Category: Tulalip News

Hope in recovery

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

The gym at Greg Williams Court was filled with resources, activities, and conversations about recovery on Wednesday, September 23, as the Tulalip Wellness Court held its second annual Alumni Recovery Resource Fair.

Community members moved among resource tables set up throughout the gym, connecting with programs and services while food and games gave families a chance to spend time together. A bounce house and dunk tank were added to the afternoon as organizations shared information about services available to people in recovery and their families.

Wellness Court provides an alternative path for participants dealing with substance use and involvement in the justice system, emphasizing recovery, accountability, and addressing the issues that contributed to their circumstances. Participants work through a court-supervised program while connecting with treatment and other services intended to support long-term recovery.

The alum fair brought those resources together while also giving graduates and others in recovery a chance to reconnect with the programs and people who have been part of their journeys.

After the resource fair concluded, attendees gathered for dinner at 4 p.m. The evening portion gave those in recovery an opportunity to share their experiences, including Summer Lee Blankenship, an author of two books and one of the first graduates of Tulalip Wellness Court. With a clean date of June 18, 2022, Blankenship reflected on a time when she was unsure whether she would survive. “I experienced a life of heartache, pain, and agony,” she said. “I reached a point where I did not think I was going to make it out.”

Blankenship said she first used drugs at 13 years old. Over the years, she witnessed overdoses and experienced several herself. “I’ve witnessed people overdose. I’ve held people’s hands as they’ve taken their last breath,” she said. “I’ve had a heart attack. I’ve overdosed so many times, and nothing ever stopped me. I just continued deeper and deeper and deeper.”

She also spoke about the hold addiction continued to have over her after becoming a mother. “I love my son more than anything, and even if it wasn’t enough to make me quit,” Blankenship said. “It really, truly is a disease.”

Blankenship began going to treatment in 2011 and said she went through treatment 18 times, spent time in and out of jail, and participated in two drug court programs, including Tulalip Wellness Court. After joining Wellness Court, she said she eventually went on the run for several years during what became one of the darkest periods of her life. Looking back on that time, she said, “I don’t know how I am alive today. I’m so thankful that I am.”

Years later, Blankenship said she is thankful for the work that came with Wellness Court and for a life that once seemed beyond her reach. She pointed to her family, including her son, sister, and grandmother, who she said has never missed one of her events. “Today my life is just full of so many things that at one point seemed so impossible,” she said. “I’m super thankful for that.”

Speaking directly to current Wellness Court participants, Blankenship acknowledged how difficult the program can be, having experienced it herself. “If you are in Wellness Court, my hands go up to you,” she said. “I know the work. I know how hard it is. It’s just not easy. Never give up.”

She encouraged those listening to continue showing up, face the difficult parts of their lives, and believe that change remains possible. “You are the creator of your life, and nothing is out of reach,” Blankenship said. “You just have to believe in yourself and just keep showing up and doing the hard thing.”

For Blankenship, that work also means returning to ceremony, taking care of oneself, and learning to live with integrity. “Always go back to ceremonies and take care of yourself in a good, gentle way,” she said. “Keeping our promises, showing up when we say we’re going to show up, being a person of integrity and dignity and respect. It’s never too late for anybody.”

Now in its second year, the Wellness Court Alumni Recovery Resource Fair brought community members, service providers, and Wellness Court alums together in one space. From connecting people with resources during the afternoon to sharing a meal and stories of recovery later in the day, the gathering provided a place to recognize progress while showing those still working toward recovery the support available around them.

Songs of remembrance

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

Tulalip community members gathered at Greg Williams Court for a Day of Remembrance cultural practice, preparing songs to be shared during the upcoming Orange Shirt Day gathering on September 29 at the Gathering Hall.

Tulalip Education Division Director Jessica Bustad opened the practice by speaking about what the gathering represents for the community. “This event is really important to us because it’s our opportunity to honor our ancestors.”

Tulalip tribal member Tony Hatch then spoke about the history behind Orange Shirt Day and the importance of remembering the Native children who were taken from their families and placed in boarding schools.

At the center of the evening was a song composed by Lummi tribal member Anton George. Hatch explained that the song has traveled beyond Tulalip and is now heard in other places as communities remember the children who never returned home.

“The words to the song here are, ‘When they came, they took you from us, no remorse, stripped away, never see you again,’” Hatch said. “Anton George composed that song, and I saw this travel all over the place. I’ve been to different places where I’ve seen that song sung, and it’s in remembrance of all those kids that didn’t make it back home.”

As those gathered learned and practiced the song, Hatch spoke about the children who were taken at young ages and placed into institutions created to separate Native people from their families, languages, and cultures. He also reflected on the continued identification of burial sites associated with former residential and boarding schools.

Orange Shirt Day grew from the experience of Phyllis Webstad, a Northern Secwépemc woman whose new orange shirt was taken from her when she entered residential school as a six-year-old child. Her story became the foundation for a movement carrying the message “Every Child Matters.”

For Native communities, the day is an opportunity to honor survivors, remember the children who never returned home, and recognize the effects of the boarding school era that continue across generations.

The cultural practice at Greg Williams Court also carried another significance. Songs and cultural practices that generations of Native children were once separated from continue to be learned, shared, and carried forward today.

Tulalip will gather for Orange Shirt Day and the Day of Remembrance on Wednesday, September 30, beginning at 4:30 pm at the Gathering Hall.

Runway Ready

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

Young people filled the Don Hatch Youth Center on Tuesday, September 15, getting an early look at what it takes to step onto a runway with confidence.

With the seventh annual Indigenous Children, Youth and Families Conference approaching in November, members of the Tulalip Youth Council and other local youth gathered for a modeling workshop designed to prepare them for an upcoming fashion show centered on Native youth, creativity, and expression.

Leading the workshop were Tlingit model and media professional Alyssa London and longtime makeup artist Amanda Adame. The evening gave youth a look at both sides of a fashion show, from commanding the runway to the work that takes place behind the scenes before a model ever steps in front of an audience.

For London, the runway is familiar territory. She became the first Tlingit woman crowned Miss Alaska USA in 2017 and went on to finish in the Top 10 at Miss USA. Her experience in pageantry, however, began much closer to home, through the Seafair Indian Village Powwow, where she represented the Eastside Native American Education Program.

London explained to attendees that the confidence they practiced that evening could carry into situations far beyond November’s fashion show. “These are transferable skills that you can use as you get a better sense of how you are: commanding a room, making eye contact with people, intentionally using your voice and your posture to convey messages.”

That confidence was something London said she had to develop on her own. As a third grader, she was terrified of public speaking and worried about being criticized when speaking in front of others. Her early experiences in pageantry helped her become more comfortable presenting herself publicly.

London asked the youth what made stepping in front of people intimidating. Some worried about being stared at, while others brought up the possibility of making a mistake. London encouraged them to think beyond that initial fear. “Sometimes it helps to play the track out and see that it might not actually be as bad as we actually think it is.”

Soon, the lesson moved from conversation to practice. Youth lined up for an opportunity to walk alongside London, learning how to carry themselves down the runway with posture, presence, and confidence. With each trip down the makeshift runway, participants had an opportunity to loosen up, find their stride, and put London’s advice into action.

London also led the group through breathwork and energy exercises in what she called “pre-game prep,” showing participants ways to settle their nerves and focus before stepping in front of an audience.

Adame then gave the youth a glimpse at the other side of the runway.

With nearly 26 years as a makeup artist, Adame told the group that her career has taken her from Seattle to Los Angeles and into weddings, theater, retail, film, red carpet events, and fashion shows. Like London, she told the youth that she began as a shy teenager who lacked confidence.

Adame found her place in theater, initially performing before realizing she was more comfortable working behind the scenes. That eventually led her to makeup, where something she had started doing as a teenager became a career.

“I was hired to do makeup because I knew how to do makeup. Didn’t realize I could make a career out of it,” she said.

Her experience offered another message to youth interested in November’s show: the runway is only one place to participate in the fashion and entertainment industries. Adame encouraged those interested in makeup, hair, and other production roles to consider the opportunities available behind the scenes.

“I’ve worked pageants, and it’s so much fun. Thankfully, I’m not walking that runway, but I get the models ready for it,” Adame said. “You can take it to a career, but also an opportunity to work in that industry as a crew.”

Instead of simply watching a demonstration, participants learned firsthand some of the techniques Adame uses to prepare people for cameras and shows. She demonstrated makeup application and explained how a look can move from camera-ready to glam, while a couple of participants had the chance to work with makeup on their own.

Adame also gave the group a sense of the fast pace behind a professional production. Models and performers may be called to the stage before a makeup artist feels finished, she explained, making preparation and the ability to work under pressure important parts of the job.

“It’s kind of overwhelming, but it’s fun,” Adame said. “That’s the fun for me. It’s exciting, and it gets you on your toes and working quickly, learning how to work under that pressure.”

By the end of the workshop, the youth had experienced more than a lesson in modeling. They had practiced walking a runway, worked on confidence and presence, learned ways to prepare themselves mentally, and received a firsthand introduction to the work required behind the curtain.

Those lessons will have a chance to come together on November 4, when the Tulalip Problem Gambling Program presents a Native youth fashion show at the Tulalip Resort Casino during the seventh annual Indigenous Children, Youth and Families Conference. This year’s conference carries the theme “The Path Forward,” with the special event honoring the four directions and four elements while centering Native youth.

Organizers are inviting Native youth artists and designers working in couture, streetwear, leisurewear, and other styles. Opportunities also extend to models, makeup artists, hair designers, and performers interested in poetry, spoken word, and expressive theater.

The fashion show will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Tulalip Resort Casino’s Orca Ballroom and will include dinner, a DJ and MC, a red carpet, a photo booth, and a selfie station.

The submission deadline for participants is October 1. For more information, contact Sarah Sense-Wilson at 360-716-4304 or Clarissa Young-Weiser at 360-716-4223.

A day of youth football

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

An overcast sky hung above the field Saturday, September 12, as a slight breeze rolled in off Tulalip Bay and lingered throughout the day. It was perfect football weather at the Don Hatch Youth Center, where the sound of whistles, shoulder pads, and roaring crowds filled the field as the Tulalip Marysville Hawks welcomed the Granite Falls Tigers for their second game of the season.

Three Hawks teams took the field, with each game telling a different story. The Pee Wee squad battled through a defensive 6-0 loss, the Midgets improved to 2-0 with a 39-19 victory, and the Juniors capped the afternoon with a commanding 40-0 shutout.

The Pee Wee game opened as a defensive struggle, with neither offense able to establish much rhythm. Both teams had trouble with snaps throughout the game, leaving defenses to control much of the action.

Granite Falls finally broke through in the third quarter, turning a long run into the game’s only touchdown and taking a 6-0 lead.

Tulalip’s defense kept the Hawks within striking distance and delivered one of its strongest stands late in the game. With about two minutes remaining, Granite Falls drove inside the Hawks’ 5-yard line with a chance to put the game away. Tulalip refused to give up another score, holding its ground near the goal line and giving the offense another opportunity.

The Hawks were unable to find the end zone before time expired, dropping their first game of the season and moving to 1-1.

The pace changed when the Midgets took the field. Tulalip’s offense found room to operate and began producing explosive plays on the ground and through the air, while the defense created opportunities of its own.

A 50-yard quarterback keeper helped ignite the Hawks, and a fumble recovery gave Tulalip another chance to build momentum. The Midgets continued attacking with long runs and passes as the game opened up.

Tulalip held a 13-7 advantage after the first quarter before stretching the lead to 25-7. Granite Falls responded and eventually pulled within 12, but the Hawks never surrendered control. Tulalip answered when it needed to and finished with a 39-19 victory to remain unbeaten at 2-0.

Midget coach Steven Morrison credited his players for responding when the Tigers challenged them. “The kids showed a lot of heart today. You know, we were adjusting some of the things that weren’t going on on both sides, but the kids adjusted really well, never gave up, and it showed out at the end.”

One play that stood out to Morrison was a long touchdown run by Anthony Martin, who fought his way through the defense and kept the play alive. “We’ve got to give it up on that long-running TD from Anthony Martin. Never gave up, never quit moving his feet. I mean, he carried a lot today.”

For Midget defensive end King Gray, the highlight of the afternoon was much simpler. When asked about his favorite part of the game, Gray smiled and said, “Probably chucking people.”

The Juniors closed out the day with the Hawks’ most dominant performance, controlling the game on both sides of the ball from beginning to end.

Tulalip established its running game early and carried a two-touchdown advantage toward halftime. Then came one of the biggest plays of the afternoon, a 60-yard touchdown pass to close the second quarter and send the Hawks into halftime firmly in control.

The defense quickly made its presence felt again at the start of the second half. A 25-yard interception return pushed the score to 26-0 early in the third quarter, and the Hawks continued to overwhelm the Tigers from there.

Tulalip added another touchdown to take a 33-0 advantage by the end of the third. The Hawks’ defense remained impenetrable, preventing Granite Falls from reaching the end zone, while the offense continued to find openings on the ground.

One final rushing touchdown completed the 40-0 shutout and moved the Juniors to 2-0.

Even after the Juniors walked off the field without allowing a point, head coach Cyrus “Bubba” Fryberg quickly turned his players’ attention toward what still needed improvement. “We got a lot of work to do, offensively and defensively. It takes a lot of work to get to the top.”

Fryberg praised the offense while pointing to penalties and mistakes that he wants corrected before the team returns to the field. “Offensively, it’s good. We need to clean it up. We got some work to do. A lot of work to do. We had some mishaps. We had some false starts. We had some blocking in the backs. As a group, we have to clean that up next week.”

On the other side of the ball, Fryberg was pleased with a defense that kept Granite Falls off the scoreboard. “Defensively, we buckle down. We know our assignment. We take care of business.”

Fryberg reminded the players that continuing their early-season success will require everyone involved. “This is a team effort here. I can’t do it without all of you and all the staff. I can’t. It doesn’t work that way. This is a team effort.”

Before breaking the postgame huddle, Fryberg left his players with a simple message: “Great job today.”

With two weeks of football complete, the Hawks leave Saturday with the Pee Wees at 1-1 and both the Midgets and Juniors undefeated at 2-0. They return to the Don Hatch Youth Center next week for their final home games before the season moves forward.

Tulalip 12s celebrate a dramatic season opener

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Tulalip Resort Casino hosted its first ever Seattle Seahawks watch party at the Amphitheatre on September 9. A free, 21+ event that opened nearly an entire hour ahead of the 5:20 kickoff. Food, beverages, giveaways and games were part of the evening festivities at the 3,000-seat outdoor venue.

Inside, three gigantic video screens transformed the Amphitheater into perhaps the largest outdoor living room in Snohomish County. From nearly every vantage point, fans could watch their defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks begin their title defense against a familiar opponent, the New England Patriots.

Scattered throughout the venue were longtime season ticket holders, casual fans, Tulalip families and plenty of diehard 12s who seemingly owned enough Seahawks apparel to outfit an entire starting lineup. Among them was Tulalip citizen Clayton Horne. Decked out in Seahawks colors and surrounded by fellow fans, he explained that watching at home simply could not replicate the energy of experiencing a game alongside hundreds of people who wanted the exact same thing.

“Where else would I rather be then right here, on the Reservation, with other members of the 12 army as we cheer on the defending champs,” said Clayton Horne as he strutted around in his custom pair of Seahawks tennis shoes and Super Bowl LX Smith-Njigba jersey.

Between plays and commercial breaks, adults wandered the grounds while food and drink vendors kept busy serving the crowd. Among those vendors was local small business owner Jared Parks, whose freshly popped kettle corn provided an aroma that drifted through sections of the Amphitheater.

For Jared, the evening was another opportunity for a local entrepreneur to be part of a large community gathering while doing what small businesses do best, adding their own flavor to the festivities. “I think these kinds of events are great for the community because it creates the opportunity for people to come together, enjoy watching a game together, and gives the greater public a chance to experience a taste of Tulalip’s local food vendors,” he said while popping a fresh batch of color rush kettle (watermelon and lime). 

Perhaps the best representation of the wide range of generations in attendance came when Tulalip elder Dean Ledford made his way through the Amphitheater grounds. Using his walker and with his daughter, Angela Tait, close beside him, Dean strolled through the crowd. He smiled happily while taking in the giant screens, Seahawks colors, and unmistakable buzz of opening night.

“This is my first time ever watching the Seahawks while being outside,” admitted Dean. “It’s been a long time coming, for sure, but I’m just thrilled to be here and to experience all this with my daughter. There are few things in life that bring people together like sports, especially when you’re talking about a championship caliber team like what we have. I think we have a real chance to win back-to-back Super Bowls.” 

There were plenty of nerves to go around once the football started. Seattle’s championship banner was raised at Lumen Field before kickoff, but the celebration quickly turned uneasy. Starting quarterback Sam Darnold suffered a hip injury on Seattle’s opening drive and was forced from the game. Backup Drew Lock took over, but the Seahawks offense struggled to find momentum and New England eventually built a 10–0 advantage. Seattle entered the fourth quarter having scored just three points.

Then the championship defense, dubbed the Dark Side, took over. With every turnover, the Amphitheater came alive. Seattle intercepted Patriots quarterback Drake Maye three times during the fourth quarter. After Nehemiah Pritchett picked off Maye, Lock connected with star receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba for a 45-yard touchdown on fourth and one to tie the game at 10. Another interception, this time by Julian Love, helped position Seattle for a 26-yard Jason Myers field goal and a 13–10 lead.

Suddenly, a crowd that had spent much of the evening waiting for something to cheer about could barely stay seated. New England still had one final opportunity to spoil the party, driving deep into Seattle territory in the final minute. But Josh Jobe secured the victory with a toe tapping interception in the end zone, Seattle’s third pick of the fourth quarter! The dramatic defensive stand sealed a 13–10 victory.

The Tulalip Amphitheater erupted. Few were louder than one proud grandmother who attended the gathering while representing her four Tulalip grandchildren. Throughout the evening, she cheered unabashedly for the hometown team, joining hundreds of others in turning an ordinary Wednesday night into a full-blown football celebration.

“This game was so exciting!” declared grandmother Dawn Mosteller. “I didn’t want to stay home, watching from my couch. I wanted to be here, outside, enjoying a beautiful evening with my fellow Seahawks fans. This event was just so much fun, and I really hope they offer more watch parties during the season.”

Football season has arrived, and the defending champs are officially 1-0.

Growing healthy habits at Garden Treasures

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Under a brilliant late summer sun, hundreds of Tulalip community members traded grocery store aisles for garden rows. Together they ventured north to Garden Treasures Farm for an afternoon of harvesting, learning and reconnecting with food.

The September 9 U-pick event, made possible by our own Diabetes Care and Prevention Program, brought together everyone from months old babies to seasoned elders. Strawberries and tomatoes glowed bright red beneath the sunshine. Peppers offered splashes of green, yellow and orange. Throughout the farm, families wandered with cardboard baskets in hand, searching for fruits and vegetables that would eventually find their way onto dinner plates back home.

Tulalip’s relationship with the local farm, located in the Stillaguamish Valley near Arlington, stretches back years now. Previous Diabetes Care and Prevention outings have encouraged families to get outside, move their bodies and experience firsthand where their food comes from. That mission remains at the heart of the popular U-pick gatherings.

“Seeing so many people come together around food, plants, and health was incredibly meaningful. It shows how powerful it can be when we create spaces where people of all ages can gather, learn, eat, and connect with one another,” reflected Diabetes Care and Prevention Manager, Roni Leahy. “Family is medicine. Seeing babies just months old alongside elders in their 70s and 80s is deeply moving to me because it demonstrates to everyone that family is medicine. 

“For our children, being in a gathering like this is medicine in so many ways,” she continued. “They are learning how to be around large groups of people, how to interact, how to share space, and how to be part of a community. They are learning these things simply by being present. When I see babies, children, parents, grandparents, and elders all gathered together, I feel so grateful. I feel like we truly witnessed medicine in action.”

During the Wednesday gathering, Roni’s team estimates over 700 community members roamed the farm, from toddlers to elders, while gathering leafy greens, herbs, berries and vegetables. The recurring outings have emphasized gentle exercise, family togetherness and connecting people with fresh foods in a hands-on way.

Following their time in the fields, attendees were treated to a pickling demonstration led by food sovereignty advocate and tribal member, Rudy Madrigal. Tables quickly became a second kind of classroom as community members learned how vegetables can be preserved in jars, extending the life of a harvest while opening the door to a nearly endless combination of flavors.

Vinegar, seasonings and spices can transform a freshly picked vegetable into something tangy, spicy, sweet or somewhere in between. The activity encouraged families to experiment and think creatively about vegetables they may otherwise overlook. For the youngest participants, the lesson began with the simple thrill of being able to choose their own food.

Mama bear Shelby Whitman attended the U-pick with her two young children, Monroe and Aria, who bounced from row to row deciding which vegetables deserved a spot in their harvest. Knowing they would later have an opportunity to pickle what they picked added another layer of excitement.

“Aria is only 22-months-old and what I think she enjoyed most at the farm today was picking strawberries and tomatoes. She also liked helping with the cucumbers as we pickled them,” said Shelby. “Monroe loves peppers, so he was happy he could pick as much as he wanted. He’ll be walking around eating them plain, like an apple, over the next few days. My only immediate plans for what we picked is to make corn on the cob with our dinner tonight.”

For tribal elders, the farm offered something different. Along with access to healthy food came the opportunity to visit with friends, exchange cooking ideas, and think ahead to the meals their harvest would inspire. One elder already knew exactly where her vegetables were headed. Chicken stir fry.

“I enjoy gardening, so to be invited out here to pick and harvest is an ideal outing for me,” shared 75-year-old Marsha Sateren (Yakama). “I’m 75 and intend to continue picking as long as my body lets me. Being able to eat local, organic foods is a treat. It’s something more elders should be doing regularly. I already have it in mind that what I’ve picked here today is going to be used to make an assortment of chicken stir fry.”

Nearby, another elder took her time examining the day’s offerings while enjoying the sunshine and company of fellow community members learning to pickle veggies.

“Have I pickled before? No, I haven’t. It’s something I wouldn’t have ever done on my own. Being here with members of the Diabetes Prevention team and being guided by them, it’s an activity I couldn’t pass up,” explained Cherokee Screechowl (Muscogee Creek). “As old as I am, I’m still willing to learn.”

Perhaps one of the most important aspects of a U-pick is the invitation to experiment. It is easy to stick with familiar foods. Carrots are carrots. Tomatoes have a place in countless meals. Onions seemingly find their way into everything, but walking through rows of produce presents a different proposition. Suddenly, that vegetable normally passed over at the grocery store becomes something worth picking, carrying home and figuring out.

Tulalip mother-daughter duo Sasha Smith and 16-year-old Jada arrived with exactly that mindset. They’ve been challenging one another to become increasingly creative with what they eat. On this particular afternoon, that challenge led them to eggplant. Rather than walking past the deep purple vegetable because neither had much experience cooking with it, they decided to add it to their harvest and figure out together how to incorporate it into future meals.

“Just being able to get out with my family and enjoy the weather was reason enough to make the short journey to Garden Treasures,” shared Sasha. “We’re enjoying learning about seasonal vegetables and what we should be eating this time of the year. We’ve heard there are a lot of health benefits to eating eggplant, so we picked one and plan on getting creative with how we add it to our meals.” 

Moments like those speak directly to the long-term goal of Tulalip’s Diabetes Care and Prevention Program. Healthy eating does not have to begin with dramatically changing every meal overnight. Sometimes it begins beneath the September sunshine while holding an eggplant and wondering, “What can we cook with this?”

Sometimes it is a child proudly carrying a pepper they picked themselves, or an elder heading home with enough vegetables for several colorful stir fries. Regardless of the how’s and why’s, the day’s Garden Treasures harvest was destined to become new recipes, creative meals, and healthy side dishes for dozens and dozens of local households.