“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.
Tulalip, WA – The Tulalip Tribes express gratitude for President Biden’s apology concerning the devastating impact of boarding schools on Native American communities. This historic acknowledgment marks a significant step toward healing and reconciliation for our people. For generations, the boarding school system inflicted deep wounds on our culture, language, and families. The forced assimilation policies aimed to erase our identity, resulting in profound pain and loss. President Biden’s apology stands as a powerful affirmation of our experiences, and we hope it signals a commitment to addressing past injustices.
Chairwoman Teri Gobin stated, “This apology is a monumental moment for the Tulalip Tribes and all Native American communities. It validates our history and the resilience of our ancestors who endured unimaginable hardships. We look forward to collaborating with the administration to ensure that this acknowledgment leads to meaningful action and support for our ongoing efforts to revitalize our culture and language.”
The Tulalip Tribes are also advocating for the passage of the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act. This bill aims to formally investigate, document, and report on the histories and long-term effects of Indian boarding schools. It seeks to develop recommendations for federal participation, protect unmarked graves, support repatriation efforts, and halt the removal of Native children from their families by state agencies.
Additionally, we are calling for the return of our ancestors’ remains to their families, a crucial step in our journey toward healing. The Tulalip Tribes remain dedicated to preserving our heritage and fostering a future where our children can thrive with pride in their identity. We stand united in our pursuit of healing and justice.
“We were banned from having gatherings just like this one,” said Tulalip Youth Council member, Ariel Valencia. “My grandma on my mother’s side went to a boarding school located in Canada where she was beat almost hourly. She was stabbed in the chest with a knitting needle and got left with no medical help. She still has a scar to this day. That not only shows that we have generational trauma, but we still have memories of these schools, and not good ones either. And now, we are not going to hide our culture, our languages, our songs and dances, our voices. We’re going to thrive as Indigenous People and decolonize as much as we can because that’s what our ancestors would’ve wanted.”
It was a heavy night of raw emotions as the Tulalip community took time to address a hurt that many Natives carry with us. A heartbreak that was unintentionally passed down from our family members who attended boarding schools as kids. A suffering that boarding school survivors still live with today.
September 30 has widely become known as Orange Shirt Day for 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 era.
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.
Ariel’s sister and fellow Youth Council member, Faith Valencia, explained, “Various denominations of the Christian churches adopted an Indian boarding school policy to ‘kill the Indian, save the man’. These children were forcibly removed from their families, communities, and culture and kept at residential schools where they were expected to cut their hair, abandon their traditional clothing, give up their names for English names.
“And they were penalized for speaking their languages and practicing their cultural ways. Children were separated from their families for long periods. In addition to cultural genocide, residential schools are also the sites of the horrific physical, sexual, and emotional abuse perpetrated against these children. Through all of it – the violence and abuse, our culture is still here and very strong.”
Over the past several years, Tulalip has participated in Orange Shirt Day and helped open up discussion on a difficult subject matter. Though local boarding school survivors are exposing scars that they’ve attempted to keep hidden for decades, these yearly gatherings have become a safe space where they can talk about those dark times. And consequentially, they get to see a glimpse of their own resiliency and that the culture is alive and well in the 21st century. This work ultimately leads to a path of healing as the community embraces them and provides that good medicine through song and dance.
Tribal member and rez ball legend, Dale Jones, is known throughout the community for his sense of humor and his confident demeanor. During this gathering, he allowed himself to be vulnerable and share his experience with the people.
In a shaky voice, Dale shared, “I was about ten years old when they took me and three of my brothers and sent us down to Chemawa. It was a very hard life. They cut your hair, took away everything you had, and threw that white stuff on you to get rid of the lice. That was their excuse for doing that. And you could hear our brothers and sisters crying at night. It was very hard being ten years old and wondering if you’re ever going to go home. I buried myself in alcohol for years – because you bury that hurt deep within you. I gave it up about thirty years ago, cigarettes the same time.”
Upon arrival, the attendees received an orange t-shirt designed by Tulalip Artist, Walter Moses. Everywhere you looked, there was orange. It was beautiful to see so many people show up for the survivors. And also, for the children who were buried on residential school grounds across the country.
Said Ariel, “We call it Orange Shirt Day because of the story from Phyllis Webstad, a six-year-old girl who received a gift from her grandma. A brand-new orange shirt, which was then taken away on her first day at a boarding school. She stated that seeing the color orange would bring back memories. She went a long time without wearing orange. The boarding school gave her so much PTSD that seeing the color made her scared. We’re not only fighting for justice for her, but for the thousands who suffered their childhood at these so-called schools.”
A slideshow made by Tulalip historian, Lita Sheldon, played on a loop throughout the night, which recognized all the youth who were sent to the Tulalip Indian Boarding School. Josh Fryberg was the emcee and as people trickled in, he helped get things started by calling upon Natosha Gobin for a prayer and introducing a music video dedicated to boarding school students, composed by Antone George (Lummi).
After the people shared a delicious dinner together, the drummers and singers were called to the front of the Gathering Hall. The event kicked off with the sduhubš Welcome Song.
Tulalip Chairwoman, Teri Gobin, shared a few opening remarks, noting that the sduhubš Welcome Song is a testament to the government’s failed efforts at erasing the culture. During the reclamation of the Salmon Ceremony, the song was revived by boarding school survivor and Tulalip ancestor, Harriette Shelton-Dover. And ever since, the song has been a staple in modern day practices, serving as the opening song at many Tulalip gatherings.
In addition to the Valencia sisters and Dale, speakers for the gathering also included boarding school survivors Mel Williams Sr. and Matthew Warbonnet Jr. Both of these gentlemen spoke with heavy hearts as they recounted their years spent at boarding schools. All of the boarding school survivors were called to the floor and were seated at the center of the Gathering Hall. A number of seats were left unoccupied, in honor of the kids who never made it back to their families.
Mel shared, “I can still remember my first day when I went to residential school, after being taken away from my mom and our home. I remember getting there and one of the first things that they did, they put us on this chair, and they cut that long hair off. They told us we looked like savages with long hair like that. I remember getting dressed in different clothes that weren’t mine. And I looked around at the other boys and we were all dressed the same. I remember that evening, we had to shower. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. ‘You go and have that shower, and you clean yourself, you dirty Indian’. After the shower, we had to be inspected, and they inspected every part of our body. I didn’t like that fondling, and I showed it right away. So that person left me alone, only to prey on someone that was weaker than myself. Much of that went on in these residential schools, not with just the boys but the girls too.”
Chief Executive Officer of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, Deborah Parker, also shared some words. She stated, “I want to acknowledge the speakers before me who attended the residential boarding schools. When you tell your stories, it helps us to heal. When you share your truth, it helps tell a nation what you’ve been through. And we are all here for you. The children, the mothers, the aunties, the uncles, we’re here for you. We’re here for those names who didn’t come forward, for those children who never made it home. Nights like this, for remembrance, are critically important for those sitting in the chairs tonight and those who weren’t able to make it to these chairs.”
In a powerful moment, Josh asked everyone in the Hall to stand directly behind the survivors. He then instructed them to raise their hands in the air to send strength and love to the survivors. Tribal member, Tony Hatch then stepped to the front of the room and called the drummers and dancers to the floor once more. As Tony led them in a song, candles were passed out and lit. Tiny flames danced while the people raised their candles in remembrance of the young Native men and women who died at the hands of boarding school officials.
After a moment of silence and prayer, the first half of the event concluded. The coastal jam immediately followed and hundreds of community members, comprised mostly of Tribal youth, hit the floor to continue the night’s theme of ‘Healing Together’. The jam extended late into the evening and through traditional song and dance, the community spread medicine to the survivors, their descendants, and everyone affected by the trauma of residential boarding schools.
Deborah expressed, “When we see the children dance, remember there was a time when our children could not dance. And there was a time, even in my generation, where it was just the adults, and only a few children were on the dancefloor. And now, our children are leading the way. And someday those little children will be grandmothers and grandfathers, and they may not remember the pain, or the hurt, or the suffering that our relatives went through, but they’ll remember the joy and the happiness in these moments.”
The latest iteration of Tulalip’s Board of Directors became official on the morning of Saturday, April 6. The regularly scheduled Board meeting began promptly with the first order of business to swear-in the two highest vote getters from March’s general council election: Glen Gobin and Theresa Sheldon.
They replace Pat Contraro, who served one term, and Mel Sheldon, who served for nearly two decades. Mel chose not to run for re-election, while election results showed Pat received the ninth highest total.
After their oaths of office, Glen and Theresa were each given an opportunity to share a few words with those in the room and the many more tuning in on iAmTulalip.com
“In many ways it feels like I never left, but in other ways I feel kind of apprehensive for some reason, sitting back up here. I think it comes with the realization of all the responsibility that comes with the position,” admitted Glen. He had previously served as a Board of Director for 15+ years before taking some time off to spend with his family and enjoy the open waters, fishing. “The expectations, by all those who voted for me, are to bring positive change, bring traditional teachings back, and continue to move forward ensuring future generations have the same opportunities we have, if not more.
“I’m glad to be back to help, and look forward to being a part of this team as we work together in the best interest of the Tribe, to move us forward in a good way. Those are the teachings our elders had; it is always about the Tribe first and making sure our membership is secure. Also, I’d like to thank all those who voted for me and encouraged me step forward once more to help the Tribe,” he added.
Glen received the highest vote total during last month’s general election, surpassing all other candidates by a whopping 150 votes.
Theresa received the second highest vote total. She returns to the Board of Directors after previously missing out on a second term in 2017 by just nine votes. In her time away, she made a significant impact on Indian Country. First, she served as the Democratic National Committee’s Native American Political Director. Then she stepped down from that position to become Director of Policy and Advocacy for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.
After getting voted back on to the Board, and subsequently chosen to serve as Madam Secretary, Theresa shared, “I have to first start by expressing my gratitude and love to my babies. This General Council my son, two nephews and two nieces, plus other first-time voters, voted for me as they all voted for their very first time. Understanding I was chosen as the candidate for them, I will never take this responsibility for granted. I must now live up to their expectations.
“Protecting our right to vote, utilizing our right to vote, making sure we have easy access to voting, and voter protection is what I’ve been passionate about for years,” she continued. “I began voter engagement in 2007 and continued to work diligently for Native Vote at the county level, state level, and national level. Never would I have thought back then that my family’s babies at the time would grow up and cast their first vote for me.
“This is a reminder to all those who doubt the power of our younger generation that they have the capacity to create historical change. I am so grateful to our young people and want them to know I hear them and I see them demanding more from all of us; in demanding their language, in demanding their songs, and in demanding their culture. To everyone who supported me,t’igʷicid! To those who did not support me, I will work hard for you, too, as I want us all to succeed.”
For decades addiction, housing, child welfare, economic development, treaty rights and sovereignty have dominated Tulalip’s political discourse. Glen and Theresa both campaigned with an emphasis on their work ethics, diverse experience, and commitment to the people.
Concluding the induction of Tulalip’s newest leaders, Chairwoman Gobin said, “Both of them have served on Council before. They bring so much valuable leadership and knowledge to our team, and I’m excited to see how much we can get accomplished with as strong a Board as we have now.”
