On Thursday, June 26, the latest iteration of Tulalip’s Higher Education grad banquet was hosted at a fancified Gregg Williams Court. Thirty college graduates were celebrated for achieving a monumental milestone and invited to attend a banquet in their honor, surrounded by community supporters on their ancestral homelands.
Recently elected Board of Director Deb Parker served as event emcee. “My hands go up to each and every one of you here to support our graduates. As I was sitting here reflecting, I couldn’t help but think of when I graduated Marysville Pilchuck High School many, many years ago, and was only 1 of 5 tribal members pursuing higher education. If you think of how far we’ve come as a Tribe since then, to now having so many tribal members attending colleges all across the country, and even a couple outside of the country, it’s actually quite remarkable. You all, our graduates, are remarkable.
“When I was attending the University of Washington, my elder Ray Moses told me, ‘We are so proud of you. Keep doing the best that you can, and when you’re finished getting your education, you come back and serve your Tribe’,” continued Deb. “I now have the honor of serving my Tribe as a Board of Director and sharing that same message with all of you. We need your education and your skills to take us into the future. Like our ancestors who laid the foundation for us to walk today, we need you to continue striving for and building new pathways so future generations can run and even soar.”
Deb’s opening remarks were met with a rousing ovation from college grads and community supporters who share the late, great Ray Moses vision for putting education to service for our Tribe. Routinely, attending banquet graduates echoed their appreciation for all Tulalip has done for them, including the significant financial assistance for tuition, housing, and life expenses that afforded many the opportunity to pursue their higher education dreams. They also echoed an intent desire to now return home and join the Tulalip workforce.
Student speaker Dinesha Kane just recently returned from Georgia, where she played golf on the collegiate stage while earning her Bachelor of Business Management degree from Northwest Indian College.
“In just one year, I completed my Associate’s and Bachelor’s degrees while carrying a course load that many called impossible at two colleges,” stated Dinesha from the podium. “I did this while raising my two incredible sons – Brodie, my oldest, and Braiden, my youngest – who inspire me every single day with their laughter, their brilliance, and their love. I did this with the unwavering support of my husband JT, who never let me forget my power, even in the moments when I doubted it myself.
“Every class I took, every page I turned, every paper I wrote—I did it for them. For my family. For my community. For every young Indigenous student who has ever wondered if they belong in these spaces. I am here to say—you do. We do. We always have.
“And if there’s one thing I’ve learned through all of this, it’s this: Don’t be afraid to fall. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes, to stumble, to not have it all figured out. Fall—and then get back up. And if you fall again? Get up again. Every setback, every misstep, every late night filled with doubt and tears—it’s all part of becoming. Growth doesn’t happen in comfort zones. Strength doesn’t come from things being easy. It comes from rising every time life tries to knock you down. Keep trying. Keep showing up. That’s how we win.”
Awarded highest honors valedictorian, Dineshia is hopeful she’ll be able to put everything she’s learned into benefitting Tulalip’s youth as a sports psychologist. We wish her nothing but the best in her future endeavors.
Meanwhile, fellow student speaker James Whitebear has already carved out quite the roll for himself in his Tribe. After graduating high school in 2010, he soon joined Tulalip’s working class. Fourteen years later, James thrives in his role as Category Coordinator for Tulalip Tribal Federal Corporation, where he specializes in marketing and category management. Along the way he made a promise to his mom that he’d go to college and get a degree. After his mom passed in 2019, James made it a priority to fulfill that promise.
“She may not be here today to see this moment, but every single step that I took, every single assignment I completed, my mom was there with me, guiding me and seeing me through the process,” James shared. “Now, I’m here sharing in this sacred moment with all my fellow graduates. So whether you earned an A.A., a B.A., a Master’s or Ph.D., we are not defined simply by those letters next to our name, but by the legacy we are striving to build for generations to come.
“Make no mistake, this academic journey was not just for you or your immediate family. You carry your great-grandmothers and great-grandfathers who weren’t allowed to speak their language or practice their culture. You carry great-uncles and great-aunties who couldn’t leave the Reservation or get a job because they were too Indian. You honor all those who walked before us by telling your story today, loudly and proudly, and by refusing to be silenced.
“Now, some of you may wonder what’s next after graduation and what do to with your degrees,” James addressed. “The answer is simple. Now, we build. Now, we teach. And, now, we lead. We need you to return home to Tulalip with open hearts and open minds, for our youth and our shared future.”
The wisdom in Ray Moses’ vision for his people to go to college, get all the education they can, and then bring it back in service of their Tribe, is a call to action that this most recent crop of higher education graduates is committed to answering.
If you feel empowered to also answer the call, please contact Higher Education at (360) 716-4888 or email highereducation@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov Tulalip’s Higher Ed staff are eager to help new and returning students find their path to academic success. They can assist with FAFSA applications and finding scholarship opportunities, as well as simply reviewing the Tribe’s current policies regarding paying for college and other educational programs.
A red handprint—bold, defiant, and highly symbolic—has become a clear cry for justice in Indigenous communities across North America. What began as a young girl’s silent protest at a track meet quickly grew into a powerful emblem of the Missing and Murdered Indigenous People (MMIP) movement. Today, the red handprint represents the pain of lives lost, voices silenced, and families left with unanswered questions. It has become a call to remember, to speak out, and to demand change.
Portraits in Red, the powerful traveling art exhibit by Nayana LaFond, is now on display at the Hibulb Cultural Center in Tulalip. This installation marks its final stop in the Pacific Northwest, after previously touring through Oregon and Idaho. The exhibit opened on Thursday, June 26, and will remain available for viewing through August, though an exact closing date has not been announced. LaFond’s acrylic-on-canvas portraits depict MMIP victims and advocates with raw emotion and reverence. Many subjects are painted with a red handprint across their mouths, a striking symbol of silenced voices and the ongoing fight for justice.
The exhibit invites not just observation but participation. A reflection station set in the middle of the gallery allows visitors to write messages of strength, love, and prayer on ribbons, creating a visual tapestry of solidarity. A nearby earring display invites attendees to hang a single earring on a wire, each one representing a missing or murdered loved one. These additions provide visitors with a way to connect personally with the movement and honor those who are still unaccounted for.
Surrounding the room are portraits of Indigenous individuals who were murdered, disappeared, or rose to prominence as advocates within the MMIP movement. Some are accompanied by short narrative stories of final sightings, painful memories, or lifelong activism. In one corner of the room, a section is dedicated to Tulalip tribal members who have become victims of the MMIP crisis, adding local resonance to the national issue.
Tulalip tribal member Neil Hamilton attended the exhibit with his daughters and reflected on the importance of sharing this history with the next generation. “I think the exhibit was informative, insightful, and brings more awareness for our community to be doing more for ourselves,” he said. “I brought my children so they could see what the red hand movement is all about.”
Artist Nayana LaFond, an enrolled member of the Métis Nation of Ontario, began the series in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. On May 5, recognized as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, she attended a virtual powwow where people shared selfies marked with red handprints. Rather than post her image, LaFond found herself reading the stories behind the photos, resonating deeply due to her own experience as a domestic violence survivor. “You don’t realize how much you connect to something until you read other people’s stories,” she said.
The first portrait she created was of Lauraina Bear from Saskatchewan. “I thought this would be the only thing I do,” she recalled. But after posting it, the response was overwhelming. She offered to paint more portraits for free, expecting a few requests, and received over 25 in one day. “I realized I couldn’t pick and choose,” LaFond said. “I had to paint them all.” Since then, she has completed more than 100 portraits, most of which were created during the first two years of the pandemic.
Each portrait is made in close collaboration with families or individuals, respecting their cultural beliefs and wishes. “It needed to be about each family,” she emphasized. “Not everybody wants the same thing. Some don’t want a name or likeness shared. So I always try to honor what feels right to them.”
While the project has been artistically transformative, it has also come at a deep emotional cost. “At first it was very cathartic,” LaFond said. “But after a couple of years, it started to feel like retraumatization.” The emotional toll, coupled with unauthorized uses of her artwork, led LaFond to begin winding down the project and returning completed portraits to families. “To do no harm,” she said, “I realized it was time to send them home.”
Despite these challenges, the exhibit has had a measurable impact. One painting helped bring new attention to a missing person case, leading to their recovery. The exhibit has also been used in official reports to the Canadian and Mexican governments, and was made mandatory viewing for Child Protective Services staff in Oregon. “That was huge for me,” she said. “I was grateful for that.”
Still, LaFond sees herself as one voice among many. “There are a lot of artists talking about this now, which is great,” she said. “We’re all speaking the same visual language—black and white portraits, red handprints, symbols of remembrance. It’s that collective voice that’s making real change.”
Crisis responders Michael Stewart and Shannon Duffy during a community meet and greet at the Tulalip Admin Building.
By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
Launched in April 2024, the Mobile Rapid Response Crisis Team (MRRCT) was created to serve the Tulalip community with timely, culturally responsive behavioral health crisis intervention. The team operates out of Tulalip Family Services. It is available to respond to both mental health emergencies and crises that may not be life-threatening but are still deeply distressing to those experiencing them.
MRRCT includes certified peer counselors, interns working toward licensure, and leadership from Rochelle Long, a Designated Crisis Responder (DCR) and Licensed Mental Health Counselor. As a DCR, Rochelle has the authority to involuntarily commit individuals who are deemed a danger to themselves or others, ensuring immediate safety and stabilization when needed.
Certified peer counselor Michael Stewart explained the team’s mission and the types of situations they respond to. “For crisis, it’s up to the individual—car accidents, death, trouble with family. Whatever you say is a crisis for you is what we are here to support,” he said. “We’re kind of like a bridge to Family Services. If someone doesn’t want to talk right away, we let them know they can come down to start the healing process. We stay with them until they get connected to a counselor.”
The team responds to calls both in person and over the phone. In-person services are available Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with 24/7 support available via phone. “One of the team members has the phone at all times,” Stewart said. “I was on the phone at 4:50 a.m. the other day with someone in a struggle. We talked through a lot and started helping that individual.”
In the event of a mental health emergency—defined as a life-threatening situation where someone is an immediate danger to themselves or others—the Tulalip Police Department (TPD) should be called at 360-716-9911. For non-life-threatening mental health crises, MRRCT can be reached at 360-502-3365. Community members can also call 988 and select Option 4 for the Native and Strong Lifeline.
According to MRRCT’s program materials, a crisis is when thoughts, feelings, or actions prevent a person from engaging in everyday activities. It can feel overwhelming and may seem like familiar coping skills are no longer working. Crises can happen to anyone, even those without a formal mental health diagnosis.
Examples of when to call MRRCT:
Suicidal thoughts, with or without a plan or access to weapons
Homicidal thoughts, with or without a plan or access to weapons
Active psychosis, including panic attacks or manic behavior
Voluntary psychiatric hospitalization assistance
Clinically significant mental health scores, such as moderate to severe PHQ-9/BDI
Behavioral disruptions at school that prompt police or crisis intervention
Older adults with dementia symptoms or wandering behaviors
Frequent 911 callers suspected of having behavioral health needs
Death or traumatic events, when the family or community requests support
Suspicious activity calls, where MRRCT can help calm distressed individuals while TPD investigates
Car accidents, when TPD requests help with de-escalating emotional responses
MRRCT also coordinates detox referrals and support for substance use-related crises in partnership with Tulalip’s Substance Use Disorder (SUD) department, which operates a 24/7 line at 425-754-2535.
The team’s flexibility and reach enable them to respond to a wide variety of situations, from de-escalating an emotional response at a car crash scene to assisting someone in completing a mental health packet and initiating therapy. Their role is not just crisis intervention but walking with individuals through their recovery journey until they are safely connected to the care they need.
Despite a steady breeze and rain throughout the day, the Tulalip Tribes gathered in powerful unity on Saturday, June 21, to welcome the return of the first king salmon to Tulalip Bay. The annual Salmon Ceremony, held at the Tulalip Longhouse, brought together generations of tribal members, clad in traditional regalia and cedar hats, in a vibrant display of cultural pride and ancestral reverence.
This year’s ceremony was dedicated to the memory of Mason D. Morisset, the Tribes’ longtime fishing rights attorney. Morisset spent more than 50 years fighting to protect tribal fishing grounds through natural resource litigation, winning multiple victories in the U.S. Supreme Court. He worked tirelessly on behalf of tribes across the country to uphold treaty-reserved rights to water, hunting, and fishing. As he once stated, “By law, treaties must be interpreted in favor of the Indians.”
Led by Tulalip Board of Directors Glen Gobin, the ceremony honored the return of the salmon, referred to as “yubəč” the first of the season, and the scout for his people. The fish is welcomed ashore in a traditional canoe and carried to the longhouse on a bed of cedar boughs, where songs, dances, and blessings are shared in its honor.
“We are the salmon people,” Glen said. “Today we’re doing this as a people, as a tribe, as a community—honoring and respecting our visitor.” He reflected on how the Salmon Ceremony had nearly been lost due to government efforts to suppress Native traditions, and how it was revived in 1976 by the revered elder Harriet Shelton Dover, alongside other Tulalip elders. The songs and structure were preserved by Stanley G. Jones Sr., who recorded and transcribed the ceremony. Along with Bernie Gobin, the two led the ceremony for many years, ensuring the teachings could be passed down to future generations.
“Before we revived the Salmon Ceremony, it was always a family thing,” Glen explained. “Always a family salmon bake, we’d get everybody together and share the blessing. What we thought was almost lost was being done individually, as a family. Now we do it together.”
Following the blessing and ceremony at the longhouse, the celebration moved to the Don Hatch Youth Center for a communal feast, where salmon was shared among the people. Afterward, the remains of the visitor were returned to the water on cedar branches, so the salmon could carry word back to his people of the respect he received.
The event saw a remarkable turnout, with hundreds in attendance to witness and participate. Among them was Tulalip tribal member Cam Reyes, who took pride in sharing the day with his family. “It was an excellent event,” Cam said. “It makes me feel really proud to be able to represent and carry on and honor traditions with my family.”
As voices rang out in song and the scent of cedar filled the longhouse, it was clear that the spirit of the ceremony—and the values it teaches—continue to thrive in Tulalip. The return of yubəč each year is more than just a sign of seasonal change; it is a call to remember, respect, and protect the natural gifts that sustain the people.
Giggles galore and the sweet scent of thimbleberries filled the air as the Tulalip Early Learning Academy (TELA) hosted its 4th annual clam bake for this generation’s youngest learners. Nestled a mere block away from the Tulalip Bay shoreline, outside a recently built mock longhouse on TELA’s campus, the academy’s Children of the Salmon got a taste of traditional Coast Salish lifeways.
Designed as a hands-on experience to introduce toddlers and preschoolers to their Coast Salish heritage, the clam bake brought together tribal educators, elders, and families in a memorable celebration of food, identity, and tradition.
“Today, we just live on a tiny portion of territory, 22,000 square acres, compared to the millions of acres our ancestors controlled pre-treaty. Our leaders of the time signed the treaty, ceding those millions of acres in order to reserve the rights to fish and hunt and gather in our traditional area,” explained Tulalip elder and cultural historian, Ray Fryberg. “Our people used to live all along the water and traveled from village to village via canoe.
“Their paddles were made hard enough and with tips that they would use to dig into the beach and gather clams. They’d take the rocks, heat them up, and create steam to cook those clams. That was our ancestor’s version fast food. They’d use the natural elements of fire, water, and steam to cook their food and nourish their bodies on the go.
“They didn’t have seasonings, like the salt and pepper, that we have today. Instead, they used locally harvested sprouts to season their food. Today, we’ll be using skunk cabbage leaves and thimbleberry leaves to season the clams. You might smell a sweet aroma from the fire pit. That’s the thimbleberry seasoning the clams.
“And so, we’re going to have this clam bake, in a similar way that our ancestors used to cook their food when they traveled in canoes,” continued the venerable elder. “These are our first foods and these are our medicines to keep our bodies healthy. This is what we mean by traditional teachings and we don’t want to let these things get away.”
TELA’s mission to immerse its Children of the Salmon in culturally rich activities and develop strong cultural values and traditions was on full display. This includes the priority to make it completely normal to hear Tulalip’s ancestral language of Lushootseed spoken every day via word learning, fun activities and story time.
In keeping with teachings from a traditional clam bake, in which Lushootseed would’ve been the primary language, the Tribe’s Language Warriors were on-site sharing songs that many of the kids knew word for word. There were even a few traditional stories shared that kept the children’s attention while the clams were being prepared.
“Here at TELA, our teaching model is rooted in our traditional ways,” said TELA Director Sheryl Fryberg as she watched the anticipation and excitement grow from her Children of the Salmon. “Our teachings aren’t confined to a classroom or a particular book that says you have to remember this or that. Instead, our teachings are taught by active participation and learned experience.
“How do these experiences, like from his clam bake for example, make our children feel? We want them to feel this experience in their spirit so they have confidence and pride in who they are, always,” continued Sheryl. “We understand that as they grow older, they may move away from Tulalip. But having these good, welcoming cultural experiences as a child, they’ll know that Tulalip will always be here for them and for their future children. It’s about planting the seeds so the roots grow.”
Several students couldn’t help but make their way as close as possible to the fire pit, where they watched with wide-eyed wonder as the clams were prepared and placed over hot rocks layered with wet seaweed and large skunk cabbage leaves, and then steamed the old-fashioned way.
After nearly 20 minutes of steaming and being seasoned in sweet thimbleberry, the clams were ready to eat. The Academy’s students lined up and one by one were served a heaping ladle’s worth of oceanic deliciousness. For some of the students, it was there first time ever eating clams. For others, it was just another day at an all-you-can-eat seafood line. In either case, the clam bake successfully served as an extension of its primary mission by bringing abstract ideas like cultural identifyand traditional teachings into a very tangible and very tasty form.
“This right here is everything,” said Lushootseed Language Warrior and lifetime fisherman Thomas Williams, smiling as he watched the children devour their traditional food. Together, with his brother Andy, they manned the fire pit and ensured the clams were steamed to perfection. “When we were growing up, the excitement with food was getting a McDonald’s Happy Meal. Now, here we are, getting that same reaction from kids today with our traditional foods.
“We hear concepts like food sovereignty, but what does that really mean? For us and these kids, it’s about gathering and harvesting our traditional foods without having to purchase them from a store,” he added. “In order for them to want to learn to gather and harvest, or hunt and fish, they have to like traditional foods, which means introducing them to these foods at an early age. Just look around. Seeing these kids eat these clams and run back into line for more is so encouraging. I’m sure there are future fisherman here. They may not remember this specific moment when they are adults, but they’ll know they like the taste of clams and they’ll embrace that knowledge by harvesting clams or crab or geoduck to feed themselves and their family.”
Planting the seeds early so our Tribe’s children embrace tradition and grow to know who they are and where they come from are ideals both TELA and Lushootseed strive to impart onto the greater Tulalip community. If the clam bake’s success shows us anything, it’s that sometimes all it takes is a taste to ensure tradition lives on.
Lakewood High School senior Aiden Jones made sure to leave a lasting impression in his final season wearing Cougar maroon and gold. The powerful right fielder put together a standout year at the plate and in the field, earning second team All-Northwest Conference honors and drawing interest from college programs eager to add his bat to their roster.
“Aiden brings so much to our team. He’s a strong presence in the lineup, in the field, and in the dugout,” said Lakewood head coach Jackson Conn. “His strength is quite literal, he’s a strong kid with a massive arm, but he’s also mentally strong. His leadership, discipline and patience set him apart as a senior and team captain. He’s worked with our team’s underclassmen all year long and been invaluable to us coaches in teaching those on and off the field skills.”
Aiden, known around the league for his smooth right-handed swing and clutch hitting, wrapped up his senior campaign with an impressive .371 batting average and .429 on-base percentage. According to Max Preps, he amassed 23 hits, 22 RBI’s and scored 11 runs to round out one of the most complete offensive seasons in recent Lakewood history.
“I was fortunate to coach Aiden all four years he played at Lakewood. I witnessed his growth and progression from his freshman year to his senior year,” said Coach Conn. “He had so many great games for us, but the moment that stands out most for me as his coach was when he hit his first homerun here at home. He worked so hard in the offseason and really put the time in weight room to pack on lean muscle and take his power to the next level. Then to see all that hard work pay off when he hit that homerun off one of the best pitcher’s in our conference. It looked like he was floating around the bases. He was so excited and the rest of the team was so excited for him.”
From opening day to the team’s final out, Aiden approached every opportunity with composed confidence while serving as the Cougars’ most dangerous hitter. Batting in the cleanup spot, he consistently delivered in key moments, including clutch at bats in rivalry wins over both Sedro-Woolley and Squalicum. Perhaps his most memorable moment, or just his grandparents’ favorite one, was blasting a homerun off his Louisville Slugger Atlas in the final game of the season vs. Lynden.
“Baseball gives you a lot of life lessons,” explained the hard-hitting, 18-year-old Tulalip tribal member. “In this game, you fail a lot more than you succeed. For example, there are Hall of Fame players who averaged 3 for 10 at the plate. This translates to the real world because everyone is waiting for opportunities to succeed, but when those opportunities come, are you prepared to capitalize? And when you strikeout, because we all do, how do you respond to the next opportunity?”
His ability to capitalize on his opportunities by tracking pitches and delivering extra-base hits made him a fixture in the heart of Lakewood’s lineup and a constant threat to opposing pitchers. While his offensive numbers often started conversations, Aiden was just as dependable defensively as an everyday right fielder. He showcased strong range, reliable hands, and a sharp throwing arm, recording multiple assists—including several run-saving throws enroute to a whopping .900 fielding percentage.
“I play with great confidence, regardless of who is pitching or who is at bat,” asserted the six-foot, two-hundred-pound Aiden who is all muscle and pure testosterone. “At the end of the day, this is just a game, but it’s a game I’ve prepared myself to play at the highest level. I lift six days a week in the offseason, hit the batting cages 3 days a week, and spend a couple hours as often as I can studying the greats. I watch film of the best players to study their mechanics and learn from their professional habits.”
Aiden’s complete skill set and strong academic record has started to open doors at the next level. College coaches from across the Northwest and California reached out to him during his stellar senior year. With his high school days now behind him and an entire summer of recruitment opportunities in front of him, Aiden is steadfast on waiting for the perfect pitch before committing his bat to any collegiate program.
Once he commits to a college, he’ll be fulfilling a dream that was manifested nearly two decades ago when a new born Aiden attended his first baseball. His grandparents, Pam and Butch Blount, recall a month’s old Aiden taking in the sights and sounds of the game while cheering on their son Cody, Aiden’s uncle, playing select ball.
“Raising our grandson has been amazing,” said grandmother Pam while rocking a pair of custom-made earrings that have Aiden’s name and jersey number on them. “We’ve shuttled him back and forth from so many practices, games, tournaments and training facilities that it’s impossible to remember a time when he didn’t have baseball in his life. He’s put his whole heart and soul into this game and into becoming the best player he can be.
“Of course, we want him to play college ball somewhere somewhat local so we can continue to watch him play,” she added. “Wherever he decides to go, we know he’ll continue to push himself to be great and to take this game as far as he can take it.”
With his graduation just days in the rearview mirror, Aiden’s high school career comes to a close. He leaves behind a legacy of hard work, big swings, and bigger moments. For Lakewood Cougar’s baseball, #23’s impact won’t soon be forgotten. And for college scouts, the best may be yet to come.
It’s officially summertime! And it’s time to sit back and unwind with a good book while you catch some rays. With an eventful summer planned at Tulalip, we highly recommend scooping up at least one of these books to check out during your downtime.
This selection is comprised of ten books that range from beautifully written poems, heartbreaking memoirs, romance novels, to thrillers. But no matter the genre, within in the pages of these stories, you will find the authors baring their souls, while sharing their languages and their heritage, as they open up about difficult topics such as generational trauma and navigating today’s colonized society as Native People.
Many of these books were released within the past few weeks, with the exception of the last three, which are set to launch this summer. We have included the book jacket summary for each, so you can get a feel for the story before purchasing. And we are pleased and honored to kick-off this Rez Reads segment with Tulalip’s own, SummerLee Blankenship. Happy reading!
The Greatest Teacher of All by SummerLee Blankenship (Tulalip)
What if your rock bottom was actually the beginning of your rebirth? In The Greatest Teacher of All, SummerLee Blankenship shares her raw and powerful true story—from addiction, trauma, and deep loss to awakening, healing, and spiritual transformation. As a Native American woman carrying generational pain, she walks the long road home to herself through plant medicine, ceremony, and divine guidance. This isn’t just a memoir—it’s a testimony of survival, soul reclamation, and the sacred wisdom found in life’s darkest moments. With brutal honesty and poetic grace, SummerLee invites readers into the depths of her journey and shows us that even in our most broken state, we are never beyond redemption. For anyone who has felt lost, alone, or unloved—this book is your mirror, your medicine, and your reminder that healing is possible.
Blue Corn Tongue: Poems in the Mouth of the Desert by Amber McCray
In a voice that is jubilant, irreverent, sometimes scouring, sometimes heartfelt, and always unmistakably her own, Amber McCrary remaps the deserts of Arizona through the blue corn story of a young Diné woman figuring out love and life with an O’odham man. Reflecting experiences of Indigenous joy, pain, and family, these shapeshifting poems celebrate the love between two Native partners, a love that flourishes alongside the traumas they face in the present and the past. From her ethereal connection with her saguaro muse, Hosh, to the intricate tapestry of her relationships with Diné relatives and her awakening to the complex world of toxic masculinity, McCrary brings together DIY zine aesthetics, life forms of juniper and mountains, and the beauty of Diné Bizaad to tell of the enduring bonds between people and place. Journeying from the Colorado Plateau to the Sonoran Desert and back again, Blue Corn Tongue invokes the places, plants, and people of Diné Bikéyah and O’odham jeweled in a deeply honest exploration of love, memory, and intimacy confronting the legacy of land violence in these desert homelands
We Can Never Leave by H.E. Edgmon
You can never go home… Every day, all across the world, inhuman creatures are waking up with no memory of who they are or where they came from–and the Caravan exists to help them. The traveling community is made up of these very creatures and their families who’ve acclimated to this new existence by finding refuge in each other. That is, until the morning five teenage travelers wake to find their community has disappeared overnight.
Those left: a half-human who only just ran back to the Caravan with their tail between their legs, two brothers–one who can’t seem to stay out of trouble and the other who’s never been brave enough to get in it, a venomous girl with blood on her hands and a heart of gold, and the Caravan’s newest addition, a disquieting shadow in the shape of a boy. They’ll have to work together to figure out what happened the night of the disappearance, but each one of the forsaken five is white knuckling their own secrets. And with each truth forced to light, it becomes clear this isn’t really about what happened to their people–it’s about what happened to them.
Bones of a Giant by Brian Thomas Isaac
From the award-winning, bestselling author of All the Quiet Places, comes Brian Thomas Isaac’s highly anticipated, haunting and tender return to the Okanagan Indian Reser.ve and a teenager’s struggle to become a man in a world of racism and hardship.
Summer, 1968. For the first time since his big brother, Eddie, disappeared two years earlier—either a runaway or dead by his own hand—sixteen-year-old Lewis Toma has shaken off some of his grief. His mother, Grace, and her friend Isabel have gone south to the United States to pick fruit to earn the cash Grace needs to put a bathroom and running water into the three-room shack they share on the reserve, leaving Lewis to spend the summer with his cousins, his Uncle Ned and his Aunt Jean in the new house they’ve built on their farm along the Salmon River. Their warm family life is almost enough to counter the pressures he feels as a boy trying to become a man in a place where responsible adult men like his uncle are largely absent, broken by residential school and racism. Everywhere he looks, women are left to carry the load, sometimes with kindness, but often with the bitterness, anger and ferocity of his own mother, who kicked Lewis’s lowlife father, Jimmy, to the curb long ago.
Lewis has vowed never to be like his father—but an encounter with a predatory older woman tests him and he suffers the consequences. Worse, his dad is back in town and scheming on how to use the Indian Act to steal the land Lewis and his mom have been living on. And then, at summer’s end, more shocking revelations shake the family, unleashing a deadly force of anger and frustration. With so many traps laid around him, how will Lewis find a path to a different future?
Remember, You Are Indigenous: Memories of a Native Childhood by Evelyn Bellanger
A respected elder shares stories. and insights from growing up on the White Earth Reservation in Minnesota
With unflinching honesty, Evelyn Bellanger tells a vivid account of her childhood in Pine Point, Minnesota, and relates her experiences to the networked histories of marginalization and oppression faced by Indigenous people in the United States. As Bellanger connects her later activist work to her early memories, Remember, You Are Indigenous emphasizes the implications of intergenerational trauma as well as the strength of community. Grounding her narrative in the pre-colonization history of the Anishinaabeg and the environmental damages wrought by land developers, lumber companies, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Bellanger invites readers into her family’s history, weaving stories of her mother, father, and grandmother into her own. She pays careful attention to the seasonality of life and the natural world as she remembers harvesting wild rice by canoe with her family, and she observes social inequities while recalling her time at the Minnesota Home School for Girls state juvenile facility. Through stories tragic and humorous, Evelyn Bellanger’s voice shines. Her impressionistic style offers authenticity and intimacy as she describes the early experiences that have shaped her work as a leader and activist.
Old School Indian: A Novel by Aaron John Curtis
A coming-of-middle-age novel about an Ahkwesáhsne man’s reluctant return home and what it takes to heal. Abe Jacobs is Kanien’kehá:ka from Ahkwesáhsne , as white people say, a Mohawk Indian from the Saint Regis Tribe. At eighteen, Abe left the reservation where he was raised and never looked back. Now forty-three, Abe is suffering from a rare disease – one his doctors in Miami believe will kill him. Running from his diagnosis and a failing marriage, Abe returns to the Rez, where he’s persuaded to undergo a healing at the hands of his Great Uncle Budge. But Budge – a wry, recovered alcoholic prone to wearing punk T-shirts – isn’t all that convincing. And Abe’s time off the Rez has made him a thorough skeptic. To heal, Abe will undertake a revelatory journey, confronting the parts of himself he’s hidden ever since he left home and learning to cultivate hope, even at his darkest hour. Delivered with crackling wit, Old School Indian is a striking exploration of the power and secrets of family, the capacity for healing and catharsis, and the ripple effects of history and culture.
Soft as Bones: A Memoir by Chyana Marie Sage
A poetic memoir as intricately woven as a dreamcatcher about overcoming the pain of generational trauma with the power of traditional healing. In her deeply affecting memoir, Soft as Bones, Chyana Marie Sage shares the pain of growing up with her father: a crack dealer who went to prison for molesting her older sister. She details the shame and guilt she carried for years after her family’s trauma as she went from one dysfunctional relationship to another, from one illegal drug to another. In revisiting her family’s history and weaving in the perspectives of her mother and sisters, Chyana examines the legacy of generational abuse, which began with her father’s father, who was forcibly removed from his family by the residential schools and Sixties Scoops programs.
Yet hers is also a story of hope, as it was the traditions of her people that saved her life. In candid, incisive, and delicate prose, Chyana braids personal narrative with Cree stories and ceremonies, all as a means of healing one small piece of the mosaic that makes up the dark past of colonialism shared by Indigenous people throughout Turtle Island.
Nothing More of this Land: Community, Power, and the Search for Indigenous Identity by Joseph Lee Release Date: July 15
From award-winning journalist Joseph Lee, a sweeping, personal exploration of Indigenous identity and the challenges facing Indigenous people around the world. Before Martha’s Vineyard became one of the most iconic vacation destinations in the country, it was home to the Wampanoag people. Today, as tourists flock to the idyllic beaches, the island has become increasingly unaffordable for tribal members, with nearly three-quarters now living off-island. Growing up Aquinnah Wampanoag, journalist Joseph Lee grappled with what this situation meant for his tribe, how the community can continue to grow, and more broadly, what it means to be Indigenous. In Nothing More of This Land, Lee weaves his own story and that of his family into a panoramic narrative of Indigenous life around the world. He takes us from the beaches of Martha’s Vineyard to the icy Alaskan tundra, the smoky forests of Northern California to the halls of the United Nations, and beyond. Along the way he meets activists fighting to protect their land, families clashing with their own tribal leaders, and communities working to reclaim tradition. Together, these stories reject stereotypes to show the diversity of Indigenous people today and chart a way past the stubborn legacy of colonialism.
Love is a War Song by Danica Nava
Release Date July 22
A Muscogee pop star and a cowboy who couldn’t be more different come together to strike a deal in this new romantic comedy by Danica Nava, USA Today bestselling author of The Truth According to Ember. Pop singer Avery Fox has become a national joke after posing scantily clad on the cover of Rolling Stone in a feather warbonnet. What was meant to be a statement of her success as a Native American singer has turned her into a social pariah and dubbed her a fake. With threats coming from every direction and her career at a standstill, she escapes to her estranged grandmother Lottie’s ranch in Oklahoma. Living on the rez is new to Avery—not only does she have to work in the blazing summer heat to earn her keep, but the man who runs Lottie’s horse ranch despises her and wants her gone. Red Fox Ranch has been home to Lucas Iron Eyes since he was sixteen years old. He has lived by three rules to keep himself out of trouble: 1) preserve the culture, 2) respect the horses, and 3) stick to himself. When he is tasked with picking up Lottie’s granddaughter at the bus station, the last person he expected to see is the Avery Fox. Lucas can’t stand what she represents, but when he’s forced to work with her on the ranch, he can’t get her out of his sight—or his head. He reminds himself to keep to his rules, especially after he finds out the ranch is under threat of being shut down. It’s clear Avery doesn’t belong here, but they form a tentative truce and make a deal: Avery will help raise funds to save the ranch, and in exchange, Lucas will show her what it really means to be an Indian. It’s purely transactional, absolutely no horsing around…but where’s the fun in that?
Legendary Frybread Drive-In: InterTribal Stories by Various Authors
Release Date: August 26
Featuring the voices of both new and acclaimed Indigenous writers and edited by bestselling Muscogee author Cynthia Leitich Smith, this collection of interconnected stories serves up laughter, love, Native pride, and the world’s best frybread.
The road to Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In slips through every rez and alongside every urban Native hangout. The menu offers a rotating feast, including traditional eats and tasty snacks. But Sandy June’s serves up more than food: it hosts live music, movie nights, unexpected family reunions, love long lost, and love found again.
That big green-and-gold neon sign beckons to teens of every tribal Nation, often when they need it most.
Featuring stories and poems by: Kaua Mahoe Adams, Marcella Bell, Angeline Boulley, K. A. Cobell, A. J. Eversole, Jen Ferguson, Eric Gansworth, Byron Graves, Kate Hart, Christine Hartman Derr, Karina Iceberg, Cheryl Isaacs, Darcie Little Badger, David A. Robertson, Andrea L. Rogers, Cynthia Leitich Smith, and Brian Young.
“It’s with an appreciative heart that we are here today to celebrate the completion of Fern Lodge,” said Chairwoman Teri Gobin at June 6’s ribbon-cutting ceremony. “This behavioral wellness center is a model of collaboration and is intended to increase access to much-needed health care for our Snohomish County communities. There is a lack of mental health resources nationwide. Facilities, like Fern Lodge, are important tools to help those in need during a mental health crisis.”
Fern Lodge Behavior Wellness is a 16-bed in-patient facility that will offer around-the-clock care to its court-ordered residents during their 90- or 180-day treatment plans. This rehabilitative treatment facility will serve individuals who are not involved in the criminal court system and do not need to be hospitalized, but still require additional support to prepare for living independently in their communities.
Built by Tulalip, on land owned by Tulalip in Stanwood (kitty-corner from the Healing Lodge), this $35 million qualified capital investment will be operated and maintained by the Washington Health Care Authority. Fern Lodge’s completion represents completion of the final legally required step by the Tribe in order to collect 100% of taxes generated on the Reservation beginning July 1, 2027.
“The Fern Lodge conversation started from negations to settle litigation on a tax-sharing lawsuit between the Tulalip Tribes and the federal government versus the State of Washington and Snohomish County,” explained Chairwoman Gobin. “This dates back to 2019 when then-Governor Jay Inslee requested we negotiate via mediated settlement. A tax-sharing compact was developed that covers the Tribe’s business developments created on our lands. And so today, we celebrate a win-win for Tulalip, Washington State, and the people in our local community.”
A first-of-its-kind facility in Snohomish County, Fern Lodge comes as a response to not only Jay Inslee’s 2018 behavioral health transformation plan, but also to meet the demand for accessible, non-hospitalized inpatient care options, particularly beyond urban hubs.
Snohomish County is one of the largest counties in the state, yet does not have adequate capacity to serve community members with behavioral health needs. As of November 2023, there were only six beds in the county contracted to provide this type of treatment. Now, thanks to Tulalip, there are 16 additional beds committed to the cause.
No Usage Rights Without Written Authorization from Aaron Locke
In attendance to celebrate Fern Lodge’s completion and his 1-month anniversary on Tulalip’s Tribal Council was Ryan Miller. In his previous role as Director of Treaty Rights, he played an instrumental role in getting state law changed and House Bill 2803 passed so that the Governor could enter into tax-sharing compacts with the Tribe.
“I want to acknowledge all the past leaders who committed so much time and energy, really putting their hearts into making this possible. It took decades and decades of fight to get to where we are today, and even this was a compromise,” reflected Ryan. “Ultimately, this is a great example of government-to-government relations and reflects forward-thinking leaders from both the State and the Tribe who came up with this great idea to help deal with the mental health crisis that our communities and country as a whole is facing.”
This facility is for all Snohomish County residents, 18 years and older. However, Tulalip tribal members will be given admission priority. Treatment interventions can vary based on an individual’s need, but in general may consist of one-on-one and group therapy, peer counseling, case management, medication management, and skill building.
“There is a tremendous need for resources to help us heal from intergenerational trauma, so that we, as a people and a society, can embody health and wellness in truly a good way,” said Board of Director Deborah Parker. “Any day we can come together to wrap a relative in care, in love, in deep respect, is a good day. I hope the development of Fern Lodge becomes a model for others to come and visit and to learn from as our Tribe, county, state, and nation continue to address mental health for the benefit of all our relatives.”
Drumbeats of various rhythms and tempos resonated all throughout the Tulalip Amphitheater during the weekend of May 30. Just audible over the dozens of songs and chants being simultaneously performed, guidance came from a pair of giant speakers as event MC, Andre Picard Jr., brought a little organization to the beautiful chaos known as the Tulalip Tribes Annual Stick Games Tournament.
Once a team heard their name called, they packed up their portable chairs and met their opponents on the battlefield, under shade provided by the large tents that were setup at the center of the amphitheater. Placing their chairs directly across from their rivals, the players then brought out all the necessary gameplay items which included their hand drums, large sticks to keep score, and a set of bones.
The sticks and bones are often decked out in Native décor, some hand painted and some beaded with impressive designs. The bones are discreetly distributed amongst the team that is in-play, and a series of songs and hand movements are performed in order to distract the other team from seeing who is in possession of the bones. To win this Indigenous game of legerdemain, the opposing team must correctly guess where exactly the set of bones are located in order to advance in the bracket.
Organized by Carrie Ann Fryberg and family, this is an event that continues to grow year after year, with participants hailing from all throughout the Coast Salish region. In addition to Tulalip, some of the tribes and first nations bands represented at this year’s games included Ahousaht, Cowichan, Skokomish, Tsartlip, Nuu-Chah-Nulth, Lummi, Muckleshoot, Puyallup, Swinomish, and Quinault.
According to the ancestral stories, the games have been passed down throughout each generation. Originally, stick games (a/k/a slahal, lahal, or bone games) was introduced to the people by the local Indigenous animals and wildlife thousands of years ago, as a means to prevent warfare and settle a number of intertribal disputes, such as the rights to hunting and fishing grounds.
The tournament is open to all ages and provides an opportunity for multi-generational families and teams to learn, share, and enjoy the traditional game together. This year featured numerous cash prizes throughout the weekend, and the grand prize of $25,000 was claimed by Talon Tohtsoni’s crew, the first-place team in the main bracket.
Well over 100 teams competed for moola, bragging rights, and drums designed by Cy Fryberg. As always, the games extended late into each night, and the visitors were provided space to set up their tents along the Tulalip Resort Casino parking lot in order to get some rest in between their matches.
Aside from the main attraction of the games, a major highlight of the tournament for observers and players alike is supporting a number of Indigenous-owned businesses. Local artists and chefs set up shop at the amphitheater and sold the likes of Indian tacos, kettle corn, hot dogs, caffeinated beverages, smoked salmon, as well as Native-designed clothing, blankets, and jewelry all weekend long. This included a handful of Tulalip vendors like Josh Fryberg and Family, Jared’s CORN-er, TeePee Creepers, Big House of Doggs, Traveler’s Drinks & Grub To-Go, KKONA cedar jewelry, and Captain Kirk’s Smoked Salmon.
Following this year’s tournament, Andre took to Facebook to share, “This was a very fun weekend! Big thank you to Carrie Ann Fryberg and family for organizing this Stick Games Tournament every year. It is an honor and privilege to MC and to get to speak in front of the beautiful stick game families. Safe travels home to all the stickgamers near and far. See you all soon, love you all!”
“We are proud and excited to celebrate the installation of traditional native artwork on the waterfront of Seattle. We are especially thrilled about the completion of the art project by our treasured Suquamish elder and carver Randi Purser. Her work, that is part of another piece on Bainbridge Island, reflects our ancient presence on the waters between Seattle and the Kitsap Peninsula, named after two of our ancestral leaders.
“We thank the City of Seattle and the Friends of Waterfront Park for their commitment to this project honoring our heritage and traditions and the entire art team for their dedication and creativity.”
Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman greets the crowd during the dedication ceremony.
Those words were shared by Suquamish Chairman Leonard Forsman as he joined civic and tribal leaders at an official dedication for a highly-anticipated, publicly-sited art installation that spans multiple blocks along the revamped Seattle waterfront. Flanking the Seattle ferry terminal at Pier 52 are 22 pairs of sculpted Douglas Fir posts and beams representing the skeletal structure of a traditional longhouse.
The eye-catching longhouse installation is intentionally minimalist. With no walls, roof or doors, it serves as a potentially thought-provoking sculptural concept for millions of pedestrians who are embarking or disembarking from one of the terminal’s popular Jumbo Mark II class ferries. That’s not even accounting for all the usual and accustomed tourist foot traffic that routinely floods Seattle’s waterfront.
To Our Teachers spans three Seattle city blocks, from Columbia Street to Spring Street.
The visionary artist behind the installation’s design is Oscar Tuazon. He is known for his use of minimalism and conceptualism in using natural materials to create large scale sculptures in populated urban areas. He’s titled his latest, three-block-long art installation To Our Teachers.
“To Our Teachers is a framework for the future,” explained Oscar, who grew up on the Suquamish Tribe’s Port Madison Reservation. “Welcoming people at the edge of the water, the procession of post and beam frames are the beginning of a structure you can imagine in your mind. Inspired by the living tradition of deqʷaled, the distinctly Coast Salish house post that unites sculpture and architecture, the construction is designed to support the continuous evolution of the artistic culture unique to Seattle.
“Working on this project has profoundly changed how I think about art,” he continued. “The opportunity to work with Randi Purser (Suquamish) and Tyson Simmons and Keith Stevenson (Muckleshoot) and create a structure to showcase their work has really expanded my understanding of what artists are capable of through collaboration. Together we can create spaces for community. This is why I think of To Our Teachers as a structure continuously being built— this is not the final form of the work, it is just the beginning of something bigger than me.”
Seattle is a hub for urban Natives whose roots extend across Washington State reservations and beyond. That spirit of connectedness is represented in this pier enhancing artwork. As Oscar stated, he collaborated with tribal carvers from Suquamish and Muckleshoot. Those carvers created two towering cedar house posts that are seamlessly imbedded into both longhouse entrances. Each house post is filled with deep-rooted significance for not just the artists’ home tribes, but all those urban Natives who call Seattle home.
Tyson Simmons and Keith Stevenson carved the southernmost house post, which they’ve named Honoring Our Warriors. “This warrior figure was inspired by the carvers’ warrior-uncle,” explained the two carvers. “Yet, it represents the valor and sacrifice of all our warriors to secure our land, our salmon, and our native walk of life.
“Our warriors all carried spiritual gifts that cloaked them with strength and protection,” they continued. “Fisher is depicted below the warrior figure to represent our warriors’ myriad powers without disclosing any of their individual powers. We carry the responsibility to remember and tell our stories. The work is guided by our teachings. Our ancestors prayed for us. They didn’t know who we would be, yet they prayed for us.”
Elder Randi Purser carved a house post depicting Chief Seattle as a baby being held by his mother Sholeetsa.
At the northernmost entrance is Suquamish elder Randi Purser’s house post. She’s dubbed hers ʔəslaʔlabəd kʷədi bəḱʷ dadatu, which translates to Looking at All Tomorrows. Drawing inspiration from the city’s namesake, which translates to Looking at All Tomorrows. Drawing inspiration from the city’s namesake, Chief Seattle, she paid homage to not just the legendary chief, but his lifegiving mother as well.
“Sholeetsa was the mother of Chief Seattle. Protected within her loving embrace is her son Chief Seattle as a baby,” described Randi to the crowd who looked upon her carving. “On her dress is a design of the unfolding fern, which represents new life. Above her is the moon surrounded by frog heads. The frogs represent a time of change as they sing the winter away and the spring in. As a whole, this carving represents the people of today standing on the cusp of change.”
What’s on the other side of that cusp of change is subjective to any one of millions of pedestrians who every month will assuredly walk on the Seattle waterfront, pass the ferry terminal, and have an infusion of Coast Salish culture enter their peripheral vision.
However, as the artists involved shared, there is a unified desire that the change be reflective of recognizing the past that got us here and honoring still thriving Coast Salish communities in the collective future we all share. In commissioning this layered piece of public work, Seattle’s Office of the Waterfront understood and shared the artists’ vision.
“As we transform Seattle’s waterfront, it has been important to us that we honor its history and move forward with intention,” said Angela Brady, Office of the Waterfront & Civic Projects Director. “We want visitors to remember that Waterfront Park stands on the lands and shared waters of the Coast Salish Peoples, whose ancestors have resided here since time immemorial. The original inhabitants of the region built structures along the shore. These new artworks honor the important cultural history of the waterfront. I hope they encourage visitors to reflect on how we, as a city and a region, hold space for Indigenous communities, not just in our past but in our future.”
