Running the Mill Town Marathon

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News; photos courtesy Teresa Jira & Lynn Bedient

The marathon, a 26.2 mile race, is one of the most challenging physical activities a person can undertake. It requires months of intense training, discipline, and perseverance to complete. Despite its difficulty, millions of people around the world take on the challenge each year. Remarkably, however, just 0.05% of the United States population has completed a marathon, which makes the achievement of completing one nothing short of impressive.

Preparing for a marathon is a grueling process that requires a tremendous amount of dedication and hard work. Runners must carefully plan out their training schedules, which can involve running several miles a day, multiple days a week, for several months leading up to the race. They must also cross-train and work on strength and flexibility to avoid injury and build endurance.

But the physical aspect of training is just one part of the process. Mental preparation is also crucial. Many runners must push through moments of doubt and discomfort during long runs, and they must learn to manage their nerves and anxiety leading up to the race. It takes a strong mindset to stay committed to the training plan and stay motivated to push through the pain.

The kind of strong mindset necessary for such a grueling task is what Sargent Jeff Jira is known for. As a peacekeeper with the Tulalip Police Department for over twenty years now, Sgt. Jira understands well the importance of self-discipline and practical goal-setting. A few months back, he shared that Tulalip’s own marathon man, Tyler Fryberg, sparked a fire within him to run his very first marathon.

At 52-years of age, Sgt. Jira underwent four months of prep work and stamina building in order to get his body primed to compete in April’s Mill Town Marathon.

“Feels absolutely awesome to complete my first marathon at age 52! Special thanks for my cheer crew.” – Jeff Jira

Formerly the Heroes Half, then the Everett Half, before its latest rebranding as the Mill Town Marathon, this local running course is operated by Snohomish Running Company. This particular course starts and finishes at Marina Park in the Port of Everett, running along the Everett waterfront and over the historic SR-529 drawbridge into south Marysville. 

Race day yielded temperatures in the low 40s and scattered rain showers, yet the horde of runners who waited anxiously for the 7:00am start to the full marathon were undeterred. Including Sgt. Jira in his finest running gear. 

After the starting gun fired, he set off with his fellow runners on a personal history setting journey. The first few miles are often the easiest, as adrenaline and the excitement of the crowd carry the runners forward. But as the race progresses, the physical and mental challenges become more intense. The body aches, the legs feel heavy, and the mind begins to question whether it can continue. But runners must push through the pain, drawing on their months of training and their inner strength to keep going.

As Sgt. Jira approached the marathon’s midpoint, near Ebey Waterfront Park, his face beamed with happiness and he smiled at the cohort of family and friends who braved the early morning elements to cheer him on. 

The final stretch of the marathon is perhaps the most impressive. After running for more than 20 miles, the finish line finally comes into view. The crowd cheers, the adrenaline surges, and the runner finds one last burst of energy to sprint towards the finish. The feeling of crossing the finish line is indescribable, a moment of pure joy and accomplishment that makes all the pain and sacrifice worth it.

After a whopping 5 hours and 45 minutes of nonstop running Sgt. Jira crossed the finish line. He was greeted with a shiny new medal and another burst of excitement from his family. Shortly thereafter he posted to Facebook “I may have yelled a few times like David Goggins, “You don’t know me son!” along the way. It was 40 degrees, raining and my feet were wet, but it all comes down to mind over matter. Feels absolutely awesome to complete my first marathon at age 52! Special thanks for my cheer crew.”

In addition to the intense physical and mental challenges of the race itself, running a marathon has also become a popular way for runners to raise money for charitable causes. Many runners use the event as a platform to raise awareness and funds for important causes such as cancer research, poverty, or environmental conservation. By running a marathon, these individuals are not only challenging themselves, but they are also making a positive impact on the world.

“I feel like I am talking to someone who is not there on my runs. And I believe it’s the ancestors who lived before me. I feel like they would be proud of me for keeping running 
alive as a Native American today.” -Tyler Fryberg

Such is the case with Tulalip Marathon Man, Tyler Fryberg. He’s well known for running for causes like to raise profits for Leah’s Dream Foundation and inspiring more participation in the Special Olympics. He continues to strive to influence those around him, like Sgt. Jira, to take up running as not just a way to keep both the mind and body healthy, but also as a means to connect to previous generations. 

“When I run, I feel the Native Americans before me,” he said in a previous interview with Tulalip News. “They did not have cars at one time, so they didn’t just run for a sport like I do today, but also to get food for their families, to get wood, and other [necessities]. Sometimes I feel like I am talking to someone who is not there on my runs. And I believe it’s the ancestors who lived before me. I feel like they would be proud of me for keeping running alive as a Native American today.”

Tyler’s Mill Town marathon participation came in the form of the half-marathon, which for him is something akin to a 13.1 mile sprint. The always inspiring 30-year-old ran a blistering pace and finished in 1 hour – 52 minutes – 48 seconds on the time keeper’s clock. He shared that he set a personal best at running the initial 10k section of the race in just 47 minutes. 

“So, what is next for the Tulalip marathon man? I am now going to be training for track season. Both 800 meter and 400 meter races…and getting better at javelin,” said Tyler. “Next year I will be running the Mill Town half-marathon again. I already have it on calendar.”

From the months of training to the intense physical and mental challenges of the race itself, running a marathon for the first time ever like Jeff Jira or a half-marathon in a blazing time like Tyler Fryberg is an incredible achievement that few can claim. But beyond the personal accomplishments, the marathon is a celebration of human spirit and community. It is an event that can inspire us to push ourselves to new limits, or even motivate us to make a positive impact in our local community.

Easter Run delivers smiles across Tulalip

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

With a pocket full of treats and sweets and an armful of plastic Easter eggs, a local kid from Tulalip beamed with excitement on the afternoon of April 2. Still in awe from a visit with the Easter Bunny, the young man’s mom spoke on his behalf, “He told me this is the best Easter ever! He met the Easter Bunny and gave him a hug.” As the mother and son made their way back to their home, the boy looked behind his shoulder every now and again, stealing glances at the Easter Bunny, in hopes of giving him one last wave as the bunny continued his tour through Tulalip. 

“It’s always good to see the joy on the kids’ faces, and the parents too. They are happy to see that their children are being thought about in our community,” shared Malory Simpson, Founder of Together We’re Better, the local non-profit that organizes the yearly Easter Run.

Time and time again, as the Easter Bunny arrived at different neighborhoods of the reservation, children jumped with joy, and many of the kids ran to the bunny with their arms wide open to receive a big hug from the loveable character. 

Together We’re Better has been delivering smiles across the reservation over the past decade. Every year the organization hosts a number of fun community-based events, such as the ever-popular Halloween gathering Trunk or Treat. 

One of the many good things about Together We’re Better is the fact that each of their events has amazing turnouts and unites hundreds of Tulalip brethren together for a good time. And between the number of volunteers who commit to working the events and all the donations of food, candy, toys, and sometimes cash, it goes without saying that Together We’re Better is for the community, by the community. 

Malory expressed, “Giving back to the community always feels really good. This is all community effort, so all of the donations were by Tribal members – Tribal members who are putting time and effort into stuffing eggs and buying prizes. Bags of candy were [regularly] dropped off on my porch. It makes my heart happy to see the community coming together to take care of each other.”

The Easter Run is a fairly new event, and this was the third year that Together We’re Better held the springtime celebration. In previous years, the organization hosted an Easter egg hunt for the people of Tulalip. However, the non-profit made the pivot to the Easter Run during the worldwide pandemic to eliminate the threat of spreading the virus.  

Malory recalled that despite COVID, she wanted to continue with an Easter event, and she was inspired by the Tulalip Bay Fire Department’s annual Santa Run. The kids and families who live within the Fire Department’s district look forward to the Santa Run each year for a chance to meet St. Nick and also to donate non-perishable goods to the food bank at the Tulalip Church of God. 

Malory reached out to Tulalip Bay Fire and formed a partnership with the department. So, in addition to the volunteers of Together We’re Better, several volunteer firemen join in on the fun and help deliver goodies to the kids every Easter. And as an added bonus, the fire department recruits the nationally known fire prevention mascot, Sparky the Fire Dog, who dishes out high-fives and daps a plenty to the children during the Easter Run. 

Captain Shockley of the local fire crew stated, “We’re always eager for any opportunity to get out and create a positive impact, and to have more of that human connection with everybody in our community. It’s a great way to see all the kids and all the extended families. We’ve been doing the Santa Run for many years, and the Easter Run is another way for us to get out and show our faces more. It’s important for us to build those relationships because at times, we show up on not the best day for a lot of families. And if we’ve already formed those relationships of trust,  that’s huge for us. And also, we love taking part in an ongoing positive event.”

The Easter Run has become so popular that Together We’re Better has decided to stick with the event, even after gathering limitations were lifted on the reservation. And with all the smiles displayed on the little one’s faces over the years, it’s easy to see why the non-profit made that call.  

Throughout the day, the group of volunteers walked the Y-Site, Battlecreek, Larry Price/Ezra Hatch, Silver Village, and Mission Highlands neighborhoods. They delivered Easter eggs to well over one hundred children. The Easter Run is quickly becoming one of the more popular events at Tulalip, and after each visit, the children are sure to leave with a good amount of treats and happy memories. 

“I just love it,” Malory exclaimed. “Their smiles and laughter make you feel really good inside. Just seeing their excitement was one of the best things about the event today. It’s pretty fun to see all of their reactions and see how happy the kids are to spend some time with the Easter Bunny and Sparky the Dalmatian.”

If you are looking to get more involved with the community, Together We’re Better is always accepting donations, whether it’s goods, funds, or your personally volunteered time. For more information, please contact Malory at (360) 913-1424.

Google embraces brighter future through young bot builders

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Presented by tech giant Google, a first-of-its-kind robotics camp took place over the weekend of April 1st at the Tulalip Youth Center. Nearly 100 eager youth participated in the free, two-day event that kicked off their Spring Break with a unique hands-on opportunity to dive into the robotics realm.

Designed for all students between 5th – 12th grade, regardless of previous robotics experience, the camp coordinators strived to build bridges of imagination between the Rez-bound Native participants and possible future careers in the computer science and engineering fields. Of course, that was simply a side to the main course of the kids designing and building an actual robot. 

“I’m so thrilled to see all these kids show up because it proves to Google just how much our children need this type of STEM engagement,” explained Google test engineer Suzanne DePoe (confederated tribes of Siletz). “Our kids are so bright and aren’t given enough recognition for the knowledge that they have. I tell people all the time that when it comes to our Native American kids all you have to do is capture their imagination. Because once you do, they’ll dazzle you with what they’re capable of creating.

“That’s why it’s so important for us to get our kids outside of their comfort zones,” she added. “Only then can they experience new things, gain new perspectives and see things they’ve never seen before so that they can then dream of bigger and bolder future for both themselves and their Tribes.”

Suzanne is a member of Google’s Aboriginal and Indigenous Network that is dedicated to product inclusion, social responsibility initiatives, and internal efforts related to hiring and retention. She was instrumental in coordinating the robotics camp, along with Tulalip education director Jessica Bustad and youth enrichment supervisor Sarah Murphy. 

An opportunity to build robots and use them in a series of driving and programming skills challenges is what motivated the kids to be ready to go by 9:00 am on a Saturday and Sunday. Everything they engaged in was more than simply robotics, it was learning the basic essentials of computer science, which is all about promoting creativity and innovation.

“I was really excited for this robotics camp because I’ve really developed an interest for building stuff, meeting new people, and bonding with others who have common interests,” said 16-year-old youth council member Faith Valencia. “I had never built anything close to this before nor anything remote-controlled, so this was an all-new experience that challenged me in the best kind of way. It was very difficult at first, especially the programming and coding, but with the help of my team we figured it out. Even if not everyone wants to be an engineer or work in computer sciences, being able to work with and troubleshoot new technologies is a basic life skill worth developing.” 

Computer science allows students to use their imaginations and develop new ideas and solutions. They can then use this knowledge in the future to one day create their own apps, design websites that build upon their tribal infrastructure, or develop new software programs or functional hardware to take their own business to the next level one day.

Teaching computer science to our already tech-savvy youngsters also helps to promote diversity and inclusivity in the ever-growing technology industry. The tech industry has historically been dominated by white men, but by teaching computer science to a diverse group of students like Tulalip’s youth, tech companies like Google partnering with tribal education departments can help break down barriers to access and opportunity.

Promoting diversity in the computer science fields, which was witnessed at length at the two-day camp that resulted in Tulalip boys and girls lighting up with pure excitement and joy through various stages of robot building, is necessary to ensure future technologies are inclusive and accessible to everyone.

There are still many communities and families who lack access to technology and computer science education. By providing students with the opportunity to learn computer science, sovereign tribal nations can help to level the playing field and provide its people with the tools they need to succeed in the digital age. The importance of this sentiment was expressed by mother Dawn DePoe-Ike who journeyed all the way from Yakama in order for her twin sons, Nolan and Nathan, to participate in the bot building extravaganza.

“It’s important for my sons to be exposed to everything the science technology era has to offer, especially hands-on learning activities, so they can know these things exist as an option for their future,” shared Dawn. She is a teacher at Yakama tribal school and prioritizes her children understanding the larger context of thriving in the modern world.

Dawn continued, “When I look out at this camp and see my two boys along with all the other Native children building, programming, and working together, I can’t help but think of everything our ancestors went through. From surviving the Sand Creek Massacre to surviving the Carlisle Indian Industrial School then the Chemawa Boarding School, plus all the things drugs and alcohol brought, it’s just awe-inspiring to see that our young ones aren’t just surviving, instead they are beginning to thrive.”

Patrick Joseph Alexander

July 26, 1956 – March 26, 2023

Patrick Joseph Alexander became our ancestor on March 26, 2023. Born in Everett, WA on July 26, 1956 and was a proud member of The Tulalip Tribes. He spent his life surrounded by love from his numerous nieces and nephews. Uncle Pat loved to teach kids how to bead and play basketball. He enjoyed riding his bike. Pat was always willing to help others and sat with our dear loved ones the night before their burials on many occasions. 
He painted the thunderbird on the Marysville High School.
His surviving family members are His siblings are: brother Maurice Alexander Jr., sister Maureen (Richard Denver) Alexander, brother Francis (Regina) Alexander, brother David (Nanette) Alexander. Nieces and nephews are: Carlee Jones, Maureen Enick, Philip Alexander Jr., Ginger Enick, Joseph Alexander, Crystal Alexander, Shawnee Sheldon, Courtney Jefferson, and Philip Alexander III. 
Pat is preceded in death by mother Patricia L. Williams (Tulalip) & father Maurice Alexander Sr. (Lummi Nation). Brother Phillip Alexander Sr. (Tulalip) 
Services will be held on Friday, March 31, 2023 at the Tulalip Gathering Hall at 10am. His final resting place will be the Tulalip Mission Beach Cemetery.

TV series films at Tulalip Marina

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Recently, an exciting independent TV series showcasing authentic Native American culture and Coast Salish identity ventured to Tulalip to film at the local marina. The undisclosed project underwent a critical rewrite that required a new scene; one in which the always scenic Tulalip Bay and its marina full of fishing boats provided the perfect backdrop for.

“I had been here previously while working with Tulalip tribal member Marjorie James on an iSTEAM project. During that visit we walked from the youth center to the marina and I remember thinking ‘Wow, this reminds me so much of where I grew up in southeast Alaska,’” recalled producer and writer Larisa Koenig (Tlingit/Haida). “So when we were rewriting the end of this season and it felt like the particular place this character would be at is overlooking a marina, I instantly thought of the beautiful views here.

“It’s a priority of ours to honor Native people and Native culture in this project. Part of that is to be intentional about highlighting local Native communities and areas. Where better to shoot a marina scene involving the wife of a fisherman than an active fishing marina on the Tulalip Reservation?” she added.

For decades, Native Americans have been largely absent from the big screen, relegated to stereotypes and sidekick roles in Westerns and other genres. However, in recent years there has been a growing movement within the film industry to tell more authentic and diverse stories from within the Native diaspora. The range of stories, whether told in a modern context or historical, obtainable from the 574 federally recognized tribes can offer an endless supply of creative vision for those behind the camera.

One of the driving forces behind this movement is the increasing visibility and influence of Native American filmmakers, actors, and advocates. From Sterlin Harjo’s (Seminole Nation) FX breakout tv series Reservation Dogs to the Native-centered feature length films Te Ata and Wind River to the upcoming Disney+ superhero crime drama Echo, our voices are finally being heard and celebrated in the mainstream.

But the fight for representation is far from over. According to a 2019 report by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, Native Americans were the most underrepresented racial/ethnic group in Hollywood, accounting for just 0.4% of all speaking characters in top-grossing films from 2007 to 2018.

That’s why it’s so important for those with studio access capable of reaching the masses to continue to elevate Native American voices and stories. By providing more opportunities for talented Native actors and creatives to tell their own stories on their own terms, film directors and producers can help to challenge and break down the harmful stereotypes and misconceptions that have plagued us from achieving authentic representation for so long.

Which is why it was such a literal breath of fresh air during that picturesque spring afternoon when the TV production filmed actress Amber Cantu (Colville) walking the marina’s familiar wooden docks, while gazing into the heart of Tulalip Bay. 

“The idea for this independent film venture began fifteen years ago when my wife and I were raising our nine children, which included five adopted Native siblings. This really is a family project, with our kids heavily involved in the behind the scenes production,” explained Michael Lienau, founder of Global Net Production and tv series director. 

His extensive film background includes award winning productions like Healing America’s Wounds – highlighting racial strife and the power of forgiveness with John Dawson; Return of the Raven (PBS) profiling a Native American’s stand against the U.S. Government; and Native Apology Resolution – Congressional briefing video distributed to all members of Congress.

“We are so grateful to the Tulalip Tribes for giving us the opportunity to film here,” said director Lienau. “Many movies and TV series have to create fake sets to replicate real places like this. Being able to film on a real reservation with an active fishing marina while Tulalip fisherman practice their Treaty Rights, we’re beyond thankful for that.”

Problem Gambling program celebrates sobriety

By Shaelyn Smead, Tulalip News

With the popular rise of sports betting and modern technology expanding the accessibility of gambling, experts are becoming concerned and are raising awareness about the progression of gambling addiction.

According to the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, problem gambling is a serious health issue affecting between 80,000 and 160,000 Washington State residents, or 2 to 4 percent of adults and 8 to 9 percent of adolescents and young adults. In 2020, Washington’s net gambling receipts exceeded $3 billion.

Tulalip’s Problem Gambling program helps mitigate this problem within the tribe by providing numerous resources for tribal members. The program offers services such as counseling, referrals, treatment, consultation for interventions, and community-wide events and activities such as Positive Day of Action, training for Wellness Court, a youth summit, the Problem Gambling Dinner, and a Holiday Kick-Off event to bring the community together and raise awareness of gambling addiction.

On March 27th, the Tulalip Tribes Problem Gambling Program and dozens of community members joined together at the Tulalip Resort Casino to celebrate and support the continued progress and sobriety of gambling addicts and their families. Traditional prayers and drumming filled the room to bless and open the event. The evening featured a comedic act from Tonia Jo Hall, a performance by the 206 singers, and gambling recovery speakers. 

Tribal member Theodore (Theo) Sam, of Gambler’s Anonymous, shared his story of the slow progression of his gambling addiction. He discussed how it can start with a few small bets and quickly spin out of control. His addiction grew to the point where he took out loans, borrowed money from people around him, sold things in his home, and missed many family events and holidays. Eventually, gambling consumed his life. He lost everything, including his four daughters, and became suicidal. 

Theo is now over two years sober, with custody of his children, and in a stable home environment. He has goals to open his own espresso stand and make a name for himself. Throughout his story, his daughters remained at his side in support of him and his recovery. He looked at them and apologized for all the pain he had caused.  

  “We have to make a choice every day. I used to think gambling would make my dreams come true. But now, I can’t believe the progress I’ve made by admitting I have a problem. My life is finally back on track. Giving up gambling was one of the best things I could’ve done for myself and my family,” Theo said. 

One of the community members who had previously heard Theo’s story, was so moved by his perseverance that he gifted Theo with a bear tooth.  

As the evening concluded, participants rejoiced in the strength of our people, the ability to overcome, and hopes for the future.

The Tulalip Problem Gambling Program continues to assist individuals and family members through recovery, allowing them to resume their life with a renewed sense of balance, health, responsibility, and purpose. For more information, please get in touch with Sarah at 360-716-4400. 

Kwani Sanchey’s Sacred Skin Kare

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

It might be a bold statement to say that prior to colonization, the Indigenous peoples of North America had naturally healthy skin. But before you dismiss that statement, let’s compare it to our skin in modern times. Back in the day, sticking to a nutritious and traditional diet, Natives benefited from an abundance of healthy oils, fats, and vitamins through the food they consumed, such as salmon, shellfish, elk, deer, buffalo, and a variety of fruits and vegetation. 

And though most Natives have a connection to those traditional foods to this day, there are a plethora of foods out there that we’ve tried to acclimate to. In many cases, it’s clear to see that we are not meant to eat or drink the manufactured, sugary, high-sodium foods that we’ve become addicted to, thanks to the fact that a lot of reservations are based on a food desert. The majority of us have grown accustomed to what is convenient and readily available like fast food, commodities, and the junk food aisles at the nearest mom-and-pop shop. And this has led to numerous health concerns like obesity and diabetes, as well as skin issues such as acne, rosacea, and eczema. 

Now, being that it’s next to impossible to maintain a true traditional diet in today’s society, a lot of Indigenous people are left to their own devices in managing their skincare routine, and many of them do not know where to begin in the process of clearing up their skin. 

Tulalip tribal member, Kwani Sanchey, has dedicated her life to her passion for beauty cosmetics. In her adolescent years, Kwani frequently visited the T Spa at the Tulalip Resort Casino, alongside her grandmother Rita Gobin, where they would spend the day receiving self-care services and perusing the retail floor for makeup and skin care products. Acquiring the knowledge of the many benefits that those products offer, Kwani developed a deep understanding of why skin care is essential in the world of today. 

Since then, Kwani found the love of her life and subsequently started a family. And through the years, she maintained a close relationship with the beauty industry, thereby strengthening her relationship with her grandma even further, as the art of beautification happens to be an interest and a bond that they share together. 

In 2020, Kwani enrolled at the Euro Institute of Skin Care and put in 750 hours of coursework and hands-on training to earn her esthetician license during the global pandemic. And now, after starting her own practice, Sacred Skin Kare, Kwani is available five days a week and offers facials to the people of the greater Snohomish County area. And most importantly, she shows a strong desire to impart skincare knowledge to the Indigenous population, especially to those from her homelands, the community of Tulalip.

Bringing everything full circle, Kwani offers facials at the T Spa every Monday. She also operates out of her own space at the Blume Salon Studios in Smokey Point. Currently, she offers three facials, the Stoodis, the Deadly Glow, and the Sacred Signature, all aptly named to reflect her Indigenous roots. And keeping her heritage and culture at the forefront of her business, Kwani enlisted Tulalip and Quileute artist, Marysa Joy Sylvester, to design the logo for Sacred Skin Kare. 

Recently, Kwani took the time to demonstrate a Stoodis Facial for Tulalip News, both the syəcəb and Tulalip TV. And the model for the facial was none other than her grandmother Rita, who encouraged Kwani throughout her journey in esthetics. Below, we have a fun Q&A with Kwani to spread the word about her Tulalip member-owned business, and also the many benefits of skin care… *ahem*… or should we say, skin ‘kare’.

Let’s begin with your journey in skin care, what led you to this career path?

Honestly, I’ve always been interested in cosmetology. I remember seeing a post on social media that sparked my interest even more. I looked into the school, I went and visited the school, and it was something that I instantly knew that I wanted to pursue. I resigned from my job and started going to school full-time. Beauty is something that I’ve always been into, and it started with makeup. And also, my grandma is one of my main inspirations, she’s always helped me, and she taught me how to take care of my skin properly.

You mentioned that you attended school full-time upon finding your passion. Can you elaborate on your schooling experience?

School was 750 hours, and I went to the Euro Institute in Renton. I traveled two hours each way, with traffic, every day for four days a week, and every other Saturday. It was a lot of textbook work rather than hands-on training, but I gained a lot of in-depth knowledge about the skin – skin conditions, skin types, [etc…]. 

You incorporate a lot of your culture into your business, why is that important for you to exhibit?

When I was in school, I never thought of going into my own business until about halfway through the program. When I was making my Instagram business profile, I wanted it to be in tune with my Indigenous background, because I want my culture to be a part of it. I’m very proud of being Native American, so I wanted my business to be authentic to my heritage. I thought of the name, Sacred Skin Kare, with a ‘K’, because my name starts with a K.  And I also wanted the names of my facials to connect with my community. I wanted it to hit them in a certain way, to where they would be like ‘oh my gosh, that’s so funny.’ So, for instance, I created the Stoodis (let’s do this) Facial because it’s a quick facial, and I wanted it to resonate with my Indigenous community. 

Do you have a lot of Tulalip tribal members come in to receive services?

I do! I have a lot of people from the Tulalip community come to see me. And when people see me in public, they always ask questions and tell me that they’ve never had a facial before, and that they want to book a service with me. I definitely make a lot of connections at Tulalip, and it’s always nice to see them when they come in. 

How many Tribal members have never had a facial before coming to see you?

I have been all of my clients first facial! I feel like it’s not a service that a lot of people think of getting, people tend to get massages rather than facials. So, I really like to reach out to my Indigenous community.

How does it feel to provide those skin care services to those who have never received a facial before?

It always feels so good. I feel like I am meant for this. I’ve been told that I have a very gentle touch, so doing facials is something that I really enjoy. And afterwards, I always feel so rejuvenated – I love what I do. I feel so good after I’m done with my day – if it’s one facial or if it’s four facials, it makes me happy knowing that I am helping people. And I always try and educate people on the products that I use during their facials, or the products that I recommend for them to use that would best benefit them for their skin needs.

I personally love providing that service to people and educating them. Not a lot of people take care of their skin or know how to properly take care of their skin. And for them to take on my advice and my recommendations makes me feel really accomplished as an esthetician. 

What services do you offer at Sacred Skin Kare and what is your process during a facial?

I offer a couple different facials. One is a quick 30-to-45-minute facial, it’s for somebody who wants a quick refresher. That’s also a great facial for a teen. It’s really cleansing. I’ll do an enzyme, which is an exfoliation that renews the skin cells, takes the dead skin cells off, and brightens the skin. And it really targets whatever your skin needs.

I’ll pick out the products, I have different products that are for different skin types – dry, normal, combination, and oily. And then I also do dermaplane, which is mechanical exfoliation, that takes off the dead skin cells and the fuzzies.

How often can you receive a facial and what is the importance of keeping up with your skincare? 

Facials are good every four to six weeks. Once a month is what they recommend. And it’s so relaxing and it’s a form of self-care. It makes you feel good after, and it helps your skin – it helps with anti-aging and it’s hydrating, which I feel like everyone can benefit from.

What is your personal highlight when providing someone with one of your services?

My favorite right now is dermaplaning, I love to dermaplane. I feel like it really makes a difference for people’s skin.

As far as home care, do you recommend a certain regimen for those looking to take better care of their skin?

I recommend for everyone to use a cleanser, a serum, and a moisturizer. That’s the minimum of what is beneficial for your skin, and that targets what your skin needs. So, when people come in, I’ll recommend different products specifically for their skin type.

Are there any products that people should avoid?

St. Ives, that’s the one product that I definitely do not recommend. 

What are your future plans for Sacred Skin Kare?

I want to incorporate more beneficial facial machines, so I can have more facial options for my clients. 

Can you touch on your schedule, and also let the people know how they can learn more about the services you offer?

I’m at the T spa on Mondays, and I have my schedule open here at [Blume Salon Studios] from Tuesday to Friday. I have a lot of clients reach out to me on Facebook, and I have a website where they can book their services. That way they can book their own appointments to best fit their schedule and can take a look at what services they would like to get.

Kwani’s Sacred Skin Kare is on the rise, and she is just getting started. Be sure to follow her Instagram page @SacredSkinKare to see a number of before and after photos, catch her latest deals and seasonal services, and book a facial with her through the link on her profile. 

The link will bring you to her site where you can find a detailed description of each of her services, as well as pricing info. 

And we feel it’s important to note, with Mother’s Day and Father’s Day coming up, that she offers e-gift cards that can be sent to your loved ones via e-mail, for the amounts of $5, $10, $20, $50, or for a custom dollar amount.