Smiles, cheers, and proud tears filled the Gathering Hall as 80 preschool students from the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy celebrated their graduation surrounded by family, friends, and educators.
The graduation ceremony, held on June 3, honored students from 10 preschool classes as they completed an important milestone, earning their first taste of education success. The event highlighted the students’ hard work throughout the school year and gave families an opportunity to recognize their young learner’s growth and achievements.
Dressed in their graduation attire, each student was recognized individually and received a paddle necklace before walking beneath a canoe archway, where they paused for photographs.
Among the proud family members in attendance was Ashton Irving, whose daughter, Daeja Irving, was one of the graduates. “It was a wonderful celebration of the students and their accomplishments. Watching Daeja graduate from preschool was incredibly emotional. It feels as though time is passing so quickly. It is a beautiful reminder of how fast our children grow.”
Caitlin Rea Howlett, mother of graduate Octavia Moses, said, “I thought the graduation was great. I really liked that they all got to walk around together.”
When asked about her daughter’s favorite activities at school, Caitlin said Octavia especially enjoyed arts and crafts and spending time outdoors with her classmates. “The biggest change I could see in Octavia was that she became more confident in herself and a stronger communicator,” she said. “I hope for Octavia to continue to grow with happiness and continue to stay open-minded.”
The ceremony concluded with families congratulating graduates as the students celebrated the completion of preschool. For many parents and caregivers, the event marked not only the end of a school year but also the beginning of a new chapter as their children prepare to enter kindergarten.
For the second consecutive year, Tulalip Heritage High School held its commencement ceremony in the heart of the reservation, welcoming graduates, families, and community members to the Tulalip Gathering Hall for an unforgettable celebration.
Twenty-two graduating seniors made their way into the packed venue amid thunderous applause, smiles, tears, and camera flashes as proud loved ones gathered to witness a milestone years in the making. Holding graduation on the reservation once again ensured easy access for family and friends while embracing the spirit of “Rez Rules.” Graduates were afforded the freedom to express themselves through traditional regalia, cedar woven caps, eagle feathers, vibrant beadwork, and other personal touches that reflected their identities and journeys.
Serving as emcee for the evening was respected educator and artist Tony Hatch, whose warmth and humor helped guide attendees through a ceremony that balanced celebration with heartfelt reflection.
“By hosting this graduation on our reservation, we’re able to do things in our traditional way. Our elders are seated up front, our ancestors are here with us, and together we can honor Creator to start this ceremony in a good way,” said Tony before offering up a Lushootseed prayer.
He then introduced Heritage High’s first year Principal, Gina Bluebird (Oglala Lakota). Gina spent the previous seven years as a teacher at Quil Ceda Elementary before taking the helm at Heritage.
“The class of 2026 students will forever remain in my heart because they were my first class as a school administrator. I am beyond proud to be a visitor on the homeland of the Coast Salish people, and I feel eternally grateful to all the parents for allowing your children to be in my care,” shared Principal Bluebird. “My goal, first and foremost, is to ensure they receive the education that they deserve.
“And it’s not just any education. It’s an education that allows them to walk out these doors and be proud of who they are as Indigenous people,” she continued. “Looking out from this podium and seeing each and every graduate wearing their culture, from cedar and eagle feathers to vibrant colored beadwork and handwoven sashes, that tells me how proud you all are.”
Before a single diploma was awarded, the audience embarked on an emotional journey through time. A slideshow presentation featured every graduate, beginning with infant photos before progressing through childhood, middle school, and ultimately their senior year. The video drew laughter from embarrassing childhood photos, tears from parents recalling years gone by, and plenty of cheers as each student’s story unfolded on the big screen.
The nostalgic look back served as a reminder of the countless moments, sacrifices, and victories that had brought the Class of 2026 to this very day.
Among the evening’s most memorable moments were speeches delivered by student representatives Elijah Fay and Lilly Jefferson, each offering unique perspectives on their educational journeys.
For Elijah, the road to graduation included a significant transition. After transferring to Tulalip Heritage during the tail end of his junior year, he arrived searching for a place where he belonged. In a heartfelt address, Elijah shared how he initially felt lost and out of place while navigating a new school environment. What he found instead was a welcoming community that embraced him and made him feel like a genuine part of the school and local tribal community.
“To my fellow graduates, I can’t thank you all enough. You made space for me. You included me in conversations that I didn’t grow up in. You laughed with me like I’ve always been part of the story. You turned a place that felt unfamiliar into something the felt like home,” shared Elijah. “That kind of acceptance isn’t a small thing when you are the one receiving it, it’s everything. It’s walking into a room and finally being able to breathe. It’s not having to wonder if I belong anymore.”
His message resonated deeply with fellow students who best understand the importance of belonging and being accepted for who they are at such a critical stage in life.
Tulalip’s homegrown Lilly Jefferson approached the podium with her trademark confidence and vision. A longtime advocate for youth leadership and Indigenous education, she challenged her fellow graduates to pursue bold dreams and never underestimate the power of their voices.
“Speak up and speak loud because we are the future,” encouraged Lilly. “Be kind and be nice. Let your light shine so brightly that others can see their way out of the dark.
“We often create these imaginary barriers in our head that make excuses for us, like ‘I don’t have enough time’, ‘I’m scared of being judged’, and ‘It’s too difficult’. But I’m standing up here to tell you that we all have things going on behind the scenes. Struggles, hardships, trauma. When are you going to stop and make the decision to not let your fears control your future?
“All of you are powerful and deserving of love and support,” added the inspiration 18-year-old. “Each of you are the greatest project you will ever work on. Restart, reset, and refocus as many times as you need, just never give up on yourself. When you are going through a difficult time remember our ancestor’s who fought tooth and nail for everything we have today. You are the answer to their prayers. We are their dreams they sacrificed everything for. So, walk into every room like your ancestors opened the door. Be loud, take up space, and always be proudly Indigenous.”
Both speeches from the two student speakers drew enthusiastic applause from the audience. Together, their statement’s perfectly captured the spirit of the evening, one that celebrated not only academic achievement but also cultural pride, community responsibility, and the generations who helped pave the way.
Following the presentation of diplomas, graduates crossed the stage one by one to embrace family members, educators, and friends waiting to congratulate them. The atmosphere was electric as cheers echoed throughout the Gathering Hall, each name announced serving as a testament to the academic achievement 12-years in the making.
Then, gathered together before their loved ones for one final moment as Heritage students, the Class of 2026 faced the crowd and, in unison, moved their tassels from right to left. The simple yet powerful gesture signified their transition from students to graduates, drawing one final, thunderous applause from a community that has supported them every step of the way.
Congratulations Class of 2026. The future is yours.
By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News; photos courtesy of Mone’t Clemens
For generations, the Marysville Strawberry Festival Parade has signaled the arrival of summer for families throughout the Marysville and Tulalip communities. From colorful floats and marching bands to the festival royalty who wave to thousands along the parade route, the annual tradition has remained a cherished part of local life.
This year, Tulalip tribal member Mone’t Clemens is at the center of that tradition. As a graduating high school senior and the 2026 Strawberry Festival Queen, Mone’t is representing both Marysville and Tulalip while serving as an ambassador for one of the community’s most celebrated events.
The opportunity is one that has been years in the making for Clemens. Growing up attending the Strawberry Festival Parade, she remembers watching the royalty court make its way down State Avenue and imagining herself in their place one day.
“The first thing is growing up in Tulalip and going to Marysville to watch the parade,” she said. “Then seeing the Princesses and the Queen, that’s what first made me go, I want to be up there, and I want to be in that big red dress. As I got older, I realized it was more than just the dress, but being able to be up there representing who you are and where you came from.”
While earning the title was a proud accomplishment, the journey also required Clemens to overcome self-doubt and trust in her own abilities, something she said was one of the biggest challenges she faced along the way.
“Growing up, I feel many people face a lot of good and bad situations, but for me, what I had to get over was not believing in myself,” Clemens said. “I tend to put myself down and discredit much of the work I do. So, I think it was finding in myself that I am capable of doing what I put my mind to. I can push myself and get the support I need to get what I want.”
As she progressed through the royalty program, Clemens said she gained a deeper appreciation for the role and what it meant to represent not only herself, but also the communities that helped shape her.
“Well, when I first wanted to do it, I didn’t really look at it culturally,” she said. “But as I began my journey to becoming queen, I realized I am not only representing Marysville but also Tulalip. I think that helped shape my understanding that we, as Native Americans, can accomplish big things in a world that is kind of against us. And I think it shows that we, as Tulalip people, are powerful and can accomplish anything.”
That realization also strengthened her desire to inspire and show what can be achieved through determination and hard work.
“I hope to be that representation for the younger generation, someone they can see themselves in,” she said. “Not like the standard. So, they can say, maybe one day I could be up there, and I, too, could achieve big things. I want to be that voice for my community by being queen. It’s not just a title, it’s an embodiment of what I have achieved.”
Beyond the crown and public appearances, Clemens believes the experience has prepared her for future opportunities by building confidence and strengthening skills she will carry long after her reign has ended.
“I think this will help me feel confident pursuing other things in my future,” she said. “Having the opportunity to go through all the volunteering events as queen has helped me build my communication and leadership skills, which will help me make big changes in the future wherever I am. To know that I can speak what’s on my mind and not let anything diminish that. I am capable, and I do belong here.”
Since being crowned, Clemens has attended community events and public appearances throughout the region, experiences she said have made the significance of the title feel real in ways she never expected.
“It’s been a great experience,” she said. “The first parade I went to and saw all the faces of the young girls filled me with pride and honor. Being able to represent Marysville, Pilchuck, Tulalip, and my African American side, and to embody everything, has been surreal. It’s almost hard to put into words how it has made me feel. Also, having all my peers, friends, and family telling me how proud they are of me has really made me feel like I have accomplished a big thing and that this is just the start.”
Among the many highlights of her reign so far, one memory stands above the rest and serves as a reminder of how far she has come.
“I would say wearing the big red dress,” she said. “All the opportunities that have opened up for me and being able to be seen for all that I have done have been incredible. Not everyone sees the long nights at home doing homework. No one sees all the mental breakdowns and the not knowing if I am good enough. But being able to see the outcome has filled my heart with joy and love.”
Looking back on her journey, Clemens hopes her story encourages others to take chances and pursue opportunities, even when they may seem intimidating.
“I think that all the younger people who are scared to do something big, just do it,” she said. “You never know what the outcome will be, and even if the outcome is not something you want, you will grow from it. Just trying things and experiencing different things will help you grow as a person and open your world to a lot of new things and people.”
Those hoping to cheer on Clemens can catch her riding through downtown Marysville during the 2026 Marysville Strawberry Festival Grand Parade on Saturday, June 20, at 5:00 p.m. along State Avenue in Marysville.
Family, friends, and community filled the Gathering Hall on Friday, May 29, to celebrate Native American students graduating from the 5th, 6th, and 8th grades, as they prepare to move on to new schools and the next chapter of their educational journey.
The festivities were not only indoors, but the grounds were also transformed into carnival-style fun, with a rock-climbing wall, games, and a ride.
The recognition ceremony began with the 5th and 6th grade graduates, followed by the 8th-grade. Each graduate was wrapped in a Pendleton-style blanket, a meaningful gesture symbolizing support, pride, and encouragement from the community.
Throughout the evening, photographs of each student being honored were displayed on large drop-down screens inside the Gathering Hall, highlighting memorable moments in the students’ lives.
Here is what a handful of 8th-grade graduates had to say about their time in middle school and their excitement to be moving forward:
Noah Renecker, reflecting on his middle school years, said, “The most memorable part was making a bunch of new friends.” And as for the younger students following in his footsteps, he offered this advice: “Enjoy school because it goes by fast.” Noah also credited his uncle, Joe Davis, as one of his biggest supporters who helped him throughout his educational journey.
Kaeson Robinson said he is looking forward to the next chapter of his education. “I’m happy to be graduating and moving on to high school. I’m excited to meet new friends.” And he encourages younger students to stay focused and make the most of their time in the classroom. “Pay attention in class,” he advised.
Lakiahla Jones happily stated, “I am excited about graduating and moving on to the 9th grade, and I’m looking forward to having a fun summer”.
Ellashawnee Gorham-Dumont also shared memories and advice. “My favorite subject was art because I found the ability to express my emotions through my art. My advice to the younger kids is to do you and not follow the crowd. Just follow your own path.”
Louie Pablo said he is excited to begin high school and emphasized the importance of determination and hard work. “Persevere and dream big. Do the work and do it well.” He said success comes from staying committed, putting in the effort, and never giving up on your goals, even when challenges arise.
Applause filled the Gathering Hall as family and friends took photographs. And while each student is forging a different path, the evening shared a common message of encouragement, perseverance, and hope for the future.
Father Sky, Mother Earth. Painting. Tony Abeyta (Navajo)
By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
Roughly 1,400 miles separate the Tulalip Reservation from the heart of Pueblo Country in New Mexico. The landscapes are dramatically different. The evergreen forests and saltwater shores of the Pacific Northwest give way to high desert mesas, sandstone cliffs, and endless blue skies.
Apache Mountain Spirit Dancer. 24-foot bronze sculpture. Craig Dan Goseyun (San Carlos Apache). “The Apache Mountain Spirits are very important to Apache culture. They are the agents of the Supreme Being and provide protection from disease and enemies. Crowned with wooden-slat headdresses, armed with wooden swords and a bullroarer, they dance at night, wielding their wooden swords to the resonating sounds of drums, singing, and the whirling bullroarers. The Spirit Dancers bring the spiritual world into physical manifestation and give blessings to many ceremonies.”
Yet, inside the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, the similarities between Native peoples become impossible to ignore.
Located on Museum Hill in Santa Fe, the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture serves as one of the nation’s premier sources of Indigenous art, history, and material culture. Through exhibitions, educational programming, and community engagement, the museum interprets both the historical and contemporary lives of Native peoples throughout the Southwest. Its collections tell stories that span generations, from ancestral traditions to modern expressions of identity.
Bear Dancer. Bronze. George Rivera (Pojoaque Pueblo) Lightning Boy. Bronze. George Rivera (Pojoaque Pueblo)
Walking through the museum’s galleries feels less like visiting a distant culture and more like visiting relatives whose stories have taken different paths across time and geography.
The centerpiece exhibition, Here, Now and Always, showcases more than 600 objects from the museum’s extensive collection. Ceramics, jewelry, textiles, paintings, fashion, basketry, and ceremonial items are presented through the voices and perspectives of Indigenous peoples of the Southwest. Rather than viewing Native history as something confined to the past, the exhibition centers living cultures and ongoing traditions.
Merciless. Mallery Quetawki (Zuni Pueblo. Acrylic, gold, leaf, Declaration of Independence parchment on MDF. “An homage to Mt. Taylor. He broken treaties and desecration of Mother Earth, may she show no mercy against the re-opening of Uranium mines that threaten her place of vigil. As born stewards to these places and spaces, we bleed alongside the environment that has been ravaged by industries with ‘money eyes.’ We live by the Laws of Nature and not by the fancy calligraphies of settler greed and domination. May we find solace in our prayers and cultures to bring balance back to this bleeding land.”
Like Coast Salish communities, Pueblo nations continue to balance the responsibilities of preserving ancestral teachings while embracing today’s realities. Artists featured throughout the museum demonstrate that Indigenous culture is not frozen in time. It evolves, adapts, and grows while remaining rooted in community, language, family, and place.
STAR CHILD. Painting. Geoge Toya (Jemez Pueblo) “Everything in the universe exudes energy or life. In Pueblo life, homage is paid to the elements – Air, Water, Fire, and Earth. The physical universe is composed of these elements. Everything within our universe has a spirit that exudes energy. This energy reminds us that we are only a part of this vast universe that we do not control and that we must respect and care for.”
One gallery showcases the renowned pottery traditions of Pueblo communities. Clay vessels adorned with intricate designs reveal generations of knowledge passed from one artist to the next. While the medium differs from the cedar carving traditions of the Northwest Coast, the underlying values are familiar. Native art carries teachings, records histories, and strengthens cultural identity.
Another exhibition, Makowa: The Worlds Above Us, explores Indigenous relationships with the sky. Through stories, observation, and traditional knowledge, Pueblo peoples demonstrate how the stars provide guidance, meaning, and connection to the universe. The exhibit highlights a truth recognized by Indigenous nations across Native America: our ancestors looked to the limitless skies and vast oceans not only for practical knowledge, but also for spiritual understanding.
Wild Spinach Purse. Virgil Ortiz (Cochiti Pueblo)
Perhaps most striking is the museum’s commitment to showcasing contemporary Indigenous artists. Throughout the galleries, visitors encounter works that address environmental stewardship, cultural survival, sovereignty, identity, and the responsibilities Native people carry into the future. These themes are not unique to the Southwest. They are conversations taking place in tribal communities from New Mexico to Washington State and far beyond.
Beaded High-Tops. Teri Greeves (Kiowa) “Though my medium may be considered ‘craft’ or ‘traditional’, my stories are from the same source as the voice running through that first Kowa beadworker’s needles. It is the voice of my grandmothers.”
For our Tulalip News audience, the selection of words accompanying this article offers a reminder that Indigenous peoples have always been innovators. The artists represented here honor their ancestors while speaking directly to present-day realities. Their work reflects adaptation and creativity in much the same way Tulalip artists continue to express Coast Salish identity through carving, weaving, painting, music, and storytelling.
Tewa Tales of Suspense! Print. Jason Garcia (Santa Clara Pueblo)
As viewers browse the accompanying images in this feature, each piece of artwork reveals the personal and cultural journeys behind their creation. Through the artists’ own statements and interpretations, they offer glimpses into Pueblo life while simultaneously reflecting universal Indigenous experiences.
The distance between Tulalip and Santa Fe may measure 1,400 miles by road, but Native people have always understood that connection is measured differently. It is found in the teachings shared between generations, in the stories carried through art, in the responsibility to honor ancestors, and in the commitment to leave something meaningful for those yet to come.
Brocade Sash & Shirt. Randy Moquino (Jemez / Tesuque Pueblos)
Inside the Museum of Indian Arts and Culture, those connections are everywhere. Different nations. Different homelands. Different artistic traditions. Yet the same enduring truth emerges from gallery to gallery. Our tribal cultures are not relics of the past. They are living, thriving, and creating today. Here, now, and always.
The steady beat of hand drums echoed throughout the Tulalip Amphitheater as songs carried into the May 30 evening, and competitors tested their skills for a chance at more than $65,000 in prize money. Teams traveled from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada, gathering in Tulalip for one of the region’s biggest stick game tournaments.
Players arrived from British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana, with some camping on-site and others staying at the Tulalip Resort Casino. Regardless of where they came from, they all shared the same goal: making a run at the tournament’s top prizes.
Known by several names, including slahal and bones, the traditional game drew teams of four to six players for the tournament’s biggest night. With a $250 entry fee and a grand prize of $25,000 awaiting the winning team, competition remained fierce from the opening rounds into the early morning hours.
The event began with a prayer, followed by a special tribute from event coordinator and Tulalip tribal member Carrie Fryberg. She honored her father, Cy Fryberg, who had handcrafted drums for the tournament for more than a decade, asking everyone who had received one of his drums to raise it in recognition of his contributions.
“I want to give a big thanks to my dad,” said Carrie. “He has been making 20 drums every year for 14 years, since I have been doing the stick game tournament. He sells drums and also gives out so many. I want to thank my father for everything he has done for the tournament.”
When the final songs were sung and the last sticks were revealed, the championship team hailed from Nanaimo, British Columbia. The winning squad consisted of Anthony Wyse, Percilla Saloperee, Lyla Smith, Peyton Wyse, and Charlyse Brown.
For Anthony, who has only been playing for a short time, the victory was especially meaningful. “I have only been playing for three years. We all started together,” he said, adding that one of his favorite parts of competing is the atmosphere created by the songs and drumming. “I like singing and vibing to the music.”
Asked how it felt to win the tournament, Percilla kept her reaction simple. “It was pretty lit.”
The road to the championship was a long one. Percilla recalled realizing the team had a legitimate chance to win after advancing to the final round. “It was probably when we got called for the last game,” she said. “Our game to make it into the finals was at 11:00 p.m., and we had to wait until 4:00 a.m. to play our final game.”
While the cash prize was substantial, the team said the experience itself was what made the trip worthwhile.
For Peyton, the tournament was about something even more personal.
“I really enjoyed playing with my family; my little brother and his girlfriend,” she said. “Playing with them and seeing them happy makes me feel good, and that’s what’s best for me.”
Wilma “Willie” Henry Jones was born to Leroy “Skookie” and Lila Henry on April 15, 1953 and passed away on May 29, 2026 at her home. She is survived by her father, Leroy Henry III; son, Tyee Jones; siblings Dean (Chris), Carol, Charlene; grandchildren, Jeffery, Kayla (Haley), and Desiree; many great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her mother, Lila Henry; son, Ryan Williams, and husband, Stan “Sonny” Jones Jr.
A celebration of her life will be held, Tuesday, June 2, 2026 at 10 AM at the Tulalip Gathering Hall will burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.
Memorial Day is a time of remembrance for those who gave their lives in service to the country; a day rooted in reflection. Across Native communities, that carries added weight, as generations of Native men and women have served at high rates, answering the call to protect both land and people.
Tulalip celebrated its veterans on Monday, May 26, with gatherings held at Priest Point Cemetery and Mission Beach Cemetery, where community members came together to pay their respects. These ceremonies included the reading of the roll call of fallen soldiers, followed by a 21-gun salute. Surrounded by family, friends, and fellow veterans, the gatherings reflected on sacrifice, service, and the lasting impact of those who are no longer here.
Tulalip Veterans Coordinator, William McLean III, spoke about the day’s purpose and its meaning for the community.
“Memorial Day is a time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country and our freedom,” McLean said. “One of the best things we can do in their honor and memory is come together.”
Chairman of the Veterans Committee, David Fryberg, focused on how the day should be approached, encouraging those in attendance to think about the lives and legacies of those who served.
“Remembering today is not a day of mourning, it’s a day of remembrance of those who went on before us,” Fryberg said. “Paying the ultimate sacrifice, the ultimate unselfish sacrifice.”
Drawing on his own experience in the Marines, Fryberg spoke about the realities of service and how quickly perspective can shift once they set in.
“I joined the Marines back in 1982, and I remember I was out of shape. The Marines took care of that, training morning, noon, and night. I thought I was Superman. They taught us to run toward the gunfire,” he said.
He then shared a moment that underscored the weight of that training and the cost that comes with it.
“I remember the first day I cried. It was 1983, and I read the Stars and Stripes. I read what happened to our 116 peacekeepers who were blown up in the Beirut bombing. I lost 116 brothers in one day,” Fryberg said.
Board of Directors, Teri Gobin, spoke about the importance of continuing these traditions and ensuring that future generations understand their meaning.
“I think about my father when he was in service. I think about how we were here every year to help take care of the graves. How my cousins, aunts, and uncles would all come out to help. Now, each year it seems we have fewer and fewer people who are coming. We need the younger generations to come to these events so that they know what it’s about and the sacrifices that entail.”
