“This is who we are and where we come from. Lushootseed is part of our culture, and we should be able to embrace it and share it with everyone,” expressed Lushootseed Language Warrior Michelle Myles. “It’s awakening the language. This initiative is keeping it awake, spreading it, and sharing it with everyone.”
Last September, the Tulalip Lushootseed language department embarked on an initiative that challenged the community to incorporate three words into their everyday vernacular: ʔi čəxʷ, t’igʷicid, and huyʔ, which translates to hello, thank you, and goodbye in English.
For decades, the language department has done amazing work at both recovering the traditional sduhubš language and sharing that knowledge with the tribal community. With established partnerships with the Betty J. Early Learning Academy and the Marysville School District, the language department introduces Lushootseed to their membership at a young age, setting a strong foundation to build upon. As students progress through their academic career, Lushootseed courses are readily available, from pre-k all the way through college, for those who wish to sharpen their traditional linguistics and be a part of the language revitalization movement happening at Tulalip.
In the past, the department has come up with some impressive and innovative ideas to help spread the language community-wide. For example, the department regularly holds classes for the adults of the community and employees of the Tribe. They also host storytelling get-togethers aimed at getting the entire family unit speaking Lushootseed with each other. And on top of all of that, they developed an interactive, informative, and easy to navigate database that is jampacked with Lushootseed knowledge including the visual and audio pronunciations of hundreds of words and phrases.
What was nearly lost to assimilation efforts in the 1900’s is flourishing in 2024 thanks to the dedication and love that each Lushootseed warrior has for their ancestral language. Thanks to their hard work, it is nearly as common to hear a toddler speaking Lushootseed phrases as it is to hear a Tulalip elder speaking the same language.
That being said, there are still numerous tribal members who are not quite as acquainted with the language as they’d like to be. There are several non-Natives, or other tribal members, throughout the reservation who would like to learn and utilize the language of the sduhubš as a sign of respect to the original inhabitants of this region.
This initiative is the perfect place to start for newbies to the language. The idea is that by replacing three English words with their Lushootseed counterparts during your everyday conversations, you are more likely to grasp the meaning and pronunciation of the word. You’ll be all the more encouraged to use the phrases throughout your day; and every time you speak the language, you share it and inspire others to participate in the initiative.
Known both as the Awakening the Language initiative or the three-phrase challenge, the project introduces three words and/or phrases to the community at a time. Throughout the fall and early winter season, the people became familiar with ʔi čəxʷ, t’igʷicid, and huyʔ. Many incorporated the phrases into their e-mails and professional interactions as soon as the initiative was announced.
To keep the project fresh in everybody’s minds, the language department posted yard signs throughout the reservation, in highly visible areas, that displayed the Lushootseed words for hello, thank you, and goodbye. At the bottom of each yard sign were QR codes that the passengers of moving vehicles or those out for a walk could capture with their phone cameras. The QR code led them to the Tulalip Lushootseed website where they could learn more about the initiative and hear the pronunciation of each word. The signs did exactly what they were intended to – get the people talking.
After the community spent close to four months with those initial phrases, the Lushootseed department introduced three new words to the people earlier this month. And if it ain’t broke, no need to fix it! The department is taking the same approach that was successful last fall. New signs are already posted all across the village in various neighborhoods and along high-traffic roadways. The new words areare ʔi (yes), xʷiʔ (no), and haʔɬ dadatu (good morning).
Brian Berry, the language department’s video producer/director, was instrumental in this getting this project started. He shared, “These are three things that everyone can say. It actually started here at the Lushootseed department. There are some signs here in the building that say, ‘English words we’re not going to use anymore’. That kind of got my brain spinning that we, as employees and tribal members, should replace these three phrases, using the Lushootseed ones instead of the English ones – just trying to get everyone to speak the language.”
This go-round we get a bonus word as red octagon signs, with the word gʷəƛ̕əlad, have been placed underneath stop signs all around Tulalip as well. Given it’s placement and shape, one could easily surmise they are Lushootseed stop signs, which is incredibly creative and entices people to learn the Lushootseed pronunciation of the word stop as soon as possible. And like the signs from the three-phrase challenge, the gʷəƛ̕əlad sign also has a QR code that people can follow to hear that pronunciation.
As soon as the signs were posted, we shared an image of a gʷəƛ̕əlad sign to our Tulalip News Facebook which was met with great reception and many praised Tulalip for preserving their language and making it accessible to their people.
Said Michelle, “This was something fresh we could work on to get the community speaking the language. We were looking for ways to get the language out there to share it, where it’s not in the classroom, not with a teacher, and it’s something you could use with family members and share it in that way.”
For more information about the initiative, the three phrases and how you can help spread the ancestral word, please visit www.TulalipLushootseed.com
“The months our Snohomish ancestors knew are vastly different than the ones we know now. Our seasons were moons. These moons were named after the environment or ecosystem and what was able to be harvested during that time. This was the Snohomish people’s way of staying connected to the earth. The earth would provide for them if they took proper care of it. This meant not overharvesting fish or vegetation but leaving enough for the wildlife living beside them as well as future generations.”
– Sarah Miller, Lushootseed Language Warrior
By Kalvin Valdillez
On a rainy and dark afternoon, close to thirty people gathered in the longhouse of the Hibulb Cultural Center. With the lights dim low, the group of locals took their seats on either side of the room constructed entirely of cedar. At the front and center of the longhouse, sat Lushootseed Warrior Sarah Miller, fittingly positioned in between four cedar carved story poles. Aided by the relaxing sound of rain hitting the rooftop, Sarah’s natural storytelling ability transported each individual to a time well before the colonization of America, a time where the lifeways of the sduhubš revolved around 13 moon cycles.
After we recently welcomed a new year in the Gregorian calendar, many were excited to learn about how Tulalip’s ancestors observed the concept of time pre-contact. Like most Salish tribes and other Indigenous nations, the sduhubš marked the time of year not only based on weather changes but also by their connection to the natural world.
Through the traditional story, Star Child and Diaper Child, Sarah introduced the crowd to two important figures to the sduhubš people, the sun and moon. In the Tribe’s ancestral language, the two were known as dukʷibəɬ.
She explains, “Together, the sun and moon became dukʷibəɬ; the Changer, the Transformer, or the Creator. The Changer was responsible for making the world what it is today. dukʷibəɬ changed animals from what they were to what they are. Before the change, animals talked, walked, and worked similar to humans. dukʷibəɬ also changed humans from what they were to what they are now. Before the change, humans had the ability to morph into different animals, usually their spirit power animals. dukʷibəɬ walked this land, from the east to the west and changed everything. Changer was also responsible for giving all the tribes their different languages. Changer was responsible for naming everything. The Changer was our Creator.”
During Sarah’s hour-long lecture she captivated her audience by sharing the traditions of her ancestors, many of which are still celebrated and practiced today, such as the Salmon Ceremony and the harvest of salal berries.
With the amount of time and research Sarah put into this presentation, we urge you to attend her lecture in full, as well as any of the Lushootseed workshops that are often held at Hibulb Cultural Center throughout the year. For this publication, we are going to share the thirteen months with you, led by excerpts from Sarah’s lecture.
ƛ̕iq̓s – The time when your stomach sticks to your backbone (January)
The January moon, one of our winter moons, was called ƛ̕iq̓s. In Lushootseed, this meant as period of time when your stomach sticks to your backbone. This is because in the wintertime, food is scarce.
During this cold time, the people relied on whatever food they had gathered and stored in prior months.
səxʷpupuhigʷəd – The time of the blowing winds (February)
Once the winds picked up through the area, it was səxʷpupuhigʷəd, which means the time of the blowing winds. During this moon, the area would experience a lot of wind. Food was still kind of scarce, but the wind blew the biting cold around.
Since these winter moons were scarce of food, a lot of people would fast and quest for their spirit powers. Some people would go out into the forest, away from their villages to find their power. They would bathe in icy cold rivers and lakes.
The Snohomish people would participate in ceremonies of the smokehouse faith; drumming, singing, and dancing to bring out their power. A long time ago, it was said that during the winter months, the physical world was closer to the spiritual world, which is why singing, dancing, and drumming took place.
waq̓waq̓us – The time of the singing frogs (March)
Once the frogs started singing en masse, it signified a new moon or month was starting. Smokehouse ceremonies stopped and it was time to go out into the woods and check on what was starting to bloom. By this point, the winds would start to die down and the earth was warming up a bit.
As springtime continued to arrive, there would be many things for the Snohomish people to do, such as prepare to move from their winter villages to their summer ones.
Back in those days, the longhouses were put up in a way that they could be disassembled and reassembled as needed. The winter locations were near bodies of water, but also close to forests for hunting purposes. The summer locations were located near clam beds or accustomed fishing grounds. In the summer, longhouses were erected that also could house many people, however, a lot of times the Snohomish people utilized smaller mat houses, especially when fishing at the river or near the bay.
Slihibus −The time of the cranes (April)
During this time, you’d hear the songs of cranes and swans as they started their migration. At this time, the earth is getting warmer, and more foods are coming into season. Game might be a little more available. The Snohomish people would journey to the Holmes Harbor area to fish for smelt and herring.
Throughout these seasons potlatches would be held. A potlatch could be held for any reason such as a wedding, a funeral, births, or even winning a dispute against a warring tribe was a call for celebration.
pədx̌ʷiw̓aac – The time of the whistling robins (13th Moon)
This month is considered the missing month, or the thirteenth month, because it does not appear in the Lushootseed calendar that we know and use today. In order to fit with the Gregorian calendar, this moon was omitted.
pədx̌ʷiw̓aac means the time of the whistling robins. After the cranes and swans had migrated, the robins would start in with their singing.
While Harriette Shelton said this moon was the time of the whistling robins, her father, William Shelton called it sɬukʷaləb, which means, “little moon.” This isn’t too far off from the word commonly used for moon, which is sɬukʷalb. Perhaps Harriette and William were talking about two different moons, but maybe that they were talking about the same moon. Whatever the reason, this is technically not even the thirteenth moon; it’s the fifth of the Snohomish people. There is no information on why this month specifically was chosen to be taken out of the calendar.
pədč̓aʔəb − The time for digging up roots (May)
During this month we start digging up roots. Camas was a popular root amongst the Snohomish. Camas root has beautiful purple blooms but is more akin to being a small onion, though sweet. At this point, most people might have packed up and started heading towards their summer homes.
Nettles were also harvested and used in soups and for various other medicinal needs. Cattail was harvested as well. Snohomish people mostly used them to make mats with. The natives would split some of the shoots and peel layers of them out to weave with. The cattail mat was said to be comfortable to lay on, especially if you piled several of them up. When I talk about mat houses, this is what they were made of. There was a frame or structure made of planks taken from the bigger longhouses and they were covered with many cattail mats to make a little house.
Horsetail was also harvested during this month, it was a good herb to remedy ulcers, wounds, and even kidney problems. Ferns were also harvested. Bracken fern, licorice fern, maidenhair fern, and sword fern were good medicinal ferns. Bracken could be used as a tonic, licorice helped with colds and sore throats, maidenhair helped the respiratory system and sword fern could be used to treat skin sores.
pədstəgʷad – The time of the salmonberries (June)
The next few months are known as the berry months, because of the different berries that grow during the summer. June is known as pədstəgʷad, or the time of the salmonberries. This month typically lasts from May to late June. By now, the Snohomish people were living at their summer village sites, either in summer longhouses or mat houses.
This month also began the run of King Salmon, or hikʷ siʔab yubəč. The first king would be caught and celebrated in ceremony. There would be songs and dances to welcome the hikʷ siʔab yubəč and its return to the waters.
During these moons, the days were getting longer. There was more time to gather roots, gather chutes, gather berries, gather shellfish, and troll for fish. In the evening, people joined together in the longhouses to share stories and songs. Sometimes there was a potlatch, a wedding, a funeral, or a birth. Sometimes, there was no special occasion. It was just enjoying the full moon with your village.
pədgʷədbixʷ − The time of the blackberries (July)
The blackberries would bloom during part of July. Once the stəgʷad stopped bearing fruit, it was time for the blackberry bushes to bear fruit. Blackberries would start blooming in July, but they wouldn’t officially be ready to gather until about August.
Blackberries were good for flavoring soups but could also be used to dye wool or cedar darker colors. Tea could be made from the leaves of the blackberry vine. Blackberry leaf tea could help with illnesses and was also said to be good for the skin.
In addition to harvesting berries, clams were also harvested. After a morning of harvesting clams, someone would start a fire and the clams would be cooked amongst the hot rocks, right on the beach.
pədt̕aqa − The time of the salal berries (August)
These delicious purple berries ripen during this moon and not only are they good to eat, but they are also medicinal. These berries are a deep purple color, which is where we get the Lushootseed word for purple: t̕aqahalus.
In addition to being a good source of food, these were also a good medicine for the Snohomish people. They helped with colic and diarrhea but also cuts, burns and respiratory illnesses such as colds and tuberculosis.
Our ancestors had a unique way of storing not only t̕aqa but other berries as well to make them last well beyond their harvesting season. Our ancestors used to eat the berries in soups and with salmon or other meals.
pədkʷəxʷic − The time of silver salmon’s return (September)
September in Lushootseed is pədkʷəxʷic, or the time of the return of the silver salmon. Now, this doesn’t refer to the entire month of September but rather, just the length of time that the silver salmon run. Our ancestors would get into their canoes and along with their tools, go trolling for fish. Each fisherman knew how much strain their line could take. If they were to catch large fish, they knew how to carefully bring them up to the side of the canoe, where they would then spear the fish with a harpoon and put them in the canoe. The harpoon was usually made of ironwood.
Fish wasn’t the only thing on the menu for our Snohomish ancestors, for they also hunted deer and elk. Many Salish hunters were experts at mimicking the sounds of deer and their fawn. They’d set snares and then make a call like that of a fawn or a doe and wait until a deer ran into the snare.
pədxʷit̕xʷit̕il −The time of falling leaves (October)
During this time, of course, the leaves were being shaken from the trees and falling to the ground. The silver salmon runs had ended, and it would be a while before the next salmon would start to run. During this time, vegetation was dying and a different game was sought out to hunt.
The Snohomish people were very proficient duck hunters. Ducks were a very sacred animal in that their spirit power was one of wealth but also, their feathers were collected for regalia, and they were hunted in between salmon runs.
pədƛ̕xʷayʔ − The time of the dog salmon (November)
Dog salmon, or chum, would start its run in November. This salmon was highly prized amongst the Snohomish people. The way this type of salmon was harvested was different than how the silver salmon was harvested. Silver salmon were biting fish, which meant they would bite at a bait line. Dog salmon were not biting fish, so another method was used. Long ago, the dog salmon runs used to be quite plentiful. Instead of using a bait line, our ancestors used a harpoon or a long spear. Dog salmon was dried and stored in baskets, similar to the ones that stored berries. The Snohomish people were very good at making sure they had enough dog salmon for the entire family or village so that no one went hungry.
Other game harvested during this month were bears. At this point in the season, bears were fattening up for hibernation and it wasn’t uncommon for our ancestors to encounter them.
Bears weren’t typically sought out for food. During the winter, it was said that bear meat didn’t taste very good because of all the salmon they’d been eating. However, in the summer bear meat was preferred because the bears had been eating berries and that sweetened their meat.
pədšic̓əlwaʔs– The time to sheath the paddles (December)
During this time, the Snohomish people were settled in their winter villages, and they weren’t traveling so the paddles were put away and sheathed until the weather warmed up. Hunting and fishing were still being done, but mostly the Snohomish people relied on their food stores to get them through the colder seasons.
Typically, the Snohomish people didn’t like being clothed but, in the winter, it was a necessity. They made moccasins, shirts and pants out of buckskin. Some of these items were painted on or beaded. Back then, the beads were either made of shells, pearls, or bones. Men and women alike would wear fur caps made of bearskin to keep their heads warm. Bearskin was also used to make coats or capes.
During the winter, the Snohomish people would paint their faces bright red or a dark red, depending on the material they used. This paint would be put on every morning and taken off every night. The Snohomish liked using this not only because of the vivid color it gave off but because it kept their skin smooth and free from chapping from the cold.
Extravagantly festive Christmas trees and wreaths adorned the Orca Ballroom at the Tulalip Resort Casino during the 38th annual Festival of Trees. The multi-day holiday fundraiser kicked off November 29 with a free community day and teddy bear celebration. Opportunities to give generously via an online auction accompanied the much anticipated, excitement-filled Holiday Gala and Live Auction held in person on December 1.
Each year, thousands of community members take part in the Festival of Trees – including volunteers, sponsors, and attendees – to raise funds for Children’s Services at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett. For more than three decades, Providence Children’s Center has been providing comprehensive, family-oriented care and highly specialized therapies; such as physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapy for children with a wide variety of special needs.
When asked to explain the importance of Tulalip hosting high-impact, community-changing events at our flagship Resort Casino, Marilyn Sheldon said, “Tulalip Tribes has so much to offer our community all times of the year, but Christmas time it becomes magical. Showcasing our Resort Casino in this manner brings to light what Tulalip has: shopping, gaming, restaurants, recreation, and an amazing holiday light display for families to enjoy. It gives Tulalip a different perspective in the eyes of our community. We need that to encourage others to want to visit each and every year. We want to be that traditional Christmas event every year!”
Beyond hosting the always astounding Festival featuring towering Christmas trees and festive fervor, the Tribe was this year’s presenting sponsor as well.
“An event of this scale brings all the movers and shakers of Snohomish County to our house where we can showcase how much we care and want to be a part of the solution; helping youth in their most trying times. But also, being vested in such a worthy organization, like Providence Hospital Medical Center, provides immeasurable goodwill back to Tulalip. We can always use this kind of support for our future endeavors,” added Marilyn, Charitable Contributions Director.
A highlight of the holiday season, the Festival of Trees provides opportunities for local families and organizations to make a significant contribution to benefit their community neighbors. Not to mention the festive, memory-making opportunities for those seeking a post-Covid experience in a heart-warming atmosphere. Whether it’s a decadent black-tie gala or an afternoon with cookies and Santa, the Festival’s variety of events offer holiday cheer for all.
The tremendously decorated Christmas trees won’t soon be forgotten as their specialized themes like ‘A Night at the Nutcracker’ and ‘All Aboard the Polar Express’ to ‘Candy Land Delight’ and ‘Wintery Dreamscape’ capture the imagination.
During an elegant gala, the dazzling Christmas trees and wreaths were sold to the highest bidders during a frenetic live auction that saw auctioneer Mark Schenfeld’s contagious energy get table after table to lift bidding paddles. Of course, all proceeds raised at Festival of Trees goes directly to Providence to aid, invest in, and expand programs and infrastructure related to Children’s Services.
The Children’s Services Fund is designed to provide a full spectrum of support for services that benefit children at Providence. Funding supports programs and services such as Pediatrics, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Children’s Center, Boyden Family Autism Center, and Camp Prov, a summer camp for children with special needs. Several of the trees lining the Orca Ballroom were reserved to be put on display throughout the Children’s Center as a special treat for hospitalized kids this holiday season.
Because of the great generosity of various donors, table sponsors, and an astounding 525 gala guests, this year’s Festival of Trees raised a whopping $1.32 Million. This enormous amount of financial support allows Providence to continue growing and expanding specialized therapies, equipment, and educational classes that make miracles happen for children and families every day.
Worth mentioning, during the live auction there were two trees bid on and won with the intention of keeping them right here on the reservation. Both trees have been installed and are on display for the local community to enjoy through the holiday season; one is at the Senior Center, while the other is at the Health Clinic.
For over two decades now, the Tulalip Tribes has been an important partner to Providence in the Northwest Washington Region by helping provide critical funding and support needed to care for the health of our growing community. Contributions made by Tulalip to Providence General Foundation since 2002 have totaled over one million dollars. For their dedication to the Festival of Trees, the Tulalip Tribes were honored with the Spirit of Festival Award during 2018’s Festival.
“The lives of thousands of children, including Tulalip tribal children, will be helped thanks to the generosity received from the Festival of Trees fundraising efforts,” said Board of Director Mel Sheldon, an eighteen-year member of the Providence General Foundation. “We are very fortunate to have a relationship with Providence Medical Center and to support such an amazing opportunity that really looks at the bigger picture. We all want to do our part to create a sustainable and healthy community.”
One of Snohomish County’s largest and most well-attended holiday events, the Festival of Trees has been a beloved community tradition for 38 years. The annual outpouring of community spirit, combined with such a magical setting, delivered a wonderful event that united so many during the holiday season.
Christmas came early for numerous Indigenous families as hundreds gathered at the Francy J. Sheldon Gymnasium for the annual holiday powwow at Tulalip. Holiday cheer was spread through the deep and rhythmic beats from the round drum this year, and also through the captivating and intricate steps of a number of Native dancers. Whether the dance was traditional, fancy shawl, or jingle dress, the gym was rocking throughout the entire three-hour event.
2023 marked the tenth year of the annual powwow which is a community favorite looked forward to each holiday season. The powwow is a collaboration between the Marysville School District Indian Education department and the Tulalip Education Division and features dance competitions for cash prizes. You often hear that this is the season of giving, and this was on full display as several young dancers forewent their cash prizes during the evening and instead gifted the money to elders in the crowd.
In addition to the drumming, singing, and display of astonishing regalia, the people were also treated to a meal and had an opportunity to peruse and purchase last minute gifts at the mini bazaar located across campus at the Marysville Mountain View Arts and Technology High School. Dozens of vendors set up shop and sold items such as beadwork, clothing, blankets, and cedar weavings.
Down the corridor of Marysville Arts and Tech, Santa Claus worked his magic and turned a common area of the school into his workshop for the night. Each kid in attendance received a toy of their choosing. There were Nerf guns galore, board games in abundance, puzzles o’ plenty, and countless plastic characters up for grabs. And that’s not to mention the large selection of books that included everything from picture books to graphic novels.
Once it was confirmed that each child had picked out a toy, there was still a plethora of gifts left over from Santa’s visit. The kids were once again invited to the workshop to add more items to their powwow haul. The event closed with the ever-popular cake walk in which all of the cakes were decorated with Christmas themes such as Santa’s suit, Christmas trees, and Frosty the Snowman.
Following the wonderful clash of culture and Christmas, MSD Indian Education Dept. Coordinator, Matt Remle, shared in a Facebook post, “Lila wopila tanka to all the families, drummers, singers, dancers, volunteers, cooks, staff, and janitors that came out and together for our annual holiday powwow wachipi. Can’t believe we just held our 10th annual! As always, our only goal is to bring some smiles and joy to the community. Waste po.”
A tapestry of tradition, beauty, and heartfelt storytelling unfolds in the latest cinematic gem, ‘Frybread Face and Me.’ Crafted by writer and director Billy Luther, the film narrates the compelling journey of a young Native child thrust from the bustling cityscape into the heart of the Navajo reservation under the care of his grandmother.
As the young protagonist navigates this cultural shift, ‘Frybread Face and Me’ delves deep into themes of identity, family, and the enriching power of heritage. Luther weaves a poignant tale that resonates with audiences, exploring the ties that bind us to our roots. In embracing the Navajo reservation, the young character discovers the beauty of his culture and finds a profound connection to his family and heritage.
Recently, Tulalip News spoke with writer/director Billy Luther about his latest film and what it means to create an authentic Native cinema.
The grandmother is the core structure of the family; can you speak a little about that?
Growing up, my grandmother was always the core of the family, and it was a profound and significant part of my life, not just for me but for my entire family. Making this movie was a tribute to her.
Who has been your inspiration?
The film touches on the women in my life: my aunts, grandmother, and mother. They were part of my childhood, all the stories they would share with me and just being the strong matriarchs, they are.
Why is authentic Native representation so crucial in Hollywood right now?
One of the things is we have Natives behind the camera. That makes a massive difference with stories. We don’t have to try to be authentic when we have Natives behind the camera. We have these shared and lived experiences as Indigenous people. We weren’t trying to get it right, we just knew this world. I think that is so unique and different in Native films by Native peoples because you can tell when there’s a movie not made by a Native.
What do you hope the takeaway is for Native families that watch the film?
I want people to have fun with it. I think it’s something that’s not widely available. I think the first time Natives could go to the theatre and laugh and have a shared experience as a family was 30 years ago with ‘Smoke Signals.’
I also wanted to share an experience that resonated with a larger audience. I am meeting a lot of non-Natives who watch the film, and it takes them back to a time in their lives when they were kids. That’s an integral part of my daily life and the humor and joy of growing up.
What advice do you have for young people trying to enter the movie industry?
It’s tough, it’s tough. I have been in this industry for 20 years. It would be best if you were consistent and not give up because it’s not easy; it’s not easy at all. You must write every day. I’m not saying you need to write a script every day, but you should be writing, reading a lot of books, and watching a lot of films, foreign films, all over in terms of art. That’s a lot of what people miss. They want to make blockbusters, but it’s complex and challenging. I’ve seen many people give up, but if you want to do this, you have to stick with it. There’s a lot of nos.
What else do you want people to know about ‘Frybread Face and Me’?
I hope people are excited about the story, and seeing all the love we are getting is surprising. You work so hard on a film for so many years; it’s not like it took us a year to write, cast, film, and edit. It’s a long process, and it’s been so rewarding. I’m still trying to process how much it resonates with people; it has been a blessing.
Whether you’re a fan of heartwarming stories or just looking for a cozy movie night, ‘Frybread Face and Me’ is ready and waiting for your viewing pleasure. Available for streaming on Netflix today.
By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News; photos courtesy of the Tulalip Caring Warriors
According to Snohomish County’s 2023 Point-in-Time Count of Homelessness, there was an 8.5 percent increase of unhoused citizens since 2022. The yearly count identified an additional 101 unhoused citizens, bringing the total count to 1,285, the highest it’s been in over a decade.
To help combat this growing issue and assist their members who are experiencing homelessness, the Tulalip Tribes recently established a pallet shelter on the reservation, while also revamping the Village of Hope and adding several more tiny homes to their site.
But even with the Tribe’s support and the extra resources, there are numerous Tulalip citizens who do not have a home to lay their head at night. And although it’s still technically fall, we’ve already encountered our share of nights with temperatures close to or below freezing. While many are enjoying celebrating the ‘most wonderful time of the year’ with the promise of opening gifts on Christmas day, there is a large population of people who are experiencing difficult times and are just looking to survive the winter.
Enter a group of local friends with hearts of compassion who were looking to do nothing more than provide the homeless with a Thanksgiving meal following their annual ‘friendsgiving’ gathering. Comprised of both tribal members and Tulalip citizens, the group wishes to be officially known as the Tulalip Caring Warriors. Its members include Angelica Trinidad, Kayla Joseph, Odessa Flores, Melissa Young, Kylee Sohappy, and Janae Zackuse. It was through this act of kindness and selflessness that inspired the collective to continue with this work, and they now have monthly donation drives planned for the foreseeable future.
Said Angelica, “When we were passing out food on Thanksgiving, people kept mentioning that they needed to find ways to stay warm and that they weren’t sure how they were going to make it through the winter with how cold it is. I was like ‘guys, we should get some ideas on how to keep these people warm out there the next time we do this,’.”
What makes this story even more beautiful is that they are not embarking on this journey for social media content, comments, or reactions. In fact, they are extremely humble and were willing to share the details about their new endeavor only to spread the word that they are still accepting donations and to also invite others to help out with their upcoming donation drives. And though they all played major roles in getting this project up and running, the ladies were quick to credit Kayla with the idea of helping out those individuals currently experiencing homelessness.
Kayla expressed, “It’s important for me to lead by example and show my kids that we are very blessed with clothes, food, a home to keep warm in, and that there are people out there who don’t have a warm meal to go home to. So, lets giveback whenever we can.”
Not only did the Tulalip Caring Warriors distribute food to the unhoused citizens on the reservation, but they also took the time to travel to nearby areas in Marysville and Everett as well. After a successful Thanksgiving distribution, the ladies wanted to keep the ball rolling and immediately began planning for December’s Winter Warmth Drive, and opened up donations for a 19-day stretch.
“We collected hats, scarves, gloves, jackets, sweaters, and we accepted money donations as well, so we could purchase items online too. I was actually super surprised with how many donations we received,” Angelica recalled.
Odessa added, “I drove to Mount Vernon, Bellingham, Marysville, Tulalip, and Everett to pick up donations. We got nine bags in total from different locations, and my family ended up donating two more bags. The day of [the distribution], we kept getting more donations to the point where our vehicles were full, and we ended up having to save those extra donations for the next drive we’re doing in January. We appreciate all the handmade donations as well. We had a lot of sets of hats and scarves and gloves that were handmade.”
In addition to the piles of warm winter gear, the ladies also gathered all of the monetary donations and purchased a number of items to assemble care packages, which included handwarmers, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and sleeping bags.
And they didn’t stop there. Each member of the Tulalip Caring Warriors expressed that one of the highlights of doing this charitable work is simply spending time with each other. They all spoke fondly of the time they spent cooking in the kitchen together, and how they shared an abundance of laughter while preparing soup and frybread to hand out along with the clothes and care packages. Angelica noted that a handful of their kids joined in on the fun and helped their moms and aunties make the frybread on distribution day.
“When Kayla asked if I wanted to do this, I was like hell yeah,” voiced Angelica. “I would love the opportunity to teach my son about the importance of giving back because we’re all struggling. In this day and age our economy sucks. We all have different battles and struggles. We don’t know what’s going on in people’s daily lives. I firmly believe that if you want to see change in the world, be the change you want to see. It’s awesome to be able to set that example for my son.”
Odessa estimated that they fed over 100 unhoused individuals on December 10, throughout the Tulalip/Marysville/Everett region. And thanks to the Tulalip Caring Warriors who donated their hard work, time, and compassion when organizing the warmth drive, those approximate 100 people will be a little toastier this holiday season.
“This was healing for my inner child,” shared Odessa. “I went through the beda?chelh system and I was put in a home where food wasn’t guaranteed every night. And being in recovery and on the run, and maybe eating once a day – going through all that in my adolescent years – and being back out there and distributing the donations really brought back a lot of memories, but also brought back a lot of healing for me. It truly meant a lot to see their reactions, their gratefulness and to see their faces light up.”
The art of giving back has seemingly been perfected by the Tulalip Caring Warriors and it’s wonderful to see the difference they are bringing about in the community. As each of them are hardworking and have that go-getter mindset, they were able to quickly establish a non-profit organization on the fly, in order to bring a little comfort to the local homeless population this winter.
Kayla stated, “The first stop, I had about eight people, and it was me and Jenae, and when we gave them the soup and bread, they immediately started eating. And then I told them that we had blankets and coats for them. They were so grateful to get a coat and a warm bowl of soup, they kept saying thank you so much.”
“I always say If I can help one person, that will be good enough for me,” continued Kayla. “I’m just excited that I get to do this monthly now, with friends who want to do it with me. They all have open minds and hearts and love to cook and laugh with each other. I just want my kids to know that we’re very fortunate. And also, that we’re lucky to have a good group of friends who will lift you up, pick you up, stand by your side, and do good to other people because so much in our world isn’t good. If you feel it in your heart to come cook with us and be with us, you’re more than welcome to join!”
The Tulalip Caring Warriors are now accepting donations for next month’s drive until January 14. If you would like to contribute to the cause, you can drop off your donations at the Tulalip Village of Hope at 2819 Mission Hill Road. They are accepting gently used scarves, hats, coats, blankets, and gloves, as well as snacks, canned goods, and dinner rolls. For more information, please feel free to reach out to Angelica Trinidad at (425) 404-1211 or Odessa Flores at (425) 319-4868.
It was a rainy and windy day on Saturday, December 2, creating the perfect atmosphere for seniors to gather inside the Gathering Hall for the inaugural Honoring our Wisdom Keepers event. More than 200 people attended the ceremony, paying tribute to the eldest Tulalip tribal members. The gathering featured heartfelt speeches and an entertaining dance contest.
Handmade gifts crafted by Tulalip artists, such as sachets, cedar hats, clackers, and a beautiful drum, added a touch of tradition to the occasion. The eldest tribal female, Dale LaMont, aged 94, born on February 1st, 1929, and the eldest tribal male, Herman Williams Sr., born on February 13, 1929, were celebrated with eloquent words from their friends and family members.
Following the recognition, a lunch was served, providing an opportunity to share stories and pay tribute to Herman for his many years of dedicated service to his tribe and his people.
“My life has been dedicated to the Tribe for 45 years on the council,” Herman said. “Many things have happened, and there are a lot of people sitting here who were a part of this life that we tried to accomplish. They never get congratulated or complimented or anything like that. I’m proud of everybody that’s here. I was conversing with people who talk about what they did, and people don’t realize it takes people to create our world here.”
“First of all, I want to thank Herman for being in my life,” tribal member Rhonda Gobin said. “I go down memory lane, and I feel so honored to be standing here at his age of 94. When I think back, I think of Herman. I know all the things he’s done for our people, where his heart is today, and why it’s where it is. His true feelings have come out, and he expresses how he felt about it because that’s Herman. That’s his job to continue while he’s here, and we’ll take all we can get because he has given me a lot.”
The day’s festivities concluded with a dance party, where contestants competed for cash prizes.
The largest holiday lights display in Washington State is back! And there are even more lights than last year, twice as many to be exact. Quil Ceda Village’s massive luminescent lagoon is made up of a whopping six million holiday lights that brighten the winter sky every evening now through January 15, 2024.
Viewing of all the seasonal displays that adorn Tulalip Resort Casino, Tulalip Bingo, and Quil Ceda Village retail center is free and open to the general public.
“We launched this grand event in 2022 and it became an instant favorite with visitors. It is bigger and even more spectacular this year. We encourage folks to add this tradition to their ‘must do’ experiences this holiday season,” said Kevin Jones, general manager for Quil Ceda Village.
Completing the makeshift winter wonderland is a 40’ x 80’ outdoor ice rink that became a hit for Tulalip families last year in search of a new holiday tradition. A year ago, Tulalip elder Denise Hatch-Anderson brought her then-nine-year-old granddaughter Barbara to the rink. The young culture bearer took a tumble a plenty while learning how to balance and shift her weight around on ice skates, but she was determined to learn and learn she did.
Now, a full year later, Denise again brought Barbara. Accompanying them this time was 12-year-old Francis. While their elder looked on, the two energetic ice skaters went around and around the oval-shaped rink while some of their favorite tunes played over the speaker system. They still tumbled now and then, but each time they went down with a laugh and rose up with a smile.
“I love seeing Tulalip create these events for our families to come together and have a good time. Having an ice rink here makes it possible for my grandchildren, and I’m sure many others, to have the opportunity to actually learn to ice skate and see how much fun it can be. Barbara kept asking ‘Is it back yet? Is it back yet?’ She was so excited to skate again that Francis decided to come see what it was all about. He took right to it, and, for me, when he started pow-wow dancing on the ice, that was everything,” beamed grandma Denise.
Off the rink, there was a variety of locally-sourced grub available from Tulalip-owned vendors like Ryan’s REZ-ipes, Kirk’s Smoked Salmon, and Jared’s CORNer. These vendors and more will be a fixture outside the rink area located next to the QCV amphitheater.
Appearances by Mr. and Mrs. Clause will occur every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday between 4pm – 8pm through December 23rd. For more information about hours of operation for the skating rink, food vendors, and special guest appearances, please visit quilcedavillage.com
‘Lights & Ice’ is a family-friendly environment with picturesque backdrops perfect for holiday cards, social media posts, and memory-making excursions. Such was the case for local expert ice skater Dana Posey and his family troop he brought to the rink. While his three granddaughters braved the ice, using the assistance of a bright orange helper device when needed, Dana skated frontwards, backwards and in circles around them while offering enthusiastic pointers.
“We have a growing hockey community here in Tulalip. From fans of the Everett Silvertips to newcomers to the game since the arrival of the Seattle Kraken, more and more people are getting interested in hockey,” said Dana. “Having a rink allows for our kids to get out and experience life on the ice. And I’ll tell ya, ice skating is great exercise.”
Drone photo courtesy John C. Storbeck
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to experience ‘Lights & Ice’, even if it’s just to take in the breathtaking, dazzling display of six million holiday lights.
At a recent Tulalip Board of Directors meeting, the Board officially made an amendment to the Tribe’s code of law, upgrading drug distribution from a misdemeanor to a felony. This process has been in motion for the better half of the past year and comes on the heels of the Tribe’s state of emergency declaration as the fentanyl crisis continues to plague and bring heartbreak to the tribal community.
On a national level, there were over 106,000 drug related deaths in 2021 according to the latest research by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIH). Over 70,000 of those deaths can be attributed to overdose of synthetic opioids, namely fentanyl, which doubled from 2020. A provisional study by the CDC, released this past June, shows that more than 2/3 of the 107,081 drug overdose deaths reported in 2022 involved illicitly manufactured fentanyl pills.
Native communities have been hit the hardest by the opioid epidemic and unfortunately there are some staggering statistics to prove this. Last year, the CDC reported that the American Indian and Alaska Native population had the highest drug overdose death rates in both 2020 and 2021, at rates of 42.5 and 56.6 deaths per 100,000 persons. And data compiled by the Washington State Department of Health shows that there were over 120 AI/AN opioid overdose deaths per 100,000 population statewide in 2022, as opposed to approximately 30 deaths per 100,000 for non-Natives.
We are in the midst of a fentanyl crisis and every day more and more Tulalip families are affected by the epidemic. It’s hard to overlook the fact that this is a huge problem in Native America and it’s taking our relatives by the dozens.
This next piece of information that we are sharing is not meant to discredit the lives of these individuals or their families, nor is it meant to reduce their existence to a number. Rather, we hope it helps raise awareness about the growing fentanyl issue on the reservation. Since 2017, there have been 63 deaths by drug overdose at Tulalip. 63 lives cut short due to drugs that are brought onto the reservation and are being distributed to tribal members at an all-time high.
With the new amendment, the Tribe’s aim is to make drugs like methamphetamine, heroin, and fentanyl harder to obtain and riskier to distribute. Up until this point, drug dealers only faced up to a year in prison if caught with intent to sell. Now, the Tribe’s court system is able to ration out harsher sanctions to drug dealers, such as lengthy prison sentences, starting at three years and depending on their case. Additionally, the amendment addresses how much fentanyl is considered as ‘intent to sell’ in both pill and powder forms. And it also enables the court to hold booked dealers without bail until they are scheduled to appear before a judge.
The code amendment was a collaboration between the Tribe’s Treaty Rights Office, Tulalip Tribal Court, and the Tulalip Police Department. Over the past year, you may have noticed that TPD has been sharing media releases after each of their major drug busts. Thousands of fentanyl pills have been recovered after TPD established a drug task force, however, because their crime was classified as a misdemeanor, those offenders were able to quickly post bail. And in some cases, after their release, they went right back to distributing to the Tulalip community.
We were unable to connect with Tulalip Chief of Police, Chris Sutter, at the time of this article, however, he has been leading a team dedicated to getting drugs off the rez, which has resulted in multiple arrests and the confiscation of innumerable harmful drugs and weapons. We can only expect that TPD will continue their investigations and subsequent drug busts, with a bit of relief, knowing that those major dealers will now be off the streets for a longer period of time.
“Drug dealing is proved in one of two ways,” said Tulalip Prosecutor, Brian Kilgore. “There’s possession with intent to distribute, or there’s actual distribution, that’s one way. And way two is, if there’s enough volume that you have per se drug dealing. Which is to say anybody with ‘x’ amount of drugs, it’s more than personal use, so we expect it’s being used for sale. We have per se for methamphetamine and heroin, but the drug code was written before fentanyl was a thing, at least on the streets, so there were no per se amounts for fentanyl. And that’s honestly all we see today. I cannot tell you the last time I saw heroin in a police report, it’s been months. The Board settled on 50 pills or six grams of powder. This is important because it’s going to allow us to bring the appropriate level of accountability to the people who are selling the poison that is responsible for deaths out here.”
Though they now have the option to send drug dealers to prison, Brian stated that it will be exercised on a case-by-case basis, while noting that some past dealers turned their lives around with the help of the Tribe’s healing to wellness court and other local resources.
Brian explained, “It changes the game dramatically if you’re looking at a max of three, six, or nine years. But I don’t want folks to think every drug dealer is going to go away for years. That is not what this means. Drug dealing exists on a spectrum; you have the user dealer all the way up to the guy who’s not using and is just profiting off people’s misery. We’re still going to see people getting sentenced to less than three years for drug dealing or who are offered Wellness Court when it’s appropriate. And there are the ones who are on the farthest end of the spectrum, doing the most damage in the community, that’s where you’re going to see prosecutors exercising their discretion to request long sentences.”
Throughout the years, the Tribe has been active in helping their membership find sobriety with multiple programs and resources such as the Healing Lodge, the Quil Ceda Creek Counseling Center, the Healing to Wellness Court, and the Tulalip Recovery Resource Center. And through these programs, recovering addicts built a beautiful and supportive community together.
However, there are still a lot of tribal members who are in the thick of their addiction. And though it may be generational trauma that plays a major role in their battle with addiction, another main reason is that it is simply easily accessible. And as TPD continues its street sweeping of drug pushers, the effect of this amendment should become noticeable as the Tribe continues to help its membership begin their journey on the road to recovery, with a little breathing room, so to speak.
Summer Hammons, Legislative Policy Analyst for Tulalip’s Treaty Rights & Government Affairs Office explained that since the establishment of an opioid task force, members of the Board have attended both state and national opioid summits in recent months and are finding ways to combat the drug epidemic at Tulalip. And the Treaty Rights Office has also spoke with several other tribal nations about how they are tackling the opioid and fentanyl issue. This code amendment looks to be a promising start to getting fentanyl and other harmful substances off the reservation.
“It’s really important to me because I have family members that are addicted,” Summer expressed. “I grew up in a cycle of hard drug addiction, so I really want to see a future without trauma for our young ones. We need to start having real solutions that support the families and the support the community needs. This is a good step in the right direction and towards cleaning up the reservation.”
On a momentous Thursday, November 30, a modest yet meaningful gathering of family, friends, and fellow tribal members offered their support as Tulalip tribal member Eliza Davis was sworn in for her newly appointed position on the Marysville School Board.
Eliza faced a challenging setback in a closely contested race, losing the primary by a mere 20 votes. However, fueled by a united effort from the Tulalip community and voters of Snohomish County, Davis made a remarkable comeback, securing victory with a lead of 671 votes and a total of 7,400 votes cast in her favor. With this triumph, Eliza Davis now joins an esteemed group of Tulalip tribal members who have had the honor of holding a position on the Marysville School Board.
Amid the anticipation of a promising future, Eliza assumes her role on the Board, stepping into a term riddled with challenges for the school district. The situation is underscored by a significant budget shortfall of $10.8 million, as reported by the Everett Herald. Their reporting delves into the potential consequences, including discussions on merging schools, downsizing counseling staff to meet minimum state requirements, and possibly closing the Marysville Pilchuck High School pool. State advisers have recommended that the district make monthly cuts of $1 million, highlighting the gravity of the school district’s financial predicament.
You were elected during a tough time for the school district; where do you see yourself navigating the challenges the school district faces in the next couple of months?
I had some reservations about that because it is a scary time for MSD. If we can’t figure out the financial part, the next step would be the dissolution of MSD. I plan to get in there and learn about their discussions with the deficit. I also plan to bring outside-the-box ideas. For example, some school districts have foundations, but MSD doesn’t. That’s an opportunity to bring in more funding.
We got into this position because our voters didn’t pass a levy two years in a row. Also, the formula for funding schools is outdated. The levy system is not equitable when looking at different areas, socioeconomic classes, statuses, and taxes coming into certain areas. We need to advocate for that. I will investigate my opportunities to be that person who gets to advocate at the state level. I will get in there, learn everything, and use my strengths to move us forward.
How vital is Tulalip’s representation in the Marysville School District?
I think it’s crucial because if we pay attention to the state of MSD, when I left in 2017, we had over 1200 tribal students, and now we only have around 700 students. Many of our students are leaving the district, which tells me the district is failing our kids. We are a large portion of that population, and our students have been underrepresented for too long. So, having a voice for our kids is enormous.
What made you decide to run for the school board?
Tulalip Tribes asked me to run. But I feel it’s always been a calling to be in education. I have been in education for many years as a language teacher and a Native American liaison. I worked for the tribe as a custodial manager and then in my current position as the director of general services. I miss that work in education.
Having been a liaison for the school for so many years, what skill sets from that job will you bring to the school board?
My job was to be an advocate for our students and families. I understand the systems in place with MSD and our students’ rights. Also, I know what the teachers and staff need and go through. I will weigh all that knowledge in any decision we make as a board.
What was it like to be surrounded by your family and community the night you took your oath?
I knew people would show up. That’s what we do as a Tulalip community. We show up for our people. I am so grateful for my family, support system, and community that believe in me and support this role I am about to embark on. It felt amazing; I was overwhelmed with so much gratitude and blessed. I am much more at ease knowing I have such a sound support system.
What does being on the school board mean amongst other past tribal members like Chuck James, Marjorie James, Wendy Fryberg, and Don ‘Penoke’ Hatch?
My grandfather Francis Sheldon has a Marysville school district gym named after him, The Francis J. Sheldon Gym. It makes me feel proud to follow in my grandfather’s footsteps. He wasn’t on the school board, but he was a strong advocate for all education. I have had conversations with Penoke as he is mentoring me about actions and steps I should take and the support system I should bring to help make good decisions. It means a lot because we continue the work needed for our kids and all kids in the district.
How does representing the Tulalip people on the Marysville School Board feel?
I feel happy and proud to be a Tulalip woman. I also feel so glad to be a part of the education system again. That work is so meaningful. Sometimes, when you’re doing the day-to-day grinds, it doesn’t always feel significant, but when you can be a part of this work and shape the future for students, that means something, and I take that very seriously. I will not be afraid to be the only no or yes vote if the decision being made is not the right one, or is the right one. I am going to be strong. Penoke said, “Don’t back down. Speak your voice. You have a whole community behind you.”
What else do you want the people to know?
I cannot stress the importance of our community aunties, uncles, grandmas, grandpas, big brothers, sisters, moms, and dads being good educational partners. In my years working in education, I strived for families to build their capacities as partners in education. That means being involved, volunteering with the school, keeping in constant contact with your child’s teacher, addressing concerns as they come forward, reinforcing all the lessons at home, and finding ways to be involved with the school with your kid. Do what you can to be a partner in education. We must have families participating for success in that system. We need all hands on deck to ensure our kids get what they need.
* Everett Herald, ‘At tense meeting, Marysville school stare down drastic cuts to sports, more’, Wednesday, November 29, 2023,
