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!”
The tradition of doll-making dates back as far as 2.5 million years to 10,000 B.C. Dolls have played a pivotal role in nearly every Indigenous culture, teaching children how to navigate the world by modeling adult behavior and offering a miniature glimpse into life’s complexities. These tiny figures have long served as powerful guides for the next generation.
On Saturday, September 14, Tulalip tribal member Melissa Gobin held a doll-making class at the Hibulb Cultural Center, featuring yarn and cedar regalia. Over 20 people attended the event, with a mix of adults and kids. Each person could pick out a couple of balls of yarn to start. The overall process was easy to learn, and all who created a doll could finish before the end of class.
Anchorage, Alaska residents Shannon Hawkins and her son Evan the Crow, were first-time doll makers that joined that class. Shannon shared, “We had fun, and I’m happy we could learn a new skill.” When asked about his creation, Evan excitedly described his doll, saying, “I made a ninja with a sword on his back.”
Melissa Gobin shared her experience and knowledge of doll-making, crediting tribal member Virginia Jones for teaching her many of the techniques. “I learned a lot of how to do this from Virginia,” Melissa explained, adding that they made the dolls more tribal by incorporating cedar paddles and headbands.
When asked how making these dolls contributes to cultural healing, Melissa thoughtfully explained, “I think making these dolls allows you to work with your hands and be creative. Plus, you’re thinking of tools our ancestors used, like the paddle and cedar, to help make clothes.” She emphasized the value of coming together as a community: “Getting together and talking about our past and future helps with healing.”
Reflecting on the event, Melissa said, “I think the event went well. I like how everyone puts their spin on how they create the doll.” She noted the joy the activity brought adults and children, adding, “I think the adults had just as much fun as the kids. The kids gravitate towards the dolls because they are easy to make.”
Upcoming workshops at Hibulb will feature cedar basket weaving and twill wool headband weaving. In addition, a cedar carving class will be held weekly in October, providing further opportunities for hands-on learning and cultural connection. For more information, visit hibulbculturalcenter.org.
During the lunch hour on September 16, close to a dozen community members gathered at the Lushootseed department library to embark on a language revitalization journey that will take place over the next several months.
Two large dry erase whiteboards, that would soon be filled with the 40 unique characters that make up the northern Lushootseed alphabet, were set behind the class instructor, Natosha Gobin. And once she had the attention of the classroom, she officially kicked off Lushootseed 101 with a welcome statement and a brief introduction of herself, her lineage, and family, which were all spoken in traditional Lushootseed.
Switching from her ancestral language to English, Natosha shared, “This was the (Tulalip Elementary) library when I went to school here. I also went to Marysville Middle School, Marysville Junior High School, and Marysville Pilchuck. And through all of those experiences, we didn’t have the opportunities to learn the language, to be able to honor our heritage, practice our cultural ways, and see all the cultural events that we see taking place today. It feels really good for us to be in this moment right now, where we can make sure that those opportunities we didn’t receive when we were younger are there for our kids, grandkids, and the next generations.”
Lushootseed 101, 102, and 103 follows a curriculum that was originally intended to equip potential language warriors with a strong foundation before stepping into a teacher’s assistant position with the Tribe. Natosha explained that the college level courses focus on grammar and sentence formula, and participants will learn phrases, greetings, personal introductions, names of places, and a traditional story. Students who enroll in the class through the Northwest Indian College are able to obtain 5 credits per course upon successful completion.
This year, two NWIC students elected to enroll in Lushootseed 101. Sitting at the front of the classroom, with bright smiles and open notebooks, were Tulalip tribal members, Mahayla and Odessa Flores.
Said Mahayla, “I’m looking forward to learning Lushootseed because I never really got the chance to learn my culture growing up. When I heard that I could learn the language (through NWIC), I thought this is it, I can finally learn more. I immediately took the opportunity. I literally dropped another class so I could take this one because it means a lot to me. For the longest time I didn’t know I had a mother language. When I figured that out, I was like, I need to learn it. And even though I might struggle, I’m committed to learning.”
Some years back, after gaining an interest from the Tulalip community and the Tribe’s employees, the Lushootseed department opened the class to auditors, who are able to participate throughout the course and receive a certificate at the end, in lieu of college credits.
When asked about her decision to join Lushootseed 101 this fall, class auditor and Tribal member, Joyia Kinlicheeney, said, “It was time. I think learning the language is going to be really cool. I’m intimidated by the sounds and the dialect, but I’m excited to go home and be able to talk to my grandkids, because they already get to learn it at the elementary and TELA. It’s going to be so cool to be able to chat with them.”
Natosha shared that the duty to pass on the language through the courses fell upon numerous language warriors over the years, including Michelle Myles, Becky Posey, Toby Langen, Sarah Miller, and herself.
After years of teaching Lushootseed at Heritage High and MPHS, this is her second stint as a college course instructor. And Natosha is implementing a new way of learning by livestreaming each of her lectures on the Tulalip Lushootseed YouTube page.
“With livestreaming and having the class recorded, we want to make sure we are doing our best to support the needs of our participants,” stated Natosha. “We don’t ever want people to feel like – if one day you had a hard time grasping the content, don’t let that be the day to break you. We will provide any type of support. If you missed a day or two, or if you’re home sick, maybe you want to have it playing in the background so you can hear it, which is better than trying to have someone recap it to you in a couple minutes. And you’ll also have the recorded version as well, if you want to watch it again.”
Throughout the years, the reach of the Lushootseed department has extended not only to the college level, but they are also making a big impact at the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy and in classrooms across the entire Marysville School District. Today, the language is accessible at most grade levels. As the youth continue to build upon that foundation year after year, they can step into the college courses well-prepared and ready to help progress the revitalization movement that much further.
In regard to how they will be exploring the language throughout the course, Natosha shared with the class, “It’s important to remind ourselves that our language was an oral language. We’re learning through written form, but the way our ancestors held on to our language since time immemorial was through speaking it. And they passed it down through speaking it. So eventually, we’ll get to a point where we’ll need to let go of some of those English influences and make sure that we start producing as close to what our ancestors provided for us. There’s a lot of different sounds than the English language. It makes the English language seem boring because we have sounds where you need to use the back of your throat; some harsh sounds, clicking sounds, we use the term guttural. There’s a lot of unique sounds that are a part of our language and as we build our ability to speak it and hear it, then comes the point where we need to fine tune it.”
Natosha shared how her love for the language developed while volunteering at the annual summer Lushootseed Camp for Tribal youth. After accepting a position with the Lushootseed department 24 years ago, she confidently stated that her love for the language has never wavered over the course of time.
If you are interested in taking the Lushootseed 101 course, it is not too late. Natosha is inviting you to join the class this year, whether in person or online. The classes are held daily, Monday through Thursday, at 12:00 p.m. – 12:50 p.m. You can just pop in or hop on YouTube, but if you would like to give Natosha a courtesy heads up, you can shoot her an e-mail at NGobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov or you can leave a message at her desk phone, 360-716-4499.
* Following a brief 24-hour editing period, the video recording of the livestream will be posted on the YouTube page.
The sharing of a meal may be the simplest, yet most effective, aspect of promoting community. That could explain why Tulalip prioritizes hosting so many annual events and holiday celebrations, all either beginning with or ending with a meal. It’s the act of sharing a meal with dozens, hundreds or even thousands of fellow Tulalip community members that cultivates the shared sense of identity that is routinely projected out to the rest of the world.
But what if that shared sense of identity could be taken to new level by incorporating traditional foods into those meals? What if ancestral connections to land, air, and sea were strengthened simply by establishing a space for traditional foods into your diet? What if generational, historical, and ongoing systemic traumas could be healed by intentionally eating what are ancestors ate?
HUGE questions, we know, but ones that were at the forefront of the Tribes’ latest Season of Healing installment hosted at the Gathering Hall on September 16. Labeled ‘Our traditional foods are powerful’, an estimated 130 gathered in community to share a taste bud expanding meal crafted with an assortment of traditional foods and locally sourced, unfiltered love.
“We served roasted bison and chicken with some traditional seasonings, a bison meatball soup, mac salad and green salad with native ingredients sprinkled in, sweetgrass frybread with homemade huckleberry jam, elderberry and sweetgrass lemonade, and a fireweed and blackberry low sugar juice. Putting all that love into every bite,” detailed Indigenous educator Linzie Crofoot (Tlingit).
Linzie and her fellow Naa káani Native Program member Martin Napeahi (Tulalip) helped prepare a meal that brought their local community out in droves. More than that, the meal was a means of introducing certain traditional foods to those who never had them before and reminding others just how delicious traditional foods can be.
Community members of all ages were witnessed filling their bellies through savory bites and insatiable mouthfuls of scrumptious deliciousness. Ample nutrition was received by the body while the spirit was replenished with ancestral medicine.
“What is the power of traditional food? And why do we need it? We could discuss the diabetes and heart disease rampant in our community. The lower life expectancy and whole host of other ailments, chronic diseases, and opioid crisis our people disproportionately affect by. But that kind of discussion just doesn’t feel right because we’ve all heard that data, over and over again,” said Linzie from the Season of Healing podium. “More than that, we can feel the data. We can feel it in our hearts, in our families, and in our community.
“Being shown more data on a flyer or some presentation isn’t going to inspire change. And that’s what we need to see most in our community, systemic change in our community health. This starts with the people, with us, with individuals like you and me choosing to change the way we eat and choosing to reconnect to our traditional ways through food,” she continued.
The Ted Talk style portion of the evening featured Linzie, Martin, elder Monie Ordonia and board of director Hazen Shopbell sharing their personal journeys grounding themselves in culture via food, medicine, Treaty Right protected practices (hunting, fishing, gathering, harvesting). They offered all kinds of advice for those looking to become part of the change our community so desperately needs.
“The truth is we have generations of trauma and it will take generations to heal,” declared Linzie. “My prayers are for you to become the foundation for inspirational change in your family. It has to start somewhere, so why can’t it be you? You have the power to be the one who changes the story for your kids and their kids’ kids.
“I know the thought of eating traditional foods can seem overwhelming and for some they don’t even know where to begin,” she added. “The idea of reconnecting with our traditional foods seems very big and we seem very small compared to the past. So start small. One ingredient once a week. Learn about one plant and how you can use incorporate it in your cooking. You don’t have to know everything right away. Start with one, just one. Then add another one. Until its normalized. That’s how we, as individuals and as a community, make the change to embrace our traditional foods for the inherent power they have. Our ancestors did. So can we.”
If you want to be part of the change and incorporate traditional foods into your weekly routine there is an easily accessible resource to help. Our Plant Relatives is a year-round guide to gathering and processing Native plant foods and medicines from around the Salish Sea area. This guide is meant to serve as a place for getting started with learning and becoming familiar with gathering foods and medicines throughout the seasons. Best of all, it was created by Linzie and her former student Tayna Greene (Tulalip) and available for free.
Within the sports realm, winning often takes center stage. Teams work tirelessly to secure victories, dreaming of championships and personal accolades. However, not every season ends in triumph, and for high school athletes in particular, enduring a losing season can feel discouraging.
Despite the challenges, many coaches and sports psychologists emphasize the importance of embracing fun and positivity in the face of adversity. This mindset not only helps athletes cope with tough times but also cultivates personal growth, resilience, and a simple yet effective love for athletics and general exercise that can last well beyond high school.
One key reason for promoting fun during a losing season is the development of resilience. High school is a critical period for shaping emotional and mental strength, and learning to handle failure is a vital life lesson.
According to sports psychologist Dr. Michelle Cleere, “Fun increases your physical and psychological health. It boosts endorphins which decreases stress and improves our tolerance for pain. It increases our relationships, not only with the people you are having fun with but it helps us feel good about all of our relationships. Laughter releases serotonin which reduces stress and is good for memory, sleep, breathing, heart rate, and mood. Fun increases your life span because it’s positive. It also lifts energy levels. When you take the time to relax, to have fun and to enjoy yourself, you are more capable of dealing better with everything else in life.”
Embracing fun, laughter and positive vibes is the on-court strategy of the 2024 Tulalip Heritage volleyball program. With many new players joining the team, several of whom never having played organized volleyball before, the Lady Hawks are intent on having fun and making memories, regardless of score and record.
“It started at our first game of the season at Darrington. Lilly and Aylani were determined that we stay positive and enjoy the little moments worth celebrating, even though we were losing. Their ability to remain positive and upbeat was infectious because it really did infect the whole team,” said Lady Hawks co-captain Raylee Fryberg. “Coming into the season, I was really focused on being the best player I could be. Once the games got going and I saw my teammates being so positive and just having fun, I realized just how much we need to keep that energy going and not be as concerned with individual play.
“We have so many girls that are new to the team and we’re already seeing how much quicker they are gaining confidence in practice and on the court because we’re trying to lift every one up, instead of putting each other down.”
The Lady Hawks embracing fun and moments of excitement was witnessed at their first home game of the season when they hosted Concrete High School, an out of league opponent, at Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium.
Despite losing in straight sets by the scores of 8-25, 5-25, and 11-25, the girls were routinely high-fiving, doing their in-game chants, and letting out excitement-filled shrieks when a teammate would score a point in epic fashion. Such a memorable moment occurred late in the third set. Senior player Elizabel Herrera, while on defense, leapt at the net and blocked a Concrete volley. Not only did she score a point for her team, but it was the first block of the match by either team. The Lady Hawks immediately came together as a unit and celebrated Elizabel’s accomplishment.
Maintaining a positive attitude doesn’t just improve morale; it can also lead to better performance. Research shows that when athletes enjoy themselves, they often play with less pressure, allowing them to perform more freely and effectively.
“We’ve implemented a 5-1 system that is built around Raylee’s ability to setup her teammates as our primary setter,” said Lady Hawks head coach Jamie Orth. “We know it’s going to take time and practice for us to settle in as a team with so many new players to the sport. But we are seeing progress and some girls come out of their shell and get more comfortable.
“The better our rotations become, the more they will trust one another, the better our overall results,” continued the head coach. “It’s all part of the process, and I’m just proud that these girls have come together with the understanding that if we keep working hard and staying positive, then we’ll all get better.”
By embracing fun and positivity during throughout the seasons, the Lady Hawks athletes can keep their love for the sport alive and build skills that will serve them long after the final whistle blows.
As fall arrives, the Tulalip community has launched an exciting new project, The Season of Healing. This initiative offers events, including Ted Talk-style lectures, coastal jams, and hands-on crafting workshops, all aimed at fostering healing, connection, and growth. On Monday, September 9, the first talk of the series took place at the Gathering Hall, where tribal members gathered for dinner and an evening of reflection led by several guest speakers.
The event was hosted by Alicia Horne, executive assistant for the National Native American Boarding School Coalition. She was joined by prominent voices in the healing movement, including Tribal Chairwoman Teri Gobin, Deborah Parker, CEO of the National Native American Boarding School Healing Coalition, and special guest, Clinical Addiction and Mental Health Therapist Serene Thin Elk from South Dakota. The theme for the evening was “Weaving Love Back into Our Lives,” and the speakers focused on addressing the traumas that often disrupt daily life while emphasizing the importance of self-love and community support.
Parker set the tone for the evening by reflecting on the seasonal transition and how it relates to personal introspection. “You can really feel the summer was carefree, and now you can feel the clouds roll in. The weather is changing. It’s such a special time for us in the Northwest. We start to go into that meditation state as we go into the winter,” she said, highlighting the opportunity for healing and growth during this quieter season.
Gobin addressed the historical traumas deeply rooted in the Tulalip community, specifically the impact of the boarding schools that operated for 75 years. “As a board, we’ve assembled a series of meetings for the next eight Mondays to address multiple concerns and issues. Many of us may not recognize how the Tulalip boarding schools have impacted us as a people. These talks are meant to encourage open, honest dialogue—without judgment—so we can begin to envision what a healthier, safer community looks like.”
Serene Thin Elk, the evening’s guest speaker, brought her expertise in trauma therapy to the conversation. She shared insights on how personal trauma can manifest in everyday life, often leading individuals to downplay their struggles or minimize the pain they’ve endured. “There might be times in someone’s life when they minimize something hard that they just can’t let go of or cannot go through. They make it seem less important,” Serene said. She emphasized that healing from trauma begins with acknowledgment and the belief that one’s strength and resilience will ultimately prevail. “If you ever doubt your power or strength, remember everything will be okay.”
For Serene, the opportunity to speak at Tulalip was motivating. “It means so much to come to another tribe and see how you do things here. It’s very inspiring. I think that sometimes, when we are in our communities, we don’t see our strengths. I see many of the programs and things that your community is doing, and it gives me ideas to bring back to my community,” she noted.
As the evening ended, attendees left with a sense of purpose, carrying the messages of healing and self-love into their lives. This first event set the stage for the Season of Healing series, which will continue to address various aspects of personal and collective trauma over the next eight weeks. The project aims to foster a deeper understanding of how historical pain shapes modern challenges while offering a path toward resilience and renewal.
Tulalip tribal members can watch this event and others on iamtulalip.com.
On Saturday, September 7, Tulalip artist Tillie Jones led a headband-weaving class at the Hibulb Museum, kicking off the Season of Healing. The class attracted seven participants who came together to weave wool headbands, share laughter, and connect through the art of weaving.
Tillie Jones, along with tribal members Michelle Myles and her son Syrille Jones, guided the students through the process. Participants could use a loom, select their wool colors, and begin weaving. As the intricate process unfolded, the room grew focused, with everyone giving their full attention to the detailed work ahead.
Tillie offered some wisdom during the class, emphasizing the deeper connection between the weaver and their creation. “What you put into your weaving becomes a part of it,” she explained. Weaving with intention, whether strength, love, or positive energy, allows those qualities to be embedded in the piece, making the final product more meaningful.
Tillie also shared practical advice, linking the skill of weaving to mathematics. “If you’re good at math, it helps,” she remarked, gesturing toward her son Syrille. “That’s why he’s so good at weaving.” She explained that a strong understanding of math helps weavers plan their patterns and maintain the structure and balance of the weave, ensuring the design comes together as intended.
Syrille also helped instruct the class and expressed his appreciation for the experience. “Weaving is a good stress relief to get your mind off everything around you,” he shared. Reflecting on the creative aspects of the craft, he added, “I like the different patterns people make, learning from the elders, and getting to experiment and make your patterns. It was good teaching, and I heard people laugh and enjoy their time.”
For many, the class was more than just a lesson in weaving; it was an opportunity to reconnect with tradition and find personal healing. Tulalip tribal member Wilma Gloria spoke about the therapeutic aspect of the practice, saying, “It is about keeping your hands busy and learning something new and traditional. I enjoyed the day; I had my ancestors with me, and they gave me strength.”
When asked about the significance of the headband, Wilma explained, “Traditionally, the headband was used to represent the tribe you were from.”
The event provided a creative outlet and offered participants a moment to bond with their heritage and each other. Through the craft of weaving, both tradition and healing were honored in a meaningful way.
The headband-weaving class is just the beginning of a series of workshops promoting healing through traditional crafts. Other weaving courses are being held every Saturday through September, offering participants the chance to learn various skills, connect with their culture, and continue the journey of personal and collective healing.
