Category: Tulalip News

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

January 9 marked a historic event and a win for tribal sovereignty. The Tulalip Board of Directors were joined by members of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the Tribe’s data sovereignty service committee who worked together over the past two years to outline, define, and build upon an agreement in regard to tribal data in the state’s healthcare system. 

This data sharing agreement allows Tulalip the ability to oversee the collection of data of its membership and determine how it is utilized to better inform the community in instances such as the spread of diseases, viruses, or any public health related issues occurring both on the reservation or throughout the region. It also provides an opportunity for the Tribe to address ongoing medical conditions within the community. And through the agreement, the Tribe will be notified when outside parties are looking to obtain the data of Tulalip tribal members and decide whether or not they give consent to the request. 

Summer Hammons, Legislative Policy Analyst for Tulalip’s Treaty Rights & Government Affairs Office, shared, “It was a natural way to really try to understand sovereignty when outside agencies try to infiltrate tribal data. There was consultation going on with the Department of Health and tribes, but they also have tribal orgs that own epidemiology centers (TECs). And so, you have all these centers in Washington state that have access to our data, and we weren’t sure who was accessing our data at the state and federal level. We have data that’s stored in the tribal health clinic that could go to the national warehouse, so it’s more federal through an agreement that we have with IHS. On the state side, tribal members can go into Providence, or any hospital anywhere; all that data is stored in Washington State, especially contact tracing – Covid, sexually transmitted diseases. All that goes into the system for tracing. We didn’t know who’s accessing that specific data and we didn’t have access to that data.”

She continued, “It’s a way of protecting our data and for us to be at the table to look at that data and see what they’re doing. We also wanted to have a mechanism where we’re not blocking other people of data, because it’s really important for TECs to accumulate what’s going on with tribes. And we wanted to create a mechanism where the state can’t just give out our data without our permission or our informed consent.”

Summer went on to explain that though this specific agreement only affects the data protection and sharing of the Tulalip membership, it creates an opportunity for other tribes to formulate their own agreement with the DOH. With that in mind, they created a tribal data sovereignty committee where they collectively set out to define seven principals as a guideline, which includes the authority to manage tribal data, the right to give informed consent, and also equitable access to that data. 

Said Summer, “We want to be able to tell our story and be able to access that data and tell the state if that’s not the story we want to send out. It’s important that there’s Tulalip data, but then it becomes aggregated, it becomes AI/AN (American Indian/Alaskan Native). Your tribal affiliation is removed on the report, and it becomes a statistic aggregated with all tribes. So, tribes need to know what you are doing with that aggregated data. That’s why we built the data sovereignty group, so that we know that before the DOH shares a campaign on something, that the tribes have consultation on it as well.”

On the morning of the momentous signing, the DOH Chief of Policy, Kristin Peterson expressed, “Thank you for inviting us to celebrate and honor this historic moment. Signing this agreement represents our commitment to our government-to-government relationship. Entering this agreement not only enhances Tulalip’s access to our data but upholds the DOH responsible for how we disclose and utilize Tulalip’s data. We are really excited about the signing and the work to come. And we are committed to making sure that once this is signed, the work is not over. We will hold ourselves accountable to implementing it.”

“This is not just a formal agreement,” added DOH Secretary, Dr. Umair Shah. “This is a journey we believe in so strongly. Why? Because when you share and provide data, when you give people access to their own data, that raises the visibility of health issues – the challenges and solutions that must be made. I cannot thank you enough for taking this journey with us. We could not have taken these steps without you, your leaders, your teams coming together to help us both understand the challenges and understand the concerns. We listened and we worked together through those challenges in order to come here today. And I’m so proud of the fact that we are here today.”

Following the signing of the agreement, the BOD blanketed Dr. Shah, thanking him for his years of service with the DOH. Each board member then shared a few words before the gathering concluded. 

Secretary Theresa Sheldon, stated, “When we have these type of meetings where we’re signing MOUs, these are about lives. We are talking about lives and real issues, and the ability to address them in a timely manner, the ability to access care, and the ability to access resources that many times, we didn’t have. I’m really grateful for that. Our responsibility is the wellness of our people. That responsibility that we carry is much bigger than those in this room, because we are constantly looking out for the next seven generations, and the responsibility for their health and their wellbeing. Sometimes, Washington State is only friendly to us once we sue and win, because the law is on our side. Acknowledging that sovereignty and that authority is a constant battle. When we don’t have to do that and we’re able to work with employees who recognize that this is the right thing to do, it’s really appreciated.”

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Even through the sound of constant traffic, the familiar melodic piano chords of ‘Still D.R.E.’ could be heard blasting in the parking lot of the now defunct Walmart on Highway 99. It was a fitting and perfect moment, when S-N-double O-P’s voice came on during the chorus, a group of volunteers posed in front of a sign that read Big House of Doggs, spelled in the style of uncle Snoop himself: D-O-double G. And ooooweee, the delicious smell of glizzys filled the air.

“My name is Tyler, but everyone calls me Big House,” exclaimed a very tall and burly gentleman with a warm friendly smile. As the rest of the crew nodded their heads to the beat and carried on with preparations, Big House was joined by his wife and Tulalip tribal member, Celia Dockendorff to discuss their new business venture. 

According to the couple, the idea of Big House of Doggs came organically during a scroll through social media. “It was just one of those things,” Tyler explained. “I was on Facebook Marketplace, and I saw that there was a hot dog cart for sale. And I asked Celia what do you think about us selling hot dogs? She is always down for anything I come up with and she was like, ‘Yeah, sure. Why not?’.”

Celia added, “My mom drove us down to Portland, and we got it. It was just a $1600 little cart. And we’ve been doing this for over a year now. The Stick Games Tournament was our first gig, and it just took off from there.”

From humble beginnings to an instant crowd favorite, the Dockendorff’s hot dog stand has served locals at many tribal events throughout the past year, including the Lights and Ice festival at the Tulalip Amphitheater. The passion for culinary arts must’ve been passed down to the next generation because Celia’s aunt is none other than Lynette Jimicum, owner of the iconic TeePee Creepers, which was the very first Native American food stand at the Bite of Seattle in 2023. And this year, another Native American owned food stand will be added to the list as Big House of Doggs prepares for their debut at the summertime event. 

Picking up knowledge and the ins-and-outs of the local food truck game from TeePee Creepers, Tyler and Celia know branding is everything. That must be the reason why Big House of Doggs boasts a fun and unique logo that features their very own Boston terrier in a doghouse, holding a pair of tongs in one paw and a hot dog with all the fixings in the other. Which of course makes for a fun anecdote to share with their customers. 

Said Big House, “We don’t have kids. We have tons of nieces and nephews and family, but it’s just us and our dog. So, we based the theme around our dog.”

To passersby and hungry customers, this may just look like a whimsical themed hot dog stand, but it is so much more when considering the owners and how big their hearts are. When interacting with the duo, it’s sweet to see how much love they have for each other. And of course, through our teachings we learn that when working with good hearts and a positive mindset, your art will have a terrific outcome. And that’s no exception here. At the top of the article, we talked about how one could hear hip hop classics bumping through their speakers, but what we have yet to mention is how awesome it was to hear the group of volunteers laughing, joking, and sharing stories while they worked. It was good vibes all around and a testament to the type of environment Celia and Big House create while on the job.

That brings us to the afternoon of January 14, and the reason Big House of Doggs was stationed alongside the highway. In this particular area of Everett, there seems to be a large population of folk who fell on hard times and are braving the cold winter without shelter. Many of whom are also experiencing bouts of hunger pangs. As we mentioned before, the Dockendorff’s have big hearts. And after their first successful year in business, they decided to look out for those individuals struggling to get by on a day-to-day basis. 

“We are so grateful that the Tribe was able to put together Lights and Ice and put us in a position to have a good end to the year,” shared Tyler. “Because we were super successful, we thought it was important to give back and make sure the community knows that we appreciate them. We were supported by the Tribe and so we wanted to give back as much as we could and support other people.”

“My grandma always gave back,” Celia stated. “She always made sure that after I went through all my clothes, or if I had like an extra sweater that I didn’t need, we would go to Seattle and my grandma would give it out. She was huge on that. And me, my mom, and my sisters would make sandwiches to pass out in Seattle when I was younger. So, it’s been awhile but this is really good for the soul.”

In addition to bringing Big House of Doggs to the people, Celia and Big House also invited others to join in on the give back effort. Not only did people receive hot dogs and chips free of charge, but they also walked away with warm clothes, blankets, hot chocolate and/or cider, and a BBQ plate.

After posting up for several hours, and providing food to over 300 people in need, the night ended on somewhat of a sour note as the security of the strip mall took issue with their presence in the area. But even after they were not-so-kindly asked to leave, that didn’t dampen their spirits. 

“Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness, because we were still able to accomplish our goal today,” Big House reflected. “We will definitely be doing this again, but hopefully with approval.”

  You can catch Big House of Doggs throughout the year at local gatherings or during their occasional pop ups on the reservation. They are already slated to appear at Boom City, TRC’s Employee Day, and the Bite of Seattle in 2025. Updates can be found on either Tyler’s personal Facebook wall or on their Big House of Boom Fireworks page. You can also scan the QR code with your phone’s camera or follow this link, https://lisi.menu/6722cfc7d987e to check out their menu.

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News; photos from Tulalip Bay Fire Department Facebook 

One of the most challenging fires in California’s history has engulfed the city of Los Angeles, destroying over 10,000 houses and consuming more than 23,700 acres in Palisades County. The fire began on January 7 and spread rapidly, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. Additionally, 14,100 acres burned in Eaton, 800 in Hurst, 1,052 in Kenneth, and 43 in Sunset. As of Tuesday, January 14, this tragedy has left 23 lives lost and damages exceeding $100 billion. Thousands of individuals have lost everything they owned and now face unimaginable hardships.

Yet, in the face of adversity, hope prevails. Brave crews from Washington have rallied to the cause, embodying the spirit of unity and resilience. Fire departments, such as the Tulalip Bay Fire Department, have joined forces with others in the area, demonstrating unwavering determination to help control the fires in Los Angeles.

On Friday, January 10, after an exhausting 18-hour drive into Los Angeles, the Tulalip Bay Fire Department crew faced a grueling 20-hour shift, totaling 38 hours without rest before their first break. Upon reaching Zuma Beach, the command post for their operations, the crew prioritized inspecting vehicles and gear to ensure readiness for combating the fires.

“When Mother Nature calls, our firefighters are ready to respond,” the Tulalip Fire Department said on their Facebook page.

Their first shift occurred on Sunset Boulevard, where they protected residential areas overnight as the fire approached. “In the morning, the fire was bumping up against the neighborhood, and we had to put in handlines, lay hoses connecting off hydrants, and work with air tech when the fire started getting going again,” Captain James Shockley explained.

The firefighters are part of North Strike Team 1, alongside other teams from Washington State. Seven states, along with Canada and Mexico, have joined the fight to end the Palisades fire. Initially, California funded these efforts, but with worsening weather conditions, the Federal Government has stepped in to ensure resources are available.

Captain Shockley described the weather’s challenges. “The biggest issue is the wind. It ripped through a big stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway when the fire first started. All the homes built on the ocean side were destroyed. It ran through those homes like nothing could stop it. To see chimneys left standing and Sunset Boulevard in ruins was just next-level devastation. It has been wild to see.”

Despite the damage, the crews’ support has been exceptional. “Everyone here has been great,” Captain Shockley noted. The ground support for our team and rigs has been excellent. With long drives out to our work sites and back, each shift takes about 32-34 hours. So, being diligent about getting a good night’s sleep is essential to handling the workload.”

The Tulalip team along with crews from South County, Camano Island and Snohomish are actively working in the Ventura and Balboa neighborhoods. They are clearing areas to prepare for potential fires that may occur due to the expected winds in the coming days and weeks.

Due to the current weather conditions, the Tulalip Bay Fire Department will be stationed in Los Angeles for the next two weeks as they continue their efforts to combat the fire.

If you or someone you know would like to help, you can donate to the California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund at lahsa.org. Your support can make a significant difference in helping those affected rebuild their lives.