Category: Arts & Entertainment

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Grounded, at peace, one with the universe are a few phrases that come to mind when thinking of that special connection coastal Natives experience when out on the Salish Sea. But in addition to that, there’s also this strong sense of pride, knowing that you are traveling the same waters as your ancestors, using the same mode of transportation, singing family songs that have been passed down the generations, speaking your tribe’s traditional language, and sharing your teachings as you celebrate the culture with other tribal nations.

That connection is important to experience for tribal adolescents, especially at such a crucial point in their lives; a time of self-discovery, as many prepare to embark on a personal journey of establishing their own identity. It also gives them the opportunity to sharpen and showcase their leadership skills and learn how to carry themselves while representing their respective tribes. Which is why many were elated when Puyallup announced an inter-tribal pull this summer, specifically for the youth. 

The 2024 youth canoe journey is officially underway, and currently there are dozens of canoes already on the water enroute to this year’s final destination at Puyallup. After visiting the neighboring tribes of Nooksack, Lummi, Samish, and Swinomish, the canoes will land at Tulalip this year on Saturday July 27. 

Tulalip began preparations for canoe journey at the top of the year by hosting weekly culture nights, where attendees crafted regalia and various items that could be both utilized and gifted by the youth during the pull to Puyallup. This spring, Tulalip held an awakening ceremony for the tribal canoes, Big Brother, Big Sister, and Little Sister. Shortly after the awakening, the Tribe organized weekly canoe practices, providing the opportunity for participants to train and build endurance for long distance pulls across the sacred waterways.

During the final days leading up to the landing at Tulalip Bay, the Education Division is hosting culture week at the teen center, which is focused on fashioning last minute gear and regalia for this year’s journey. Multiple regalia stations are setup in the gym, where the kids can work on ribbon skirts, wool skirts, beadwork, drumsticks and more. 

Shane McLean, Youth Council Advisor, shared, “From our department, we’re having four chaperones that will be taking twenty youths from the teen center. And then there are youth that the canoes families will be chaperoning themselves as well. I’m estimating that will be around thirty kids, so probably around fifty of our youth will be pulling this year. I’m excited to get our youth connected to the water, to the land. Giving them a chance to go out and sing and get healing, and hopefully gather teachings from different elders along the way.”

Throughout each day, the teens popped in and out of the gym to work on their projects, while still taking time to enjoy the weather outdoors with their friends. On the afternoon of July 23, Tulalip News was able to catch up with seven teens who were buzzing with anticipation as this year’s canoe journey rapidly approaches the shores of Tulalip Bay. 

While on a leisurely stroll of the teen center campus, friends Kiannah Moses and Ellashawnee Gorhan Dumont spoke about what they are looking forward to the most during the 2024 journey. 

After sharing that she had fun during the weekly canoe practices, Kiannah stated, “[Practice] was really fun and pretty cool. I’m looking forward to everything – hanging out with my family, paddling, and camping!”

Ellashawnee added, “I’m excited for the canoes to come in. Canoe Journey makes me happy and proud, it’s awesome to know your culture and just to feel that feeling of being out on the water.”

Madison Sheldon was also soaking up some sunshine and putting in some work at the skatepark when she took a moment to share, “I’m so hyped for canoe journeys because this year I get to paddle. Ever since I got to practice for the first time, I’ve had a connection with the canoes, Big Brother and Big Sister, and I felt so happy paddling with all the fam. I can’t wait for camping out with the family, I love doing that and hanging out with the cousins. I think it’s important to share some parts of our culture with other tribes because some kids don’t know our songs and we don’t know their songs, or what their tribe does and what other tribes do. And I like sharing anything about our tribe.”

Inside of the teen center, Taya Shopbell and Izzabella Jones, proudly held up their ribbon skirts for a photo. Taya shared that she is still thinking about venturing out on the canoe this year, but she is excited to sing and dance during protocol. And Izzabella echoed Taya’s sentiment and said, “It always feels nice to go dance and be a part of my culture. I’m looking forward to camping, going with my friends, and dancing.”

Over at the beading station, Kaidence Stricklin was hard at work, constructing a necklace of purple beads. Taking a quick break to chat with us she admitted, “I honestly don’t know what to expect, but I’m really excited because this is my first time. I’m mostly looking forward to staying up all night and watching protocol.”

Nakoyia Fryberg was beaming with pride as she put the finishing touches on her wool skirt when we caught up with her. She expressed, “I actually just now finished this skirt. And this is the one that I’m going to be wearing on journeys. It took me awhile. I’m looking forward to hearing everyone sing and seeing everyone dance. I think it’s really important to keep it going, so that when we’re not here anymore, it can keep going. We’re trying to ensure that this keeps going even after we’re gone. It’s about seven generations – thinking of the people who aren’t here yet and what we need to do to make sure that the teaching gets to those people.”

For more information about the 2024 youth paddle to Puyallup or Education Division’s culture week, please contact the teen center at (360) 716-4909. 

The Tribe recently put out a request for volunteers for the canoe landing at Tulalip on July 27, from 8am – 8pm. Duties include handing out food/drinks, trash clean up, and dinner/table clean up. For additional details and to sign up to volunteer, please send an inquiry to krisanfryberg@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov. 

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

For more than forty years now, the Tulalip Tribes have transformed a vacant space on their sovereign land into an excitement fueled marketplace for those looking to satisfy the celebration demands of Independence Day. 

Tens of thousands of prospective customers from all across the Pacific Northwest journey to the fireworks-filled Boom City every year seeking the perfect purchase. The most highly desirable family order typically consists of child friendly sparklers, Roman candles and snap poppers that accompany the thrilling sights and sounds of the more advanced pyrotechnics, like booming artillery shells and mesmerizing 500-gram, finale cakes.

Largely illegal in Washington State, the distribution and discharge of fireworks is permitted on the Tulalip Reservation as a direct result of tribal sovereignty. Snohomish County at large, including the surrounding cities of Marysville, Arlington and Everett, have instituted fireworks bans. However, those municipal and county government structures have no authority over Tulalip. Praise the Point Elliot Treaty!

Embodying that sovereignty are the 100 or so stand owners who create the always lively wheeling and dealing atmosphere Boom City is well known for. Each stand owner is a Tulalip entrepreneur looking to cash-in on 4th of July festivities while creating a loyal, return-customer base to add to Boom City’s lore.

Following another successful season, we caught up with a handful of those who best embody the entrepreneurial spirit and have grown up within and around the proud Boom City tradition. Each was asked three simple questions. What did you like this year? What did you dislike? And if you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?

Eliza Davis

Q. What did you like? 

A. I like that we are able to have a lighting area to accommodate customers who are not able to light fireworks elsewhere due to bans in their towns or cities. Without the lighting area, I think we would have a definite decline in our business. 

Q. What did you dislike? 

I didn’t like that our layout. The rows and space for stand owners to A. set up is so uneven. We had some rows with way more space to put merchandise out in front of their stands and then other rows with a significantly less area to work with. The parking lot was also very uneven for those on the North entrance. There was a lot more available parking near the South entrance.

Q. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?

A. So one change I would like to see is finding a way to ensure equal parking on both entrances and that our layout is evenly spaced out. That way all stand owners have access to the same amount of area in front of and around their stands, as well as equal access to foot traffic from both ends of the parking lot.

One other thing I would like us to consider is aligning our fireworks code with our employment code for preference tiers 1-3. We have a lot of decedents who want the opportunity to work and they are not enrolled so they don’t get the opportunity unless their parent has a stand. It makes sense to look at this code through the employment code preference tier from 1-3 to me. These folks live in our community, impact our economy, and many give back to our community.

 

Krislyn Parks

Q. What did you like?

A. I love the community of beautiful Natives coming together to make a living for their family by using our sovereignty and selling people fireworks to celebrate with their friends and family!

Q. What did you dislike?

A. I personally didn’t like that my customers walked around all the bathrooms that were supposed to be open for public use that had locks on them. They couldn’t go to the bathroom, but were sold food and drinks. I don’t understand why our people put locks on free bathrooms. It was really sad to watch kids pee their pants and elders freaking out not being able to use the restroom.

A. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?

Would probably be to have more or better transparency of all aspects because too much is left unsaid and secretive. But also, our customers need bathrooms so let’s start with that.

Wade Sheldon

Q. What did you like? 

A. I liked being there, and being able to hang out with friends and relatives I don’t normally get to see. 

Q. What didn’t you like? 

A. I don’t like how more and more cities are cancelling people being able to light off fireworks by imposing bans, issuing citations, and making it illegal. 

Q. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?

A. I would have all of Boom City lean more into safety. I think that a lot of people buy these fireworks and don’t give them the respect they need. We need to show people how to properly respective fireworks by showing how to handle and light off correctly. By creating safety videos and offering a fireworks safety class at Boom City, we could get more families to come up and more customers for every stand. The more we prepare for the future, the longer we will be able to keep selling fireworks at Boom City.

Sabrina Moses

Q. What did you like? 

A. I love the family time I get. It’s our dad and auntie’s business, Monty Hall Fireworks. To be able to come together every year as a family and Tribe is a blessing to me. This year, it was my brother Brandon Moses, my dad Jon Moses, my nephew Brayden Moses and a family friend Bruce Mosqueda who all worked the stand.  I am very happy with this year’s results. 

Q. What did you dislike? 

This year, I dislike that it was shorter selling season. We rely on all the days we can get.

A. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?

I think all stand owners should have to show up to the Boom City meetings they have each year.

Josh Fryberg

Q. What did you like?

A. What we liked about Boom City was friends and family coming together and helping keep family traditions alive. I remember working Boom City with family when I was just 7 or 8 years old. There are a lot of great memories for so many. We are looking forward to more of our kids being more involved, learning the business side of fireworks, and passing on what they’ve learned to their kids one day.

Q. What did you dislike?

A.We disliked the weather. There was a lot of rain this year leading up to the final week.

Q. If you had the power to make a change for next year, what would it be and why?

A. If we were able to make one change, it would be to have a few meetings with our Tulalip Board of Directors, Boom City committee and stand owners, so we all come together in a good way and create solutions that benefit all of us.

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

On a cozy, rainy Saturday afternoon, June 15, the Hibulb Cultural Center was alive with a shared sense of creativity. The unique ribbon shirt class, led by the renowned Tulalip artist Winona Shopbell-Fryberg, brought together a diverse crowd. From the Sauk-Suattle Reservation to local enthusiasts, everyone was united in their eagerness to delve into the art of creating their ribbon shirts.

The ribbon shirt, whose origins are deeply rooted in the Great Lakes and throughout the Prairie, Plains, and Northeast tribes, carries a profound historical significance. Shopbell-Fryberg explained, “These shirts were created as replacements for war shirts when there was a shortage of hides to make them.” 

Following the French Revolution, extravagant clothing decorated with ribbons went out of style and was exported to the Americas. There, the French traded silk ribbons along with metal for knives and cookware, bells, small mirrors, glass and brass beads, guns, alcohol, and wool blankets to the Native Americans in the latter part of the 18^th century. By the 19^th century, Europeans noticed that many tribes had incorporated ribbon work applique into their culture.

Shopbell-Fryberg is widely recognized as a respected cultural leader. She is revered for her exceptional beadwork on earrings and medallions and her expertise in creating ribbon skirts. Her classes offer invaluable guidance to those looking to acquire these skills, and given the success of her second ribbon shirt class, it’s evident that her teachings are highly sought after. 

“I’m self-taught in making ribbon shirts,” Shopbell-Fryberg said. “My son needed a shirt, so instead of finding a pattern, I used one of his existing shirts to create my design. I have been teaching various classes for over ten years. This is my second ribbon shirt class, and I would like to teach more classes if there is a demand.”

Her hands-on teaching approach effectively demonstrates simplified methods for creating ribbon shirts. Anyone with basic sewing machine skills can quickly master these methods. By breaking down the project into manageable steps, she instills confidence in individuals with limited sewing experience, showing them they can achieve success.

One of those who was there to learn a new skill was Tulalip tribal member Bryce Carpenter-Juneau, who said, “It was easier than I thought. I was nervous about the sewing going into it because my wife usually sews. So, I figured I would try to learn myself. That way, I could help her out in a pinch. I enjoyed the class, and instead of just purchasing a ribbon shirt, I thought it would mean more to make one myself, knowing my sweat went into it. I would definitely retake this class.” 

“I made a ribbon shirt about 20 years ago,” said Hermina O-Raven from Sauk-Suattle. “I like this style because you can use anybody’s shirt as an outline instead of buying a pattern. I enjoyed the class, but we always want it to be longer. I couldn’t finish my shirt, but with the start I got from the class, I will be able to finish it at home.”

As the afternoon concluded, participants left the Hibulb Cultural Center with new ribbon shirts and a deeper connection to their heritage. 

For more information on workshops and other events at Hibulb, visit their website at www.hibulbculturalcenter.org.

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Whether you’re catching some rays by the relaxing shores of the Salish Sea, out harvesting traditional foods in the natural world, or looking for something to capture your attention to pass the time while working in a firework stand at Boom City, make this short list of Indigenous novels your companion this summer for some fun, entertaining, thrilling, and emotional reads. 

Each of the following books are filled with rez humor, traditional lessons, and haunting tales that ultimately bring attention to issues that we face as Indigenous people in 2024, such as boarding school trauma, Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/People, and substance abuse/addiction. 

What makes all of the stories so powerful and inspiring for the Native community is the fact that most of the main characters must recall and rely on their ancestral teachings to get through a number of dilemmas and survive the story. What that looks like in today’s modern society is half the fun, and it’s what makes each of these books certified page-turners. 

If you are an audiobook listener or old-school paperback reader, be sure to pick up a copy of these works to help support Indigenous art and writers. Happy reading!

Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

Following up his classic debut, There, There, Tommy Orange returns with an emotionally heavy novel that takes a deep dive into the assimilation era, and the trickle-down effect it’s had on tribal families for multiple generations since. 

Wandering Stars is technically a sequel and revisits some of the main characters from There, There and digs into their family history. However, Wandering Stars can easily be read as a standalone. But there are several references and connections between the two novels, so if you have the time and haven’t read There, There, just yet, we highly recommend it!

“Extending his constellation of narratives into the past and future, Tommy Orange once again delivers a story that is by turns shattering and wondrous, a book piercing in its poetry, sorrow, and rage—a masterful follow-up to his already-classic first novel, and a devastating indictment of America’s war on its own people.”

Never Whistle at Night:  An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology by Shane Hawk

Fair warning, some of the stories in this book will stick with you for several days and are downright scary. We’re talking ghosts, monsters, curses, hauntings, sinister revenge plots. But of course, you were probably able to surmise that on your own from the title, as the message to Never Whistle at Night is embedded into the brain of every Indigenous youth, adult, and elder all across the nation. 

In this book, we are introduced to nearly thirty original stories by well-known Indigenous authors like Stephen Graham Jones, Morgan Talty, Kelli Jo Ford, Nick Medina, Norris Black, Waubgeshig Rice, and many, many more.

“Many Indigenous people believe that one should never whistle at night. This belief takes many forms: for instance, Native Hawaiians believe it summons the Hukai’po, the spirits of ancient warriors, and Native Mexicans say it calls Lechuza, a witch that can transform into an owl. But what all these legends hold in common is the certainty that whistling at night can cause evil spirits to appear—and even follow you home.”

Indian Burial Ground by Nick Medina

Like most of Nick Medina’s works, Indian Burial Ground, is extremely difficult to put down once you get started. With fast pacing and short chapters, you are sure to fly through this book in no time.

Through his stories, Nick Medina tackles Indigenous issues head-on. In his bestseller, Sisters of the Lost Nation, Medina does an excellent job of bringing attention to the MMIW epidemic and its effects on a tribal community. The two underlying themes that he explores in Indian Burial Ground are teen suicide and alcoholism. 

In an attempt to make this recommendation completely spoiler free, we’ll leave the shocking mystery to you. But what we will share is that Medina ramps up his storytelling ability and has the reader following two timelines; one in present time and the other occurs during the summer in the 80’s. 

“All Noemi Broussard wanted was a fresh start. With a new boyfriend who actually treats her right and a plan to move from the reservation she grew up on—just like her beloved Uncle Louie before her—things are finally looking up for her. Until the news of her boyfriend’s apparent suicide brings her world crumbling down. But the facts about Roddy’s death just don’t add up, and Noemi isn’t the only one who suspects something menacing might be lurking within their tribal lands.”

Where They Last Saw Her by Marcie R. Rendon

Set on the Red Pine reservation in Minnesota, this novel follows Quill as she decides to take it upon herself to find answers after another woman from her rez goes missing. Out of all the fantastic reads on this list, Where They Last Saw Her, has the highest rating across all platforms, including Goodreads, Amazon, Audible, and Apple books. 

Trigger warning, this book touches on difficult subjects that Indigenous women unfortunately often experience such as violence against women and sex trafficking. This book is raw, heartbreaking, as well as powerful and educational, and Rendon masterfully provides insight and perspective on the MMIW/P epidemic. 

“As Quill closes in on the truth behind the missing woman in the woods, someone else disappears. In her quest to find justice for the women of the reservation, she is confronted with the hard truths of their home and the people who purport to serve them. When will she stop losing neighbors, friends, family? As Quill puts herself, her family, and everything she’s built on the line to make a difference, the novel asks searing questions about bystander culture, the reverberations of even one act of crime, and the long-lasting trauma of being invisible.”

The Indian Lake Trilogy by Stephen Graham Jones

Truth be told, every single literary piece of fiction by SGJ should be on everybody’s TBR list. Ahead of The Indian Lake Trilogy, Stephen Graham Jones became famous for weaving in traditional stories into contemporary reads with a horror twist. However, this series isn’t that. Sure, there may be callbacks to certain Indigenous legends and lore, but the main character in this series is a badass Indigenous teen girl, Jade Daniels, whose love for slasher films may just save her life as well as her loved ones. 

The three novels of the trilogy are: My Heart is a Chainsaw, Don’t Fear the Reaper, and The Angel of Indian Lake. This series is like a cross between Sherman Alexie’s The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian and the entire Friday the 13^th film collection. The Indian Lake Trilogy is a must read. It is gory, beautiful, and most importantly, it teaches a significant lesson about caring for the land and the impact colonization has on sacred territories. 

“You won’t find a more hardcore eighties-slasher-film fan than high school senior Jade Daniels. And you won’t find a place less supportive of girls who wear torn T-shirts and too much eyeliner than Proofrock, nestled eight thousand feet up a mountain in Idaho, alongside Indian Lake, home to both Camp Blood – site of a massacre fifty years ago – and, as of this summer, Terra Nova, a second-home celebrity Camelot being carved out of a national forest. That’s not the only thing that’s getting carved up, though – this, Jade knows, is the start of a slasher. But what kind? Who’s wearing the mask? ….. Go up the mountain to Proofrock. See if you’ve got what it takes – see if your heart, too, might be a chainsaw.”

The Moon Series by Waubgeshig Rice

This series is comprised of two novels: Moon of the Crusted Snow and Moon of the Turning Leaves. Many of you can easily buy into the premise of this series as lots of Indigenous families have experienced this at least once in their lives, albeit at a much smaller degree. This is especially true for those who call Tulalip home and have dealt with days-long power outages from windstorms, where we felt disconnected from the world. 

These books take place on a remote reservation, far away from the conveniences of city-living. When the entire rez loses power and communication from the outside world, tribal members have to hunker down and survive a long and cold winter. Days turn to weeks and weeks turn to months as they return to their traditions and are able to get by on the strength of community alone. However, things take a fast and dark turn when the people agree to take in non-Tribal refugees who are fleeing a post-apocalyptic society. 

“With winter looming, a small northern Anishinaabe community goes dark. Cut off, people become passive and confused. Panic builds as the food supply dwindles. While the band council and a pocket of community members struggle to maintain order, an unexpected visitor arrives, escaping the crumbling society to the south. Soon after, others follow…. Blending action and allegory, Moon of the Crusted Snow upends our expectations. Out of catastrophe comes resilience. And as one society collapses, another is reborn.”