Category: Top Story

Smoke Signals: Local teens use creativity to combat vaping

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News; photos courtesy of the Tulalip Community Health Department

This past February, the Tulalip Community Health (TCH) department announced a month-long art contest which was open exclusively to Native American students who attend either a middle or high school within the Marysville School District (MSD). Leading up to the contest, Community Health visited each of those Jr. and Sr. high schools and dropped some important knowledge on the tribal students about the dangers of vaping and smoking e-cigarettes. 

After establishing trust with the students, to ensure their anonymity, the department learned some key details about the usage of the electronic nicotine sticks and ‘vape juice’ within the community – the how, where, and why. 

TCH Community Resource Coordinator, Kelly Prayerwarrior, shared, “We created a safe space at the very beginning, and let them know that we are not going to tell people who said what, we just want to get an idea of what’s going on. And they opened up and told us that kids are smoking at school in the bathrooms, on the bus, and that they basically are smoking everywhere.”

Over the past decade, numerous studies and reports were conducted by the likes of the CDC, FDA, the Surgeon General, and the American Lung Association about the relation to teens and vaping. An eye-opening statistic comes from the Truth Initiative about how widespread vaping has become in recent years. You may recognize the organization’s name from anti-vaping ads and commercials that air on both cable and YouTube. Their 2022 National Youth Tobacco Survey revealed that among teens nationwide, 42% admitted to using an e-cigarette within the thirty-day time period of which the study took place, while 46% of high schoolers confessed to vaping frequently.

When asked about the appeal of vaping to the youth of our community, Kelly shared her insight and stated, “I think it’s because they are able to get ahold of it, they have easy access to it, it doesn’t smell. The kids who I talked to said that they are getting it from their family members who vape, and also their friends at school. I think it’s also the flavors and because it’s something new. And they’re seeing their community members and family members doing it, so they think it’s okay because everyone else is doing it.”

She continued, “It is an addiction. I see people walk around the store smoking their vape and many of them don’t know that they are inhaling lots of chemicals into their bodies, a lot of those same chemicals are used in cigarettes. There’s a term called popcorn lung, that’s caused from when the water of the vape gets into the lungs. It also fogs people’s mind, it raises their blood pressure, and it can cause irritability in the people who are addicted to it. When they don’t have it, they get irritable.”

Upon chatting with the students about the harm vaping can cause an individual’s health and wellbeing, TCH announced the Anti-Vape Art Contest. The teens were asked to create a poster to combat the growing trend of vaping on the reservation and within the MSD. The kids were informed that the winner’s artwork would be the visual for a new campaign against vaping and that their work would be shared all throughout Tulalip and Marysville. Fifteen students took on the challenge and were motivated not only by creating a smoke-free environment locally, but also by a number of prizes including a Nintendo Switch bundle and Apple AirPods. 

After much deliberation, due to the all the amazing artwork submitted, TCH announced the winner of the contest. Tribal member, Heaven Jones, brought home the grand prize thanks to her informative design which depicts all the negative effects that vaping has on the human body. Her impressive anatomy artwork pinpoints exactly where the damage of vaping takes place, and around her subject’s wrist are handcuffs. Heaven cleverly uses the technique of steganography to display the word ‘addiction’ as the links in the handcuffs. 

“I’m proud of how the artwork turned out and I’m glad to know that people will learn from my poster,” expressed Heaven. “Hopefully it will help change how they think about vaping and realize what it could do and how it affects their body. I am very grateful. This contest was important to me because I have people in my family who vape, and I’ve seen them try to stop and seen how hard it is. What they have to go through when they aren’t vaping, and how they act, it makes me want them to be able to stop.”

Heaven shared that she also submitted four original pieces to the upcoming Native American Student Art Festival, that is organized by the Tulalip Education Division and the MSD Indian Education Department. 

Lorina, Heaven’s mother, proudly stated, “She is a very talented artist. She really wanted to take part in this contest because of her family members and others in the community who do vape. She worries about everyone who does it.”
Heaven’s artwork will soon be plastered on the walls and hallways of several tribal department buildings in the near future, as well as at the Tulalip Administration Building, the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club, and various places throughout the MSD. 

Said Kelly, “Everyone made really great art and I want them to get credit for participating in the contest. And I really wanted to highlight our winner because she put a lot of effort into her artwork and that’s the piece we are going to be using. It was heartwarming to see how many young leaders stepped up, because each one of them showed leadership by creating their art and making a statement with their work.”

Remembering March For Our Lives: Natives rally against gun violence

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

A grim reality of ‘returning to normal’ post pandemic shutdowns is the return of gun violence and school shootings consistently leading national news. This is especially distressing given we are only in April, yet there’s already been 147 mass shootings and an even more mind boggling 11,763 deaths attributed to gun violence in 2023*. 

The Tulalip/Marysville community is still healing from the Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting that changed the lives of so many forever on October 24, 2014. In the wake of recent media coverage and congressional spotlight being shed on the need for gun reform in this country, following deadly school shootings in a Nashville, Tennessee elementary school on March 27 and on the Michigan State University campus on February 13, we at Tulalip News thought it pertinent to revisit a history making trip to Washington, D.C. by a delegation of tribal members intent on making their voices heard.

The following was originally published in March 2018:

When the Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors passed a motion to support the March for Our Lives event in Washington, D.C., they followed through by sending a delegation of twenty individuals to support the Tribe’s national efforts to stop gun violence, specifically to put an end to mass shootings.

The Tulalip delegation was comprised of those most affected by the Marysville-Pilchuck High School shooting; the families of victims and survivors, along with a support group of community members. With a heartfelt message that could only come from those who have known great loss and tragedy created by gun violence, this normally private and reserved group visited Capitol Hill and advocated for gun-law reform.

When it comes to potentially saving innocent lives, the silence was broken so that the families could speak their truth, giving voice to those who couldn’t be there in person, but were undoubtedly there in spirit.

Mothers of MPHS shooting victims, Lahneen Fryberg, Lavina Phillips and Denise Hatch-Anderson shared their story and experience with gun violence, then advocated for stronger gun legislation first to representative Suzan DelBene, U.S. Congresswoman representing Washington’s 1st District. Then they shared with the office of Rick Larsen, U.S. Representative for Washington’s 2nd congressional district.

Next up was the office of senior U.S. Senator from Washington, Patty Murray. Then they met with legislative aides to Maria Cantwell, junior U.S. Senator from Washington.

“Gun violence is a topic of national concern. Our entire community was devastated in varying ways, whether you were directly or indirectly effected by the Marysville-Pilchuck shooting, it hurt deeply,” said Deborah Parker, who coordinated the day on Capitol Hill. “The families most affected by gun violence were able to speak out against the violence occurring nationwide.

“For many of the families who lost a loved one, the sentiment was consistent – it felt like it happened yesterday. The pain was real and the hurt pervasive. Our families who have suffered the greatest loss of their lives have a powerful voice and should never be silenced. As difficult and painful as it was for our families to bring forward their devastating memories, they did it. They spoke eloquently and candidly to U.S. government representatives about their experience with gun violence while offering policy solutions.”

Keeping their momentum, the Tulalip delegation made their way to the set of The American Indians’ Truths radio show for WPFW-FM hosted by Jay Winter Nightwolf. Again, the families shared their truth. Speaking on her experience was also Keryn Parks, a seventeen-year-old student who was forced to bear witness to the MPHS shooting.

“I was hesitant to even speak and share my story,” expressed an emotional Keryn. “Nothing happened to me physically and I do feel tons of guilt that nothing did. Maybe one of these moms would have their baby still with them if I sat somewhere else. It was a huge weight off my chest to speak and let everyone know how I feel for them. These mommas need all the loving, healing words they can take. 

“As a group, we were so strong and powerful anywhere we went today, and that was felt by everyone who listened to us. It was a day of reopening wounds none of us wanted or even thought we were going to reopen. It was powerful and real. Above all else it was healing.”

The final destination on their Capital Hill visit was to the Embassy of Tribal Nations. Though it was last stop, it may have been the most impactful as the three moms, Lahneen, Lavina and Denise, shared details of their experience they had never shared before. Tears flowed from everyone in the room who sat in absolute awe of what was being said. 

Amongst those who listened was Jackie Pata, Executive Director of the National Congress of American Indians. She stated afterwards, “My life has been forever changed by these Tulalip families. They have exhibited so much courage and strength to come forward and share their story. I will not forget them in the work I do.” 

“Being there, with the families, was powerful and extremely healing,” said Matt Remle, who accompanied the families and supported them with his spiritual leadership. “Privately, over the years, I have shed many tears over what happened, but this was perhaps the first time that I was able to be with others and openly cry. Mostly what I took away from them is their bravery and courage. I don’t know much, but I do know that we simply need more love and compassion for each other, to support and give of ourselves to help others. That’s not politics, that’s living how we were meant to be.”

Being an effective advocate for legislative change, such as laws that can make a significant impact at reducing gun violence and putting an end to mass shootings, requires building strong relationships with our members of Congress and their staff members. It is important to use every opportunity to reach out and maintain these relationships. The Tulalip delegation did an admirable job honoring their loved ones lost to gun violence, while advocating for gun law reform. 

“This Capitol Hill trip was for those families to voice their concerns and find healing in the process,” added Deborah Parker when the day’s itinerary came to an end. “It was a blessing to witness the transformation of everyone who took this journey. The mothers, and their support network, stood together for their truth while seeking justice. None of us would ever want this type of violence to happen to anyone else. It was clear, gun violence must stop.”

*source Gun Violence Archive, April 12, 2023.

Google embraces brighter future through young bot builders

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Presented by tech giant Google, a first-of-its-kind robotics camp took place over the weekend of April 1st at the Tulalip Youth Center. Nearly 100 eager youth participated in the free, two-day event that kicked off their Spring Break with a unique hands-on opportunity to dive into the robotics realm.

Designed for all students between 5th – 12th grade, regardless of previous robotics experience, the camp coordinators strived to build bridges of imagination between the Rez-bound Native participants and possible future careers in the computer science and engineering fields. Of course, that was simply a side to the main course of the kids designing and building an actual robot. 

“I’m so thrilled to see all these kids show up because it proves to Google just how much our children need this type of STEM engagement,” explained Google test engineer Suzanne DePoe (confederated tribes of Siletz). “Our kids are so bright and aren’t given enough recognition for the knowledge that they have. I tell people all the time that when it comes to our Native American kids all you have to do is capture their imagination. Because once you do, they’ll dazzle you with what they’re capable of creating.

“That’s why it’s so important for us to get our kids outside of their comfort zones,” she added. “Only then can they experience new things, gain new perspectives and see things they’ve never seen before so that they can then dream of bigger and bolder future for both themselves and their Tribes.”

Suzanne is a member of Google’s Aboriginal and Indigenous Network that is dedicated to product inclusion, social responsibility initiatives, and internal efforts related to hiring and retention. She was instrumental in coordinating the robotics camp, along with Tulalip education director Jessica Bustad and youth enrichment supervisor Sarah Murphy. 

An opportunity to build robots and use them in a series of driving and programming skills challenges is what motivated the kids to be ready to go by 9:00 am on a Saturday and Sunday. Everything they engaged in was more than simply robotics, it was learning the basic essentials of computer science, which is all about promoting creativity and innovation.

“I was really excited for this robotics camp because I’ve really developed an interest for building stuff, meeting new people, and bonding with others who have common interests,” said 16-year-old youth council member Faith Valencia. “I had never built anything close to this before nor anything remote-controlled, so this was an all-new experience that challenged me in the best kind of way. It was very difficult at first, especially the programming and coding, but with the help of my team we figured it out. Even if not everyone wants to be an engineer or work in computer sciences, being able to work with and troubleshoot new technologies is a basic life skill worth developing.” 

Computer science allows students to use their imaginations and develop new ideas and solutions. They can then use this knowledge in the future to one day create their own apps, design websites that build upon their tribal infrastructure, or develop new software programs or functional hardware to take their own business to the next level one day.

Teaching computer science to our already tech-savvy youngsters also helps to promote diversity and inclusivity in the ever-growing technology industry. The tech industry has historically been dominated by white men, but by teaching computer science to a diverse group of students like Tulalip’s youth, tech companies like Google partnering with tribal education departments can help break down barriers to access and opportunity.

Promoting diversity in the computer science fields, which was witnessed at length at the two-day camp that resulted in Tulalip boys and girls lighting up with pure excitement and joy through various stages of robot building, is necessary to ensure future technologies are inclusive and accessible to everyone.

There are still many communities and families who lack access to technology and computer science education. By providing students with the opportunity to learn computer science, sovereign tribal nations can help to level the playing field and provide its people with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. The importance of this sentiment was expressed by mother Dawn DePoe-Ike who journeyed all the way from Yakama in order for her twin sons, Nolan and Nathan, to participate in the bot building extravaganza.

“It’s important for my sons to be exposed to everything the science technology era has to offer, especially hands-on learning activities, so they can know these things exist as an option for their future,” shared Dawn. She is a teacher at Yakama tribal school and prioritizes her children understanding the larger context of thriving in the modern world.

Dawn continued, “When I look out at this camp and see my two boys along with all the other Native children building, programming, and working together, I can’t help but think of everything our ancestors went through. From surviving the Sand Creek Massacre to surviving the Carlisle Indian Industrial School then the Chemawa Boarding School, plus all the things drugs and alcohol brought, it’s just awe-inspiring to see that our young ones aren’t just surviving, instead they are beginning to thrive.”

Celebrating Tulalip Vietnam Veterans

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

In 2017, the 45th President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, enacted a law that designated March 29th as the official National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Over nine million Americans served in the military during the Vietnam War era which expanded over the course of two decades from the 1950s to the 1970s. 

A reported 58,200 American lives were lost during the Vietnam conflict and the total number of causalities of war, including civilians, tallied well over one million on both sides.

According to the American Legion organization, the significance behind the date refers back to the historic day of March 29, 1973, when three major events took place; the day that the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished, the day that U.S. combat troops departed from Vietnam, and also the day that ‘Operation Homecoming’ was completed and close to 600 POW were released and brought home.

Throughout America’s history, Native Americans have served at a higher rate than any other demographic in the country, five times the national average to be exact. As the original caretakers of the Nation, defending this land may have a more significant meaning to tribal members across the country. It may be the reason why there are 31,000 active Native American men and women serving today, and why there are over 140,000 living veterans who are Indigenous, according to the Department of Defense.

At Tulalip, Tribal Veterans are held in high regard and thousands of sduhubš women and men served in all branches of the military, and a large percentage of those tribal members have seen combat action dating as far back as the first World War. 

Every Memorial Day and Veterans Day, Tulalip pays tribute to all the brave men and women who laid their life on the line defending this nation’s freedom. And as this new holiday gains more recognition throughout the country, Tulalip will be there to commemorate and thank those Tribal Veterans, and those lives lost in combat, during the Vietnam War era. 

Each year, Tulalip Vietnam Veteran and BOD member, Mel Sheldon takes on the Master of Ceremony duties during the Memorial Day services at both the Priest Point and Mission Beach cemeteries. 

During the 2021 Memorial Day services, Mel reflected on his time as a helicopter pilot during the Vietnam War, and stated, “When we went to Vietnam, there are guys I remember who became pilots [with me]. Because of Operation Lam Son 719, twelve of them did not get to come home. During my unit in Charlie Troop, I had two crew chiefs that did not get to come home. Two Cobra Pilots, their aircraft flew into the ground – we still don’t know why. I talked to them that morning, by noon they were gone. It is this day that I remember them in a good way, to remind us how fortunate we are. To remember too, how many Native Americans stepped up to the plate, especially at home here in Tulalip. We are very proud of our veterans who served.” 

To honor those local veterans who served during the Vietnam War era, the Tulalip Veterans Department provided a list of all the tribal members who enlisted in the military during the years of 1955-1975, whether they were deployed to Vietnam or stationed at a home base.

Thank you to all the Tulalip Vietnam War era Veterans for your service and defending your homelands.

Vietnam War Era Veterans

  • James, Andrew
  • Bill, Inez Madeline
  • Brown, Howard Warren
  • Sheldon, Karen Gail
  • Gobin, Michael James
  • Taylor, Calvin Lee
  • Williams, Linda Hunter
  • Brown, Lawrence Francis
  • Gobin, Bradley Joseph
  • Bradley Sr., Daniel Roy
  • Sweeney, Antonio Thomas
  • Alexander Jr., Maurice Clarence
  • Hatch III, Cyrus
  • Muir Jr., Richard James
  • Bradley, Jay Michael
  • Bradley, Ray Timothy
  • Madison, Richard Lee
  • Jones Sr., Steven Kenneth
  • Madison, Guy Michael
  • Gobin Sr., Steve Bernard
  • Lupe, Lorenzo D.
  • Sheldon Jr., Melvin Robert
  • Holding, Gary Gene
  • Jones, Joseph C.
  • Fryberg Sr., Raymond Lee
  • Moses, Daniel Kay
  • Zackuse Sr., Daniel Gene
  • Taylor, Harold Francis Wolfer
  • Davis, Marvin Richard
  • Williams Jr., William Michael
  • Contraro, Arthur Allan
  • Campbell, John Thunderbird
  • Dunn Sr., Michael Allen
  • Warbus, Steven Francis
  • Campbell, Walter Lee
  • McCoy, John Richard
  • Charles Jr., Wesley James
  • Moses, Albert A.
  • Ledford, Richard Dean

Women Warriors

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Tulalip women are strong, assertive, confident, knowledgeable, caring, resilient, proud, hilarious, and inspiring. They played a key role in shaping Tulalip into the thriving community that it is today by keeping the culture alive and growing both the governmental and gaming entities of the Tribe. Their contributions locally and nationally have assisted innumerable families and people throughout the years. And their kind and understanding hearts have helped many individuals overcome adversity and find their purpose in their respective tribal communities. 

There are countless examples of current women leaders at Tulalip. Whether it’s Teri Gobin, Misty Napeahi, Debra Posey, or Pat Contraro on the Tribes Board of Directors, Jessica Bustad at the Education Division, Sheryl Fryberg at the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy, Michele Balagot at the Lushootseed Language department, Jade Carela at the Legacy of Healing and Child Advocacy Center, Mytyl Hernandez at the Hibulb Cultural Center, Niki Cleary at Media & Marketing, Candy Hill at Funeral Services, Natasha Fryberg at beda?chelh, Marci Fryberg at TGO, or Tammy Taylor at Bingo, the women of Tulalip are at the helm and are steering the future of Tulalip to a brighter tomorrow. 

And that’s not to mention the countless women leaders who came before them, or the women who work within all the different departments of the Tribe, or the women who are active in the community – all of whom are making a huge impact in a good way for the well-being of Tulalip. What is even more astounding is the fact that with all the leaders listed above, there are even more women who aren’t mentioned that are doing important work for their people and community. And it goes without saying, because it is the Tulalip way, that each of these women are passing down their teachings and knowledge to the younger generations of Tulalip women, so they too can be strong leaders in the years to come. 

When holidays such as Mother’s Day, International Women’s Day, and Women’s History Month are celebrated, it’s much more special to Indigenous communities who rely on the wisdom, love, and perspective of their matriarchs with every day that passes. And it is also the reason why the pain is much more severe when these amazing women make their journey to the afterlife or when they are pronounced missing from their homelands and communities. 

The work that Tulalip women are putting in hasn’t gone unnoticed. In fact, it is inspiring young ladies throughout the reservation. On the morning of March 10, the students of Quil Ceda Elementary (QCT) held a gathering to pay homage to the ‘Women Warriors’ of Tulalip. The powerful and moving ceremony was organized by QCT’s own Ms. Palacio, and she received a helping hand from a number of students dressed in colorful ribbon skirts, who are officially known at QCT as the Salish Sisters. Heartfelt words were spoken, and tears were shed during the morning assembly as the students and faculty of the school thanked all of Tulalip’s Women Warriors for setting a positive example for the future leaders of the Tribe. 

To open the special tribute, a number of Tulalip students offered a few of the Tribe’s traditional songs, including the Women Warrior song. Guests of honor at the celebration included Deborah Parker and the women of the Aunties in Action collective for their outstanding work in uplifting the community of Tulalip, especially for the young Native women who are sure to follow their footsteps in leadership in the not-so-distant future.

Deborah Parker and the Aunties in Action shared important messages with the students.

Deborah Parker, (Indigenous Activist and Chief Executive Officer of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition)

“I thank the creator that I’m here with you, my children, and my community. With every breath that I have, I want to make sure that you know that you are loved. I want you to know that there are teachers surrounding you and parents who want to make sure you have a good education. But most of all that you feel loved, that you know how special you are, and that you know how much we care for each and every one of you. Thank you to our lady warriors who sang the Women Warrior song – that song is so special and important to us. This is the best advice I was given and I’m going to share it with you today, and that is to follow your spirit. Follow what you believe in your heart. And most importantly, treat each other with love and respect.”

Natosha Gobin (Aunties in Action)

“We want you guys to know that all of the work we do in the community, we do it because we want our community to be a better place. We want our families to be healthy, we want our children to be happy and healthy. Everything we do, we do it with each one of you in mind. We’re thinking about your families, thinking about some of the things you might need. And I just want you to know that we love you all.”

Zenitha Jimicum (Aunties in Action)

“Our Aunties in Action organization started because my cousin Tosha sent out a text during the pandemic that there was food to be donated and food to be distributed. Many of the adults remember that we had people who were laid off and were losing their jobs at this time, and parents were struggling on a daily basis. She gathered us together for our community. And that’s what I want to encourage you to do. As children you can still be leaders, you don’t have to wait to be adults. You can gather together and set goals today. I want to encourage you to build your leadership skills when you’re young and get more people to help, so we can continue to serve our people and so our community can stay strong.”

Monie Ordonia (Aunties in Action) 

“We started from a place where we wanted to be of service to our people. We wanted to help our people feel better. When we distributed the food during the pandemic, I made sure I shared a smile and greeted everyone with love and respect. You can make others feel good any time by helping someone else. When we do that, we can help those people who are feeling sad or depressed, and we can create a space for them to know that they’re supported.”

Malory Simpson (Aunties in Action) 

“I wanted to do my part to help bring our community together. A few years ago, we started the organization Together We’re Better because if we work together, we can do so many good things. When Aunties in Action was formed, it was so much fun. Through this work, we get to join together, spend time together. When we’re sad, we can reach out and talk to each other. It’s important to build those bonds with each other. Together, we can help build a better community. And for you kids, we love to see you come and join us in our activities. April 2nd we’re going to be doing an Easter Bunny run on the reservation, we’re going to be walking around the reservation with the Easter Bunny – we might have easter eggs, we might have candy. Today, I saw a little girl in her cedar belt – just beautiful. All you girls singing that song with us is just beautiful. Your culture is always going to be here for you, and we’re always going to be here to support you, and guide you, and teach you.”

Before they presented gifts to the guests of honor and headed back to their classrooms, the QCT students dedicated this special poem to all the Indigenous Women throughout history – past, present, and future :

Women Warriors

They are aunties, mothers, sisters, daughters, and wives. But above all, these women are warriors. We honor our ancestors with leadership in women that have made it crucial to the importance of our roles in our  communities today. All across time, since we can remember, women have always reminded us of the importance of working together and caring for our children, as if they were their own. We care for the whole child today because it takes a village to take care of a child. We celebrate the women warriors who taught us this. Indigenous women who are now leaders of tomorrow. Through resiliency work they have changed the narrative and are impactful leaders.

RaeQuan leads Montana State to Big Sky championship, named tournament MVP

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News; Photos courtesy Montana State Athletics

Flashback to the 2021-2022 basketball season. In his first year at Montana State University, after transferring from the University of Washington, Tulalip’s own RaeQuan Battle played the role of 6th Man. He was the first bench player into the game most nights. As a transfer, he was required to be patient while adjusting to his new role in a new system, implemented by his new coach on new team.

Biding his time watching and learning, RaeQuan continued to develop his overall game. Yet, at all times, he stayed ready with that thang on him. That thang being his ability to fire away from deep. Something that the entire collegiate sports landscape witnessed on March 5, 2022 when he hit a game-winning 3-pointer from deep that made Logo Lillard proud. His first game-winning bucket as a Montana State Bobcat ended up as ESPN’s top play of the day. 

That singular play reminded all doubters, critics, and casuals of the singular talent RaeQuan possesses. It also propelled him to even higher standards befitting a number one option in his second year at MSU.

It’s almost an understatement to say the 6’5”, 190-pound shooting guard thrived during the 2022-2023 regular season. His game soared to new levels as he led his Bobcats squad in total minutes played, field goals made, and 3-pointers made. Playing a team high 29.6 minutes per game as a starter, Rae showcased his silky-smooth jumper while scoring a team high 17.4 points per game. By the numbers, his defense improved as well, while ranking third on his team in both steals per game and blocks per game.

Montana State finished the regular season with an impressive 14-2 clip over there final sixteen games. Included in that run was RaeQuan scoring a college career high 32 points on January 18 against Sacramento State. The Bobcats finished the regular season with a (22-9) record, good for the #2 seed in the Big Sky tournament. 

In their opening game of the Big Sky tourney, Montana State secured an 84-73 win versus Northern Colorado. Then two days later, on March 7 versus Weber State, RaeQuan again made ESPN’s highlight reel with a dazzling display of athleticism and play call execution.

In double-overtime and only 13.4 seconds remaining, Montana State’s coach Danny Sprinkle drew up a play designed to get RaeQuan open along the baseline. The play worked to perfection as Weber State did indeed leave RaeQuan open, so open that he was able to slam home an emphatic dunk in front of a raucous fan base. Another W for MSU. Another game-winner for RaeQuan.

“I have about 7,000 text messages congratulating me on a great play call,” shared Coach Sprinkle after the thrilling double-overtime game that ended with a game-winning alley-oop from Darius Brown to RaeQuan. “But it wasn’t me. It was Rae. He called it.”

The Big Sky championship game pitted Montana State vs. Northern Arizona on March 8 and was televised on ESPN2 for the convenience of Tulalip households who tuned in to cheer on their beloved RezQuan. The Tulalip hooper who learned his love of the game at the local Boys & Girls Club put on an offensive showcase for the current crop of young Tulalips who dream of playing college basketball. He led all scorers with 25 points and, more importantly, led his Bobcats to an 85-78 win. 

For the second consecutive season, Montana State men’s basketball claimed the title of Big Sky conference champions. Their lead scoring guard, who went from 6th man last season to offensive focal point this season, was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. 

During the post-game press conference, RaeQuan was asked what’s the best part of winning Big Sky MVP? Without hesitation he responded, “That I won it with my team. I didn’t achieve this by myself. It took the entire team to get us [in this position] and I’m just happy I was able to win a championship ring with my best friend Jubrile and one of my favorite coaches all time, Coach Sprinkle.”

Just days ago, Montana State with their (25-9) record and Big Sky championship, was designated the #14 seed in the East Region during the NCAA Tournament selection show. The Bobcats will face #3 seed Kansas State (23-9) on Friday at 6:40pm.in the opening round held in Greensboro, North Carolina. As part of March Madness, the game will be nationally televised on CBS. 

Next generation gaming computers open new world of opportunity

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Since the arrival of high-speed internet and smart phones with more computing power than 1970’s NASA super computers, there has been a growing tech divide among communities who have access to these digital goodies and those who don’t. This divide is most obvious among our youth. There are those who have access to the latest, greatest technology at their fingertips and those who don’t. This divide significantly impacts future learning opportunities and earning potential.

Fortunately, the reservation-centered Boys & Girls Club is staffed by homegrown tribal citizens who are working diligently to close this tech divide for the hundreds of Club kids who attend weekly. Since the Club expansion in 2019, which included a 4000-square-foot multimedia teen center, the evolution of technology accessible to members has grown tremendously. There are six Xbox gaming stations complete with 4k TVs, a dedicated high-speed internet server, and a sound system that rivals most music studios.

Now, the Club is excited to announce the arrival of its latest teen center tech: Legion tower 7i gaming desktops. These next generation gaming computers come preloaded with powerful processors, GeForce RTX graphics cards and future-proof, expansion-ready motherboards. With an approximate retail value of $3,000 per tower, each of the Club’s eight computer stations is designed to deliver the ultimate performance for teenage gamers and digital creators.

“The big picture goal for my staff and I is to provide our Club kids with opportunities they may not have access to at home on a daily basis, like high-speed internet and other upgraded technology they need to tap into digital communities,” explained Club director Shawn Sanchey. “Today, there are so many opportunities for youth to better their future through these technologies. There are college scholarships for e-gaming, professional sports based on digital mediums, and even podcasters and social media influencers making a real good living through sponsorships, endorsements and reviews of new technologies.” 

Since the infusion of digital tech and competitive gaming, the world of e-sports has exploded in popularity. While traditional sports like football and basketball have long been the mainstay of Tulalip athletics, e-sports are quickly emerging as a viable alternative for young people looking for an engaging and competitive activity.

As video games have become more sophisticated and accessible, they have gained a massive following. With the development of online multiplayer games, players from all over the world can compete against each other in real-time, creating a sense of community and competition that has never been seen before.

“It was so important for me to be able to help design the computer stations for the kids because there’s so much interest in e-gaming. So much of today’s world is technology and for us to offer these state of the art towers is huge. I wish these were available when I was a Club kid, that’s for sure,” said teen director Anthony McLean. “There are full-ride scholarships and a ton of careers offered now just for playing video games. At the end of the day, its our responsibility to build up the passions and interests of our kids, and for a lot of them today that’s e-sports.” 

For many young people, e-sports offer a unique opportunity to pursue their passion for gaming while also participating in a competitive and team-based activity. Rather than simply playing games for fun, they can use their skills and knowledge to compete against other players and strive for victory. This can be an incredibly rewarding experience, as it allows them to develop a sense of mastery and achievement that is difficult to find in other activities.

One of the key factors driving the rise of e-sports among youth is the availability of online resources and communities. There are a plethora of online forums, guides, and videos that offer guidance and advice for aspiring players. Additionally, there are many organizations and communities dedicated to promoting e-sports, which offer opportunities for young people to compete in tournaments, join teams, and connect with other players.

“We’ve been hosting a lot of tournaments and the kids have responded really well to them. I’ve seen the tournaments be a social outlet for some of them, like you’ll see the quiet kids get real engaged and talkative with other kids once they are playing. It’s pretty cool to see the joy and smiles they have because whether they know it or not, this is what community building is all about,” said teen director assistant Magdaleno Vela.

The rise of e-sports can simply be attributed to the changing nature of youth culture as young people have become increasingly connected and engaged with technology. Just as previous generations did and future generations ones will, youth gravitate towards activities that reflect their interests and values. E-sports offer a sense of community and camaraderie that is difficult to find in other activities. In this spirit, Tulalip’s Boys & Girls Club’s next gen computer stations are continuing the long-held tradition of allowing our young people to express themselves and develop their identities in their own unique way.

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Club staff bios

Full name and age: Anthony McLean, I am 26 years of age.

Job title and years of service: Teen Director. Going on 2nd year of service. 

Describe your cultural background or heritage: I am a Tulalip tribal member.

What interested you in working at the club? Creating opportunities for all youth, and giving back to my community. It’s important for me to be a positive role model to all the youth.

What is your favorite program currently offered to the kids? My favorite program is either teen night, or the power hour we offer kids. When they first get here they get an hour to catch up on homework or read a book whatever they would like to do.

What program would you like to see made available to the kids and community? The creation of an E-sports team. Here at the Club we have everything they need to be successful within the gaming world. I think starting an E-sports team would benefit every youth that walks through the doors.

Full name and age: My name is Magdaleno Vela. I am 20 years old.

Job title and years of service: I am a Teen Director Assistant and have been working here at the Boys & Girls Club for three and a half years.

Describe your cultural background or heritage: I am Mexican/Native American.

What interested you in working at the club? I came to the club as a kid and wanted to give back to the community.

What is your favorite program currently offered to the kids? My favorite program right now is our teen program. We have a lot of good things going on. We just got brand new PC’s and Xbox’s and we’re having teen nights every other weekend for the teens.

What program would you like to see made available to the kids and community? I would like to see a boxing program. It would be really good for some kids because it could help them learn self-defense and can be an opportunity to go professional one day.

Tulalip prepares for a cultural summer

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Nothing quite says summertime for Pacific Northwest tribes more than cedar dugout canoes on the Salish Sea and the return of the king salmon. For as far back as many can recall, the sduhubš people have engaged in cultural activities to celebrate their way of life, immersing into the natural world during the season of sunshine and adventure. 

Notably, a time for harvesting traditional foods, plants, and medicine such as huckleberries, cedar, salmon, and shellfish, summer is filled with an abundance of teachings that are important to the tribal nation of Tulalip. The act of exercising their inherent treaty rights and gathering these items is a significant aspect of their culture. And it is frequently celebrated on the reservation during the summer at a number of events including the yearly clambake known as Spee-Bi-Dah and of course, the Salmon Ceremony.

Revived nearly 50 years ago, Salmon Ceremony pays homage to the king salmon for providing nourishment for the tribal community. The ceremony also provides an opportunity for the Tribe to bless the local fisherman who are ready to begin a new season out on the water. During this cultural experience, the people don their beautiful regalia of shawls, vests, ribbon skirts, cedar headbands, and beaded jewelry, and they share traditional songs and stories all in tribute to the king salmon. 

Canoe Journey is another major cultural event that takes place in the late summer months, and it is a beloved gathering celebrated by numerous coastal tribes and first nation bands. For over three decades, tribal families have navigated the local waterways, traveling to handful of reservations before reaching the hosting tribe’s village. The final destination changes annually, as the tribes take turns hosting the event. This year’s paddle ends at Muckleshoot, where a weeklong protocol will ensue, and each tribe and band will offer their traditional family songs and dances to commemorate another successful Canoe Journey.

Equally as important as the teachings that take place at these summertime events is the preparation for those gatherings. In anticipation of this year’s Salmon Ceremony and the 2023 Canoe Journey, Tulalip tribal members of all ages joined together for the Tribe’s first Cultural Night of the year on the evening of March 7. Numerous families attended Cultural Night where they received a shawl kit and bundles of cedar to craft their own regalia. 

During Cultural Night, Tribal member, Melissa Gobin was on hand to assist the people with their projects. She stated, “We’re trying to get more people involved in Salmon Ceremony and Canoe Journey and ensure that they have regalia to dance. We’re also trying to get more elders to volunteer to talk to the little ones, and help the people understand the importance of why we come together in this way as a community. It really makes me happy to see everybody working on their projects. And, you know when you make your own regalia, it makes you that much more proud when you’re wearing it.”

She continued, “Tonight, we’re doing shawls, headbands, and cedar belts. So, we’re trying to incorporate as much of our traditional teachings as we can for the regalia. We’re also going to be doing some ribbon skirts in the future, and vests for the men.”

Occupying all three classrooms of the Hibulb Cultural Center, there were close to seventy-five people in attendance. In fact, there were so many participants at the gathering that the Tribe is considering bigger venues to host the remaining eighteen Cultural Nights this year. It was beautiful to see Tulalip’s ancestral teachings passed down to the younger generations in real-time. Many families attended the event together and were happy to share time and conversation while working on their traditional attire. 

“I have a daughter who was born in 2020, so I really want her to be able to access community in a way we haven’t since she was born,” shared Shayleigh Tucker. “I am making my shawl and we’re waiting for the baby sized shawls, so we can make one for my daughter as well. My sister is working on her shawl, and she’s going to grab some cedar and start cedar belts.”

Everywhere you looked, it was bright smiles and plenty of laughter as the community caught up with each other during the two-hour event. Tulalip pride was on full display as many of the participants shared their excitement to wear their handmade regalia at both the Salmon Ceremony and also along the Canoe Journey’s Paddle to Muckleshoot. Newcomers quickly picked up on the techniques of weaving and sewing, and are already eager to learn more and take on new projects. 

Said Melissa, “Seeing my nieces, my friends and new faces, and seeing a dad who brought his daughter out to make a shawl, makes me so happy. I think that in this new generation, some of them don’t even know what a shawl is, and so we’re bringing the teachings to them. And we’re telling them that we are going to teach you these things so that you know what to do when we’re having our ceremonies and what it means to be Tulalip.”

Cultural Nights are planned for every Tuesday, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., leading up to the Canoe Journey this July. The Cultural Night gatherings are also exclusive to Tulalip tribal members. And make sure to keep an eye out for a location change as more people confirmed on Facebook that they will be attending Cultural Nights in the upcoming weeks.

While working on a cedar belt, which she plans to gift upon completion, Tulalip Youth Council Vice-Chair, Faith Valencia, expressed, “It’s important to keep the culture alive so we can pass it on to future generations to keep it going,” 

For additional information about Cultural Nights, please contact Malory Simpson at (360) 716-4399.

Pallet shelter offers ‘a new beginning’ for Tulalip homeless

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Back in 2018, Tulalip leadership issued a declaration of emergency regarding the opioid epidemic. Under this declaration all tribal agencies and departments were able to make the opioid epidemic a priority and, when given opportunity, collaborate to develop solutions.

It took ample time and much well thought-out, strategic planning to get here, and now Tulalip has debuted several all new services including the Village of Hope, transitional units, the Recovery Resource Center, and a medical assisted treatment clinic. On Monday, February 6, in an excitement-filled grand opening of a much-needed service for Tulalip’s growing homeless population, the Tribe formally opened a pallet shelter. 

“This means the difference between life and death for some of our people,” said Chairwoman Teri Gobin. “Bringing twenty new units here to take care of our people, and also offer additional services from so many amazing staff who are dedicated to healing our community. We have debuted so many resources within the last year to help our people who suffer from addiction and homelessness. We hope these pallet shelters offer a new beginning step for those who need it most as we continue to work towards supporting each and every one of our members in their pursuit of a healthy lifestyle.”

There’s a strong correlation between homelessness and drug use. In fact, it’s estimated that about two-thirds of the perpetual homeless have a primary substance use disorder or other chronic health condition, according to the Office of National Drug Control Policy. 

While average rent costs in the greater Tulalip/Marsyville area continue to rise, plus the simple fact that homes on the reservation are extremely difficult to come by, it becomes a pressing social issue to offer some kind of housing solution, however temporary, in order to minimize the risk of tribal members giving into drugs as a means to escape a seemingly perilous homeless situation. 

Since Tulalip’s 2018 declaration, the opioid crisis has only gotten worse. The number of fentanyl-based overdoses and deaths in our community continues to go up, making it imperative that Tulalip makes strides to help our people find their good way.

“It’s imperative we find culturally-relevant solutions and quickly because we’re losing so many of our people, especially our young ones, to fentanyl,” said Chairwoman Gobin. “It’s heartbreaking to think of how many homeless we have sleeping outside in freezing conditions. This pallet shelter provides an alternative solution to be warm, indoors with electricity and, even more than that, a sense of community knowing we haven’t given up on our people.

“For those that are homeless and suffering from addiction, the pallet shelter will also offer services like entry into a detox program and admission to the MAT clinic in order to get them on the road to recovery.”

The pallet shelter is the result of a newly development partnership with local, Everett-based company Pallet. Their steadfast team built all the individual units on-site in Tulalip in just two days, with their deployment just so happening to occur during the latest snow storm. 

Pallet shelters provide the dignity of private space in a healing community environment. They are a proven community solution, built fast and at scale.

“This is a special moment for us as it marks our 100th village build,” shared Amy King, CEA and founder of Pallet. “My husband and I started this company seven years ago in a local shop as a way to provide jobs for people exiting homelessness, addiction recovery programs, and the state’s justice program. Today, we are in 76 cities and 21 states across the country. This build is especially meaningful because its so powerful, helpful and exciting to be part of building [potential lifelines] in our local community.

“This location holds special meaning for some Pallet employees who previously experienced homelessness in the area and are now finding purpose in building transitional housing to help others in the community,” she added.

As stated previously, the pallet community is made-up of twenty 64-square-foot shelters. Each designed and built with the right balance of efficiency and comfort, including climate-control options. 

 Over the years, Tulalip News has covered extensively the rise of tiny homes and openings of tiny home villages as an impactful means of minimizing homelessness. With special shutout to the on-reservation TERO Vocational Training Center that has churned out wood-based tiny homes for villages in Olympia, Seattle and Tulalip. That being said, these units created by Pallet are next level. 

Durable – Pallet shelters are made to last with a 10+ material year lifespan. They’re resistant to mold, rot, and pests, and can be easily cleaned as one resident moves out and another moves in.

Comfortable – Insulated walls, heat, and air conditioning provide personal climate control, and electricity powers the interior lights and outlets for personal device charging. Spacious with 9-foot vaulted ceilings.

Rapid – Made of prefabricated panels that are flat-packed for shipping at scale, each cabin can be assembled in under an hour with minimal tools. Shelters can be disassembled for flat storage or reuse.

Cost-effective – Pallet offers a cost-effective price point because they use fiberglass reinforced plastic with a foam insulating core for the panels and shelves. Plus, they use aluminum framing.

Safe – Each shelter comes with a smoke detector, carbon monoxide monitor, egress door, and fire extinguisher. Shelter villages are independently inspected by local fire inspectors to ensure adherence to local fire safety code requirements.

The pallet shelter’s grand opening marks Tulalip’s latest endeavor as part of a multi-department, tribally coordinated opioid crisis response. This response aims to address service gaps including the need for increased community outreach, education and engagement in order to expand present prevention and intervention efforts. 

 “This is a real special day for us in Tulalip,” affirmed CAO Rochelle Lubbers. “I especially want to thank our Board of Directors for guiding us in this direction and creating that vision for us that no Tulalip tribal member will ever be left behind. Every single tribal member matters and we will be here to support our people no matter where they are on their journey. Today, the pallet shelter is an important step towards making that vision a reality because it provides low-barrier access to critical services, which is a huge stepping stone to long-term recovery.

“Our goal is to truly help and provide necessary assistance to those folks in the Tulalip Tribes who are homeless and experiencing addiction,” continued Rochelle. “These pallets represent not just long-term recovery to residents, but to our whole community. The people who will be residing here are our brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, mothers and fathers. We believe that the pallet shelter offers us a chance to heal people, and for every person healed we heal an entire family.”

The easiest way to gain access to a pallet shelter unit located off the intersection of Marine Drive and 19th Avenue is to stop by its main office, the green house out front, during business days and ask for an application. Another way is to stop by the new Recovery Resource Center and speak to staff who also oversee the pallets that can provide more information. 

Quil Ceda Creek Counseling opens its doors

By Shaelyn Smead

On February 3rd, Quil Ceda Creek Counseling (QCCC) held its ribbon-cutting ceremony, welcoming everyone to tour the facility and view all the resources available to patients seeking recovery from opioid addiction. 

At the opening, Tulalip Vice Chair Misty Napeahi said, “This project has taken about five years to complete. I want to thank former board members Les Parks and Jared Parks for bringing this to the table when the tribe was against methadone. With greater understanding and more learning about harm reduction, we are here today and get to save lives… Many of our tribal members and young people are falling into addiction, and because of this [QCCC], they have a way to get their life back. Our family, community and tribal members are suffering, and their lives matter.”

Tulalip tribal member and QCCC Clinic Administrator Tanya Burns said, “This will be a drop in the bucket, but it is also necessary for this community and others. It takes a village, and we are blessed to have such wonderful staff members who are passionate and committed to helping save lives.”

The QCCC is set to serve 150 patients at any given moment and provides various services, including substance use disorder (SUD) consultations, SUD assessments, individual SUD appointments, individual treatment planning, SUD outpatient groups, medical and mental health assessments, and referrals to other community resources. The program’s three phases are induction, stabilization, and maintenance, a system designed to mitigate a patient’s chemical dependency and help them regain control of their life. While using these resources, patients must maintain confidentiality, follow their treatment plan’s urinalysis and breathalyzer guidelines, and obey the treatment team contract. 

The purpose of group treatment and mental health assessments is to help pinpoint any possible traumas that may have influenced their life and snowballed into their addiction. Group treatment also provides information to patients new in recovery, allowing them to build a community within the program and facilitate personal growth. 

In a media release Tanya stated “A lot of the folks that will come in here will have co-occurring disorders. They may have a substance use disorder which can be fairly obvious on the outside. However, they may also have a mental health disorder or something else. We want to treat the whole person.”

QCCC did receive their DEA approval and will also provide medication for SUD, such as methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol starting February 27th, 2023. However, clinic staff advises that any prospective patients begin their intake sooner rather than later to avoid pushing out their treatment plan. SUD professional Elissa Jules stated that intake can take around three weeks to process and approve a patient. She added that patients can still use the other program resources and courtesy dose while they wait for their medications through QCCC.

While receiving services or dosing, patients can leave their children in the playroom area, where they will be taken care of until the patient is finished. The facility does contain robust security and procedures ensuring the safety of its clients, children, and staff.

Even though addiction treatments like methadone, Suboxone, and Vivitrol have remained quite a controversial topic amongst many, staff on the ground argue that this is the most effective path for recovering patients. Elissa said, “When I first started, I wasn’t big on [patients using] methadone either. I know there is a stigma towards it, and people believe that methadone is replacing heroin or fentanyl, but that couldn’t be more false. Methadone doesn’t get you high, it blocks patients from the euphoric effects of opioid use. It is a harm reduction program, and we administer these medications and techniques to debilitate opioid use. I’ve seen it be successful for many people.”

The opioid epidemic has affected many communities and families across America. In our area alone, according to Snohomish County, in 2022, over 345 Snohomish County residents overdosed. And drug-related overdoses remain the leading cause of death within Tulalip Tribes. With many health professionals and community leaders working together to fight this epidemic, medications like methadone and Suboxone have made strides in these efforts. 

Elissa previously worked at Lummi and the didgwalic Wellness Center of Swinomish before coming to Tulalip. She has seen the effects of opioid addiction within Native communities firsthand. “I’ve seen opioid addiction spread heavily across tribes. Overdoses have increased tremendously in the last ten years of working in this field. We’re losing a lot of our Native people, and every time someone is an addict, they lose their connection to their culture, whether in the church or the longhouse. The more addicts and deaths we have in our community, the harder it is the hold on to our culture. Sometimes I see patients as young as 12 years old using methamphetamines or have tried opioids, and it’s scary.” 

The QCCC is an excellent resource for addicts ready to take that next step. It is open to tribal and non-tribal members, and referrals are not required. Operating hours for the facility will be M-F 6:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Saturday 6:00 a.m. -10:00 a.m., and closed on Sundays. It solely serves on a first-come-first-serve basis to avoid long waiting periods and adhere to the needs of patients more quickly. However, tribal members and pregnant women do take priority. For more information about the services, please call 360-716-2200 or drop in at 6330 31st Ave NE, Suite 101, Tulalip, WA 98271.