The Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association (NNABA) selected Tulalip as the host for its 27th annual gathering, held at the Gathering Hall. The two-day event on October 4 and 5 saw over 600 registered guests and 38 teachers, marking the largest gathering in the organization’s history. The NNABA continues to provide a space for Indigenous peoples of the Northwest to share and learn cultural and artistic skills, including creating native regalia and various styles of basketry.
The gathering offered guests various weaving classes to choose from, where they learned techniques using materials like cedar, sweetgrass, wool, and yarn. Participants had seven hours each day to work on their projects, with classes filling up on a first-come, first-served basis. Each teacher provided the necessary materials for their craft, with fees for both lessons and supplies varying depending on the craft and instructor.
Tulalip tribal member Hiedi Zackuse expressed her enthusiasm, saying, “This is super cool.” Another attendee, Jack McCloud from Nisqually, reflected on the significance of the gathering: “I didn’t grow up with much tradition. My grandparents spoke our language fluently but weren’t allowed to teach us about our culture. Being part of this year’s gathering makes me proud. It feels like our culture has come back stronger than ever. Seeing the imagination of all the artists here is incredible.”
During the event, each completed item was announced by teachers, who would stand up to share what had been created and by whom. Applause filled the room as participants proudly raised their finished projects for all to see, creating a warm and supportive atmosphere.
Tulalip tribal member and teacher Toni Jo Gobin flew in from Hawaii to share her unique basketry techniques. Reflecting on her experience, Gobin said, “It was awesome teaching at the Gathering Hall. It was a lot of fun meeting everyone. This was my first time teaching and attending a NNABA event, and while it was super busy, it was nice.” She also expressed her gratitude to the Tulalip staff, adding, “I want to give a huge thanks to the staff at Tulalip. They ensured all the elders and guests had everything they needed and kept things running smoothly.”
NNABA representative Ramona Townrae, a Yakama Nation member and resident of Black Diamond, praised the event’s success. “Every year, the NNABA selects a host by advertising proposals, allowing us to connect with people from all over the Northwest, including Canada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and parts of Montana,” she explained. “This year’s gathering was one of the largest we’ve ever held. When we first started back in 1996, we barely had 100 attendees. Now, we’ve brought in over 600 people. Seeing individuals who saved their nickels and dimes to attend and participate warms my heart.”
Reflecting on the venue, Ramona shared, “This is a fantastic place—not only is it beautiful, but it truly maintains our culture and traditions. The staff and tribal members have been working hard for months, ensuring everyone felt welcome. I always ask, ‘What would you do if someone came to your home?’ That’s the approach Tulalip took. It’s not just a conference; it’s a gathering, and that distinction is so important.”
Ramona also highlighted the event’s growing significance within the community. “Our mission is to promote, perpetuate, and preserve Native American basketry, and a key part of that is involving the youth. We run a program for kids; whether we have hundreds or just a handful, those kids are the ‘promote’ part of our mission. They’re the ones who will carry our traditions forward. I always tell them, ‘You are our future. You will be the cultural bearers.’ It’s heartwarming to see their little hands weaving—knowing they’re the ones who will keep this alive.”
The 27th annual NNABA gathering at Tulalip celebrated basket weaving and the strength of Indigenous culture and community. Bringing together elders and youth, the event ensures that these traditions will continue to thrive and be passed down for generations.
If you want to know more about the NNABA or their next gathering, you can find out on the website at http://www.nnaba.net
On Saturday, September 28, culture bearer Tillie Jones taught a second wool headband weaving class at the Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center as part of the Season of Healing. A small group attended the event, which provided a warm and welcoming environment. It was a beautiful day characterized by focus and a peaceful atmosphere.
Tillie expressed her appreciation for the class, noting how much she enjoyed witnessing the bonding experience between families. “It was a great class,” she said. “I loved seeing mothers and daughters learning side by side.”
Attending the weaving class with her daughter was a meaningful experience for Tulalip tribal member Stephanie Fryberg. She shared her enthusiasm for the session, saying, “I loved the class. I’ve always wanted to try weaving, and doing it with my daughter was great. It was easy to do, and I liked being able to focus on the task. It helped me imagine my ancestors doing this, making me feel connected.”
Stephanie also spoke about the more significant impact of the Season of Healing, saying, “I think it’s been great. Our community needs to think about how we push back against settler colonialism. Colonialism taught us to be mean to one another and not to love ourselves or each other. This focus on bringing love back and weaving it into our everyday lives is the first step toward truly finding healing in our community.”
As the wool headband class ended, the room buzzed with laughter and pride as participants admired their creations. With fall just beginning, the cozy spirit of the Season of Healing felt more like the start of a new tradition—one that wrapped everyone in warmth and connection, just like the wool headbands they’d made.
The Season of Healing continues through October, and there is more to look forward to. Up next is Dentalium earrings with Santana Shopbell-Proehl on Saturday, October 12, followed by a painting session with Monie Ordonia to wrap up the month on Saturday, October 26. To save your spot and get pricing details, call the Hibulb Cultural Center at (360) 716-2600 or email info@hibulbculturalcenter.org.
“We were banned from having gatherings just like this one,” said Tulalip Youth Council member, Ariel Valencia. “My grandma on my mother’s side went to a boarding school located in Canada where she was beat almost hourly. She was stabbed in the chest with a knitting needle and got left with no medical help. She still has a scar to this day. That not only shows that we have generational trauma, but we still have memories of these schools, and not good ones either. And now, we are not going to hide our culture, our languages, our songs and dances, our voices. We’re going to thrive as Indigenous People and decolonize as much as we can because that’s what our ancestors would’ve wanted.”
It was a heavy night of raw emotions as the Tulalip community took time to address a hurt that many Natives carry with us. A heartbreak that was unintentionally passed down from our family members who attended boarding schools as kids. A suffering that boarding school survivors still live with today.
September 30 has widely become known as Orange Shirt Day for tribal communities in both the U.S. and Canada. This initiative, officially the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation, raises awareness about the damage that residential schools inflicted on Native children throughout the assimilation era.
During this time, the government enacted the Civilization Fund Act and the Peace Policy in attempt to assimilate our people into white society. According to the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, nearly 83% of Native children were attending boarding schools by the year 1926, which equates to over 60,000 kids.
Ariel’s sister and fellow Youth Council member, Faith Valencia, explained, “Various denominations of the Christian churches adopted an Indian boarding school policy to ‘kill the Indian, save the man’. These children were forcibly removed from their families, communities, and culture and kept at residential schools where they were expected to cut their hair, abandon their traditional clothing, give up their names for English names.
“And they were penalized for speaking their languages and practicing their cultural ways. Children were separated from their families for long periods. In addition to cultural genocide, residential schools are also the sites of the horrific physical, sexual, and emotional abuse perpetrated against these children. Through all of it – the violence and abuse, our culture is still here and very strong.”
Over the past several years, Tulalip has participated in Orange Shirt Day and helped open up discussion on a difficult subject matter. Though local boarding school survivors are exposing scars that they’ve attempted to keep hidden for decades, these yearly gatherings have become a safe space where they can talk about those dark times. And consequentially, they get to see a glimpse of their own resiliency and that the culture is alive and well in the 21st century. This work ultimately leads to a path of healing as the community embraces them and provides that good medicine through song and dance.
Tribal member and rez ball legend, Dale Jones, is known throughout the community for his sense of humor and his confident demeanor. During this gathering, he allowed himself to be vulnerable and share his experience with the people.
In a shaky voice, Dale shared, “I was about ten years old when they took me and three of my brothers and sent us down to Chemawa. It was a very hard life. They cut your hair, took away everything you had, and threw that white stuff on you to get rid of the lice. That was their excuse for doing that. And you could hear our brothers and sisters crying at night. It was very hard being ten years old and wondering if you’re ever going to go home. I buried myself in alcohol for years – because you bury that hurt deep within you. I gave it up about thirty years ago, cigarettes the same time.”
Upon arrival, the attendees received an orange t-shirt designed by Tulalip Artist, Walter Moses. Everywhere you looked, there was orange. It was beautiful to see so many people show up for the survivors. And also, for the children who were buried on residential school grounds across the country.
Said Ariel, “We call it Orange Shirt Day because of the story from Phyllis Webstad, a six-year-old girl who received a gift from her grandma. A brand-new orange shirt, which was then taken away on her first day at a boarding school. She stated that seeing the color orange would bring back memories. She went a long time without wearing orange. The boarding school gave her so much PTSD that seeing the color made her scared. We’re not only fighting for justice for her, but for the thousands who suffered their childhood at these so-called schools.”
A slideshow made by Tulalip historian, Lita Sheldon, played on a loop throughout the night, which recognized all the youth who were sent to the Tulalip Indian Boarding School. Josh Fryberg was the emcee and as people trickled in, he helped get things started by calling upon Natosha Gobin for a prayer and introducing a music video dedicated to boarding school students, composed by Antone George (Lummi).
After the people shared a delicious dinner together, the drummers and singers were called to the front of the Gathering Hall. The event kicked off with the sduhubš Welcome Song.
Tulalip Chairwoman, Teri Gobin, shared a few opening remarks, noting that the sduhubš Welcome Song is a testament to the government’s failed efforts at erasing the culture. During the reclamation of the Salmon Ceremony, the song was revived by boarding school survivor and Tulalip ancestor, Harriette Shelton-Dover. And ever since, the song has been a staple in modern day practices, serving as the opening song at many Tulalip gatherings.
In addition to the Valencia sisters and Dale, speakers for the gathering also included boarding school survivors Mel Williams Sr. and Matthew Warbonnet Jr. Both of these gentlemen spoke with heavy hearts as they recounted their years spent at boarding schools. All of the boarding school survivors were called to the floor and were seated at the center of the Gathering Hall. A number of seats were left unoccupied, in honor of the kids who never made it back to their families.
Mel shared, “I can still remember my first day when I went to residential school, after being taken away from my mom and our home. I remember getting there and one of the first things that they did, they put us on this chair, and they cut that long hair off. They told us we looked like savages with long hair like that. I remember getting dressed in different clothes that weren’t mine. And I looked around at the other boys and we were all dressed the same. I remember that evening, we had to shower. There were no ifs, ands, or buts about it. ‘You go and have that shower, and you clean yourself, you dirty Indian’. After the shower, we had to be inspected, and they inspected every part of our body. I didn’t like that fondling, and I showed it right away. So that person left me alone, only to prey on someone that was weaker than myself. Much of that went on in these residential schools, not with just the boys but the girls too.”
Chief Executive Officer of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, Deborah Parker, also shared some words. She stated, “I want to acknowledge the speakers before me who attended the residential boarding schools. When you tell your stories, it helps us to heal. When you share your truth, it helps tell a nation what you’ve been through. And we are all here for you. The children, the mothers, the aunties, the uncles, we’re here for you. We’re here for those names who didn’t come forward, for those children who never made it home. Nights like this, for remembrance, are critically important for those sitting in the chairs tonight and those who weren’t able to make it to these chairs.”
In a powerful moment, Josh asked everyone in the Hall to stand directly behind the survivors. He then instructed them to raise their hands in the air to send strength and love to the survivors. Tribal member, Tony Hatch then stepped to the front of the room and called the drummers and dancers to the floor once more. As Tony led them in a song, candles were passed out and lit. Tiny flames danced while the people raised their candles in remembrance of the young Native men and women who died at the hands of boarding school officials.
After a moment of silence and prayer, the first half of the event concluded. The coastal jam immediately followed and hundreds of community members, comprised mostly of Tribal youth, hit the floor to continue the night’s theme of ‘Healing Together’. The jam extended late into the evening and through traditional song and dance, the community spread medicine to the survivors, their descendants, and everyone affected by the trauma of residential boarding schools.
Deborah expressed, “When we see the children dance, remember there was a time when our children could not dance. And there was a time, even in my generation, where it was just the adults, and only a few children were on the dancefloor. And now, our children are leading the way. And someday those little children will be grandmothers and grandfathers, and they may not remember the pain, or the hurt, or the suffering that our relatives went through, but they’ll remember the joy and the happiness in these moments.”
After their 56-8 crushing of the Muckleshoot Kings the week prior, the unbeaten Tulalip Hawks entered week four of the regular season with a shocking #10 next to their name. In a super cool development, Tulalip’s early season success and torrid touchdown pace reached influencers within the Washington Interscholastic Activities Association (WIAA). In their weekly updated Top 10 rankings, the WIAA ranked Tulalip Heritage #10 in the entire state for 1B football.
“It feels amazing to be putting Tulalip on the map and letting the whole state know who we are,” declared starting cornerback and Heritage High senior Javohn Henry. “Our [football program] hasn’t been known in too long, but now we’re getting our name out there for all to see. Not just as footballers, but as proud Natives.”
The undefeated and #10 ranked Heritage Hawks hosted the Lummi Nation Blackhawks in another inter-tribal battle by the bay on Friday, September 27. It was expected to be a battle of contrasting styles, too, because unlike the razzle dazzle Hawks offense, Lummi’s primary strength is run-run-run with little to no passing in between.
In the first quarter, offense was a major struggle for both teams. Whether it was the frigid 50-degree temperature or just the nervousness from longtime rivals meeting for the first and only time this season on the Tulalip gridiron, or a combination of both, is difficult to know. What we do know is after one whole quarter of play the game was tied 0 to 0.
Early in the 2nd quarter, Tulalip’s defense came up big with a 4th down stop that gave the ball back to their offense. Inserted into the game for the first time was quarterback J.J. Gray. He immediately ignited the Hawks offense with a 45-yard completion to wide-receiver Ziggy Myles-Gilford. Four plays later, J.J. found his other wide-receiver Tokala Black Tomahawk in the back of the endzone for a 12-yard touchdown pass. Two-point conversion was good to give the home team an 8-0 lead.
Heritage’s offense was running on all high-powered cylinders again. Best encapsulated by an 80-yard catch and run from Ziggy later in the 2nd quarter that got Tulalip’s home crowd on their feet and cheering enthusiastically at a team that has the talent to score on any given possession. That highlight was soon followed by another as J.J. used his agility and evasiveness to carve up the Lummi defense for a 50-yard QB scramble to the endzone. Midway through the 3rd quarter, Tulalip led 24-6.
Taking a reprieve from play-calling duties, while Tulalip’s defense was on the field, offensive coordinator Willy Enick shared, “J.J. just really unlocks our offense. His ability to keep a play alive with his feet, his vision to keep his head up and look for his receivers, and his excellent ball placement gives our guys so much confidence to take their games to the next level. The first quarter being a bit of a struggle for us to move the ball and it being a 0-0 game was actually a gift for us coaches. It gave us an opportunity to remind the boys that being ranked doesn’t mean anything if you can’t continue to execute and perform like we know we can.”
The two sophomore sensations, J.J. and Ziggy, continued to execute their onfield connection as they wreaked havoc on would-be Lummi tacklers early in the 4th quarter. On the cusp of the red zone, J.J. evaded multiple defenseman, actually managing to split two Lummi lineman who tackled one another instead of the Tulalip quarterback, and then lofted a perfect spiral to a wide-open Ziggy for a touchdown. Up 30-8 now, the chants of “Tulalip power!” started to ring out from the fans who knew the W was all but secured.
The Hawks defense continued to swarm tackle the larger Lummi ballcarriers and managed to force several turnovers via 4th down stops.
“Our defense did good adjusting to the run-heavy play style,” reflected Heritage defensive coordinator, Deyamonta Diaz post-game. “We adjusted to a 4-man front and were still able to rally to the ball quickly. For us, that’s been a game changer because the 4th down stops give our offense the ability to find rhythm. We also had different starters this week, so guys were able to get reps and be ready for when we have to go into our depth chart.”
Ultimately, the Hawks relied on their depth and high-octane offense to win another season-boosting rivalry game. The 36-16 victory over Lummi will assuredly keep Tulalip in the ranks of the top 10.
Next up, the boys will travel to Tacoma on Saturday, October 6, to take on the Charles Wright Tarriers. Kick-off is scheduled for 1:00pm.
On the final day of summer, participants gathered at the Hibulb Cultural Center for Tulalip Master Weaver Jamie Sheldon’s cedar basket class. Held on Saturday, September 21, as part of Tulalip’s Season of Healing, the class welcomed 14 eager attendees ready to learn.
Throughout the session, Jamie moved swiftly around the room, guiding each student to stay on track to finish their cedar baskets before the class concluded. The day’s task required a lot of focus. As Tara Polk from Everett noted, “It’s frustrating; you want to be good at it your first time, but it requires so much concentration to perfect it.”
With Tulalip tribal member Wilma Gloria’s help, Jamie Sheldon could provide individual attention to each student, ensuring no one felt left behind.
Reflecting on her experience of making a basket for the first time, Tara added, “Jamie’s patience and ability to help were astounding. The class was great, but it was a difficult process to start. But I stuck with it, and I’m happy I could finish. I would highly recommend taking a class.”
Jamie Sheldon, a traditional weaver with over 20 years of experience, shared that the Hibulb Cultural Center reached out to her because of her extensive background in weaving. She has been teaching at the center for over five years.
Reflecting on the class, Jamie said, “I loved the class. A lot of people finished their basket, and those who didn’t, I feel, got the concept, and that’s fine with me. But if they keep coming back, they will get even better.”
Jamie also emphasized the cultural significance and healing properties of cedar. “Cedar is healing. Cedar has always been a healing part of our culture,” she explained. “When you harvest your cedar, it’s quiet and serene—it’s just you and the cedar. And as long as you keep working with the cedar, it will heal you.”
Upcoming events at the Hibulb Cultural Center in October include Weaving Toddler Wool Skirt with Virginia Jones on Saturday, October 5, Dentalium Earrings with Santana Shopbell-Proehl on Saturday, October 12, and Painting with Monie Ordonia on Saturday, October 26. Be sure to call ahead to register and inquire about class pricing by contacting the Hibulb Cultural Center at (360) 716-2600 or emailing info@hibulbculturalcenter.org.
“More than four in five American Indian and Alaska Native adults (83 percent) have experienced some form of violence in their lifetime. That’s almost 3 million people who have experienced psychological aggression or physical violence by intimate partners, stalking, or sexual violence.”
-National Institute of Justice
By Kalvin Valdillez
Nearly one year ago, the Legacy of Healing brought Tulalip together for the first annual Domestic Violence Awareness Month Coastal Jam Dinner. It was both an emotional and powerful night where many survivors of domestic violence (DV) bravely shared their story and stood together in solidarity. Through the traditional medicines of drumming and singing, the cultural gathering marked a moment in time that survivors can look back upon and recognize as the start of their healing journey.
To help raise awareness, show support, educate community, and provide resources to DV survivors, the Legacy of Healing participates in a national initiative known as Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Every October, for the past several years, the department has been active in the community and facilitated a number of events, trainings, and cultural activities to help bring a better understanding of what DV is and how it affects us as Native people.
“A lot of times victims experience DV outside of public view and it happens in secret in their own homes,” explained Legacy of Healing Coordinator, Kaley Wickham. “October is a time for us to raise awareness for DV. Most, if not all, of the survivors we work with have also witnessed DV when they were children, or they know other family members or friends who have also experienced it. So, it’s a very normalized part of their life and yet people aren’t able to recognize it or talk about it.”
The National Institute of Justice reports that tribal communities experience DV at a much higher rate than any other race or ethnicity throughout the country. Through their study, they evaluated that more than 1.5 million women, and 1.4 million men (A/I and Alaskan Native) have experienced violence in their lifetime. And because some are either stuck in the cycle of DV, have a fear of coming forward, or are unable to recognize their abuse as DV, those numbers may very well be underreported.
Joan Smith, Legacy of Healing Victim Advocate, shared, “Speaking out against it is difficult. First you have to recognize it, and that’s a difficult task. So that’s one of our big points of the awareness month. DV affects everyone around you, not just you and your partner. It affects your children, friends, and other family members. It’s not just physical. It’s intimidation and power over a person, and there are a lot of different ways to do that.”
To help identify DV, the Legacy of Healing compiled a list of examples that reads as follows:
What Abuse Can Look Like
Hitting, pinching
Kicking
Burning
Pulling hair
Pushing
Strangulation
Physical intimidation
Use of weapons
Forcing the use of substance
Throwing items
Punching walls
Kicking in doors
Requesting your login info
Monitoring your social media
IPV sexual abuse
Forcing any sexual acts
Uses children against you
Lies about your mental health
Financial control
Name calling
Jealousy
Shaming or humiliating you
Blaming you for their actions
Controlling where you go
Gaslighting
Love bombing
Stalking
If you are experiencing any forms of abuse listed above, please reach out to the Legacy of Healing. The program has a strict confidentiality policy and can answer any of your questions, whether you are looking to obtain information for yourself or a loved one. Additionally, the Legacy of Healing is careful not to pass judgement and allows their clients grace and understanding, because from a statistical standpoint, it could take a survivor multiple attempts to leave an abusive partnership for good.
When you’re ready to take that next step, the Legacy of Healing can help design a safety plan with you and is prepared to be with you every step along the way.
Angelica Trinidad is a new edition to the Legacy of Healing team and serves as the program’s General Crime Victims Advocate. During a conversation about identifying DV within our community, she stressed an important message to those who may be worried about reporting their abuse and seeking aid, “Confidentiality means confidentiality when it comes to the Legacy of Healing. I think it’s important for people to understand that.”
When asked about the types of support that the Legacy of Healing can provide to a survivor, Interim Lead Advocate, Marisa Chavez, said, “It’s case by case and depends on the needs of survivors and where they need empowerment in that situation. We’re their silent cheerleaders, giving them the empowerment that they need to keep moving forward.”
The Legacy of Healing will have a raffle throughout the entire awareness month. Tickets can be purchased at $5 a ticket or $20 for 5 tickets. Prizes have yet to be unveiled, so keep an eye out for that announcement. If the prizes are anything like last year’s items, then we’re in store for some top tier and highly desirable winnings. But most importantly, in regard to the raffle, all proceeds will help support local survivors of DV throughout the year.
To purchase a raffle ticket, you can catch the Legacy of Healing team at the following dates/events/times:
Although this article is focused on DV Awareness Month, we thought it was crucial to share this bit of information about the recent evolution of the Legacy of Healing and the clients they can take on.
Kaley announced, “We recently expanded our services, so now we serve adult victims of any and all crimes. Before it was intimate partner domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and sex trafficking. Now we serve all crimes including family violence, burglary, theft, arson, elder abuse.”
The Legacy of Healing is asking you to show your support to survivors of DV throughout the month of October. You can do so by purchasing a raffle ticket, wearing the color purple on October 17, and attending the coastal jam.
The DV Awareness Month Coastal Jam Dinner is set for October 25, and will take place at the Teen Center’s gymnasiums from 6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. So be sure to tell all your friends, and any jammers you know, to join in on an evening of healing and help amplify the voices of all the local survivors.
Said Kaley, “We’re not just talking about this issue during DV Awareness Month; we also want to promote healing, because our program is here to support survivors through their healing. So being able to do a coastal jam and incorporate the culture into that can show survivors in attendance a path forward, and that their community does support them.”
If you or a loved one is experiencing an abusive relationship, please do not hesitate to call the Legacy of Healing at (360) 716-4100 for assistance.
“You don’t need to live with violence in your home,” urged Marisa. “The Legacy of Healing is here for you to utilize for help. Once you speak to an advocate, you will be provided with information to learn the next steps on your healing journey to living a domestic violence free life. It may be tedious, but you will find that you have the inner strength and support to make that happen. You don’t need to walk this journey alone to healing. We are here for you.”
If you are in a crisis or an emergency situation, the Legacy of Healing provided a list of three additional hotline numbers that you can utilize during your time of need:
The National Domestic Violence Hotline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
Strong Hearts Native Helpline: 1-844-762-8483
Domestic Violence Services of Snohomish County 425-25-ABUSE (22873)
A powerful message of self-belief and resilience lies at the heart of Sheldon Smith’s talks. A Native youth advocate and motivational speaker from the Navajo Nation, Smith inspires individuals to think critically, speak purposefully, move with intention, and rise to life’s challenges. Central to his message is the importance of self-awareness and discovering inner strength to overcome adversity, making his lessons both introspective and empowering.
On Monday, September 23, Smith brought his message to the Northwest as part of Tulalip’s Season of Healing campaign. He visited Marysville Pilchuck, Heritage, and Getchell high schools before concluding his day with a workshop at the Tulalip Gathering Hall. Throughout the day, Smith reached both the youth and broader members of the Tulalip community with his inspiring lessons.
At Heritage High School, Smith gathered the students in a large circle and spoke from the center. He encouraged them to energize themselves, acknowledging the usual Monday sluggishness. Smith inspired the students, getting them to shout out the day’s mantra: “I am powerful.”
Reflecting on the experience, student Dalton Levine shared, “I enjoyed the speaker. He said some good words. I liked what he said about perseverance—believe in yourself, and everything will be alright.”
The Season of Healing continued at the Gathering Hall, where Smith addressed the community. Before beginning his speech, Smith blessed the audience, both those present and those tuning in virtually, with a song from his flute.
Following this, he delivered a powerful talk on mental and social development, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy mind, body, and spirit. Smith admitted he was nervous, but it quickly became a rewarding experience. “I thought the event went great. I was a bit nervous initially, but that’s normal for me—I always want to do my best,” Smith explained.
The feedback from participants made an impact on him. “Hearing everyone’s words at the end made me feel perfect. Teaching the youth is important because they are our future, and life differs from ten years ago. Everything is sped up with everyone holding a phone and technology advancing so quickly. That’s why sharing these messages with them at a younger age is crucial—to help them find balance and take the next step.”
Smith also shared insights into his journey into motivational speaking. “I grew into this field,” he said, crediting the influence of his family. “I had family members who were medicine people and leaders.” For Smith, visiting the Gathering Hall was a memorable experience. “Thank you,” he said with sincerity. “Coming into the Gathering Hall was probably the highlight of my year.”
Smith’s visit to the Northwest, offering guidance and inspiration, underscores the importance of events like the Season of Healing. Smith imparted wisdom and fostered a more profound sense of unity and purpose, encouraging everyone to continue their journey toward personal growth and healing. As the Season of Healing progresses, his message will remain a cornerstone of the ongoing dialogue about resilience and self-discovery within the community. The Season of Healing continues throughout October, and Tribal members can watch the events on iamtulalip.com
Tulalip Heritage High School is well-known for its basketball program. With a pension for putting out a plethora of athletic wings and forwards year after year who captivate home crowds and wow opposing audiences, Heritage basketball has been the shining star of our reservation’s athletic program for years now. However, a stellar evolution is currently underway.
“I went through four years of high school sports at Heritage. During that time, our basketball teams were always better than our football teams,” reflected Heritage alum and current Hawks offensive coordinator Willy Enick. “There were a few times we got our butts whipped by other tribal schools, like a Muckleshoot or Lummi, so to be coaching up this next generation and to see them grow in confidence and believe they can get these big wins, it feels amazing.
“As a coaching staff, we want to prove Heritage isn’t only good at basketball. We’re good at football, too. We’re building a program that will be a powerhouse for years to come.”
Speaking of power. The gravitational pull of physically strong and dynamically daunting skillsets condensing on the gridiron by this year’s Heritage footballers has created a protostar on the Tulalip horizon. It first became visible after a 30-18 win over Concrete. Initial observations were confirmed after a 34-4 trouncing of Crescent. Now, that protostar is fully ablaze after decimating a tribal rival, the Muckleshoot Kings, 56-8 in front of the Tulalip faithful.
“We are forcing teams to spread their defense out because we have five skill players who can hit a home run at any time,” explained O.C. Enick. “With a dynamic quarterback, like J.J., he’s able to keep opposing defenses guessing with his feet and arm. He can make all the throws and, if pressured, can make players miss and scramble for big gains. We’re just trying to perfect this offense by spreading teams out and forcing them to play man on man, which benefits our athletes.”
To his point, here is the breakdown of the Hawks six offensive touchdowns:
#15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford scores on a 70-yard pass from J.J. Gray.
#3 J.J. Gray scores on an 18-yard quarterback run.
#7 Nico Pablo scores on a 15-yard pass from J.J. Gray.
#15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford scores on a 10-yard pass from J.J. Gray.
#7 Nico Pablo scores on a 45-yard pass from J.J. Gray.
#15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford scores on a 25-yard touchdown pass from J.J. Gray.
That’s a combination of short yard, intermediate gains, and big play production that will prove difficult to stop when dealing with a collection of athletes who can all break down a defense with speed and agility.
Plus, that’s just on the offensive side of the ball. The boys did damage on the defensive side as well where they routinely pressured Muckleshoot’s quarterback, wreaking havoc in the backfield for sack after sack, and made the most of their few opportunities when Muckleshoot managed to throw the ball. Tulalip Hawk #5 Amare Hatch scored on a 45-yard interception return for touchdown and #15 Ziggy Myles-Gilford scored on a 65-yard interception return for touchdown.
“We practice our safeties being over the top to help combat the ‘home run ball’ attempts that teams like to try when they start getting desperate,” said Hawks defensive coordinator Deyamonta Diaz. “On Amare’s pick, he was in his drop back zone and just read the route and quarterback’s eyes well with good inside alignment from the pre-snap. He couldn’t have baited him, nor read the route any better. That speaks to the focus we’ve been putting in to the defensive side of the ball in practice.”
With the home fans filling in around the fence line and sitting on the hill closest to the junior cheerleaders, they were treated to an amazing 56-0 lead early in the 4th quarter. With such an ample cushion, Hawks coaches were able to get their 2nd and 3rd string players some reps that could pay dividends later in the season.
Following the game, J.J. Gray, the Hawks quarterback responsible for all six of Tulalip’s offensive touchdowns, shared, “The offensive line blocked so well tonight. They gave me time to pass, or run, when need be. I grew up playing basketball and football since I was 4, so that athleticism always been with me. I trust in my quickness whenever I have a defender one on one in the open field, but I’m also not afraid of being hit by a bigger player.”
When asked how it feels to be quarterbacking an undefeated, 3-0 Hawks team, he responded with, “It feels great. Hopefully, we can go 9-0. That’s the dream.”
For their next game, Tulalip will host Lummi at Friday, September 27, in another battle by the bay. Kickoff is scheduled for 7pm. It’s already been dubbed a neon glow game.
The high school’s booster club shares the following, “Tulalip Heritage students, families, and fans are invited to a night of unity as they rally behind their team for a big game against Lummi. Wear bright neon colors and glow sticks and bring lots of energy to the stands to create a glowing atmosphere and show unwavering support. Let’s glow out the field in a sea of Tulalip pride!”
