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Our songs, our circle, our healing: Tulalip launches Season of Healing 2.0

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

Warm embraces, soft songs, and tearful smiles filled the Gathering Hall as Tulalip came together in a powerful act of healing and homecoming. On Tuesday, October 7, community members gathered for the first ceremony of Season of Healing 2.0, guided by Sandy White Hawk, founder of the First Nations Repatriation Institute. Through the Welcoming Circle, those who had been abused, neglected, taken away, or simply finding their way back were greeted with open arms, wrapped in blankets, and surrounded by love.

The evening was led by Tulalip tribal member Tony Hatch, whose calm presence and thoughtful words guided the flow of the night. It began with a salmon dinner and healing teas, setting the tone for reflection and connection. Deep, heartfelt words were shared by local tribal members, each speaking from places of love, pain, and hope. One of the most touching moments came during the Welcome Home Circle, when community members came forward to wrap blankets around those being honored. As each individual was embraced, smiles began to break through, expressing relief, belonging, and acceptance that filled the room with emotion.

Tony spoke about the importance of cultural strength and carrying forward the teachings that once faced erasure. “It always makes us feel good when our young people get up and speak, especially when they speak our traditional language,” he said. “Those things were once punished, but our elders persevered. Because of them, our traditions and identity are still here, and they will continue for the next seven generations.”

Following the welcome and meal, Sandy White Hawk, a Sicangu Lakota woman and head elder of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition (NABS), shared a heartfelt message about reconnection, language, and the power of returning home. “I was adopted out when I was 18 months old,” she said. “It took me many years to find my family again, so much fear, so much worry about rejection, but when I finally made it home, I realized my mother had always been there. The land itself was hers.”

Sandy spoke about how healing begins when Indigenous people reclaim their language, culture, and place within their communities. “Our languages are healing,” she explained. “When I say, ‘I greet you with a good heart,’ I can’t say it unless I truly have a good heart.” She encouraged everyone to take pride in their roots, to speak their language without fear, and to remember that correction from elders is an act of love. “If someone corrects you, it’s because they care for you,” she said. “They don’t want you to be hurt again.”

Reflecting on the purpose of the Season of Healing ceremonies, Sandy emphasized that every community must shape healing in its own way. “Every nation must make it their own circle, with your own songs, your own words, your own way of welcoming people home,” she said. “That’s where the true healing lives.”

Among the voices that evening was Tulalip tribal member Linda Jones, who shared her own powerful story of survival, resilience, and healing. Taken from her parents at the age of seven, Linda spoke about the lasting pain of being raised in foster care and learning to carry that trauma into adulthood. “When children are taken from their parents, we think it’s our fault,” she said. “We start to believe we’re unlovable.” After years of struggle, Linda found her way back to community and herself. “This is a different experience for me,” she said. “In my healing journey, it’s the first time in a long time that I feel like I belong.”

Now four years sober, she spoke of building a new legacy of strength and presence for her family. “Every one of you is essential to the well-being of our community,” she said. “When you’re not in the circle, there isn’t anybody who can take your place.”

Another deeply moving moment came from Tulalip tribal member Princess Jones, who shared her journey of loss, survival, and rediscovery. Taken from her biological family at the age of five, Princess grew up in foster care, carrying wounds that followed her into adulthood. “When I came back, I was welcomed with open arms,” she said. “There was so much love, so many new faces, but it was overwhelming. I wasn’t comfortable with human touch. I felt like an outsider, and even now, I still struggle with that feeling.”

Her healing began when she reconnected with Tulalip’s teachings and Lushootseed language. “Something started to change when I was hired as a Lushootseed Warrior,” she said. “Reconnecting with our language and understanding the values our ancestors carried, that’s where I began to feel healing in my spirit and soul.” After decades of addiction and pain, Princess shared that reconnecting to her culture gave her purpose. “Now I hear our ancestors. I see them. I know the reason I made it back home is because they were watching over me, protecting me, and guiding me.”

Her message carried the heart of Season of Healing: “If we truly want to welcome our people home, we have to do more than open our arms,” she said. “We need to listen. We need to understand that some of us are coming back with wounds that don’t heal easily. Have patience and never give up. Be the light that we need when darkness consumes us.”

As the evening came to a close, Sandy White Hawk reminded everyone that healing is not a single event, but a lifelong journey, one strengthened by community, laughter, and love. For those wanting to continue their own journey of understanding, her book “A Child of the Indian Race: A Story of Return” offers a powerful look into her life and the broader movement of Indigenous reclamation and healing.

The next Season of Healing 2.0 gathering will take place on Monday, November 4, at the Tulalip Gathering Hall, focusing on “Honoring Our Elders.” The event will begin with a community lunch featuring James LaBelle Sr., Second Vice President of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, and his wife, Susan LaBelle, followed by a ceremonial dinner and an evening of reflection.

Through each gathering, Tulalip continues to show that healing is not only possible, it’s happening here, together, one circle at a time.

Simpson vs. Sheldon: The battle for District 1

By Kalvin Valdillez

Two Tulalip tribal members are going toe-to-toe this election day as they fight for a seat on the Marysville School District Board of Directors. Malory Simpson and Ray Sheldon Jr. are both well-respected leaders in the community of Tulalip and hope to earn your vote this November 4.

This is a historic moment in the fact that two Tribal members are on the ballot for the first time and are facing off against each other for this seat. This is important to note because District 1’s service area covers the majority of the Tulalip reservation.

Most recently, this seat was held for nearly a full term by non-tribal member, Connor Krebbs. Prior to that, Chris Nations, also non-tribal, served in this position for twelve years. The last time the seat was occupied by a Tulalip tribal member was in the early aughts by Don ‘Penoke’ Hatch. That is, of course, not including the past five months in which Malory has served District 1 in an interim role after Krebbs resigned from the position at the end of the 2024-2025 school year.

Now, although the headline of this article reads like a marquee on fight night, Malory and Ray have shown nothing but respect for one another. And the real winners, no matter the result from Election Day, are Tulalip and its future leaders as they are guaranteed to have someone in this position for the next four years who has their kiddo’s best interests in mind and will advocate for tribal students throughout their term.

Malory is currently the Director of the Tribe’s Legacy of Healing and the Children’s Advocacy Center. Over the past decade, she has built up her community-focused nonprofit organization, Together We’re Better, and has created fan favorite events such as the annual Easter Bunny Run and Halloween time’s Trunk or Treat.

Once she earned her degree from NWIC, she immediately began putting everything she learned into play and started pouring it back into her community. Malory is also a product of the Marysville School District, as are her children, three of whom have recently graduated and one who is just starting her high school journey. She comes from a long line of educators and served as a student advocate for a number of years at Quil Ceda Tulalip, where her eldest daughter is currently in her first-year teaching at the elementary.

After being sworn-in as Interim Director of District 1 in July, Malory shared, “It’s vital to have Tulalip representation, not only to support our students and community, but to show that anything is possible when we uplift one another. Our presence sends a message: we stand together, and we show up for each other. This means everything to me. Who are we without our families, our friends, and the communities that shape us? These are the people who guide, challenge, and nurture us—whether through joy or adversity, each experience becomes a powerful lesson.”

She continued, “I’m eager to embrace growth and tackle new challenges. Stagnation isn’t in my nature—I thrive on progress and forward momentum. My goal is to join a team committed to driving meaningful change and working collaboratively for the betterment of the district. After being sworn in, it was straight to business—our meeting kicked off and we hit the ground running. The energy was good, the conversations were meaningful, and it felt right. I’m genuinely excited to be part of this team.”

Ray’s name has been on the ballot for the District 1 seat over the past several four-year terms. Although he has yet to be elected to the position, his dedication to tribal students has never wavered. And through his actions, like showing up at nearly every MSD Board meeting, Ray has been able to use his voice to advocate for students of color and students living with special needs.

Ray initially began running for the MSD Board because he was encouraged to pick up where Penoke left off. Endorsed by Penoke himself, Ray was determined to get on the board in 2017 and really take a look at the budget and make any necessary changes to ensure that the needs of tribal kids and students with disabilities were being met. This was prior to the recent budget fiasco and financial woes that have plagued the school board over the past couple of years. He was also an advocate of the 2020 levy that would’ve prevented the closure of four MSD schools and the relocation of hundreds of students.

You might know Ray from his work with his daughter’s nonprofit organization, Leah’s Dream Foundation. Leah’s Dream puts on monthly gatherings for MSD’s special needs students, to help the kiddos build community and have a safe space to be themselves without any judgment. Like Malory, Ray is also a product of MSD, as are both his daughters and his grandkids. Ray is also quick to lend a hand and show his support for Marysville Getchell’s Native American and Friends Club, an inclusive program that is led by his daughter, Amy.

Said Ray, “I’m an advocate for special needs and the kids that need care because I have four grandkids who are categorized as special needs. I think we need to help those special needs children and spend more time with them. Special needs doesn’t necessarily mean they’re stuck in a wheelchair, special needs are also the kids who have trouble reading or with dialect or anything else. I think there really needs to be change with special needs education. It’s not just tribal children, it’s non-tribal too. We need representation for these children.

“Our future is really important. It’s important to have our children educated,” he expressed. “It will be a better community, and they’ll be great parents – that’s the whole dream. They can do it; they just need someone to make them understand that they can do it. We can make a positive change for our students now. This is exciting and enjoyable for me and I’m really hoping to get in. But if it doesn’t happen, I’ll still be here. I’ll be fighting for our students for a long time.”

You should be receiving your ballot and voter’s guide in the mail soon. The Tribe will be hosting a ballot party in room 162 of the Admin building on November 4, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., where you can register to vote, cast your vote, enjoy a snack, and enter a raffle. If you cannot attend the ballot party, be sure to drop your vote in the ballot box at the Teen Center campus by 8:00 p.m. on Election Day.

To follow Ray’s campaign, please be sure to join his Facebook group, Ray Sheldon Jr. for MSD 25 District 1.

And for more information about Malory’s campaign run, give her Facebook page, Malory Simpson for Marysville School Board, Director 1, a follow. You can also visit her website, www.electmalorysimpson.com for additional details.

Brushstrokes. of Belonging: Tulalip culture takes its place at Pilchuck High

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Walking down the main corridor of Marysville Pilchuck High School feels different now. A formerly muted, grey brick wall that has watched generations of students come and go is bright and full of life. Why? Because it’s been transformed by the brushstrokes of Tulalip elder and artist Monie Ordonia.

The 63-year-olds newly completed mural, painted in vivid tones of blues, greens, and earthy reds, tells a story. As she puts it, “it’s a land acknowledgement without words”. It’s an acknowledgement of place, identity, and enduring connection.

The mural’s backdrop is two perspectives on Mount Pilchuck, the mountain for which the high school takes its name. One depiction captures the iconic mountain as it’s often seen from the valley below; towering, majestic, and steeped in morning light.

The other depiction is viewed from Monie’s matriarchal lens as she views the mountain as a vessel of cultural memory. Emerging from the mountain’s silhouette is a subtle, yet powerful, portrait of Pilchuck Julia. She is a Coast Salish ancestor who lived throughout the 1800s and early 1900s in present-day Snohomish County. Her face, stoic and strong, seems to look out toward the land she loved. The very same land where Marysville and Tulalip now persist side by side.

“Bringing forth the history and journey of the Tulalip people, Snohomish people, and Coast Salish people who were the original teachers of this land and who still persist today was the intention,” Monie explained to an auditorium filled with high school students and faculty. “Pilchuck Julia was one of our people who lived through so much change. She represents the spirit of resilience that’s still here.

“It’s not difficult to imagine the mistreatment and shunning she endured as a Native person living in colonial times. Even with that, she still managed to have beautiful relationships with the community,” continued Monie. “I’d like that to be a reminder that regardless of if you’re Native or non-Native, popular or a loner, an athlete or a bookworm, you can have beautiful relationships with each other. And you all are capable of forming a great community and family full of shared experiences and mutual respect.”

In between the mural’s depiction of Mount Pilchuck and Pilchuck Julia is a canoe and four paddles that were painted by Native Liaison Doug Salinas. He shared, “In painting those elements, I was assisted by several Tulalip teenagers who were summer youth employees. Their pride and eagerness to help me create something lasting on campus is what I’ll remember most about this experience.”

For decades, Tulalip youth have attended Marysville Pilchuck High School. From the early days when few Native students were present, to today, when dozens of Tulalip students proudly represent their culture in classrooms, on sports teams, and in clubs. The relationship between Tulalip and Marysville hasn’t been simple, to say the least, but, to Monie and Doug, their mural reflects a shared journey toward mutual recognition and a huge step forward for empowering the school’s Native student body.

“This mural means a lot to our students,” stated Jessica Bustad, Executive Director of Education. She’s a proud Tulalip tribal member, parent, and former M.P. graduate. “When our kids see Monie’s and Doug’s work, they see Tulalip stories and history, they see the Lushootseed language, they see themselves. The mural not only recognizes their cultural roots, but it also tells them they belong here.”

For Tulalip youth currently attending M.P., that sense of recognition and belonging is tangible. Senior student and Tulalip tribal member Nevaeh Childers reflected, “I feel like the mural is really important because it’s representation for us Native students and makes us feel like we belong. Being a student here at M.P. has given us the opportunity to learn Lushootseed from Natosha Gobin and Michelle Myles, to participate in [United] Native Club, and learn about our ancestors and history.”

The mural is both a tribute and a teaching. As Pilchuck Julia’s eyes gaze across the horizon, the mountain, the canoe, and the word family all flow together.

“Every brushstroke is filled with belonging,” Monie reassured. “This mural is for our kids. So that when they walk these halls, they’re reminded of who they are and where they come from. Because no matter who they become or where they go, they will always be Tulalip.”

Tulalip welcomes relatives for 2025 Native Hawaiian Convention

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

It was all good vibes and shaka signs on the morning October 7, as over 1,300 Native Hawaiians arrived at the Orca Ballroom of the Tulalip Resort Casino. And everywhere you turned, you were offered a big smile and an aloha greeting. All throughout the ballroom corridors, a variety of vibrant Hawaiian flowers served as décor, including many anthurium and yellow hibiscus plants.

For the first time in its long-running history, the annual Native Hawaiian Convention was held on Indigenous lands outside of the Hawaiian Islands, marking the 2025 convention a historic moment as Hawaiians made the trip to the Tulalip reservation from over 37 states.

Ever since last year’s Season of Healing, when the Tulalip Youth Council collaborated with the Hawaiian nonprofit group, Papahana Aloha ʻĀina, on an Indigenous Peoples Day declaration, the connection between the Tribe and the people of Hawaii has grown significantly. However, there was an existing connection prior to this between the two communities, as several Tulalip members have family ties to Hawaii. And back in 2019, Tulalip hosted a rally in protest of the desecration of Muana Kea, a sacred mountain on the Big Island.

In the weeks leading up to the 2025 Native Hawaiian Convention, the Tulalip Board of Directors and the Hawaiian Council were in constant conversation, strengthening that relationship while planning for a good three-day gathering. Days prior to the event, the Hawaiian Council, along with their local media team and convention attendees, boarded a charted flight from Hawaii to Seattle that was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, complete with in-flight dances and songs along the way.

Upon arriving at the reservation, there was an entire ‘pre-convention’ day dedicated to formal introductions and cultural sharing between the Tulalip BOD and the Hawaiian Council. There was also a full day of workshops held at the Tulalip Resort Casino, including sessions dedicated to learning chants and creating leis.

This all led to a moving opening day ceremony on the morning of October 7. Rows upon rows of chairs were filled with hundreds of Native Hawaiians as the convention officially kicked off with a special screening of a film that connected Hawaiians all across the country. The video was filmed in several different cities, and the song ‘Ōiwi Ē was performed by the local Hawaiians living in those regions.

Said Kūhiō Lewis, Hawaiian Council Chief Executive Officer, “‘Ōiwi Ē is a powerful anthem that celebrates our identity, our pride, and our resilience as Native Hawaiians. ‘Ōiwi Ē means native, or of this land. And the song calls out to all carrying Hawaiian ancestry, wherever they may live, to stand proud wherever they are. When we sing ‘Ōiwi Ē, we remind ourselves that being Hawaiian is more than a bloodline or birthplace, it’s a deep connection to ‘āina, to our kupuna, and to one another.”

Following Kūhiō’s opening remarks, he then invited Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin onto the stage, who offered some words of welcome before calling upon the Tulalip drummers and singers. The Tribe opened with Harriette Shelton-Dover’s Welcome Song and after a standing ovation from the crowd, Teri handed the mic over to Thomas and Andy Williams who are of Hawaiian descent. After Thomas explained his family’s lineage and relation to the Hawaiian people, the Tribe offered a blessing song led by the Williams brothers and fellow Tulalip-Hawaiian member, Jay Napeahi.

Teri shared, “It’s such an honor to have the drummers and singers here today. When we sing, it calls our ancestors in. This is just amazing. I love your culture, and I love our culture. Our people are connected across vast oceans by the enduring strength of our ancestors, the wisdom of our elders, and the hopes we carry on for future generations. Though our homelands are far apart, we share a common bond; the sacred responsibility to care for the lands, the waters and our people, to protect our culture, preserve our sovereignty and to build a future of strength and resilience for our children and our grandchildren.”

“We know that many Hawaiians make their home here on the mainland”, she continued. “Please know that you are always welcome here. Our doors and our hearts are open to you, and we look forward to finding ways to support your community, share knowledge and grow together. May these days be filled with learning, reflection and celebration as First Nations people. It’s not about where we live, it’s about how we uplift one another.”

Each day of the convention will feature three breakout sessions that offer one to two-hour workshops, panels, and demonstrations. The sessions will not only take place in the various TRC ballrooms, but also at the Marysville Opera House for art and culture workshops and displays; the Tulalip Dining Hall for tourism and environmental stewardship lectures; the Teen Center for education and economic development and youth-focused discussions and collaborations; and the Gathering Hall for self-determination and policy workshops.

There are a handful of vendors selling beaded jewelry, cedar woven regalia, clothing, books, and a selection of Hawaiian foods in the hallway by the Orca Ballroom. And there is also a live lei making demonstration taking place near the TRC gift shop. The convention will be held until October 9, and will end with a closing ceremony that begins at 10 a.m.

Kūhiō expressed, “This moment is a testament to what true Indigenous partnerships look like, Native to Native, nation to nation, grounded in respect, reciprocity, and shared purpose. To Chairwoman Teri Gobin, the Tulalip Board of Directors, and the entire community, Mahalo nui loa for welcoming us with such open arms and open hearts. It’s our way of saying to the world, we are still here, vibrant, creative, and united. Carrying forth the legacy of our ancestor’s pride and purpose. This week is about that very idea, about lifting up each other, sharing knowledge, and renewing our collective strength. We came here to Tulalip as guests, but we stand here as kin. Our oceans don’t divide us, they connect us.”

Season of Healing 2.0: An invitation to come home

“Healing doesn’t always happen through words. Sometimes it happens through song, through ceremony, through the small ways we show kindness. It’s in our DNA to nurture one another — that’s where the healing begins.” **– Sandy White Hawk**

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

The Tulalip Tribes opened Season of Healing 2.0 on Tuesday, October 7, with warmth, reflection, and a shared meal that brought the community together in the spirit of healing. At the heart of the gathering was Sandy White Hawk, a Sicangu Lakota woman whose life’s journey, from separation and loss to reconnection and love, has become a guiding light for Indigenous people reclaiming their identity.

As founder of the First Nations Repatriation Institute and elder in residence for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, White Hawk has devoted her life to helping others heal from the wounds of removal, adoption, and generational trauma.

Her visit to Tulalip marked more than the start of a new season; it was an invitation to come together, to tell stories, and to begin mending the spirit of the people — one shared truth at a time. As plates were passed and quiet conversations filled the room, White Hawk spoke softly but with a strength that resonated deeply. She shared that healing begins when people are seen, heard, and welcomed without judgment; when stories of pain are met with compassion instead of silence. Drawing from her own experiences as an adoptee, she reminded the community that coming home is not only about returning to a place, but also about restoring relationships, culture, and spirit. Her words invited reflection and hope, encouraging everyone present to see themselves as part of a larger story, one of survival, love, and the ongoing work of healing together.

Theresa Sheldon, Tulalip Board of Director

The luncheon opened with remarks from Tulalip Board of Director, Theresa Sheldon, who welcomed the community and reflected on how far the healing initiative has come since its first year. She explained that the idea for Season of Healing was born from a simple but powerful question: How do we break the silence? The gatherings, she said, are about creating space for genuine conversations, about grief, family, wellness, and the many ways Tulalip people are working together to heal.

“We may not always know where these conversations will lead,” Sheldon said, “but what’s important is that we start them together, as a community.”

Sheldon went on to acknowledge the many community partners who helped make the day possible, including beda?chelh and guest speakers from the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.

She also reminded attendees that this opening event was dedicated to honoring Tulalip youth, adults, and elders who have experienced foster care, guardianship, or family placement. “We’re starting this season by acknowledging them,” she said, “and by recognizing the strength it takes to share their stories.”

During the luncheon, White Hawk shared the moving story of how she came to realize her life’s purpose, creating a way for Indigenous adoptees and displaced relatives to be welcomed home. After being adopted out at 18 months old, she returned to the Rosebud Reservation at age 35 and slowly began rebuilding connections with her family and culture.

“When I came home,” she said, “I immediately saw the difference in how we talk, how we listen, and how we treat one another. There’s a nurturing spirit among our people that I didn’t experience growing up away from my community.”

Over time, she met others who had been adopted or raised away from their families and recognized the same deep ache, the longing to belong.

“I started meeting young people who didn’t know if they’d be accepted if they came home,” she recalled. “They didn’t have words for it. It’s deep, it’s raw, and it’s hard to explain, that fear of not being welcomed back.”

Her turning point came while attending a powwow where a song was sung to honor a veteran. As she listened to the drum and watched the community raise their hands in gratitude, something stirred within her.

“In that moment, I thought, we have songs for our veterans, for our dancers, for those we’ve lost,” she said. “But we don’t have a song to welcome home our relatives who were taken, those who are still finding their way back.”

That realization led to what she calls her vision, the creation of the Welcome Home Ceremony and song, a sacred tradition that now brings together adoptees, fostered relatives, and families from across Indian Country.

“When we sing that song, grief rises and then softens,” White Hawk shared. “Jingle dress dancers come forward to wipe that grief away, and you can feel the healing move through the circle. It’s what our people needed, a way to say, we’re glad you’re home.”

Her story deeply resonated with Tulalip’s own purpose for Season of Healing 2.0: to acknowledge those who have been separated, to hold space for their stories, and to restore the spiritual bonds that tie the people together.

“Healing doesn’t always happen through words,” she reminded the audience. “Sometimes it happens through song, through ceremony, through the small ways we show kindness. It’s in our DNA to nurture one another — that’s where the healing begins.”

The next Season of Healing gathering will be held on November 4. Guest speakers James Labelle Sr., Second Vice President of the National Native American Boarding School Coalition, and his wife, Susan Labelle, will share their stories and insights on the ongoing work of truth and healing. There will also be a special honoring ceremony to celebrate Tulalip’s elders, our first teachers, and to recognize the blessings and strength that continue to guide the community forward.

Harvesting Health

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

On an early fall morning, the fields behind Garden Treasures Nursery & Organic Farm in Arlington buzzed with kinetic energy. Elders leaning on canes, parents pushing toddlers in wagons, and teens with pruners in hand made the short journey north by carload to pick fresh produce. The occasion was a community U-Pick organized by Tulalip’s Diabetes Care & Prevention Program, in partnership with Garden Treasures, to reconnect tribal members of all ages with the land’s luscious bounty and time-honored dietary traditions.

The annual U-Pick is part of a concerted effort by the Diabetes Prevention team to reverse rising trends of diabetes and metabolic disorders in Native communities. By encouraging people to harvest their own fruits and vegetables, the program is generating a path to healthier living through cultural reconnection and food sovereignty.

“Over the last 14 years, our partnership with the farmers at Garden Treasures has been a steady source of learning and shared purpose,” explained program coordinator Roni Leahy. “When COVID struck, and we could no longer bring healthy people into the health clinic because of the risks of treating those who were ill, we turned to the farm as a safe place to gather. Out of that difficult time, the U-Pick days were born. What started as a way to keep our community connected and nourished during the pandemic has now become one of the most joyful and inspiring traditions we share”

Nestled in the Stillaguamish Valley, Garden Treasures supplies a wide seasonal palette of vegetables, berries, and fruit. From tomatoes and beans to peaches, potatoes, and winter squash. The farm’s ownership is committed to naturally grown, bio-regenerative production that makes it an ideal partner for health and community initiatives to provide access to the freshest farm-grown produce possible.

For our Diabetes Care & Prevention Program, the opportunity to host another U-Pick at Garden Treasures unites with a larger mission to restore traditional diets. Staff eagerly guided more than 500 community members through the farm’s acres of freshly grown food before organizing an on-site, do-it-yourself pickling activity.

“We want to bring people back to what our ancestors knew – that food is medicine,” said food sovereignty coordinator Rudy Madrigal. He organized the pickling activity that was well-received by one family after another who pickled their favorite veggies. “A big part of food sovereignty is education and teaching yourself and your family how to preserve, so we decided to offer a pickling station. It’s super easy to learn and a fun, family-friendly activity that the kids can do, too.

“At the end of the day, it’s all about education, making learning fun for our people, and changing what we’re eating at home so we can live longer, healthier lives.”

A truly memorable event for those in attendance who sat mesmerized as elders shared memories of picking fruits and veggies from their childhoods, preserving and canning with aunties and grandmothers, and even shared a recipe or two for hearty, nutritious stews that are primo options for a vegetable medley.

“This is such an exciting event. I absolutely love it!” exclaimed rez-renowned chef Lynette Jimicum as she showed off her harvest of Roma tomatoes, bell peppers, garlic, onions, and zucchini. “Everything here is so fresh and good for our bodies. I can’t wait to cook with my vegetable harvest.

“There are definitely some people here who are seeing how their food is grown for the very first time, and you can see the excitement in their faces as they roam from garden to garden,” added the soon-to-be Tulalip elder. “I watched one family be in complete awe in the kale garden. They thought kale grew in a tree, not low on the ground like lettuce. Now, they’ll have the memory forever and, hopefully, they add kale as staple to their kitchen and laugh over that story for a long, long time.”

By harvesting their own food, the U-Pick participants bypassed industrial food chains filled with refined sugars and processed carbohydrates. They also reclaimed, even if just for the day, what colonization intended to sever – the connection between people, land, and nourishment.

The Diabetes Care team sees these U-Pick opportunities not as a one-time outreach, but a seedbed for sustainable change. It’s about mobility, quality of life, and dignity for all our people. When elders are stronger, when parents feel less disease burden, when children grow up with taste memories of sweet berries and savory vegetables instead of sugary snacks, the ripple effects are profound.

“To witness our community’s growing excitement for harvesting, cooking, and experimenting with new foods is not only deeply meaningful to me, personally, but also reflects the very heart of our Program’s mission,” shared Roni. She’s been diligently coordinating diabetes prevention in Tulalip for the past 17 years.

“It shows that families are feeding their children more nutritious meals, perhaps even rethinking their relationship with food and how food affects our bodies, and becoming more creative in their kitchens with colorful, nutritious foods,” she continued. “Seeing this transformation fills me with hope because it affirms that through resilience, collaboration, and tradition, we are cultivating healthier generations for the future.”

The link between consistent nutritional habits and metabolic health is well documented. Those who regularly eat foods rich in fiber, phytonutrients, and low in processed sugars reduce risk factors for type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. For Native communities disproportionately impacted by these conditions, nutritional education is a powerful tool. By bringing elders, adults, and children together at a local farm under the promise of fresh food, Tulalip’s Diabetes Care & Prevention Program is fighting common ailments in our community, while also sowing the seeds for a future rooted in traditional teachings and vibrant bodies.

This fall’s U-Pick may have wrapped up in a single day, but its harvest lives on. In edible memories, in strengthened bodies, and in renewed commitment to establishing the mind-body-spirt connection within our shared Tulalip community. And that’s a harvest worth celebrating.

həliʔil: Healing at National Day of Remembrance jam

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The Tulalip Gathering Hall was completely packed on the evening of September 30, as hundreds of community members joined together to honor the survivors of the Indian boarding schools, as well as pay tribute to all of the children who never made it back to their homelands due to the atrocities committed by the U.S. Government during the assimilation era.

It was a powerful night of healing through traditional medicine of song, dance, and prayer. And the strength and unity of the Tribe was on full display as nearly everyone in attendance donned orange t-shirts, which has become the main symbol of this important movement. This was the fourth consecutive Indian boarding school awareness event organized by the Tulalip Education Division since the Tribe officially declared the date as Orange Shirt Day in 2021.

September 30 has widely become known as Orange Shirt Day for many tribal communities in both the U.S. and Canada. This initiative, officially the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, raises awareness about the damage that residential schools inflicted on Native children throughout the assimilation period.

During this time, the government enacted the Civilization Fund Act and the Peace Policy in attempt to assimilate our people into white society. According to the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, nearly 83% of Native children were attending boarding schools by the year 1926, which equates to over 60,000 kids.

Tulalip Board of Director, Deborah Parker, has done extensive and significant work with the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition. During the event she shared, “Tonight, we honor those children who attended with federal Indian boarding schools. We honor the families, the parents who maybe didn’t receive the children at the end of the school. I just want to acknowledge that there were some hard times that happened at several Indian boarding schools, in which there were over 527 in the United States alone. Think about that – 527 federal Indian boarding schools across the United States. And they are still finding more boarding schools.”

She continued, “I want you to know that tonight is about healing. It’s about telling our truths, and that it’s also about finding justice. I also wanted to note that many of our kids, from here at Tulalip, were sent across the country. The government’s goal was to relocate us and make sure that we didn’t have families. And that’s why tonight is so important, because we do have families, we have moms and dads and grandparents and grandkids, uncles and aunties, and they love us. And we love our children. So, tonight is a celebration of family because that’s something that the government could not take away from us.”

During the event, Tribal youth passed out orange bracelets that displayed the Lushootseed word for healing,həliʔil, on both sides. The youth then took center stage and read a poem about healing and spoke on the importance of passing on the Tribe’s language and traditions to the next generation, because it was almost erased during the era of the Indian boarding schools.

After sharing a meal and hearing some words from a handful of Tribal leaders and elders, a coastal jam took place to bring the night to a close. To kick-off the jam, the Tribe asked Antone George (Lummi) to lead the community in a song he composed about the kids who never returned from the Indian boarding schools titled, Song Stripped Away.

Once again, the Tulalip Education Division put together a beautiful and heartfelt boarding school awareness gathering during this year’s National Day of Remembrance.

Native American Bank opens Tulalip branch

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

The Tulalip Tribes reached another historic milestone on September 30, when Native American Bank (NAB) officially opened its first branch in the Pacific Northwest, right in the heart of Tulalip’s economic corridor. Located between the bustling Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Village’s growing hub of tribal businesses, the new branch represents more than just convenience. It marks a bold step toward strengthening tribal financial sovereignty and supporting Native-led economic development across the region.

For Tulalip, the partnership demonstrates the growing alignment between tribal leadership’s vision for economic self-determination and NAB’s mission of providing Native communities with access to financial services, lending, and long-term investment.

Tulalip Tribes Chairwoman Teri Gobin called the day “an awesome day,” and spoke from the heart about what the new branch means for her people. “I’m glad to see our elders here, our youth, and our community members. Bringing this bank here to Tulalip is a huge opportunity for our community.”

Gobin pointed out that tribal members have long faced struggles when trying to access funds or loans at outside banks, especially when it comes to financing homes and properties located on federal trust land. “Generation to generation, we’re still struggling, still fighting, but this is one step toward righting some of the wrongs that have been done on tribal land. Tribal members with good-paying jobs who own their homes still struggle to get a loan at an outside bank because we are on trust property.”

Gobin also reflected on the legacy of Tulalip leadership that laid the foundation for this moment. “My father was Stan Jones Sr. He was on the BOD council for 44 years, 26 of those as Chairman,” she shared. “When he started in 1966, we had three employees with the Tulalip Tribes. We are now the third-largest employer in Snohomish County. We’ve come a long way in a short period of time, and it’s from our past leadership that we’ve been brought to the next level.”

She emphasized the importance of unity among tribes in Washington state and across the country, highlighting Tulalip’s leadership role in organizations such as the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the Washington Indian Gaming Association, and the National Congress of American Indians.

“As tribes, when we group, we’re stronger,” Gobin said. “This is a great opportunity for the bank to come here. Once you’re at Tulalip, other tribes will look at you a little bit differently, and they’ll want to know. We’re always willing to go the extra mile. We’re looking at mass economic development in this area, and we’re so excited to share this with the full community.”

Tom Ogaard, President and CEO of Native American Bank, emphasized that the Tulalip branch reflects the bank’s broader mission. “Access to financial services is what the bank is all about,” he explained. “Developing relationships in Indian Country is a face-to-face process, so we should have people who live and work here to meet the needs of the communities we serve. For us, it really meets the mission, and it’s gratifying to bring that on a local level and support economic diversity.”

Unlike many commercial institutions, NAB prioritizes relationship building over transactions. Ogaard noted, “For our staff, we recognize there could be an opportunity for financial literacy among potential customers. This isn’t just transactional — it’s about relationship building. Being present and engaged in the community is important, and that’s what sets us apart.”

One of NAB’s goals is to break down barriers that tribal entrepreneurs and families often face when dealing with mainstream banks. “It will first start with understanding the needs,” Ogaard said. “Access to small business lending, those types of credits, we have programs that we’ve become experts at and used successfully elsewhere. We aim to bring these services here so that business owners and individuals can access credit and deposit products. It’s also about eliminating some of the mystique about banking. Sometimes there’s hesitation in tribal communities. For us, it’s about creating that relationship, breaking down barriers, and showing what it takes to get a loan, open a checking account, or use our technology while still having that face-to-face option.”

When asked what financial sovereignty looks like for Tulalip and the broader region, Ogaard said it is an evolving process. “I think that’s an ongoing conversation we’re having with tribal leadership. The needs vary depending on which part of the tribe we’re talking to — from business committee members to individuals. Our role is to assist, to listen, and to tailor our services based on those requirements. It’s not one-size-fits-all.”

Ogaard also emphasized that Tulalip leaders and community representatives will play a key role in shaping the bank’s presence. “They certainly will have a role in helping us shape what we bring to the community and what’s important to them,” he said. “That runs the gamut from retail banking to commercial, to treasury and cash management. We’re here to listen and to align with the needs of Tulalip — from leadership down to individual tribal members.”

In his remarks at the grand opening, Ogaard highlighted NAB’s long-term vision: “Our goal is to build something lasting—to be a trusted financial partner who understands the needs of Native communities and shares in their long-term vision for self-sufficiency and momentum for self-determination. I fully expect that our facility here, and the number of staff we have in the Pacific Northwest, will one day outgrow our Denver corporate center. That’s how much we believe in this region.”

With this new branch, Native American Bank — founded in 2001 by 20 tribal nations, enterprises, and Alaska Native corporations — extends its reach while planting roots in one of the most economically vibrant tribal regions in the country. For Tulalip and surrounding Native communities, it represents not only access to financial services but also a partnership rooted in sovereignty, accountability, and shared growth.

Leadership through the eyes of our elders

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

Between September 8 and 13, students from Heritage High School and Quil Ceda Elementary, along with elders from across the reservation, participated in discussions that uncovered the values, stories, and wisdom that have shaped the Tribe for generations. A new initiative, the Traditional Leadership Project, aims to revive the traditional sense of leadership on the reservation and explore how leadership once functioned in the community.

Dr. Stephanie Fryberg, and beda?chelh Director Shelly Lacy, along with members of Indigenous Collaborations, led the Traditional Leadership Project. Visits to Heritage High School and Quil Ceda Elementary involved asking students questions about leadership, while separate meetings with elders offered a deeper understanding of the community’s history and values.

Indigenous Collaborations is a Native American-owned and woman-owned organization based in Denver, Colorado. They specialize in guiding communities through structured discussions and studies, ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard and assisting participants in addressing complex issues. Their approach emphasizes listening, respect, and a methodology that draws out insights from all generations, allowing communities to translate those insights into meaningful action.

The project’s findings revealed a strong desire for elders and students to be actively involved in the new school campus. By inviting elders to share stories, participate in lunches, or offer guidance, the project seeks to restore respect for elders and reinforce cultural connections. The Traditional Leadership Project is designed to determine which strategies were effective in the past and how those approaches might be adapted for today’s needs.

Participants were also asked about leaders from the past who had inspired them, including names such as Stan Jones Sr., Francis J. Sheldon, and Herman Williams. These leaders were remembered for their ability to listen, provide guidance, and implement strategies that the community respected and followed. Whether offering advice or serving as a steady presence, these past leaders exemplified the qualities needed at the time, and their influence is still felt today.

The sessions spanned several days, starting at Heritage High School, followed by meetings with elders, and concluding at Quil Ceda Elementary with a community meeting on September 12-13. The purpose of the project was to rethink leadership from the perspective of the tribe’s ancestors. By gathering insights from elders about the leaders of their youth, spanning many generations, the project aims to revive traditional practices regarding how leaders behaved, communicated, assessed situations, and motivated young people in the community.

Following a session of the Traditional Leadership Project on September 13, Dr. Fryberg explained the purpose of the gatherings, saying, “The goal was really to take a step back from how we think about leadership and to really rethink leadership through the perspectives of our ancestors. Rather than starting from a Western perspective, we wanted to center the viewpoints of our elders—many of whom have been our leaders in the past—and hear how leaders guided and influenced them.”

Youth engagement played a critical role in the project. Dr. Fryberg highlighted the enthusiasm and curiosity of students: “You could just feel how much our youth want that connection—they want to feel that connection to who they are, to the past, to our ancestors. They want to see what our elders saw and learn from their experiences.”

The information collected is being compiled into a report that will serve as both a resource for understanding leadership and a living document for future reflection. Dr. Fryberg explained, “We hope that parts of this will inform how we think about leadership in the future… It will provide direction, but it will also stand as a living document we can come back to when we need to be reminded of past leadership and how our ancestors carried out their work.”

Reflecting on the potential for future sessions, she added, “Some of the elders we worked with were saying they hoped this is something we could do every year.” She also acknowledged the need to continue capturing more voices over time: “There are absolutely more voices I would love to hear from, more stories I would like told. I have tremendous respect and admiration for the elders who shared their voices and perspectives with us, and for the youth who engaged so thoughtfully. It was extraordinary to hear these voices come together and talk about leadership, past and present.”

Shelly Lacy also reflected on the project’s significance, highlighting the value of learning from the community about leadership traits and values. “We talked about bringing the community together to hear from them about who were leaders in their lives, and trying to figure out how we could look at building a curriculum around how we train leaders—not just in the Western model but also based on the traditional values that our leaders have.”

Lacy explained that the project’s ultimate goal is to translate the insights into actionable approaches for schools, tribal government, and community programs. “I hope that once we get it all together and continue to work with people, we can agree on these values and how we bring that into school. How could we bring that back to tribal government or back to the village to incorporate these traditional teachings into leadership training?”

Lacy concluded by expressing gratitude for the elders and youth who contributed their voices and stories. “I want to thank everybody – the elders and the youth who shared their information and their stories with us, because that helps us to continue with the project and make sure that we can continue to grow future leaders,” she said. She added with optimism, “I’m looking forward to it so much. I just think it’ll be good.”

Rez Reads: Spooky Edition

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

After a long and eventful summer, it is now officially spooky season. With Halloween right around the corner, we wanted to highlight some Indigenous horror books to help you get in the spirit of the season of ghosts, slashers, and monsters.

We compiled a list of six spine-chilling novels that are written by Native authors who tackle serious subject matter that affects our people, like generational trauma, the MMIWP epidemic, alcohol and substance abuse, and the horrors of early settlement, while simultaneously blending in traditional stories and supernatural legends that have been passed down generation after generation.

Below you will find a brief summary of each of these books, along with some frightening, yet insightful, quotes that are sure to spark your interest. Happy reading!

Never Whistle At Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

By Shane Hawk

Fair warning, some of the stories in this book will stick with you for several days and are downright scary. We’re talking ghosts, monsters, curses, hauntings, sinister revenge plots. But of course, you were probably able to surmise that on your own from the title, as the message to Never Whistle at Night is embedded into the minds of Indigenous youth, adults, and elders all across the nation.

In this book, we are introduced to nearly thirty original stories by well-known Indigenous authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Morgan Talty, Kelli Jo Ford, Nick Medina, Norris Black, Waubgeshig Rice, and many, many more.

“Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear—and even follow you home.”

Bad Cree

By Jessica Johns

A little bit supernatural horror. A little bit mystery. Extremely thrilling from beginning to end. Bad Cree follows a grief-stricken young woman, Mackenzie, who moved to Vancouver B.C. from her reservation in Alberta for a new start. However, upon getting acclimated to the city life, she begins having eerie encounters with crows and a number of realistic nightmares that center around an incident from her past.

Taking these as signs to return home, Mackenzie finds comfort and strength in family, while also repairing broken bonds along the way. But the closer she grows to her sisters, mom, and aunties, her nightmares seem to intensify, and they keep calling her back to that ill-fated night. There is plenty of rez humor in this page-turner and author Jessica Johns does an excellent job in incorporating her tribe’s culture, traditions, and stories into her work.

“An Indian dying is like a balsam fir getting chopped down. Trees for mile and miles feel the pain under the soil. They send their reserve nutrients through the root network to the stump, which closes over with bark like a scab. Eventually, the stump turns into a nursery, a home for new growth, for something else to take shape. This isn’t the same as healing or being reborn, but it’s the closest we’ll ever get.”

White Horse

By Erika T. Wurth

There was a well-deserved hype about White Horse when it was released in 2022. This book was a New York Times Editor’s Pick, a Good Morning America Buzz Pick, and it also received a Goodreads Choice Award for Reader’s Favorite Horror. The novel follows Kari James, an urban Native living the city life in Denver. When Kari receives a family heirloom from her cousin, a bracelet that was once owned by her late mother, she quickly realizes that it is seemingly haunted when it begins to bring Kari visions of her mom when she was younger.

The events that follow help unravel the mystery around her mother’s sudden disappearance, but there is something more menacing in the works as an evil entity makes it’s presence known to Kari along the journey.

“I am healed. But I don’t realize that healing requires scars, and I am still rough beneath them, I still have pain locked behind that ropy skin. And there is weakness there, there is vulnerability, a thing I have always been terrified of. A thing that has festered. A thing that can take me down into the dark. And feed. And feed.”

Night of the Living Rez

By Morgan Talty

This collection of short stories all take place in the state of Maine, on the Penobscot Indian Reservation. Featuring twelve Indigenous horror stories in total, Morgan masterfully weaves these tales together while shedding some light several issues that Native people experience in their lifetime. This includes drug use, generational trauma and violence, and numerous other challenges that one faces growing up on a reservation.

Each story is dark but also a bit relatable if you are a product of the rez. And if you aren’t, Morgan does a fantastic job at bringing attention to these issues while incorporating some humorous Indigenous dialogue along the way. Within these atmospheric stories, he showcases the strength of our families and tribal communities. Clocking in at just under 300 pages, this book is a perfect weekend read.

“I wonder if ‘How’d we get here?’ is the wrong question. Maybe the right question is ‘How do we get out of here?’ Maybe that’s the only question that matters.”

The Whistler

By Nick Medina

This novel is hot off the press! Officially released on September 16, The Whistler is highly anticipated amongst fans of Native Author, Nick Medina who brought us modern Indigenous horror classics like Sisters of the Lost Nation and Indian Burial Ground. Full disclosure, we have yet to check this one out, but we cannot wait to dive in!

According to the book jacket summary, this story follows an Indigenous ghost hunter who is forced to move back to the reservation, in the care of his grandparents, after a traumatic accident that left him quadriplegic. He then starts to notice a demonic figure in the distance that appears to be getting closer to him with each passing night. He begins to confront his past and the events that led to his accident, realizing it all could be traced back to when he whistled at night.

“Never whistle at night,” he said. “Don’t you know that it attracts bad things? Bad spirts. Evil that attaches itself to you.”

“An Indian superstition?” she asked…

“No,” he said. “A fact.”

Buffalo Hunter Hunter

By Stephen Graham Jones

Now, although we absolutely recommend checking out all of these reads this fall, if you only have time for one, make sure it is Buffalo Hunter Hunter. This supernatural historical fiction is heralded as New York Times Bestseller Stephen Graham Jones’ best work to date. And that says a lot considering he has nothing but bangers under his belt such as The Only Good Indians, The Indian Lake Triology, and Mapping the Interior. This book is sure to check all the boxes for a good Halloween-time read. Vampires? Check. Revenge against early colonizers? Check. Gruesome flashbacks? Check.

This story alternates between timelines, spanning 100 years, and follows the trials and tribulations of a mysterious character named Good Stab as he recounts his life story to a Lutheran pastor. If you have some Audible credits, you are definitely going to want to hear this haunting tale on audiobook! Just make sure that you ‘listen with a good heart’.

“What I am is the Indian who can’t die. I’m the worst dream America ever had.”

“You don’t understand,” I said pleadingly as if to a higher power, longing to use my hands to gesture with, to make him see, to get him to understand that these were different times, with a different breed of men——the kind necessary to forge a new land, a better country, one that made use of its resources rather than letting them lie fallow.

“I understand,” he said, however. “You wanted to make us cry. And so, you did. You wanted our land, so you took it. You wanted us out of the way, so you killed us in our lodges. Is there more to it, Three-Persons?”