For Rico Jones-Fernandez, serving his community has never been a job. It’s been a calling. From running his own grassroots needle exchange program to going door-to-door handing out NARCAN kits, the 37-year-old tribal member has been on the frontlines of the harm reduction movement for years
He’s also recognized throughout the Reservation for his endless advocacy that ultimately led to Tulalip enacting the Lois Luella Jones Law– a Good Samaritan measure protecting people who call 911 during an overdose.
Now, his calling has led him to a new chapter, becoming the coordinator of the Pallet Shelter. For those who aren’t aware, the Pallet Shelter is the Tribe’s 20-unit transitional housing site designed to give homeless tribal members a safe and dignified space in a community environment.
Located at 6304 19th Avenue NE, the Pallet Shelter community opened in early 2023 as part of Tulalip’ broader supportive housing strategy. The small, climate-controlled shelters (16 single units and 4 doubles) provide residents with privacy, security, and the stability needed to focus on recovery and rebuilding. The site also includes shared kitchen and laundry facilities, 24/7 security, and coordinated access to a broad range of mental health, substance use, and wellness services.
When it launched, Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin described the Pallet Shelter as “the difference between life and death for some of our people.” Since opening, it’s been close to or at full capacity. The Pallet Shelter has proved, over and over again, to be a huge stepping stone for those seeking to rebuild their lives after experiencing homelessness and/or addiction.
Now, with Rico at the helm, the Shelter’s mission can expand into a space of harm reduction and healing that stems from empathy and years of experience.
Rico’s drive to help others began from heartbreak. Fifteen-years ago, his mother Lois Luella Jones died from a drug overdose. In her honor, Rico became a leading advocate for the Lois Luella Jones Law, which was formally adopted into Tulalip’s Good Samaritan ordinance in 2014. It protects those who call 911 during an overdose from arrest or prosecution. Placing higher value on saving lives than filing drug charges.
“Losing my mom broke my heart,” Rico reflected. “There’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wonder what I could have done differently to save her. I don’t want anyone else to lose someone they love because they were afraid to ask for help or didn’t know what services are available.”
That spirit of service, rooted in compassion and implementable action, has guided Rico ever since. Long before his new position as Pallet Shelter coordinator, he worked tirelessly to reach the unreachable through proven harm reduction methods. He casually recalls exchanging hundreds of clean needles and distributing NARCAN kits, while checking in on people living in cars and tents in homeless encampments and under freeway overpasses. All without a police escort or State, County or Tulalip assistance.
“In order to reach the unreachable, you have to build trust. Plain and simple,” explained Rico. “If I had showed up with police or other emergency services, they’d be all standoffish or, worse yet, afraid they were going lose all their belongings and go to jail. But because I started with the needle exchange and caring about lowering risks of contracting and spreading Hepatitis-C and HIV, they trusted me when I came around later with NARCAN.
“I was building trust while advocating for their safety,” added Rico. “Letting them know that I care about them and their life, so much so that I’d come around however many times until they exchanged their dirty needles for clean ones and accepted the NARCAN because I meant what I said when I told them it could save their lives.”
That was nearly a decade ago. Long before it became common place for households and businesses to keep NARCAN on-hand to prevent overdose death.
Rico never waited for a title, funding, or staff. “Back then, all I had was my car, my phone, and my mom’s spirit pushing me. That was enough,” he said. “Now, working at the Pallet Shelter, I have access to more resources and have support from tribal departments, like the Recovery Resource Center, to develop harm reduction strategies and to create more partnerships with local health services.”
As coordinator, Rico’s focus is on bridging the Pallet Shelter’s resources with the trust he’s built over years of grassroots outreach. His leadership emphasizes harm reduction as a doorway to safety and healing rather than a barrier to housing.
“At the Pallet Shelter, we meet people where they’re at,” Rico said. “If someone is struggling, that doesn’t mean we turn them away. It means we walk with them, one step at a time. Of course, the dream scenario is each resident getting clean. But that’s not the reality.
“Harm reduction means taking any step forward is a win,” he continued. “It means success can be anything from filling out job applications to cooking your own meals, to getting your driver’s license back to finding a recovery meeting that suits you. And, of course, it means being willing to go through treatment and get clean, but we have got to remember that you can’t just undo decades of addiction in a few months.
“Everyone’s journey to recovery starts with a few steps forward, and I’m here to take those steps forward, side by side, with anyone willing.”
It was all good vibes and shaka signs on the morning October 7, as over 1,300 Native Hawaiians arrived at the Orca Ballroom of the Tulalip Resort Casino. And everywhere you turned, you were offered a big smile and an aloha greeting. All throughout the ballroom corridors, a variety of vibrant Hawaiian flowers served as décor, including many anthurium and yellow hibiscus plants.
For the first time in its long-running history, the annual Native Hawaiian Convention was held on Indigenous lands outside of the Hawaiian Islands, marking the 2025 convention a historic moment as Hawaiians made the trip to the Tulalip reservation from over 37 states.
Ever since last year’s Season of Healing, when the Tulalip Youth Council collaborated with the Hawaiian nonprofit group, Papahana Aloha ʻĀina, on an Indigenous Peoples Day declaration, the connection between the Tribe and the people of Hawaii has grown significantly. However, there was an existing connection prior to this between the two communities, as several Tulalip members have family ties to Hawaii. And back in 2019, Tulalip hosted a rally in protest of the desecration of Muana Kea, a sacred mountain on the Big Island.
In the weeks leading up to the 2025 Native Hawaiian Convention, the Tulalip Board of Directors and the Hawaiian Council were in constant conversation, strengthening that relationship while planning for a good three-day gathering. Days prior to the event, the Hawaiian Council, along with their local media team and convention attendees, boarded a charted flight from Hawaii to Seattle that was truly a one-of-a-kind experience, complete with in-flight dances and songs along the way.
Upon arriving at the reservation, there was an entire ‘pre-convention’ day dedicated to formal introductions and cultural sharing between the Tulalip BOD and the Hawaiian Council. There was also a full day of workshops held at the Tulalip Resort Casino, including sessions dedicated to learning chants and creating leis.
This all led to a moving opening day ceremony on the morning of October 7. Rows upon rows of chairs were filled with hundreds of Native Hawaiians as the convention officially kicked off with a special screening of a film that connected Hawaiians all across the country. The video was filmed in several different cities, and the song ‘Ōiwi Ē was performed by the local Hawaiians living in those regions.
Said Kūhiō Lewis, Hawaiian Council Chief Executive Officer, “‘Ōiwi Ē is a powerful anthem that celebrates our identity, our pride, and our resilience as Native Hawaiians. ‘Ōiwi Ē means native, or of this land. And the song calls out to all carrying Hawaiian ancestry, wherever they may live, to stand proud wherever they are. When we sing ‘Ōiwi Ē, we remind ourselves that being Hawaiian is more than a bloodline or birthplace, it’s a deep connection to ‘āina, to our kupuna, and to one another.”
Following Kūhiō’s opening remarks, he then invited Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin onto the stage, who offered some words of welcome before calling upon the Tulalip drummers and singers. The Tribe opened with Harriette Shelton-Dover’s Welcome Song and after a standing ovation from the crowd, Teri handed the mic over to Thomas and Andy Williams who are of Hawaiian descent. After Thomas explained his family’s lineage and relation to the Hawaiian people, the Tribe offered a blessing song led by the Williams brothers and fellow Tulalip-Hawaiian member, Jay Napeahi.
Teri shared, “It’s such an honor to have the drummers and singers here today. When we sing, it calls our ancestors in. This is just amazing. I love your culture, and I love our culture. Our people are connected across vast oceans by the enduring strength of our ancestors, the wisdom of our elders, and the hopes we carry on for future generations. Though our homelands are far apart, we share a common bond; the sacred responsibility to care for the lands, the waters and our people, to protect our culture, preserve our sovereignty and to build a future of strength and resilience for our children and our grandchildren.”
“We know that many Hawaiians make their home here on the mainland”, she continued. “Please know that you are always welcome here. Our doors and our hearts are open to you, and we look forward to finding ways to support your community, share knowledge and grow together. May these days be filled with learning, reflection and celebration as First Nations people. It’s not about where we live, it’s about how we uplift one another.”
Each day of the convention will feature three breakout sessions that offer one to two-hour workshops, panels, and demonstrations. The sessions will not only take place in the various TRC ballrooms, but also at the Marysville Opera House for art and culture workshops and displays; the Tulalip Dining Hall for tourism and environmental stewardship lectures; the Teen Center for education and economic development and youth-focused discussions and collaborations; and the Gathering Hall for self-determination and policy workshops.
There are a handful of vendors selling beaded jewelry, cedar woven regalia, clothing, books, and a selection of Hawaiian foods in the hallway by the Orca Ballroom. And there is also a live lei making demonstration taking place near the TRC gift shop. The convention will be held until October 9, and will end with a closing ceremony that begins at 10 a.m.
Kūhiō expressed, “This moment is a testament to what true Indigenous partnerships look like, Native to Native, nation to nation, grounded in respect, reciprocity, and shared purpose. To Chairwoman Teri Gobin, the Tulalip Board of Directors, and the entire community, Mahalo nui loa for welcoming us with such open arms and open hearts. It’s our way of saying to the world, we are still here, vibrant, creative, and united. Carrying forth the legacy of our ancestor’s pride and purpose. This week is about that very idea, about lifting up each other, sharing knowledge, and renewing our collective strength. We came here to Tulalip as guests, but we stand here as kin. Our oceans don’t divide us, they connect us.”
The Tulalip Tribes reached another historic milestone on September 30, when Native American Bank (NAB) officially opened its first branch in the Pacific Northwest, right in the heart of Tulalip’s economic corridor. Located between the bustling Tulalip Resort Casino and Quil Ceda Village’s growing hub of tribal businesses, the new branch represents more than just convenience. It marks a bold step toward strengthening tribal financial sovereignty and supporting Native-led economic development across the region.
For Tulalip, the partnership demonstrates the growing alignment between tribal leadership’s vision for economic self-determination and NAB’s mission of providing Native communities with access to financial services, lending, and long-term investment.
Tulalip Tribes Chairwoman Teri Gobin called the day “an awesome day,” and spoke from the heart about what the new branch means for her people. “I’m glad to see our elders here, our youth, and our community members. Bringing this bank here to Tulalip is a huge opportunity for our community.”
Gobin pointed out that tribal members have long faced struggles when trying to access funds or loans at outside banks, especially when it comes to financing homes and properties located on federal trust land. “Generation to generation, we’re still struggling, still fighting, but this is one step toward righting some of the wrongs that have been done on tribal land. Tribal members with good-paying jobs who own their homes still struggle to get a loan at an outside bank because we are on trust property.”
Gobin also reflected on the legacy of Tulalip leadership that laid the foundation for this moment. “My father was Stan Jones Sr. He was on the BOD council for 44 years, 26 of those as Chairman,” she shared. “When he started in 1966, we had three employees with the Tulalip Tribes. We are now the third-largest employer in Snohomish County. We’ve come a long way in a short period of time, and it’s from our past leadership that we’ve been brought to the next level.”
She emphasized the importance of unity among tribes in Washington state and across the country, highlighting Tulalip’s leadership role in organizations such as the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the Washington Indian Gaming Association, and the National Congress of American Indians.
“As tribes, when we group, we’re stronger,” Gobin said. “This is a great opportunity for the bank to come here. Once you’re at Tulalip, other tribes will look at you a little bit differently, and they’ll want to know. We’re always willing to go the extra mile. We’re looking at mass economic development in this area, and we’re so excited to share this with the full community.”
Tom Ogaard, President and CEO of Native American Bank, emphasized that the Tulalip branch reflects the bank’s broader mission. “Access to financial services is what the bank is all about,” he explained. “Developing relationships in Indian Country is a face-to-face process, so we should have people who live and work here to meet the needs of the communities we serve. For us, it really meets the mission, and it’s gratifying to bring that on a local level and support economic diversity.”
Unlike many commercial institutions, NAB prioritizes relationship building over transactions. Ogaard noted, “For our staff, we recognize there could be an opportunity for financial literacy among potential customers. This isn’t just transactional — it’s about relationship building. Being present and engaged in the community is important, and that’s what sets us apart.”
One of NAB’s goals is to break down barriers that tribal entrepreneurs and families often face when dealing with mainstream banks. “It will first start with understanding the needs,” Ogaard said. “Access to small business lending, those types of credits, we have programs that we’ve become experts at and used successfully elsewhere. We aim to bring these services here so that business owners and individuals can access credit and deposit products. It’s also about eliminating some of the mystique about banking. Sometimes there’s hesitation in tribal communities. For us, it’s about creating that relationship, breaking down barriers, and showing what it takes to get a loan, open a checking account, or use our technology while still having that face-to-face option.”
When asked what financial sovereignty looks like for Tulalip and the broader region, Ogaard said it is an evolving process. “I think that’s an ongoing conversation we’re having with tribal leadership. The needs vary depending on which part of the tribe we’re talking to — from business committee members to individuals. Our role is to assist, to listen, and to tailor our services based on those requirements. It’s not one-size-fits-all.”
Ogaard also emphasized that Tulalip leaders and community representatives will play a key role in shaping the bank’s presence. “They certainly will have a role in helping us shape what we bring to the community and what’s important to them,” he said. “That runs the gamut from retail banking to commercial, to treasury and cash management. We’re here to listen and to align with the needs of Tulalip — from leadership down to individual tribal members.”
In his remarks at the grand opening, Ogaard highlighted NAB’s long-term vision: “Our goal is to build something lasting—to be a trusted financial partner who understands the needs of Native communities and shares in their long-term vision for self-sufficiency and momentum for self-determination. I fully expect that our facility here, and the number of staff we have in the Pacific Northwest, will one day outgrow our Denver corporate center. That’s how much we believe in this region.”
With this new branch, Native American Bank — founded in 2001 by 20 tribal nations, enterprises, and Alaska Native corporations — extends its reach while planting roots in one of the most economically vibrant tribal regions in the country. For Tulalip and surrounding Native communities, it represents not only access to financial services but also a partnership rooted in sovereignty, accountability, and shared growth.
Since 1989’s iconic Paddle to Seattle, a remarkable cultural revival has taken place across the Pacific Northwest, known to the tribes therein as Coast Salish territory. Sovereign tribal nations from Alaska to Oregon have united nearly every summer since ’89 to travel the sacred waters in honor and celebration of our common canoe culture.
The annual summer time event, dubbed Canoe Journey, has a deep cultural and spiritual significance not just to the Tulalip Tribes but all tribal communities connected by the Salish Sea. A tradition passed down from the ancestors, Canoe Journey has been practiced in one form or another for millennia. The 2024 rendition has taken on an adaptive form due to some unforeseen complications.
Earlier this year, the previously planned route to Ahousaht First Nation in British Columbia was quickly and abruptly upended after Ahousaht leadership put out a press release stating they would not be hosting journeys.
“Ahousaht and the surrounding region, including the District of Tofino, are not prepared to host the 2024 Canoe Journeys. Ahousaht and Tofino currently lack the necessary infrastructure to effectively and safely host the volume of canoe families that participate in Canoe Journeys,” read the February released statement.
The ripples caused by their decision were quickly minimized before they could form full on tidal waves. Thanks to quick action taken by Puyallup elder Connie McCloud and her tribal council.
“We saw on Facebook that Ahousaht, who was to host this summer, declined because they needed more time to prepare for hosting thousands of people. Ahousaht is a very small island off of the west side of Vancouver Island, and so people respected that,” recalled Connie, who holds the esteemed position of Puyallup’s heritage manager. “Then the next day, I got another phone call from my Tribal Council that said, “So, what are we going to do?” And I said, “Well, we’re thinking about doing a Youth Journey.” And they said, “Let’s do it. Let’s host.”
Just like that, the Power Paddle to Puyallup was spoken into existence. Participating tribes made the necessary adjustments to accommodate a new schedule with a new route, protocol times, and an agreed upon overnight, camping schedule.
Some confusion, and a whole lot of excitement, surrounded the idea of just what exactly a youth canoe journey was. Youth-only? No adults? What about elders?
These questions and the aforementioned confusion were put to rest when Connie McCloud clarified, “The whole point of this Youth Journey is to teach our children so that you have the adults, you have the elders, working with the youth to train them to be in the leadership position. It doesn’t eliminate anybody. It puts the focus on training our youth.
“If your canoe is largely adults and elders and you have two youth, how lucky are they? They have this handful of people who can give them instruction, give them teachings and show them a direction; put them up there doing the welcoming greetings, doing their Protocol, being that voice for your canoe.”
How each tribe embraced the notions Connie put forward regarding a youth journey were unique to each canoe family. Evident by the mesmerizing moments that were created on Saturday, July 27, when 23 tidal-powered canoes made their highly anticipated arrival on the banks of Tulalip Bay.
Clearly, some tribes took the youth part of youth journey to heart by assembling canoe crews of teenagers and newly minted adults. Others stuck to the old ways and filled their canoe with seaworthy veterans. The majority of canoes that landed within the heart of Tulalip had a more equitable combination of youth, adult, and elder.
Many of the canoe families empowered a youth to come front and center upon arriving in Tulalip Bay. They eagerly accepted the microphone and were given the platform to ask permission for their canoe family to come ashore. Awaiting their request while perched on a Tulalip Bay bluff with her mom and auntie flanking her with all the confidence they could muster, was 13-year-old Tiyanna Bueno. The Tulalip youth switched back and forth between Lushootseed and English as she gave one canoe family after another permission to come ashore, enjoy a hearty meal, and rest up from the day’s long pull.
Among the many visitors enjoying the sights and sounds of a Canoe Journey arrival was a very far from home Navy specialist who found comfort in the gathered community’s embrace of the canoe families. The 25-year-old Tyrann Bowlin is from Jacksonville, Florida, but stationed locally at Naval Station Everett. He and a cohort of his fellow Navy men graciously accepted the critical role of canoe carriers for the afternoon.
“This is an incredible event to be experiencing for the first time. It’s my first time on a reservation period and I’m really enjoying how close knit the community seems to be,” shared Navy specialist Bowlin in between canoe carries. “Just witnessing how these people have been on the water all day canoeing and now coming home to such a welcoming is beautiful. It’s the same thing we do as Navy members. We go out for weeks or months at a time and then come home to our loved ones.”
In a true moment of profound cross-cultural clarity, while standing just mere feet from the Tulalip Longhouse and where a dozen canoes lay peacefully, he added, “Us as Navy members and you all as Native Americans got the same fight and warrior toughness.”
Fight to paddle countless strokes for dozens on dozens of nautical miles on the Salish Sea. Toughness to proudly carry on a canoe culture passed on from past warriors who resisted assimilation and protected the most precious of traditional teachings for future generations to practice. These are the endearing takeaways from this year’s Canoe Journey, the Power Paddle to Puyallup, as experienced from a quick, overnight pitstop in heart of Tulalip Bay.
RaeQuan Battle continues to be a trailblazer for his legion of Tulalip supporters, fans, and eager viewers who watch his game and hardwood opportunities continue to evolve, whether that’s attending his games in-person or through use of a digital screen.
He’s gotten buckets on all levels. From the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club recreational leagues and Marysville Pilchuck’s 3A high school competition to the NCAA stage; first at the University of Washington, then at Montana State where he averaged 17.7 points per game, before finally leading West Virginia as a 5th year collegiate standout scoring 16.1 points per game.
Now, the 23-year-old Tulalip icon is soaring to new heights as a paid professional on the Charlotte Hornet’s Summer League squad.
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE
“Just being here is a surreal thing,” shared RaeQuan. “Growing up on the rez and being a basketball player, I learned at a young age the importance of hard work, commitment, and to always keep pushing to be better. To be where I am now with the opportunity to earn an NBA roster spot, it just means the world to me. Knowing that I didn’t settle just on my talent, but kept working and sacrificing to build my skills and that got me here, it’s really a joyous thing. And knowing I have the support of my Tribe, friends and family, and so many young hoopers on not just our rez but many others, too, continues to push me and my game to new heights.”
For those unfamiliar, NBA Summer League is an annual event that showcases the talents of young basketball players in a competitive setting. Summer League provides an opportunity for NBA teams to evaluate potential prospects, determine roster depth, and gauge the development of their current players. For RaeQuan, this high-profile opportunity to showcase his skills against top tier talent could result in a two-way contract with an NBA team or a bona fide, fulltime call up to the Association.
Photo courtesy Charlotte Hornets
The July-wide Summer League slate started with the California Classic in Sacramento from July 6-9 before proceeding to the NBA2K25 in Las Vegas from July 12-22. At the California Classic, the Hornets competed against the San Antonio Spurs, Chinese National Team and Sacramento Kings.
Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE
Here are RaeQuan’s most notable stat lines from those three games.
Charlotte Hornets vs. San Antonio Spurs: Played 14 minutes. Scored 12 points on 4/7 shooting with 1 rebound and 1 steal
Charlotte Hornets vs. Team China: Played 13 minutes. Scored 9 points on 4/8 shooting with 2 rebounds, 1 assist, and 1 steal.
In their most recent posting, NBA Scouting Live described RaeQuan as an agile, skilled swingman that can knock down shots to help his team on offense. Indeed, he got enough burn in two of those California Classic games to create eye-popping moments that trended on social media throughout Indian Country.
Dawning the classic white, purple and teal colors of the Charlotte franchise, he buzzed around the 3-point arc and stung San Antonio with his long-range marksmanship with four made 3-pointers. Against the Chinese national team his athleticism was on full display during two separate rim rattling moments, both resulting in an aggressive, two-hand jam.
“Knowing so many of our Tulalip youth are following Rae on social media and keeping note of the Summer League tv schedule so they can root for him from home is so special,” said RaeQuan’s mama bear, Jacquie Williams. “It brings so much joy to my heart because not being in a big metro area, like Seattle where Jamal Crawford, Isaiah Thomas, and others are examples of how life changing basketball can be, instead our kids have one of their own to be their hoops hero…they have RaeQuan Battle.”
Summer League Battle intends to maximize his time court time as competition moves to Las Vegas. Those wanting to tune in and catch him wearing the iconic Jerry West logo on his chest can find his upcoming games broadcasted on ESPN2 or NBATV.
“This is who we are and where we come from. Lushootseed is part of our culture, and we should be able to embrace it and share it with everyone,” expressed Lushootseed Language Warrior Michelle Myles. “It’s awakening the language. This initiative is keeping it awake, spreading it, and sharing it with everyone.”
Last September, the Tulalip Lushootseed language department embarked on an initiative that challenged the community to incorporate three words into their everyday vernacular: ʔi čəxʷ, t’igʷicid, and huyʔ, which translates to hello, thank you, and goodbye in English.
For decades, the language department has done amazing work at both recovering the traditional sduhubš language and sharing that knowledge with the tribal community. With established partnerships with the Betty J. Early Learning Academy and the Marysville School District, the language department introduces Lushootseed to their membership at a young age, setting a strong foundation to build upon. As students progress through their academic career, Lushootseed courses are readily available, from pre-k all the way through college, for those who wish to sharpen their traditional linguistics and be a part of the language revitalization movement happening at Tulalip.
In the past, the department has come up with some impressive and innovative ideas to help spread the language community-wide. For example, the department regularly holds classes for the adults of the community and employees of the Tribe. They also host storytelling get-togethers aimed at getting the entire family unit speaking Lushootseed with each other. And on top of all of that, they developed an interactive, informative, and easy to navigate database that is jampacked with Lushootseed knowledge including the visual and audio pronunciations of hundreds of words and phrases.
What was nearly lost to assimilation efforts in the 1900’s is flourishing in 2024 thanks to the dedication and love that each Lushootseed warrior has for their ancestral language. Thanks to their hard work, it is nearly as common to hear a toddler speaking Lushootseed phrases as it is to hear a Tulalip elder speaking the same language.
That being said, there are still numerous tribal members who are not quite as acquainted with the language as they’d like to be. There are several non-Natives, or other tribal members, throughout the reservation who would like to learn and utilize the language of the sduhubš as a sign of respect to the original inhabitants of this region.
This initiative is the perfect place to start for newbies to the language. The idea is that by replacing three English words with their Lushootseed counterparts during your everyday conversations, you are more likely to grasp the meaning and pronunciation of the word. You’ll be all the more encouraged to use the phrases throughout your day; and every time you speak the language, you share it and inspire others to participate in the initiative.
Known both as the Awakening the Language initiative or the three-phrase challenge, the project introduces three words and/or phrases to the community at a time. Throughout the fall and early winter season, the people became familiar with ʔi čəxʷ, t’igʷicid, and huyʔ. Many incorporated the phrases into their e-mails and professional interactions as soon as the initiative was announced.
To keep the project fresh in everybody’s minds, the language department posted yard signs throughout the reservation, in highly visible areas, that displayed the Lushootseed words for hello, thank you, and goodbye. At the bottom of each yard sign were QR codes that the passengers of moving vehicles or those out for a walk could capture with their phone cameras. The QR code led them to the Tulalip Lushootseed website where they could learn more about the initiative and hear the pronunciation of each word. The signs did exactly what they were intended to – get the people talking.
After the community spent close to four months with those initial phrases, the Lushootseed department introduced three new words to the people earlier this month. And if it ain’t broke, no need to fix it! The department is taking the same approach that was successful last fall. New signs are already posted all across the village in various neighborhoods and along high-traffic roadways. The new words areare ʔi (yes), xʷiʔ (no), and haʔɬ dadatu (good morning).
Brian Berry, the language department’s video producer/director, was instrumental in this getting this project started. He shared, “These are three things that everyone can say. It actually started here at the Lushootseed department. There are some signs here in the building that say, ‘English words we’re not going to use anymore’. That kind of got my brain spinning that we, as employees and tribal members, should replace these three phrases, using the Lushootseed ones instead of the English ones – just trying to get everyone to speak the language.”
This go-round we get a bonus word as red octagon signs, with the word gʷəƛ̕əlad, have been placed underneath stop signs all around Tulalip as well. Given it’s placement and shape, one could easily surmise they are Lushootseed stop signs, which is incredibly creative and entices people to learn the Lushootseed pronunciation of the word stop as soon as possible. And like the signs from the three-phrase challenge, the gʷəƛ̕əlad sign also has a QR code that people can follow to hear that pronunciation.
As soon as the signs were posted, we shared an image of a gʷəƛ̕əlad sign to our Tulalip News Facebook which was met with great reception and many praised Tulalip for preserving their language and making it accessible to their people.
Said Michelle, “This was something fresh we could work on to get the community speaking the language. We were looking for ways to get the language out there to share it, where it’s not in the classroom, not with a teacher, and it’s something you could use with family members and share it in that way.”
For more information about the initiative, the three phrases and how you can help spread the ancestral word, please visit www.TulalipLushootseed.com
There is a special moment that happens as Tulalip families say their goodbyes to their loved ones who served in the military. This moment is held as one of the highest honors that service men and women can receive when they are laid to rest. It’s both beautiful and bittersweet, and it’s the perfect way to send off tribal veterans to their next journey. Once a year, on the cusp of summer, all the families of those veterans who passed, including their brothers and sisters in arms, gather at the gravesites and once again recreate that moment of solace and honor to pay tribute to all of Tulalip’s fallen soldiers.
Tulalip tribal member and Marine veteran, David ‘Chip’ Fryberg Jr., plays a significant role in providing that moment of closure for families at the funerals for tribal veterans, and also at the tribe’s Memorial Day services. When the order is given, seven rifles, an eagle head staff, as well as the POW, Tulalip Tribes, Tulalip veterans, and the US flags are raised in the air for the 21-gun salute. At the same moment, Chip raises his brass horn up into the air, consisting of three valves and as shiny as ever. And as the second shot rings through the air, he begins to play Taps on the trumpet.
“I really love what our Honor Guard does, and I enjoy being a part of the tribute,” Chip stated. “The firing – bangs, the pops, and the smoke, it’s a great feeling and I feel it’s a good thing to do for the community, for Memorial Day. I went into the Marines in 1982 and got out in ’89. When I came home to the reservation, I got asked by my aunt Cookie to play Taps on Memorial Day. They borrowed a trumpet from somebody and asked me to play, and I’ve been doing it ever since.”
Chip explained that originally, he didn’t know if he would be asked to return to perform during the Memorial Day services, but he continued to graciously except the call year after year. They say musicians are their own toughest critics, and throughout the ‘90’s, David claimed he wasn’t that good and thought somebody would eventually replace him. But he vividly remembers the moment he decided to take on the title with authority and dedicate more time to perfecting his craft.
He shared, “Every now and then, we volunteer to play for (non-tribal) spouses and some of our good friends who we were in the military force with. We don’t do as many as we used to, but I’m always more than happy to get my trumpet out and perform for our veterans. A highlight for me was the first time I played in Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home. Shipman himself came up and said, ‘I’ve heard a lot of people play Taps and I have something to say to you’. I was listening and I thought he was going to yell at me or something. But he goes, ‘I just got one thing to say, you are the greatest in the nation’. That lit a fire under me – about how well I have to play and take care of that song. I’m glad to take care of it and honored to bring it out with the guys in the Honor Guard.”
That line of thinking, taking care of the song, exposes Chip’s Indigenous roots in a substantial way. Just like a traditional song passed down through the generations, Chip is responsible for practicing the ceremonial song and performing it with a good mind, heart, and spirit, as well as with honor, pride and respect for those veterans who transitioned to the other side. David does this not only with a tribal mindset, but also that of a vet who knows what these men and women may have encountered or been exposed to while stationed at bases all throughout the world, what they witnessed and experienced on the battlefield, the vigorous trainings they went through and the multiple sacrifices they made while defending the nation’s freedom.
Said David, “Growing up, my grandmother Rose Fryberg had three pictures mounted on the wall, my two aunts and my dad. My dad was in his Marine Corps. uniform. When your dad is a Marine, you are kind of born a Marine. I just followed the tradition. After high school, I really didn’t want to go to college or deal with money issues – so I joined the Marines. I talked to the Army and the Navy, but I didn’t see myself as anything but a Marine. I chose to sign-up in November of ’81 and shipped out on January 27 of 1982.
“I went to San Diego, and I was a communications electronics tech. I fixed telephones and switchboards. I went to school for it for about nine months at Twentynine Palms. And then I went to Okinawa for two and a half years. I had a successful tour over there, went out into the field a lot. I reenlisted in Okinawa and did my last three and a half years at Camp Lejeune where I was a shipping and receiving NCO for communications electronics, which was a big deal.”
Early in his journey in the military, the Marines discovered that Chip had a background in music, and they encouraged him to try out for the Drum and Bugle Corps. at Twentynine Palms. And after playing the trombone all throughout middle school and high school, David was happy to learn he could continue to study and express his passion for music during his time spent at the southern California Marine base.
“That was a really hard thing for me,” he recalled. “Not going to college meant giving up my trombone. I started playing trombone in the sixth grade in Vancouver, Washington at Jason Lee Junior High School, we were a stage band. We were also a marching band, and we did parades all the time. On top of that, I was actually a member of the Spartans Drum and Bugle Corps. through seventh, eighth, and ninth grade. In high school I joined the Columbia River High School band, and we were the show band of southwest Washington. I marched in – I don’t even know how many parades. Even though I grew up in Vancouver, I got to march in the Strawberry Festival because our Drum and Bugle Corps. would get invited – and that was always neat, seeing family.”
He continued, “I was quite the horn player when I was a kid, I could pick up a trumpet and play some crazy stuff. But I’ve always been able to pick up any brass instrument. I was able to pick it right back up when I was down at Twentynine Palms. I made the Drum and Bugle Corps., and they were like, ‘we know you’re going to be in comm. tech, but in case you rock out, you can come with us and be a lead soprano for the Marine Corps. Drum and Bugle Corps. So, if I didn’t pass my electronics course, I would’ve been a Drum and Bugle Corps. member at Twentynine Palms and could’ve switched over immediately to the Marine Corps. Drum and Bugle Corps., which is a big honor. But needless to say, I became an electronics tech and went overseas.”
Since returning to Tulalip, and after agreeing to play Taps on Memorial Day in ’89, Chip has created lifelong bonds with his fellow veterans as the official trumpeter of the Tulalip Honor Guard. And as a member of the Honor Guard, there have been many opportunities that David has received, that he wouldn’t have otherwise experienced. For example, last Veterans Day, Chip packed up his trumpet and jumped on an airplane to Washington D.C. with the Honor Guard to participate in a march with thousands of other Native American military veterans during the unveiling of the new monument at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian. During this trip, Chip was able to reunite with some of his friends, fellow comrades who he served alongside with during the ‘80’s, and they spent the day catching up and reminiscing on their time in the service.
There have also been a handful of times when David’s fellow veterans and members of his family wondered if he would be able to perform Taps, or if he even felt up to the task, when the funeral services were held for one of his loved ones, his close friends and relatives. But in each of those instances, Chip felt that it was his responsibility to ensure they were sent off in a proper manner and in high honor, so he equipped his horn with the metal mouthpiece and took up his position with the Honor Guard during those final goodbyes. This was also the case with the man who inspired Chip to join the Marines in the first place, his father.
“He was my inspiration,” he emotionally shared. “All I know is that lived by his picture and to me, he was the greatest Marine ever. That’s why I did everything I did, because I wanted to be like my dad. Last year, we lost my dad, last February 14. And a lot of people didn’t know if I’d be able to play. But it’s a lot different when your dad is not only your dad, but he’s also your brother, he’s also your best friend, and he knew everything what you went through. So, playing Taps at my dad’s funeral was something I had to do.”
After contracting the coronavirus, Chip was hospitalized and put on a respirator for a number of weeks. When he woke, he was faced with a hard decision of either giving up the trumpet after years of playing for tribal veterans, or restart from scratch and dedicate even more time to the instrument to rebuild the endurance of his lungs back up following the near-death respiratory infection.
Chip withstood it all and came back determined as all hell to continue on as the Honor Guard’s trumpeter. Chip says he owed it all to his wife and daughter who not only encouraged him through the process but also kept him on schedule, waking him early everyday so he could practice his instrument following his late-night shifts in the table games department of the Tulalip Resort Casino.
Although Chip was happy to share his story and to be featured in the syəcəb, he was quick to share the glory with his fellow Honor Guard members. He stated that it’s the comradery that he shares with those men and women of the Tulalip Honor Guard that keeps him coming back year after year.
He exclaimed, “The song I play, I have a lot of respect for it and it’s an honor to play it. The Honor Guard is a team, and I’m really glad when we get together. It’s an honor to play Taps during the 21-gun salute. When we put it all together – that’s one pretty good package. I like to focus on being a part of the Honor Guard, it’s special and I like being a part of that special tribute. We all pitch-in and what we convey is what’s on our hearts – and we really mean that. We pay tribute to our fallen comrades and we’re glad to do it.”
Upon reading the first few paragraphs of this feature, you may have thought this story was about a local bugler, a trumpeter who plays at the funerals of Tulalip veterans and at the Tribe’s Memorial Day services. And sure, that is a large aspect of Chip’s journey and the services he provides today. However, this story is much bigger. It is the story about a man of dedication – whether it’s to his instrument, his community, his family, his fellow veterans, his culture, his country, Chip has laid it all on the line multiple times throughout his life for the values he believes in and for the people he loves.
Through the ups and downs, Chip always returned to his love for music. And through the performance of his trumpet, he has been able to spread love and good healing medicine to those in need from the community as their loved ones enter the spirit world.
Chip shared, “To my fellow veterans and the Tulalip Honor Guard, I’d like to thank everyone for answering the call and carrying yourselves the way you do. It’s heartwarming to see us come together to pay tribute to our veterans, we recently did a couple of funerals together for David Spencer and Pat Elliott. We love doing this for our fallen comrades and I love doing my part in what we do. I couldn’t do it without you guys. I’ve heard a lot of great stories over the years, and I can’t emphasize how grateful I am to each and every one of you for your service. Happy Veterans Day.”
In a transformative and visionary step towards reclaiming their ancestral culinary traditions, the Tulalip Northwest Indian College (NWIC) recently unveiled the groundbreaking Tulalip Food Sovereignty Presentation Kitchen. This innovative kitchen space, formerly a conventional classroom, symbolizes cultural revival and health empowerment. The soft opening event on Friday, November 3, was nothing short of a culinary journey, inviting the community to savor the flavors of Indigenous cuisine while unraveling the profound concept of food sovereignty. Step inside this unique kitchen and discover how it’s poised to revolutionize the relationship between tradition, health, and community.
The newly renovated space has undergone a remarkable metamorphosis, evolving from a mundane classroom into a welcoming haven of culinary exploration. With an expansive, open kitchen at its heart, it beckons onlookers and perhaps even a camera crew to witness the intricate process of preparing Indigenous foods. The kitchen’s primary mission is to serve as an educational hub where students can immerse themselves in traditional food preparation. It’s a place where the rich heritage of Indigenous cuisine is brought to life, instilling in the next generation the knowledge and skills necessary to honor and preserve their culinary traditions.
“I grew up in a fishing and hunting family, and I didn’t know that I was already practicing food sovereignty,” said NWIC teacher, Linzie Crofoot. “Our food kept us a healthy community. Food sovereignty is about community health; our traditional foods and medicines and their direct ties with resource management. Traditionally, we have been the gatherers, hunters, and fishermen responsible for tending the land and keeping it healthy and our people healthy.”
Linzie continued, “When I am teaching Native Environmental Science, and I am teaching about our native plants, I am incorporating tribal health into it. I am incorporating our traditional values into it. That’s how I plan on using this kitchen; as a gatherer and a Native Environmental Scientist, I want people out on the land to be restored to their natural role on the land, and then be able to come back here and make meaningful relationships with each other and the community through food. That is how we have always built community. There’s nothing more traditional than feeding each other and coming together to make food.”
After the meal, Linzie demonstrated how to make a sweetgrass lemonade and started by creating a simple syrup. A mixture of sweetgrass water and sugar boiled create a tasty syrup that can be stirred into the lemonade. The goal of the demonstration was to show that you can start small with your introduction to a more native plant diet by creating one ingredient and building off that.
“When we tell people they need to eat traditional foods, they don’t know where to begin and get overwhelmed. They think they must be a gatherer or a hunter, or they need access to a bunch of land, and then they freeze and continue to eat all the same Western foods they have been eating their whole life. I want to incorporate easy things that you can do in your everyday lives. So, start with one cup of tea a month and sweeten it with a native plant, then work your way up. And don’t feel guilty about it,” said Linzie.
“This is the first tribal sovereignty kitchen in the nation,” said Colette Kieth, NWIC site manager. “The primary goal is that students understand what food sovereignty is and what tribal food sovereignty is and use our traditional foods. I also wanted a place where our students could have a camera-ready place for great presentations, like on Instagram and Facebook. I want our students to feel what it was like to work in a nice kitchen.”
The Tulalip Food Sovereignty Presentation Kitchen will have its grand opening in May, where students can create in the kitchen. Registration for winter classes opened on Monday, November 6th. To learn more about NWIC, visit nwic.edu.
Dazzling holiday tradition presented by Quil Ceda Village features outdoor skating rink, visits by Mr. & Mrs. Claus, The Grinch and Buddy the Elf, a holiday marketplace, which doubles last year’s three million lights at Tulalip Resort Casino, Quil Ceda Creek Casino and Tulalip Bingo & Slots
TULALIP, Wash. (October 26, 2023) – The largest holiday lights display in Washington state will be back and twice as big as last year, when “Tulalip Lights” returns with a massive showcase of more than six million holiday lights brightening the winter sky starting at 4 p.m. Wednesday, November 22. Seasonal displays will adorn Tulalip Resort Casino (with 4.2 million lights alone!), Quil Ceda Village, Tulalip Bingo & Slots and Quil Ceda Village Retail Center, and will be on display through January 15, 2024.
“Tulalip Lights” is located along Interstate 5 and accessible at westbound exits 200 or 202. The event is presented by Quil Ceda Village at Tulalip, WA. Viewing of all the lighting displays is free to the public.
When all you want is everything, in addition to the massive lights display – which rivals some of the largest in the nation – there will be much more fun for those in the holiday spirit, including an outdoor ice skating rink, holiday marketplace, visits by iconic holiday characters, and more.
“Tulalip Ice” Outdoor Ice Skating Rink
The holidays wouldn’t be complete without a trip to “Tulalip Ice,” a 40’x 80’ outdoor ice rink made of real ice at the Tulalip Amphitheatre surrounded by a display of more than 1.3 million lights. Presented by Blue Line Sports and Entertainment, the rink will be open to the public Wednesday, November 22, 2023 through January 15, 2024. Rink hours are as follows:
Tickets for one-hour skating sessions (with skate rentals included) are $15 for adults and $12 for children (12 years old and under) and can be purchased at the rink or in advance at https://tulalipice.ticketspice.com/tulalip-ice. A $1.50 processing fee will be added to all tickets at checkout. Special rates are available for private use of the rink and birthday parties. Visit Tulaliplights.com. for more information. Entry to the Amphitheatre is free, where visitors are encouraged to view the on-the-ice fun. The only cost is for those who wish to skate.
Mr. & Mrs. Claus, The Grinch and Buddy the Elf Visits and Holiday Market at Tulalip Amphitheatre
More family-friendly activities will be happening throughout the season at the Tulalip Amphitheatre as part of the “Tulalip Lights & Ice” festivities. This includes appearances by “Mr. & Mrs. Claus,” “The Grinch” and “Buddy the Elf,” an open-air holiday market featuring a variety of delicious, quality food vendors, gifts and crafts, and fun activities like balloon artists, caricaturists and much more. A full schedule is as follows:
“We launched this grand event in 2022 and it became an instant favorite with visitors. It is bigger and even more spectacular this year and we encourage folks to add this tradition to their ‘must do’ experiences this holiday season,” said Kevin Jones, general manager for Quil Ceda Village. For more information on “Tulalip Lights & Ice” visit www.quilcedavillage.com, www.quilcedavillage.org or www.everythingtulalip.com.
For those who are attempting to get a required vaccine to accept a job position, but are facing a pay-out-of pocket situation due to lack of health insurance, this news is for you. For those who have health insurance, but your provider does not cover certain vaccinations, this news is for you. For those who are looking to stay up to date on their routine vaccines, as well as take precautions against COVID and influenza, but are also dealing with health insurance complications, this news is also for you.
The Tulalip Clinical Pharmacy recently announced that they are an official provider of a program developed by the Washington State Department of Health. The Adult Vaccine Program ensures that all of the citizens of Washington State have access to vaccinations at no cost of their own.
Whether uninsured or underinsured, the Tulalip Clinical Pharmacy can administer a number of vaccines, depending on supply, to any adult over the age of 19. Those are the only requirements to be eligible for the Adult Vaccine Program – to reiterate, you have to be uninsured or underinsured and at least 19 years of age – that’s all.
“Vaccines are very important. Everyone should be able to get vaccines if they want to,” expressed Tulalip Clinical Pharmacy Director, Kelvin Lee. “All the other drugs out there are for symptomatic treatment. Vaccines are the only category that prevents diseases and problems. It’s preemptive and that’s important because it works for many conditions. When it works, people don’t realize that it’s really protecting them from a lot of problems.”
Although there are many Adult Vaccine Program providers throughout the state, the Tulalip Clinical Pharmacy is one of few locations in the Tulalip-Marysville area, and the only location on the reservation.
This is just the latest endeavor the pharmacy has embarked on that keeps their clients and community close to heart, as they continue to provide the people with excellent care and services. Throughout the pandemic, the pharmacy implemented a curbside pick-up system to safely deliver medication to their patients, to keep their worries at bay and prevent the spread of the virus.
In similar fashion, they also set up a no-contact pick-up service at the height of the pandemic and were the first in the state to utilize an iLocalbox smart kiosk.
Now, as participants in the Adult Vaccine Program, the pharmacy is providing a service that many require and previously did not have access to.
Kelvin explained, “In the past, the problem was insurance providers only covered vaccines that they thought were important. They decided on what people could and couldn’t get. But now, the state is picking up the responsibility and is making sure that the people who aren’t covered, or who are under-covered, are able to get vaccines too.
“The more people know that we now offer this, the better. So, for the people who don’t have insurance, we definitely encourage them to come see us to get their vaccinations. We just received some COVID vaccines and flu vaccines, but the program also provides other routine vaccines too, like hepatitis, Tdap, measles, shingles – I believe we have all the routine vaccines available.”
Currently, the Pharmacy is offering vaccinations on weekdays between the hours of 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. To book an appointment and for more information, please visit www.TulalipClinicalPharmacy.com
