Category: Tulalip News

The Water is Powerful

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

It was still dark as the canoes entered the chilly waters of Tulalip Bay, on the early morning of July 28. Departing from Tulalip and heading south for the 30-mile journey to Suquamish, the Paddle to Muckleshoot continued as tribes gathered to make the arduous journey. The waters were choppy, and a slight wind came in from west to east, creating a tough pull for the many canoe families testing themselves. 

While on the water, there are many factors to think about; watching for other vessels and predicting the wake they make is a big part of it. Sometimes when boats travel by too fast or take off too quickly, waves can rise over the edges of the canoe. So, it’s good to have someone in the skipper position who knows how to handle these situations.  

The skipper is the person sitting in the back of the canoe is usually leading the canoe. Whether telling one side to paddle harder to make turns into oncoming boat waves, or getting everyone on the same page to push harder through rough water, the skipper must know how to handle whatever the water has in store. 

Andrew Gobin led one of the canoes from Tulalip to Suquamish. A few snafus occurred, like in one instance, a boat got too close, and the canoe took on some water. The skipper’s quick actions kept the canoe afloat. Turning the canoe toward shore and paddling extremely slowly, without rocking, they made it ashore safely, where they emptied the canoe. 

As the day passed, the waterways filled with vessels of all sizes. Canoes had to be weary of everyday boaters and large oil tankers crossing their paths as they made their way. But with a solid effort and everyone pulling as a team, pushing through these pathways may seem a breeze to any onlooker. 

  “The most challenging part about pulling a canoe is you will give up mentally before your body physically quits,” said Theresa Sheldon, Tulalip tribal member. “If you get worried, scared, tired, and frustrated, you must deal with that mentally. This is why it is important to sing, laugh, and think positively because the energy within yourself determines the day you will have on the water. Many of us that come together to pull canoe are not family and might not even know each other, but when on the water together, we put the trust of our lives in each other.”

Theresa elucidated, “The water is powerful. The water will humble you beyond words. The water is a spirit. You pray to the water and talk to the water. You can give the water your worries, hurt, joy, and love. You can ask the water for help and guidance. It’s a spiritual process as much as a physical one.”

 “My favorite experience this year was pulling with my son,” said Katie L. Jones, Tulalip tribal member. “This year, he pulled all the way from Tulalip to Suquamish. Watching him with his dedication and strength was an experience I will never forget.” 

 “I yell. When you start to yell around positive things, it starts to ramp up the crew,” said Cory Coiffe of the 7th gen canoe family. “Our 7th gen cheer came out of a spur of the moment and really helped us push. When you arrive at your final destination, there’s nothing but appreciation. You get the time to soak it in and enjoy the other nations involved.” 

After a long day of pushing themselves and navigating the Salish Sea, the canoes reached their destination at Suquamish. There, canoe families met up with their friends and family to rest, relax, and prepare for their final leg to Alki Beach.  

Canoes land at Tulalip while en route to Muckleshoot

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

“My beautiful Indigenous people, we thank you for coming with a good heart and a good mind. We have a place for you to rest, a meal prepared – and we welcome you ashore to our ancestral homeland of the σδυηυβš people.”

From the shoreline of Tulalip Bay, tribal member and cultural bearer, Thomas Williams, spoke traditional Lushootseed to welcome around 30 canoe families as they pulled into the village from the Salish Sea. July 26 was the quintessential PNW summer day – clear skies and warm weather, which provided a gorgeous view for the scores of community members who gathered to watch the canoes arrive at Tulalip. 

Kids jumped with joy each time they spotted a canoe in the distance, gliding across the glistening waters, each paddle stroke in-sync. As they drew closer to the shore, the people admired the craft and artwork of the canoes, and they cheered jubilantly once the canoe families were granted permission to come ashore. Volunteers from the community met the pullers on the rocky shore and lined up alongside the canoes before hoisting them upon their shoulders to park them safely in the grassy areas of the smokehouse and the Kenny Moses building. 

Anticipation and excitement grew within the community in the weeks leading up to the landing at Tulalip. It’s been four long summers since the last canoe journey took place at Lummi in 2019, and the people were ecstatic to see the canoes make their return this year. 

The canoe journey is a cultural revitalization movement that began in the summer of 1989 when Quinault tribal member, Emmett Oliver, orchestrated the first intertribal canoe pull for Seattle’s centennial celebration. Since then, coastal tribes and First Nation bands have alternated hosting duties each summer as the final destination for that year’s journey. After celebrating its 30-year anniversary, the event was put on hold in 2020, and the subsequent years, due to the pandemic. The 2023 Paddle to Muckleshoot serves as the official comeback year for canoe journeys, and hundreds of Natives took to the ancestral highway for some culture and good medicine. 

Tulalip began preparations for canoe journey at the top of the year by hosting weekly culture nights, where attendees crafted regalia and various items that could be both utilized and gifted by the Tulalip canoe families. This spring, the Tribe held an awakening ceremony for the tribal canoes, Big Brother, Big Sister, and Little Sister. 

At the time, Tulalip Skipper Taylor Henry shared, “The canoes have their own spirits because they were living trees at one point. Waking them up is part of that spiritual connection between us and them, it helps us go smoother on the water. When we take care of them, they take care of us.”

Shortly after the awakening, the Tribe hosted weekly canoe practices to train and build endurance for long distance pulls across the sacred waterways. And weeks prior to Tulalip’s launch date from Lummi, the Tribe organized coastal jams, so that tribal members could practice the songs and dances that would be offered during protocols throughout the journey.

Following the eight-hour pull from Swinomish, the canoe families set-up camp at various locations around the reservation before attending protocol at the Gathering Hall that Wednesday night. The pullers spent the next day getting some well-deserved and much-needed rest before enjoying a coastal jam inside of the Tulalip longhouse on Thursday evening. The canoe families arose early Friday morning and asked permission to leave Tulalip and continue on their journey to Muckleshoot. 

With numerous tribes throughout the region taking part in this year’s journey, there were two routes each canoe family could take depending on their location. The thirty-something canoes that visited Tulalip joined nearly seventy more canoe families at Suquamish before they all departed for the final destination at Alki Beach on July 30. 

Canoe Journey ends with an extended stay at the hosting tribe’s rez, where a week’s worth of culture sharing takes place. Each tribe and/or canoe family gets the opportunity to share the songs and dances of their people, and both the Tulalip canoe family and the Fryberg family canoe, Salish Spirit, were allotted time to share during protocol at Muckleshoot. They hit the floor back-to-back as the 48th and 49th groups on this year’s protocol list.

After the canoes landed at Alki, Tulalip tribal member and canoe puller, Theresa Sheldon, took to Facebook to share, “Feeling all the emotions as Tulalip pulled into Alki Beach this morning, our U&A territory! It’s absolutely beautiful to see Tulalip Youth Council on Big Brother! Most of these teens are third generation pullers now. We will never not know a day without our canoes and without the ability to travel on our ancestral highways. May they continue to bless us and guide us in all that we do. Grateful for our skippers and pullers who got us to Alki!”

TeePee Creepers take over Bite of Seattle

“If if there is a secret ingredient, it’s love. The love I have for my people, my culture, my family, and my customers who keep us in business.”

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

One of Washington’s most iconic culinary traditions, The Bite of Seattle, made a historical 2023 return after being shut down the previous three years for various Covid-related concerns. The weekend-long food festival took place July 21 – 23 at its usual and accustomed grounds located in the heart of Seattle Center. 

Local Q13 Fox News affiliate reported the Bite reeled in more than 75,000 people on the first night alone. This year’s event easily shattered previous attendance records, attracting diverse attendees and vendors.

Among the vibrant spirits and culinary diversity among 100+ food vendors was Tulalip’s own master fryer Lynette Jimicum. She journeyed to the Emerald City’s three-day food extravaganza with her dedicated family crew, who helped operate rez-famous TeePee Creepers.

“We were told by coordinators that we are the very first Native Americans to have a food stand at the Bite of Seattle,” asserted Lynette, the 57-year-old teepee creeping proprietor.

At the behest of her sons, nephews, and cousins, who enjoyed her food on the regular and suggested she enter the food market, she debuted her frybread concoctions at Tulalip’s 2015 bone games. Her debut was so successful that she followed up with another appearance only weeks later at Boom City, again with great success. The rest, as they say, is history. 

“I was truly surprised by my early success…that the people loved my cooking and simple, homemade chili, salsa, and jam to add even more flavor to my frybread,” reflected Lynette. “Since then, I’ve been doing big gathering events, especially cultural events hosted by local tribes from Lummi to Muckleshoot. Everywhere I go, people love my food. I keep a very simple menu with all local ingredients, but if there is a secret ingredient, it’s love. The love I have for my people, my culture, my family, and my customers who keep us in business.”

Known best for its mouthwatering, extra fluffy, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, golden-colored frybread dishes, TeePee Creepers brought out all sweet and savory hits. The O.G. standard frybread and jam, Indian tacos with homemade chili, two hands required rez burgers, and delicious frybread shortcake. 

While the record-setting Bite attendance overwhelmed many vendors, resulting in extra long lines and wait times, Lynette’s thirteen-person frybread wrecking crew banged out order after countless order with ease. TeePee Creepers stood out for having an open cooking area in full view of spectators to take pictures and videos as they witnessed, perhaps for the first time ever, actual Native American cuisine being cooked up by actual Native Americans. 

“We’ve been asked a lot of questions by people who have never heard of nor seen frybread before. It’s been nonstop, questions about frybread or them asking to take our picture,” said Charissa Sigo after posing with freshly made frybread for a Venezuelan customer.

“It’s been a lot of fun. We got a good team going on here,” added Carla Hillaire while kneading dough destined for a sizzling oil bath. “Our vibes have been so good that we added another item to the menu: smiles! A side of free smiles comes with every order.”

Bite of Seattle 2023 lived up to its reputation as a community-driven event that fosters connections. The festival provided a platform for local businesses like TeePee Creepers, and food artisans like Lynette to showcase their unique, homemade offerings. Offering a new way to experience a cross-cultural exchange, one bite at a time.

Native Americans have found empowerment and community-building opportunities through making and selling frybread in several ways:

  • Cultural Preservation: Frybread serves as a symbol of Native American cultural identity and resilience. By making and selling frybread, Native Americans are keeping their culinary traditions alive and passing them down to younger generations. This act of cultural preservation helps instill a sense of pride and connection to their heritage.
  • Economic Independence: For many Native American communities, economic opportunities can be limited, especially on reservations and in rural areas. By selling frybread at powwows, festivals, and other events, individuals and tribal groups can generate income to support themselves and their families. This economic independence can help reduce reliance on government assistance and foster self-sufficiency.
  • Community Bonding: Making and selling frybread often involve community efforts and collaboration. Families and tribal members come together to prepare and cook the bread, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. This communal activity strengthens social ties within the community and reinforces a sense of belonging.
  • Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses: Some Native Americans have turned frybread-making into small businesses. They may sell frybread from food trucks, roadside stands, or even establish restaurants that feature traditional Native American cuisine. Through these entrepreneurial ventures, individuals can contribute to the local economy and create job opportunities for others.
  • Cultural Exchange and Education: Selling frybread at public events provides an opportunity for cultural exchange. Native Americans can share their heritage, traditions, and history with non-Native customers, fostering understanding and appreciation for their culture. This can also combat stereotypes and misconceptions about Native American communities.
  • Funding for Tribal Initiatives: Revenue generated from selling frybread can be reinvested in tribal initiatives, such as educational programs, healthcare services, infrastructure development, and cultural events. By using the income strategically, tribes can address various needs and challenges faced by their communities.
  • Advocacy and Awareness: In some cases, frybread sales have been used as a platform for advocacy and raising awareness about Native American issues. Activists and community leaders may use these opportunities to discuss the history of frybread, its connections to colonial oppression, and advocate for healthier food options and cultural preservation.

Despite the positive aspects, it is also essential to consider potential challenges and concerns related to frybread consumption. The high-fat content and processed nature of the dish have been associated with health issues such as obesity and diabetes within some Native American communities. Thus, efforts to promote healthier traditional foods and food sovereignty continue to be important alongside the celebration of frybread’s cultural significance.

Camp culture powered by language warriors

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

For two-and-a-half decades, dedicated language warriors of the Lushootseed department have planned, coordinated, and hosted our community’s children in the closest thing we have to a full-on cultural immersion experience. An opportunity for the youngest generation to glimpse the traditional syllables and syntax of their ancestor’s common tongue through everyday phrases, storytelling, and glorious song accompanied by deer hide drum beats.

“Teaching Lushootseed is incredibly beneficial to our youth,” explained Michele Balagot, Lushootseed Manager. “Learning more than one language helps with brain development, which opens their minds to more possibilities. 

“We know some kids don’t have the opportunity to learn Lushootseed in school, so, for them, our summer camps are the only chance they get to participate in learning the language,” she continued. “No matter the experience level or how ingrained in the culture the children may be, they all make connections and becomes family here. For me, my favorite part of Lushootseed camp is the big play put on Friday. All the parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts come together to watch their child in the program sing, dance, and act in a play. All in Lushootseed!” 

Highly anticipated by both parents and kids alike, this year’s 26th annual Lushootseed day camp was offered in two one-week options. The first occurred between July 10-14, while the second took place the following week July 17-21.

Open to children between the age of five to twelve years old with a desire to learn a little language of their ancestors and a whole lot about their traditional lifeways, Lushootseed Camp provides invaluable cultural immersion through various methodologies. This is achieved by kids cycling through several hands-on workstations each day, such as art, weaving, songs, traditional teachings, games, language, and technology.

During week one, there were a total of 57 camp participants and 18 group leaders. Week two saw a slight uptick, with a total of 59 participants and 17 group leaders. It’s important to note that nearly all the group leaders, whether teenage or adult, were previous camp kids in their younger years, now older and willing to give back to the summer experience they once enjoyed.

One of those grown-up camp kids includes now Lushootseed teacher assistant Krislyn Parks. She credited long-time Lushootseed teacher Michelle Myles for being a highly impactful, positive influence on her not just at camp over a decade prior, but also at Heritage Highschool. Michelle has instructed a Lushootseed course at Heritage for a few years now. That’s where Krislyn was able to take the course and receive a thorough education on the language of her ancestors. The combination of experiences was so transformative that Krislyn chose to join the Lushootseed department after graduation.

“Seems like only yesterday that I was a Heritage student taking Lushootseed for three years straight, all of it taught by Michelle. She motivated all of us students at the time to embrace our culture, learn our language, and challenged us to implement what we were learning into our daily lives,” recalled Krislyn. “That experience was a big reason why I chose education as my future and what better way to educate our kids than through Lushootseed. Just by learning the language, you can learn all kinds of lessons about what was important to our people back then and what we should probably return to today.”

This year’s camp centered around Tulalip ancestor Elizabeth ‘Lizzie’ Krise’s traditional story titled Deer and Changer. This story takes place long ago. Long before the world was the way it was today and long before humans were a part of it. There were only animal people. When Changer passed through this world to make it ready for humans, some of the animal people were resistant. One such being was Deer, who attempted to stop Changer from making his changes. Ultimately, Deer’s plan fails, and his treachery results in all modern-day deer having dewclaws in their hooves, otherwise thought of as bones in the back of their feet.

The lessons youth learned daily at the various workstations were based on Lizzie Krise’s story, which tells how deer got extra bones in their feet. This story plot provided ample opportunity to teach the children about Bone Games, which Krislyn was excited to teach the kids how to play as she’d been playing for as long as she could remember. 

“It was stressful prepping a workstation that would be enticing for the kids to play and keep their attention, but in the end, it all worked out and was a lot of fun. The best part for me was after teaching them, being able to then step back and watch them play Bone Games with each other,” said Krislyn. Her aunt Carrie Fryberg’s family has played, traveled, and organized Stick Games tournaments for a long time. 

“Having a camp like this, where our kids get to learn about all aspects of their culture, not just ones that their family carry on, is super important,” she added. “We had so many kids admit to not even knowing what Stick or Bone Games are, and now some of those same kids are asking for Tulalip to form a kids’ travel team so they can continue to play against other tribes. That’s pretty cool to witness, in real-time, the transformation that can happen when our kids are given the opportunity to learn their culture.”  

Every camp station and its daily lessons incorporated some kind of traditional teaching and Lushootseed verbiage. Using creative, hands-on activities to keep the energetic youngsters focused, the language warriors made the most of their opportunities to teach the importance of tradition. From vibrant art creations to working together as a community to problem solve, camp kids were learning while having fun.

Using tablets loaded with custom-built software called ACORN (Acquisition of Restored Native Speech), combined with the next generation’s natural predisposition for digital screens, Lushootseed techs Dave Sienko and Brian Barry used digital gaming and videos to teach tradition. 

“I’m new here in the Lushootseed department, but found out pretty quick that it operates like an extended family. Everyone is willing to help the next person to reach the desired outcome, whether that’s going out harvesting together or sharing ideas and know-how that help us all perform our work more efficiently,” shared Brian as he pivoted between kids asking for assistance with their tablets. “At the technology station, we had Samsung tablets that were loaded with culture-related games and videos. Through the various age groups, some of them loved to watch previous years’ plays and songs. Some kids didn’t want to watch the play and instead would sit mesmerized by a video showing how to fillet a salmon. That showed me how much the cultural stuff really does resonate with even the youngest of tribal members.”

Both one-week camps culminated with the kids performing their own rendition of Deer and Changer in play form for their loved ones and the greater Tulalip community. Afterward, the ceremonial witnesses shared heartfelt words, followed by camp participants giving away their handmade crafts created during the past week to audience members. 

Vote Eliza Davis for Marysville School Board

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

“Our students, staff, and families deserve to thrive in schools that set them up for success in a rapidly changing world.”

By now, Washington State voters should have received their official ballots in the mail. And with the primary elections approaching quickly on August 1, it’s time to fill in those bubbles with your favorite blue or black ballpoints to fulfill your civic duty and exercise that right to vote. When taking a look at all the candidates and their respective positions they are running for, you may notice a familiar name on your ballot. 

Tulalip tribal member Eliza Davis is in the race for a seat on the Marysville School District (MSD) Board of Directors, in which she would represent District Two if elected. Not only does she have full backing from the tribe, but she also received an endorsement from MSD’s current board president, Paul Galovin, and the 38th Legislative District Democratic Party as well. 

Along with strong endorsements, Eliza brings years of experience working with children and their families within the field of education. After spending close to six years teaching tribal youth their ancestral language as a Lushootseed instructor, she joined the MSD team. She dedicated over a decade of her time working as a Native American liaison at Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary. 

In 2017, Eliza made the decision to take a position at the Tribe. She has since gained valuable knowledge and tools, and also built a strong connection with her community, as the Tribe’s General Services Director. With a four-year term on the line, she is contending against two other candidates for the District Two position. With her passion and drive, Eliza is determined to get elected to help make a positive impact and an overall better educationalal journey for the local leaders of tomorrow. 

“I am very passionate about education, really passionate about our kids and also our communities. Ensuring the welfare of our communities in the future is huge for me,” said Eliza. “A core value that I was raised to live by is that we serve our community. We don’t sit back, wait, and wonder what they’re going to do for me. We do everything we can for the community, to make it a better place.”

Because of her background in education and the work she put into both Marysville and Tulalip, people of the community began to approach her to ask if she would consider running for the school board this year. Confident in knowing what she brings to the table, Eliza obliged the requests by enterering her hat into the ring for the upcoming elections. 

She divulged, “My experience working inside the school system helped me understand not only the needs of our students, but also our families. Helping them navigate certain systems when they don’t have all the knowledge at their fingertips, helping them advocate for their students, letting them know what legal rights their children have as students, and ensuring that our students’ experiences at school are culturally relevant.”

As the only tribal member candidate, Eliza stressed that it’s important that Native students see someone from the tribe in a position to advocate for their needs and address their concerns, while also being able to relate to their experience at MSD. 

“I’ve always strived to be a role model for our youth and our kids,” she expressed. “I also went through the same systems they are going through, grew up in the same communities, the same reservation and town, and showing them that we can ultimately do anything that we choose to do, if we put the work in, is important. It’s also important for kids to see people and community members like them, who are working within the systems that are educating them. And I’m proud that I can be someone they look up to and see themselves in.”

She continued, “It’s been a long time since we’ve had representation on that school board. I think that it’s important to have representation because we matter. We’re here and we deserve it after so many years of being silenced. And having a boarding school right here on our reservation, being stripped of our culture, our voices, our language, it makes a difference that we are advocating for what is best for our students. But I also want to be clear that I am somebody who is an advocate for all kids, and I would represent all.”

When asked about the areas she would address should she be elected, Eliza spoke about funding and the importance of ensuring that each school has adequate drinking water, safe and comfortable learning spaces and classrooms, and funding for extracurricular activities. She also touched on the need for mental health counselors for students within the district, especially in today’s era where social media reigns supreme. 

She said, “When you think about our youth nowadays, and you think about all the pressure that kids have, I feel like our kids have a lot of anxiety and a lot of social emotional issues, like when you look at social media and the pressures of that. And then we have a whole group of kids that missed out on the school experience for two and a half years, kids who were in elementary school and when they came back, they’re now in middle school, because of the pandemic. So, having more mental health counselors within our schools is essential, and it can help give our kids the tools they need to weather whatever huge emotions that they might have. I feel like right now, our schools don’t fund mental health counselors, they fund career counselors or just school counselors. The guidance counselors are not mental health counselors.”

Eliza noted that the students and faculty of Liberty Elementary reported brown water coming from both the drinking fountains and the tap. Parents and teachers alike have voiced concern about their students’ learning environments as many schools within the district have overcrowded classrooms, and thus, some schools have resorted to holding class in outdated portables. Of course, this is just one of many other issues that MSD is presently facing, including schools that lack classroom climate control – little to no A/C in the spring and summer months and poor heating throughout the fall and winter seasons. 

With the school district’s recent history of failed bonds and levies, Eliza believes it’s time to switch up the funding formula within MSD and distribute funds based on the needs of each school, as opposed to their current straight across the board distribution practices. And with prior experience in lobbying the state for funding, she is ready to go toe-to-toe with the state once more in the name of education for young Marysville and Tulalip learners.   

Eliza’s shared a statement in regard to these issues in her official announcement for candidacy, “Our students, staff, and families deserve to thrive in schools that set them up for success in a rapidly changing world. Accomplishing this requires that existing funds be carefully and equitably distributed to each school, and that new or expanded funding sources be acquired from the state to meet every school’s needs. I will utilize my experiences as a language teacher, educational liaison, and General Services Director to achieve this. These roles have allowed me to serve our community in a variety of ways, including public/school budgeting, organizational management, and the arduous process of lobbying for more funding from Olympia.”

Eliza is depending on your vote in this primary election. As a reminder, your ballots need to be turned in by 8:00 p.m. on August 1. The nearest drop box is located in the parking lot of the teen center. For more information on Eliza’s campaign, please visit www.ElizaDavis.nationbuilder.com, and be sure to follow her Facebook page, Eliza Davis for MSD 25 Board Pos. 2. 

Eliza shared, “We have almost 200 of our kids who are going to Catholic private schools. Catholic nuns and priests literally stripped us of our language and beat our kids. Families are sending their kids to these private schools now after all of that, because that’s how bad they believe Marysville is. I’m not saying those schools are beating our kids in this day and age, but it says something that they would rather go to a private Catholic school than be in this public school system. So, that’s why it’s important to have Tulalip voices, to give our input, protect our kids, and advocate for what’s best for our kids.” 

Catching up with Charlie Buckets

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News, photos courtesy A.J. Parish

Were you aware that July 24 is International Self-Care Day? It’s true. Look it up if you don’t believe us. 

A quick history lesson: in 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced a “Self-Care Month” starting on June 24 and ending on July 24 to coincide with International Self-Care Day. This month-long stretch was deemed ample opportunity to allow for regional and national level initiatives by the WHO and its health-conscious partners to be highlighted.

Self-Care Day stresses the importance of self-care as the cornerstone of wellness. On this day, individuals worldwide are encouraged to make self-care a part of their everyday routines and turn it into a priority. It is a milestone and an opportunity to raise further awareness of the benefits of effective self-management of health. The concept of self-care has been around for a while, but it has recently received much attention because of its emphasis on wellness. This can include anything from following a healthy diet and exercising proper cleanliness to developing disease-prevention strategies in one’s daily routine.

Self-care is what people do for themselves to establish and maintain health to prevent and deal with illness. It is a broad concept encompassing hygiene (general and personal), nutrition (type and quality of food eaten), lifestyle (sporting activities, exercise), and environmental factors (living conditions, social habits).

In celebration of the upcoming day dedicated to self-care, we caught up with Tulalip’s own Charlie Contraro to discuss her recent accomplishments and the role self-care plays in her life.

As a proud Native American and Tulalip citizen, Charlie was born into a world full of studies, statistics, and reports that attempt to decree that because of her heritage and close residency to her home reservation, she is at high risk for a litany of life debilitating diseases. The most pervasive being diabetes, cardiovascular disease (heart failure), substance abuse disorder, various forms of cancer, and liver disease.

To her fortune, Charlie’s parents Mike Contraro and Annie Jo Parish firmly believe in the notion that prevention is the best medicine. In their decade of parenting their youngest daughter to not just know of but actually embody self-care as medicine, young Charlie has become a delightful oddity compared to her peers. She devours blueberries by the handfuls, enjoys chicken breast as a primary protein source, routinely declines processed foods, and her beverages of choice are not sugar-filled sports drinks and pop. Instead, she prefers the standard taste of life-giving water and reaps the rehydration benefits of Pedialyte after her games.  

This seemingly simple yet difficult to live by mantra to forego processed foods and refined sugars for more nutrient-dense, vitamin-filled food comes with a whole host of performance benefits for the recent 4th-grade graduate. Measuring five-foot two-inches tall and weighing 97 pounds, Charlie’s physical stature is one of a lean and agile athlete capable of extended peak performance. Typifying that point, her recent performance on the basketball courts of Arizona while competing in the 2023 Native American Jr. Nationals brought her much adoration from teammates, opponents, and top-tier youth basketball scouts. 

During a GC3 Hoops live special about the state of tribal athletics, one scout said after watching Charlie’s team Seven Feathers play, “Their star point guard, Charlie, is already my #1 prospect for the class of 2031. You can put her in your database right now.” 

George Courtney, Senior Editor for GC3, added, “She played up in the middle school division with the Young Warriors, as well. I’m watching her and taking notes. Then when I talked to her after the game and learned she’s only a 4th grader, I was like, ‘WOW! She’s special and going to be really, really good.’ She has a great I.Q., she handles the ball well, has great feel and anticipation for the game, and has everything you’d want in the foundation for a young athlete. I was very impressed with her. In fact, I had one of the college coaches who was in attendance come over and ask for her information because they want to keep a tab on her.”

In Arizona, Charlie continued her recent play with a self-described All-Star team with her co-ed team Seven Feathers. Featuring four of her Yakama and Colville cousins, this team has a much more instinctive and free-flowing feel to it than her more structured Tree of Hope team operating under Nike’s AAU umbrella. Charlie and her Seven Feathers all-Native team dominated in Lummi back in April, winning every game by close to 40 points per game. Then they traveled to Mesa, Arizona’s Legacy Sports Complex, for Jr. Nationals last month. Her team again dominated, going undefeated in pool play, bracket play, and ran away with the W in the championship game. 

“It’s a lot of fun playing with a team that every player can dribble, pass, and shoot. And defend!” declared 10-year-old Charlie after returning from Arizona with bragging rights for being selected to the All-Tournament team and winning a legit championship belt. “I feel like Rocky Balboa after he became champion.”

After winning it all at Jr. Nationals, Charlie’s parents permitted her to get her first taste of a genuine media day. She was subsequently interviewed by regional coaches and scouts, like those of GC3, and got photographed for Tribal Athletics promotional materials. Of course, the bucket getter had to pose with her Wilson Evolution basketball and championship belt. 

As her on-court potential continues to soar with each passing Native tournament and AAU season, Charlie’s consistent discipline with how she fuels her body with water, fruits, veggies, and lean meats remains steadfast. She’s seen the results and knows what works for her self-care routine. However, she also knows there’s always room for improvement. 

To avoid burnout with high-level, year-round basketball, Charlie and her family agreed to make the most of short-term pauses between seasons so that she could develop other passions. Knowing that her mom and dad first met when they were frequent competitors on the Native softball circuit, Charlie opted to try her skills on the softball field. Her point guard mentality transitioned seamlessly to the pitching mound, where she most recently competed in Everett Little League for the Orcas. 

In softball, she worked towards finding a new routine. One that consisted of warming up pre-game by pitching to her dad after he braided her hair, enjoying her always scrumptious blueberries, and then implementing a series of visualizations. She would visualize her pitches and their ideal locations to each hitter to maximize her opportunities for getting strikeouts.   

Charlie didn’t experience the same level of team success on the softball field that she routinely secures on the basketball court, but she admitted it was still a lot of fun to be challenged in new ways. “When I’m pitching and things aren’t going my way, I take time to reflect and replay my pitches in my head between innings. If I can see what I did wrong, then I can make adjustments and get it right the next inning. Plus, there are always more games and more chances to get better,” she said. 

At just 10-years-old, Charlie is a true breath of fresh air as it relates to Tulalip’s next generation and their acceptance of prioritizing self-care for a strong mind and body that are capable of not just persevering through physical challenges, but making sound mental adjustments when faced with an obstacle to increase their chances for success. So on this International Self-Care Day, we encourage our readers to be like young Charlie for just one day by drinking only water, eating a handful or two of blueberries, and making time to sit in the peace and quiet in order to visualize what your goals are and what adjustments you can make to accomplish them. 

Leah’s Dream Foundation raises $39,000 at annual golf tournament

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News; photos courtesy of Deanna Sheldon

When looking back at all the amazing work that Leah’s Dream Foundation has done since its inception in 2015, you may find yourself wiping away happy tears. Beautiful, heartwarming, and life changing are a few words that come to mind when one accounts for all the friendships fostered, resources provided, memories made, and smiles shared through the non-profit’s efforts. Over the past nine years, Leah’s Dream has helped build a strong community for local children who are on the spectrum, and their families as well, by hosting events and activities that are geared toward their needs, while simultaneously providing a safe space where the youth can have fun together and enjoy the thrills of being a kid. 

A look through the foundation’s social media pages shows how much of an impact Leah’s Dream has made in the Marysville and Tulalip communities. Their bi-monthly activity nights are a big hit and it’s something the families look forward to, which is evidenced in their event photos that show their participants having a blast and exuding joy. In addition to their activity nights, Leah’s Dream Foundation is a major advocate for inclusion for the students with special needs who attend the Marysville School District. Recently, the non-profit provided funds to install sensory playground equipment, that is wheelchair accessible, at both the Grove and Marshall elementary schools. The foundation also utilizes their funds to provide supplies, learning tools, and curriculum for the special needs classrooms within MSD. 

Considering all the good that Leah’s Dream does for the community, it’s a bit surprising to learn that the foundation only hosts one fundraiser each year. And that fundraiser has grown in popularity over the past nine summers in both sponsorship and participants, and therefore, the amount of money received in donations has also grown exponentially since the first golf tournament in 2015. 

“This was our largest tournament we’ve had to date,” exclaimed Deanna Sheldon, Tulalip tribal member and Founder of Leah’s Dream. “We had 65 sponsors, 135 players, and in total we raised a little over $39,000. And the weather was great! We’re just really excited, so happy and blessed that people keep coming back to support the foundation.” 

From the first to the eighteenth hole, signs were posted throughout the Battle Creek Golf Course displaying the name of each sponsor. And some of those signs even conveyed a special message for young Leah Stacy, Deanna’s daughter and namesake of the foundation. 

  “If you have a child with special needs, or any type of needs, there’s a grieving process you are constantly going through as a parent, knowing your child doesn’t have the same opportunities,” Deanna expressed. “Leah, she has apraxia so it’s very hard for her speech. When she was diagnosed, a lot of people told me she wasn’t going to be able to do a lot because of her speech, but she’s very intelligent.”

She continued, “I have a niece who has autism as well as a nephew. So, we really wanted to figure out how to give back to our community and what we could do to make a positive impact. Our first annual golf tournament funds went to PECS, which is a picture exchange communication system. When Leah was in developmental preschool, the teachers didn’t know anything about PECS. And we worked with the school district to send some teachers and speech therapists to get training on PECS. And throughout the years, we’ve seen a lot of different inequalities within the school system. It’s more aimed toward the general public and never our kids, it never felt inclusive. So, I love seeing families come to our events and know that we have a safe space for their children.”

Deanna and the foundation expressed a deep gratitude for the sponsors and golfers who show their support by participating in the tournament year after year. Thanks to their contributions, the foundation is able to host those events for the kids, as well as ensure that they are receiving the best experience and care at school.

Coming from a golfing family, Leah has a special connection to the Battle Creek course where her father is the head pro. And according to her mom, Leah loves going for golf cart rides through the scenic course. Deanna explained that Leah’s excitement for the event begins to build when she notices her family preparing for the annual summertime tournament. This is when she realizes that it’s time to post the sponsor signs at the course, which is her absolute favorite.

Said Deanna, “She’s so funny. Every single year, she knows when it’s golf tournament time. There’s nothing more special than the Friday night before the tournament, when she runs to the truck because she knows it’s time to put out the signs. She gets so excited. She loves to ride around in her golf cart, thanking people. Those Friday nights, she has so much fun putting the signs up because she decides what person should go on which hole. And this year, she really tried putting the stakes into the ground.”

While advocating for inclusion, promoting awareness about autism, and raising funds to support the local special needs community, golfers from all over the county come to Tulalip to take part in the fundraiser. Many tribal elders, leaders, and board members tee’d-off at this summer’s tournament, including Leah’s grandpa Ray, Tulalip Board of Director Mel Sheldon, and the Tribe’s Interim CEO, Rochelle Lubbers. Families are also encouraged to hit the links as well. Throughout the day, parents and children are seen putting on the greens while enjoying quality family time and soaking up sunshine. 

Deanna stated that although it is a tournament, the foundation’s main objective for the event is for everyone to have fun and not to solely focus on the competitive aspect of the sport. However, there are several mini-competitions that are held at certain holes where golfers can play to win prizes. And each participant also walks away with a swag bag filled with items branded with the Leah’s Dream Foundation logo. And now that this year’s competition came and went, Deanna is already brainstorming ideas to celebrate the tournament’s tenth anniversary next year. 

“It’s crazy that we will be hosting our 10th annual tournament,” shared Deanna. “Originally, I’d get excited when we reached 20 teams for the year, and now we are close to tripling that. I love seeing people who come every single year, and the new first-time participants too. It’s a great accomplishment for such a small non-profit and it makes such an impact knowing that all the money goes to areas that are well-needed.” 

For more information about the non-profit and their work, you can visit their official website, www.LeahsDream.org. And to stay updated about their upcoming events, be sure to follow Leah’s Dream Foundation on Facebook, as well as their newly established page, Leah’s Dream Activity Club.

Following the record-breaking tournament, Leah sent out a special video where she stated, “Thank you for sponsoring and playing in Leah’s golf tournament!” 

The video was accompanied by a short and moving caption written by Deanna that said, “Her speech is getting so much better!”