Author: Kim Kalliber

Anthony Jordan CRAIG

Anthony Jordan Craig (Tony) was born November 1,1986 to Melissa Ackerlund and George W. Craig III. He was tragically taken from us on February 5, 2020.

From the day that he was born he always had a smile on his face. He was the quiet and contemplative one and never caused us any grief as a child but as most teenagers go, he got into mischief and gave his mom a few grey hairs.

He leaves behind his son and his pride and joy, T’Rok Si’ab Craig, age 3. He leaves his mother, Melissa Ackerlund and her husband, Wayne, his sister Andrea Craig (Justin George), his brother, George Craig IV, step sisters Charity Ackerlund, Anna Jensen and step brother Isaiah Ackerlund. He leaves behind his father George W. Craig III (Janet), half sisters Jenevah, Maleena and Shylesha Craig and a special sister/cousin, Misty Craig. He also leaves behind his step-father Ron Hyatt who raised him from the age of 6, step sister & step brother, Joanna Uribe and Ben Hyatt. He has numerous nieces and nephews that will miss his spirit, joy and the fun they created together. Arrora Craig, Kydalynn Hoelzle and Jeramiah Johnson really looked up to him and admired his drive in life. He was the “favorite” uncle. He is leaving behind aunties, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews that are too numerous to list but he loved just the same. He will be missed by his grandmother, Carol Moser, who he kept a close eye on and stopped in on her frequently. She will miss those visits.

Tony has an extended family in Port Angeles (Lower Elwha and Jamestown Sk’llalam), Tulalip, Sedro Woolley and eastern Washington that will miss his infectious smile and his zest for life. Tony leaves behind some special lifelong friends that have had a profound effect on him forging his legacy in this life. Assunta Napoleon (his other mom), Tyler Rooker and Travis Hill. These boys were always into mischief from grade school through high school and kept “the moms” on their toes. Troy Fleck, who was like a brother to him and his California Fleck family. Joe Gonzalez, who was also like a brother to him and most times was the sound of reason or the one who kept him out of trouble (unless he was just so quiet and pulled the wool over our eyes). He has numerous other special friends that the list is too extensive but meant just as much to him. Tony has left our world to join his special auntie, Jimi Donnell-Townsend and his uncle Jeremy Boudrieau.

As an adult, Tony started using fitness and health as a positive way to overcome adversity and hurdles in his life. He had a dream and followed it. He became a personal trainer and opened his own gym on Tulalip and never looked back. He has been training for body building and weight lifting competitions and encouraging others in his “fitness” family to do the same. Through this tragedy I have found people in his fitness family that he has truly changed their lives. I will forever be grateful for the influence that he had on Cesar Santibanez, Marvin Velazquez, Bodhi Severns and others that have yet to introduce themselves. His family at Zone of Change Fitness will miss him. Carry on his fitness legacy in his honor, guys.

Tony was a Christian and found peace in his higher power. He will leave behind his “church/s” family (he loved so many different churches and could never pick just one to be part of his life). Even in death Tony enriched others lives. He was an organ donor and was able to give a gift to four others. Live on in them, Tony.

Tony never knew an enemy and tried to enrich anyone’s life who crossed his path. He saw the good in everyone and lifted spirits of each and every person who did cross his path. Carry on your legacy, Tony and watch over us. You have left a void in our hearts and we will miss you immensely. Your positive influence, your strength and your infectious smile will help us work through the pain and sadness that we all feel.

A celebration of Tony’s life will be held Saturday, February 15, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Tulalip Gym.

TELA and Imagine Children’s Museum bring STEM to future leaders

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

“I love science a lot because it makes me happy,” exclaimed young Taliah Bradford. “I like doing experiments at school with my friends.”

Every Friday the pre-school students of the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy (TELA) gather in the Deer classroom for Little Science Lab to learn about the wondrous world of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math). Sitting crisscross applesauce, the students give their undivided attention to Ms. Pam, of the Imagine Children’s Museum, as she guides them through thirty minutes of hands-on activities where they learn how the universe operates.

On the morning of January 31, the kids hurried to their seats to learn about one of Mother Earth’s elements, air. As she began her lesson, Ms. Pam asked the students the name of the layer of air and gasses that encompasses the earth, hinting they learned about it during their last class. Once it clicked, the students all called out together, ‘the atmosphere’. 

“It’s amazing to see these young 3 and 4-year-olds use advanced science vocabulary,” stated Teddy Dillingham, Imagine Children’s Museum newly appointed Grants Manager and former Director of Education. “They are using that vocabulary correctly and are remembering everything. That’s really helping set them up for future success in school because it’s building their confidence and their love for STEM.”

The idea of the Little Science Labs began back in 2017 when Tulalip Charitable Fund Director, Marilyn Sheldon, encouraged the children’s museum to apply for funding through the Charitable Fund, and bring some of their experiments to the children of Tulalip. 

“We’re really grateful for the Tulalip Tribes, they’ve been a longtime supporter of the museum and it seemed like a really great fit,” Teddy expressed. “Because of the Charitable Fund, we now have weekly classes here. For the academy’s summer program, we bring out our Museum on-the-go programs and align our lesson with the topics the teachers are covering. For instance, when they had their dinosaur week last summer, we brought our dino class to them.

         “We also have quarterly family nights where the children can bring their families and do some of these similar activities and play at the museum. It’s really fun and the caregivers have shared they are doing some of our activities at home with their children. We have a unit on shells, and when they go to the beach, the kids are identifying the shells that they are seeing. They are finding applications in their daily life and using it, which is the ultimate goal.” 

The kids continued to learn about air by playing with pinwheels, participating in interactive story time, and experimenting with sailboats made of styrofoam bowls and laminated construction paper. Blowing air in all directions, the kids watched its effect take place right before their eyes. 

“I learned that air is everywhere around us,” said TELA student Cameron, as she moved her arms in big circles through the air. “We played with the boats and we blew on them to make wind and make them move. And if there’s no wind for the sail, the boat gets stuck in the same spot. I liked the story today too, it was really good. I was a butterfly!”

Last year, the established partnership between TELA and the Imagine Children’s Museum led to additional funding from the Tribe to offer free museum memberships to all enrolled Tulalip tribal members. This resulted in over 150 sign-ups and approximately 1,000 visits from Tulalip families so far. And due to more and more kids developing a love for STEM in today’s techy world, the Museum is now more popular than ever, and therefore, are working to expand their space by adding another level to their building and extending their base as far as their property line allows. 

“As these students go through school and learn about the atmosphere, they are going to have this memory,” Teddy stated. “I’m a former science teacher and taught junior high. When kids showed up, they already had a vision of themselves as non-scientists, or that science is scary or science is hard. A lot of the grown-ups in their lives also had negative experiences with science. We’re setting up children when they’re young to show them how fun STEM can be, so they feel confident with it. One day they will look back and say, ‘oh yeah we blew on the boats and experimented with the balloons and pinwheels’. And they’re going to feel like, ‘okay, I already know this and can totally do this’.”

For more information about the Imagine Children’s Museum, please visit www.imaginecm.org 

M.P. prevails in berry bowl, the hardwood version

Tomahawk Elson Battle attempts a 3-pointer.

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

M.P. vs. Getchell. Tomahawks vs. Chargers. The cross town rivalry lived up to all the hype when the green and gold Chargers (9-6) nearly toppled mighty Marysville-Pilchuck (14-2) on Friday, January 31. 

Many thought M.P. basketball would take a step backwards this year after losing all-state standout RaeQuan Battle to the University of Washington. They were wrong. The red and white Tomahawks have piled up one big win after another on their quest to get back to the State tournament. They were a perfect (10-0) in league play when the upset minded Chargers, led by junior phenom Malakhi Knight, entered the gym.

Three Tulalip tribal members are among the M.P. roster – senior T.J. Severn, Alec Jones and Elson Battle. Unfortunately, T.J. and Alec were unavailable to play in the rivalry game due to injury. 

A ruckus Marysville Pilchuck gymnasium grew louder and louder as the game played out. Tied at halftime, 27-27, the Tomahawks had no answer for Charger’s do-it-all player, Knight. He would finish the game with an impressive 34 points, but his scoring barrage wasn’t enough to outduel an M.P. team full of experienced seniors who are unafraid of the big moments.  The Tomahawks executed their plays in the game’s critical moments and capitalized on their home floor to secure the W, 61-57. 

MSD asks you to vote yes

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Through a locked door and down a short flight of stairs is a room that is about twenty-degrees warmer than the rest of Liberty Elementary school. Signs that read, ‘Caution flammable!’ cover pumps and tanks that vary in both size and shape. The boiler room requires the school’s maintenance team to arrive hours early to ensure the school is warm enough for students in the morning. The heat from the boilers is carried throughout the school to several radiators that both retain and omit the heat. 

Not only are the hot radiators a first-degree burn accident waiting to happen, but the entire student body and faculty are in harm’s way of an explosion from pressure or chemical combustion, should someone untrained or curious try to regulate the facility’s temperature. 

The Marysville School District (MSD) is claiming that two of their elementary schools are outdated and well past the point of renovation and are asking for support from their community. Liberty Elementary was built in 1951 and has helped mold young, local minds for nearly seventy years, while Cascade Elementary was established only six years later in 1957. 

Aside from depending on the boiler system as a source of heat, both of the schools are facing a number of challenges due to the advancement of time and technology, which in many instances places their students at a learning disadvantage, including the capability to efficiently support the myriad of electronics of modern day. 

Another issue the schools must address is the lack of space. Students are often seen working on one side of the hallway while cabinets filled with files and supplies line the opposite side. While each school has numerous classrooms throughout their respective buildings, they are merely sectioned off by adjustable walls and contain no doors, leaving the students exposed to danger should there be a need for lockdown, as well as open to distraction from nearby classrooms and kids wandering the halls. 

And to make matters worse, the school nurse’s office at Liberty is located down an empty corridor with a large sheet covering the entryway for privacy.  

“I went to Liberty and I’m 62, so it’s been there for a long time,” said Tulalip tribal member and Chairman of Citizens for Marysville Schools, Ray Sheldon Jr. “The school district is wanting to replace Liberty and Cascade. I’m hoping we can get the amount of support up in the Tulalip area, so when the time comes for Heritage [High School] and Quil Ceda Tulalip [Elementary], it won’t be such a headache.” 

MSD is purposing a six-year capital levy of $1.93 per $1000 of assessed home value, equaling out to approximately $710 for taxpayers per year until 2026. The capital levy will not only provide the necessary funds to demolish and rebuild the two schools, it will increase safety for all schools within the district by paying for security cameras. 

“They used to build schools with bonds, but you had to have 60% plus one in order to get the money,” Ray explained. “So they chose to do the capital levy for the simple reason that you only need 50% plus one in order for it to pass. Of course, you have to wait a few years to start building any of the schools in order for some of the money to build up. It will be a long-term process.

“Tribal members are on trust land so the levy won’t hurt them. If you live on trust land, you don’t pay those taxes if you vote yes. If you don’t live on trust land, the levy averages out to just a little over $700 a per year. What people have to understand is, yes that can be considered a lot but not as bad compared to the bigger cities. When you go to the big school districts, they pay upwards of $3,000 to $4,000 every year.”

The School District assures the community that this is just the first assignment on a list to improve the learning environment at each one of their schools and build a stronger community. Ray believes the next schools to receive a rebuild or renovations will be either Shoultes or Totem middle school, they have also been operating for decades and are in dire need of modern updates. 

Recently, the capital levy has received push-back from families that live within the school district after the MSD school board announced a proposal to enforce feeder boundaries starting next year, which would limit the options of what school a child could attend based on where they live. Both the school district and the levy committee want to emphasize that this particular measure will have no effect on the boundary proposal and encourage you to make your voice heard at upcoming forums pertaining to that issue, whether you are for, or in opposition of, the school boundaries. 

Many young Tulalip tribal members and students from other sovereign nations attend the grade schools. In fact, at Liberty alone Tulalip students make up over 10% of their 426 enrolled kids. 

“The [school board] proposed boundaries for the next coming school year. A lot of people aren’t happy with it and are stating they’ll vote no for the levy, which will hurt overall,” expressed Ray. “The levy isn’t about the boundaries; the boundaries may never happen. The bottom line is these schools aren’t safe; it’s time to make a change. We’re really counting on our people out here. For our children, please vote yes for the Marysville School District capital levy.”

Tulalip Youth and Family Enrichment will be hosting a ballot party from 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Don Hatch Youth Center on February 10, be sure to submit your ballot at the party for your chance to win a raffle prize.

Elders gather to celebrate long-awaited Senior Center renovations

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

On the morning of Friday, January 31, the place to be was the Katherine “Molly” Hatch Senior Center’s grand reopening. After a lengthy construction process that wasn’t without a delay or two, Tulalip seniors were treated to a morning of warm meals and variety of snacks courtesy of their much needed, upgraded kitchen.

Dedicated kitchen staff showed how productive they could be with the latest line of kitchen equipment, while seniors occupied the Center’s more spacious hall. Thanks was given to the community partners who made the day possible. It wouldn’t have been a true elders gathering without delightful stories and good memories of those no longer with us being shared.

“A lot of times we look at life and wonder about what can happen after you’re gone,” shared elder Donald “Penoke” Hatch. “I can’t thank the Tribe enough for what they’ve done here for my mom. She was 75-years-old and still serving the seniors and elders. That was just her life and she enjoyed doing it.”

Unveiled was a painted portrait of the Center’s namesake, Molly Hatch, donated by her family. The Tulalip History Project played a film with a number of interviews and heart felt words shared by her as well. Seniors took in the precious moments while enjoying a salmon-filled lunch.

Next to the main hall is a space dubbed the Virginia Carpenter craft room. Known for its creativity running on Tuesday and Thursdays when basket making, cedar roses, and various arts and craft classes occur. 

During the grand reopening festivities, some seniors looked forward to more renovations to come and suggested a variety of excursions that could benefit mind, body, and spirit.

“We’d like it if our crafts room were made bigger. It gets cramped when we’re doing larger projects, like making center pieces for our annual elders’ luncheon,” said Virginia. “Also, if our new travel van were used to take us more places, like places outdoors where the elders can walk around and see new sights.”

CEO Shelly Lacy, while discussing future plans and activities with the seniors, said, “It’s a priority to listen to their suggestions and plan more events for our elders to get together. I think we also need to figure out how to have our younger generation interact with their elders more. There’s an intergeneration connection we are missing right now. Our elders have so many stories and teachings to share.”

A phase two of Senior Center renovations has received budget approval and is currently in the strategic planning phase. Incorporating additional space for the crafts room and other critical support functions is among the planning.  

“The Tribe has done wonderful things for a lot of us, and this building is just one example of that. Us seniors look forward to more things to come,” said Penoke.

Tribal member ships off for military career

By Cullen Salinas-Zackuse, Tulalip News

Leaving the reservation is never an easy thing to do. Embarking on a journey far away from your home, friends, and family to chase something bigger than yourself is what 25-year-old Andrew Henderson is doing. As Andrew prepares for basic training his mother surprised him with a send-off party. The Tulalip Veterans hosted the gathering at the Hibulb Cultural Center on Friday, January 31st. 

Andrew joined the United States Navy to learn aero mechanics, a trade where he will work hands-on fixing airplanes. His ambition came from wrenching on cars with his dad. “I always liked working with my hands. My most recent project was fixing up a 2011 Camaro,” said Andrew. 

This ambition will take him to see the world, with his first two stops being basic training. He is traveling to Illinois and Florida, then wherever else the Navy will take him. 

Sending off our Tulalip tribal military members in a good way is very important to the Tulalip Veterans department. They want tribal members who leave the for the military to feel appreciated and to know they have a community to come home to when done serving. 

During the farewell gathering, two cedar rings were blessed; one to protect Andrew when he leaves and one to wash away the bad energy when he returns home. 

Once Andrew serves his time with the Navy, he plans on returning home to open his own mechanic shop.

Treaty of Point Elliot returns to Puget Sound, 165 years after initial signing

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

In the frigid winter weather of 1855, a monumental gathering between Native American leadership of the greater Puget Sound region and Governor Stevens, of the recently formed Washington Territory, occurred near the sea banks at Muckl-te-oh. There, on that 22nd day of January, Chiefs Seattle, Patkanim and Chow-its-hoot, joined by sub-chiefs and delegates of nearby tribes, bands and villages, left their mark on a piece of parchment. That parchment is known as the Treaty of Point Elliot.

By signing that treaty, the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and allied bands, together with other northern Puget Sound tribes, ceded over 5 million acres of land to the U.S. government and agreed to relocate to several small tracts of land called reservations. In doing so, the tribal leadership of the time were heavily scrutinized, shunned, and in some instances killed for giving away their ancestral homelands to the white man. However, time would prove those tribal leaders to be the barriers of infinite wisdom. 

“The treaty itself is a legal and binding contract between two sovereigns [the tribes and the U.S. government] that reserves our right to fish in usual and accustomed areas, our right to hunt and gather in open and unclaimed lands, and our right to govern ourselves,” said Ray Fryberg, executive director of Natural Resources. “It’s important to remember these treaty rights were reserved, they weren’t granted to us. We weren’t granted anything in the treaty. These are rights [our ancestors] reserved for us.” 

Among the several reservations the Point Elliot Treaty established was a 22,000 acre land-base called the Tulalip Reservation, which set the stage for the consolidation of treaty tribes gathered and living within reservation boundaries. These tribes would eventually become known by the singular title and modern identity: Tulalip Tribes of Washington. 

Today, the Tulalip Reservation is rich with natural resources, such as marine waters, tidelands, fresh water creeks and lakes, wetlands, forests and developable land. The Tulalip Tribes have developed into an economic powerhouse fueled by multiple casinos and Quil Ceda Village business endeavors, while becoming one of the largest employers in Snohomish County. Revenues from gambling operations and lease payments from QCV businesses pay for a litany of services and programs that benefit an ever-growing Tulalip tribal membership.

‘All Treaties made…under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme Law of the Land.’ – states article VI, section 2 of the U.S. Constitution.

One hundred and sixty-five years to that historic day tribal leaders left their mark on parchment, the Treaty of Point Elliot has finally returned to the Puget Sound area and is on full display at the Hibulb Cultural Center. It has been locked away and hidden from public view in Washington D.C. since it was initially signed and ratified. After a lengthy and arduous process undertook by Hibulb senior curator Tessa Campbell and assistant curator Emilie Miller, the document responsible for the inception of the Tulalip Tribes traveled by armored truck on a secret route to get here. Now, it is showcased as part of Hibulb’s truly innovative Power of Words: A History of Tulalip Literacy exhibit.

“We were able to develop this exhibit with the documents left behind by our ancestors,” explained Tessa. “The exhibit is filled with the words of our ancestors and you can feel their powerful words the minute you enter the gallery. It is powerful! 

“Literacy has allowed us to keep a record of our history, culture and teachings,” continued Tessa. “However, literacy has not become a lifeway for a people. Literacy has not replaced our lifeways or teachings. Instead, it is a tool we learned to use to our advantage for healing, carrying on the teachings and traditions of our people, and, most importantly, upholding the inherent rights of our Treaty.”

A special exhibit preview was held on January 22nd to celebrate the 165th anniversary of the treaty’s signing. An estimated 120 Tulalip tribal members gathered in the Hibulb longhouse room to hear many precious words spoke of importance and critical understanding that the treaty embodies as a living document.

“It’s imperative we honor, respect and recognize what this treaty means,” declared Tulalip board of director and vice-chairman Glen Gobin. “Nobody gave us sovereignty. We had inherent sovereignty because we were always here. That treaty acknowledges that sovereignty. Since treaty times, every tribal leader has fought to enact and protect the provisions in that document, and that’s why we are still here today.

“We are a sovereign nation with a treaty with the U.S. government because of our ancestors who never gave up the things they thought were most important. When you think of all the adversity the tribes have faced after 165 years, it’s amazing we are still here. It shows the resiliency we have, the strength of our own teachings, and the power of our understanding of what it means to protect that treaty.”

The Tulalip people continue to exist today as a distinct self-governing, culturally vibrant people in no small part because of a single, handwritten document. This is due to the literary accomplishments and powerful words that have been used as an unwavering defense to uphold it. Although the treaty is just pieces of parchment, it is regarded as a living document that protects the rights of the Tulalip Tribes.

A common teaching heard in Native communities is the Seventh Generation principle; based on the philosophy that the decision we make today should result in a sustainable world seven generations into the future. It is noted that since the Point Elliot Treaty’s signing on January 22, 1855 there have been exactly seven generations.

Today, there is a whole generation of Tulalip citizens who thrive on their reservation. They’ve grown up with their cultural fires burning bright. They’ve had endless opportunity to nourish their families by hunting or fishing for traditional foods, hear their ancestral language Lushootseed, and strengthen their spirit in the Tulalip Longhouse. All of this and so much more is possible because 165 years ago tribal leaders of the time made their mark on parchment.

  Tulalip elder Ray Fryberg put it best, while experiencing the Treaty of Point Elliot exhibit, he remarked, “Everything we are today, from each tribal department and business to every single one of our tribal members, we are because of that treaty.”