By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
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.