By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
In traditional times, the ancestors of the Snohomish people would mark the time of the year by the moon. Tulalip culture bearer, Sarah Miller, held a lecture in 2024 that detailed the 13 moons which the people lived by pre-contact. And through this practice, they would know exactly what, when, where, and how to harvest various plants, medicines, and food throughout the course of the year. According to Sarah’s research, we are currently in the pədč̓aʔəb phase, or the time for digging up roots. At this time of year, Tulalip’s ancestors would harvest camas, cattail, nettles, and horsetail. In the summertime the moons cycles included pədstəgʷad , the time of the salmonberries, pədgʷədbixʷ, the time of the blackberries, and pədt̕aqa, the time of the salal berries.
These practices are very much alive, and many Tulalip families still participate in these traditions. Though in modern times, we have the added benefit of keeping track of time by the Gregorian Calendar, Tulalip still plans outings and gatherings based on the season including the Salmon Ceremony and several harvesting ventures. If you live on the reservation, you might notice these events start to pick up during the moon cycle of pədč̓aʔəb. This time of year, the Tribe and families begin to immerse themselves in their ancestral way of life, celebrating their heritage, connecting to those teachings, and flexing their sovereignty through the harvest of salmon, berries, and cedar.
Last fall, the Tribe dubbed the months of September through November as the Season of Healing with many community get togethers focused on the people’s mental health and well-being. Now, as we embark on a fun-filled spring/summer, Tulalip News would like to unofficially mark this time of year as the Season of Gatherings. So be sure to jot these events down on your calendar because you do not want to miss out!
War Canoe Races
Happening this weekend! (5/15-5/18)
If you just received the See-Yaht-Sub in your mailbox and are reading this, head on down to the Bay for a fantastic and thrilling event! Every year, multiple Salish tribes take part in the War Canoe Races. The races are held all season long at different reservations throughout the region. The Tulalip stop on the circuit is a fan favorite and many racers love pulling through the local waters at fierce speeds for a chance at taking home the coveted first place trophy. Designed with swiftness in mind, the war canoes are sleek and narrower than the traditional cedar dugout canoes that most are accustomed to seeing on Canoe Journey. This year there will be single, double, six-man, and eleven-man competitions, as well as a number of races for the youth as well! The war canoe races will occur all day long throughout the entire weekend.
Culture Night
Every Tuesday at 5:00 p.m.
Get your craft on at Culture Night! This event will be held at the Gathering Hall over the next few months in anticipation for the 2025 Canoe Journey. The gatherings are focused on creating regalia, including shawls and vests, as well as putting together gifts that the canoe family will distribute to various tribes along the journey. There is also an education component for the little ones, as the Rediscovery Program partnered with the Tulalip Lushootseed department to teach kids words, stories, and songs at each Culture Night gathering.
Canoe Practice
Every Wednesday at 5:30 p.m.
If you are planning on attending this year’s Paddle to Elwha, the Rediscovery Program invites you to participate in their weekly Canoe Practice gatherings at the Tulalip Marina. Not only does the practice build up your strength and endurance on the canoe, it also provides a chance for you to reconnect with the waters, the three tribal canoes, and your traditional way of life. During each practice, participants practice pulling together as they venture out onto the bay and navigate the ancestral waters together to prepare for long distance travel this summer.
Salmon Ceremony Practice
Every Thursday at 5:00 p.m.
Come on out to the Gathering Hall to learn more about the Salmon Ceremony and its revival that occurred in the seventies. During this time, Tribal leaders and elders pass down traditional knowledge that was nearly lost in the assimilation era. At each practice, attendees rehearse close to a dozen different songs and dances, with an emphasis on precision and execution, in order to welcome the first king salmon to the waters of Tulalip Bay in a proper manner, as well as bless the fisherman for a safe and plentiful harvest this year.
Memorial Day
Monday, 5/26
Every Memorial Day, Tulalip honors their veterans and gold star mothers who have transitioned to the next life. The Tribe holds two services in observation of the national holiday, the first at 10:00 a.m. at the Priest Point Cemetery and the second at 11:00 a.m. at the Mission Beach Cemetery. Both of these gatherings are special to witness as the Tulalip Honor Guard leads the way and pays tribute to those fallen soldiers by performing both a 21-gun salute and a roll call at each cemetery.
Tulalip’s Annual Stick Games Tournament
All Day 5/30 – 6/1
The Tulalip Amphitheater is sure to be hopping during this event! Every year, hundreds of Natives travel to sduhubš territory to take part in a traditional game that has been passed down for generations. The weekend long tourney will feature a grand prize of $25,000 for the first-place team in the main bracket on Saturday, as well as numerous other cash prizes for second, third, and fourth place. There will also be a single elimination three-man tournament on Sunday. Another major highlight of the Stick Games Tournament is the vendors who will be selling the likes of Indian tacos, snow cones, smoked salmon, kettle corn, and Native-designed clothing, blankets, and jewelry.
Salmon Ceremony
Saturday, 6/21
Beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Tulalip Longhouse, the Salmon Ceremony is an important event for Tulalip as its membership gathers to honor big chief yubəč, the king salmon. Since time immemorial, the salmon has provided nourishment for the people of Tulalip and their ancestors. As a sign of respect, the Tribe welcomes the first salmon scout to their shores and offers a number of songs and dances before the people collectively enjoy a salmon meal together. The scout’s remains are sent back to the Salish Sea, so that yubəč can return to its village and tell the salmon people how well he was treated by the community. And in turn, the salmon will continue to run through the local waterways and serve as sustenance for the Tribe throughout the summer.
Boom City
Mid-June
Bing-bap-boom-boom-boom-bop-bam, these type of fireworks will be sold at all the stands! The season of firecrackers, bottle rockets, and roman candles is right around the corner and the Northwest pyrotechnic mecca will officially be open for a two-week period leading up to the Fourth of July. Tulalip entrepreneurs will set up their creative and vibrant stands at the gravel lot located behind the Tulalip Resort Casino. Several food vendors are sure to be stationed at Boom City as well, serving up treats such as Hawaiian shaved ice, frybread, and tacos.
Lushootseed Language Camp
Early/Mid July
Typically occurring during the second and third week of July, the Lushootseed Language Camp helps bring traditional knowledge to the youngins of the Tribe. The camp tends to fill up quick, and is limited to 50 kids per week, so be sure to keep an eye out for the registration announcement. The five-day camp is open to Tribal youth between the ages of five through twelve, and is aimed at teaching the attendees several aspects of the culture including weaving, smudging, beading necklaces, and harvesting local native plants like devil’s club for medicine and ceremonial art. Throughout the entire camp, the new crop of language warriors will be fully immersed in their ancestral language, as well as the Tribe’s traditional stories and songs, through a combination of interactive lessons.
Leah’s Dream Foundation 11th Annual Golf Tournament
Saturday, 7/12
Over the years, this annual golf tournament has grown significantly, helping raise funds for the local special needs community. Leah’s Dream Foundation is a non-profit that was established in 2015 by Tribal member Deanna Sheldon, whose daughter, Leah Stacy, is diagnosed with apraxia. Throughout each year, the non-profit organizes a number of get-togethers for kids and young adults living with autism and disabilities, providing them a safe space to simply be themselves and build friendships through fun activities. The golf tournament, held at the Battle Creek course, is their sole fundraising event and every dollar collected goes towards their events and projects such as karaoke nights, holiday gatherings, and school supplies. Leah looks forward to the annual tournament and is always quick to lend a hand by posting sponsor signs all throughout the 18-hole golf course. To sign up for this year’s tournament, please visit, www.LeahsDream.org for more details.
Spee-Bi-Dah
Saturday, 7/19
Connecting multiple generations, this summertime potlatch celebrates the lifeways of the Tulalip people with a cookout on the beach. Held on a yearly basis, on the water, sands, and pebbles of the spee-bi-dah beach, the gathering provides Tribal members a chance to socialize with friends and family while also harvesting and grubbing on the foods of their ancestral diet, including salmon, clams, and crab. A main attraction of the day is when the community ‘pulls together’ by using the traditional method of seining to capture fresh shellfish for the traditional clambake.
Canoe Journey Landing at Tulalip
Late July, official date TBD
A beloved summertime event, the Canoe Journey is a great way to not only engage in the traditions of our people, but it also serves as a means to pass on those ancestral teachings to the next generation. While en route to this year’s final destination at Lower Elwha, dozens of tribal canoe families will make a pit stop for a night at Tulalip to rest, refuel with traditional foods, and offer a number of their tribe’s songs and dances before returning to the Salish Sea and proceeding on the journey. As mentioned earlier, Tulalip is currently making preparations for this year’s paddle with their weekly Culture Night and Canoe Practice gatherings, so if you’re interested in participating, be sure to check out those events!
Tulalip Health Clinic Annual Health Fair
Friday, 8/15
Promoting overall health and wellness, the Karen I. Fryberg Health Clinic is once again hosting their annual Health Fair gathering in August. During this event, community members can visit a number of informational booths and learn about the importance of prioritizing one’s health while also picking 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. This year’s event will take place at the Tulalip Gathering Hall from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Also, be sure to keep an eye out for the announcements of the dates, times, and locations for the following events:
- Tulalip Recovery Camp Out at Lopez Island
- Tulalip Police Department’s National Night Out
- Tulalip Elders Luncheon
- Annual Pride Everyday Gathering
- Tulalip Foundation’s Annual Salmon Bake Fundraiser
- Tulalip Education Division summer activities
- Tulalip Boys and Girls Club summer activities
- Cedar harvest outings
- Mountain huckleberry harvest outings