to make it all the way to State,” shared Heritage head coach Shawn Sanchey. “It’s been so exciting being able to watch our program grow and to receive so much support from our community. When we’re winning in front of packed crowds, it really doesn’t get much better than that.”
The 24-25 season officially kicked off on Thursday, December 5, when Tulalip travelled to Shoreline High School for an away game against the Chargers. It was less a game and more a coming out party for the new-look Hawks.
The J.J. and Amare pairing as playing making combo guards who can just as easily stroke a 3-pointer as they can beat their man off the dribble and finesse in a layup, scored 19 points in the early going to give their team a commanding 34-5 lead. This pleased the many Heritage fans who journeyed south to swarm the Shoreline gymnasium.
In the 3rd quarter, newcomer Ziggy Myles-Gilford did his best Dennis Rodman impersonation by gobbling up every loose rebound and scoring off high percentage shots in the painted area. The Tulalip forward accounted for 14 points and nearly as many rebounds in that third frame. With the game all but a wrap, Coach Sanchey unleashed his bench players to have their fun during the 4th quarter.
After the decisive 75-19 season opening victory, guard Amare said, “Our on-ball defense was on point tonight. I don’t know how many steals we ended up with, but it was a lot, that’s for sure. I think our team chemistry is already at a good place because so many of us have been playing together in Native tournaments. All those extra games and reps have gotten us comfortable with each other’s games. We want to be better than we were last year and this first W is just the start.”
In total, ten Heritage boys registered a bucket in the blowout win. Ziggy led all scorers with 20 points.
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Hawks chop down Loggers, 90-46
With more Tulalip fans in attendance than Logger fans, the energy was more befitting a home game for the Heritage boys playing in Darrington. Chants of “Tulalip power!” rang out early and often as the Hawks break neck pace led to a 26-13 first quarter lead.
The long ball wasn’t falling, or any jumper for that matter, but it didn’t matter because the Hawks couldn’t be denied from getting to the basket whenever they wanted. Both Hawks forwards, Ziggy Myles-Gilford and Tokala Black Tomahawk, controlled the glass and routinely corralled offensive rebounds to give their team additional offensive possessions. The two Hawks bigs combined to score 25 points in the 1st half and were a big reason why Tulalip led 47-26 at halftime.
Hawks players explaining the subtle complexities of Rez ball to an open-minded referee.
In the 3rd quarter, the 3 ball finally started to go in for the Hawks shooters. Amare Hatch, J.J. Gray, and Deveyon Wells each made a 3-pointer to help extend their team’s lead. Up big, 77-35, to begin the 4th quarter coach Shawn inserted his bench players to get in on the scoring frenzy.
Stunned Logger fans even got to witness a couple Ziggy dunks, tomahawk style. His dunks were just the cherry on top of his career night 30 points and 20-something rebounds enroute to Tulalip securing a 90-46 win.
The unbeaten (2-0) Hawks received additional scoring from Amare who chipped in 15 points, while J.J. and Tokala each added 13 points.
Cheerleading is recognized for an energetic blend of athleticism, teamwork, and performance. Beyond the glittering pom-poms and dazzling routines, youth cheerleading serves as a platform for empowering young girls, largely driven by women leaders who act as mentors, coaches, and role models.
At its core, cheer promotes physical fitness and discipline. These benefits to a youth’s physical wellbeing are good, but even better are the emotional, spiritual, and psychological impacts. The high energy, choreographed activity instills critical life skills such as teamwork, communication, and resilience. Girls learn to work collaboratively toward common goals, celebrate collective achievements, and navigate setbacks with grace and determination.
Central to this empowering experience are the women who lead cheerleading programs, like Tulalip’s own Sheena Oldham and assistant coach Tara Granquist who together lead Lady Hawks cheer. As coaches and mentors, they hold a unique position to influence and inspire the next generation of young women. Through their guidance, they strive to model leadership, strength, and perseverance.
“We basically started this program from scratch after a few girls came to me during my day job with Youth Services and said ‘We want to cheer, but there are no on Rez options’,” explained cheer coach Sheena. “I reached out in-person and online to every family I knew that might be interest in signing up their daughter or daughters. At our first practice, we had maybe 8 or 9 girls total. A couple months later, we had 42. Enough to form two teams of different age groups (5 to 8-years-old and 9 to 12-years-old).
“From day one, I’ve wanted our program to be about more than just nailing a routine. It’s about our girls learning to support each other and finding confidence in who they are. Getting them to come out of their shells and breaking them of their shyness by building up their confidence levels and helping them find their voice. We even had a few troublemakers that clearly didn’t have an issue using their voice who we challenged in the best kind of way by getting them into leadership roles. Now, their voices help advocate for their teammates and for woman all across Indian Country.”
For young girls, cheer squad can be a safe space where they can explore their feminine identity and develop a strong sense of belonging as part of a shared sisterhood. Cheer’s emphasis on community involvement also allows girls to see firsthand the impact of their efforts. From cheering on school teams to participating in community projects, cheerleaders often become ambassadors of positivity and encouragement, learning the importance of giving back.
The young flock of Lady Hawks amplified their voices and took their united effort for giving back to the next level during their NCYFL Cheer Showcase performance. Held during mid-November at Anacortes High School, the Lady Hawks coaches and cheerleaders proved they could pay tribute to Native American Heritage Month during their performance while openly advocating for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women.
The jam-packed Anacortes gymnasium went completely silent as hundreds of cheer spectators took in the Lady Hawks routine. Equal parts cultural pride, social advocacy, and in sync pom-pom maneuvers, the girls wowed onlookers when their hip-hop music abruptly cut out and was replaced with a live drumming and singing of Antone George’s MMIW anthem.
Concluding their awe-inspiring performance, cheerleaders Persaeus Fryberg and Laveigha Merritt read the following statement: “MMIW means Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. The song you just heard was created by Antone George of the West Shore Canoe Family in 2019. The U.S. Department of Justice found that Native American women face murder rates that are much higher than the national average. Four out of five of Native women are affected by violence. Our purpose of singing and dancing this song is to bring awareness to our sisters who are no longer here to speak for themselves.”
When the two elder Lady Hawks dropped the mic, they and their squad of red hand wearing cheerleaders were met with a thunderous applause. Both coaches and several cheer moms greeted the girls with gigantic, warm embraces as they exited the gymnasium and received their cheer medals.
Head coach Sheena valiantly held back tears while lofting praise on her team. “I’m so extremely proud of each and every one of our girls. Seeing them out there in front of so many people and not missing a beat, it’s just an amazing experience. They’ve worked so hard to reach this point and to see all that hard work pay off with a performance and reception like that is, well what else can it be, it’s epic!”
At a time when positive female role models are more important than ever, youth cheerleading stands out as an illustrious lane for nurturing leadership and, in the case of Tulalip’s Lady Hawks, cultural empowerment. The women at the helm of these programs and the girls they are entrusted with are creating ripples of change. One squad, one routine, and one cheer at a time.
Back in May, the Washington Fatherhood Council and Tulalip Family Haven held an event known as the Fatherhood Café at the TELA gymnasium. With the intention to connect local fathers with resources and information, the four-hour gathering garnered nearly 30 participants.
During this session, each father displayed a strong desire to learn as much as they could about becoming a better parent and were highly interactive throughout the afternoon. This work allowed the dads to open up about the challenges they face as Indigenous fathers. And it also provided them the opportunity to relate to one another and create bonds with other parents who are on a path toward the same goals.
Working together, the dads identified areas where they needed that extra support and guidance in their fatherhood journey from either the community, family members, or the Tribe. Topics included addiction recovery, reunification efforts, reintegration after incarceration, housing, employment, cultural and community gatherings, and assistance through the justice system.
The Fatherhood Café resulted in a monthly gathering, planned by the dads for the dads, aptly dubbed Dads Group. Receiving a little guidance from Family Haven, the dads organize fun and engaging meetings that are kid and family friendly. With close to a dozen regular attendees, the dads are fully invested and are embracing that fatherhood role and all the challenges and successes that come with it.
Dads Group is a unique experience that isn’t available on many reservations. At each meet up, they allow themselves the space and time be vulnerable and delve into heavy topics such as the loss of a child, the struggle of addiction, or the possibility of never seeing their kids again.
And in response, the other dads show support by not only lending an ear and a shoulder, but also by offering advice and sharing how they got through similar problems in the face of adversity. Whether that’s cultural activities, spiritual work, group therapy, or even the incorporation of exercise into their daily lives, the dads keep an open mind and showcase a willingness to try new ideas and experiences.
Now, though the topic of conversation may be serious, the vibe and air of the room is kept light. As Indigenous People, we will find a way to get our laughs in and bring that Native humor to the forefront of that heavy work. After all, laughter is a big part of healing for our people, and there is plenty of that to go around at Dads Group.
The local dads often pick a theme and activity for the gatherings including traditional arts and crafts, as well as some holiday fun for the kiddos. The last two Dads Group meetings were based around the season, in October the group carved pumpkins while they chatted. And the activity for November was turkey hand crafting, just in time for Thanksgiving.
As the Dads Group moderator, Sasha Smith, Family Haven’s Family and Youth Support Coordinator, helps keep the conversation rolling while also introducing new topics and providing resources/contact info based on the conversation.
Said Sasha, “Family Haven has always had the Moms Group and supports for the moms, but there were never supports for dads. We know that dads are just as important to the family, whether it’s working, providing for your children, introducing culture, making sure they’re getting those teachings in the home. We realized that there wasn’t anything for dads, there’s really a lack of that out here, and that’s the missing link. And I realized that if there wasn’t going to be somebody else doing it, that I just needed to step up. So, I took the Moms Group model and used that to start the Dads Group.”
She continued, “I think that modern society always tells us that men shouldn’t speak up, men have to hold in their thoughts and feelings. But we know that is not good for our mental health. It’s not healthy to be alone, whether you’re in recovery, active addiction, maybe you’re going through separation, a divorce, whatever you are going through in life, it’s not healthy to do it alone. And whether it’s negative or positive, all those emotions are really raw, but once you learn that this is a safe space, then you realize it’s okay to let others be there to support you. At the end of the day, we’re all human and as Native people, we need that connection where we sit down, share a meal, and talk about whatever we’re going through.”
At the latest Dads Group, Robert Coberly and Dustin Moses shared an open discussion about their personal journey. They planned an outing for the group to visit a local CrossFit gym in Marysville. They also spoke about how a number of different Tribal programs and departments helped them along the way, including the Healing Lodge, Village of Hope, the MAP program, and the Healing to Wellness Court.
When asked about why Dads Group is important to have in the community, Robert shared, “For the support. I come here for support for myself and to support other dads and connect them with resources. We did a BBQ and pumpkin carving last month and I got to bring my daughter. It’s great to be a part of this support group and hang out with the other dads and learn how they’re doing in life and just be a part of it.”
Dustin added, “Dads Group is beneficial for dads to access more knowledge on being a better parent and how to help yourself in the long run. This group has helped me in so many ways and I’ve had a whole bunch of new experiences so far. My first time coming here was really interesting because I learned a lot about the culture and parenting information. And it’s helping me learn more about myself. I’m really enjoying it.”
To bring the two-hour gathering to a close, Sasha assigned the dads some homework that they can do with their kids – watch the Disney Pixar movie, Inside Out, because they will be focusing on dealing with emotions at the next group meeting.
Sasha shared that the Dads Group meet ups and outings will vary month to month and that the dads try to plan the group on days that will accommodate the majority of the participants schedules. She also extended an invite to the uncles and grandpas in the community who are helping raise children in their families.
“Continue watching for the flexibility of the schedule,” she said. “We’re trying to make it as easy as possible. You don’t have to commit to the full two hours, you can drop in, grab a snack, grab a coffee. And once you do that a few times, just like everything in life, you start to build in that routine. And that’s we we’re doing here – teaching routine and consistency. I know that at first it can be a bit uncomfortable, but in order for us to learn, especially with our kids, we have to be uncomfortable to experience new things. So, swing by, say hi, and just feel out the vibe and the energy of the space.”
For more information, please contact Robert Coberly at (360) 640-8858, or Family Haven at (360) 716-3284.
On November 15-16, the Tulalip Gathering Hall hosted the first of two annual Holiday Native Bazaars organized by tribal member Tammy Taylor. This year, the event featured over 60 tribal vendors showcasing handmade crafts and goods. Attendees explored an impressive selection of items, from traditional Native regalia such as cedar hats, baskets, and jewelry to handmade quilts, soaps, candles, and paintings. The bazaar offered smoked salmon, deer, elk, banana bread, cookies, and various popcorn flavors for food lovers.
Vendor Lorina Jones expressed her excitement about the event’s success. “This is our second year here. Our freeze-dried candy and earrings sold quite well.” When asked for her overall impression of the bazaar, Jones replied, “I think it went well—there were many vendors and lots of people left with great gifts. Everyone is together, laughing, having a good time. It’s just a fantastic opportunity for us to sell the crafts we love creating.”
Taylor highlighted the unique nature of the gifts available at the bazaar. “There are so many beautiful gifts here—things you can’t find anywhere else, made with love, care, and prayers. That’s the best part. People look forward to this event every year. Some vendors have told me how much they appreciate having this opportunity to sell their crafts and make money for things they need.”
Taylor emphasized the community spirit fostered by the bazaar. “This is about more than just selling; it’s about gathering and sharing. You see young people, some as young as 14 or 15, bringing their baked goods to sell. It’s heartwarming to watch. And then you have vendors like Mike Gobin, whose beautiful carved rattles were flying off the table, or The Golden Girls—tribal members Heather, Toni Jo, and Judy Gobin—laughing and weaving together. Watching them enjoy themselves is what this event is all about.”
She also praised the artistry on display, mentioning Lance Taylor’s cedar hats, Mike Dunn’s wooden coat racks, and many other unique items. “There’s just so much beautiful art here,” she said. “I encourage everyone to come out and support tribal member vendors. Everything is made with care and talent, whether someone has just a handful of items or several tables.”
Taylor thanked the Tulalip Tribes for providing the gathering hall and the Quil Ceda Village graphics team for creating the event’s banners each year. “They always do an amazing job,” she said. “This event wouldn’t be possible without their support and the dedication of everyone involved.” Another Holiday Bazaar will be held on December 6 and 7 at the Gathering Hall. Tulalip tribal member vendors only, for questions reach out to Tammy Taylor at (425) 501-4141
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.
Since the inception of the Tulalip’s Charitable Contributions Fund in 1993, the Tribe has donated approximately 126 million dollars in support to thousands of unique organizations. More commonly known as Tulalip Cares, the Fund provides the opportunity for a sustainable and healthy community by providing much needed funding to Washington State nonprofits and community groups who strive to make our shared reality a better place for all.
Kicking off the start of the holiday season, the Tribe, Resort Casino, Quil Ceda Village and Tulalip Cares combined forces to host an extravagant evening dubbed Raising Hands. It’s an annual event representing the purest spirit of Thanksgiving.
Held in the Orca Ballroom, the always stylish space was filled with hundreds of representatives who work tirelessly to improve education, environmental stewardship, public services, cultural preservation, and health care within the state. Guests were cordially invited to come together in an atmosphere of appreciation to celebrate their common mission to improve our communities.
“First of all, I want to welcome everyone here to our homelands,” said Tulalip Board of Director Glen Gobin during his opening remarks. “Secondly, I’d like to thank each and every one of you for the work that you do in helping us build stronger communities, bringing people together for the common good, and recognizing opportunity gaps and doing what it takes to fill those gaps. You all truly represent what it means to step forward and make a difference.
“We’ve experiences so much growth since 1992 when Tulalip signed the first gaming compact in Washington State. As we’ve grown, we haven’t forgotten what it is like to be in need,” continued Glen. “The Tulalip Tribes started out with only 3 employees many years ago. Today, we have over 3,600 employees and work with over 7,900 vendors, most of whom are local and could be your neighbor. As we continue to grow and be successful, we maintain our responsibility to the greater community and uphold our traditional value of giving back. That is why we are so very proud to have provided over $6.2 million dollars in financial assistance to 500+ organization over the past year.”
Raising Hands isn’t just about dollars and cents. At the annual celebration, community change makers are given a chance to share their plans for the future and learn how other like-minded charities are striving to make a difference for the benefit of so many. This is an invaluable benefit for organizations who can sometimes struggle to get their message broadcast to larger audiences.
“When you see people having these amazing, positive conversations that is when we see we are making a difference,” observed Tulalip Cares Director Marilyn Sheldon. “Giving people the opportunity to work together is worth its weight in gold. We try to show respect and honor these charities that give so much of themselves for this community. We want them to feel like the red carpet got laid out just for them.
“Each year, as soon as the event is over, we ask ourselves how we can help make the next one better,” she continued. “Some days, I feel so blessed that this is my job. We are so fortunate to be able to work with these amazing organizations in Snohomish County and throughout Washington State.”
During the 2024 rendition of Raising Hands, six standout nonprofits received special recognition for their exceptional creativity and effectiveness. Little Bit Therapeutic Riding Center, Naa KáaniNative Program, Pacific Rim Institute for Environmental Stewardship, Purrfect Pals, Scarlet Road, and STEM Paths Innovation Network were each highlighted for their innovative and heart felt work.
While cinematic videos detailing the amazing work of the featured nonprofits played on the Orca Ballroom’s several projection screens, the hundreds of honored guests in attendance were treated to a delectable 5-course dining experience.
The event ended with one last giving of thanks. One that paid tribute to still thriving Tulalip lifeways that are at the core of Tulalip Care’s vision to create a healthy and vibrant community. “To be without trees would, in the most literal way, to be without our roots,” read a table sign that attendees were directed to visit while exiting the Ballroom. On the table were gifts aplenty in the form of Western Red Cedars. Those that accepted the gift of cedar were instructed to plant it as a living memory of the special night of giving.
