On Wednesday, May 14, the Tulalip Heritage High School golf team hosted the 2b/1b Tri-District Golf Tournament for the first time at Tulalip’s Battle Creek Golf Course. The weather was perfect as 62 girls and boys, including Tulalip Heritage seniors Tieriana Mclean and Lincoln Pablo, competed, aiming to qualify for the highly anticipated WIAA State Tournament.
To qualify for the 18-hole match, boys needed to shoot under 55 and girls under 65 on the first nine holes. This target posed no problem for Pablo as he managed to stay in the top 3 at the turn. Although he lost a few strokes on hole ten, Pablo maintained his composure, rallied back, and finished the match with a score of 89. With this score, Pablo would finish tenth out of 34, making the 17-spot cut-off and stamping his ticket to the state tournament.
“Last year, I made tri-districts, but it didn’t go well,” Pablo said. “This year, I worked hard to improve. On hole 5, I hit a great approach shot from the tee box and put the ball within 120 yards of the green. Then I took my nine-iron and hit the ball about 8 yards from the pin, finishing the hole with a par. This tournament has been amazing; the growth I have seen in myself over the last couple of years has been incredible. My family here supporting me has been wonderful.”
With some fantastic shots, Mclean kept it close to the players on the leaderboard. One such shot was on hole number 6, where Mclean sank a ten-foot-plus shot to save a bogey. With a par on hole 9, Mclean would end the front nine with a 54, battling for a tournament spot on the back nine. After a rough start and putting up a 13 on hole 13, Mclean dug deep, strung together a few suitable holes, and shot a 112, putting herself in 12th place out of 28 contestants, placing in the top 14 ultimately qualifying for the state tournament.
Coaches J.T. and Dinesha Kane closely followed the players. Playing on Tulalip’s home turf was a bonus.
J.T. said, “It was a big doing bringing the tournament to Tulalip. We wanted to be the hub for the tournament because we wanted the teams from down south and up north to meet us on our tribe and represent our inaugural season. We’ve worked hard; our kids are ready to show that we are a golf high school and community.”
When asked what he was most proud of, J.T. remarked, “Mindset; if I had one word, it would be mindset. Their ability to overcome the course’s multiple obstacles was remarkable and I can’t wait to see what they have at state.”
The match at Battle Creek Golf Course showcased the talent and determination of the Tulalip Heritage golf team. The team’s ability to host and compete at such a high level marks a significant achievement for Heritage and sets a new standard for the school’s golf program, ensuring that the team will be formidable in future tournaments.
Virginia Ann Carpenter was born October 19th 1935 and passed away May 19th 2024. Virginia was a proud member of the Jones family of the Tulalip Tribes, she was one of 17 children. Ginnie was perhaps best known for the hard work and determination she put into everything she did.
Her childhood home sat where the Hibulb Cultural Center sits today. In her youth she enjoyed tumbling alongside her sisters and throughout her life she always prided herself on keeping very physically active. She was the Strawberry Festival Queen in her teen years and graduated from Marysville High School in 1954. At a time when girls’ achievements weren’t fully recognized, Ginnie fought and won the right to receive the full 4 bars on her letterman’s jacket to reflected her many accomplishments.
As a young woman Ginnie started out working as a secretary for the Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors. She then had a long career of over 30 years with the Bureau of Indian Affairs working in the Realty Department. She commercially fished the waters of Puget Sound with her husband, her siblings and family for several years. With the help of her brother Marvin and uncle Chuck, Ginnie and her husband George cleared the land by hand for what would become the very first mortgaged home on the Tulalip reservation; Paving the way for tribal homeowners to come.
In later life Ginnie was the manager of the Tulalip Senior Center for over 15 years. She was a Gaming Commissioner, a member of the Enrollment Committee, and sat on the Elder’s Court among many other roles. Ginnie made great efforts advocating for elders’ rights, tribal sovereignty, and the welfare of those around her. She was extremely proud of her Indian culture. She made roses upon roses for tribal member funeral services, and she took a lot of pride in telling you just how many. She was an outspoken member of the community, any See-Yaht-Sub would be incomplete without her say on the matter.
Virginia’s family meant the world to her. She spent 59 years together with her husband George Carpenter Jr. Her brothers and sisters have always shared a very special and strong Jones bond between them. So much of her life was spent in the company of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whether it be over meals, family gatherings, or just being together. Ginnie’s smile and humor will never be forgotten.
Of her many hobbies, favorites included: Gardening, weaving and cedar gathering, arts & crafts, and cooking; especially good was her fish cooked over the fire. She also enjoyed traveling, gambling, following sports, adding to her many collections, decorating, and of course always being on the hunt for the best deals.
Virginia was preceded in death by her husband George Carpenter Jr.; Parents Luella Pratt and George Jones, Sr.; Aunt Rilla (Chuck) Shelton; Sisters ‘Uppy’ Caroline Thornberry, LaVerne Jones, Gloria St. Germaine and Sharon Jones; Brothers Stan Jones, ‘Stomper’ Lynn Jones, ‘Gunnie’ Alpheus Jones, ‘Jack’ Norman Jones, George Jones Jr., ‘Chuckie’ Charles Jones and ‘Billy’ William Jones. As well as many nieces and nephews.
Ginnie was a mom, a grandma, an auntie, a sister or a friend to so, so many. Surviving family members include sisters Joy Lacy and Dawn Simpson; Brothers Dale (Barbara) Jones, Richard (Toby) Jones, Marvin Jones, and Delmar Jones; Children ‘Wheatie’ Don Carpenter, Lou Ann (Kari) Carter and Eugene Carpenter; Grandchildren Ang Taylor, Mandy (Josh) Carter, Rosie (Grover) Topaum, and Sarah (Anthony) Hart and Bryce Sr.(Andrea) Juneau; Great-grandchildren Katia, Bryce Jr., Michael, Melissa, Juanito, Olivia, Dorothy, Jaxson, Louise, Aredell, Virginia, and Conrad; And great-great grandchild Aniyah Juneau.
A celebration of her life will be held Thursday, May 23 2024 at 10:00 AM at the Tulalip Gathering Hall.
A short-lived heat wave hit Snohomish County last weekend. Temperatures touched 80° on Saturday, May 11, resulting in many people either staying inside to avoid the sun rays or actively searching for a fun Spring-time experience. Some six-hundred Snohomish County residents weren’t burdened by such trivial things because fortunately they had already RSVP’d to the always exciting and memorable, not to mentioned well air-conditioned, 26th Annual Boys & Girls Club Auction.
Hosted within the Tulalip Resort Casino’s Orca Ballroom, the signature fundraising event of the season was all about giving gracious donors and committed community members an opportunity to paint a brighter future for Tulalip’s children.
“Many of us have spent unlimited hours at our local Boys & Girls Club participating in sports and learning activities while others remember our local club as a safe place to be surrounded by friends and staff members we trusted,” stated auction chairwoman Marci Fryberg. Marci also serves her Tribe as President of Tulalip Gaming Operation. “Our personal experiences have led to a life-long commitment to an organization that had a positive influence in our lives growing up, and now it is our responsibility to carry that commitment forward.
“Our theme, Woven through Generations, highlights Tulalip’s commitment to family and how our communities work collectively to safeguard the future of the next seven generations. We are honored to celebrate 26 years of fulfilling our mission of promoting health, social, and educational development of our kids. Our club cares for hundreds of kids daily. Magic happens here, as our kids strive to achieve higher levels of learning and personal growth while creating special friendships and bonds that last a lifetime.”
Silent auction items ranged from handmade jewelry and custom clothing to laser-etched mini tumblers and autographed sports memorabilia.
‘The Club’, as it’s affectionately been dubbed by two generations worth of Tulalip youth who attend daily, is a safe place where kids can just be kids. While there, they are routinely exposed to nutrient-dense, healthy food choices, learn useful skills that can be put to work at home or in the classroom, and create an abundance of happy memories that can be remembered later in life.
An example of sovereignty in action, the Club is the first-of-its-kind to be built on tribal land in Washington State. Established over twenty-five years ago, 2024 marks nearly three decades worth of commitment to the community. Through before and after school programs, our reservation’s club aims to help the next generation improve their lives by building a positive self-esteem, developing core values, and adapting critical skills during their foundational periods of growth.
“What an amazing evening to be together with all of you for our signature event that supports the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club,” said Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin to the hundreds in attendance. “The funds raised from this one event truly makes a huge impact on the lives of so many of our kids. We have so many leaders who grew up as club kids and now are professionals working in management positions at both our casinos, Quil Ceda Village, and in many departments of our tribal government. That’s a significant impact the Boys & Girls Club has had on our people.”
Michelle Myles poses with daughter Jacynta as she holds a custom paddle depicting the Seal Hunting Brothers that was auctioned off
Serving as a model for those working to improve the lives of young people in Tulalip and the surrounding communities, our Club is the primary beneficiary of the annual spring time auction. With each auction building off the success of the previous years, the Club has not only been able to sustain services, but also develop and complete much needed campus expansions that add additional learning and activity space.
Funds raised from the annual actions are dedicated for capital improvement, not operating costs. Previous auction funds have paid for a state-of-the-art music studio, a multi-media room with twenty-plus computers, several transportation vehicles, roof repairs, and even a 4,000-square-foot technology-filled extension to better accommodate an ever-growing teenager membership. This teen center has been invaluable since its creation. In uncertain times, local teenagers are able to depend on access to this tech-loaded space to meet their computer-driven demands as 21st century students.
Grandma Diane and Club Director Shawn Sanchey say their goodbyes to the French Bulldog pup before the auction begins.
“It’s so funny looking back because I didn’t realize how much the Club meant to me as a kid, but really it was everything,” shared Club Director, Shawn Sanchey. The 28-year-old homegrown Tulalip citizen has come full circle after he himself grew up a Club kid. Now, he manages the same facility so many kids depend on every day. “It’s amazing being able to witness these kids learn and grow in the same way staff once did for me. It really is unique how dedicated our staff are to the community’s youth.”
Embodying his staff’s unique dedication to the community is the legendary Diane Prouty. She’s been safeguarding Tulalip’s club kids for 24 and a half years. She learns every single kid’s name who is a club regular and takes to heart their emotional and physical well-being as if they were her own grandkids. It’s no wonder then that she’s been lovingly referred to as Grandma Diane by thousands of kids at this point. A title she proudly owns.
“All nine of my actual grandkids attended the club, and when they were here they’d of course call me grandma so eventually the other kids did, too. I thought it was just the cutest thing. I had no idea twenty-four years later that would become my de facto name, but I love it because it’s the kids who gave it to me,” explained Diane as she assisted checking in auction guests. “Every year, at this auction, I see former club kids all grown up, who have started families of their own and have kids who attend the club today. Ross and Krisan Fryberg were both club kids. Now, they are married and have had multiple kids attend the club, just like they once did.”
Ross Fryberg Sr. and Ross Fryberg Jr. take center stage with a handmade drum they donated to the live auction.
Ross Fryberg Sr. donated a beautiful, handcrafted drum to the live auction. It was brought to center stage by his son, Ross Jr., where it fetched a handsome sum to support a facility both Sr. and Jr. have cultivated many memories.
In total, there were an estimated 600 generous individuals in attendance for this year’s 26th annual auction. Most of these attendees have never been inside Tulalip’s reservation-based B&GC Club. However, the uplifting faces of Club kids were ever-present on marketing materials and projected onto several giant screens bordering the Orca Ballroom. There were also a number of teenagers who volunteered during the auction to help generate support by sharing their wonderful presence and beaming smiles.
That is Amaya Hernandez (16) and Ella Roller (15) with Spark Fastpitch deliver a special live auction item – a French Bulldog puppy.
One such teenager was 16-year-old Amaya Hernandez who, during the live auction, was one of the lucky few to roam the ballroom while holding a very special item – a French Bulldog puppy – that generated all kinds of buzz. When auctioneer Mark Schenfeld announced it was bidding time for the adorable pup, amass of bidding cards immediately filled the air. The eventual winner received the French Bulldog hand delivered by Amaya and her Snohomish Spark teammate, Ella Roller.
When the 26th annual action finally came to an end, close to $600,000 was raised between the silent and live auction proceedings. Notably, a generous $25,000 of that impressive sum was raised by U.S. Bank’s Smokey Point branch. The bank staff embraced the celebratory atmosphere and combined their powers to claim top spot in the event concluding dessert dash.
U.S. Bank’s Smokey Point location in Arlington raised a whopping $25,000 during the Dessert Dash!
“At the end of the day, this auction is really about building relationships with the community and continuing to build upon the strong foundation of support we have with the Tulalip Tribes, Snohomish County, and the Tulalip Resort Casino,” said Terry Freeman, special event specialist for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Snohomish County. “For twenty plus years now, our goal has remained the same – to create more and more partnerships off the reservation to achieve our goals on reservation. Thanks to our Tulalip leadership team and the leadership teams of so many amazing businesses in Snohomish County, we continue to meet and exceed this goal.”
Thanks to everyone who contributed and gave generously, the 26th annual action was a major success. The generosity and heartfelt support received each year from sponsors and volunteers is overwhelming. As in years past, all funds raised will ensure our local Boys & Girls Club continues to provide quality, growth-focused programs in a fun, safe and positive environment for kids.
In the heart of the spring season, the Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources department put together a successful event dedicated to a popular springtime hobby, though many would argue that gardening is a way of life, in both the literal and figurative sense.
Natural Resources opened the garden workshop to include all residents of Tulalip. On the morning of May 11, close to 60 community members showed up at the Tulalip Admin Building to really dig into the art of gardening and learn about the many benefits that plants have to offer, while cultivating new skills and knowledge along the way.
“I have always loved gardening and working in the yard. To me, it’s relaxing. Even pulling weeds, I just really enjoy it,” shared community member and home gardener, Catherine Key. “I decided to come when I saw the flyer and all the subjects looked interesting. I just think it’s really cool that the Tribe did this.”
The garden workshop featured three presentations that focused on several aspects of gardening. Valerie Streeter, Tulalip Natural Resources Stormwater planner, opened the three-hour event with a presentation titled, Go with the Flow, that informed the people about watersheds, rainwater collection, and natural yard care. Local Horticultural Inspirer, Seth Smith, led an informational presentation dedicated to growing a garden for sustenance, which included a Q&A where people absorbed any and all insight that Seth had to share.
Said Seth, “Today I talked about subtropical plants, citruses, fig trees, pomegranates, any unique plant that’s not apple trees or pear trees that we’re all familiar with. I wanted people to think outside the box, open their mind and inspiration to achieve things that people would rather you not succeed at. [Gardening] allows you to free your mind of negativity on the day to day. It allows you to have your own space, and I think that’ll allow you to clear your mind of work, family drama, vehicle issues, and allow you to just focus on yourself.”
The Tulalip Health Clinic Diabetes Program presented a detailed lesson on the medicinal usages of plants, while also touching on the native plants of this region, essential gardening tools, and the special connection to the natural world that we experience as Indigenous people
Tulalip Diabetes Educator, Veronica ‘Roni’ Leahy explained, “Plants were here before people, we think of them as our first teachers. The more you’re around them, the more you feel connected. Think of them as friends that you get to see once a year. Enjoy your time with them, go and be out with nature. I brought two plants that are representing us today; Camus is a native plant and you’re on tribal lands. Sacred plant, sacred land. And iris, which we planted at the Tulalip Health Clinic, it represents the community, this group of people who were able to come out and learn today.”
Along with Roni was Herbalist, Leslie Lekos, who explained the step-by-step process of creating tinctures from plant extracts, that could be used as home remedies to help treat a variety of ailments such as nausea and muscle soreness. Leslie has numerous tinctures and sprays for sale in her Etsy store, Wild Root Botanicals. She also teaches hands-on classes throughout the year including Foundations of Herbalism and Wild Foods: Resiliency Through Connection, more details can be found on her website. Following the presentation, both Roni and Leslie held live demonstrations on transplanting and creating tinctures.
The event ended with a raffle drawing and a plant giveaway, in which people received primroses, elderberries, planter boxes, and compost.
“The turnout was great. It did turn out really cool today,” exclaimed Melissa Gobin, Tulalip Natural Resources Environmental and Education Coordinator. “At the Earth Day planning meetings, that started in January, a lot of people were talking about sustainability for food and growing our own foods, along with rain gardens. Val (Streeter) has a grant through the EPA, and she has money to put on workshops to talk about rain gardens. I met with Seth and he’s a garden guru, and also with Roni because she’s amazing with gardens and we’ve been learning so much from her, and Leslie too. So, we just wanted to get all these people together to inform the community and give them some inspiration to get out and garden.”
She continued, “On May 22, we’re going to be at Quil Ceda Elementary and we’re going to have Farmer Frog there to help us put plants in the ground. It’s going to be a Plant 101 course on how to put them in, the dos and don’ts, and we’ll be going over a lot of the basics because it’s Family Day at the elementary. And hopefully in the future we’ll have more of these classes. I also want to start a gardening group, something where people can get together to plant, seed exchange. Earth Day is every day and we’re going to have a bunch of stuff going on now. I’m just so glad there were so many people that came out and enjoyed it and seemed so engaged.”
Equipped with invaluable gardening game, new plants, and tools, the people were eager to get back home to enjoy the sunny weather and get lost in their personal gardens.
Following the garden workshop, community member, Tracy Owens, shared, “I got the flyer in the mail and I’m really into gardening. I wanted to see if I was going to learn something new and share different ideas. Ever since we bought our property here on Tulalip, we’ve expanded something new every year to our garden. We have herbs, we have vegetables, we have flowers. I just love it. Today I enjoyed learning about different plants and just listening to people talk about gardening and seeing their love that they have for plants too. You can see that plants make people happy.”
On Friday, May 10, staff from the Tulalip Healing to Wellness Court, Quil Ceda Creek Counseling, and the Recovery Resource Center convened at the Tulalip Admin Building. The purpose of this gathering was to honor the achievements of the individuals referred to the Wellness Court. Erica Moore, Wellness Court Treatment Coordinator, took the lead in organizing the event.
She collected statements from the program’s graduates and current participants, which she then used to create a slideshow. This visual representation showcased the remarkable progress of the individuals, including milestones such as maintaining sobriety for a certain period, securing stable employment, and rebuilding relationships. Following the presentation, the audience was invited to reflect on the content and share words of support and encouragement for the individuals featured in the slideshow.
For those who don’t know, the Wellness Court was designed after the Drug Court, which was created in 1989 to reduce crime and give those who aren’t violent offenders a chance at not being incarcerated or getting a felony conviction. Tulalip’s Healing Wellness Court goes further than customary drug courts by implementing cultural traditions, community, and reconnecting families. These cultural traditions can include attending ceremonies, which play a significant role in the recovery process.
“I have been involved with Wellness Court for over a year,” said Christine Frauso, Wellness Court Judge. “The program is amazing; I have watched people grow exponentially. These programs help reconnect people with their culture and community, a huge part of their recovery. I came from the state system where they didn’t have that cultural component, which isn’t nearly as effective there.”
The Wellness Court program participants receive personalized support and guidance to address their needs, whether finding employment, accessing mental health services, or rebuilding relationships. The program’s holistic approach focuses on the individual’s personal growth and reintegration into the community and family, setting them up for long-term success beyond their time in the court system.
“I got involved with this program in 2017 during the first years it was open and graduated in 2018,” said Erica. “I decided to get a job with the Wellness Court because I graduated from the program, and I believe in this program. It changed my life. When I started the program, I thought I didn’t want or need it because I was an adult and could do it independently. I quickly discovered that having these people on your side wanting me to succeed and showing me that I could love myself helped me understand that anything is possible when you have people who care.”
It’s a significant accomplishment to find an even keel in life. Sometimes, when you’re down on yourself because of the wrong choices you have been making, thinking you deserve better can be hard to see. For tribal member Gerald Williams, staying on the straight and narrow was difficult before becoming involved with the Wellness Court.
“Once I got into the program, I found out that all the staff was supportive.,” explained Gerald. “They taught me how to live life clean and sober, and the requirements to take care of yourself, like going to the dentist or the doctor. The program saved my life. If I had gone into any other court system, I would’ve kept running from jail like I usually did. So, I am grateful for Wellness Court.”
Tulalip Healing to Wellness Court illustrates the power of community and tradition in overcoming addiction. As participant Gerald aptly described, “You need to put as much work into sobriety as you did into getting drugs and alcohol.” The court helps individuals like Gerald rebuild their lives through support and guidance, offering hope for a brighter future. For further information regarding Tulalip Healing to Wellness Court, please feel free to call (360) 716-4764 at 6332 31st Ave NE, Suite B, Tulalip, WA 98271.
The Gathering of Nations, known as the largest powwow in the United States, is more than a cultural celebration – it’s a thriving hub of triumph that showcases tradition and a fierce determination to honor our ancestors.
Of course, there is a constant emission of celebratory vibes as thousands of culture bearers from across Native America come together to witness the highest echelon of powwow performances. From tiny tot to golden age, Native men and women from all across the four directions take to the arena floor to proudly dance like their forebearers. From fancy shawl to jingle dress and traditional, to fancy dance, grass dance and the always captivating chicken dance, 2,200+ dancers radiated generations worth of resistance to colonial assimilation over the three-day Gathering.
There are entire families who view Gathering as an annual rite of passage that demonstrates their commitment to each other and to those who came before them. Like the Yarholar clan from Sac & Fox Nation. Father Cortney learned to fancy feather dance from his grandfather and has since taught his 14-year-old son and 9-year-old daughter how to carry on the fancy feather legacy.
“The fancy feather dance has been a part of our family tradition for generations. How it’s been explained to me was we had a grandfather, way back there in the family tree, who went through ceremony and was given a dance. He was told to take care of it and teach his children who would teach their children, so on and so forth,” recalled Cortney Yarholar. “With each passing generation, the older ones taught the younger ones not just the dance, but the lessons that come with it; how to hold yourself in and out of the arena, how to take care of the body and spirt, and how to embrace the good medicine that comes from it.
“It’s a gift from Creator that was given to my family a long time ago and continues to be a source of strength and unity, especially for the relationship between my son and I. It’s so special to be able to travel and share these experiences with him. Even the simplest of things, like helping him put on his regalia and braiding his hair, these are special moments we get to share. Each time, I’m reminded of when I was his age and my uncles helped me paint up. There are times when I watch my son and I remember being a little one dancing and looking over to see how proud my grandfather was as he watched me. He was 90-something at the time and couldn’t dance any more, but he’d sit there and tap his cane to match my rhythm. The harder I danced, the harder he tapped that cane while having this huge smile. So, for me, dancing fancy feather is a spiritual connection that links the past to the present.”
In the present, the youngest generation continues to lead in their own way. Often in such subtle ways that their offerings may be overlooked by those not paying great attention. Tiny in stature but immense in power are those little ones who carry on culture and tradition without even knowing it.
Such is the case with a remarkable 2-year-old named Roderick Walker (Seminole). He’s been immersed in the powwow circuit since the womb, with both his parents being acclaimed dancers. So much so that he’s created his own type of powwow dance. A resounding remix that represents his Seminole, Navajo, and Sac & Fox heritage
“Basically, he learned from all his family. His cousins, aunts and uncles, and grandparents are all dancers,” shared Roderick’s mom, Darrica. “He’s taken a little bit from everyone and created an all-around style all his own. It’s a little bit fancy, little bit southern, little bit traditional, and then a little bit whatever comes to him in the moment.
“We’ve travelled all around Indian Country and into Canada, too, for powwows and ceremonies,” she added. “We’ve never had to tell him to dance. As soon as he was standing and heard the music or heard the drum, he was dancing. He just loves it. I’m so excited to see him continue to grow and represent for his people wherever he dances.”
Young Roderick’s one-of-a-kind dance style earned him the title of #1 tiny tot boy upon the conclusion of Gathering of Nations.
Among the tens of thousands of Native Americans who journeyed to Gathering, one particular powwow princess stood out. That was Quinault’s Violette Capoeman. Dawning a cedar cap and cedar skirt, while wearing an assortment of shell necklaces harvested from the Salish Sea, she was regarded as the only Coast Salish contestant vying for the coveted crown of Miss Indian World.
In traditional Pueblo territory, deep in dessert terrain and amongst so many tribal citizens from the Great Plains, the 18-year-old Violette was far from the familiarity of towering evergreen trees and endless blue sea.
“This entire experience has been a culture shock,” she admitted. “But we’re all relatives and interconnected by a larger sense of culture that allows us to befriend one another and share our personal stories and ceremony experiences. Over the past few days, I’ve really enjoyed being able to learn from my fellow princesses about their tribes’ customs. They’ve shared so much with me and I’m been fortunate to be able to share with them, too. There’s been so questions about my cedar regalia because they aren’t use to seeing it like we are back home.
“Looking back at my time here in New Mexico, I’ve built so many friendships in such a short amount of time with people from all over the country. That’s really the beautiful thing at the heart of our Native American culture, that ability to connect.”
Violette’s traditional Lushootseed name translates to Where Thunder Dropped Whale. Befitting, since her growth and development on the powwow circuit gave her confidence, the internal thunder, if you will, to be dropped into Gathering of Nations and stand proud as the only Coast Salish princess; a symbolic whale in pueblo territory.
“It’s been a transformative experience, and I’m just so happy to be the representative for costal nations,” added Violette.
The sentiments expressed by Cortney, Darrica, and Violette give credence to the crucial role Gathering of Nations plays in sharing the many nuances of Native American powwow dance, music, regalia, and other contemporary cultural expressions, like those offered by 2-year-old Roderick. It’s both a hub of triumph and a platform of preservation for traditional practices that are very much alive, continuing to evolve, and remain as vibrant as the photographs accompanying this article.
Over the May 4th weekend, the chilly and wet weather couldn’t dampen the spirits of diverse and determined canoe pullers. Hailing from various tribes across Canada, Washington, and Oregon, they gathered at Tulalip Bay to compete in Tulalip’s 2024 Annual Canoe Races. With more than 70 talented contestants from different tribes putting their skills to the test, the air was thick with anticipation, enthusiasm, and tension. Competitors were determined to leave it all on the water and earn a chance to claim the coveted trophy and cash prizes that awaited the champions.
The races were a testament to strength and teamwork. The excitement was palpable as contestants paddled out and lined up between the buoy and the line judge, eagerly awaiting the sound of the horn. The atmosphere was charged with the sea’s smell and the waves crashing against the shore. It was a breathtaking sight as the massive wooden vessels would take a few pulls to gain momentum. Still, once everyone was in sync, they would gracefully glide through the water towards precisely placed buoys throughout the bay until crossing the finish line, with the cheers of the spectators echoing in their ears.
“I have been in canoe races for 30 years,” Nooksack’s Russell Roberts said. “I love seeing everyone coming out and working together. Also, getting all the youth out here to participate is a blessing. That’s why me and my brother’s canoes are made up of kids. It means a lot to have these races. My grandfather is the one who got the family started. He’s been gone for quite a few years now, and we hope we can continue his legacy for my kids and, hopefully, my grandkids.
This year’s Tulalip canoe races saw more youth participants than adults, indicating a growth in the sport’s ability to bridge traditional practices with changing times. With four different age groups to participate in, kids of all ages were able to embrace the elements and try their might on the bay.
11-year-old Kora from Nooksack said, “I have been participating for five years. You have to make sacrifices to be able to participate in the races. It takes a lot of time and dedication to get good, keep up, and even win. My favorite part of this weekend was being on the water with my cousins. I say for all the new people who want to try it out, have fun, and be ready for anything.”
The water offered many challenges, each presenting an opportunity for personal growth. Lavarian Webster, a 19-year-old from Cultus Lake, Chilliwack, BC, seized these opportunities, participating in over ten races. His journey is a testament to the transformative power of these races, as he harnessed his skills and pushed his limits.
“My favorite part about this weekend has been getting back out to the races and hanging out with everybody,” Webster said. “This is my third season of racing, and I feel like I got off to a good start. Keeping the canoes alive and on the water is important to the native people. Having an event like this gives people from different villages a chance to get involved with one another. It was a great weekend, and I’m glad I got to be a part of it.” Despite the cloudy and sunless weather, the competitors persevered and showed their tenacity in canoe racing. The determination and passion demonstrated by the competitors were truly inspiring. It reminded us that even when faced with adverse conditions, we can still achieve greatness if we keep pushing forward. As Russell Roberts said, “It’s just what we do!”
As the final echoes of paddles cutting through water fade into the distance, the 2024 Annual Canoe Races at Tulalip Bay leave behind more than just the thrill of competition. They serve as a reminder of the resilience, unity, and cultural pride shared among Indigenous communities across the region. Beyond the trophy and prizes, the true victory lies in the bonds forged, the traditions upheld, and the memories created on the waters of Tulalip Bay.
