RaeQuan Battle continues to be a trailblazer for his legion of Tulalip supporters, fans, and eager viewers who watch his game and hardwood opportunities continue to evolve, whether that’s attending his games in-person or through use of a digital screen.
He’s gotten buckets on all levels. From the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club recreational leagues and Marysville Pilchuck’s 3A high school competition to the NCAA stage; first at the University of Washington, then at Montana State where he averaged 17.7 points per game, before finally leading West Virginia as a 5th year collegiate standout scoring 16.1 points per game.
Now, the 23-year-old Tulalip icon is soaring to new heights as a paid professional on the Charlotte Hornet’s Summer League squad.
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE
“Just being here is a surreal thing,” shared RaeQuan. “Growing up on the rez and being a basketball player, I learned at a young age the importance of hard work, commitment, and to always keep pushing to be better. To be where I am now with the opportunity to earn an NBA roster spot, it just means the world to me. Knowing that I didn’t settle just on my talent, but kept working and sacrificing to build my skills and that got me here, it’s really a joyous thing. And knowing I have the support of my Tribe, friends and family, and so many young hoopers on not just our rez but many others, too, continues to push me and my game to new heights.”
For those unfamiliar, NBA Summer League is an annual event that showcases the talents of young basketball players in a competitive setting. Summer League provides an opportunity for NBA teams to evaluate potential prospects, determine roster depth, and gauge the development of their current players. For RaeQuan, this high-profile opportunity to showcase his skills against top tier talent could result in a two-way contract with an NBA team or a bona fide, fulltime call up to the Association.
Photo courtesy Charlotte Hornets
The July-wide Summer League slate started with the California Classic in Sacramento from July 6-9 before proceeding to the NBA2K25 in Las Vegas from July 12-22. At the California Classic, the Hornets competed against the San Antonio Spurs, Chinese National Team and Sacramento Kings.
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE
Here are RaeQuan’s most notable stat lines from those three games.
Charlotte Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs: Played 14 minutes. Scored 12 points on 4/7 shooting with 1 rebound and 1 steal
Charlotte Hornets vs. Team China: Played 13 minutes. Scored 9 points on 4/8 shooting with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
In their most recent posting, NBA Scouting Live described RaeQuan as an agile, skilled swingman that can knock down shots to help his team on offense. Indeed, he got enough burn in two of those California Classic games to create eye-popping moments that trended on social media throughout Indian Country.
Dawning the classic white, purple and teal colors of the Charlotte franchise, he buzzed around the 3-point arc and stung San Antonio with his long-range marksmanship with four made 3-pointers. Against the Chinese national team his athleticism was on full display during two separate rim rattling moments, both resulting in an aggressive, two-hand jam.
“Knowing so many of our Tulalip youth are following Rae on social media and keeping note of the Summer League tv schedule so they can root for him from home is so special,” said RaeQuan’s mama bear, Jacquie Williams. “It brings so much joy to my heart because not being in a big metro area, like Seattle where Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas, and others are examples of how life changing basketball can be, instead our kids have one of their own to be their hoops hero…they have RaeQuan Battle.”
Summer League Battle intends to maximize his time court time as competition moves to Las Vegas. Those wanting to tune in and catch him wearing the iconic Jerry West logo on his chest can find his upcoming games broadcasted on ESPN2 or NBATV.
Shelly Lacy is certainly a woman who needs no introduction. Her resume speaks for itself. However, we thought it was important to include one in this article, because we wouldn’t think of throwing our readers into a Q&A without any context.
During the final week of May, the Interim Executive Director of the Tulalip’s Family Advocacy department, Jade Carela, announced some exciting news through the Tribe’s governmental emailing system. That news was that Shelly Lacy was retiring from retirement and making a return to the Tulalip’s workforce as the new manager of the beda?chelh program.
Shortly thereafter, Tulalip News scheduled a one-on-one interview with Shelly. And through the interview, we were able to catch a glimpse of her brilliance as she passionately shared the love she has for the future leaders of the Tribe, as well as her desire to help keep families together and reunify children with their parents, if and when possible, while serving in her new position at beda?chelh.
We invite you to read the following transcription, a series of questions that are often raised within the community, and Shelly’s detailed, straightforward, and heartfelt responses. In turn, we hope you gain a little insight on what beda?chelh is, it’s function and operations in the community, and why it’s an important program for Tulalip children and families.
Why don’t we start with a little bit about your background – an intro to who are, who your family is…
My parents are Joy Jones Lacy and Cecil Lacy, my dad’s deceased. My grandparents were George and Louella Pratt. I belong to the Jones family. I had one brother and one sister. She’s Cecile “C.C.” Lacy Eastman. And then my brother was Cecil Lacy Jr. And I have one daughter, Joylee, and a new granddaughter, she’s a year old now.
You’ve had a big hand in shaping the Tribe and its future over the years, can you share a little about your career thus far, and why it’s important for you to work for your people and community?
When I first started working, I worked at the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 10 years; I worked in forestry, enrollment, and as contracting officer. I then came back to the Tribe as a health and social services administrator. I also worked in contracts and grants, and I’ve worked as the quality assurance privacy officer, as general manager.
Then I was principal at Heritage High School for nine and a half years. I came back to the Tribe as the beda?chelh manager for six months before I moved into the CEO position. And then I took a year off to be with my grandbaby and spend her first year with her.
My family has always told us that it is our job to get an education and come back to help our people. And because I held the beda?chelh job for only six months – it just felt like there’s still work to do here. There’s still work to do to support our social workers in our community.
Can you explain what beda?chelh is and the purpose it serves the community?
beda?chelh actually means ‘our children’ in our language. We are the child welfare agency for the Tribe. We do have CPS services, but we actually co-investigate with the State. So, the State does the investigation, and our social workers go with them. If it’s decided that a case will be open, we have ongoing social workers that then can take over the case. And all the cases are done in our tribal court.
We have foster care placement teams that are currently looking into licensing our tribal homes as foster homes. They also reach out to families to make sure that if we’re removing a child, that we try to find a family member to place them with. They do check-ins, home studies. And then they also check-in with the families to see what kind of support they need when they first get the kids. And then we have guardianships, so if our kids can’t be moved back home, then their long-term plan might be guardianship. And we have a team that supports the guardianship families as well.
There’s a bit of a negative perception in the community about beda?chelh, can you touch on that, and talk about what you envision the program growing into?
I think that the community has the perception that social workers take their kids. But really, beda?chelh does the investigation, and then presents it to the judge. The judge decides if the kids are going to be placed in home dependency and the parents get services, or if they’re going to be placed out of home while the parents get services. And so, I think that it’s just reminding people that beda?chelh is here to help.
For example, we had parents – one of their barriers was car insurance. We found resources to help them with that. First, with getting their car insurance and then also helping them budget. Sometimes, it’s those little things that are keeping the parents back.
We’ve also heard feedback from parents that they need more assistance. We’re looking at how to continue to grow our focus to help parents get the services that they need.
If reunification is possible, is that the ultimate goal?
Yes, reunification is always the goal. Because kids want to be with their parents. Our goal is always to try to provide whatever services we can to reunite the families. But, addiction, as we all know, is sometimes a hard disease to fight. And sometimes, it takes parents longer to win that addiction battle. Sometimes kids have to go into guardianship, because we just couldn’t reach that point with their parents to keep them safe yet.
Can you talk about the process and the steps that a parent would need to take in order to be reunified with their children?
Well, every case is a little bit different, because it depends on why the children were taken. The State and the Tribe do a co-investigation, and if the complaint is founded, that means that there’s enough facts to show that the children could be at harm, then the case is open.
The judge will decide to either do a safety plan and leave the kids in the home with the parents or if the kids are going to be removed from the home. If they’re going to be removed, then we have to have a family meeting to see if we can find family to place the kids with. And then we’re looking at what services do the parents need to get their kids back, but it all depends on why the kids were removed.
And then the case managers do active efforts – a lot of outreach to the parents, helping them get the services they need. And then, depending on their case, as they complete their services, we’ll move toward the process of setting up supervised visits with their kids, and then unsupervised visits, and then we’ll start working towards weekend visits. We start working on transitioning the kids back in the home. We want to make sure that as the kids are transitioned in the home, we are providing those wraparound services in the homes to help the parents have the support they need to get their kids back in their home.
You mentioned wraparound services, I know that beda?chelh works with a lot of different programs to bring services and resources to the families. Can you talk about the importance of those relationships and how it helps the families with an open case?
We do a lot of work with Family Haven, they have a lot of our FPS (family preservation services) and our wraparound services. That allows the provider to go into the home and really provide those one-on-one services that are geared to whatever the family needs. It might be ‘we need bins to help our kids keep their toys organized’, or ‘I need help getting my kids on a routine so that they’re doing their homework’. They can help with whatever the family needs. And that’s really useful because then it’s not that cookie cutter kind of services.
We work with family services, the health clinic, youth services, the tribal police department, housing. There’s a lot of departments that we work with to get whatever services are our clients need.
For those parents who are feeling overwhelmed right now what is the message that you’d like to share with them?
That I hope that they would take a breath and know that we’re here to support them. My door is open they can always call me if they need support. Call us and we can try to work through everything with you. And just know that we’re here as a resource for you, so please reach out to us.
How does it feel when the parents are finally reunified with their kids?
There’s lots of happy tears – there’s LOTS of it. It’s a hard emotion to explain, because we’re so happy that the kids get to be with their parents. You get to see the smile on their faces. You get to see how proud the parents are of themselves, because they’ve done a lot of work. I kind of don’t have the words for it. It just makes my heart feel really happy.
When a child does get placed in a home, does beda?chelh keep in contact with the kiddo and the placement family?
It really depends on which kind of placement. When they’re still in foster placement, and when the case is still open, we’re trying to reunify them with their parents. There’s a lot of intensive work that’s done with the family, with the parents, with the kids, and with the foster parents. Usually, once it’s decided that we can’t reunify and we’re moving towards the guardianship, for the first three years the guardianship team is really involved. After that, it’s more the family reaches out to us if they have an issue.
Part of my work will be looking at the code (Tulalip tribal codes Chapter 4.05 Juvenile and Family Code) and our policies to see are they up to date. And we’re going to start with guardianship and adoption. We’ll be asking for community input and having some community meetings around that so we can hear from people. Because when kids are in guardianship, we don’t terminate parental rights and the Tribe is still responsible for the children.
I think that we need to look at the code to see if we are able to continue to do yearly check-ins to see how it’s going. Checking-in with the kids and seeing if there’s anything that we can help them with. Just to let them know that we still love them, that we still care about them, that they’re still part of us.
Why is it important for the kids to stay with a family member or in the community?
Because they’re our kids. We want to make sure that they’re always a part of our community. They’re our resource. They’re our future. They’re the ones that are going to take care of everyone down the line. We need them here learning our culture, learning that they always have family that cares about them, and really to be wrapped in love by our community.
As the new beda?chelh manager, what are some things that you want to address right off the bat?
Like I mentioned, the code is really the major thing to start with, because all of our work comes from the code, from our policies to our SOPs for all of our positions. And then it’s really about looking at our code to see if it’s reflective of us as a community. Is it reflective of our cultural values? Because that guides the work that we need to do.
From there, we look at training our staff. Making sure our staff has the knowledge of who we are as Tulalip people, our values, why our kids are important to us, and how we treat our kids and our families.
Does beda?chelh host events or get togethers for the kids and families in the program?
Yes, our placement team has done a few in the past and we’re now looking to do an event night once a month. They’re doing cultural activities for our placement families; we’re looking at different projects like that – basket weaving, paddle necklaces, and we’ve talked about bone games or stick games. And we have a Christmas event every year. And because our employees and our community graciously sponsor our kids, they’re able to get extra special Christmases.
Why is it important to incorporate the culture and make sure that is still a part of their lives?
Because we want them to know where they come from. We don’t have as many kids in non-tribal homes as we have in the past, but we still have some. We also have some Tulalip families who might have just moved back home, and they might not have grown up here and might not know the culture all that well.
All the research shows us that if kids know where they’re from, they know their background. If they see people like themselves, they can feel that community love and they’re going to be more successful; they’re going to have less issues as they get older. We really want to make sure that our kids know who they are, that they can see us, they can connect with us. This is their community, and they always have a place here.
Now that you’re in this position, can you describe that feeling and what you’re most looking forward to the most?
I’m just happy to be here. Some of our staff that we have here now were actually my students at Heritage, so it’s nice that I get to see them at work. But for me, my family raised me to always give back to the community, that is our job. Just like it’s our job is to go to general council meetings, because we’re a member of this Tribe – that’s our responsibility. This is my responsibility. I’m here with my education and my experience to give back to my community. Education and our children have always been part of my passion. It’s good to be here, to be able to support our families in any way that I can.
For additional information about beda?chelh and the services that the program offers, please contact (360) 716-3284.
For more than forty years now, the Tulalip Tribes have transformed a vacant space on their sovereign land into an excitement fueled marketplace for those looking to satisfy the celebration demands of Independence Day.
Tens of thousands of prospective customers from all across the Pacific Northwest journey to the fireworks-filled Boom City every year seeking the perfect purchase. The most highly desirable family order typically consists of child friendly sparklers, Roman candles and snap poppers that accompany the thrilling sights and sounds of the more advanced pyrotechnics, like booming artillery shells and mesmerizing 500-gram, finale cakes.
Largely illegal in Washington State, the distribution and discharge of fireworks is permitted on the Tulalip Reservation as a direct result of tribal sovereignty. Snohomish County at large, including the surrounding cities of Marysville, Arlington and Everett, have instituted fireworks bans. However, those municipal and county government structures have no authority over Tulalip. Praise the Point Elliot Treaty!
Embodying that sovereignty are the 100 or so stand owners who create the always lively wheeling and dealing atmosphere Boom City is well known for. Each stand owner is a Tulalip entrepreneur looking to cash-in on 4th of July festivities while creating a loyal, return-customer base to add to Boom City’s lore.
Following another successful season, we caught up with a handful of those who best embody the entrepreneurial spirit and have grown up within and around the proud Boom City tradition. Each was asked three simple questions. What did you like this year? What did you dislike? And if you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?
Eliza Davis
Q. What did you like?
A. I like that we are able to have a lighting area to accommodate customers who are not able to light fireworks elsewhere due to bans in their towns or cities. Without the lighting area, I think we would have a definite decline in our business.
Q. What did you dislike?
I didn’t like that our layout. The rows and space for stand owners to A. set up is so uneven. We had some rows with way more space to put merchandise out in front of their stands and then other rows with a significantly less area to work with. The parking lot was also very uneven for those on the North entrance. There was a lot more available parking near the South entrance.
Q. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?
A. So one change I would like to see is finding a way to ensure equal parking on both entrances and that our layout is evenly spaced out. That way all stand owners have access to the same amount of area in front of and around their stands, as well as equal access to foot traffic from both ends of the parking lot.
One other thing I would like us to consider is aligning our fireworks code with our employment code for preference tiers 1-3. We have a lot of decedents who want the opportunity to work and they are not enrolled so they don’t get the opportunity unless their parent has a stand. It makes sense to look at this code through the employment code preference tier from 1-3 to me. These folks live in our community, impact our economy, and many give back to our community.
Krislyn Parks
Q. What did you like?
A. I love the community of beautiful Natives coming together to make a living for their family by using our sovereignty and selling people fireworks to celebrate with their friends and family!
Q. What did you dislike?
A. I personally didn’t like that my customers walked around all the bathrooms that were supposed to be open for public use that had locks on them. They couldn’t go to the bathroom, but were sold food and drinks. I don’t understand why our people put locks on free bathrooms. It was really sad to watch kids pee their pants and elders freaking out not being able to use the restroom.
A. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?
Would probably be to have more or better transparency of all aspects because too much is left unsaid and secretive. But also, our customers need bathrooms so let’s start with that.
Wade Sheldon
Q. What did you like?
A. I liked being there, and being able to hang out with friends and relatives I don’t normally get to see.
Q. What didn’t you like?
A. I don’t like how more and more cities are cancelling people being able to light off fireworks by imposing bans, issuing citations, and making it illegal.
Q. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?
A. I would have all of Boom City lean more into safety. I think that a lot of people buy these fireworks and don’t give them the respect they need. We need to show people how to properly respective fireworks by showing how to handle and light off correctly. By creating safety videos and offering a fireworks safety class at Boom City, we could get more families to come up and more customers for every stand. The more we prepare for the future, the longer we will be able to keep selling fireworks at Boom City.
Sabrina Moses
Q. What did you like?
A. I love the family time I get. It’s our dad and auntie’s business, Monty Hall Fireworks. To be able to come together every year as a family and Tribe is a blessing to me. This year, it was my brother Brandon Moses, my dad Jon Moses, my nephew Brayden Moses and a family friend Bruce Mosqueda who all worked the stand. I am very happy with this year’s results.
Q. What did you dislike?
This year, I dislike that it was shorter selling season. We rely on all the days we can get.
A. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?
I think all stand owners should have to show up to the Boom City meetings they have each year.
Josh Fryberg
Q. What did you like?
A. What we liked about Boom City was friends and family coming together and helping keep family traditions alive. I remember working Boom City with family when I was just 7 or 8 years old. There are a lot of great memories for so many. We are looking forward to more of our kids being more involved, learning the business side of fireworks, and passing on what they’ve learned to their kids one day.
Q. What did you dislike?
A.We disliked the weather. There was a lot of rain this year leading up to the final week.
Q. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?
A. If we were able to make one change, it would be to have a few meetings with our Tulalip Board of Directors, Boom City committee and stand owners, so we all come together in a good way and create solutions that benefit all of us.
“At Tulalip, our people lived all along the water in the village all around here,” explained Tulalip elder and historian, Ray Fryberg Sr., to a group of future leaders. “Our people gathered clams and cooked them right on the beach, using the fire, water, and the steam and all of these elements to cook the food. And so, we’re going to have this clambake, the way our ancestors used to cook the food a long time ago, when they lived here and traveled in canoes. I know in school you learn about our culture, you hear stories, you hear the language, the words our people spoke and that’s really important. Today, you’re going to enjoy some of the foods that belongs to us from this area.”
On the gorgeous morning of June 21, the young learners of the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy ventured outdoors to a small field overlooking Tulalip Bay to engage in a fun and significant tradition of the Tribe. As the kiddos entered through the gates of the TELA field, they couldn’t help but marvel as steam rose into the air from a cinder block fire pit. Inside of the pit, hundreds of clams cooked slowly to perfection as the aroma of a traditional Tulalip meal filled the air and carried in the breeze throughout the Academy’s campus.
Said TELA Director, Sheryl Fryberg, “We’re so excited about our third annual clambake. It’s such a blessing to be able to share with our children, our birth to five children, and their families this way, our traditional way of life. This year we actually added salmon and oysters to further their experience with our tribal traditional food. When I was going around and asking the children to come up to the pit, so they can look at the clams, they were really excited. They were all excited to have clams again.”
After the students found a spot to sit in the grassy field and enjoy the sunshine, Ray took the opportunity to share a traditional story about the beaver, a story passed down to him from Raymond ‘ti-at-mus’ Moses. Ray had their full attention throughout the story and had many kids laughing as they learned how the beaver got its flat tail.
While Ray shared the story, Tulalip culture bearers and brothers, Thomas and Andy Williams, were on cooking duty and tended the clams. Three years ago, when the annual clambake made its original debut at the Academy, Ray passed down the knowledge of how to prepare and execute this traditional method of cooking to Thomas and Andy. Since then, they have put that knowledge to use and have prepared the clams each year since, and plan to continue to do so for the foreseeable future.
The clambake is a joint project between TELA and the Lushootseed department. Over the years, the two departments have forged a strong relationship. Working together, they have developed and implemented a cultural immersion program that introduces Tulalip’s ancestral language to the Tribe’s membership at a young age, during the critical era of early childhood brain development. Each school day, Lushootseed language warriors visit the Academy’s classrooms to impart traditional words, phrases, songs, and stories to the kids, ensuring that the language revitalization continues to thrive generations from now. In addition to helping organize the event and set up the space for the gathering, the Lushootseed language warriors also harvest essential resources needed for the clambake.
“It’s a lot of work, a lot of preparation,” shared Thomas. “It can be stressful, but when we get here and we see it all work out, it feels really good. It helps us realize that even though it seems challenging to do this style of clambake, it’s worth it when we see the kids have the experience that they’re having, because none of us experienced anything like this when we were in school. Three years ago, Uncle Ray told us everything we needed – the first thing we have to get is kelp and we have to make sure the tide’s right because it’s got to be low enough to get the kelp. Me and my coworkers from the language department went to Camano Island State Park for the kelp. Then we went to Sultan to get the thimbleberry leaves and skunk cabbage leaves. And obviously, we could get those down here, there’s some by the admin building, but that stuff’s not clean. So, the higher we go up, we alleviate that question of ‘oh is this stuff clean?’. And TELA’s able to order the clams and get the firewood, so that’s basically the essentials for the clambake.”
He continued, “This is important because they get to eat it and enjoy it, and it’s so much fun for them because it’s an outside activity. But they’re actually eating stuff that’s really healthy for them. They’re eating stuff that they’ll be able to harvest themselves one day, and they’ll have that understanding of food sovereignty. This is important to pass on because we didn’t really have this experience as kids, but now that we know, we’re able to fill in that gap. Every generation will fill in that gap. It’s resparking that historical knowledge. This is just one step. We’re preparing clams, but there’s a lot of resources that need to be harvested to do so. When we do the clambake, they also get to learn about kelp, thimbleberry leaves, skunk cabbage leaves. So, we might be just feeding them clams, but they’re learning holistically a bunch of our traditional ways that ties it all together.”
As the clams continued to steam beneath layers of kelp, thimbleberry and skunk cabbage leaves, the kids happily joined together in song and dance alongside their teachers from both the Academy and the language department. When the clams were ready, they were uncovered and scooped out of the pit. Each student received their own tray of clams and oysters, which was also accompanied by frybread and salmon, and it was all smiles as they grubbed down on the shellfish with their peers, teachers, and families.
“My heart almost exploded with joy and happiness when I watched them eat their clams and salmon,” Sheryl expressed. “It’s a beautiful thing to see them have this experience. I feel blessed that we’re able to partner with the Lushootseed department to do this for the kids. We’re so grateful to all the people who we were able to accomplish this with. We had a lot of families come this year, and that’s what it’s all about – experiencing this with their kids. And it’s also about sharing the traditional songs, the language, and the stories with the children and their families. It’s so beautiful because they’re continuing to grow in their culture and spirituality.”
Every time a Tulalip graduates from a university, community college, or vocational school, they instantly become the living embodiment of what it means to reclaim a narrative. For so long, our people were shut out of academic environments where they could share their truths, where they could proudly embody the vibrant traditions and teachings of their thriving Coast Salish culture.
Previous generational barriers to equitable education access ultimately helped proliferate the unfortunate, yet still prevailing, narrative that says we can’t succeed within a westernized education system. United States census data supports this misguided narrative by showing that while more than 65% of high school students attend college, only 19% of Native American choose to do so. In an era where education is a critical cornerstone for self-sufficiency and quality of life, only 13% of tribal citizens age 25 and older hold a college degree.
These statistics and others may attempt to draw a bleak conclusion in regards to our people and education, but the truth is, more than ever before, we are seeing the narrative reclaimed and rewritten by present-day Tulalip scholars. This generation is actively pursuing all levels of college degrees at a historical rate. In doing so, they are intentionally decolonizing educational pathways for their peers, their children, and for future generations who will have shining example after shining example of Tulalips strutting across a graduation stage and proudly receiving their hard-earned Associate’s, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctoral degree.
This culturally-led reclamation process was on full display during this year’s summer solstice. The astronomical first day of summer coincided with a special banquet that recognized the amazing efforts of fifty-seven Tulalips in their pursuit of higher education.
“You’ve all put in so much hard work and countless hours of studying to earn your degrees. We are so proud of you for choosing to better yourself, your community, and your future through education,” said Chairwoman Teri Gobin during her opening remarks. “As a tribe, we know we need to be better at utilizing your brilliant minds and supporting our college graduates. As we continue to grow our business operations and evolve as a tribal government, we want you to feel welcome to build a career with us.”
It was a powerful moment when the words washed over the graduates as they sat with their support system of family and friends in the Tulalip Resort’s Orca Ballroom. It’s the hope of Tulalip leadership that many of the graduates will consider finding their professional homes within the Tribe’s vast enterprise.
Several college grads being recognized on this evening had been diligently carving meaningful roles in their traditional homelands for years now. In fact, of the six Master’s degrees and one legendary Doctoral degree celebrated this year, all but one of these inspiring tribal members are well established within the Tulalip Reservation as a professional in their field. Furthermore, all of these collegiate trailblazers are women. Together, they radiated not only all the achievement vibes, but that unique matriarchal energy that comes from a deep and sincere lived desire to better themselves, their families, and their shared tribal community.
Each of the attending Master’s degree wielding matriarchs were willing to share a little insight from their collegiate journeys and heartfelt words of encouragement.
Chelsea Craig *Doctor of Philosophy* – Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary assistant principal.
“My biggest motivation has always to been to honor my great-grandmother Celum Young who was a survivor of the Tulalip Boarding School. I like to think that this achievement brings healing to her spirit because we weren’t supposed to be here today. None of us were supposed to be here in 2024 as full, intact Coast Salish people. They tried to do everything within their means to destroy my great-grandmother’s identity, and her experience is what set the tone for me and my path.
“Looking forward, I hope that I’ve opened pathways for even more Tulalips to strive for a college degree. If I can do it being a full-time educator and a mother of four, then so can so many more of our people. Beyond that, I want our people to know they are capable of great things without having to lose themselves in the process. Each stage of my educational journey I never compromised who I was as a Tulalip. From how I wrote my papers and who I sourced, I was very intentional about quoting our ancestors and wisdom warriors. I hope people furthering their education are conscious about centering their culture always. Take it, claim it, and own it. That’s how we embody our sovereignty.”
Natasha Fryberg *Master of Arts* – Hibulb Cultural Center rediscovery manager
“I’ve always looked at education as a priority in life. Being a first-generation college graduate in my family is so meaningful to me because it proves to my siblings and children it can be done. Already, two of my sisters are back in school to get their Associates degrees. Being that role model for my family and my community furthers my belief that anything is possible if you manage your time right and prioritize what’s truly important to becoming your best self.”
Summer Hammons *Master of Arts* – Treaty Rights legislative policy analyst
“Ever since I was a little girl, my mom has been my role model to show me what’s possible when you dream big. She’d be working three different jobs and still be taking college classes because she was determined to earn her Ph.D. With each degree she earned, she utilized them towards her positions to better her people. She instilled that value in me to the point that now I play on continuing my education in pursuit of joining my mom as another Dr. Hammons.
“Something I try to remember always is just how much the Tribe invests in all its members who decide to attend college. It’s really expensive and we are so fortunate to be members of a tribe that prioritize education. On the hardest of days, when I’m lacking in motivation, I think of having the support of the Tribe and all those who laid the foundation for us to have this incredible opportunity. That intentionally drives my passion to be successful, and I hope it does for others, too. We each have a Tribe’s worth of support and investment backing us on our educational journeys.”
Josie Marchesi *Master of Clinical Health Services* – Health Clinic physician’s assistant
“I always intended to further my education in service of Tulalip. Growing up in Ellensburg, I was always so far from the community and our culture. But receiving my degree in health services allowed me to seek employment at the Tulalip Health Clinic. I was fortunate to be offered employment there in January of this year. Now, I am home serving the community. There is a lot of mistrust among our people and the health system because of so much bad history, and I want to be part of the solution in building that trust back.”
“It was always my intention to go back for my Masters degree after getting my Bachelors in 2007, but the timing never seemed right. Next thing I know I had two kids and was working at the casino. At a certain point, I realized if this was something I really wanted then I just needed to do it. So, I did. I’m glad to set that example for kids so that when they are older and if they choose to pursue a college degree, then I can tell them with confidence that they can do it. It’s going to take time, effort and sacrifice of fun things they’d rather be doing, but it’s 100% achievable.”
“I am proof that a high school dropout can become college graduate…a Master’s degree graduate at that. It’s funny looking back because I always knew that I wanted to be a teacher even though my own educational experience was very challenging. Add in being a mother of three and I can sincerely say I never thought this day would actually get here, but now that it has I am so proud of myself for never giving up. My kids have watched me through this whole journey, even coming to class with me at times. They know now what’s possible and that’s something that drives me as the only Tulalip teacher at Quil Ceda Elementary. I want all our kids to dream as big as they can dream.
“For any Tulalip out there, who didn’t get to walk with their classmates at graduation or hasn’t earned their diploma, yet, I want you to know that this moment doesn’t define you. You are all capable to success no matter how you choose to define it. All successes come by way of setting simple goals at first and as you achieve them, you can then begin to set bigger goals. No matter what happens or where life takes you, please remember that you are so capable of greatness.”
The higher education class of 2024 included seventeen Associate’s degrees, eight Bachelor’s degrees, six Master’s degrees, and one Ph.D. receiving, newly minted doctor. Fifteen vocational diplomas and ten high school diplomas rounded out the 57 Tulalip honorees.
Tulalip Higher Education staff are eager to help new and returning students find their path to academic success. They can assist with FAFSA applications and finding scholarship opportunities, as well as simply reviewing the Tribe’s current policies regarding paying for college and other educational programs. For those Tulalip citizens feeling empowered to help reclaim our educated Native narrative, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Higher Education at (360) 716-4888 or email highered@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
On the evening of Tuesday, June 11, the Tulalip Tribes hosted a memorable banquet in the resort’s Orca Ballroom for eighty-two recently graduated high schoolers. The graduates, a combination of Tulalips and other Natives from within Marysville School District, were surrounded by friends and family in the Four-Diamond setting, making for an ideal setting to celebrate their latest rite of passage – reclaiming their educational future.
Klayton Sheldon and Mariana Richwine were announced as Tulalip boy and girl of the year winners.
This latest crop of graduates is part of a generational movement comprised of Native students desiring to reclaim their educational futures by achieving academic success enroute to earning their high school diplomas. Historically, Native communities like Tulalip have faced systemic barriers in education, including underfunded schools, cultural insensitivity, and policies that aimed to assimilate rather than celebrate their heritage. However, through perseverance, community support, and inclusive initiatives, our Tulalip students are increasingly crossing the high school finish line, an accomplishment that can significantly impact the trajectory of their personal and collective futures.
“I want to start by thanking all of the parents, families, and members of our education team for being here and bringing their good energy into this space so we can uplift our graduates,” said Director of Education, Jessica Bustad. “We are so grateful to have an education division made up of seven different departments full of team members who put their hearts into all the work that they do to support our community’s youth.
“Coming together as a community to honor all our Native graduates is one of the most important things we can do. Our graduates are a true reflection of resilience, dedication, and perseverance. As we are spiritual beings in this human experience, it is important we honor our roots. Our ancestors laid a strong foundation so that we could be here today. We honor them by being proud of where we come from and doing all that we can to reclaim, revitalize, and preserve the way of life our ancestors sacrificed so much for. In being intentional about this work, our people ensure that they always show up as their best selves.”
Cody Barnett earned the male IEPC scholarship.
For many Native students, graduating high school is not just an academic achievement but a reclaiming of their identity and heritage. Education systems have often sought to erase Native cultures, most infamously through boarding schools where Native children were forbidden and often punished from speaking their traditional languages and practicing their traditions.
Today, Native students and their communities are reversing this trend by integrating cultural education into their learning experiences, such as what’s been achieved within Tulalip’s Early Learning Academy, Quil Ceda Elementary and Heritage High School. Marysville School District has aided the cultural integration movement by offering Tulalip’s ancestral language, Lushootseed, as an elective class taught within certain schools. Schools that offer Native language courses and culturally relevant extracurricular activities help students see their education as an extension of their cultural identity, not a replacement for it.
“We have been dreamt into existence,” explained banquet keynote speaker, Gene Tagaban (Tlingit, Raven Clan). “There was a time they didn’t want us as Native people to even be born, yet here you are. You made it through birth. You made it through elementary. You made it through middle school. You made it though high school, and now you are graduating. That is the power of our ancestors who dreamt and prayed for the resiliency of their future generations, which is you all in this room today. Each and every one of you have been dreamt into existence.”
Community involvement continues to play a crucial role in supporting our high school students as they seek diplomas to broaden their future pathways. Tribal leaders, elders, and parents are increasingly active in school boards and educational planning, ensuring that the curriculum and school policies reflect and respect their cultural values. Mentorship programs that connect students with Native professionals, like what is implemented through Heritage’s ‘big picture learning’, provide local role models to reinforce the idea that academic success and cultural pride can fuse a career ladder’s foundation.
Kamaya Craig earned the female IEPC scholarship.
Indian Education Parent Committee scholarship awardee Kamaya Craig embodies that professional and cultural fusion in a way that dismantles the misbegotten narrative that Natives can’t thrive in the academic setting. Her father Dr. Anthony Craig is a professor at the University of Washington and her mother Chelsea Craig is a vice principal at Quil Ceda Elementary. Together, they’ve raised a daughter who graduated high school with an astounding 3.7 GPA, but more than that she intends on following in her parents’ footsteps and decolonizing local education systems from within.
“I plan on furthering my education at Evergreen State College where I will join the Native Pathways program and pursue a degree in education,” shared the inspirational 18-year-old, Kamaya. “I am passionate about creating curriculum where our Tulalip students can learn about our actual Tulalip elders and past ancestors. There is so much wisdom and cultural grounding we can learn from our own people, it just needs to be made accessible to the younger generation. I’d love to be a part of making this happen.”
When asked what she thinks of those who continue to push the narrative our people can’t succeed in the classroom or on the college level, she responded, “It’s imperative that we decolonize these education systems from within. In order to accomplish this, we need our people to get educated. I love learning and want to see our future generations learn all the things so they can find their true passion, whatever it may be.”
The impact of increasing high school graduation rates among Native students extends beyond individual success. Like Kamaya and her fellow young Tulalip matriarch Mariana Richwine, who will be attending Lesley University in Massachusetts in pursuit of a criminal justice degree, educated Natives are more likely to return to their communities and contribute to cultural preservation, economic development and positive health outcomes for their people. They become advocates for their people, using their voices to influence policy and career pathways previously thought unattainable.
To recap, the graduation banquet for the class of 2024 was a celebration of being dreamt into existence by their ancestors, and a recognition of the significant importance high school diplomas have become for our inspiring youth leaders. They aren’t just a piece of paper, they are a symbolic cornerstone for community empowerment and self-determination.
On a cozy, rainy Saturday afternoon, June 15, the Hibulb Cultural Center was alive with a shared sense of creativity. The unique ribbon shirt class, led by the renowned Tulalip artist Winona Shopbell-Fryberg, brought together a diverse crowd. From the Sauk-Suattle Reservation to local enthusiasts, everyone was united in their eagerness to delve into the art of creating their ribbon shirts.
The ribbon shirt, whose origins are deeply rooted in the Great Lakes and throughout the Prairie, Plains, and Northeast tribes, carries a profound historical significance. Shopbell-Fryberg explained, “These shirts were created as replacements for war shirts when there was a shortage of hides to make them.”
Following the French Revolution, extravagant clothing decorated with ribbons went out of style and was exported to the Americas. There, the French traded silk ribbons along with metal for knives and cookware, bells, small mirrors, glass and brass beads, guns, alcohol, and wool blankets to the Native Americans in the latter part of the 18th century. By the 19th century, Europeans noticed that many tribes had incorporated ribbon work applique into their culture.
Shopbell-Fryberg is widely recognized as a respected cultural leader. She is revered for her exceptional beadwork on earrings and medallions and her expertise in creating ribbon skirts. Her classes offer invaluable guidance to those looking to acquire these skills, and given the success of her second ribbon shirt class, it’s evident that her teachings are highly sought after.
“I’m self-taught in making ribbon shirts,” Shopbell-Fryberg said. “My son needed a shirt, so instead of finding a pattern, I used one of his existing shirts to create my design. I have been teaching various classes for over ten years. This is my second ribbon shirt class, and I would like to teach more classes if there is a demand.”
Her hands-on teaching approach effectively demonstrates simplified methods for creating ribbon shirts. Anyone with basic sewing machine skills can quickly master these methods. By breaking down the project into manageable steps, she instills confidence in individuals with limited sewing experience, showing them they can achieve success.
One of those who was there to learn a new skill was Tulalip tribal member Bryce Carpenter-Juneau, who said, “It was easier than I thought. I was nervous about the sewing going into it because my wife usually sews. So, I figured I would try to learn myself. That way, I could help her out in a pinch. I enjoyed the class, and instead of just purchasing a ribbon shirt, I thought it would mean more to make one myself, knowing my sweat went into it. I would definitely retake this class.”
“I made a ribbon shirt about 20 years ago,” said Hermina O-Raven from Sauk-Suattle. “I like this style because you can use anybody’s shirt as an outline instead of buying a pattern. I enjoyed the class, but we always want it to be longer. I couldn’t finish my shirt, but with the start I got from the class, I will be able to finish it at home.”
As the afternoon concluded, participants left the Hibulb Cultural Center with new ribbon shirts and a deeper connection to their heritage.
For more information on workshops and other events at Hibulb, visit their website at www.hibulbculturalcenter.org.
Whether you’re catching some rays by the relaxing shores of the Salish Sea, out harvesting traditional foods in the natural world, or looking for something to capture your attention to pass the time while working in a firework stand at Boom City, make this short list of Indigenous novels your companion this summer for some fun, entertaining, thrilling, and emotional reads.
Each of the following books are filled with rez humor, traditional lessons, and haunting tales that ultimately bring attention to issues that we face as Indigenous people in 2024, such as boarding school trauma, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/People, and substance abuse/addiction.
What makes all of the stories so powerful and inspiring for the Native community is the fact that most of the main characters must recall and rely on their ancestral teachings to get through a number of dilemmas and survive the story. What that looks like in today’s modern society is half the fun, and it’s what makes each of these books certified page-turners.
If you are an audiobook listener or old-school paperback reader, be sure to pick up a copy of these works to help support Indigenous art and writers. Happy reading!
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange
Following up his classic debut, There, There, Tommy Orange returns with an emotionally heavy novel that takes a deep dive into the assimilation era, and the trickle-down effect it’s had on tribal families for multiple generations since.
Wandering Stars is technically a sequel and revisits some of the main characters from There, There and digs into their family history. However, Wandering Stars can easily be read as a standalone. But there are several references and connections between the two novels, so if you have the time and haven’t read There, There, just yet, we highly recommend it!
“Extending his constellation of narratives into the past and future, Tommy Orange once again delivers a story that is by turns shattering and wondrous, a book piercing in its poetry, sorrow, and rage—a masterful follow-up to his already-classic first novel, and a devastating indictment of America’s war on its own people.”
Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk
Fair warning, some of the stories in this book will stick with you for several days and are downright scary. We’re talking ghosts, monsters, curses, hauntings, sinister revenge plots. But of course, you were probably able to surmise that on your own from the title, as the message to Never Whistle at Night is embedded into the brain of every Indigenous youth, adult, and elder all across the nation.
In this book, we are introduced to nearly thirty original stories by well-known Indigenous authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Morgan Talty, Kelli Jo Ford, Nick Medina, Norris Black, Waubgeshig Rice, and many, many more.
“Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear—and even follow you home.”
Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina
Like most of Nick Medina’s works, Indian Burial Ground, is extremely difficult to put down once you get started. With fast pacing and short chapters, you are sure to fly through this book in no time.
Through his stories, Nick Medina tackles Indigenous issues head-on. In his bestseller, Sisters of the Lost Nation, Medina does an excellent job of bringing attention to the MMIW epidemic and its effects on a tribal community. The two underlying themes that he explores in Indian Burial Ground are teen suicide and alcoholism.
In an attempt to make this recommendation completely spoiler free, we’ll leave the shocking mystery to you. But what we will share is that Medina ramps up his storytelling ability and has the reader following two timelines; one in present time and the other occurs during the summer in the 80’s.
“All Noemi Broussard wanted was a fresh start. With a new boyfriend who actually treats her right and a plan to move from the reservation she grew up on—just like her beloved Uncle Louie before her—things are finally looking up for her. Until the news of her boyfriend’s apparent suicide brings her world crumbling down. But the facts about Roddy’s death just don’t add up, and Noemi isn’t the only one who suspects something menacing might be lurking within their tribal lands.”
Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon
Set on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota, this novel follows Quill as she decides to take it upon herself to find answers after another woman from her rez goes missing. Out of all the fantastic reads on this list, Where They Last Saw Her, has the highest rating across all platforms, including Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, and Apple books.
Trigger warning, this book touches on difficult subjects that Indigenous women unfortunately often experience such as violence against women and sex trafficking. This book is raw, heartbreaking, as well as powerful and educational, and Rendon masterfully provides insight and perspective on the MMIW/P epidemic.
“As Quill closes in on the truth behind the missing woman in the woods, someone else disappears. In her quest to find justice for the women of the reservation, she is confronted with the hard truths of their home and the people who purport to serve them. When will she stop losing neighbors, friends, family? As Quill puts herself, her family, and everything she’s built on the line to make a difference, the novel asks searing questions about bystander culture, the reverberations of even one act of crime, and the long-lasting trauma of being invisible.”
The Indian Lake Trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones
Truth be told, every single literary piece of fiction by SGJ should be on everybody’s TBR list. Ahead of The Indian Lake Trilogy, Stephen Graham Jones became famous for weaving in traditional stories into contemporary reads with a horror twist. However, this series isn’t that. Sure, there may be callbacks to certain Indigenous legends and lore, but the main character in this series is a badass Indigenous teen girl, Jade Daniels, whose love for slasher films may just save her life as well as her loved ones.
The three novels of the trilogy are: My Heart is a Chainsaw, Don’t Fear the Reaper, and The Angel of Indian Lake. This series is like a cross between Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and the entire Friday the 13thfilm collection. The Indian Lake Trilogy is a must read. It is gory, beautiful, and most importantly, it teaches a significant lesson about caring for the land and the impact colonization has on sacred territories.
“You won’t find a more hardcore eighties-slasher-film fan than high school senior Jade Daniels. And you won’t find a place less supportive of girls who wear torn T-shirts and too much eyeliner than Proofrock, nestled eight thousand feet up a mountain in Idaho, alongside Indian Lake, home to both Camp Blood – site of a massacre fifty years ago – and, as of this summer, Terra Nova, a second-home celebrity Camelot being carved out of a national forest. That’s not the only thing that’s getting carved up, though – this, Jade knows, is the start of a slasher. But what kind? Who’s wearing the mask? ….. Go up the mountain to Proofrock. See if you’ve got what it takes – see if your heart, too, might be a chainsaw.”
The Moon Series by Waubgeshig Rice
This series is comprised of two novels: Moon of the Crusted Snow and Moon of the Turning Leaves. Many of you can easily buy into the premise of this series as lots of Indigenous families have experienced this at least once in their lives, albeit at a much smaller degree. This is especially true for those who call Tulalip home and have dealt with days-long power outages from windstorms, where we felt disconnected from the world.
These books take place on a remote reservation, far away from the conveniences of city-living. When the entire rez loses power and communication from the outside world, tribal members have to hunker down and survive a long and cold winter. Days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months as they return to their traditions and are able to get by on the strength of community alone. However, things take a fast and dark turn when the people agree to take in non-Tribal refugees who are fleeing a post-apocalyptic society.
“With winter looming, a small northern Anishinaabe community goes dark. Cut off, people become passive and confused. Panic builds as the food supply dwindles. While the band council and a pocket of community members struggle to maintain order, an unexpected visitor arrives, escaping the crumbling society to the south. Soon after, others follow…. Blending action and allegory, Moon of the Crusted Snow upends our expectations. Out of catastrophe comes resilience. And as one society collapses, another is reborn.”
The season of sunshine is here! Already, we have seen the temperatures rise to the mid-70s at Tulalip and many can’t wait for all the fun opportunities that summer has to offer. While this time of the month is dedicated to celebrating grads and dads, we wanted to give our loyal syəcəb readers a glimpse into the future, by sharing a list of all the local upcoming events that are planned on the rez over the next few months.
The Tribe has numerous events scheduled to help engage the community in summertime activities, which includes plenty of cultural gatherings, fundraisers, and celebratory get-togethers.
Not too long ago, we put together a list of tribal events happening at Tulalip, which many associate with the beginning of summer, such as the Salmon Ceremony, the Stick Games Tournament, and the War Canoe Races. However, there are so many great things taking place this year, we had to break the list down into two separate articles.
So, have Siri, Alexa, or Google open up that calendar app, and be sure to set reminders for each of the following events, because this will be a summer to remember for sure!
Boom City – Open Daily 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. through July 4th
The Northwest pyrotechnic capital is officially back for the Fourth of July! For generations, Boom City has been the go-to spot for those looking to celebrate Independence Day with a bang. Tulalip entrepreneurs get to show case their business acumen while flexing their tribal sovereignty to sell fireworks that are banned in nearby cities. Each summer, Tribal members set up their vibrant and creatively designed stands at the lot located behind the Tulalip Resort Casino.
The stand owners have innumerable types of fireworks available for purchase including cakes, firecrackers, bottle rockets, sparklers, Roman candles, fountains, smoke bombs, pop-its, and many more.
Boom City also offers a designated area for people to enjoy their fireworks in a safe and legal manner. Several food vendors are sure to be stationed at Boom City as well, serving up tasty delectables such as Hawaiian shaved ice, frybread and tacos.
Tulalip Diabetes Care and Prevention Program U-Pick Farm Day
June 20, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
This summer’s U-Pick Farm Day will be hosted at Garden Treasures Nursery & Local Farm. Copy and paste this address into your preferred map app for directions to the farm: 3328 WA-530, Arlington, WA 98223. The event is organized by the Diabetes Care and Prevention program of the Tulalip Health Clinic and is a great way to learn about the produce you consume and how it is grown and harvested.
In previous years, families gathered fresh vegetables and brought them home to incorporate into their meals.
The U-Pick and Farm Tour is open to all Tulalip tribal members, Tulalip employees, and patients of the Tulalip Health Clinic. Veronica ‘Roni’ Leahy, the Tulalip Diabetes Care and Prevention program Coordinator, shared, “When it comes to being with the plants, it’s about that connection that we have to them because the plants give us the nutrients that we need in our bodies. But they also feed us emotionally, because of how you feel when you’re harvesting the plants. And then to be able to talk about the spiritual side of our plant relatives and how we feel about them is important.
“When you start thinking of your food as a type of medicine, it helps in the sense of a spiritual connection. That has been one our teachings here; feeding our Indian. Feeding who we are and satisfying that. I think the satisfaction comes not just from eating it and keeping within us to nourish our bodies, but it also comes from learning how to plant it, how to care for it, how to harvest it, and then prepare it. It’s this whole process that we do and that’s what we try to show here. These foods are the gift of health. And to see the kids, to see the adults, and the elders enjoy that, is truly a gift.”
27th annual Lushootseed Language Camp
Week one July 8 – 12; Week two July 15 – 19
Registration for Language Camp is now open! The camp tends to fill up quick and is limited to 50 kids per week. So, be sure to reach out to the Lushootseed Language Department for a sign-up form to get your kiddos enrolled in this cultural enriching day camp.
This year’s Language Camp is open to Tribal youth between the ages of five and twelve. During each fun-filled week, the kiddos learn several teachings of the Coast Salish culture including weaving, smudging, beading necklaces, and harvesting local plants, like devil’s club, for medicine and ceremonial art.
Throughout the five-day camp, the young Language Warriors will be fully immersed in their ancestral language, as well as in the Tribe’s traditional stories and songs, through a combination of interactive lessons, including outdoor play and a series of visual programs that are taught on tablets.
Leah’s Dream Foundation 10th annual Golf Tournament – July 13
Leah’s Dream Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to empowering children and young adults who are on the spectrum. The foundation was established in 2015 by Tribal member Deanna Sheldon, whose daughter, Leah Stacy, is diagnosed with apraxia.
By hosting events and get-togethers for the local youth living with autism and disabilities, the organization provides a safe space where the kids can simply be themselves and build friendships within the special needs community.
This tourney is beloved by golfers all across the county, as it provides an opportunity for hundreds of players to hit the links of the Battle Creek course while advocating for inclusion, promoting awareness, and raising funds for the special needs community of Tulalip and Marysville.
The golf tournament is an event that Leah looks forward to every year and she is always quick to lend a hand by posting sponsor signs all throughout the 18-hole golf course.
To sign up for the annual golf tournament, please visit LeahsDream.org for more details.
Camano Island State Park Day Camp Trip – July 15
The Diabetes Care and Prevention program is on a mission to educate the community about the disease that affects our people by the masses. In addition to their U-Pick and Farm tour, they are hosting another informative outing that is focused on promoting healthy eating and living habits to either prevent or help manage diabetes.
This particular event promises some fun in the sun as those who attend will spend a day out in nature, enjoying the scenic views of the Camano Island State Park. The excursion will be ADA accessible, with ADA restrooms nearby, and will include easy beach walks as well.
A number of speakers are scheduled to share their knowledge at the outing, including THC team members, and representatives from the American Diabetes Association and the Puget Sound Kidney Center.
The day camp trip is in collaboration with the Tulalip Senior Center, which will be providing transportation for Tribal members, as well as the Tribe’s Natural Resources Department.
To sign up or acquire more info, please give Roni a call at (360) 716-5642.
spee-bi-dah – July 20, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Connecting multiple generations and families, the summertime potlatch celebrates the lifeways of the Tulalip people with a cookout on the beach.
Held on a yearly basis, on the water, sands, and pebbles of the spee-bi-dah beach, the gathering provides tribal members a chance to socialize with friends and family while also traditionally harvesting and preparing the foods of their ancestral diet, including salmon, clams, and crab.
A main attraction of the day is when the community ‘pulls together’ by using the traditional method of seining to capture fresh shellfish for the traditional clambake. That, of course, is in addition to a horseshoe tournament, swimming in the Salish Sea, and enjoying some rezzy laughs with all the deadly aunties and uncles of Tulalip.
Canoe Journey – Tulalip Landing – July 27
Earlier this year, the Ahousaht First Nations Band rescinded their all-tribal invite to their homelands for the 2024 Tribal Canoe Journey. This was due to a lack of space, resources, and time needed to host such a large gathering.
While many were disappointed by the news, it also inspired the very first Youth Paddle when Puyallup stepped up and announced that they would host a journey geared exclusively toward the future leaders of our respective tribal nations.
While enroute to this year’s final destination at Puyallup, the youth, traveling in traditional cedar dugouts, will make a quick visit to Tulalip on July 27.
Celebrated during the summertime by multiple Coast Salish tribes and First Nation bands, the canoe journey affords tribal members the opportunity to connect to their ancestral way of life.
By navigating the Salish Sea, the kids will be exposed to several traditions, songs, foods, and dances as they journey from one village to the next.
Tulalip is currently holding canoe practices so the youth can build up their endurance. You can catch the Canoe Family down at the Marina on Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m., as the youth put in work in anticipation of this year’s paddle. Be sure to drop by if you’re interested in pulling during the 2024 youth paddle to Puyallup!
Tulalip Health Clinic annual Health Fair
August 2, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Promoting overall health and wellness, the Karen I. Fryberg Health Clinic is once again hosting their annual Health Fair gathering this August.
During the six-hour event, community members can visit a number of informational booths and learn the importance of prioritizing one’s health, and also pick up new tips on how to manage their medical diagnoses and concerns.
In addition to helpful resources, the community can also receive free screenings and donate blood. And of course, the fan favorite fun run/walk will also be making its return to the annual health fair.
This year’s event will take place at the Tulalip Gathering Hall.
3rd annual Pride Everyday Gathering
August 4, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Following two consecutive successful years, in which there were large turnouts, the Tulalip Pride Everyday gathering makes a comeback with the promise of even more fun, more dancing, and more delicious food.
This Pride event is aimed to uplift and empower the voices of our relatives who identify as members of the LGBTQ+/Two-Spirit community.
DJ Monie will be spinning tunes during the event once again, so you can be sure to expect some fun dance competitions throughout the summertime celebration. Also returning this year will be MC Randy Vendiola, as well as Grand Marshal Sage Vendiola. Local Indigenous Author/Poet, Sasha LaPointe, will be the featured guest speaker during the gathering, and she will also be holding a signing of her book, Red Paint.
The gathering also includes a Native earring contest, a ribbon shirt and skirt contest, and a number of games and activities as well.
All ages are welcome to join the gathering to honor and support the local 2-Spirit and LGBTQ+ community. The Pride Everyday celebration is set to take place Gathering Hall.
Tulalip Foundation annual Salmon Bake Fundraiser in benefit of the Hibulb Cultural Center – August 17
The Tulalip Foundation puts together an exquisite night that highlights Tulalip’s rich culture each August. While showcasing the songs, art, and history of the tribe, the Foundation hosts the Salmon Bake to help bring in funds to benefit the Hibulb Cultural Center’s exhibits, classes, and events.
During the gathering, the museum opens up its exhibits to all those in attendance. And often times, several Tulalip artists are invited to hold live demonstrations in carving, looming, and weaving.
Leading up to the Salmon Bake, the foundation acquires numerous donations from around the tribe to put up for bid during the silent auction. Those items include paintings, beadwork, sculptures, and cedar woven pieces, as well as gift baskets and gift certificates for the Tulalip Resort Casino.
Also, be sure to keep an eye out for the announcements of the dates, times, and locations for the following events:
Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis went missing on November 25, 2020. She was last seen walking east on Fire Trail, a well-travelled road designated as the north border of the Tulalip Reservation. Presumed a homicide victim by local authorities, including Tulalip Chief of Police Chris Sutter, Mary’s absence looms large in the hearts and minds of her loved ones who are still searching for answers, hoping against hope that she’ll come home.
Three-and-a-half years after her disappearance, Mary’s sisters Nona Blouin and Gerry Davis have worked tirelessly with Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW) organizations, Tulalip Tribes leadership, social media groups, and other interested parties who are committed to giving a voice to the voiceless.
Two of those interested parties were French-American film maker Sabrina Van Tassel and former Tulalip Tribes vice-chairwoman Deborah Parker who share a passion for seeking social equity and political justice for often underserved, overlooked peoples. Their united effort to not let Mary’s story go silent and to place a cinematic-sized spotlight on the hundreds of Native American women who continue to go missing in the United States led to the creation of Missing from Fire Trail Road.
“Ten years ago, I was watching this incredible woman Deborah Parker as she was trying to include Native women in the reenactment of the Violence Against Women Act under the Obama Administration. That was the first time I heard about missing and murdered Indigenous women,” recalled the film’s director. As an investigative journalist and movie maker, Sabrina has directed over 40 documentaries. “Deb and I stayed in touch. As we grew and got older I always had the idea I would do a feature documentary on this great matter.
“When I finally got the financing, I immediately called Deb and asked her to be my executive producer,” Sabrina continued. “We needed to do this together. This project is the really the culmination of two women, one Native, one non-Native having the urge to protect women.”
Deborah Parker
Carefully crafted in a culturally sensitive way, Missing from Fire Trail Road successfully shed light on the ongoing and continuously unsolved disappearances of Native women across the country. It elevates the story of Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis to open up a broader conversation about the violence and generational trauma suffered by Native communities, as well as the fallible laws and lack of credible investigation surrounding them.
From leaders like current Tulalip chairwoman Teri Gobin to U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland to Mary’s sisters and cousins, the 101-minute film threads an evocative but important narrative about these overlooked cases and the urgency for attention and action in these investigations.
Sabrina Van Tassel, Deborah Parker and Teri Gobin.
After multiple years of production, Missing from Fire Trail Road had its much-anticipated world premier on June 8 at the Tribeca Festival. Held in New York’s East Village Theater, film production crew and allied organizations united their resources to ensure Mary’s sisters received the full red-carpet experience and were shrouded by the heart-felt support and endearing strength of their Tribe.
“Our hearts and our prayers go out to the many advocates who do this important work each and every day, to the families who have missing loved ones, and to Mary Ellen Johnson’s family…this film is for you,” said executive producer Deborah Parker moments before the film’s silver screen debut. Her tireless work as an Indigenous leader and C.E.O. of the Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition was absolutely critical to the movie’s making. “This film is for the missing and murdered Indigenous women. This film is for all those relatives across the land who want to see justice for our women. We deserve justice. That’s what this film is about, to tell this story of injustice and how we as a nation can come together because we deserve better.”
After the film’s debut, Director Sabina, executive producer Deborah, and Chairwoman Teri Gobin were asked a series of questions from media members and film critics. They did an admirable job of echoing the film’s poignant positioning of ongoing violence against Native women and the MMIW epidemic as a direct result of the Boarding School Era, the Indian Child Welfare Act, and the intergenerational trauma sustained by the forcible removal of Native children from their homes by the U.S. government.
Photo courtesy FilmRise Photo courtesy FilmRise
The Tulalip delegation were invited to a special post-film reception where they were traditionally welcomed by the members of the Shinnecock Nation, a federally recognized tribe in New York. Songs of strength and healing were shared for Mary’s sisters and cousins in attendance, as well as prayers offered for the return of Mary. Film director Sabrina was also blanketed for her commitment to spreading awareness of missing and murdered Indigenous women via the cinematic lens. It’s her intention to see the film receive national, if not worldwide exposure.
Nona Blouin and Gerry Davis
“It made my heart smile to see the theater packed with so many people from all over to hear our sister’s story. All this exposure is going to bring our sister home,” shared Mary’s oldest sister, Nona Blouin. “Having our cousins Lynette and Veronica Jimicum here with us has been a huge support because they’ve been with every step of the way. And having so many other tribal members here too is really awesome because it proves how much of a family our Tribe can be. We’ve grown so close to some who have becomes pillars of strength for us to lean on when we’ve felt weak. We are so grateful for that.”
“This entire process has been an emotional rollercoaster because the feelings always rush back anytime we talk about Mary, but it’s just amazing that film is finally out,” added Mary’s youngest sister, Gerry Davis. “Because we grew up in foster homes we’ve always felt estranged from Tulalip. It was Mary who brought us back home. It was Mary who brought us all together. Through these tragic circumstances, from us being taken away so young and then losing our sister, we’ve gained a tribe.”
The Tribeca Festival brings diverse audiences together while championing unheard voices through exclusive premieres and thought-provoking conversations. Mary was given voice through cinematic storytelling that was heard by viewers from around the world. They and all future viewers will know her case is still an active investigation. Tulalip Tribal Police and the FBI in Seattle are offering a combined reward of up to $60,000 for information leading to the identification, arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for Mary Ellen Johnson-Davis’ disappearance.
After accompanying Mary’s sisters and returning from New York, Chairwoman Gobin reflected, “This film creates so much awareness to the general public about the challenges we have regarding MMIW and the inter-jurisdictional issues between federal agencies, state agencies, and our own tribal police. The more people watch, then hopefully the more people can understand the systems we’ve been advocating to change for so long. But perhaps even more important than that was our group being there to support the sisters. They felt just how much support they have, not only from their Tribal Council but their aunties, cousins, and other Native advocates who wanted to shower them with all the love and support they could.”
Tulalip leadership are actively planning to host a community viewing of Missing from Fire Trail Road on the reservation. Tulalip News will update community readers with the details after they’ve been finalized.
