Tulalip Tribes Chairwoman Teri Gobin and Department of Health Secretary, Dr. Umair Shah
By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
January 9 marked a historic event and a win for tribal sovereignty. The Tulalip Board of Directors were joined by members of the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) and the Tribe’s data sovereignty service committee who worked together over the past two years to outline, define, and build upon an agreement in regard to tribal data in the state’s healthcare system.
This data sharing agreement allows Tulalip the ability to oversee the collection of data of its membership and determine how it is utilized to better inform the community in instances such as the spread of diseases, viruses, or any public health related issues occurring both on the reservation or throughout the region. It also provides an opportunity for the Tribe to address ongoing medical conditions within the community. And through the agreement, the Tribe will be notified when outside parties are looking to obtain the data of Tulalip tribal members and decide whether or not they give consent to the request.
Summer Hammons, Legislative Policy Analyst for Tulalip’s Treaty Rights & Government Affairs Office, shared, “It was a natural way to really try to understand sovereignty when outside agencies try to infiltrate tribal data. There was consultation going on with the Department of Health and tribes, but they also have tribal orgs that own epidemiology centers (TECs). And so, you have all these centers in Washington state that have access to our data, and we weren’t sure who was accessing our data at the state and federal level. We have data that’s stored in the tribal health clinic that could go to the national warehouse, so it’s more federal through an agreement that we have with IHS. On the state side, tribal members can go into Providence, or any hospital anywhere; all that data is stored in Washington State, especially contact tracing – Covid, sexually transmitted diseases. All that goes into the system for tracing. We didn’t know who’s accessing that specific data and we didn’t have access to that data.”
She continued, “It’s a way of protecting our data and for us to be at the table to look at that data and see what they’re doing. We also wanted to have a mechanism where we’re not blocking other people of data, because it’s really important for TECs to accumulate what’s going on with tribes. And we wanted to create a mechanism where the state can’t just give out our data without our permission or our informed consent.”
Summer went on to explain that though this specific agreement only affects the data protection and sharing of the Tulalip membership, it creates an opportunity for other tribes to formulate their own agreement with the DOH. With that in mind, they created a tribal data sovereignty committee where they collectively set out to define seven principals as a guideline, which includes the authority to manage tribal data, the right to give informed consent, and also equitable access to that data.
Said Summer, “We want to be able to tell our story and be able to access that data and tell the state if that’s not the story we want to send out. It’s important that there’s Tulalip data, but then it becomes aggregated, it becomes AI/AN (American Indian/Alaskan Native). Your tribal affiliation is removed on the report, and it becomes a statistic aggregated with all tribes. So, tribes need to know what you are doing with that aggregated data. That’s why we built the data sovereignty group, so that we know that before the DOH shares a campaign on something, that the tribes have consultation on it as well.”
On the morning of the momentous signing, the DOH Chief of Policy, Kristin Peterson expressed, “Thank you for inviting us to celebrate and honor this historic moment. Signing this agreement represents our commitment to our government-to-government relationship. Entering this agreement not only enhances Tulalip’s access to our data but upholds the DOH responsible for how we disclose and utilize Tulalip’s data. We are really excited about the signing and the work to come. And we are committed to making sure that once this is signed, the work is not over. We will hold ourselves accountable to implementing it.”
“This is not just a formal agreement,” added DOH Secretary, Dr. Umair Shah. “This is a journey we believe in so strongly. Why? Because when you share and provide data, when you give people access to their own data, that raises the visibility of health issues – the challenges and solutions that must be made. I cannot thank you enough for taking this journey with us. We could not have taken these steps without you, your leaders, your teams coming together to help us both understand the challenges and understand the concerns. We listened and we worked together through those challenges in order to come here today. And I’m so proud of the fact that we are here today.”
Following the signing of the agreement, the BOD blanketed Dr. Shah, thanking him for his years of service with the DOH. Each board member then shared a few words before the gathering concluded.
Secretary Theresa Sheldon, stated, “When we have these type of meetings where we’re signing MOUs, these are about lives. We are talking about lives and real issues, and the ability to address them in a timely manner, the ability to access care, and the ability to access resources that many times, we didn’t have. I’m really grateful for that. Our responsibility is the wellness of our people. That responsibility that we carry is much bigger than those in this room, because we are constantly looking out for the next seven generations, and the responsibility for their health and their wellbeing. Sometimes, Washington State is only friendly to us once we sue and win, because the law is on our side. Acknowledging that sovereignty and that authority is a constant battle. When we don’t have to do that and we’re able to work with employees who recognize that this is the right thing to do, it’s really appreciated.”
The Marysville Pilchuck (MP) wrestling team continues to shine through an undefeated season. With seven tribal members on the team, they proudly represent their heritage and connection to the community. On Tuesday, January 14, they secured a commanding victory over the Monroe Bearcats 64-15 in front of an energized home crowd. Two days later, they crushed their northern neighbors, Lakewood, with a 66-9 win, further solidifying their dominance and improving to an impressive 13-0 in dual meets.
Head Coach Tony Hatch, a former MP wrestler from the 1980s, has led the team’s success this season. Under his guidance, the boys from Marysville and Tulalip have shown relentless drive and determination. Following the match against Monroe, Coach Hatch expressed pride in his wrestlers, saying, “They did what we expected—pretty good. We’re good friends with the Monroe coaches, and we know their program is still building. But we’re on a whole different level this year. We aim to go undefeated in dual meets; we’re currently 12-0. The kids are working hard, stepping up when needed, and you can’t ask for more than that.”
For senior Joseph Davis, a tribal member and a competitor in the 165-pound weight class, the match against Monroe was a highlight of his decade-long wrestling career. Davis achieved an impressive victory, pinning his opponent in just 43 seconds, demonstrating his skill and determination. Despite dealing with injuries from football, including a shoulder problem, Davis remains committed to making his final wrestling season successful.
“This is my tenth-year wrestling. Overall, the season has been going well, “said Davis. “I’ve had some injuries, but I’ve managed to push through. The keys to success begin in the offseason, and my main goal this year is to win the state championship. After that, I’d love to travel the world.”
Two more MP wrestlers achieved decisive victories in the match against Monroe. Their precision and strength in pinning opponents further showcased the team’s superiority.
Aiden Eagle, a junior in the 215-pound weight class and a tribal member, is in his third year of wrestling and is equally determined to make an impact this season. “The season’s going well. I’m focused on staying motivated and keeping my weight in check. Wrestling is a mentally tough sport—you must keep pushing. My goal this year is to make it to state and hopefully place,” Eagle explained.
Motivation is a driving force for the team, and tribal member Garrett Reeves is no exception. The support from Coach Hatch and the friendly rivalry with his twin brother, Dylan Reeves, who is also on the wrestling team, have pushed him to improve every day. Together, these elements, along with a team culture that emphasizes hard work and encouragement, inspire Reeves to become the best version of himself both on and off the mat.
As a junior competing in the 120-pound weight class, Reeves has achieved an impressive record of 26 wins and 5 losses this season. Reflecting on his performance, he stated, “This year has been pretty good for me. I’ve placed in a few significant tournaments, and I aim to break the all-time win record here at MP. My goal is to finish in the top five at state.”
As the season progresses, the Marysville Pilchuck wrestling team remains determined to maintain their undefeated streak and secure a historic year for the program. The team is laser-focused on finishing strong, with only four matches left in the season. They’d love it if the community came out to support them at their last match of the season—the Berry Brawl—on January 30 at Marysville Getchell High School. Bring your energy, cheer them on, and be part of this exciting end to their remarkable season.
To keep this momentum going and ensure future success, the Marysville Pilchuck Wrestling program is seeking donations to support its continued growth. Contributions are crucial in providing the team with essential resources and opportunities. If you would like to help these dedicated athletes, please contact Cassidy M. with the MP Booster Club at (425) 212-7488, and be sure to reference the wrestling team when reaching out. Your generosity can help sustain this exceptional program for seasons to come.
Even through the sound of constant traffic, the familiar melodic piano chords of ‘Still D.R.E.’ could be heard blasting in the parking lot of the now defunct Walmart on Highway 99. It was a fitting and perfect moment, when S-N-double O-P’s voice came on during the chorus, a group of volunteers posed in front of a sign that read Big House of Doggs, spelled in the style of uncle Snoop himself: D-O-double G. And ooooweee, the delicious smell of glizzys filled the air.
“My name is Tyler, but everyone calls me Big House,” exclaimed a very tall and burly gentleman with a warm friendly smile. As the rest of the crew nodded their heads to the beat and carried on with preparations, Big House was joined by his wife and Tulalip tribal member, Celia Dockendorff to discuss their new business venture.
According to the couple, the idea of Big House of Doggs came organically during a scroll through social media. “It was just one of those things,” Tyler explained. “I was on Facebook Marketplace, and I saw that there was a hot dog cart for sale. And I asked Celia what do you think about us selling hot dogs? She is always down for anything I come up with and she was like, ‘Yeah, sure. Why not?’.”
Celia added, “My mom drove us down to Portland, and we got it. It was just a $1600 little cart. And we’ve been doing this for over a year now. The Stick Games Tournament was our first gig, and it just took off from there.”
From humble beginnings to an instant crowd favorite, the Dockendorff’s hot dog stand has served locals at many tribal events throughout the past year, including the Lights and Ice festival at the Tulalip Amphitheater. The passion for culinary arts must’ve been passed down to the next generation because Celia’s aunt is none other than Lynette Jimicum, owner of the iconic TeePee Creepers, which was the very first Native American food stand at the Bite of Seattle in 2023. And this year, another Native American owned food stand will be added to the list as Big House of Doggs prepares for their debut at the summertime event.
Picking up knowledge and the ins-and-outs of the local food truck game from TeePee Creepers, Tyler and Celia know branding is everything. That must be the reason why Big House of Doggs boasts a fun and unique logo that features their very own Boston terrier in a doghouse, holding a pair of tongs in one paw and a hot dog with all the fixings in the other. Which of course makes for a fun anecdote to share with their customers.
Said Big House, “We don’t have kids. We have tons of nieces and nephews and family, but it’s just us and our dog. So, we based the theme around our dog.”
To passersby and hungry customers, this may just look like a whimsical themed hot dog stand, but it is so much more when considering the owners and how big their hearts are. When interacting with the duo, it’s sweet to see how much love they have for each other. And of course, through our teachings we learn that when working with good hearts and a positive mindset, your art will have a terrific outcome. And that’s no exception here. At the top of the article, we talked about how one could hear hip hop classics bumping through their speakers, but what we have yet to mention is how awesome it was to hear the group of volunteers laughing, joking, and sharing stories while they worked. It was good vibes all around and a testament to the type of environment Celia and Big House create while on the job.
That brings us to the afternoon of January 14, and the reason Big House of Doggs was stationed alongside the highway. In this particular area of Everett, there seems to be a large population of folk who fell on hard times and are braving the cold winter without shelter. Many of whom are also experiencing bouts of hunger pangs. As we mentioned before, the Dockendorff’s have big hearts. And after their first successful year in business, they decided to look out for those individuals struggling to get by on a day-to-day basis.
“We are so grateful that the Tribe was able to put together Lights and Ice and put us in a position to have a good end to the year,” shared Tyler. “Because we were super successful, we thought it was important to give back and make sure the community knows that we appreciate them. We were supported by the Tribe and so we wanted to give back as much as we could and support other people.”
“My grandma always gave back,” Celia stated. “She always made sure that after I went through all my clothes, or if I had like an extra sweater that I didn’t need, we would go to Seattle and my grandma would give it out. She was huge on that. And me, my mom, and my sisters would make sandwiches to pass out in Seattle when I was younger. So, it’s been awhile but this is really good for the soul.”
In addition to bringing Big House of Doggs to the people, Celia and Big House also invited others to join in on the give back effort. Not only did people receive hot dogs and chips free of charge, but they also walked away with warm clothes, blankets, hot chocolate and/or cider, and a BBQ plate.
After posting up for several hours, and providing food to over 300 people in need, the night ended on somewhat of a sour note as the security of the strip mall took issue with their presence in the area. But even after they were not-so-kindly asked to leave, that didn’t dampen their spirits.
“Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness, because we were still able to accomplish our goal today,” Big House reflected. “We will definitely be doing this again, but hopefully with approval.”
You can catch Big House of Doggs throughout the year at local gatherings or during their occasional pop ups on the reservation. They are already slated to appear at Boom City, TRC’s Employee Day, and the Bite of Seattle in 2025. Updates can be found on either Tyler’s personal Facebook wall or on their Big House of Boom Fireworks page. You can also scan the QR code with your phone’s camera or follow this link, https://lisi.menu/6722cfc7d987e to check out their menu.
By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News; photos from Tulalip Bay Fire Department Facebook
One of the most challenging fires in California’s history has engulfed the city of Los Angeles, destroying over 10,000 houses and consuming more than 23,700 acres in Palisades County. The fire began on January 7 and spread rapidly, fueled by strong winds and dry conditions. Additionally, 14,100 acres burned in Eaton, 800 in Hurst, 1,052 in Kenneth, and 43 in Sunset. As of Tuesday, January 14, this tragedy has left 23 lives lost and damages exceeding $100 billion. Thousands of individuals have lost everything they owned and now face unimaginable hardships.
Yet, in the face of adversity, hope prevails. Brave crews from Washington have rallied to the cause, embodying the spirit of unity and resilience. Fire departments, such as the Tulalip Bay Fire Department, have joined forces with others in the area, demonstrating unwavering determination to help control the fires in Los Angeles.
On Friday, January 10, after an exhausting 18-hour drive into Los Angeles, the Tulalip Bay Fire Department crew faced a grueling 20-hour shift, totaling 38 hours without rest before their first break. Upon reaching Zuma Beach, the command post for their operations, the crew prioritized inspecting vehicles and gear to ensure readiness for combating the fires.
“When Mother Nature calls, our firefighters are ready to respond,” the Tulalip Fire Department said on their Facebook page.
Their first shift occurred on Sunset Boulevard, where they protected residential areas overnight as the fire approached. “In the morning, the fire was bumping up against the neighborhood, and we had to put in handlines, lay hoses connecting off hydrants, and work with air tech when the fire started getting going again,” Captain James Shockley explained.
The firefighters are part of North Strike Team 1, alongside other teams from Washington State. Seven states, along with Canada and Mexico, have joined the fight to end the Palisades fire. Initially, California funded these efforts, but with worsening weather conditions, the Federal Government has stepped in to ensure resources are available.
Captain Shockley described the weather’s challenges. “The biggest issue is the wind. It ripped through a big stretch of the Pacific Coast Highway when the fire first started. All the homes built on the ocean side were destroyed. It ran through those homes like nothing could stop it. To see chimneys left standing and Sunset Boulevard in ruins was just next-level devastation. It has been wild to see.”
Despite the damage, the crews’ support has been exceptional. “Everyone here has been great,” Captain Shockley noted. The ground support for our team and rigs has been excellent. With long drives out to our work sites and back, each shift takes about 32-34 hours. So, being diligent about getting a good night’s sleep is essential to handling the workload.”
The Tulalip team along with crews from South County, Camano Island and Snohomish are actively working in the Ventura and Balboa neighborhoods. They are clearing areas to prepare for potential fires that may occur due to the expected winds in the coming days and weeks.
Due to the current weather conditions, the Tulalip Bay Fire Department will be stationed in Los Angeles for the next two weeks as they continue their efforts to combat the fire.
If you or someone you know would like to help, you can donate to the California Fire Foundation Wildfire and Disaster Relief Fund at lahsa.org. Your support can make a significant difference in helping those affected rebuild their lives.
Scoring has been hard to come by for the (2-5) Tulalip Heritage Lady Hawks. Their average offensive output of 29 points per game can largely be explained by lack of chemistry due to multiple games of missing starters. It’s difficult to build a solid foundation of team cohesion when impact players aren’t getting the reps in games, let alone practices, that most any coaching staff could expect.
In addition, any hoop head of worth would also say low point totals are a direct symptom of cold hard bricks, or missed shots for the uninformed. Missed layups and missed free throws, in specific, can result in any team – high school, college, or professional – to suffer some offensive woes that can carry over from game to game.
On January 6, when the Lady Hawks travelled south to play Providence Classical Christian, they were at full strength and looking to make a statement in the new year. That’s not how things went, at least to begin with.
The 1st quarter was a brick fest by both teams. Seriously, the score was 0-0 five minutes in. After eight minutes of play, the Tulalip girls trailed 0-4 when finally, Raylee secured a well-positioned offense rebound and immediately shot and scored to give her team its first bucket. The quarter ended with a score of 2-4.
In the 2nd quarter, the Lady Hawks found their scoring ways, anchored by shooting guard Audrielle Mclean’s unconscious ability to shoot deep 3-pointers. She connected on three long range jumpers in the quarter to spark her team’s offensive fire power. After hitting nothing by nylon on her third made 3-pointer, Audrielle gave Tulalip their first and only lead of the game, 14-12.
At halftime, Lady Hawks assistant coach Tim Greene reflected on the first half. “We’ve missed a lot of layups and a lot of free throws (the girls missed 7 of their 8 free throw attempts). That part of the game is more mental than anything else. On the defensive side, I’ve liked the hustle they’ve shown. We need more of that energy across the board if we’re going to have a chance at winning. That and making our free throws.”
Skipping ahead to the middle of the 4th quarter, when Tulalip trailed 18-32 with only five minutes remaining, the Lady Hawks went full fight or flight mode…they chose fight. Getting into the bonus early meant they had to keep attacking to get easy scoring opportunities at the free throw line. The ball was hopping and the girls were rotating beautifully. Led by the always energetic and vocal Raylee, who was continuing to dive for every loose ball and battle for every rebound, she rallied her squad.
Point after point and bucket after bucket, the Lady Hawks slowly chipped away at their double-digit deficit until they got within just 5 points, 27-32, with two-and-a-half minutes remaining. Chants of “Defense!” even rang out from the Tulalips in the crowd. But like its been all season, defense wasn’t the issue, offense was. The girls just couldn’t buy the buckets necessary to complete the comeback. They ultimately took a 29-38 L.
After the spirited contest, Tulalip forward Raylee Lewis, the Lady Hawks leading scorer in the game and unofficial Miss Hustle award winner, shared, “We were all really frustrated with our play in that first half and in that 3rd quarter, but going into the 4th quarter our coaches told us we needed to shift our mindset. I think most of us heard that message loud and clear and did what we could make that shift. We upped our communication and our energy and you could see how much we feed off that kind of positivity. Even though we lost, there are things we can take away from this game, like continuing to play for one another and remaining positive.”
The (8-0) Heritage Hawks ventured into the realm of Providence Classical Christian on January 6 and came away with yet another resounding W. It’s been a remarkable start to the season for the Tulalip boys who made it their goal from the get go to reach the State tournament.
After reeling off eight straight wins, they hope to build off their early season success and keep the momentum going through the end of the regular season and well beyond.
Prior to tip, head coach Shawn Sanchey said, “Our main focus right now is to stay playing at our level at all times. Regardless if we’re home or away, or what the score is, we want to be playing Tulalip basketball. We know what are goals and dreams are as a team and in order to reach them we can’t let anything keep us from playing at our own pace and intensity level.”
The high-powered Hawks also added another scorer to their arsenal. After getting his transfer approved in mid-December, Davien Parks has been ballin’ out in a Hawks jersey. Coach Shawn also said, “He’s brought so many things to our team. Great leadership, more speed, more shooting, and just an all-around versatile skillset that elevates our style of play.”
Davien showed his scoring prowess in the opening quarter vs Providence when he singlehandedly outscored the opposition by himself. He scored 13 points in the 1st quarter to pace his Hawks to a 18-11 lead after ten minutes of play.
The Hawks lead continued to soar when Tokala Black Tomahawk got aggressive and had no difficulty scoring over Providence defenders in the 2nd quarter. Sophomore guard J.J. Gray got into the ledger in the 3rd quarter with a series of athletic moves and contested jumpers that found nothing buy nylon.
Entering the 4th quarter, Tulalip led 57-26 and showed no signs of slowing down. Over those last ten minutes of play, five Hawks contributed buckets to seal the 76-43 trouncing. Davien led all scorers with 31 points, J.J. scored 15 points, and Tokala added 14 points.
In attendance for this matchup was President of the Northwest 1B League, Lindsey Elliot. She shared her excitement pregame for being able to witness the talent of Tulalip’s basketball team she’s heard so much about.
Following the victory, Lindsey said, “It’s phenomenal watching the 1B programs who have developed such talented athletes now be receiving the adulation that they deserve. As fans are learning this year with the meteoric rise of tribal teams like Tulalip and Lummi, the overall skill and style of play of the 1B game has been elevated to a new level.
“Seeing the Providence gym be filled with home fans, away fans, and just fans of the sport who wanted to watch a fun basketball game is so huge. Because the student-athletes and the coaches who are working with them are putting in so many hours behind the scenes that don’t get recognized enough,” she continued. “So when the community comes out, fills the stands, and cheers on our wonderful athletes, it’s honoring the work the kids and coaches are putting in. There are so many dedicated to the growth of our league and I, for one, think this is only the beginning of many exciting years to come.”
By Kalvin Valdillez; photos courtesy of Ilivia Hatch
“Amazing asf.” “Sooo good!” “Fire fr.” “Definitely a must!” “Bussin’” “100/10.” “Girl Ur chamoy SMACC!” “You did your thang on these.” “Obsessed!”
Those direct quotes are just a handful of reviews that can be found in the highlight section of an Instagram page named Munchiezznsweetzz. Also here, there are dozens of live reaction videos that are wholesome and worth the watch to see everyone’s faces, from kids to elders, light up as they take their first bite into a tasty treat made by Tulalip tribal member, Ilivia Hatch.
Though her sugary concoctions have garnered her fans all throughout the region, her biggest supporters appear to be the young adults from the reservation. Which is wonderful to see. Among the glowing reviews of heart-eyes, fire flames, and 5-star emojis, one word seems to sum up Munchiezznsweetzz perfectly – bomb – which of course is one of the highest compliments among both gen z and millennials alike.
So, with that in mind, we understand if you’d like to take a moment to find her page, check out her grid, and place an order before you continue you reading. (And she created a special promo code exclusively for the readers of the SeeYahtSub and Tulalip News, just enter code: ‘Tulalip’ for an extra 10% off of your order.) Alright, now that you’re back and you checked out her snacks… IKR? Every dish looks incredible. It definitely makes you want to order one of everything on the menu.
If her food photos blew your mind, you’re in store for another big surprise. But before that’s unveiled, we invite you to take a closer look at her page. A fun logo of lollipops and candy canes serves as the profile pic for the business page. In the bio area, she has her store hours set and a link to her personal bakesy page, where you can place your order and find out any necessary details about your payment and pickup options. The last thing we’d like to point out is her interactions with her followers. Not only does she regularly hold giveaways and asks her clients for input/requests, but she often offers daily, weekly, and monthly specials as well. She also adds a personal touch to each order, including instructions on how to store the treats properly and a variety of whimsical stickers too.
In today’s society, over half the battle with creating a business is having a legit, inviting, responsive, and awesome social media team. Success often lies in online engagement, which is why many people hire marketing companies to boost their brand to help get their name out there. Looking at all the details that went into her page, from her logo to her policies, you’d think she had professional help setting it up, but Ilivia has done absolutely everything by herself. She is 100% self-made. From the ground up, she has built a great following online. Just a year and some change in the game and she has over 1,000 people checking on her page daily for the latest details and creations, which is a number she hopes to grow even more, as she has a personal goal of reaching 10,000 followers.
After taking all of that information in and considering all the work it takes to start a business, what makes this all the more impressive is the moment you find out that Ilivia is only 21 years of age. Munchiezznsweetzz is turning two this April, which means that at just 19 years young, Ilivia created a successful business model which has been thriving since that first review came in.
Take a moment to read over this short Q&A to get to know the mastermind behind Munchiezznsweetzz.
Why don’t we start out with a little bit about who you are?
I’m Ilivia Hatch. My mom is Priscilla Sconawah, she’s from Yakima tribe. My father is Ezra Hatch III from Tulalip. My grandparents are Donald J. Charles and Carmen Sohappy, and then Rosemary Alexander. Growing up, I lived with my grandparents at Tulalip my whole life.
When did you start your business?
I started my business around two years ago, in April 2023. I did move out of my grandparent’s house for a while – like three ago. I was living in an apartment when my business started, so it originated from west Everett.
How did you come up with the idea for Munchiezznsweetzz?
When I first started doing it, I never thought I would get this far. It was just me and my sisters in a room, and we would always joke about starting our own little businesses. And eventually, I came up with the idea for Munchiezznsweetzz because I used to smoke a lot, and that’s where the idea came from. I’m completely sober now, like five months sober, but that’s how it started.
How did you get into making these treats? Have you always had an interest in cooking or creating desserts?
Yeah, it really started with my mom. She used to make these special cakes and I kind of just took over for her and started baking them myself. And then I came across these viral grapes. That’s what my business is mainly about, candied grapes. They went viral on TikTok and I thought, maybe I could make these. And then I did. But at first, they were so bad, it was a rough start. It took me like a whole year to actually get my recipe down and everything looking good. I would always say that I was going to quit and give up on everything, but my mom pushed me to do better. And then in April 2023, I moved back to my grandma’s house, and I’ve been doing it here ever since. I’m very grateful they let me do it out of their home.
What are candied grapes?
Candied grapes are grapes dipped into candy. I make my own candy out of Carroll’s sugar, water, food coloring, and flavoring. It’s called tanghulu and originated from Asia. But I put my own spin on it and make it with different flavors. It’s basically a hard shell of candy, kind of like a Jolly Rancher, around the grape. And when eating it, you have a nice crunch to it and with the grapes, it’s like all the flavors come together for the perfect combination.
So, candied grapes are your staple, and you do those in different varieties?
Yeah, I do candied grapes, candied pineapples, candied strawberries. I would say the fan favorite is the crack grapes. That’s Jolly Rancher coated, or Jolly Ranchers blended up and coated over the grapes. I dip the grapes into liquid candy that’s hot and then dip it into the Jolly Rancher mix. And I call it crack grapes because it’s so addicting, to the point that everyone wants that in their orders.
You mentioned that you picked this up from your mom. How does your family feel seeing you have a successful business and find that passion in the kitchen?
My grandparents and my mother, I think, are my number one supporters. Because, like I said, there were times where I would feel like giving up, but they kept me motivated. I would get really discouraged when I had to deal with hate comments or when I would mess up. I’m so grateful for them looking back at it now. Yesterday, my mom called me and was crying because she was so excited for me and was saying that I came a long way. From how messy I was at first, and how good I’m doing now and how successful I’ve been.
My grandparents are so proud of me. They always ask me every day about the order I’m working on. They’re there to push me on those days when I don’t want to get up. They’re always like ‘just get up and do your order, you’ll feel better about yourself’.
That’s so cool. And from your end, how does it feel to get that love and support from your family?
It feels amazing, honestly, I can’t thank them enough. I know that it’s all me and I’m the one doing it, but I feel like if I didn’t have that backup motivation there, I would have given up a long time ago, because it is stressful. It’s not an easy job. Especially when I have big orders over $100, because I am doing it all by myself. But it makes it easier when I have their positive words. Or when I’m having a stressful day, they’re like, ‘just take a step out of the kitchen. Take a breath.’ I was always taught that you’re not supposed to be in the kitchen when you’re mad because it can get really bad. What I’ve learned to do is calm myself down and use their motivational words, so my work is not getting messed up. I feel like it’s always just been something that I love – to have them there on my side.
And I get a lot of support from our community. I’ve had a lot of people from Tulalip order from me. That makes me feel really happy that I can be the one to make these special and unique treats, that no one else really can make for them.
Do you have any words for those people who haven’t been fortunate enough to try your treats yet and are interested in putting an order in?
They’re always welcome to come and try something new. Feel free to check out my reviews and see if there’s something on there you want to try. All my reviews are on my highlights. I’ve always had amazing reviews, and only a couple down reviews which I worked to fix on my end. But personally, I love the watermelon crack grapes, they’re really good. And everyone loves the blue razz too!
I know people can place orders through your website, do you ever do orders for special occasions or themed birthdays?
I do take pre-orders, and I do require a 100% deposit. Just because, when I first started, I would let people place an order and I would make it for them, and sometimes they wouldn’t show up. I don’t deal with that anymore. I do have that website, it’s linked in my bio, and a lot of people place their orders through it. They can find pictures of everything I’ve already made there. And there’s a specific form for custom orders – like for custom candied grapes. But I don’t just make candied grapes, I also make cakes, cookies, Mexican treats, I make drinks as well. Another fan favorite is the dulces enchilados, it’s chamoy covered gushers with tajin. It’s one of my best sellers along with the crack grapes.
When I started out in Everett, my chamoy products were my number one. But when I came back home to Tulalip, no one knew what it was. I mean, everyone knew what chamoy was, but they weren’t familiar with it. When people try my chamoy, it’s the best, because personally, I feel like I make the best chamoy in town because I make it homemade. So when they try my chamoy, they become obsessed with it and end up ordering it a lot because of how much they enjoy it.
Can you remind our readers of your age and what it means to you to find success and your passion so early in life?
I’m 21 years old. And honestly, I wish I found my passion earlier because it is a good feeling. I’ve never had help from no one. Maybe from my mom here and there, but everything for my business came out of my own pockets. I started out so small, just seeing my business grow and grow and grow, and being able to buy trays, supplies, and all my gushers (6 boxes) all at once, it makes me feel happy. I’m at the point where I get so much income now, that I’m able to support myself and my business. It makes me feel good that I have over 100 customers who I consider as my regulars. Like, most of them come back all the time. It feels good to make those connections with my people as well. I try not to call them customers, supporters, or clients, because they’re basically like family. I call them my besties because they’ve been with me since day one, through my trial-and-error stages. It’s just so great to have loyal people and to share my success with them as well.
And there was one month where I was dedicated just to my business and was consistent, and I brought in $4,000 that month just from my business. And because I work alone, that felt like a big accomplishment for me.
Why is it important for other young tribal entrepreneurs to see your grind and the business do so well?
I feel like if another tribal member sees this, and sees someone so young doing it, they might feel inspired to start their own business. And my advice would be to start early, like right now. Because who knows what will happen. When I first started, I only had like 200 followers for a whole year, and then my business just boosted up out of nowhere. I feel it’s important to never give up on yourself and to believe in yourself over anyone. Don’t pay attention to what other people say, because at the end of the day, people will be there to support and assist you. So, I feel like if you are wanting to start a business, you should just go for it.
What’s the next step for you and Munchiezznsweetzz?
I’m really trying to reach 10,000 followers. I know that’s a lot but that’s my biggest goal. If I could reach 1,000, then I can definitely reach 10,000. I don’t feel like I need to be higher than that, but if I do get more that’s cool. That’s the biggest step for me. I don’t know if I actually want to own a store or do a truck yet. I feel like I’m getting a new house soon though and if I just work from my own house that would be better for right now. And I am looking into hiring people, not at the moment, not until I get my own things settled down first.
Munchiezznsweetzz operates between the hours of 6:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m. daily. Currently, she has a Valentines Day giveaway going with the grand prizes of strawberry crunch cookies and strawberry crunch tres leches cake. Be sure to visit the Munchiezznsweetzz Instagram page to see more of her specials and to place your order.
