Category: News

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News  

As the New Year begins, many people find themselves seeking change, growth, and a renewed sense of direction. At Tulalip, the Season of Healing series has become a space where that kind of reflection is welcomed, encouraged, and grounded in cultural strength. On January 6, community members gathered for the fourth installment of the series, entering 2026 with the intention of honoring the teachings and relationships that guide their way forward. This month’s gathering centered on uplifting the men who shape Tulalip families and futures, recognizing the important roles held by grandfathers, fathers, and uncles.

The day opened with a lunchtime talk at the Tulalip Administration Building led by Coast Salish artist Walter Moses, whose work has become a recognizable part of the Puget Sound landscape. Walter shared stories about his artistic journey, the cultural teachings that guide his work, and the responsibility borne by those watched by younger generations. His carvings and artwork appear throughout the region, including his water-themed installation at the University Village Starbucks in Seattle, where salmon, otter, canoe, and killer whale imagery reflect the Coast Salish connections to water, identity, and community.

Later that evening, community members made their way to the Tulalip Gathering Hall for the workshop titled “Honoring Fatherhood: Uplifting Our Grandfathers, Fathers, and Uncles — Walk with Honor, Speak with Care, Your Footsteps Guide the Generations.” Through shared stories, teachings, and reflection, the workshop highlighted the strength and stability men bring to their families and the wider community.

Walter reinforced these teachings by reminding those in attendance of the impact men have on youth simply through everyday actions. “Men give guidance, protection, presence, and example. All of these are beyond biology. Men have always been our first teachers. Whether we are trying to teach or not, the children are always watching,” he said. “Children are constantly asking themselves questions like, ‘Do I belong here? Do I matter? Am I safe?’ And they learn the answers not through instruction but through experience. Belonging is something we show them again and again through consistency and care.”

This message echoed throughout the evening: even when men are not trying to be role models, they inherently are. Youth absorb the way men speak, act, and respond to challenges. Being present, attentive, and consistent was emphasized as one of the greatest gifts a man can offer a child. This aligns with research from the Institute for Research on Poverty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, which found that children with engaged fathers or male role models develop stronger emotional security, improved social skills, better academic performance, and fewer behavioral challenges.

However, the night also carried a heavier weight as the community continues to reel from the recent brutal attack on a Tulalip elder. Board of Director Theresa Sheldon addressed the hurt and urgency surrounding the incident, saying, “Violence is never the answer. It’s the violence in our community that has to be talked about and has to be dealt with. We have to demand better for ourselves and our families, and how we hold parents accountable and how we hold our youth accountable for violence.” 

Following Theresa’s message, Tulalip Tribal Police Chief Shawn Ledford spoke powerfully about public safety, community trust, and the responsibility his department carries. He shared not only professional insight but personal emotion, explaining how deeply violence affects those who serve. 

He began by saying,  “I want to speak about what’s on my mind and what’s in my heart. When you’re in law enforcement, and you work in a community like Tulalip, one of the best things is we know the people, we know our community. But it’s also hard when we see senseless acts of violence. And it is our job to keep this community safe. It’s my job to keep this community safe. And I want to let you know that what we do behind the scenes is we talk about the priorities of this Tulalip community, that people want to feel safe in their homes. We want our kids to be safe in the schools. We want people to be safe at work. And we’re also compassionate. We serve with compassion. We serve with courage. And we want to hold people accountable to reasonable standards. But there are some times that we’re going to have zero tolerance. Zero tolerance for  gang violence, gang affiliation, anything associated with that on the reservation, or any acts of violence that are towards an elder.”

His words added a firm, necessary reminder: healing must be paired with action, safety, and a commitment from everyone in the community to reject violence in all forms.

Following Chief Ledford, Ty Juvenile spoke on the responsibility men carry when they choose to guide others. “It’s important to make a choice to be a father figure, because it’s a choice. Being a father figure doesn’t necessarily mean your own kids. It could be any kid — the kids down the street or kids at another school. Being a father is a choice.”

Deyamonta Diaz offered gratitude for the positive role models who shaped him into the man he is today. “I have had plenty of men be good father figures in my family and not in my family,” Diaz said, later thanking Josh Fryberg for teaching through presence and example. “I witnessed Josh be a good man and father figure to his children and family.”

The final witness, Bradley Fryberg, reflected on his challenging youth and the unexpected mentor who helped guide him back onto a healthy path. “We can prevent things like that incident the other night by trying to point the young men in the right direction,” he said. “It could be as simple as lending an ear or buying a Gatorade for someone who needs it. Sometimes they need guidance or love – something they just don’t have at home.”

Among the community members attending was Cesar Santibanez, who shared how several men shaped his own growth. “My uncle Whaakadup Monger, my dad Oscar Santibanez, and a buddy that passed away, Tony Craig,” he said. “Whaakadup taught me how to be more spiritual and connect. My dad taught me how to be a son and to become a father. And Tony showed me how to be an entrepreneur, to keep pushing forward even when you are tired.” Reflecting on how Tulalip men support strength and guidance in the community, he added, “Everybody just has to be there for one another, even when times are tough. Sometimes just being there for them is good enough.”

As the evening came to a close, the message was unmistakable: healing grows when men step forward with presence, intention, strength, and care. In honoring their roles as protectors and teachers, Tulalip continues to strengthen the generational ties that hold the community together.

The next Season of Healing, “From Surviving to Thriving” will take place on Thursday, February 12. The day will include a special lunchtime session with the Tulalip Youth Council, offering young leaders an opportunity to share their perspectives as the community continues its journey into the new year.

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News 

Physical therapy has long been proven to help individuals regain strength, mobility, and independence, particularly after an injury or surgery. However, recent studies indicate that aquatic physical therapy can enhance these benefits even further. The buoyancy of water reduces stress on joints, making movement easier and less painful, while the resistance naturally strengthens muscles and improves balance. Research published in the JAMA Network Open found that patients who participated in aquatic therapy experienced longer-lasting relief from chronic pain and improved mobility compared to those who received traditional land-based therapy. Water’s hydrostatic pressure also improves circulation and stability, allowing participants to move freely and safely while rebuilding confidence in their bodies.

That same philosophy of movement through healing water is now being offered to Tulalip community members through the new Aquatic Physical Therapy program led by physical therapist Agnes Borjal of the Tulalip Health Clinic. The program, held at the Stanwood YMCA, represents a thoughtful blend of science, accessibility, and cultural connection.

Agnes explained that the decision to host the program in Stanwood was made after carefully evaluating several nearby facilities. “My background with aquatic physical therapy is that I had been working at the Everett YMCA with Providence Physical Therapy, and I created the aquatic program there,” she said. “The amenities were essentially the reason why we chose Stanwood. We originally tried to get the Everett locale, but they had so many programs, and I didn’t want our elders or patients to feel rushed to participate in their aquatic program. Then we looked at the Marysville Y, but it didn’t have the riverwalk or stairs into the pool space. The Stanwood YMCA mirrored what I had created before at Everett, and I knew patients would feel more comfortable with that kind of timing.”

Her passion for water therapy runs deeper than convenience or logistics. It is rooted in understanding how water connects to the Tulalip community’s identity. “Learning about the history of the Tulalip Tribes, I’m essentially an outsider. I’m Indigenous to my culture, which is the Philippines, but learning about the Coast Salish tribes and how water was so fundamental in their life, I felt like pool therapy would be so meaningful as a medium,” she said. “Water is healing. We talk about movement being medicine, but in my 20 years as a therapist, I’ve learned that the medium of water brings its own properties into that healing space. I love that historic background for the tribe.”

When Agnes joined the Tulalip Health Clinic, she saw an opportunity to expand the integrative health program to include aquatic therapy. “Coming onto the team, I loved the direction the clinic was taking,” she said. “They had this holistic vision of Native health, healing, Reiki, massage therapy, acupuncture, and physical therapy, and I wanted to bring in another aspect for our skilled PT services. I asked, ‘Have you considered aquatic physical therapy?’ because of chronic pain. At my previous clinic, we successfully transitioned many of our chronic pain patients into aquatic programs, not just for the physical benefits, but also for the social ones. Group sessions foster connections and promote wellness beyond just recovery. Since Tulalip already had partnerships with the YMCA, it made sense to create this bridge for patients to feel safe and supported in that space.”

Each aquatic therapy session begins on land at the Tulalip Health Clinic, where a physician’s referral helps determine treatment needs. “You’ll see me on land first because our goal is always to perform better on land,” Agnes said. “The first visit is a session in the clinic, and then we move into the water. We do warm-ups, balance and endurance exercises, and cool-downs, just like on land. However, underwater, we can also perform manual therapy, which is really enjoyable. Patients can experience weightless posture, and their joint and muscle tensions release in a totally different way.”

The program is designed for individuals facing chronic pain, arthritis, mobility challenges, or those recovering from surgery. “It’s great for people with multiple joint pain, chronic pain issues, or balance problems, and for anyone who has a high fall risk or struggles to exercise on land,” Agnes said. “Because a physician prescribes the therapy, it’s covered through insurance for Tulalip Health Clinic patients.”

Currently, the Aquatic Physical Therapy program is exclusively available to Tulalip tribal members who receive care through the Tulalip Health Clinic. Because it’s a medically prescribed service rather than a public exercise class, participants are referred directly by their healthcare providers.

Since the sessions take place at the Stanwood YMCA, about a 25-minute drive from Tulalip, transportation can be a consideration for some patients. Currently, there is no formal shuttle or group transportation in place, although the idea has been discussed among clinic staff and community programs.

“Right now, our physical therapy patients are getting to the Stanwood YMCA on their own,” Agnes explained. “There have been early discussions about possible transportation support through the senior program or community health, but since the program is still new, patients are currently responsible for arranging their own rides.”

Since its recent launch, the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. “They’ve loved it,” Agnes said with a smile. “Usually, sessions start one-on-one, then move into duet or group sessions. I think the biggest thing is that people are learning how their bodies respond to active recovery. I’ve seen so much improvement, especially among patients preparing for surgery. Some are waiting on knee replacements and tell me how much better they feel just being able to move their whole body again.”

The partnership with the Stanwood YMCA has also been strong. “They’ve been so welcoming and kind,” Agnes said. “The staff and regular members are supportive, and I’ve had patients say how comfortable they feel there. Some people even ask if they can join our sessions, but I remind them it’s exclusive for Tulalip Health Connect patients, which is kind of neat because it shows how visible and valued the program is becoming.”

When asked how she measures success, Agnes didn’t hesitate. “It’ll come from our patients, their outcomes, how they feel treated, and how their recovery carries forward,” she said. “Our goal is to help them become independent with a mindful movement program for themselves. The true testament is when they can go back to their normal routines, gardening, fishing, preparing their boats, without worrying about pain holding them back.”

For anyone hesitant to try aquatic therapy, her message is simple. “This is an environment meant to help your body feel lighter and freer,” she said. “Let the water support you. Let it help you find movement again.”

Agnes hopes this new program will become a lasting part of Tulalip’s larger health and wellness journey. “I think this is one of those things that can help inspire,” she said. “Learning about the Coast Salish tribes and their water connection, I see how resilient the Tulalip people are, always doing their best for their community. This program is a reflection of that. We just want to do our best by the people, following the Tribe’s vision, mission, and values.”