Under the bright lights of the Tulalip Sports Complex, with Tulalip Bay just beyond the field, the Heritage Hawks delivered their most emphatic victory of the young season. In a matchup featuring two Top 10 ranked teams, Tulalip Heritage dominated the Darrington Loggers in all three phases of the game and rolled to a 38-0 shutout victory. The win improved the Hawks to a perfect 3-0.
“Last year, we went up to Darrington, battled hard, but ultimately came up short. We remember that loss. We’ve discussed it a lot in the leadup to this rematch with them,” said head coach Shawn Custis pregame. “Our recent practices emphasized our technique, alignment, and assignments. We knew that as long as we stay home on coverage and don’t bite on misdirection, then we would win this game.”
From the opening possession, Heritage set the tone. Darrington received the kickoff but was stopped on fourth down. The Hawks immediately capitalized on their second play from scrimmage when senior running back #9 Jaedynn Zackuse broke loose for a 55-yard touchdown run. Fellow senior, #15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford, powered in the two-point conversion for an early 8-0 lead.
Special teams quickly created another opportunity when Darrington was caught off guard by the ensuing onside kick. Heritage special teamer #3 J.J. Gray quickly pounced on the loose ball and recovered it for home team. A long Hawks touchdown was called back because of a holding penalty, and a Heritage fumble briefly gave possession back to the Loggers. The Hawks defense responded by forcing another fourth-down stop.
Ziggy, at running back again, provided another explosive play, breaking through multiple tackles on his way to a 30-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Josh Davis connected with junior tight end #1 Peyton Hatch for the two-point conversion, making it 16-0 with 1:52 remaining in the opening quarter.
Peyton, playing middle linebacker on defense, closed the first quarter with a tackle for loss and fired up the Hawks Nest faithful. The opening 12 minutes was just a foreshadowing of things to come as the second quarter belonged entirely to Heritage.
After Darrington converted a clutch fourth-and-two, the Loggers botched a snap and the Hawks recovered the loose ball. On the very next play, sophomore quarterback Josh Davis showed off his arm strength with a beautiful 60-yard touchdown pass to a wide open J.J. with nothing but daylight in front of him. Another successful two-point conversion, this time a QB scramble off left guard, pushed the lead to 24-0.
“Our O-line has been doing their job and giving me a clean pocket to throw out of, and our receivers are executing their routes and catching the ball,” shared QB1 Josh. “Plus, our ground game has been effective, which opens up the passing game. Everything is just meshing really well for us.”
Ziggy continued his standout night on defense when he intercepted a Darrington pass from his middle linebacker position. Heritage followed with another touchdown pass, a 30-yard strike to sophomore receiver #10 Julian Lopez, to stretch their advantage to 30-0 with 8:15 remaining in the half.
The Hawks secondary struck again when safety Jaedyn Zackuse intercepted a Darrington pass on fourth-and-long and returned it 25-yards to give Heritage excellent field position. With the first half winding down, J.J. moved from receiver to quarterback and showcased the quickness and athleticism he has become known for. Taking the shotgun snap, the senior standout kept the ball on a quarterback draw and zigzagged through multiple defenders for one of the night’s most memorable touchdowns.
J.J.’s 35-yard touchdown run and another successful two-point conversion made it 38-0 with 13 seconds remaining before halftime. By then, Heritage had scored through nearly every avenue possible. Long rushing plays, deep passes, forced turnovers and special teams execution all contributed to the commanding advantage.
“Coach really does his best to put us in the right spots, and we’ve been working a lot at our ability to make open field tackles. That’s been key to our early success and especially here in this game,” described linebacker Peyton of the Hawks stellar defense.
In a last gasp of desperation, Darrington opened the second half with a surprise onside kick attempt. The well-coached Heritage square was more than ready and recovered the ball. With the outcome firmly in hand, the Hawks focused on protecting the shutout. The Heritage defense held strong throughout the second half, keeping the Loggers off the scoreboard through the third quarter and all the way to the final whistle.
The victory showcased the versatility of a Heritage roster filled with versatile skill players who can play multiple positions and contribute on both sides of the football. Jaedyn made plays at running back and defensive back. Ziggy scored on the ground and recorded an interception. J.J. caught a touchdown pass before later scoring from behind center. Peyton contributed as both a tight end and linebacker.
All the while, sophomore sensation Josh Davis directed the Hawks offense with confidence as their primary quarterback. He repeatedly made Darrington pay through the air.
“Our team expects this kind of result every week,” said Coach Custis. “Their dedication and I.Q. have grown so much from last season to this season, and we’re seeing just how good we can be collectively when everyone is on the same page and playing for each other.”
When the final horn sounded, the scoreboard still read 38-0. Three games. Three wins. And plenty of momentum building at Tulalip Bay.
Twenty-five years ago, Quil Ceda Village was just a dream. Today, it stands as one of the most recognizable economic development projects in Indian Country. It’s a tribal-governed municipality that has transformed the Tulalip community and the economic landscape of Snohomish County.
That transformation was celebrated on Saturday, August 8, as current and former leaders, community members, and guests gathered at the Tulalip Amphitheatre to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Village. The celebration offered an opportunity to reflect on where QCV began, recognize those who helped bring the dream to life, and look toward what the next 25 years might hold.
In 2000, the year before Quil Ceda Village received official recognition as a tribal municipality, Indian Country Today reported on the ambitious plans taking shape on 2,000 acres of Tulalip trust land bordering I-5. At the time, then-Chairman Stan Jones looked beyond the undeveloped acreage and saw something much larger.
“I actually believe that area is going to be bigger than the city of Marysville,” Stan said. “It’ll really take the Tribe forward. To me, it’s just like a godsend.”
A quarter century later, those words carry the weight of prophecy. On March 2, 2001, the Bureau of Indian Affairs officially recognized Quil Ceda Village as a tribal municipality. The development was the culmination of years of planning, infrastructure investment and determination by Tulalip leaders to create a diversified economic base built upon tribal sovereignty.
The original vision called for a business park featuring large retail outlets and commercial ventures. Plans also envisioned a new casino, destination resort, convention center, restaurants, entertainment facilities and an arena. Much has changed since those early drawings.
According to a Quil Ceda Village press release, the municipality is now home to major retail, hospitality, dining and entertainment destinations, including the Tulalip Resort Casino, Seattle Premium Outlets, Walmart, Home Depot and Cabela’s. Perhaps most impressively, the Village now employs more than 5,600 people and has become a major economic engine for the surrounding region.
Yet the significance of QCV cannot be measured solely by the businesses that occupy its landscape. For Tulalip, Quil Ceda Village represents self-determination in action. The Tribe took land that had previously been used as a Department of Defense ammunition depot and later as a Boeing jet engine testing site and transformed it into an economic center designed to generate opportunity for future generations.
At the anniversary celebration, current and former leaders reflected on that journey and the significance of the decisions made by previous generations. Quil Ceda Village President and Tulalip Vice Chair Deborah Parker described the anniversary as an opportunity to recognize the larger meaning behind 25 years of development.
“Today, as we celebrate the 25th anniversary of QCV, we also recognize and honor the leaders whose vision, courage, and determination made this success possible,” Deb said. “Their dedication laid the foundation for everything we see today. They understood that economic development requires more than businesses and buildings. It requires infrastructure, governance, planning, utilities, publish safety, land-use controls, and a dedicated organization focused on growth and long-term success.”
Chairman Hazen Shopbell similarly emphasized the role QCV continues to play in the Tribe’s future. “Our people are brilliant,” he said. “Look around Quil Ceda Village, this city is an engine driving the prosperity of our Tribe, and we’re still building it up.”
That continued development was an important theme throughout the celebration. While the anniversary provided an opportunity to look backward, speakers also spoke about the responsibility of continuing to build upon what previous leaders started. The economic activity generated through QCV ultimately circles back into the Tulalip community, helping support tribal programs, services, cultural initiatives and environmental restoration efforts.
One of the most meaningful moments of the celebration came when leadership unveiled Stan Jones Sr. Way. The updated street name honors the former Tulalip Chairman who passed away in 2019. His leadership helped shape the early vision for Quil Ceda Village. Members of the Jones family gathered for the dedication, including Stan’s granddaughter Toneena Gobin.
“It’s amazing!” declared Toneena while standing next to the unveiled sign with a portrait of her grandfather. “It just shows how much love and gratitude there is in our community for his memory. He literally dedicated his life to building up his people and putting Tulalip on the map. It’s only fitting that his name now is memorialized as a street on that map.”
Quil Ceda Village is the second federally recognized city in the nation, the other being Washinton D.C., and has become a true model of Native American economic development. Furthermore, its success has helped place Tulalip at the center of the region’s economic landscape while creating opportunities that extend well beyond the boundaries of the Reservation.
After 25 years of service to the Tulalip community, Sergeant Jeff Jira officially signed off for the final time. Surrounded by fellow officers and support staff, Jeff delivered one last emotional radio call announcing his retirement. It marked the end of a distinguished career defined by dedication and community connection.
For many across Tulalip, Sgt. Jira was a familiar and trusted presence throughout the community. He frequently attended public gatherings, supported youth events, and cheered from the stands at local high school basketball, football, and volleyball games. Wherever Tulalip families gathered, Jeff was often nearby, greeting community members with a smile and strengthening the relationships that define effective community policing.
That philosophy guided his entire approach to law enforcement.
“Community policing has always meant being present,” Jeff shared during his retirement celebration. “When people know you and trust you, it changes everything. Being able to connect with families and see kids grow up over the years has been one of the most rewarding parts of the job.”
While Jeff built a reputation for being approachable and engaged with the community, he was also known among his fellow officers for his determination in the field.
Investigations commander Jim Williams, the longest tenured member of the Tulalip Police Department at 25 years and 4 months, has spent the last quarter of a century working alongside Jeff. “We’ve had a long career together. Every step of the way, Jeff was always there for me,” shared Commander Williams. “We shared the same drive to protect our community, always. It’s been an honor and a pleasure to work with Jeff as a fellow officer, but more importantly, to call him my friend.”
Over the course of his career, Jeff estimates he was involved in roughly 80 foot pursuits. Of those 80, he successfully caught the suspect about 70 times. The 10 or so that got away, he said with a laugh, were just as meaningful in shaping him as an officer.
“Those were the ones that motivated me,” he said. “Every time someone slipped away, I’d think about what I could do better. It pushed me to hit the gym harder, eat better, and stay in shape.”
Maintaining peak physical fitness wasn’t just about winning the chase. Jeff understood that staying healthy and strong was essential to doing the job safely and effectively over the long haul.
“If you want to do this job for 20-plus years, you have to take care of your body,” he said. “Being in good shape makes a big difference when you’re chasing someone down or responding to a call. It’s part of what helped me have such a long career.”
While Jeff’s retirement marks the closing of one chapter, his legacy within the Tulalip Police Department continues through his son, Jordan. Six years ago, Jordan followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the Tulalip Police Department. A Tulalip tribal member, Jordan represents the next generation of officers committed to serving the community.
“My dad has always been my hero,” Jordan admitted. “He was my hero when I was a 4-years-old and he became a cop to stop the bad guys. He continued being my hero when he pinned by badge on my chest six years ago. And he’s still my hero to this day, knowing he’s retiring to become the best grandpa he can be.”
Jordan said serving alongside his father has been an experience he will always treasure. “Watching how people in the community respect him and seeing the relationships he built is something I hope to carry forward in my own career.”
Jeff’s connection to Tulalip is bigger than the badge he wore for the past 25 years. Through his family, he has become firmly rooted in the community he served and protected. He’s quick to point out that he’s lived on the Tulalip Reservation for 30 years. This is his home. He will now be joining his wife, Tulalip tribal member Teresa Jira, in retirement.
In many ways, Jeff’s service came full circle. What began as a career protecting the community, first as a firefighter and then as a police officer, grew into something much deeper. Family ties and lifelong relationships created will continue long after his final shift.
“The blessing of working for Tulalip is I could arrest somebody and a month later I’m giving them a ride home at 3a.m. and we’re shaking hands as I wished them nothing but the best,” Jeff reflected. “The moments that stand out the best as I think back on my career are the ones where people have come up to me and said, ‘You know, I’m sorry about doing this or that and for giving you a hard time when you were doing your job.’
“And then there’s the moment’s when others have told me, ‘You saved my life. I’m here today because you cared.’ Those moments got me through even the most difficult of times because I knew I was making a positive difference in people’s lives.”
Now officially retired, Jeff is looking forward to a new kind of journey. One that takes him far beyond the roads he patrolled for decades. An avid motorcycle rider, Jeff shared that he’s long dreamed of riding off into the sunset when he finally reached retirement.
That day has finally come. His first adventure will take him south to Arizona to catch the remaining spring training games of his beloved hometown team, the Seattle Mariners. From there, he plans to continue riding his Harley east until he reaches the sun-soaked shores of Key West, where he hopes to enjoy tropical heat and the open ocean breeze.
While his days of patrolling the streets of Tulalip may be behind him, those who know Jeff say his presence in the community will undoubtedly remain. After all, once someone spends 25 years building relationships, protecting neighbors, and showing up wherever the community gathers, they never truly fade from the fabric of the place they served.
And as Sgt. Jeff Jira’s final radio call echoed through the department, it carried with it the gratitude of an entire community. A community that, for 25 years, was proud to call him one of its own.
“This year’s Seahawks team brought all of Seattle together with the strongest, loudest, and most united spirit I’ve ever seen,” Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson said. “And they delivered in historic fashion, beating the Patriots and bringing a second Lombardi Trophy home to Seattle. Now it’s time to celebrate.”
When the Seahawks secured their second Super Bowl championship, with a dominant 29-13 win over the Patriots, the celebration spread well beyond the Seattle skyline and into Coast Salish communities throughout the region. From living rooms and community centers to family watch parties, Native Seahawks fans came together to celebrate their team that holds a special place within the culture.
A Familiar Symbol
The Seahawks logo, inspired by Northwest Coast formline art, has been embraced by Coast Salish people for decades. Its bold lines and distinctive eye mirror artistic traditions that have been passed down through generations. Across Coast Salish territory, the logo appears in beadwork, carvings, clothing, and contemporary artwork, often reinterpreted in ways that honor family, culture, and community.
Rather than being seen as a distant sports brand, the Seahawk has become something recognizable and personal. For many families, supporting the Seahawks has become a tradition, one passed down alongside stories, teachings, and time spent together on game days.
“My dad and I moved to the Seattle area in 1991, but he had already been rooting for the Seahawks since their conception in 1976,” recalled Seahawks fanatic and devout 12th Man member Trisha Montero. “My dad took me to my first Seahawks game in 1993, when they still played in the Kingdome. I became a fan for life that day.
“My dad has been a season ticket holder since 1995. It’s impossible to say how many games we’ve been to, but what I can say for certain is we are truly immersed in everything Seahawks,” she continued. “A lot of people recognize my dad come game days for his legendary conch shell. He’s been bringing it to games for over 30 years. Fox Sports even tracked him down and labeled him a Seattle Seahawks super fan in a playoff commercial they ran this past season.
“I am just so proud of our Seahawks for winning the Super Bowl, again my dad and I are loud and proud and will bleed blue and green forever.”
Building Relationships, Not Just Branding
The Seahawks’ connection to Coast Salish tribes has also been shaped by meaningful partnerships, particularly with the Muckleshoot Tribe. At Lumen Field, Muckleshoot Plaza stands as a visible acknowledgment of Indigenous presence, featuring Coast Salish artwork, Lushootseed language, and imagery tied to the region’s original people.
“This artwork will not only inspire our communities but also educate them on the important history of the Native Americans in this region,” said Chuck Arnold, President of the Seattle Seahawks. “We look forward to a long and meaningful partnership for many years to come.”
Beyond the stadium, those partnerships extend into local communities through youth football camps, player visits, and outreach programs. These efforts have provided opportunities for Native youth to interact with Seahawks players, learn the game, and see themselves represented in spaces where Indigenous voices have not always been visible.
A Championship Felt at Home
As the Seahawks celebrated their Super Bowl LX win on the national stage, Coast Salish fans celebrated closer to home. Families gathered around televisions, elders and youth alike sharing in the excitement of the moment. For many, the victory was a reminder of how sports can bring people together, even those who don’t consider themselves among the devoted fan base.
“I don’t consider myself a football fan. I didn’t even watch the game,” admitted Tulalip tribal member Topo Jones. “But I could hear the fireworks going off in my neighborhood, which let me know the Seahawks were scoring a lot. Once people got to lighting off bombs and those huge cakes, I knew the Seahawks won. That’s cool, I guess.”
More Than a Team
In Coast Salish country, the Seahawks are intrinsically tied to the region’s modern-day story. They are woven into daily life, community pride, and cultural expression. As fans look back on an unforgettable 2025-2026 championship season, the celebrations will continue as a reflection of community connection, visibility, and shared success. Go Hawks!
After 20 years of devoted service, we are saying farewell to Dave Sienko, a pillar of language revitalization efforts. Known reservation-wide as Lushootseed’s Media Developer and behind the scenes tech guru, Dave’s legacy stretches far beyond his job title. He helped usher Tulalip Lushootseed into the digital age, ensuring the ancestral language of the Coast Salish people could thrive across screens, speakers, and generations.
From the early 2000s, when cassette tapes and black and white picture books were still standard, Dave envisioned a future where technology could be an ally to language preservation. Then he built it. Take a quick visit to TulalipLushootseed.com and you’ll find songs, stories, games, family activities, and an entire assortment of language learning tools at your disposal.
“Dave has done so much for us,” said language warrior Michelle Myles. “On our website there is 20 years’ worth of content that he’s basically built from the ground up. That website was his first work baby. I say that lovingly because my daughter Jacynta was born shortly before Dave started with us. She’s 20-years-old now. She grew up learning Lushootseed, in part, by using that site and all the fun additions Dave made to it over the years.”
Among his most groundbreaking achievements, Dave co-developed the source code for the Lushootseed Unicode keyboard. That innovation gave Tulalip language teachers and learners the ability to write Lushootseed accurately and consistently on modern devices, opening the door to emails, websites, and digital lesson plans in the ancestral tongue.
“What am I most proud of? That’s a big question, but I’d say pushing for and never giving up on the idea of having Lushootseed keyboard,” shared Dave. “The Lushootseed keyboard enabled the language to be fully on the internet, where it can be used by anyone, anywhere in the world.
“I love seeing the text being used,” he continued. “Whether its via social media posts, websites, books and magazines, or, my personal favorite, on display at Hibulb Cultural Center, I’m always filled with pride whenever I see the Lushootseed text being used. I believe the language will proliferate the Tulalip Reservation and beyond as more and more people desire to learn and speak it. Knowing I played a role in that is, well, it’s beyond words. I’m just so thankful and eternally grateful for my time spent with Lushootseed and in this community.”
Dave’s forward-thinking approach culminated in several major digital platforms, including the extensive Tulalip Lushootseed website home to countless learning tools and teacher resources. Most recently, he played a pivotal role in the creation and launch of the Tulalip Lushootseed App – a sleek, intuitive mobile app now available for most major platforms, including iPhone and Android devices. For learners young and old, the app puts pronunciation, vocabulary, and language games right in their pocket.
“Dave is the reason our language lives online,” said a teary-eyed Natosha Gobin, Lushootseed Manager. “He truly does have a love for the language. He’s always prioritized making Lushootseed compatible with evolving technologies, which was his way of treating our culture with the highest respect.
“Also, Dave has always tried to find the newest way to connect with our community. And he did it in a way that ensured there were no barriers for language learning. From cassette tapes and floppy disks to CDs and USB drives, and now QR codes that take you directly to our website and app, Dave made sure that regardless of what kind of technology you have available at home, we have learning resources for you.”
But Dave was more than a tech developer, he was the department’s go-to fixer. When the Wi-Fi went down or a corrupted file threatened to derail a presentation, Dave was there. His calm demeanor and quiet determination became a backbone of day-to-day operations and special projects alike.
There was no project more special than the annual two-week-long, Lushootseed Camp every summer. Where Dave remained a fixture and his technology station a children’s favorite, year after year. From bulky desktop computers to compact Nintendo DS to touch screen tablets, Dave transformed whatever the technology of the time was into child friendly learning devices. His ability to ensure the kids could navigate these tools with ease, while capturing their imagination though storytelling videos and interactive language games will not be forgotten.
During the closing ceremony of this summer’s Lushootseed Camp, Dave was honored by his fellow language warriors. First, he was wrapped in an 8th Generation wool blanket appropriately named ‘See You Again’, then he was adorned with a handmade cedar headband.
“I’ve been with Lushootseed going on 13 years now. Dave has been there every step of the way,” shared language warrior Nikki St. Onge following the closing ceremony. “It’s been cool watching him input the language into his own life, like he’ll greet us every morning in Lushootseed and says ‘thank you’ in Lushootseed instead of English. Anytime I ever needed a story, video, or children’s book to implement into my lesson plans, he’d always find a way to get them to me. I’m definitely going to miss you, Dave, and I hope you come back to visit as often as you can.”
As the 65-year-old Dave Sienko closes this chapter and steps into well-earned rest and retirement, the digital infrastructure he helped create will continue to empower the Tulalip tribal members of today and tomorrow to learn, speak, and celebrate their language.
“We know that Dave’s work here, with us, is finished, but he’s not done with the work,” asserted Natosha. “We want him to come and join us at future Language Camps, even if its just to bring his grandkids as participants. Wherever his heart feels drawn to continuing the work, he’ll always be welcomed here.”
From all of us within the Tulalip community, day̓ čəd ɬušudubicid (Be seeing you again).
The meditative motions and alluring sights associated with traditional wool weaving are resonating through Tulalip, once again. Across traditional Coast Salish territory, from Skokomish to Lummi and into British Columbia, tribal culture bearers are actively reviving the generations-old practice that is wool weaving – an art form nearly lost because of colonization and forced assimilation.
Historically, Coast Salish wool weaving wasn’t simply an art form. Rather it was an essential skill practiced and embraced communally for the warmth it bestowed, both physically and spiritually. Using wool from mountain goats and specially bred Salish Wool Dogs, sadly now extinct, our Coast Salish ancestors wove robes, blankets, and regalia infused with cultural significance. Every piece told a story and linked the weaver to their land and people.
However, with the arrival of European settlers and the implementation of boarding schools, the weaving tradition was suppressed. Generations were cut off from learning the techniques and ancestral knowledge associated with the practice.
Now, in a resurgence of cultural identity, a cohort of aspiring Tulalip weavers are intent on reclaiming their heritage. They are the majority of enrollees in a first-of-its-kind wool weaving program offered by Evergreen State College that is actually held on the Reservation. The program required a year-long commitment, wherein participates dedicate the first weekend of each month to an incredibly hands-on, three-day session taught by the one and only, master weaver Susan Pavel.
The Center for Washington Cultural Traditions detailed how Susan Pavel, Ph.D., first learned the Coast Salish wool weaving tradition on the Skokomish Reservation from master weaver Bruce Miller during the summer of 1996. At that time, Bruce was one of only three practicing weavers. After years of producing ceremonial blankets for Skokomish elders, Susan’s teacher invited her to teach weaving classes and carry the tradition, saying “It is through teaching that we truly honor the spirit.”
2025 marked twenty-nine years of wool weaving and honoring the weaver’s spirit power for Dr. Pavel. She is routinely approached by promising weavers seeking an apprenticeship, while also presenting weaving demonstrations at various prestigious venues. For her latest prestigious venue, she selected the Tulalip homeland.
“I very thoughtfully and purposefully chose Tulalip,” explained Susan. “I wanted to bring these teachings to Tulalip so that those who learn can share either their family. Think of the auntie or cousin who comes in and witnesses a wool weaver’s process in live-action. There’s an excitement, right? An excitement that can cause a spark of curiosity to fuel a lifelong passion. By seeing wool weavers in the family and making wool weaving a regular sight again, that’s how we reach the little ones of the next generation. How do you reclaim the wool weaving tradition? By making wool weaving traditional. That’s my dream for Tulalip.”
In collaboration with Evergreen State College, Tulalip’s Education Division, and Coast Salish Wool Weaving Center, the Coash Salish wool weaving certificate program officially launched earlier this month. Base of operations is the Don Hatch Youth Center and its pristine backdrop of luscious cedar trees and calm waters of Mission Creek entering Tulalip Bay.
Two dozen culture bearers became acquainted with natural sheep fiber in its rawest form while learning the preparation stages required to turn wool into yarn. Under the natural sun light, they worked diligently to tease apart the clumps of raw sheep fleece and loosen the fibers. This picking process helps shake out barnyard bits, such as dirt, debris and ol’ fashioned poo. It’s a necessary pre-cleaning process done by hand that establishes a connection between the weaver and the sheep who provided the wool bounty.
Indigenous plant specialist Tayna Greene shared her thoughts amid the synthesizing process. “We’re learning to process modern sheep as a fiber similar to how our ancestor’s processed mountain goat and the wooly dog. In my experience learning plant medicines I’ve processed cedar, fireweed, nettle and cattail fibers, to name a few, but never sheep’s wool. I’m excited to learn a new teaching, especially one like wool weaving that can become a resource to teach our youth and work with our elders. Honestly, this feels like a Creator-type moment where I just feel like I’m on the right path, doing the right thing.”
After hours of picking, the class moved to the Youth Center kitchen area to begin the scouring step. Raw wool is full of lanolin, which is natural sheep grease, that needs to be washed out in order to have a clean, fluffy fleece. In order to remove the lanolin, the thoroughly picked wool is soaked in hot water with a gentle soap, like Dawn, for 10-15 minutes. The wool is then rinsed to reveal a bright, gold-colored textile that is ready to be dried and carded.
Carding aligns the wool fibers and gets them ready for spinning. Susan showed the group her preferred method of using two flat paddles with wire teeth. One by one, they loaded a bit of wool onto the carders and brushed them against each other, back and forth. This detangles the wool fibers, removes any leftover debris, and results in a fluffy mat called a batt.
While taking a momentary break from carding her wool, elder Lena Hammons said, “It’s just so humbling to be among so many community changemakers who are intent on keeping our culture and traditions alive. It’s so often said ‘We’re losing our teachings. We need to get our teachings back. We need our young ones to step up and learn.’ Well, when I come to gatherings like this and witness our people, our actual young ones, stepping up to learn, it just warms my heart to know that long after I’m gone these teaching will continue.”
Picking, cleaning, and carding are just the first three prep stages required for turning a raw fleece into yarn. As they move along to further stages, like the fascinating sight of spinning with a spindle whorl, we will continue to document their progress. It’s a slow, hands-on process that provides the group with plenty of shared laughter and bonding moments as they collectively work towards reclaiming their wool weaving heritage via the legendary loom.
This past winter sports season, spanning from December to March, dozens of Tulalip youth showcased their athletic prowess on the highest stages of amateur competition. Marysville Pilchuck wrestling and Tulalip Heritage basketball both garnered state-wide recognition enroute to making school history, while other Tulalip high schoolers and middle schoolers showed out in their respective sports and postseason tournaments.
To honor all those athletes who contributed to making the winter campaign unforgettable, the Youth Enrichment division hosted a stirring event at the Youth Center on March 28.
“We had a bunch of local athletes make it to the State level in their sport and thought we would come together to make that good medicine by hosting an honoring and coastal jam,” explained outreach advocate Odessa Flores. “It’s important we, as a community, take the time to hold space for these athletes and their accomplishments.”
Churning out accomplished athletes is something the Reservation has no difficulty doing. It seems like every family has that legendary uncle or auntie who embellishes only slightly when recounting their on-court or on-field domination. You know the ones. They aren’t bashful and will take as much credit as they can for teaching the current crop of players everything they know.
How much impact those old heads have actually had on the amazing athletes of 2025 is somewhere between incalculable and immeasurable. Past generations crawled and walked so the current generation could run. No longer forced to play just on the Reservation, proud Tulalip culture bearers now are fixtures on school teams all around Snohomish County.
Whether attending home school, public school or private school, our Tulalip athletes are excelling in the classroom and keeping themselves eligible to play sports in the fall, winter and spring seasons. More opportunity equals increased exposure and more playing time for youth who dream of playing on the college level.
During the Youth Enrichment event, each attending athlete was wrapped in a blanket before taking to center court. Then the mic came out. One by one, the athletes stated their name, age, and sports played. As they bashfully introduced themselves in front of the large audience, the sentiment was not lost that among them could be the next RaeQuan Battle (men’s college hooper turned pro), Mikail Montez (women’s college hooper), Zues Echevarria (college footballer) or Milo Jones (college wrestler).
Often times, what separates the dreamers from the believers is simple support. Thankfully, the Youth Enrichment division is full of devoted staff members who are committed to supporting Tulalip’s youth and helping turn dreams into reality.
“It makes my heart so full to witness the results of all the hard work our kids put in to better themselves and better their families,” said Odessa. “We created a gratitude tree just for this event so each athlete could add their own leaf that states what they are grateful for. It really represents the deep-rooted impact each of us has on the larger community.”
Last November, the Tribe’s legal department added a new facet to their civil legal aid program. This service aims at helping Tribal children with disabilities and special needs, ensuring that they have an opportunity to thrive and succeed within the state’s education system. During their search in finding someone to represent Tulalip students, they were introduced to Alexis DeLaCruz, whose passion in education and disability rights has made a big impact in Native America, specifically for Southwest tribal nations.
That passion is fueled by her personal background, having a father with a disability and mother who dedicated her life to public school education. Among her many accolades and list of important work that she’s conducted thus far, Alexis was instrumental in the Steven C Vs. the Bureau of Indian Education, which resulted in a big win for Native students nationwide.
Alexis is looking to bring that knowledge and experience to her new position as TOCLA’s Education Attorney to help parents/guardians understand the rights that their children are legally entitled to. She plans on doing so by providing education and resources to the community at large. And when necessary, she is ready to step into the legal battlefield if an institution or school district is violating those rights.
Tulalip News recently sat down for a one-on-one with Alexis on the morning of March 20, just hours before President Trump signed an executive order to dismantle the Department of Education. Which is why it is extremely important for Tribal families to understand what this means for their students and how it will affect students with disabilities going forward.
Below, you’ll find an in-depth Q&A with Alexis. Please take a moment to read about Alexis’ new role and how she intends to uphold the Tribe’s educational values and protect the rights of its future generations.
Why don’t we start with a little bit about your background?
I am biracial. I am half Mexican American and half Anglo. I grew up in a trailer park in Denver, Colorado. I was the first in my family to go to school, to receive any type of education; the first in my family to go to law school. My first career was actually in journalism. I worked at a small daily in northwest Colorado called the Steamboat Pilot in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. I was their cops and courts reporter.
What led you to your current work?
There was an incident in my personal life. My dad was involved in a single vehicle rollover accident, and that left him a quadriplegic. It really changed the way that I viewed the world, that my family viewed the world. And just seeing the discrimination and hardship that people with disabilities face was very eye-opening to me. And at that point in my life, I was complaining a lot to my sister about the injustices that people with disabilities face every day. And she said, you either need to do something about it or stop complaining to me. And I said, ‘Okay, I’ll go to law school’. And so, I left the newspaper and started applying to law schools. I was looking for programs that had a strong commitment to social justice and public service, and that’s what led me to Seattle University School of Law. I was very myopic in my approach and what I wanted to do – a Disability Justice lawyer. I wanted to focus on disability rights work, and I was very fortunate to get connected to Disability Rights Washington, which is a statewide nonprofit that protects the rights of all Washingtonians with disabilities, including folks who live in Indian Country.
I interned for them for two years. And then my path led me to the Southwest. When I was in law school, I had not taken federal Indian law or was not necessarily connected that way. So, I’m very unique in what I do, because I’m at the intersection of disability rights work and representing Indigenous folks. And it has been the greatest gift of my life – to be invited into these spaces and to try to help kids the best I can, and their families.
Can you touch on some of your work in the Southwest?
I was in the four corners of the Southwest, working for a program called the Native American Disability Law Center, and was serving predominantly the Navajo Nation and Hopi communities, as well as the Pueblos in New Mexico. We also represented and served the reservations in southwest Colorado, parts of Utah and Arizona. I feel very strongly about my services, and so wanted to make sure it was the right change, and being able to join this strong team of incredible attorneys and advocates was the right thing. Before I started here in Tulalip, I brought a federal lawsuit against the Bureau of Indian Education called Steven C vs BIE (Bureau of Indian Education).
Do you mind expanding on the that lawsuit?
It was the first time anyone had ever held the Feds responsible for Indian education. It is one of the most important, if not the most important, education case that has ever been brought in Indian Country. And I was one of the co-architects of that lawsuit. That case was brought on behalf of individual members of the Havasupai community. They’re the tribe that lives at the bottom of the Grand Canyon. And those students only had one option to go to school. It was a BIE operated school, and it is K-6. And so, it was really important for that community to address the long-standing concerns that they had about the types of education that their students were getting.
At the time we got involved, in early 2014, students were only receiving math and English. And even only learning those two subjects, 0% of the students were proficient in either. So, our team of attorneys started looking into those issues and realized that it was more than just an individual concern, that it was really a system-wide issue that was impacting all of the students. We brought together a dream team of attorneys from a number of organizations and filed a lawsuit in January 2017 in Arizona Federal Court. That case went all the way to the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals and ended in two landmark, historic settlement agreements after the judge found that we had proven much of what we were alleging was wrong at that school. It was an important outcome for Indigenous kids in this country, particularly those who attend BIE schools.
That’s amazing. Can you speak to how that affects Tulalip students?
Here at Tulalip, there’s not an operating BIE school. There was one. Historically, there was a boarding school here. And I think many of the experiences that I’ve heard those students and families talk about sound a lot like the types of stories that this community has about how the boarding school has impacted them and how the boarding school era had impacted them. So, it’s all related. The practices that the states or the federal government can have on Indigenous students at school, it’s really a big deal. And as an education lawyer, it’s a particularly concerning time because of what’s happening at the federal level. We expect that President Trump will be signing an executive order today dismantling the Department of Ed, and I think it’s going to throw the state systems into even more chaos. And for this community, it’s been really important for me to start figuring out what Washington State’s plan is to protect not only all students, but students with disabilities, tribal students, students who have been impacted by historical trauma, students who are in foster care, students who might be involved in the juvenile justice system. Those are all core components of my work and things that I’m hoping to contribute to ensuring that Tulalip’s kids are getting not only a legally sufficient education, but one that feels holistic, afe and healthy.
Can you talk about TOCLA and your role in the department?
TOCLA is the Tulalip Office of Civil Legal Aid. We are a legal aid law firm that provides free civil legal services to the Tulalip community. I am the first-ever education attorney in this role. It’s really exciting because my understanding is this role was created in response to the community organizing and coming together and saying, ‘We need somebody who can help address the educational concerns of the community.’ It’s really, in my experience, rare and unique for a tribal legal aid program to have a position specifically earmarked to represent the educational needs of its young people. It’s so thrilling to me to be here, and I’m so honored and humbled and privileged to be in this community and working with these students and families because education is everything. If students don’t receive good quality, legally sufficient education, it impacts their outcomes later on. All of the data and the research tells us that if young people are not reading well by the third grade, it is very difficult to make that that time up. And then you add concerns about disability status. If students with disabilities are not having a free, appropriate public education provided to them, they fall behind.
When I think about my work, and approaching it with humility, I always say children are a community’s most precious resource. And I know Tulalip is incredibly committed to its children. When I was learning more about the community and just immersing myself in the traditions and the customs of the community, it was very clear to me that education is a value. It’s a priority.
Now that you’re here, what does it feels like? What are your first impressions about the community?
I have been welcomed with open arms. It has been a really beautiful experience to be invited into this community, and I think anytime a non-native person is invited in, it’s not something to take lightly. I always approach not just my individual clients, but everybody with respect. I am learning a lot, and I appreciate deeply the community trusting me with their stories and their experiences. Because it is not easy to talk about when things have not gone well at school, or when I am hearing elders talk about the impact of their time at the boarding school. We know that those experiences get passed down generationally. You might have a grandma or a grandpa who were forcibly removed from their community and sent to a boarding school and forced to assimilate into dominant culture. And then that passes to the next generation, and then that passes to the next generation.
I think approaching the work with a trauma-informed lens, and knowing that, particularly for Indigenous students, who have been very impacted by destructive, harmful federal policies and practices, and seeing that again here in 2025 is concerning. It’s also something that drives my work, like when I think about what is yet to come, there’s so much we don’t know, but I do know that when people stand shoulder to shoulder together and say, ‘We are not going to accept this, we’re going to fight for our children, we’re not going to be afraid, we’re not going to take it,’ that’s when true social change happens. And particularly in the education context. When you see successful models of education reform, it’s when students and families stand up and say, what’s happened here is not right. And again, very humbly, I am excited to continue to stand shoulder to shoulder and build on the already good work that the community has been doing to move the needle forward.
You just touched on it, but can you talk a little more about why it’s important for parents to know their rights and to know they have this support?
As I’ve been learning more about the concerns, I’ve heard stories about longstanding mistrust within Marysville School District and families – not knowing where to go or whom to turn to. A part of holding a school system accountable is knowing what your rights are. Because when people have that education, knowledge is power. When individuals can say, this is actually my right, and I’m going to stand up and do it, that is when you see students getting what they need, what they are legally entitled to. It’s when you see people taking concerns more seriously. One of the reasons I love being an education civil rights lawyer is forcing systems to do things they maybe don’t want to do or wouldn’t do otherwise, even though these rights have always existed.
For Tulalip students and families – without having access to those rights or really knowing where to go. Where do you turn? Do you go to the school’s website? Do you go to the State’s website? Who talks about this? I know, before I came on, there were a number of attorneys here doing community education presentations. And so, it’s like we’re sort of building momentum of what’s happening. When we see systems change and social movements, it’s because people have said, I know my rights and I’m going to stand up and enforce them. And this community particularly has a strong history of doing that, particularly around natural resources, like the Bolt Decision and so many other cases where this community has enforced its treaty rights. Education is also something that is included in the Point Elliot treaty. So that’s another area where folks can start harnessing some power around treaty rights.
With the looming executive order and the mistrust between Tribes and school systems, can you speak about some of those rights in regard to special needs students and examples of areas you can help with?
These laws have been on the books for 30, 40, 50 years, and so it really is about letting people know there’s a better way. It doesn’t have to be this one way. Something I tell families all the time, you might not know what your right is or what the law says, but you know when something’s wrong in your gut. Every parent, every guardian, every grandma, every auntie, every uncle that I have ever talked to, when they’ve said something felt wrong, they’ve always been correct. I always tell people, just trust your gut. If it doesn’t feel right, it’s probably not. And come and talk with me and my team. Start educating yourself about what is supposed to happen so you can educate yourself first, as your child’s first advocate and sometimes only advocate, so that you can make sure that your student or your child is getting the absolute best education that he or she can get.
With all of these rights we’ve been talking about, there are ways that you can make a complaint when things don’t go right. I’m going to take a very specific example. The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, or the IDEA, is the primary federal law that protects students with disabilities. That law contains a set of what are called procedural safeguards that tells families what they can do to address concerns. And there are options, from what I call informal advocacy all the way to something that can look like filing a lawsuit or something that’s more formal. I can help with all of that. I have been able to help families at IEP meetings, those are Individual Education Program meetings, and that’s the place where you can come together and talk about a student’s concerns with the school. The IEP meetings are meant to be collaborative, where the student and families voice is heard, and folks talk about what a student needs – What are the parents’ concerns? What needs to happen? And maybe it’s not working for this particular student. It can be just going to meetings and supporting families that way. And then it can be looking into concerns and investigating what has happened for a student and then advising families of what those legal options are.
There’s a state complaint system. They’re called Community complaints that families can file with the state OSPI, the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction. There’s a state complaint mechanism that you can say, I have concerns that the school has done something wrong to my student with a disability, and file that. And then you can go all the way to what’s called a due process complaint, and that’s the most formal complaint you can file under the IDEA. We do advise that folks either consult with or talk with an attorney if you’re considering that level of advocacy, because it can result in a hearing that looks like a trial, where the school will have an attorney. There will be folks testifying, and witness documents will be exchanged, and so I can do all of those.
Why is this work important to you?
The work is important to me, personally and professionally. I’m the child of a public-school teacher. My mom was an AP calculus teacher. She strongly believes in public education and ensuring that all students have equal access to good education. I am the product of a public school system. I did not go to private school. I didn’t have money growing up, and my education was my key out of poverty. Having an education literally changed my life, and I recognize the privilege that I have. And to quote Spider-Man, with great power comes great responsibility. So, it’s personally important to me to protect the rights of all kids to get a good, strong public education.
Professionally, it’s important to me to do this work in Indian Country, because not many people do it. It is important because the outcomes for Indigenous students are among some of the worst in the country. When you look at the many factors that affect education, it’s poverty, it’s where you live, it’s who your family was. Are you Brown? Are you a boy? Do you have a disability? When you’re looking at children who are most impacted, it’s typically young, brown and black men with a disability who have very poor education. Native kids, just across the scope have poorer outcomes than their nonnative, non-disabled peers. For me, it is important to continue to address the systemic issues that impact these outcomes. To continue to ensure that all kids, including Native kids, have access to education. I love what I do, and I get to work and talk to kids all day long, and when the time comes and they need someone to stand up, I will do that too. I believe that with tenacity and hope, and a heavy dose of optimism, that we will continue to move the needle forward for our community, for Tulalip.
I saw that you are gearing up for your first community gathering tonight?
Yeah! We are planning, with the Tribe’s Education Division and Positive Youth Development, to host an event every month through the rest of the year. Folks should definitely pay attention to emails, or wherever they get information, about these events. They’re going to be held once a month at 5:00 p.m. at the Admin building. We’ll be talking about a variety of things. Tonight, we’re talking about school discipline. We’ll also be talking about special education advocacy, what’s changing at the federal level, and how it might impact students, helping parents become good advocates for their children.
And I want to mention, that it does not take a lawyer to advocate for a student. It takes a parent or a guardian or a caregiver who knows a little bit about what their rights are, to stand up and say this isn’t right. Part of my role is to build capacity in the community for folks to say, I can do this. And that’s what my hope and my dream is, that individuals are able to take what they’re learning through either the materials, or meeting or working directly with me, to say I can do this. It’s just about knowing that you can ask for what your student needs and what to do if something goes wrong.
There’s going to be a big back-to-school event probably in August, and I invite people to come out and ask me questions. I’m always open to talking to anybody who wants information about education, civil rights, my door is open.
What is one thing you want parents or families to know through reading this article?
Don’t give up. There are people who are here to help. And if you have concerns about education, just come and talk with us, and let’s see what we can do together. And I really want to say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you to the community for trusting me with their stories and their hopes for their young people. I truly believe education reform starts at the community level. The Tribe, as well as individual members of the Tribe, they have the answers. They know what their community needs, what children need. And I see the law as one tool in moving that forward and effectuating that. I’m really excited about what is to come.
For more information, please contact Alexis at (360) 716-4166.
Tulalip tribal member Kierra Reese is in the midst of her senior year at Arlington High School. During her four-year tenure with the Arlington Eagles girls basketball team, she’s best known as a 3-point sniper and creative passer who gets buckets against 4A Wesco competition.
High school scouts and prep talent evaluators at Prep Girls Hoops offer the following player evaluation: Kierra is a wing who handles the ball like a guard. Her smooth handles lead to many crafty plays by her. She knows how to get to the bucket smoothly and how to use her 6’0” frame well to finish around the rim. Her game has taken a step forward since last season, being more well rounded on both sides of the ball and still being a lights out shooter.
After an anticipated matchup with the #18 ranked Archbishop Murphy Wildcats, Tulalip News caught up with the 18-year-old, blonde bucket-getter to discuss her relationship with basketball and where she sees herself after graduation.
Q: What does basketball mean to you?
A: “For a long time now, basketball has always been my out. I grew up being pretty aggressive and having basketball has an outlet was a perfect way to release that aggression. So, you can say beyond being my favorite sport, it’s also my favorite stress reliever.”
Q: How has your role on the court changed during your four years at Arlington?
A: “Since my freshman year, I’ve been a leader. That leadership looks different from year to year depending on what the team looks like. I went from being the youngest to now the oldest.”
Q: For those you haven’t watched you play, how would you describe your game?
A: “I like to shoot a lot. Most of the time I’m around the perimeter looking for space in the defense or creating space for my teammates. I’ll drive, too, though. I have a strong attack dribble with my right hand. So, yeah, I’m definitely more of an offensive player.”
Q: What are your plans after high school?
A: “My dream scenario is to earn a scholarship spot for Western Washington University. If the scholarship doesn’t happen, then I plan to make the team as a walk-on. I’ve watched their team play and think I could be a good addition to what they are building.”
Q: As a student-athlete, student being the operative word, what do you plan to study in college? And what professions are of interest to you?
A: “I plan on studying Kinesiology and sporty psychology. That way I can become a coach in the future and use what I’ve learned to help players physically and mentally become their best selves. If the coaching route doesn’t happen, then I definitely want to remain in the sports field, like with athletic training or physical therapy.”
Q: How much have your parents meant to you during this basketball journey of yours?
A: “My parents have been everything. I literally cannot thank them enough for all the time they’ve committed to driving me to practices, games, and tournaments. It’s been so great to have my mom and dad as like an actual support system. During the toughest of times, they’ve always been there for me and been on my side most of the time. The times they weren’t on my side, they were giving me the constructive criticism that I needed to hear.”
Q: Being Tulalip, have you enjoyed the extra support you get as an athlete and local hooper?
A: “I’ll always be grateful for the Tribe and entire community for being so supportive. Something I’ll never forget about is during my freshman year, Tulalip TV featured me in a spotlight. It was done by Cody Faye. I’ve always felt supported on and off the court.”\
Q: Last question. If you could have the game of any basketball player, NBA or WNBA, who would it be?
A: “Caitlin Clark. Not just because we both wear #22, but because I love her range and how she is so effective at getting to the basket and finishing tough shots. I like her fieriness and her aggressiveness. When you watch her paly, you can see just how much takes every game and every possession seriously. So, Caitlin Clark, most definitely.”
By Kalvin Valdillez; photos courtesy of Ilivia Hatch
“Amazing asf.” “Sooo good!” “Fire fr.” “Definitely a must!” “Bussin’” “100/10.” “Girl Ur chamoy SMACC!” “You did your thang on these.” “Obsessed!”
Those direct quotes are just a handful of reviews that can be found in the highlight section of an Instagram page named Munchiezznsweetzz. Also here, there are dozens of live reaction videos that are wholesome and worth the watch to see everyone’s faces, from kids to elders, light up as they take their first bite into a tasty treat made by Tulalip tribal member, Ilivia Hatch.
Though her sugary concoctions have garnered her fans all throughout the region, her biggest supporters appear to be the young adults from the reservation. Which is wonderful to see. Among the glowing reviews of heart-eyes, fire flames, and 5-star emojis, one word seems to sum up Munchiezznsweetzz perfectly – bomb – which of course is one of the highest compliments among both gen z and millennials alike.
So, with that in mind, we understand if you’d like to take a moment to find her page, check out her grid, and place an order before you continue you reading. (And she created a special promo code exclusively for the readers of the SeeYahtSub and Tulalip News, just enter code: ‘Tulalip’ for an extra 10% off of your order.) Alright, now that you’re back and you checked out her snacks… IKR? Every dish looks incredible. It definitely makes you want to order one of everything on the menu.
If her food photos blew your mind, you’re in store for another big surprise. But before that’s unveiled, we invite you to take a closer look at her page. A fun logo of lollipops and candy canes serves as the profile pic for the business page. In the bio area, she has her store hours set and a link to her personal bakesy page, where you can place your order and find out any necessary details about your payment and pickup options. The last thing we’d like to point out is her interactions with her followers. Not only does she regularly hold giveaways and asks her clients for input/requests, but she often offers daily, weekly, and monthly specials as well. She also adds a personal touch to each order, including instructions on how to store the treats properly and a variety of whimsical stickers too.
In today’s society, over half the battle with creating a business is having a legit, inviting, responsive, and awesome social media team. Success often lies in online engagement, which is why many people hire marketing companies to boost their brand to help get their name out there. Looking at all the details that went into her page, from her logo to her policies, you’d think she had professional help setting it up, but Ilivia has done absolutely everything by herself. She is 100% self-made. From the ground up, she has built a great following online. Just a year and some change in the game and she has over 1,000 people checking on her page daily for the latest details and creations, which is a number she hopes to grow even more, as she has a personal goal of reaching 10,000 followers.
After taking all of that information in and considering all the work it takes to start a business, what makes this all the more impressive is the moment you find out that Ilivia is only 21 years of age. Munchiezznsweetzz is turning two this April, which means that at just 19 years young, Ilivia created a successful business model which has been thriving since that first review came in.
Take a moment to read over this short Q&A to get to know the mastermind behind Munchiezznsweetzz.
Why don’t we start out with a little bit about who you are?
I’m Ilivia Hatch. My mom is Priscilla Sconawah, she’s from Yakima tribe. My father is Ezra Hatch III from Tulalip. My grandparents are Donald J. Charles and Carmen Sohappy, and then Rosemary Alexander. Growing up, I lived with my grandparents at Tulalip my whole life.
When did you start your business?
I started my business around two years ago, in April 2023. I did move out of my grandparent’s house for a while – like three ago. I was living in an apartment when my business started, so it originated from west Everett.
How did you come up with the idea for Munchiezznsweetzz?
When I first started doing it, I never thought I would get this far. It was just me and my sisters in a room, and we would always joke about starting our own little businesses. And eventually, I came up with the idea for Munchiezznsweetzz because I used to smoke a lot, and that’s where the idea came from. I’m completely sober now, like five months sober, but that’s how it started.
How did you get into making these treats? Have you always had an interest in cooking or creating desserts?
Yeah, it really started with my mom. She used to make these special cakes and I kind of just took over for her and started baking them myself. And then I came across these viral grapes. That’s what my business is mainly about, candied grapes. They went viral on TikTok and I thought, maybe I could make these. And then I did. But at first, they were so bad, it was a rough start. It took me like a whole year to actually get my recipe down and everything looking good. I would always say that I was going to quit and give up on everything, but my mom pushed me to do better. And then in April 2023, I moved back to my grandma’s house, and I’ve been doing it here ever since. I’m very grateful they let me do it out of their home.
What are candied grapes?
Candied grapes are grapes dipped into candy. I make my own candy out of Carroll’s sugar, water, food coloring, and flavoring. It’s called tanghulu and originated from Asia. But I put my own spin on it and make it with different flavors. It’s basically a hard shell of candy, kind of like a Jolly Rancher, around the grape. And when eating it, you have a nice crunch to it and with the grapes, it’s like all the flavors come together for the perfect combination.
So, candied grapes are your staple, and you do those in different varieties?
Yeah, I do candied grapes, candied pineapples, candied strawberries. I would say the fan favorite is the crack grapes. That’s Jolly Rancher coated, or Jolly Ranchers blended up and coated over the grapes. I dip the grapes into liquid candy that’s hot and then dip it into the Jolly Rancher mix. And I call it crack grapes because it’s so addicting, to the point that everyone wants that in their orders.
You mentioned that you picked this up from your mom. How does your family feel seeing you have a successful business and find that passion in the kitchen?
My grandparents and my mother, I think, are my number one supporters. Because, like I said, there were times where I would feel like giving up, but they kept me motivated. I would get really discouraged when I had to deal with hate comments or when I would mess up. I’m so grateful for them looking back at it now. Yesterday, my mom called me and was crying because she was so excited for me and was saying that I came a long way. From how messy I was at first, and how good I’m doing now and how successful I’ve been.
My grandparents are so proud of me. They always ask me every day about the order I’m working on. They’re there to push me on those days when I don’t want to get up. They’re always like ‘just get up and do your order, you’ll feel better about yourself’.
That’s so cool. And from your end, how does it feel to get that love and support from your family?
It feels amazing, honestly, I can’t thank them enough. I know that it’s all me and I’m the one doing it, but I feel like if I didn’t have that backup motivation there, I would have given up a long time ago, because it is stressful. It’s not an easy job. Especially when I have big orders over $100, because I am doing it all by myself. But it makes it easier when I have their positive words. Or when I’m having a stressful day, they’re like, ‘just take a step out of the kitchen. Take a breath.’ I was always taught that you’re not supposed to be in the kitchen when you’re mad because it can get really bad. What I’ve learned to do is calm myself down and use their motivational words, so my work is not getting messed up. I feel like it’s always just been something that I love – to have them there on my side.
And I get a lot of support from our community. I’ve had a lot of people from Tulalip order from me. That makes me feel really happy that I can be the one to make these special and unique treats, that no one else really can make for them.
Do you have any words for those people who haven’t been fortunate enough to try your treats yet and are interested in putting an order in?
They’re always welcome to come and try something new. Feel free to check out my reviews and see if there’s something on there you want to try. All my reviews are on my highlights. I’ve always had amazing reviews, and only a couple down reviews which I worked to fix on my end. But personally, I love the watermelon crack grapes, they’re really good. And everyone loves the blue razz too!
I know people can place orders through your website, do you ever do orders for special occasions or themed birthdays?
I do take pre-orders, and I do require a 100% deposit. Just because, when I first started, I would let people place an order and I would make it for them, and sometimes they wouldn’t show up. I don’t deal with that anymore. I do have that website, it’s linked in my bio, and a lot of people place their orders through it. They can find pictures of everything I’ve already made there. And there’s a specific form for custom orders – like for custom candied grapes. But I don’t just make candied grapes, I also make cakes, cookies, Mexican treats, I make drinks as well. Another fan favorite is the dulces enchilados, it’s chamoy covered gushers with tajin. It’s one of my best sellers along with the crack grapes.
When I started out in Everett, my chamoy products were my number one. But when I came back home to Tulalip, no one knew what it was. I mean, everyone knew what chamoy was, but they weren’t familiar with it. When people try my chamoy, it’s the best, because personally, I feel like I make the best chamoy in town because I make it homemade. So when they try my chamoy, they become obsessed with it and end up ordering it a lot because of how much they enjoy it.
Can you remind our readers of your age and what it means to you to find success and your passion so early in life?
I’m 21 years old. And honestly, I wish I found my passion earlier because it is a good feeling. I’ve never had help from no one. Maybe from my mom here and there, but everything for my business came out of my own pockets. I started out so small, just seeing my business grow and grow and grow, and being able to buy trays, supplies, and all my gushers (6 boxes) all at once, it makes me feel happy. I’m at the point where I get so much income now, that I’m able to support myself and my business. It makes me feel good that I have over 100 customers who I consider as my regulars. Like, most of them come back all the time. It feels good to make those connections with my people as well. I try not to call them customers, supporters, or clients, because they’re basically like family. I call them my besties because they’ve been with me since day one, through my trial-and-error stages. It’s just so great to have loyal people and to share my success with them as well.
And there was one month where I was dedicated just to my business and was consistent, and I brought in $4,000 that month just from my business. And because I work alone, that felt like a big accomplishment for me.
Why is it important for other young tribal entrepreneurs to see your grind and the business do so well?
I feel like if another tribal member sees this, and sees someone so young doing it, they might feel inspired to start their own business. And my advice would be to start early, like right now. Because who knows what will happen. When I first started, I only had like 200 followers for a whole year, and then my business just boosted up out of nowhere. I feel it’s important to never give up on yourself and to believe in yourself over anyone. Don’t pay attention to what other people say, because at the end of the day, people will be there to support and assist you. So, I feel like if you are wanting to start a business, you should just go for it.
What’s the next step for you and Munchiezznsweetzz?
I’m really trying to reach 10,000 followers. I know that’s a lot but that’s my biggest goal. If I could reach 1,000, then I can definitely reach 10,000. I don’t feel like I need to be higher than that, but if I do get more that’s cool. That’s the biggest step for me. I don’t know if I actually want to own a store or do a truck yet. I feel like I’m getting a new house soon though and if I just work from my own house that would be better for right now. And I am looking into hiring people, not at the moment, not until I get my own things settled down first.
Munchiezznsweetzz operates between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily. Currently, she has a Valentines Day giveaway going with the grand prizes of strawberry crunch cookies and strawberry crunch tres leches cake. Be sure to visit the Munchiezznsweetzz Instagram page to see more of her specials and to place your order.
