Category: Tulalip News

Unhoused tribal members discuss their fresh start

By Shaelyn Smead, Tulalip News

Before Christmas, tenants began moving into 17 one- and two-bedroom tiny homes for unhoused Tribal members at the Village of Hope. As some of these tenants once struggled to find warmth, safety, and stability, the Village became their saving grace. And though they come from different walks of life, they all have a community and place to feel welcome.

Heather Gobin:

What is your backstory, and how did you come to Village of Hope?

Most people who know me wouldn’t guess this is my reality. I come from a good family and am usually the responsible older sibling. I became a stay-at-home mom, raising two kids who graduated from college. I was raised a believer in Jesus, but more often than not, I was self-righteous. I didn’t understand anything about the drug life and lacked sympathy for my ex when he struggled with addiction. Somewhere along the way, I forgot he was my best friend, and eventually, he passed. I never thought anything like that would happen to me. The streets quickly humbled me. I never recovered from my traumas, and losing my kids’ dad hurt me. I lost everything: my mind and house and began using. Being homeless, I gained perspective in a way I would’ve never had before. I used to look down on homeless people and eventually became one. It could happen to any of us. It changed my heart. I thank God for our Tribe for building a place like this.

What were the first few moments like when you moved in?

It was a very emotional day. I was extremely thankful and humbled. I felt like I was experiencing the grace of God through my Tribe, and I felt like I could finally breathe and relax. It wasn’t a feeling I had felt for a long time. I just sat there in tears, thanking God that I finally had a roof over my head and a place that was mine. I felt safe and like I was no longer a burden to anyone.

How has having housing made a difference in your life?

I feel like it’s opening doors for me to help others. Now that I am at a more stable point with this housing, I can begin to share my story with other people and help them the way He has helped me. 

What are some of the resources the Village provides or has connected you with, that have been helpful?

Of course, staying clean with the treatment center here at the Tribe. When I first arrived, I looked around and recognized everyone. I knew their parents or grandparents, and we’re all in this together. That moved me in a big way. When I first moved into the Village, I thought it was only a six-month program, but hearing that it is a permanent assistant living grant, I was elated. And I just thought, all right, I can do this, I am ready. Then they asked me what I wanted to accomplish, like getting a GED, learning how to cook, getting a job, money management, credit building, etc. I have always struggled with money, so when I was offered a job working within the building and saw that I could take these classes, I was excited. I am also a traditional weaver of 26 years, so as a part of the cultural classes, I will also help teach the other tenants how to weave.

What are some of the goals or dreams of the future since moving into the village?

I want to start with small goals and learn to care for myself. Eventually, I would love to start a nonprofit named after my ex. I want to replicate a place like this, buy a piece of land, and put tiny homes on it. And I want to reach out to people in recovery because something like this [Village of Hope] could turn someone’s life around. It could determine the future of their kids and grandkids. Many parents are battling addiction or are just checked out, and grandparents are left raising their kids. I don’t want kids to live through this life without their parents. I hope that places like this will continue to uplift people and parents to become better. I would also love to build an art studio for recovering addicts to showcase their artwork. 

Alex and Jennifer Hatch:

What is your backstory, and how did you come to Village of Hope?

Jennifer: We have struggled with addiction since we first met. And even more, after my mom passed. We bought a travel trailer, but finding a place with good hookups, water, or power was hard. It was awful, run by a slumlord, and the site would flood with water up to our shins. That’s what we lived in. When you’re in that type of place and living with addiction, it is impossible to get sober or even want to try; it almost ended us. 

Alex: Eventually, we got clean, and I started looking for assistance from the Tribe. It happened to be right around when they were finishing these houses, so I got a job, and everything evolved from there.

What were the first few moments like when you moved in?

Jennifer: Like we were on Extreme Home Makeover. It was fully furnished, with extra household items like bedding, pots and pans, food, toilet paper, etc. It was like we won the lottery. We were full of emotions, and we were so thankful for it. Sometimes it’s still hard to believe we are here and have this opportunity.

Alex: We are amazed by how many people want to help. There was no judgment, but we never felt worthy of receiving help before and thought we had to do it alone. But the Village was here with their arms wide open, willing to help us stay on our path to redemption.

How has having housing made a difference in your life?

Jennifer: We have a new perspective on life. There are so many possibilities, and we finally feel we can breathe.

Alex: It makes me proud to be Tulalip. This is a great example of what Tulalip is doing to help its people. It’s not just an idea; it was put into motion and is directly helping people. We have a strong community within the Village and from the staff supporting us. We come from a hard place, but the people here understand that. We wake up daily and see one big family, and we’re grateful to be here. This has become the foundation for our new life and sobriety. 

What are some of the resources the Village provides or has connected you with that have been helpful?

Alex: The UAs [urinary analysis] help keep us accountable and clean. From what we’ve heard and discussed, we look forward to the many classes they will provide. We want to learn more life skills like money management and credit counseling to build our future. They also are helping and supporting us to find jobs. 

What are some of the goals or dreams of the future since moving into the village?

Jennifer: We are trying to save money and build stability. We would love to fix our credit, pay off some of our debt, and eventually take out a small loan to build a home on our property.

Alex: It is so fulfilling to start dreaming of the future again. We have so many ideas for the property, and now we have the potential to get started on them. I wouldn’t be able to do it anywhere else. We’re committed to making things better for our life, and this has been the best stepping stone for that.

Anonymous:

What is your backstory, and how did you come to Village of Hope?

It was an emergency. I was in a domestic violence (DV) relationship and found myself in a situation where my kids and I were out of a home. I suffered verbal and physical abuse for some time but was in denial. I was living in another state at the time when things got worse. I had family members looking out for me and connected me with people in the Tribe who handled these situations and encouraged me to take my kids and leave. Within a few months, I had a protection order and went from staying on a family member’s couch to moving into the Village of Hope.

What were the first few moments like when you moved in?

It was overwhelming but such a happy day. We were so grateful to be welcomed, but even the small things made a difference. We had the bare essentials but left so much behind when we moved out quickly. The blankets, pillows, a bunk bed, it all meant so much. I even appreciated that they had taken the time to make the bed. Seeing a made bed meant for us was such a difference after everything we had gone through. I remember feeling cozy the first night there, like a real home.

How has having housing made a difference in your life?

It has made all the difference. Running from a DV situation was so scary. But having my kids and the uncertainty of where we will go or what we will do next is terrifying. As a parent, you have the instinct to provide for your kids. I had to stay strong for them, but I didn’t have the answers. Our family and Tulalip community now surround my kids, and they love hanging in the communal building and being around everyone. I am so grateful for our Tribe and how they cared for my family and me. 

What are some of the resources the Village provides or has connected you with that have been helpful?

The Tribe and Legacy of Healing (LOH) has been extremely helpful. When we returned, they helped provide car seats, winter clothes, and many other things. We’ll be in the middle of divorce filings for a while, and the Tribe has offered a great attorney to help me through it. But it’s been hard, and I am so used to being the oldest in my family and looking after everyone else. It was so foreign to me to accept help like this, and I had family and people working in the Tribe and LOH to remind me that it was okay, that I wasn’t in this alone.

What are some of the goals or dreams of the future since moving into the village?

I want to get back on my feet. Now that I don’t have to worry about saving up or looking for somewhere to live and that financial burden is gone, I can put my time and energy toward my next steps. I am now back in school, getting a job within the Tribe, and taking control of my life for my kids. Being away from the reservation for so long, I am excited to get my kids and me back into the community, involved in events, and connected to our culture. Being here is so healing.

The Tribe and Village of Hope have supported and impacted the lives of these tenants. With a fresh start, these tribal members can believe in themselves again and have better hopes for the future. For more information about the Village of Hope, contact Deloris Parks at dparks@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov 

Strengthening the mind and body at Tulalip Bay CrossFit

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

A bold collaboration between Youth Enrichment and Tulalip Bay CrossFit is seeking to make a significant, perhaps even lifelong, impact in the overall health and wellness of Tulalip youth. That is, those youth who are willing to commit just one hour a day, twice a week to burpee, box jump, assault bike, row machine and push themselves into a strength transformation.

“Our goal is to get our youth into strength and conditioning along with gaining knowledge on nutrition. We hope that by them developing these skills, they then gain access to lifelong health,” said Josh Fryberg. “This is also a cool opportunity to support a local, tribal member owned business. Tulalip Bay CrossFit classes are free for youth grades 6th – 12th thanks to financial support provided by Youth & Family Enrichment.”

It’s no secret that many of our people who live past the age of Tulalip’s 58-year average life span are at high-risk for developing high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Also, not a secret that many in the under 40 age group have a propensity to engage in a lifestyle that’s resulted in diseases of despair (drug overdose, suicide, and alcoholic liver disease) among the Tribe’s leading causes of death.

What is a secret, one often whispered in safe spaces filled with like-minded fitness enthusiasts, is the previously mentioned afflictions are largely preventable. All it takes, wait for it, is self-confidence and a purposeful focus to accomplish long-term goals. That’s it, really? Yes, really. Confidence to decline the social pressures of unhealthy activities in order to sustain a mind and body capable of thriving from functional fitness long into the elder years.

This is where Tulalip Bay CrossFit and this newly created youth-centered class comes in. Because for our 712 teenage Tulalip tribal members, they have so much untapped physical potential and teachable mental elasticity that often they just need a safe environment led by a passionate coach who believes in them to break through their imagined limitations. 

“Knowing these moments of accomplishment experienced by the kids eventually turn into memories that fuel them to accomplish more and more is just amazing to me,” said Ananda Pablo, certified CrossFit trainer and coach. “The kids of our community are so adaptable and eager to be active that after the initial shock of actually working out, they make progress so quick as they get adjusted to the CrossFit routines.   

“We’re able to offer a convenient spot that’s on the reservation for them to exercise and engage in healthy behaviors,” she added. Ananda and her husband Roy have been co-owners of Tulalip Bay CrossFit since September 2019. “Honestly, the kids motivate me because I get to witness their growth. I watch them do things they previously told me they couldn’t do, and to see their attitude and self-belief soar after they do those things is just phenomenal.”

Participation in CrossFit has become increasingly popular in recent years, and many young people are reaping the benefits of this high-intensity exercise program. Within the familial confines of Tulalip Bay’s box, how those in the CrossFit world refer to their gyms, is a daily changing workout that combines cardiovascular exercise, weightlifting, and gymnastics. 

CrossFit focuses on functional movements performed at high intensity that offer the following benefits:

  • Improved Physical Fitness: CrossFit is an intense workout that can help young people to improve their physical fitness. The program is designed to improve cardiovascular endurance, strength, flexibility, and overall body composition. Young people who participate in CrossFit can expect to see improvements in their cardiovascular health, muscle strength, and body fat percentage.
  • Increased Confidence: CrossFit workouts can be challenging, but they can also be empowering. Young people who participate in CrossFit can gain a sense of accomplishment and self-confidence when they complete a tough workout or achieve a new personal best. This can be particularly important for young people who may be struggling with self-esteem or body image issues.
  • Social Support: CrossFit provides a sense of community and social support that can be beneficial for young people. The workouts are often done in a group setting, which can provide a sense of camaraderie and teamwork. This can be especially important for young people who may be struggling to find a sense of belonging or social support in other areas of their lives.
  • Improved Mental Health: Exercise has been shown to have positive effects on mental health, and CrossFit is no exception. The high-intensity workouts can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and can provide a natural outlet for negative emotions. Young people who participate in CrossFit may also experience improved self-esteem and self-confidence, which can be beneficial for overall mental health and well-being.
  • Healthy Habits: CrossFit can help young people to establish healthy habits and practices that can last a lifetime. The program emphasizes proper nutrition and rest, which are essential for overall health and well-being. By establishing healthy habits early on, young people can set themselves up for a lifetime of health and wellness.

An additional benefit of the Tulalip Bay CrossFit and Youth Enrichment collaboration is the competitive spirit that is summoned during workouts that showcase the girls versus the boys. When functional fitness is the name of the game, the girls can and do win in convincing fashion.

“It’s so important for women to know it’s okay to be strong. Especially during the teenage years, when there are so many social pressures to be skinny and entire marketing campaigns aimed at making them feel inadequate,” explained Ananda. “When it comes to fitness and exercise, skinny is not a strength; strength is strength. 

“We want our women and girls to feel empowered, so what better way than to actually develop a power they can feel and use on a daily basis. During these youth classes I’ve witnessed two teenaged girls, Lillyannah and Kyla, become so proud to be strong. I’ve seen them out rope climb the boys and out row the boys. Each time they are motivating and pushing each other to be a little bit better than that time before, and that just so inspiring to me because that’s the beauty of progress,” she continued. 

Youth fitness and self-care through exercise are essential for overall health and well-being. Particularly for Tulalip youth, regular physical activity can help to prevent chronic diseases, improve mental health and promote healthy habits and practices. It can be lifechanging for our young people to establish healthy habits early on and to incorporate exercise into their weekly routines. 

These Youth Enrichment sponsored Tulalip Bay CrossFit sessions are held on Mondays and Thursdays from 4:00pm – 5:00pm. Sign up today at the Tulalip Youth Campus located at 6700 Totem Beach Road. Get fit. Be strong. Live healthy. 

Young leaders of Tulalip announce candidacy for the 2023 Youth Council

 By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The aroma of freshly prepared salmon wafted out of the Greg Williams Court on the evening of February 16th. Two days prior, the gym was decorated with hearts a plenty for all the lovers and friends of Tulalip during the Education Division’s Valentine’s Day Dance. And although there were less people in attendance and a large stage in place of the dancefloor, the love was still immensely felt at this year’s Youth Council Candidate Forum. Love for their tribe, peers, community, and the future of Tulalip was on full display by sixteen young adults who are devoted to bring about positive change for both their generation and those yet to come.

“I’m running for Tulalip Youth Council as a sixth grader because I want to bring forward new ideas and change,” said Tribal member, Brodie Kane. “I also want to work with other like-minded kids to reach those goals that we set for ourselves – to make our tribe better for now and for the next seven generations.”

With the 2022 Tulalip Youth Council term coming to an end, these enthusiastic and optimistic young leaders officially announced their candidacy for the 2023 Youth Council. The youth beamed with Tulalip pride as they gave heartfelt speeches about several issues that the tribe’s young population often face while growing up on the reservation, and they displayed a strong desire to remedy concerns such as substance abuse, and the tribal welfare system. Additionally, the teens spoke of ways to uplift their peers through events, conferences, and cultural practices.

Senior Youth Council candidate Samara Davis shared, “I’m in my senior year and I enjoy playing music, creating art, and spending time with my family. I think I would make a good representative for the Tulalip Youth Council for the following reasons: I value integrity and respect the wisdom of previous generations. I believe it’s important to speak up about matters that are of concern in our community and create positive solutions. I come from a family that fought for our people and our country by serving in the military.”

She continued, “I participate in community events such as coastal jams, cultural classes, Lushootseed camp, Salmon Ceremony, and the art festival. I’ve helped the Veterans Committee set up for Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Tulalip Days, and other events. I worked with Youth Employment for the past two years at both TDS and the youth center, I’ve created flyers, posters, banners, and memorial cards. My goal is to learn and grow to be a better leader because I hope to help and serve my people.”

Now in its seventh year since it’s revival in 2015, the Tulalip Youth Council provides countless opportunities for its members to gain real-life experience throughout their term as they grow into their roles as leaders of the new school. The Youth Council is comprised of a junior council (sixth through eighth grade) and a senior council (ninth through twelfth grade), as well as two senior advisor positions. 

Through the Youth Council, the elected officials serve as the voice of the young people during Tulalip Board meetings. They also address a number of concerns that affect both tribal youth and the tribe as a whole, by organizing events throughout the year such as coastal jams, healing circles, fitness camps, and the Get Drugs Off Our Rez Prevention Walk, to raise awareness and help support their peers in a good and healthy manner. 

Not only does the council host events, but they also help plan and actively take part in other community gatherings and culture-based events as well. Most importantly, the Youth Council works side-by-side with the Tulalip Board of Directors during their one-year term, and therefore they have the opportunity to learn first-hand about the ins and outs of the Tribe’s governmental operations.

Guest speaker and Tulalip BOD member, Hazen Shopbell, expressed, “I want to thank these kids for stepping up. It is a tough job. There’s a lot of responsibility. Making decisions and having passion for your tribe and your people gets tough, but always be honest, have integrity, and bring things to the table. That’s some of the most important words I can give you. There can be a lot of pressure and stress at times, but always follow your heart and your dreams. And always remember your ancestors, your elders, and your teachings.”

Before the new candidates stepped up to the podium to present their speeches, they paid tribute to the 2022 Youth Council members and the Youth Council Advisor, Shane McLean, for all their hard work over the past year.

Image Enick, current Senior Council Chairman, said, “This is my third year serving on the Youth Council and I learned a lot from my fellow council members, and especially the advocates. I learned a lot about myself. Out of my three terms, one of my favorite moments is when we had the UNITY Conference come here, and we hosted a small conference here in the gym. It was cool to see other kids from different tribes come together.”

The 2022 Senior Youth Council Treasurer, JD Rinker, added, “It felt really good to be up there to represent our youth. I’m proud of all the candidates who sat behind me because I know they can do something great. I’m glad they took that first step because that’s all you need to get started and become a leader in this community. All in all, I think this was a great [forum] for the new candidates.”

This year, current council members are taking it upon themselves to develop a more efficient and fair voting system for the yearly Youth Council elections, and they are hoping to create a process similar to the Tribe’s BOD elections. And for this reason, the Youth Council and all of the 2023 candidates will be meeting in the next few weeks to brainstorm ideas on how to reach as many Tulalip teens as possible, to ensure they have a voice and an opportunity to cast their vote in the upcoming elections. 

When speaking about the Youth Council Candidate Forum, Tulalip Youth Council Advisor, Shane McLean, stated, “It made me really happy and proud. It’s sad to see the old Youth Council go, but it’s good to see new beginnings. I hope that through the Youth Council, our kids can find their passion and reach their goals, and that they also find their strength as Indigenous People. I hope all of our youth know that they are part of the creation, we’re all here on Mother Earth, and they are meant to be here. I want to let everybody know that our youth really need them right now. I think our youth are facing a lot of things and they need as much support as they can get in their lives.”

The Youth Council Candidate Forum was a success, and it was a pleasure for many to witness several young leaders take the initiative to inspire change for the youth and future generations of Tulalip. Stay tuned as the Youth Council fine-tunes their election process, and as the new candidates hit the campaign trail before election day. 

For more information, please contact Shane McLean at (360) 716-4904.

Extended Foster Care – What is it, and how is it helping youth

Submitted by beda?chelh Leadership

When beda?chelh youth are set to turn 18 and age out of foster care, they become eligible for a voluntary program offered by the State of Washington called Extended Foster Care (EFC). This collaborative partnership between the Tribes and the State ensures youth aging out of foster care are able to transition to independence at their own pace. While this could look different for each youth, the idea is to help them successfully transition to independence and self-sufficiency.

Youth who participate in EFC can choose to remain with their placement until age 21 or choose a different independent living option while continuing to receive support services that would typically end when they turn 18. These services can help youth successfully transition to independence. Support services include:

  • A monthly stipend to help towards living expenses
  • Support with placement options, such as Independent Living
  • Transition planning support
  • Accessing community resources 
  • Help locating service providers and setting up appointments
  • Resume building and job searches

Youth can focus on finishing high school, entering college, learning a trade, entering employment, or any activity that helps to remove barriers to independence. Youth in EFC are also responsible to stay in contact with their social worker monthly. To be eligible for EFC, youth must engage in one of the participation requirements. These include actively working on at least one of the following categories:

  • Enrolled in high school or GED program
  • Applied for or enroll in college or a vocational program;
  • Participation in a program or activity designed to promote or remove barriers to employment;
  • Working 80 hours or more a month

While participants can remain in EFC the entire time from ages 18-21 years old participation in the program is flexible, allowing youth to enter and exit as needed until age 21. This allows particiapnts to receive assistance in a manner that meets their individual needs. beda?chelh has been excited to see the progressive growth of the EFC program with 18 youth currently enrolled in EFC.

Hibulb diversifies kids’ knowledge through crafts

By Shaelyn Smead, Tulalip News

On February 11th, like many other weekends at the Hibulb Cultural Center (HCC), the classrooms were occupied with invested patrons looking to learn and understand aspects of Native culture. One of the classes consisted of a kids’ craft, creating a heart necklace made of cedar. 

The Hibulb enriches the lives of visitors through demonstrations, workshops, cultural presentations, and lectures. But the kids’ crafts can reach new audiences: families. 

Museum Assistant Braxton Wagner, who taught the class that day, said, “It is so much fun working with kids. I love to see their limitless creativity and their curiosity flourish. They can be so sweet. I feel like kids are so open and receptive to learning about different cultures and experiences of other people, and these classes are a great opportunity to teach them.”

A diverse gathering of parents and their children joined the class, where they each received a bag of cedar strips and other materials to make the cedar-woven heart necklace. The kids’ crafts typically are simple activities that they can finish together as a family within an hour or so. By extending out to families, projects like these can diversify kids’ knowledge about the many communities surrounding them and expose them to new cultures. 

When the families weren’t concentrating on the cedar project, kids played, and parents exchanged stories and smiles with each other. One of the parents in attendance was a Ph.D. candidate University of Washington Law and Indigenous Taiwanese citizen Margaret Tu (Nikal Kabala’an). Along with her studies of Indigenous peoples, Margaret has begun her travels across Washington to immerse herself in the culture of local tribes.

Margaret spoke about the beauty of Indigenous communities connecting, “We all have faced similar struggles. Colonization, forced relocation, laws around our language and culture, etc. But we also know the fight that we have for our people and cultural preservation. I hope to learn from the Indigenous communities around here, see what has been successful for them, and take that back to my people.”

She found it necessary to bring her kids along in her journey and attend the class, saying, “We don’t have this opportunity in Taiwan to connect with other Indigenous communities. There’s a cultural revitalization movement around us, and I want my kids to be a part of it. So I think exposing them to these educational and learning opportunities while we’re here is important. I know they enjoyed it.”

Studies have found great value in establishing diverse environments for youth. In 2019, the Michigan Association for Infant Mental Health stated, “We tend to assume that inclusion alone creates respect for differences. However, it is active conversation and support for children’s understanding of diversity that guards against the development of the stereotypes and prejudice that contribute to biased behavior”.

Simple one-hour classes like these provide new exposure, conversations, and knowledge of our people and culture. 

For more information about HCC classes and events, visit their website at: www.hibulbculturalcenter.org/Events.

The Cupid Shuffle

Education Division shows love for the community with Valentine’s Day dance

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The lights were dim, and the music was bumping at the Greg Williams Court on the evening of February 14. Multi-colored strobe lights danced about the room in perfect sync with the music, and added to the aesthetic of both romance and good times on Valentine’s Day this year. 

Tables were stationed around a large space that served as a dancefloor at the head of the gym. While the one and only DJ Monie set the vibes at the start of the evening, families and couples slowly trickled in; some grabbed a plate first, while others lined up at the popcorn and balloon animal lines. And before anyone even knew it, the place was packed, and laughter was shared by all deadly aunties and uncles alike. 

This celebration on the National Day of Love was the first of its kind at Tulalip and was a big success. Hosted by the Tribe’s Education Division, the Community Valentine’s Day Dance had well over one hundred people in attendance, many of whom danced the night away. 

“I danced the entire time,” exclaimed Tulalip youth, Tashina Cortez. “There was Cupid’s Shuffle, Cotton Eye Joe, and I really liked Uptown Funk and the Cha-Cha Slide. I thought this was going to be a regular Valentine’s Day, exchange gifts with classmates and go home. But then I found out it was a dance, and it started getting really fun when people actually started to dance.”

Love birds, parents and children, cousins, and best friends showcased their affection for one another by spending some time and sharing a dance together during the Valentine’s Day gathering. In addition to dancing, there were various activities, including a cake walk and a door prize raffle.


The life of the party was a group of local elders who didn’t miss a step or leave the dancefloor for the duration of the three-hour event. A highlight for many was when a young man and a tribal elder broke the age barrier and joined together in a slow dance while a group of teens circled around them and swayed their phone flashlights back and forth, reminiscent of lighters at a rock concert. And just like that, tribal elders were on the floor with the teens learning how to do the stanky leg, the superman, and the nae nae. 

“We haven’t hosted an all-ages community dance in a long time, so that was really cool to see everyone excited about it,” said Executive Director of the Tulalip Education Division, Jessica Bustad. “It was awesome. It felt so good to see our community in a space together like that, for something positive and for everyone to just have fun. Add to the fact that there were little people all the way to elders dancing, and the elders even outlasted some of the adults!”

This year, February 14th was also Election Day. And as you may know, the Tulalip Education Division was a strong advocate for the levy on this year’s special election ballot, which affects Tulalip students who attend school within the Marysville School District.  Hoping to garner as many yes votes as possible before the 8:00 p.m. deadline, the Education Division took time throughout the dance to remind all eligible voters in attendance to cast their vote. 

Jessica expressed, “Hopefully the levy passes, but aside from the levy, we still have to keep coming together as a community in a positive way to show our children that we can live in a healthy community together.”

Heritage boys have strong showing at Districts

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Led by a new coaching staff, with head coach Malcom Mack at the helm, the Tulalip Heritage boys basketball team soared to a (7-0) record to open the ’22–’23 season. 

It wasn’t until early January that they finally played legit inner-league competition in rivals Grace Academy and Lummi Nation. Those two teams proved to be too much for the Hawks, who couldn’t match the physicality and tempo of their rivals for a full four quarters. Heritage went (0-4) versus the cream of the Northwest 1B crop. 

Fast forward to the end of January and the Hawks were riding a losing streak, with one no-contest vs. Fellowship Christian because of an on-court scuffle, to conclude the regular season. On the morning of February 1, both players and coaches woke up with an overall (12-6) record, which was good enough for the 3rd best team in the Northwest 1B division. However, they also knew they’d be without a couple starters for multiple games because of post-scuffle suspensions and consequences from accumulating too many technical fouls.

Shortly thereafter the 2023 District Tournament bracket was released and the #5 seeded Hawks drew a team in Providence Classical Christian that they had defeated twice by 30+ points during the regular season. This fact gave the coaching staff confidence their squad would still be victorious even being down a couple key contributors.

Tulalip hosted Providence at Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium on February 2. The Hawks came out playing well on both ends of the court. After taking an early 12-3 lead, they extended that to 15 points midway in the 3rd quarter when they led 40-25 in front of their emphatic fans. Then things got really interesting. 

Providence didn’t sulk, nor let their bench players stay in. Instead, the away team left their starters in the whole 4th quarter and they battled back to create a real sense of urgency in the Hawks who had led big for most of the game. Tulalip didn’t help matters by going nearly 8 minutes of game play without scoring a point. With under 4-mintues to go, Tulalip’s big lead had been whittled down to just four points, 40-36. Tarynn Fryberg finally ended his team’s scoreless run with a must needed bucket and made free-throw, which ended up being the difference as the Hawks would hold on to muster a 46-40 win.

Two days later Heritage played rival Grace Academy, in their house, and caught a quick and decisive L. The boys couldn’t hang their head for long following the 37-61 loss because they were scheduled for a loser-out game just 48-hours later.

On February 7, once again at Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium, the Hawks hosted Shoreline Christian. Tulalip had bested Shoreline during both regular season matchups, but that didn’t deter Shoreline from bringing the heat the third time around. The home team struggled mightily offensively in the first quarter to the tune of trailing 2-13. Coach Mack and his assistants must’ve lit quite a fire under the boys because after battling back to make it 24-29 at the halftime, the Hawks shooters ignited an offensive explosion in the 2nd half. After only putting up 24 points the entire 1st half, they put up a whopping 44 points over the 3rd and 4th quarters to pull out an impressive 68-56 come from behind victory.

With the latest win came a chance to place at Districts and secure a spot in the Tri-District Tournament. All they’d have to do is get one more win against their opponent Lopez Island Lobos in their matchup played at Mount Vernon Christian High School on February 9. The Tulalip faithful travelled well for this away game and did their best to bring high energy fandom from the bleachers. 

Those in attendance were treated to a back and forth, entertaining game between two teams desperate for a win. Tulalip jumped out to an early 12-5 lead, but was plagued by turnovers committed against a Lopez full court trap that resulted in easy transition buckets for the Lobos. With senior guard Louie Gallagher on the bench, the Hawks offense continued to sputter and eventually found themselves trailing 17-20 midway in the 2nd quarter. 

After Louie was reinserted back into the game, he’s intensity on both ends of the courts became contagious as his fellow Hawks began jumping passing lanes and running the floor at a near frantic pace…Rez ball at it’s finest.

After leading 31-25 at halftime, Louie and senior forward Nicholas Rhoads did their best to put away the Lobos with timely passing and interior scoring. Louie even had a chasedown block that sent the Hawks fans into a frenzy. The team fed off that energy and continued to run at every opportunity, eventually pushing their lead to 20 points at 61-41. Tulalip never lifted the throttle and wound up with a huge 80-43 win. Senior players Louis Gallagher scored 27 points and Nicholas Rhoads added 20 points to lead their team.

The crowd pleasing win secured a 5th place finish for the Hawks at Districts and punched their ticket to the Tri-District Tournament. 

It was a tough draw for the home team as they were seeded #11 and had to travel to Orcas Island to play a team that had beaten both Grace and Lummi, both teams Tulalip had struggled against all season. It would indeed be an uphill battle versus an overall better team as the Hawks season ended abruptly with a 71-88 loss on February 11. 

“Overall, it was a good season filled with a lot of team dubs,” shared guard Louie Gallagher. “There were times we trailed in games and had to calm down and come back together as a team with the right energy. Those were the most fun games to me when we showed our ability to refocus against a good team and come back to win by a lot. I loved the support the Tulalip community showed me and my brother Blaine and the entire team all season long, whether it was at home games or traveling to watch our away games. Thank you, Tulalip.”