In the serene embrace of Tulalip Bay, the legacy of Tulalip tribal member Jerry Jones, a master carver, teacher, and king of home runs, is revealed with time and grace. Since his passing in 2003, the echoes of his artistic brilliance, passionate instruction, and unwavering commitment to the cultural tapestry of the Tulalip Tribes continue to resonate.
Jerry Jones, a luminary figure in the heart of Tulalip, carved more than just wood; he cut a legacy that embraced the essence of his people. His skilled hands breathed life into the timber, creating masterpieces that became living artifacts of cultural heritage. The classrooms under his guidance transformed into sanctuaries of wisdom, where the art of carving transcended mere technique, delving into the spiritual and historical dimensions embedded in each creation.
In an article by Cathy Logg titled “Tulalip Master Carver Dies at 62,” published in The Everett Herald on November 19, 2003, the author recounts the significance of Jerry Jones within the Tulalip community. Logg notes that in 1984, as Washington tribes geared up for the state centennial in 1989, a group of Indian tribes orchestrated the “Paddle to Seattle” to revive interest in ocean canoes and their traditional journeys. The article reflects on Jerry Jones’ pivotal role in leading this effort and highlights his contributions as a master carver and teacher within the Tulalip Tribes.
Guiding the efforts to create the tribe’s two canoes, Big Sister and Lil’ Sis, and constructing a third from cedar strips, Jerry Jones left an indelible mark on the Salish Sea. The lines of these canoes, crafted with precision and beauty, became a testament to Jerry’s artistry. His role expanded beyond a mere craftsman; he became a teacher, sharing not only the technicalities of carving, but also the cultural significance embedded in every stroke of the carving knife.
In the summer of ‘69, the Tulalip Chiefs, a championship baseball team led by Tulalip tribal member Cy Fryberg, featured the remarkable presence of Jerry Jones, known as the Babe Ruth of Indian Baseball. With Jerry Jones among their standout players, the Chiefs secured victories at Native tournaments, earning a spot in the final tournament in Tacoma. Overcoming challenges, the Chiefs emerged triumphant in the championship game.
Beyond Tulalip, Jerry Jones traveled the Northwest, lending his expertise to other tribal carvers working on their canoes. His craftsmanship became renowned from Oregon to Canada, and his legacy as a teacher and mentor expanded with each journey. Whether it was hats, baskets, drums, wooden paddles, masks, bowls, or totem poles, Jerry Jones left a lasting imprint on the artistic landscape, enriching the cultural heritage of the Tulalip Tribes.
“He worked for the Tulalip tribes for several years. He was in the military and was tasked with being the lead carver on the canoes for Paddle to Seattle,” said Linda Smith, younger sister to Jerry Jones. “Because my brother was always willing to share, he would teach other tribes how to carve canoes. Recently, the Suquamish tribe honored him this year during the canoe journey for helping teach their carvers. I want people to know how sharing he was.”
Linda continued, “In the summers, he would have youth assigned to him at the carving shed. He would also participate in culture nights and share his knowledge and the stories he had learned in his life. He contributed a lot to Tulalip and other tribes, and when he had students learning from him, he expected a lot from them. Sometimes, we need that discipline; we must do our best. It’s something he believed.”
Jerry Jones, who shared his artistry, wisdom, and discipline, will forever be remembered for his contributions to preserving indigenous traditions and nurturing generations to come. In the embrace of Tulalip Bay, his spirit lives on, an enduring beacon guiding the canoe of tradition into the limitless waters of the future.
November 9 was a historic day for Tulalip’s court system. We will have more on this big news in a few paragraphs, but first we want to introduce you to the court’s new alternative program that was implemented in October of 2022, which aims to assist tribal members involved with the courts and are in need of mental health care.
The Mental Health Alternatives Program (MAP) is designed to reduce recidivism in misdemeanor cases by providing those who qualify with a detailed 12-month plan that includes mental health treatment, community give back hours, as well as frequent court appearances, peer support group participation and phone check-ins.
According to the program’s literature, “MAP is a problem-solving approach to pending non-felony criminal cases, designed to hold offenders accountable and address underlying issues. The participants are connected to services that already exist in our community with the ultimate goal of keeping them from future criminal conduct. Participants have the opportunity to obtain services to address particular issues that may have contributed to criminal conduct, assisting them to achieve long term stability, become law-abiding citizens, and become successful family/community members.”
The program is a joint partnership between three parties, the tribal court system of course, and also Tulalip Family Services which is where the participants go for both their mental health assessments and treatment throughout the duration of the program. The third party is a local manufacturing company called Bridgeways, a social enterprise that is dedicated to assisting people living with mental illnesses whether it’s in regard to gaining or maintaining employment, housing support, or through their therapeutic courts program.
Bridgeways previously established two MAP programs at the Marysville and Everett municipal courts. And when the Tulalip court reached out to them about bringing a mental health focused program to the reservation, they were happy to lend their expertise. Now, with a trifecta of MAPs located in the heart of the Snohomish County region, Bridgeways is actively addressing an issue that may be the root of many reoffenders’ criminal behavior.
Moreover, they are doing this work in a highly effective manner that is concurrent to their mission statement of ‘providing services that promote quality of life for individuals living with a mental health concern in a manner that facilitates growth, independence, and a sense of community.’ In fact, according to the Bridgeways website, and with data collected by their judges, 93% of their graduates have experienced a reduction of recidivism.
Cathy Wheatcroft, Bridgeways Therapeutic Courts Program Manager, spoke about their partnership with the tribe, “Over a year and a half ago, Brian Kilgore, one of the prosecutors here, reached out to Bridgeways because we have Mental Health Alternatives Program courts in Marysville in Everett. And we’ve been doing MAP in those two courts – in Everett since 2014, and in Marysville since 2018.
“A few similarities – they all have three phases and are designed to be about a year long. It’s always the same core team, not from court to court, but it is always the same defense attorney, same prosecutor, same judge. And our liaison Jessica Barker also [works closely with participants] so they know the participants pretty well, it’s not like new people always coming in and out. And all three have the peer support group that they are required to participate in. Some differences are Tulalip holds court weekly and Everett and Marysville hold court every other week. Tulalip also does random UAs, which I feel holds the participants more accountable. But we all do this to help people and to see all their successes, they’re doing the work and I get to witness it and I think that’s amazing.”
Bridgeways’ successful program served as the framework to Tulalip’s MAP program. Drawing inspiration from the Tulalip Healing to Wellness and Family Wellness Court programs, MAP also has a certain requirement of giveback hours where the participants must volunteer some of their time to working local events and gatherings. Community giveback hours has helped numerous people get reacclimated into the tribal community and reacquainted with the people over the years.
With the MAP team supporting them along their 12-month journey, the participants set and define their life goals and immediately start working toward achieving them while in the program. Split into three, 4-month phases, the participants begin phase one with weekly court hearings, in phase two they attended bi-weekly court sessions, and in the final phase they meet with the judge on a monthly basis. If the participants follow their personalized plans that they put together with the MAP team, and remain in compliance each visit to the courthouse, they get to pick an item from a large basket of incentives to bring home. However, if they fall out of compliance, there are some sanctions that could range from an essay assigned by the judge to the termination from the program altogether.
“MAP is specifically designed to help people who have special mental health needs,” explained Judge Joshua Heath. “As a part of the program, they have to take their meds, if they’re supposed to be taking medication. They have to go to their mental health appointments. If they’ve got a cooccurring substance abuse disorder, we’ll help with that also. The Mental Health Alternatives Program is less punitive, probably the least punitive out of our programs because we’re just trying to understand where people are coming from. And we want them to be able to live a lifestyle that’s crime-free. Ultimately, that’s the goal of the Mental Health Alternatives Program is to live a crime free lifestyle. We want to give them whatever the help it is that they need, whether it’s getting a job or finding certain kinds of skills, even life skills, how to do basic things around the house – laundry and cooking, and so on. We want people to be able to graduate from a program and be able to be successful.”
Now that you have an understanding about the MAP court program, we can get back to the headlining news. But first, we’d be remiss to mention that this is the only tribal court Mental Health Alternatives Program to ever exist, so far at least, throughout all of Native America. Alright, so with that being said, it’s time for the big news: this November, Tulalip tribal member Jason Joseph became the very first graduate of a tribal MAP court program in all of history!
After confirming that he remained compliant through the last leg of the program, Judge Heath handed Jason a certificate of completion before he wrapped him in an Eighth Generation blanket and embraced him in a hug. Jason wore a smile as he was cheered on by a packed courthouse. Tears filled his eyes as his parent’s beamed with pride and his mom graciously thanked the MAP team for assisting in her son’s life transformation.
This was a momentous occasion for Jason, his family, the Tulalip MAP court program and its entire team, as it opens up a much-needed discussion about mental health within tribal nations. It also provides a new approach to addressing those mental health issues that many of our people are suffering from and have inherited from previous generations of trauma. Jason is the proof that cycles can be broken and that with the proper guidance and assistance, people living with a mental illness can turn their lives around and get set back on track in their own personal journey.
Several tribal members opted into the program prior to Jason’s ceremony, and a handful of individuals who were already in the program shared their progress. Jason’s accomplishment was equally important for them to witness because they were able to see that the program does indeed work, and hopefully they were able to envision themselves in Jason’s moccs, receiving a certificate of their own in about a year or so.
Jason shared, “It feels like it was a long time coming. It was like a yearlong process, but it was worthwhile. I learned a lot about myself and about people with mental health issues – what we need to do to get through the day, to get through life. This is important because tribal members with mental health issues have their own place to go to court now, and they can be represented openly and clearly in the right way.”
For additional details about the program, please contact the Tulalip tribal court system or MAP court liaison Jessica Barker. The following information was provided by the Tulalip Mental Health Alternatives Program:
Mental Health Alternatives Program
Requirements:
Only misdemeanor charges can be referred to MAP. Charges not eligible: DUI, sexual offense, serious violent offense, offense which defendant used a firearm
Participant must be amenable to mental health and/or chemical dependency treatment as appropriate
Participant must not have been deemed incompetent to assist in their own defense and must not pose a risk to the MAP team
Willing to sign agreement to follow program requirements
How to Refer:
Contact: MAP court liaison Jessica Barker
Email: j.barker@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov or j.barker@bridgeways.org
Aztec. Mixed media. George Amiotte (Oglala Lakota).
By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
A stunning art exhibit curated by George Amiotte (Oglala Lakota), a decorated United States Marine Corps veteran, recently held its grand opening within the Evergreen State College’s main gallery. Showcasing a wide variety of Indigenous talents and open to the general public through December 30, this exhibit is proudly dedicated to all military veterans, past and present.
Moon. Cedar. Pete Peterson, Sr. (Skokomish).
“Art is a living, breathing connection to our ancestors of the past, those living in the present with us, and our future generations. That’s why the title of this exhibit is Past, Present & Future,” explained George while proudly beholding the finished product. “What’s on display here is much more than 2- or 3-dimensional material; there’s a great depth of tradition and shared history told through a method of storytelling that’s been passed on since our people’s beginning.”
4 Baskets. Wool, beads, leather. Kathleen Thompson (Saskatchewan Cree). “I’ve always had an interest in learning about healing plants, as well as natural materials used in basket weaving. These specific bags on display were made by the mid-Columbia River and Plateau tribes of the Northwest and have always been used for gathering roots, plants, and berries. Because they are a soft bag, they can be folded and stored to be carried from gathering site to gathering site.” – Kathleen
George is a former marine who served two combat tours in the Vietnam War. He’s been immersed in the art realm since returning from Vietnam, from creating art therapy classes in South Dakota for Native children to developing art-based healing workshops that help veterans overcome post-traumatic stress disorder.
George Amiotte (Oglala Lakota), decorated United States Marine Corps veteran and Past, Present & Future exhibit curator. May A Calm Breeze Soothe Your Aching Heart. Mixed media. Megan McDermott.
“One of my favorite workshops combined mask making and emotional processing that healed the spirit of our traumatized warriors,” recalled George. “You see it’s really hard to take a combat veteran, someone that really experienced the shit, and have them acknowledge what they experienced. By having them create a mask out of wood, clay, or papier mâché that described themselves, similar to a self-portrait, we could then begin to process the emotions and trauma they conveyed through their self-imagery.
Cedar Wing. Western Red Cedar, Plum limbs, oscillated Turkey feather, NW Sweet Grass. Melinda West.
“The creative process itself acts as therapeutic while giving our warriors a safe place to manifest their emotions because in order for them to heal, they can’t be stripped of their spirit,” he continued. “It’s important for our families and our people to understand that as veterans, we are modern-day warriors, and that warrior spirit has to be respected.”
Necklaces and earrings by Bobbie Bush (Chehalis).
Through Past, Present & Future, the warrior spirit is respected and showcased as a means to empower Tribes and their vibrant culture during Native American Heritage Month.
The exhibit serves as a powerful educational tool. Through the presence of contemporary Native American art, Evergreen State College transformed its main gallery into an immersive learning space. Students and visitors alike are provided with opportunities to delve into the intricate narratives behind each piece of artwork – stories of creation, spirituality, and resilience. This education raises awareness, dispels stereotypes, and nurtures a deeper understanding of the Indigenous peoples who have called these lands home for millennia.
Eagle and Owl. Cedar. Pete Peterson, Sr. (Skokomish).
“I am honored to be invited to share my work with this community of artists,” shared exhibit artist Melinda West. “Born and raised in Seattle, I have lived my whole life on traditional Suquamish Territory. I hope the art I am inspired to make reflects my relationship with the place I live, the plants that grow here, and my respect for Indigenous Peoples living today who are caring for this land as their ancestors have done since time immemorial.
Photography display. Denny Hurtado (Skokomish). “Since I was a little boy, photographs have intrigued me. Seeing pictures of different cultures and countries is magical. I feel that the importance of documenting Native Americans in the 20th and 21st centuries is of the utmost importance as we continue to protect our sovereignty, our traditions, and our culture. The cultural revitalization of our Nations is tremendous and deserves to be captured and collected via photographs, so that our future generations can look back and be proud of what their ancestors worked so diligently to protect.” – Denny
Evergreen State College is located in Olympia, on the ancestral homelands of the Nisqually people. By implementing another Native-led exhibit, college administrators are furthering their mission to acknowledge the land’s original inhabitants. Incorporating Native American art is both a nod to history and a meaningful way to honor the enduring connection between the land and its Native peoples.
Like the impossible-to-miss welcome figure that stands permanently fixed outside the college’s main entrance, artists of Past, Present & Future strive for their welcomed gallery guests to further their understanding of Native culture, which continues to thrive in the 21st century.
In a transformative and visionary step towards reclaiming their ancestral culinary traditions, the Tulalip Northwest Indian College (NWIC) recently unveiled the groundbreaking Tulalip Food Sovereignty Presentation Kitchen. This innovative kitchen space, formerly a conventional classroom, symbolizes cultural revival and health empowerment. The soft opening event on Friday, November 3, was nothing short of a culinary journey, inviting the community to savor the flavors of Indigenous cuisine while unraveling the profound concept of food sovereignty. Step inside this unique kitchen and discover how it’s poised to revolutionize the relationship between tradition, health, and community.
The newly renovated space has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, evolving from a mundane classroom into a welcoming haven of culinary exploration. With an expansive, open kitchen at its heart, it beckons onlookers and perhaps even a camera crew to witness the intricate process of preparing Indigenous foods. The kitchen’s primary mission is to serve as an educational hub where students can immerse themselves in traditional food preparation. It’s a place where the rich heritage of Indigenous cuisine is brought to life, instilling in the next generation the knowledge and skills necessary to honor and preserve their culinary traditions.
“I grew up in a fishing and hunting family, and I didn’t know that I was already practicing food sovereignty,” said NWIC teacher, Linzie Crofoot. “Our food kept us a healthy community. Food sovereignty is about community health; our traditional foods and medicines and their direct ties with resource management. Traditionally, we have been the gatherers, hunters, and fishermen responsible for tending the land and keeping it healthy and our people healthy.”
Linzie continued, “When I am teaching Native Environmental Science, and I am teaching about our native plants, I am incorporating tribal health into it. I am incorporating our traditional values into it. That’s how I plan on using this kitchen; as a gatherer and a Native Environmental Scientist, I want people out on the land to be restored to their natural role on the land, and then be able to come back here and make meaningful relationships with each other and the community through food. That is how we have always built community. There’s nothing more traditional than feeding each other and coming together to make food.”
After the meal, Linzie demonstrated how to make a sweetgrass lemonade and started by creating a simple syrup. A mixture of sweetgrass water and sugar boiled create a tasty syrup that can be stirred into the lemonade. The goal of the demonstration was to show that you can start small with your introduction to a more native plant diet by creating one ingredient and building off that.
“When we tell people they need to eat traditional foods, they don’t know where to begin and get overwhelmed. They think they must be a gatherer or a hunter, or they need access to a bunch of land, and then they freeze and continue to eat all the same Western foods they have been eating their whole life. I want to incorporate easy things that you can do in your everyday lives. So, start with one cup of tea a month and sweeten it with a native plant, then work your way up. And don’t feel guilty about it,” said Linzie.
“This is the first tribal sovereignty kitchen in the nation,” said Colette Kieth, NWIC site manager. “The primary goal is that students understand what food sovereignty is and what tribal food sovereignty is and use our traditional foods. I also wanted a place where our students could have a camera-ready place for great presentations, like on Instagram and Facebook. I want our students to feel what it was like to work in a nice kitchen.”
The Tulalip Food Sovereignty Presentation Kitchen will have its grand opening in May, where students can create in the kitchen. Registration for winter classes opened on Monday, November 6th. To learn more about NWIC, visit nwic.edu.
October came and went in the blink of an eye. But before November arrived, the Tulalip community was sure to get in some spooky time fun during the season of candy and costumes. One of the more popular holidays on the reservation, the people get into the Halloween spirit as soon as Autumn has sprung and begin to deck their lawns and office spaces with creepy decorations at the turn of the season.
Earlier in the month, local non-profit Together We’re Better held their annual Trunk or Treat gathering which was met with great success and served as the official kick-off to the Halloween season. Although there have been many Halloween department parties, school celebrations, and family get togethers, there were two events that many tribal families had circled on their calendars: the TELA Pumpkin Extravaganza and the Community Halloween Party.
Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy Pumpkin Extravaganza
Laughter echoed throughout the TELA hallways on the morning of October 27, as the children arrived to their school in full costume. It was a little too chilly for the academy’s usual outdoor pumpkin patch, so dozens of mini pumpkins were scattered throughout one of the staff conference rooms. Upon picking out a pumpkin to call their own, they were able to visit a decorating station to adorn their gourds with stickers to make jack o’ lanterns with wacky faces and silly smiles.
The students and their families participated in a number of activities including bouncy houses, caricature portraits, and face painting. A cute highlight of the day was when the kids bravely walked through the spooky halls of the academy and visited their teachers while trick-or-treating and participating in a variety of carnival style games!
“I think it’s important to show that we’re just not a school, we’re a community, we’re a family, and we love interacting with one another,” said Absyde Decoscos, TELA Family Engagement Coordinator. “And it’s also important to show to the children that it’s not a separation between teachers and family, we’re all together and here for them. It’s good for the kids to see us all interacting together. It turned out good. It’s really fun. They loved seeing us all dressed up and we loved seeing them dressed up.”
Tulalip Community Halloween Party
The Community Halloween Party returned for the first time since 2019 and did so in a big way. The party was jumping throughout the entire four-hour window on October 29, and hundreds of families came out to showcase their creative costumes. This was the type of event that the kids of the community will fondly look back on years from now, just off that feeling of togetherness as everyone from event planner to event go-er had a hand in making the night special, recreating those ghoul time vibes from the days of old, before the COVID pandemic.
Families had a blast at the monster mash where there were numerous games, activities, pizza, and also a costume contest and a pumpkin carving contest. DJ Monie had the eerie tunes bumping and had the crowd at her command during the popular cake walk to close out the evening. A heartwarming thing to witness at this year’s party was members of the local recovery community working hard – setting up activity stations before the start of the event, manning said stations in full costume during the entire event, and sticking around until the very end to break down tables and help clean up the teen center, but most of all interacting with the people and getting reacclimated into the community in a good, healthy way.
Said DJ Monie after the party, “We had a blast today! Thank you to everyone that came, and for the crew that helped make it happen. Also, thanks to the judges that volunteered for the costume contests. Happy Halloween everyone!”
Dazzling holiday tradition presented by Quil Ceda Village features outdoor skating rink, visits by Mr. & Mrs. Claus, The Grinch and Buddy the Elf, a holiday marketplace, which doubles last year’s three million lights at Tulalip Resort Casino, Quil Ceda Creek Casino and Tulalip Bingo & Slots
TULALIP, Wash. (October 26, 2023) – The largest holiday lights display in Washington state will be back and twice as big as last year, when “Tulalip Lights” returns with a massive showcase of more than six million holiday lights brightening the winter sky starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 22. Seasonal displays will adorn Tulalip Resort Casino (with 4.2 million lights alone!), Quil Ceda Village, Tulalip Bingo & Slots and Quil Ceda Village Retail Center, and will be on display through January 15, 2024.
“Tulalip Lights” is located along Interstate 5 and accessible at westbound exits 200 or 202. The event is presented by Quil Ceda Village at Tulalip, WA. Viewing of all the lighting displays is free to the public.
When all you want is everything, in addition to the massive lights display – which rivals some of the largest in the nation – there will be much more fun for those in the holiday spirit, including an outdoor ice skating rink, holiday marketplace, visits by iconic holiday characters, and more.
“Tulalip Ice” Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a trip to “Tulalip Ice,” a 40’x 80’ outdoor ice rink made of real ice at the Tulalip Amphitheatre surrounded by a display of more than 1.3 million lights. Presented by Blue Line Sports and Entertainment, the rink will be open to the public Wednesday, November 22, 2023 through January 15, 2024. Rink hours are as follows:
Tickets for one-hour skating sessions (with skate rentals included) are $15 for adults and $12 for children (12 years old and under) and can be purchased at the rink or in advance at https://tulalipice.ticketspice.com/tulalip-ice. A $1.50 processing fee will be added to all tickets at checkout. Special rates are available for private use of the rink and birthday parties. Visit Tulaliplights.com. for more information. Entry to the Amphitheatre is free, where visitors are encouraged to view the on-the-ice fun. The only cost is for those who wish to skate.
Mr. & Mrs. Claus, The Grinch and Buddy the Elf Visits and Holiday Market at Tulalip Amphitheatre
More family-friendly activities will be happening throughout the season at the Tulalip Amphitheatre as part of the “Tulalip Lights & Ice” festivities. This includes appearances by “Mr. & Mrs. Claus,” “The Grinch” and “Buddy the Elf,” an open-air holiday market featuring a variety of delicious, quality food vendors, gifts and crafts, and fun activities like balloon artists, caricaturists and much more. A full schedule is as follows:
“We launched this grand event in 2022 and it became an instant favorite with visitors. It is bigger and even more spectacular this year and we encourage folks to add this tradition to their ‘must do’ experiences this holiday season,” said Kevin Jones, general manager for Quil Ceda Village. For more information on “Tulalip Lights & Ice” visit www.quilcedavillage.com, www.quilcedavillage.org or www.everythingtulalip.com.
Steeped in tradition forged by our ancestors, master weavers came from Canada, Oregon, Idaho, and all over Washington state to teach at the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association (NNABA). The two-day event, October 28 to 29, was held at the Muckleshoot Casino in Tacoma.
Hundreds of attendees eagerly awaited their chance to learn traditional style teachings from weavers who have dedicated their lives to learning the ways of our ancestors. Creating clothing, baskets, and art connects us to our roots and creates strong bonds between one another when we share these teachings.
“Since Covid, this will be our first year back in four years,” Teresa Harvey of Puyallup tribes said. “Everyone at the event belongs to the NNABA, and different tribes get to host. All the teachers at this event are master weavers, and they create different things you get to learn at each table. There is easy all the way to difficult, and you pick what you want to learn and sign up at the different booths. If you choose a hat, it may take you all day, or if you pick a different item, it may only take a couple of hours.”
Throughout the day, when someone finished an item, the announcer had them show the room what they had created. Eruptions of applause let the students know their accomplishment didn’t go unnoticed.
“This has been a wonderful event, Alfred Lane, aka “Bud”, from the Siletz tribe in Oregon, said, “The Puyallup’s have been wonderful hosts. There’s a lot of support for NNABA. We are a non-profit and rely on help to put this thing on. It’s a labor of love for everybody here. It’s fantastic. One thing I would like to see is expanding our youth track; there’s an area for the youth to learn. To me, that’s the future, and I’m amazed at the interest they are taking. If you’re not teaching that younger generation, or if there’s a link missing in that chain, you’re heading over a cliff at some point, and we must ensure that doesn’t happen.”
When asked about the most challenging part about weaving, Bud replied, “Well, I always call it work, but the hardest part is the gathering. It’s also one of the most enjoyable parts. You get to go out in the woods, pick some things, peel some things, then prepare them for the next step. I always say gathering and preparing is 90% of the process of making baskets. We are basket makers. All we need is a place to sit inside, a table, a chair, and some water. Then we can create.”
“I have been teaching for over five years,” Jamie Sheldon of the Tulalip tribes said. “The event was awesome; everyone was excited to be back. I love teaching and want more people to come and learn because basket weaving is a part of our culture. If I can teach someone from our tribe, and they go on to teach someone, then that is an accomplishment for me and the next generation.”
To know more about the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association, visit www.nnaba.net. If you would like to learn how to weave baskets or jewelry, and you live around the Tulalip Reservation, Jamie teaches every Wednesday from 5 to 7 at the Hibulb Cultural Center.
On Wednesday, October 25, the Tulalip Police Department (TPD) Awards Ceremony became a day filled with joy and gratitude as the TPD and the Tulalip tribal government joined hands to celebrate and honor the extraordinary efforts of our dedicated police officers, staff, and residents.
They have all played a vital role in transforming our neighborhoods into safer, more vibrant, and inviting places to live. This heartwarming event was part of the Tulalip Police Department’s ongoing commitment to recognize the heroes in our community who go above and beyond to make our city a better place.
Sean Edge, 13 years with Tulalip Police Department, said, “I wouldn’t want to be a police officer anywhere else. I come from a family of fishermen, and to work in fish and wildlife is a great honor. It’s important for me to protect our rights so my children and my children’s children can fish the waters of their ancestors.”
When asked what working in the Tulalip community means after a year and a half, Nicholas Aldridge with the TPD said, “It means always doing what needs to be done no matter the cost. It’s also just that community, the people come together and rally around the TPD. I love working here. It makes me feel good when I come to work, and people are happy to see me.”
“I’m a Tulalip tribal member and I get to serve my Tulalip tribal community, and that’s always something I wanted to do since I was younger,” said Alyshia Ramon, TPD officer. “I come from a family of domestic violence and drug addicts, and I wanted to be a role model to others so that they don’t have to go through what I went through. Also, know that there are other pathways to success. I had to do a lot to transform myself. I’m a mother of six, and I had to drop 100 pounds to get in shape. To be a police officer, it takes hard work, dedication, perseverance, getting through adversity, and being strong mentally and physically.
Alyshia continued, “There’s a new generation coming in, and I support all the people that want to put on the badge. It’s a different culture, a different vibe with social media and stuff like that. Times have changed, and I think new police officers coming in will bring a different perspective and possibly change how policing is done.”
Tulalip’s neighboring city to the south, Everett, is the seventh-largest city in all of Washington State by population, and it’s by far the largest city in Snohomish County. Established in 1890, the city of Everett is situated on a peninsula. Its city boundaries are designated by the Snohomish River to the east and the Salish Sea to the west.
In precolonial times, long before imaginary map borders, the land Everett was built upon was home to our Tulalip ancestors. As a sustenance people who lived off the land and natural environment, they flourished in the ideal fishing location. But that was then. And this is now.
To live in the now is to recognize and embrace the many ways modern Tulalip people have adapted while continuing to flourish well into the 21st century. One such way is evident through our boundary-redefining, limit-pushing artists who refuse to placate a binary system that deems their work traditional or non-traditional. Instead, they embrace challenges to create visionary works of art as they routinely use the latest technologies available in order to manifest their inspired visions via a multitude of mediums.
The latest example comes from a truly vibrant collaborative effort between the city of Everett and Tulalip master carver, James Madison. The Everett Mayor’s office desired an artist’s touch to remake the outside of the Everett Municipal Building, located at the intersection of Wetmore Avenue and Wall Street. After a call went out for artists, James was rewarded with the job.
His vision for the project, titled Save Our Salish Sea, was unveiled in late October. Taken together, this enormous metal fabrication installation made up of bold red, yellow, and black colors is impossible to miss for pedestrians and commuters alike. But forged into the durable aluminum and medicine wheel colored pallet is a traditional teaching that has been passed down from one Tulalip generation to the next.
“With this project, I wanted to pay respect to our culture as this region’s first people,” explained James. “I tried to showcase our culture and who our people are, while paying respect to the Salish Sea through the blackfish, salmon, and our stories that have been passed on for generations.
“The salmon run that wraps around the building represents Sockeye,” he continued. “They used to be so abundant in our local waters, but now their runs are really short and even desolate in some places. It’s important that we continue to raise awareness of the dwindling salmon runs because their well-being is interconnected with the well-being of both blackfish and human populations. My grandpa always told me that it’s up to us to keep the blackfish and salmon alive because if they go away, then humans will go away as well.”
At the heart of this latest collaboration between a local city and one of our artists is a respect for the cultural heritage that pre-dates the urban landscapes that have taken over Coast Salish territory.
By adorning municipal buildings, ferry terminals, college campuses, and other widely visited public spaces with Tulalip art embedded with iconic cultural imagery, local municipalitiesare finally moving in a positive direction to help preserve the vibrant traditions, intricate artistry, and spiritual symbolism that define our Native culture.
“When you see the people come together, it’s emotional, it really is,” expressed Veronica ‘Roni’ Leahy, Diabetes Care and Prevention Program Coordinator. “The people were all gathered around talking and the kids were running around. The elders were sharing with each other – the foods they picked, the foods they saw, and talking about recipes. We’re just warmed by each other’s friendship and love. And you can feel that you can feel that sense of community.”
The rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of dozens of Tulalip families who ventured off-rez on the afternoon of October 24, for the last Garden Tour and U-Pick harvesting event for the year. Held throughout the spring, summer, and fall seasons, the event allows the community to see food in an entirely new light. The idea is that by seeing the process take place, from planting to harvesting, people can develop not only an understanding of cultivating produce, but also gain a deeper appreciation for fruits and veggies, and all of their benefits.
“I wanted to get out with my friend Marvin today, come get some fresh produce, and see what Roni has going on,” said community member, Jessica Leslie. “Roni is filled with a lot of good information, and they always have healthy snacks. Everything here is fresh, local, and really nice to have. I think it’s a good way to get people out and about.”
Tulalip elder Marvin Jones, who was just happy to ride shotgun with Jessica for the day, exchanged stories with Roni as Jessica gathered an assortment for veggies. Over a cup of hot apple cider, he spoke of the importance of having access to fresh produce, something that was much more difficult for tribal members to attain during his years of adolescence. He also touched on his gardening skillset that he developed over the years, explaining that he can ‘grow my own anytime I want it,’ and identified several harvesting spots on the reservation for the likes of apples, berries, and a variety of plants.
The award-winning Diabetes Care and Prevention program partnered with Garden Treasures Nursery and Local Farm well over a decade ago to host the U-Pick gatherings. Ever since, the six-acre organic farm has been the backdrop for Tulalip members and Tulalip Health Clinic patients to learn and share knowledge about diabetes care, as well as harvest in-season produce and explore new foods that they otherwise wouldn’t have come across on a trip to the supermarket.
By opening their barn and greenhouse doors to the tribal nation, Garden Treasures is fulfilling their community-driven mission FUBU style – for us, by us. As a local Arlingtonite, owner Mark Lovejoy spoke on this mentality and his inspiration for growing crops solely to give back to his hometown, our region, and the community of farmers that sell their produce along the local farmer’s market circuit. Mark has opened a large retail space at the Garden Treasures property, and partnered with local farmers and meat markets to make their goods available for purchase six days out of the week, in addition to his products.
Mark shared, “It feels good, that’s the purpose of the farm. We’re supported by the community, for the community, we’re growing food for people right here. That’s been the mission all along, and the more we do it, the more we get connected. We designed this vertically integrated produce farm in the image of the old truck farmers from the 30s,40s, and 50s that were on the east coast serving the metropolitan areas. We wanted to serve our area with an abundance of food that we can grow in our climate.
“We designed our store to sell our products that we grow here ourselves. At the same time there are very few local farmers in our community who have a retail presence like this or even own land these days. Our farm is set up to be like an everyday farmers market. Anybody can come here any day of the week and have an experience like you would at a farmers’ market. Even though it’s a privately owned family business, it’s using a lot of vendors from the farmer’s markets to fill the shelves. And other people outside of the region that have other products too, like avocados that are from the same type of farmers that we are, but are from Mexico or southern California. We always try to source our products from people who are like us, who are interested in community supported agriculture.”
With multiple greenhouses throughout the property, Garden Treasures Nursery and Local Farm cultivates an array of colorful and nutrient dense vegetables, herbs, fruits, and flowers throughout the year. Roni is sure to schedule a U-Pick event at least once per season so that the community can enjoy everything from strawberries to winter squash. Now that we are in the midst of autumn, Garden Treasures has orange gourds in every size placed along the entryway to the farm. Each tribal family or THC patient selected a pumpkin before concluding their Garden Treasures adventure.
“It was a pretty good harvest,” exclaimed young Kayden Palmer while holding a box of produce, her day’s bounty, in-hand. “It was wet and cold but still a lot of fun.”
Upon picking out a pumpkin and heaving it up for a photo, Kayden continued, “My family and I enjoy carving these and sometimes we feed the excess of the pumpkins to our sheep. I don’t know what design I’ll carve yet, but I’ll figure it out. [U-Pick gatherings] mean a lot to me, and it’s always nice to come out and see everybody.”
Community member Justine Jones shared, “I’m glad I was able to come here, check it out, and just get out of the house. I really like Halloween now because we have two boys who were born on the same day of October 12. And my little guy loves pumpkins. He calls them pum-an-ah-nos. We’ll carve our pumpkin and possibly enter it in the pumpkin contest at the community Halloween party.”
In addition to knowledge sharing through the act of harvesting, the Diabetes Care and Prevention program brought on professionals from the Puget Sound Kidney Centers, Registered Dietician Grace Scarborough and Medical Social Worker Michelle Rowlett.
“We are really big into community health, so we’re partnering with the Tulalip Tribes to promote healthy living and healthy eating,” Grace explained.
Michelle added, “Diabetes is one of the main causes of kidney disease. We try to talk about ways to keep your kidneys healthy, keep your body healthy, just the whole gamut of everything involving healthy living. We do things like this because if you’re eating fresh foods, fruits and vegetables, cooking with herbs and spices instead of salt, you’re going to have healthy kidneys, a healthier body, a healthier heart – it’s all connected.”
After years of setting aside a small percentage of the Diabetes Care and Prevention program’s funding, Roni feels that the importance of these outings and the experience of harvesting one’s own foods has not been lost on the community. With each event growing in attendance, she believes it’s now time to expand these services and hold U-Pick gatherings more frequently, and at varying times, so that more people get the chance to take freshly grown produce home to their dinner tables.
Said Roni, “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.
“Those plants live just a short life only to give you health, to give you that medicine. They share that with you and they are grown here for that purpose. So, 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, because it’s truly a gift.”
The Diabetes Care and Prevention program is gearing up for a series of classes developed by the American Diabetes Association and is tailored to Natives living with diabetes. The classes will begin at 2:00 p.m. every Wednesday in November, at the Karen I. Fryberg Health Clinic. The classes will focus on self-management of the disease and are targeted toward individuals who were diagnosed with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic and have yet to attend a Diabetes Care and Prevention class. For additional details, please contact Roni at (360) 716-5642.
