Category: Tulalip News

New leadership sworn-in

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

The latest iteration of Tulalip’s Board of Directors became official on the morning of Saturday, April 6. The regularly scheduled Board meeting began promptly with the first order of business to swear-in the two highest vote getters from March’s general council election: Glen Gobin and Theresa Sheldon.

They replace Pat Contraro, who served one term, and Mel Sheldon, who served for nearly two decades. Mel chose not to run for re-election, while election results showed Pat received the ninth highest total.

After their oaths of office, Glen and Theresa were each given an opportunity to share a few words with those in the room and the many more tuning in on iAmTulalip.com

“In many ways it feels like I never left, but in other ways I feel kind of apprehensive for some reason, sitting back up here. I think it comes with the realization of all the responsibility that comes with the position,” admitted Glen. He had previously served as a Board of Director for 15+ years before taking some time off to spend with his family and enjoy the open waters, fishing. “The expectations, by all those who voted for me, are to bring positive change, bring traditional teachings back, and continue to move forward ensuring future generations have the same opportunities we have, if not more.

“I’m glad to be back to help, and look forward to being a part of this team as we work together in the best interest of the Tribe, to move us forward in a good way. Those are the teachings our elders had; it is always about the Tribe first and making sure our membership is secure. Also, I’d like to thank all those who voted for me and encouraged me step forward once more to help the Tribe,” he added.

Glen received the highest vote total during last month’s general election, surpassing all other candidates by a whopping 150 votes.

Theresa received the second highest vote total. She returns to the Board of Directors after previously missing out on a second term in 2017 by just nine votes. In her time away, she made a significant impact on Indian Country. First, she served as the Democratic National Committee’s Native American Political Director. Then she stepped down from that position to become Director of Policy and Advocacy for the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition.

After getting voted back on to the Board, and subsequently chosen to serve as Madam Secretary, Theresa shared, “I have to first start by expressing my gratitude and love to my babies. This General Council my son, two nephews and two nieces, plus other first-time voters, voted for me as they all voted for their very first time. Understanding I was chosen as the candidate for them, I will never take this responsibility for granted. I must now live up to their expectations.

“Protecting our right to vote, utilizing our right to vote, making sure we have easy access to voting, and voter protection is what I’ve been passionate about for years,” she continued. “I began voter engagement in 2007 and continued to work diligently for Native Vote at the county level, state level, and national level. Never would I have thought back then that my family’s babies at the time would grow up and cast their first vote for me. 

“This is a reminder to all those who doubt the power of our younger generation that they have the capacity to create historical change. I am so grateful to our young people and want them to know I hear them and I see them demanding more from all of us; in demanding their language, in demanding their songs, and in demanding their culture. To everyone who supported me,t’igʷicid! To those who did not support me, I will work hard for you, too, as I want us all to succeed.”

For decades addiction, housing, child welfare, economic development, treaty rights and sovereignty have dominated Tulalip’s political discourse. Glen and Theresa both campaigned with an emphasis on their work ethics, diverse experience, and commitment to the people.

Concluding the induction of Tulalip’s newest leaders, Chairwoman Gobin said, “Both of them have served on Council before. They bring so much valuable leadership and knowledge to our team, and I’m excited to see how much we can get accomplished with as strong a Board as we have now.”

Youth Services Easter Bash

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Hundreds hippity hopped to an early Easter Bash hosted at Tulalip’s Youth Center on Saturday, March 30. There were dyed eggs galore, coloring stations, plenty of Easter themed backdrops for pictures, and energy-inducing sugary treats. However, nothing topped the pure joy of children eager to meet their imaginary icon, the Easter bunny.

“The Easter Bash was a huge success,” said Sheena Oldham, one of the event coordinators. Serving as an activities specialist and proud mom of three kids, she was well versed in what a proper Easter party required. “I feel like our Bash brought a ton of people together. I’m proud of your Youth Services staff for all they did behind the scenes to make this happen, including wearing the bunny suit.

“The games, the food, the racing to get eggs, you could see how much everything meant to the kids who were running around endlessly from one activity to another,” she added. “Personally, my favorite aspect was seeing the competitive atmosphere from both parents and kids when it came time to the egg hunt. It was all smiles throughout and we saw so many people taking and sharing pictures of their happy kids. It’s events like this that really show how much our community appreciates getting together and having fun.” 

Easter Bunny brings literary joy to TELA

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News 

In a heartwarming event that brought smiles to children’s faces at the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy (TELA), the Easter Bunny appeared on Thursday, March 28 to distribute books and cookies, spreading joy and excitement among the young learners. The happy bunny made his way through every classroom.

Students would either run up to give a high five or pound fists, while some held back as they weren’t sure of the furry creature standing in their room. One student said, “That’s a big bunny.” Another student remarked, “Can he hop like a little bunny?” 

This year, TELA is working on consent. The teachers instructed the students to ask the bunny for consent before trying to hug the bunny. 

And as a special treat, a copy of the book, ‘Coast Salish ABCs’ by TELA counselor and tribal member, Marysa Sylvester, was given to each child. “It felt very cool,” Marysa said. “I didn’t think my ABC book would be picked; I am very grateful that the Academy chose my book. I feel very blessed, and I think it’s awesome.”

  “There are many positives to early learning reading,” teacher assistant Absyde Dacoscos said. “It exposes the kids to language literacy and letter recognition. We want to provide books to encourage families to go home and read together. The Co-Salish ABC’s book is a bonus, allowing them to see the cultural designs while teaching the ABCs.”

As the children bid farewell to their furry friend, TELA concluded yet another successful event dedicated to spreading happiness and fostering a love for learning. 

Easter Bunny and Sparky return for annual Easter Run

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The kids of Tulalip could not contain their excitement on the afternoon of Saturday, March 30. Many were literally jumping with joy when they spotted two life size characters strolling down their street. And though some of the kiddos were initially terrified, a few of them put on their brave faces and overcame their fear once they were gifted candy and toys from Sparky the Fire Dog and the Easter Bunny. 

A year into the COVID-19 pandemic, a local nonprofit known as Together We’re Better organized the first Easter Run for the community of Tulalip in 2021. The event was an instant success and helped raise the spirits of the entire reservation. With gathering restrictions in place, With gathering restrictions in place, and while many folks were practicing social distancing, the Easter Run brought back a sense of normalcy to the community.

At the time, Together We’re Better Founder, Malory Simpson, shared, “It was important for us to do an event. Normally, we do a huge egg hunt and multiple communities come out to celebrate, but COVID has interfered with a lot of events this year. Together We’re Better is community-driven and 100% community funded, so seeing the kids cooped up and not having anything really planned for them, we wanted to do something for them and bring Easter to the community.”

Malory drew inspiration from the Tulalip Bay Fire Department’s yearly Santa Run, in which the Fire squad escorts Santa Claus throughout Tulalip neighborhoods while collecting donations for the Tulalip Church of God Food Bank. When Malory reached out to the fire station, a partnership was quickly forged between Together We’re Better and the Tulalip Bay Fire Department. Their firehouse dalmatian mascot, Sparky, also wanted in on the fun and volunteered to distribute candy alongside the Easter Bunny. 

“When you see the kid’s faces light up, and their smiles are so big, ear to ear, when they see Easter Bunny and Sparky from across the road, it’s just the best,” expressed TBFD Captain John Carlson. “The interactions are always great; they all mean a lot to us. To make their day makes my day, because we see people on some of their worst days. I view the fire services as a family and the Tulalip community is a huge part of our family too. It’s so great to work together and make each other’s day better, it means a lot to us. It’s why we’re here.”

In addition to Sparky and the fire crew, two other local groups volunteer their time to hand out candy each year and are essential to the Easter Run – Aunties in Action and the Redrum First Nations Motorcycle Club. Every Easter Run, there are about 20 volunteers who walk numerous miles throughout the day to deliver treats and smiles to the homes of Tulalip children and their families. 

The Easter Run was such a big hit within the community that Together We’re Better decided to make it an annual occasion. Now, it is something that many kids look forward to each spring. Kids are on the lookout, peering out their windows, and as soon as they catch a glimpse of the dynamic duo, they are outside waiting to greet them.The kids shower the bunny and fire dog with hugs and high fives, and graciously accept their gifts of sugar and plastic novelties. The parents are equally as excited as the youngins, and they are sure to have their camera apps open and ready to snap a shot of their babies with the two loveable characters. 

Said Malory, “Giving back to the community always feels really good. This is all community effort; it makes my heart happy to see the community coming together to take care of each other. I just love it. The smiles and laughter make you feel really good inside. Just seeing the kids get excited is one of the best things about the event. It’s pretty fun to see all of their reactions and see how happy the kids are to spend some time with the Easter Bunny and Sparky.”

This year, the Tulalip Bay Fire Department expanded its district to include homes located in the Quil Ceda Creek neighborhood developments. As the Easter Run mirrors the fire department’s service area, this meant that the Easter Bunny and Sparky would see some new faces this year. And that they did. With the addition of three neighborhoods, Sparky and the bunny made dozens of new friends of all ages, from newborns to elders, as they spent a generous portion of their day getting to know the kids and families on the Quil. 

In total, the Easter Bunny and Sparky visited 10 neighborhoods on the reservation, walked over 14,000 steps (≈ 7 miles), and brought smiles to over 100 kids during the 2024 Easter Run. 

Natosha Gobin, the 2024 Easter Run event planner, stated, “The Together We’re Better events are so much fun to participate in because it is community driven. For the Easter Run, a lot of community members look forward to stuffing eggs, buying snacks, and doing whatever they can to help. It’s nice to take time and visit with the families and go to all the different developments. This year, we were excited to add the Quil developments as well. It feels so good to be with the community for a positive reason. And to see how much this means to the family as a whole – it just feels really good to be a part of something that is putting smiles on their faces.”

If you are looking to get more involved with the community, Together We’re Better is always accepting donations, whether that is goods, funds, or your personal volunteered time. For more information, please contact Natosha Gobin at (425) 319-4416 or Malory Simpson at (425) 905-9137.

Symmetria Medical donates $10,000 to Tulalip Boys & Girls Club

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Within our shared Tulalip/Marysville community are organizations staffed with dedicated professionals who prioritize health and well-being. These professionals are well aware that in order to have a culturally vibrant community, the individuals within the community, child to elder, must be physically, mentally, and spiritually healthy. 

Recognizing this, medical establishments like Symmetria Integrative Medical play a pivotal role not only in providing healthcare services but also in creating community well-being through philanthropic efforts, such as making a large financial donation to our reservation’s Boys & Girls Club. Their recent $10,000 contribution extends the impact of healthcare providers beyond the confines of clinics and injected pure excitement and goodwill into the heart of the community.

That excitement is best demonstrated by reliving a super cute moment shared by all those within earshot of two jubilant youth preparing to take a picture with the gigantic cardboard check. 

“We got $1,000!”

“Nu-huh! We got $10,000!”

“Ten-thousand?! We’re rich!”

Then in unison and completely unprompted, they shouted “Yay!’

That moment may have only lasted mere seconds, but the feels it generated, much like the $10,000 worth of support and supplies to be purchased, can leave a long-lasting impact for those for whom the local Club is a sanctuary.

“It’s important we share moments like this with the kids because its important they understand that people really care for them,” shared Tulalip Club director Shawn Sanchey. “Our Club kids are supported by those on and off the Rez and by those who aren’t here everyday with them, but who still contribute in a significant way that helps us develop programs and services which allow our kids to grow in a good way. Ultimately, I feel we can do and should do a better job as adults to help our kids understand there are people and even entire organizations out there who truly care about them and care about their successes.”

Our local boys & girls club offers a comprehensive collection of programs designed to promote the holistic development of Tulalip’s next generation. According to Grandma Diane’s latest estimations, the Club serves over 275 kids daily. From biddy ball everything to culturally relevant arts and crafts to the tech-driven future that is here now, the Club’s programs address critical areas of development for each one of those 275 kids. Each one of them has access to range of services that include education assistance, athletic support, and something as seemingly simple as access to hot meals and nutritional snacks.

“I grew up in Marysville. I went to Marysville Pilchuck High School, and I’ve always viewed the citizens of Tulalip as part of my community,” said Dr. Baljinder Gill, Symmetria president and operations director. “Now that I’m in the position of running a community-based clinic, I want to give back in way that now only supports the Tribe, but also builds upon the relationship of trust for its membership.

“The Tulalip Boys & Girls Club is so advanced, and being here today I can feel just how much trust the kids have for the staff and in turn how much the staff really cares for the kids,” added Dr. Gill. “This environment is what my clinic strives to emulate with its patient/provider relationship. It’s worth mentioning that a few years ago, the Tulalip Board of Directors passed a resolution that gives Tulalip tribal members coverage in our office. Plus, anyone who work with the Tribe and has HMA coverage, depending on the plan level they have, almost all our services are covered at 100%.”

By donating such a large sum to our Boys & Girls Club, Dr. Gill and his Symmetria clinic are doing much more than providing financial support, they are investing in the health and future of the community. To quote those previously mentioned Club kids, “Yay!”

Tulalip Bay Fire Department opens new station, hires more firefighters

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News 

Exciting things are happening for the Tulalip Bay Fire Department in the terms of expansion. In preparation for their new fire station, 15 firefighters and EMTs were sworn in on Thursday, March 21. Family and friends gathered to commemorate the occasion, that symbolized Tulalip’s unwavering commitment to delivering essential medical and fire services to its community.

For years, the area of Tulalip closest to town fell under Marysville’s jurisdiction, but the Tulalip tribes have installed a temporary fire station on 27th Avenue near the Tulalip Resort Casino. Eventually, a permanent location will be on 88th Street, next to the Tulalip Bingo Hall. 

“This means a great deal for the Tulalip people,” remarked Board member Hazen Shopbell. “Implementing the new fire station at Quil Ceda Boulevard helps Tulalip exercise its sovereign rights. It also allows us to collect tax revenue previously going to Marysville.”

Taking the proper steps to install the new station was an enormous undertaking. “We’ve come a long way,” stated Fire Chairman David Sherman. “I can’t think of a better group or way for the Tulalip Bay Fire Department to embark on this next chapter. 

Battalion Chief Bronson Smith, boasting 14 years of firefighting experience, discussed his responsibility for day-to-day staffing and emergency response, highlighting the department’s progress in acquiring paramedic capabilities. “When I first started, we didn’t have a paramedic, and we relied on Marysville. Since then, we’ve built up our capabilities, reducing response times from 15 minutes to three minutes.”

Chief Smith emphasizes the longstanding aspiration to provide comprehensive services to the entire tribal community. Viewing the new fire station as a pivotal step toward this goal, he affirmed the department’s commitment to exceeding standards and ensuring everyone feels heard and supported. Looking ahead, Smith expressed eagerness to mentor the next generation of firefighters, reaffirming his dedication to serving the tribe with honor and excellence.

Smith added, “We offer ride-along programs and have started a cadet program at Heritage High School. That’s where it starts. We have them come to the station a couple of days a week during the school year, where they get a chance to roll hose, learn how to throw gear and learn how to put the air pack on. I don’t want to keep my skills to myself; I want to teach others how to save lives. If anyone is interested, all they need to do is reach out to the fire department, and we can get you going.”

Contact the Tulalip Bay Fire Department at 360-659-2416 to learn more. 

Quil Ceda students embrace Hibulb scavenger hunt

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Devoted educators of Marysville School District’s Indian Ed. Department, Quil Ceda Elementary and Hibulb Cultural Center are determined to make education great again. MEGA, if you will.

The united effort is intended to raise cultural awareness, fulfilling a key aspect of the late John McCoy’s since time immemorial legislation, while creating an inspirational atmosphere at the intersection of learning and fun.

Quil Ceda 4th graders were ushered into Hibulb’s makeshift longhouse where they were welcomed by members of the Indian Ed. Department, which included Matt Remle, Terrance Sabbas, Zee Jimicum, Doug Salinas, Tony Hatch and Ian LaFontaine on this particular Monday. After they each gave a brief introduction of their family background and tenure within education, they stood poised with handmade drums and sang several songs. They were followed by a 15-minute video that gave a board leader view of the Tulalip Tribes history.

Then, the real fun began. Longhouse doors were opened and students were each given a Raven’s Scavenger Hunt to complete while exploring the cultural center’s history-filled exhibits. 

“I think it’s so important that we provide opportunities to educate all children here at Hibulb. By sharing our culture and history openly and authentically, we help bridge gaps in cultural understanding that Tulalips and non-Tulalips may have,” explained 23-year-old group tour specialist Courtnie Reyes.

“I went to Quil Ceda as a child and, back then, our cultural education was more based on the broader sense of what it means to be a Native American. We learned of historical figures from other tribes, but I don’t really remember any being Tulalip specific,” she continued. “I’ve always wanted to be an educator, so today I’m proud to be a part of sharing the stories of so many important Tulalip figures who laid the foundation we’ve built so much upon.”  

Each aspect of the Raven’s Scavenger Hunt is meticulously designed to captivate students’ imagination while they are immersed in various aspects of Tulalip history; from fishing and hunting and gathering practices to the importance of harvesting cedar and its many practical applications to central tenants of being canoe people and children of the salmon.

Present to assist chaperone the children as they navigated their scavenger hunt was members of the Marysville Pilchuck high school’s United Native Club. Tenth grader Monet Clemons serves as vice president and says collaborative education efforts at Hibulb is something she wished were possible when she were in elementary, but is so excited to see now widely available for local students.

“When I was younger, I didn’t really have this kind of hands-on experience with culture. I was told I was Native, but never got to learn what it meant to be Tulalip,” Monet shared after helping a group of students answer the question ‘What is the most innermost layer of the cedar tree called?’. “Now, to be here and help the next generation learn what it means to be Tulalip and all the ways we embrace culture is pretty cool.

“Bringing elementary-aged kids here is a good age because they are so curious to learn and we can see just how excited they are to see key parts of our culture, like the canoes and fishing village. Being here and experiencing everything the museum has to offer opens their world more and lets them view our culture in a real meaningful way versus just reading about it in a textbook,” she added. 

The meaningfulness went even deeper for several young Tulalip students who, while viewing the veterans wall, suddenly found themselves overcome with excitement staring at a much younger version of their grandpa Ray Fryberg. They were quick to tell anyone within ear shot, “That’s my grandpa!” while pointing to the portrait of the Vietnam veteran. 

Following completion of the scavenger hunt, the children gathered one more time in the longhouse. This time, they were divided up into dancers, singers and drummers. They quickly learned the Spokane Happy Dance and eagerly performed it to perfection to the joy of their onlooking educators. The moment served as a living embodiment of what it truly means to make education great again.

TELA families connect with community at mini health fair

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The entryway of the Betty J. Early Learning Academy was bustling on the afternoon of March 21. Laughter echoed throughout the spacious lobby and the spirits were high as families of the academy participated in TELA’s mini health fair. 

Held on an annual basis, the mini health fair has been a successful event for the academy over the years. The event has helped their students and families connect with local programs and Tribal departments, so they can in turn access a multitude of information, resources, and services. 

In total there were 15 stations at this year’s mini health fair including the Tulalip Family Haven program, the Karen I. Fryberg Health Clinic, SNAP-Ed, the Tulalip Lushootseed department, Tulalip Emergency Management, and the Tulalip police and fire departments as well. TELA also had representatives of the school in attendance including their mental health specialists and members of their staff who helped inform the families about the dangers of tobacco use and also to update student’s ID cards and paperwork. 

The two-hour event began at 2:30 p.m., around TELA’s pick-up time, and parents received a passport sheet as they entered the building. After they received a signature at each of the resource tables, they were entered into a raffle which featured grand prize items like swimming pools, a Radio Flyer wagon, and a Graco 3-in-1 car seat. 

The event was especially exciting for the kiddos, and they had a blast visiting with their teachers and a few familiar faces from the community. There were plenty of fun swag items that the students collected from each station such as coloring books, stickers, first aid kits, and a variety of toys. 

Healthy habits were promoted at the fair and the kids were treated to refreshing fruit smoothies from SNAP-ED, tasty pasta from the Lushootseed Department, and toothbrushes from the dental team at the health clinic. And of course, it is always exciting for the youth to engage with the first responder teams of Tulalip. At the Tulalip Bay Fire Department table, the kids chose between black and pink helmets to add to their outfit of the day. And at TPD’s table, they received police badge stickers, which they were quick to place on their t-shirts and proudly wear for the remainder of their day. 

Said TELA Family Engagement Coordinator, Absyde Dacoscos, “The main objective of the mini health fair is getting resources to our families. We want them to know what’s available to them here on the reservation, but also in Snohomish County and Marysville. I love that the kids can recognize people outside of TELA and are making great connections in the community today. That’s what it’s all about, to know they are safe in their community and know who’s within their community.”