Six million holiday lights brighten the skies as spectacular “Tulalip Lights” – the largest display in Washington State – returns Wednesday, November 22

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.

Weavers Delight: Traditional teachings at the NNABA

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News 

Steeped in tradition forged by our ancestors, master weavers came from Canada, Oregon, Idaho, and all over Washington state to teach at the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association (NNABA). The two-day event, October 28 to 29, was held at the Muckleshoot Casino in Tacoma. 

Hundreds of attendees eagerly awaited their chance to learn traditional style teachings from weavers who have dedicated their lives to learning the ways of our ancestors. Creating clothing, baskets, and art connects us to our roots and creates strong bonds between one another when we share these teachings. 

“Since Covid, this will be our first year back in four years,” Teresa Harvey of Puyallup tribes said. “Everyone at the event belongs to the NNABA, and different tribes get to host. All the teachers at this event are master weavers, and they create different things you get to learn at each table. There is easy all the way to difficult, and you pick what you want to learn and sign up at the different booths. If you choose a hat, it may take you all day, or if you pick a different item, it may only take a couple of hours.” 

Throughout the day, when someone finished an item, the announcer had them show the room what they had created. Eruptions of applause let the students know their accomplishment didn’t go unnoticed. 

“This has been a wonderful event, Alfred Lane, aka “Bud”, from the Siletz tribe in Oregon, said, “The Puyallup’s have been wonderful hosts. There’s a lot of support for NNABA. We are a non-profit and rely on help to put this thing on. It’s a labor of love for everybody here. It’s fantastic. One thing I would like to see is expanding our youth track; there’s an area for the youth to learn. To me, that’s the future, and I’m amazed at the interest they are taking. If you’re not teaching that younger generation, or if there’s a link missing in that chain, you’re heading over a cliff at some point, and we must ensure that doesn’t happen.”

When asked about the most challenging part about weaving, Bud replied, “Well, I always call it work, but the hardest part is the gathering. It’s also one of the most enjoyable parts. You get to go out in the woods, pick some things, peel some things, then prepare them for the next step. I always say gathering and preparing is 90% of the process of making baskets. We are basket makers. All we need is a place to sit inside, a table, a chair, and some water. Then we can create.”

“I have been teaching for over five years,” Jamie Sheldon of the Tulalip tribes said. “The event was awesome; everyone was excited to be back. I love teaching and want more people to come and learn because basket weaving is a part of our culture. If I can teach someone from our tribe, and they go on to teach someone, then that is an accomplishment for me and the next generation.”

To know more about the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association, visit www.nnaba.net. If you would like to learn how to weave baskets or jewelry, and you live around the Tulalip Reservation, Jamie teaches every Wednesday from 5 to 7 at the Hibulb Cultural Center. 

Everett Municipal Building receives Coast Salish makeover

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Tulalip’s neighboring city to the south, Everett, is the seventh-largest city in all of Washington State by population, and it’s by far the largest city in Snohomish County. Established in 1890, the city of Everett is situated on a peninsula. Its city boundaries are designated by the Snohomish River to the east and the Salish Sea to the west.

In precolonial times, long before imaginary map borders, the land Everett was built upon was home to our Tulalip ancestors. As a sustenance people who lived off the land and natural environment, they flourished in the ideal fishing location. But that was then. And this is now.

To live in the now is to recognize and embrace the many ways modern Tulalip people have adapted while continuing to flourish well into the 21st century. One such way is evident through our boundary-redefining, limit-pushing artists who refuse to placate a binary system that deems their work traditional or non-traditional. Instead, they embrace challenges to create visionary works of art as they routinely use the latest technologies available in order to manifest their inspired visions via a multitude of mediums.

The latest example comes from a truly vibrant collaborative effort between the city of Everett and Tulalip master carver, James Madison. The Everett Mayor’s office desired an artist’s touch to remake the outside of the Everett Municipal Building, located at the intersection of Wetmore Avenue and Wall Street. After a call went out for artists, James was rewarded with the job.

His vision for the project, titled Save Our Salish Sea, was unveiled in late October. Taken together, this enormous metal fabrication installation made up of bold red, yellow, and black colors is impossible to miss for pedestrians and commuters alike. But forged into the durable aluminum and medicine wheel colored pallet is a traditional teaching that has been passed down from one Tulalip generation to the next.

“With this project, I wanted to pay respect to our culture as this region’s first people,” explained James. “I tried to showcase our culture and who our people are, while paying respect to the Salish Sea through the blackfish, salmon, and our stories that have been passed on for generations.

“The salmon run that wraps around the building represents Sockeye,” he continued. “They used to be so abundant in our local waters, but now their runs are really short and even desolate in some places. It’s important that we continue to raise awareness of the dwindling salmon runs because their well-being is interconnected with the well-being of both blackfish and human populations. My grandpa always told me that it’s up to us to keep the blackfish and salmon alive because if they go away, then humans will go away as well.”

At the heart of this latest collaboration between a local city and one of our artists is a respect for the cultural heritage that pre-dates the urban landscapes that have taken over Coast Salish territory. 

By adorning municipal buildings, ferry terminals, college campuses, and other widely visited public spaces with Tulalip art embedded with iconic cultural imagery, local municipalitiesare finally moving in a positive direction to help preserve the vibrant traditions, intricate artistry, and spiritual symbolism that define our Native culture.

Indigenous Cinephiles: Hibulb Cultural Center now  accepting entries for annual Film Festival

Submitted by Ana Ramirez; photo by Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The 11th annual Hibulb Cultural Center Film Festival will be taking place November 4, from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. We are very excited to be growing our film festival. So far, we have over 50 submissions. 

Among the films being shown are a documentary short about Lily Gladstone, who is the lead actress in the upcoming film Killers of the Flower Moon, which will have its global theatrical release on October 20.  Furthermore, we have a short film directed by Taietsarón:sere ‘Tai’ Leclaire, who was a writer and actor for NBC comedy Rutherford Falls. We also have a documentary short about Autumn Peltier, a First Nations Activist and Chief Water Commissioner for the Anishinabek Nation who has addressed the United Nations.

We will be showing youth friendly films in Classroom 2 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. 

In Classroom 2, from 1:00 p.m. – 6:00 pm, we will be showing films in different languages about Indigenous communities across the globe, including Brazil (Portuguese), Latin America (Spanish), and even Taiwan (Mandarin Chinese).  We are thrilled about the lineup of films so far made by Indigenous People and communities across the U.S., Canada, and New Zealand. We have a couple films in the Cherokee language as well.  

This year we will be giving out seven awards, one for the seven Tulalip stories/values. These include the Crane and Changer, who teaches us to respect elders and pay attention to their good words; Her First Basket that teaches us to uphold and respect ancestral teachings; How Daylight was Stolen, which teaches us to value work to uphold and serve our people, and so on. 

For more on the Tulalip story values, visit https://www.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov/WhoWeAre/MissionVisionAndValues

If you are, or know, a filmmaker, please submit your film at filmfreeway.com/HCC2023 from now until October 21. If you have questions or concerns about the Hibulb Film Festival, please contact Film Festival Coordinator and Education Curator, Ana Ramirez at ana@hibulbculturalcenter.org or by phone at 360-716-2640.

Curating culture in the City of Kenmore

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Slightly less than an hour’s drive from the Tulalip Reservation, going southbound on I-5, one can find the City of Kenmore. A relatively small city with an estimated 24,000 residents, it’s a suburban town that occupies the land where the Sammamish River joins Lake Washington.

Native Americans were the only people living in what is now the Kenmore area as recently as two hundred years ago. They lived on the waterway that later became known as the Sammamish Slough. It’s not difficult to imagine these Coast Salish ancestors establishing multiple villages in such a pristine fishing and hunting area, with each village having one or more cedar-plank longhouses to hold village families.

According to the Kenmore Historical Society, it was a great place to live, to fish, and to hunt. Migrating salmon entered the lake from the sea and swam to the mouth of the Sammamish Slough. Ducks and geese were abundant, landing in nearby marshes and the estuary on their annual migrations. Game was plentiful, and the area supported large populations of otters, beavers, muskrats, and other animals.

Flash forward to 2023, and that stunning Coast Salish identity that once thrived on those pre-colonized Kenmore lands is actively being curated once again by modern-day culture-bearers. The latest example of this reclamation process occurred just this summer as a special story pole awakening ceremony kicked off the city’s 25th anniversary celebration. 

Installed in the heart of the town square and unveiled during a city-wide celebration is a towering 12-foot story pole created by Tulalip artist Ty Juvinel.

“I get asked the question often, “What is a story pole?” because people think we only made totem poles. When, in fact, our Coast Salish ancestors of this region made story poles and house poles,” shared Ty. “The difference was that a house pole was kept inside, while story poles were placed outside and were of utmost importance in acknowledging a nearby longhouse.

“I’ve been told there used to be a longhouse where the town hall used to be,” added the 36-year-old culture bearer. “The meaning behind this story pole actually explains the meaning of why Tulalip’s logo is the killer whale. The inspiration comes from the traditional story Seal Hunter Brothers as told by Lushootseed legend Martha Lamont. Further inspiration for this pole’s design and carving style was to intentionally reflect the style of [last hereditary chief of the Snohomish Tribe] William Shelton and the story poles he created.”

Ty spent hundreds of hours over the course of months to create this awe-inspiring story pole that started as a 12-foot tall by 30-inch wide single Cedar beam procured along the peninsula.

At their core, story poles are cultural storytellers. They are meticulously carved from large, straight cedar logs – chosen for their durability and resistance to decay – using various handheld tools. The intricate designs and figures adorning the poles are then carefully painted with earth tone or Medicine Wheel pigments.

Each story pole narrates a unique story, most often detailing a tribal village’s history or an iconic narrative that’s been told for millennia. They are central to preserving and spreading traditional teachings passed on via the oral tradition, a key aspect of Coast Salish culture.

In that vein, it’s become an artist’s signature for Ty to welcome members of the local community to leave a lasting mark on his story poles to both solidify allyship and serve as a reminder that they heard the pole’s story and can be held accountable to pass on the teaching. He achieves this by inviting all those in attendance at the story pole’s awakening to leave their painted thumbprint on a dedicated panel at the pole’s base.

“It solidifies the story pole being welcomed into the community. There isn’t a lot of opportunity for people to engage with art or our culture, making it much more memorable for those who leave their fingerprint,” said Ty. “Twenty years from now or even longer, those who were here might return, and when they do, they’ll be able to spot their print and, hopefully, remember what they witnessed and tell others about it.”

Coast Salish story poles are so much more than wooden sculptures, they are living embodiments of Indigenous history, culture, and spirituality. With their roots stretching back millennia, they stand as a testament to the resilience and enduring traditions of the region’s first peoples. As they continue to be celebrated and respected, their stories, like Martha Lamont’s Seal Hunter Brothers, will echo through the ages, ensuring that this tradition remains alive for generations to come.

TeePee Creepers take over Bite of Seattle

“If if there is a secret ingredient, it’s love. The love I have for my people, my culture, my family, and my customers who keep us in business.”

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

One of Washington’s most iconic culinary traditions, The Bite of Seattle, made a historical 2023 return after being shut down the previous three years for various Covid-related concerns. The weekend-long food festival took place July 21 – 23 at its usual and accustomed grounds located in the heart of Seattle Center. 

Local Q13 Fox News affiliate reported the Bite reeled in more than 75,000 people on the first night alone. This year’s event easily shattered previous attendance records, attracting diverse attendees and vendors.

Among the vibrant spirits and culinary diversity among 100+ food vendors was Tulalip’s own master fryer Lynette Jimicum. She journeyed to the Emerald City’s three-day food extravaganza with her dedicated family crew, who helped operate rez-famous TeePee Creepers.

“We were told by coordinators that we are the very first Native Americans to have a food stand at the Bite of Seattle,” asserted Lynette, the 57-year-old teepee creeping proprietor.

At the behest of her sons, nephews, and cousins, who enjoyed her food on the regular and suggested she enter the food market, she debuted her frybread concoctions at Tulalip’s 2015 bone games. Her debut was so successful that she followed up with another appearance only weeks later at Boom City, again with great success. The rest, as they say, is history. 

“I was truly surprised by my early success…that the people loved my cooking and simple, homemade chili, salsa, and jam to add even more flavor to my frybread,” reflected Lynette. “Since then, I’ve been doing big gathering events, especially cultural events hosted by local tribes from Lummi to Muckleshoot. Everywhere I go, people love my food. I keep a very simple menu with all local ingredients, but if there is a secret ingredient, it’s love. The love I have for my people, my culture, my family, and my customers who keep us in business.”

Known best for its mouthwatering, extra fluffy, crispy on the outside, tender on the inside, golden-colored frybread dishes, TeePee Creepers brought out all sweet and savory hits. The O.G. standard frybread and jam, Indian tacos with homemade chili, two hands required rez burgers, and delicious frybread shortcake. 

While the record-setting Bite attendance overwhelmed many vendors, resulting in extra long lines and wait times, Lynette’s thirteen-person frybread wrecking crew banged out order after countless order with ease. TeePee Creepers stood out for having an open cooking area in full view of spectators to take pictures and videos as they witnessed, perhaps for the first time ever, actual Native American cuisine being cooked up by actual Native Americans. 

“We’ve been asked a lot of questions by people who have never heard of nor seen frybread before. It’s been nonstop, questions about frybread or them asking to take our picture,” said Charissa Sigo after posing with freshly made frybread for a Venezuelan customer.

“It’s been a lot of fun. We got a good team going on here,” added Carla Hillaire while kneading dough destined for a sizzling oil bath. “Our vibes have been so good that we added another item to the menu: smiles! A side of free smiles comes with every order.”

Bite of Seattle 2023 lived up to its reputation as a community-driven event that fosters connections. The festival provided a platform for local businesses like TeePee Creepers, and food artisans like Lynette to showcase their unique, homemade offerings. Offering a new way to experience a cross-cultural exchange, one bite at a time.

Native Americans have found empowerment and community-building opportunities through making and selling frybread in several ways:

  • Cultural Preservation: Frybread serves as a symbol of Native American cultural identity and resilience. By making and selling frybread, Native Americans are keeping their culinary traditions alive and passing them down to younger generations. This act of cultural preservation helps instill a sense of pride and connection to their heritage.
  • Economic Independence: For many Native American communities, economic opportunities can be limited, especially on reservations and in rural areas. By selling frybread at powwows, festivals, and other events, individuals and tribal groups can generate income to support themselves and their families. This economic independence can help reduce reliance on government assistance and foster self-sufficiency.
  • Community Bonding: Making and selling frybread often involve community efforts and collaboration. Families and tribal members come together to prepare and cook the bread, creating a sense of unity and shared purpose. This communal activity strengthens social ties within the community and reinforces a sense of belonging.
  • Entrepreneurship and Small Businesses: Some Native Americans have turned frybread-making into small businesses. They may sell frybread from food trucks, roadside stands, or even establish restaurants that feature traditional Native American cuisine. Through these entrepreneurial ventures, individuals can contribute to the local economy and create job opportunities for others.
  • Cultural Exchange and Education: Selling frybread at public events provides an opportunity for cultural exchange. Native Americans can share their heritage, traditions, and history with non-Native customers, fostering understanding and appreciation for their culture. This can also combat stereotypes and misconceptions about Native American communities.
  • Funding for Tribal Initiatives: Revenue generated from selling frybread can be reinvested in tribal initiatives, such as educational programs, healthcare services, infrastructure development, and cultural events. By using the income strategically, tribes can address various needs and challenges faced by their communities.
  • Advocacy and Awareness: In some cases, frybread sales have been used as a platform for advocacy and raising awareness about Native American issues. Activists and community leaders may use these opportunities to discuss the history of frybread, its connections to colonial oppression, and advocate for healthier food options and cultural preservation.

Despite the positive aspects, it is also essential to consider potential challenges and concerns related to frybread consumption. The high-fat content and processed nature of the dish have been associated with health issues such as obesity and diabetes within some Native American communities. Thus, efforts to promote healthier traditional foods and food sovereignty continue to be important alongside the celebration of frybread’s cultural significance.

Learning the language at Tulalip Lushootseed Camp

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

With summer in high gear, Tulalip’s Lushootseed Language Camp concluded its first week on July 14. Each week is capped off with a play the children practice throughout the week and then perform for their families. This year’s play is Deer and Changer, which tells the story of how the deer got extra bones in their feet. Through this play, various lessons and teachings are implemented in daily activities during camp.

From bone games, cedar weaving, listening to elder stories on their tablets, and learning the language of the Tulalip people, the children benefit greatly from learning the ways of the past.

 “Teaching the language connects them with the ancestors. These words and the language had existed on this land way before we were even thought of,” said Lois Landgrebe, Lushootseed teacher. “To hear all the kids be able to sing the songs, and for the language to take a front seat instead of always a backseat is a beautiful thing to witness.” 

“Hearing the traditional stories, how the language is spoken, and listening to their elders’ recordings is a big part of what is being taught at the language camp,” said Lushootseed teacher Ni-Ko-Ti St. Onge. “Watching their play and seeing how far they come in such a short time is one of my favorite parts.”

Michele Balagot, Lushootseed Manager, said, “Teaching Lushootseed is beneficial to the youth learning more than one language helps with brain development and opens their minds to more possibilities. Some kids don’t get a chance to learn Lushootseed in school; this is the only chance they get to participate in learning the language. My favorite part of Lushootseed camp is on Fridays. All the parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunties get to come together to watch their child in the program sing, dance, and act in a play.” 

You do not need to be a Tulalip tribal member or Native American to sign up. Everyone is welcome to come and learn about the Native culture. “Bring your kids and volunteer, and we can always use community members, even elders. It is lovely to have an elder come, even for an afternoon,” Lois said as the kids sang in the background. “It is a great time for the kids, keeping them busy and having fun.”

At the end of each ceremony, the children hand out all the gifts they made, and everyone gathers around the tables for a traditional fish meal. Thomas Williams, who also teaches Lushootseed, said, “It is essential after a long week of learning the ancestral ways to participate in eating a traditional meal prepared in a sacred way. Tying the lessons they learned and implementing what they were taught, by letting the elders and guests eat first while they hand out the gifts they made, are special and provide a solid foundation for learning and respect.”

Lushootseed Camp lasts for one week and has two sessions. The second session is July 24 to 28. For more information, please get in touch with Natosha Gobin at ngobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov or Michele Balagot at mbalagot@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.

A sduhubš summer: Tulalip community is set for an eventful season

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The sun is out, and the temperature is steadily growing warmer with each passing day, as we officially reached the season of summer. Time that was previously occupied by school work, sports, after school activities, and indoor projects, has opened up and many will be looking to have some fun in the sun. Tulalip is known for planning an entertaining summer each year, which always includes a healthy dose of imparting cultural knowledge to the next generations. 

For tribal members, events and activities are often based around the act of exercising your treaty rights and flexing your tribe’s sovereignty through harvesting cedar, huckleberries, and salmon, as well as selling federally legal fireworks at Boom City. Throw in some summer camps geared toward tribal youth, a golf tournament, a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community, a salmon bake fundraiser, and a variety of health-focused events, the Tulalip community is set for an eventful summer.

With all the events scheduled to happen over the next two months, it might be easy to overlook and ultimately miss out on any number of the upcoming gatherings. For this reason, we compiled a list of some of the major happenings taking place at Tulalip throughout the summer. We invite you to pull out your red felt tip pens and mark down the following events on your personal calendar.

Boom City 

Open Daily 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 a.m. through July 4

The Northwest pyrotechnic capital is officially open for the holiday season. Tulalip entrepreneurs set up their vibrant and creatively designed stands at the lot located behind the Tulalip Resort Casino. 

The stand owners have innumerable types of fireworks available for purchase including cakes, firecrackers, bottle rockets, sparklers, Roman candles, fountains, smoke bombs, pop-its, and many more. Boom City also offers a designated area for people to enjoy their fireworks safely and legally. Several food vendors are stationed at Boom City as well serving up treats such as Hawaiian shaved ice, frybread and tacos.

Tulalip Health Clinic Garden Day

July 8, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

This event is dedicated to pruning the beautiful and serene Medicine Wheel Garden & Wellness Garden Trail, located behind the Tulalip Health Clinic. A fun gathering for the entire family, the community spends time tidying up the trail and garden beds. This is the perfect opportunity for the young ones to learn some tips on planting new crops and maintaining a home garden.

Hosted by the Diabetes Care and Prevention program, the Garden Day events are sure to draw a large amount of participants, who in turn are treated to a delicious and nutritious breakfast, snack, and lunch for their dedication and efforts. Each volunteer gardener is also gifted with a box of fruits and veggies, donated by Klesick Farms, as well as gardening tools and seedlings to transplant into their home gardens.

Special guest: Leslie Lekos from Wildroot Botanicals.

26th annual Lushootseed Language Camp

Week one July 10 – 14, Week two July 17 – 21

Registration for Language Camp is now open!  The camp tends to fill up quick and is limited to 50 kids per week. So be sure to reach out to the Lushootseed Language Department for a sign-up form to get your kiddos enrolled to this cultural enriching day camp. This year’s Language Camp will take place at the Kenny Moses Building from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. every day and is open to youth between the ages of five and twelve. 

During each fun-filled week, the youth learn several teachings of the Coast Salish culture including weaving, smudging, beading necklaces, and harvesting local plants, like devil’s club, for medicine and ceremonial art. Throughout the five-day camp, the young Lushootseed Language Warriors will be fully immersed in the traditional language, stories and songs of their people through a combination of interactive lessons, including outdoor play and a series of visual programs that are taught on tablets.

Tulalip Education Division Summer Camp

Starts July 10, Daily Hours 7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m

The Tulalip Education Division has quite the summer planned for the teens of the community. Open to youth who are in grades 6 – 12, the summer camp has activities scheduled for every day of the week including mini-outings on Mondays, swim days on Tuesdays, Teen Center fun on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and Field Trip Fridays. 

Just one look at the schedule for Field Trip Fridays will have your teen excited and ready to sign up for the summer camp as soon as possible. Field trips include excursions to Snow Goose Produce, the Family Fun Center, the movies, Game Works, as well as to a Seattle Storm game and a Mariners game. The camp also planned for a cultural empowerment week during July 17 – 20 with activities such as beading, weaving and ribbon skirt crafting.

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks will be served daily. For more info, please contact the Teen Center at (360) 716-4909.

2nd annual Tulalip Recovery Campout

July 13 – 19

A six-day trip to Lopez Island is scheduled for the recovery community of Tulalip. The campout is hosted by the Recovery Resource Center (ODMAP) and was a great success last year. This year promises more fun in the great outdoors. 

Lopez Island is a sacred place for the sduhubš people and is the location where many of the tribe’s ancestors journeyed to every summer to harvest salmon and shellfish.

Said ODMAP Project Coordinator, Kali Joseph, “The Campout will include a variety of activities including hiking, kayaking, camp fire recovery meetings, a coin ceremony countdown, incentives/prizes, team building activities, game nights, and more. This Campout was established to support our recovery community and foster a strong peer support network among those walking a sober life. It is also designed to bring healing to the trauma and grief associated with substance use disorder and addiction. Its mission is to bring forward awareness and to highlight that recovery is possible because we are all connected.”

To RSVP and learn more information about the Recovery Campout, please contact (360) 722-2255.

Leah’s Dream Foundation 9th annual Golf Tournament 

July 15

Beloved by golfers all across the county, this annual tournament provides an opportunity for hundreds of players to hit the links of the Battle Creek course while advocating for inclusion, promoting awareness, and raising funds for the special needs community of Tulalip and Marysville. 

Leah’s Dream Foundation is a non-profit dedicated to empowering children and young adults diagnosed with autism. By hosting events and get-togethers for the local youth living with disabilities, the organization provides a safe space where the kids can simply be themselves and build friendships within the special needs community.

The foundation was established in 2015 by Tribal member Deanna Sheldon, whose daughter Leah Stacy is on the spectrum and is diagnosed with apraxia. The golf tournament is an event that Leah looks forward to every year and she lends a hand in preparing for the event by posting signs of all the sponsors throughout the 18-hole golf course. 100% of the tournaments proceeds goes directly back to the local special needs community for both events as well as for learning tools, resources, and curriculum. 

To sign up for the annual golf tournament, please visit Leah’s Dream Foundation on Facebook for more details. 

spee-bi-dah

July 22, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Connecting multiple generations and families, the summertime potlatch celebrates the lifeways of the sduhubš people. Held on the Spee-Bi-Dah beach, the gathering provides tribal members a chance to socialize with friends and family while traditionally harvesting and preparing the foods of their ancestral diet, including salmon, clams, and crab. 

A main attraction of the day is when the community pulls together, literally, by using the traditional method of seining to capture fresh foods for the salmon and clam bakes. 

Canoe Journey – Tulalip Landing

July 27

While enroute to this year’s final destination at Muckleshoot, canoes from all across the Pacific Northwest will make a quick visit to the tribal nation of Tulalip. Celebrated every summer by Coast Salish tribes and First Nation bands, the canoe journey affords tribal members of all ages the opportunity to connect to their ancestral way of life. By navigating the Salish Sea on cedar dugout canoes, the people are exposed to several traditions, songs, foods, and dances as they journey from one village to the next.  

The Tulalip Family Canoes will take to the waters following the landing at Tulalip Bay. The canoes are scheduled to arrive at Muckleshoot during the week of July 30th. A weeklong protocol will then ensue, and every tribe will get the chance to share their culture with the Indigenous community at large. 

Tulalip is currently holding canoe practices every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in anticipation of this year’s paddle. 

Tulalip Health Clinic annual Health Fair

August 4, 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Promoting overall health and wellness, the Karen I. Fryberg Health Clinic is once again hosting their annual Health Fair gathering this August. During the six-hour event, community members can visit a number of informational booths and learn the importance of prioritizing one’s health, and also pick up new tips on how to manage their medical diagnoses and concerns. In addition to helpful resources, the community can also receive free screenings and donate blood. And of course, the fan favorite fun run/walk will also be occurring at the health fair. 

This year’s event will take place at the Tulalip Gathering Hall. 

2nd annual Pride Everyday BBQ

August 13, 12:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Following last year’s great turnout, the Tulalip Pride BBQ returns with the promise of more fun, more dancing, and more delicious barbeque. DJ Monie will be spinning tunes during the event, so you can be sure to expect some fun dance competitions throughout the summertime celebration. 

The event includes face painting, a ribbon shirt and skirt contest, and a sidewalk chalk art station. All ages are welcome to join the gathering to honor and support the local 2-Spirit and LGBTQ+ community. The Pride Everyday BBQ is set to take place on the teen center campus, at the outdoor shelter between the skate park and the baseball diamond. 

Hibulb Cultural Center annual Salmon Bake Fundraiser 

August 19

The Tulalip Foundation puts together an exquisite night that highlights Tulalip’s rich culture every August 19. While showcasing the songs, art, and history of the tribe, the foundation hosts the Salmon Bake to help bring in funds to benefit the Hibulb Cultural Center’s exhibits, classes, and events. 

During the gathering, the museum opens up its exhibits to all those in attendance. And often times, several Tulalip artists are invited to hold live demonstrations in carving, looming, and weaving. Leading up to the Salmon Bake, the foundation acquires numerous items from around the tribe to put up for bid during the silent auction. Those items include paintings, beadwork, sculptures, and cedar woven pieces, as well as gift baskets and gift certificates for the Tulalip Resort Casino.  

War Canoe Races – Tulalip Bay Circuit

August 19 & 20

A thrilling occurrence for both competitors and spectators alike, the Salish-wide canoe racing event will make its appearance at Tulalip Bay during the third weekend of August. Over a hundred racers take part every year and hit the waters at full speed, making laps from the Tulalip longhouse to Hermosa beach and back again. Designed with swiftness in mind, the war canoes are sleek and narrower than traditional cedar dugouts. 

Racers train year-round in hopes of bringing home the first-place trophy for the Tulalip Bay circuit. This year there will be single, double, six-man, and eleven-man races throughout the weekend. 

Tulalip Health Clinic Farm Tour & U-Pick

August 22, 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

This summer’s Farm Tour & U-Pick event will be hosted at Hazel Blue Acres, Fuentes Family Farm. The event is organized by the Diabetes Care and Prevention program of the Tulalip Health Clinic and is a great way to learn about the produce you consume and how it is grown and harvested. In previous years, families gathered fresh vegetables and brought them home to incorporate into their meals. 

With a change of location, the community will be excited to learn that Hazel Blue Acres specializes in cultivating blueberries. Tulalip tribal members, their families, and patients of the health clinic are invited to the Arlington based farm to harvest up to five pounds of blueberries per family. 

hikw siyab yubəč: Big Chief King Salmon 

By Kalvin Valdillez; photos by Wade Sheldon and Kalvin Valdillez

Hundreds of Tulalip members stood upon a small bluff overlooking Tulalip Bay. Draped in traditional garb, the women and young ladies adorned shawls and ribbon skirts while the men and boys wore vests and ribbon shirts. Cedar woven headbands, hats, and jewelry were the accessories of choice, as well as bandanas, eagle feathers, and beaded medallions. The kids gasped with excitement and pointed out into the distance of the bay. With traditional hand drums and rattles, the people sang hikw siyab yubəč, and greeted the first king salmon of the season to the village as he arrived at the shore on a cedar dugout canoe.

“Today is our 47th annual Salmon Ceremony, that was revived 47 years ago,” said Tulalip Chairwoman, Teri Gobin. “We’re honoring hikw siyab yubəč, big chief king salmon. Welcoming him and showing him how well our community will treat him, so he will go back to the village under the sea and let them know he was treated well at Tulalip. And we’ll have a bountiful season. And it will also bless our fishermen to protect them from the storms and the weather and make sure they come home safe.”

As one of the main staples of their ancestral diet, the relationship between the salmon and the sduhubš is strong. The traditional belief is that Tulalips are descendants of the Salmon People who live in a village under the Salish Sea. At the beginning of every fishing season, the king salmon send a scout to the waters of Tulalip Bay, and it is his duty to report back to the Salmon People about his time spent amongst the tribal nation. 

In the early 90’s, Tulalip leader Bernie ‘Kai Kai’ Gobin penned a retelling of the traditional Tulalip story, the Salmon People, for the Marysville School District. Kai Kai shared, “The story goes that there is a tribe of Salmon People that live under the sea. And each year, they send out scouts to visit their homelands. And the way that the Snohomish people recognize that it’s time for the salmon scouts to be returning to their area is when, in the spring, a butterfly comes out. And the first person to see that butterfly will run, as fast as they can, to tell our chiefs or headmen, or now they are called the chairman. One of the other ways they recognize that the salmon scouts are returning is when the wild spirea tree blooms. The people call it the ironwood tree, and that’s what they use for fish sticks and a lot of other important things, like halibut hooks. It’s a very hard wood. So, when they see either one of these, a tribal member will tell the chairman, and he immediately sends out word to the people and calls them together in the longhouse for a huge feast and celebration to give honor to the visitors that are coming.”

Keeping with the tradition that extends across thousands of years, the Tulalip community prepares for the arrival of the scout weeks in advance. The tribe plans a special honoring for the salmon, thanking the local Indigenous species for providing healthy nourishment for the people year after year. 

“This is a ceremony that our people have done since time immemorial, since we were salmon,” explained tribal member, Chelsea Craig. “It was a commitment to our people under the sea that we would carry on this tradition. And when colonizers came and tried to stop us from practicing our ways, it went underground. And our ancestors maintained that knowledge and passed it through oral traditions. And when it was safe for us to bring it back, our elders brought it back. It’s our responsibility to keep that going until there is no more time.”

Along with the practice of spiritual work, the Lushootseed language, songs, dances, hunting, gathering, and traditional ceremonies were outlawed by the US government at the beginning of the 20thcentury. During this time, Indian boarding schools were established, and children were forcibly removed from their families. The kids were to learn the ways of the ‘new world’ and abandon their traditional lifeways. It was a dangerous time to be Native American. 

Decades passed by and the Salmon Ceremony was all but lost. However, thanks to a number of boarding school survivors, bits and pieces of those ancestral teachings were held onto while they endured the tragedies of assimilation. And in the mid-70’s, after the Meriam Report of 1928 helped abolish the majority of Indian boarding schools throughout the country, Harriette Shelton-Dover called upon her community. Forming a small group comprised of Tulalip, Swinomish, and Lummi elders, Harriette ushered in a new era for the sduhubš people with the revitalization of the Salmon Ceremony in 1976. 

Teri recounted, “My father [Stan Jones Sr.] was one of the main people to work with the elders to bring the Salmon Ceremony back. A lot of these songs were almost lost. It was Harriette Shelton Dover and all these iconic elders that wanted to make sure this was carried on. That was so important. My mom was the one who brought the cakes, and we would visit and write everything down to keep it for future generations. And that’s what’s most important, that these young ones are learning now.”

Tulalip’s future, some merely a few weeks old, were fully immersed in the ceremony, with their regalia and ancestral knowledge on full display. Accounting for over half of those in attendance, the youth put on their sduhubš warrior faces and treated the gathering with the utmost importance and sincerity. Each time they entered the sacred space of the Tulalip longhouse, they went in focused on the work taking place and beamed with Tulalip pride. 

“It felt so good in the longhouse,” exclaimed Chelsea. “It felt like we were bringing pride to our ancestors. It felt like a longhouse full of love. It felt good today. And to see all the kids, I was sitting down watching them, and it overwhelmed me with pride. Our young ones are taking up this culture with their full selves.”

Tulalip youth Rajalion Robinson expressed, “This was my first year at the Salmon Ceremony. It was really nice to learn more about my culture, especially during the practices. My favorite part of the ceremony was dancing to the Welcome Song.”

Upon witnessing the youth arriving at the year’s ceremony, Teri said, “It’s exciting because what it brings is all this culture and knowledge to the children so they can pass it on. I’m really excited about how many youth we have involved. We actually almost need a longer longhouse to accommodate all the children.”

In total, ten songs and blessings are offered at the Salmon Ceremony. And those powerful chants were amplified by all the voices of the young people this year. From start to finish, the kids were engaged and sang with booming voices that echoed out of the longhouse and rippled across the bay. The ten songs are offered in the following order:

  • The Welcome Song
  • Sduhubš War Song
  • Eagle/Owl Song (Tribute to Kai Kai)
  • Blessing of the Fisherman
  • Listen to our Prayers
  • hikw siyab yubəč
  • The Happy Song
  • Table Blessing Song
  • Canoe Song (Kenny Moses Jr.’s Song) 
  • New Beginnings Cleansing Song (Glen’s Song)

Once the guest of honor is welcomed into the longhouse, he is escorted on a bed of cedar branches to the Greg Williams Court where a feast ensues. The people share the first bite of salmon together as one tribe. 

“This first piece is representative of us all sharing the blessing of the yubəč,” said Salmon Ceremony leader, Glen Gobin, as he addressed the participants at the gym. “I ask that we all eat this piece at the same time together. Now, I’m going to ask that we all take our water and drink it together. This clear water represents the purity of life, and the lifegiving waters in which the salmon come from. Now I’m going to ask that we all eat this wonderful meal together.” 

After the meal, the people return the remains of the scout back to the waters so he can complete his journey back to the village of the Salmon People and tell his relatives about his journey to the sduhubš territory. To show their appreciation to the tribe for the special honoring, the salmon will travel to Tulalip Bay throughout the season to continue providing sustenance for the people. 

Derek Prather, Tulalip member and parent shared, “It’s a beautiful ceremony and I’m grateful to be able to share it with my kids, help cook the fish, and take part in the ceremony with the community. I’ve been doing it since I was my son’s age, 5 years old. My uncle was Stan Jones who helped restart the Salmon Ceremony, so it’s important to pass this on to my kids. I’m really grateful to see so many kids show up today. It warms my heart to see that.”

The following message is an excerpt from the 2023 Salmon Ceremony program:

This year’s Salmon Ceremony is dedicated to Donald ‘Penoke’ Hatch Jr. He was on the Tulalip Board of Directors for 27 years. And for every year he served on the board, he fought to keep the Salmon Ceremony and any activity for our youth alive here at Tulalip. Penoke was also on the Marysville School Board for 16 years to help keep our children in school. For all his hard work supporting our children, the Tribe named the new youth center gym after him. Our hands go up to him for all he has done for our tribe.

          

During the feast, and moments before taking a generational photo as a member of the king salmon carriers of the ceremony, Penoke shared a few words about the special honoring. He said, “Right now, I’m going through a lot with my health. I’m not feeling too good because of my cancer and the medicine I take. But it makes me feel good when I wake up in the morning to another day. Today was a really special day and it was tremendous for me. My life here on the reservation, all the cultural going-ons and all the things that I’ve done in my lifetime, it’s coming back to me. And I appreciate our people for recognizing me and the years that I participated in education, sports and just in our community. Our tribe has given us so many things that we need to appreciate more. We have to appreciate each other more. We have to love each other more than yesterday. That’s the most important thing.”

Large turnout for Stick Games Tournament 

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Several dozen camping tents were set up throughout the northern parking lots of the Tulalip Resort Casino during the first weekend of June. The sound of traditional hand drums could be heard around the gaming establishment and luxury hotel.  The drum beats emanated from the center of the Tulalip Amphitheater where close to 1,000 people gathered for the Tulalip Tribe’s annual Stick Games Tournament. 

According to stories passed down generation after generation, stick games was originally introduced to the Northwest coastal tribes and First Nations Bands thousands of years ago. The traditional game, also known as bone games, slahal, hand games, and lahal, was created as a way to settle intertribal disputes such as the rights to hunting and fishing grounds, and also as a means to prevent warfare between tribes. And while each tribe and band have different stories pertaining to stick games, the origin of the game is consistent throughout the region. Tribal nations agree that the game was gifted and taught to the people by the Indigenous wildlife of our territory. 

Requiring the skill and mastery of deception and distraction, the game is initiated by two opposing teams that consist of three to five players. During gameplay, the team’s alternate turns, and sticks are used to keep score throughout the contest. A set of bones is discreetly distributed amongst the team that is in-play and the opposing squad must correctly guess where the bones are hidden and how many pieces the player has concealed in their hands. While the bones change hands between teammates, the team sings traditional family songs to distract their opponents from seeing who is in possession of the bones. The team with the most correct amount of guesses wins the game and advances to the next round. 

In addition to bones and sticks, there are a number of unofficial game pieces that each team utilizes to their advantage during a stick game tournament. Such items include foldable lawn chairs, so that teams can quickly set-up against their opponents and move and play about the grounds; pull-over hoodies, blankets, and bandanas are used to cover a player’s hands to prevent opponents from seeing where the bones are placed. Of course, traditional hand-drums and rattles are used to distract the rival team while the bones are in-play.

“I’m happy to be back here playing at Tulalip,” said Lummi tribal member, Tavis Washington Jr. “I am a 5th generation stick game player, but it’s been a part of my family since the beginning of time. It always feels great to come out to this event and see all the people who I [know] and meet new people too. My favorite part of the game is winning, I like when my team or my family wins.” 

For observers and players alike, a highlight of the Tulalip Tribes annual Stick Games Tournament is supporting Indigenous owned businesses as local artists and chefs set up shop at the amphitheater throughout the weekend. This year a vast amount of vendors were scattered throughout the amphitheater’s grounds, including several Tulalip entrepreneurs. 

Josh Fryberg’s clan sold their signature smoked salmon as well as a selection of hoodies and t-shirts, Jared’s CORNer was popping as many stopped by the food truck to grab a bag of kettle corn, Winona Shopbell-Fryberg had a beautiful array of her family’s beaded jewelry for sale, and Angel and Amber Cortez’s kids operated the ‘Traveler’s Drinks & Grub To-Go’ food truck to help raise funds for a trip to Washington D.C. this fall. Other items for purchase at the tournament included Indian tacos, snow cones, and Native-designed clothing, blankets, and accessories. 

The participants of the Tulalip Stick Games Tournament competed for the chance to walk away with some scrilla in their pockets. With a total payout of $60,000 this year, many cash prizes were awarded throughout the three-day event, including the grand prize of $25,000. In addition to the main competition, several mini matches were also held during the tournament such as the three-man tournament and the kid’s tournament.

Jennie Fryberg, Tulalip Stick Games Tournament Committee member, shared, “I’m so happy our Tribe hosts tribal events for our people. We hosted 145 teams for Saturday’s five-man tournament and 115 teams for Sunday’s three-man tournament! Congratulations to Martin Hannigan’s (Muckleshoot) five-man team for winning first place in the big tournament Saturday night. It was an amazing weekend full of friendship, good food, and beautiful art by Native vendors. Hands up to my sister Carrie Fryberg for making this event happen. Can’t wait for next year’s event!”