Author: Kim Kalliber

Early Learning Academy goes solar

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

A sunshine celebration ribbon cutting was held by Tulalip tribal leadership on Tuesday, August 15, to honor the many benefits of the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy’s solar energy movement. In partnership with Bonneville Environmental Foundation’s Solar 4R Schools program, four 20’x14’ solar panels were installed at the learning center back in April. Since their installation they have been harnessing the power of sunlight and turning it into electricity to help power the 52,000 square-foot Early Learning Academy,

“We are so excited to be the first tribal facility to go greener,” says Sheryl Fryberg, Director of the Early Learning Academy. “We want our children to learn at a young age the importance of how to make our planet a cleaner, safer place for future generations.”

Overlooking scenic Tulalip Bay, the sunlight absorbing solar panels have a direct sightline to the most powerful source of energy in the solar system, our sun. Making further use of the life-giving and renewable energy source, the solar movement forwards the Tribe’s goals of creating a healthy, sustainable community. There is no loss of air or water quality as a result of increasing the amount of energy now available to the Early Learning Academy. In this respect, making use of renewable energy is highly compatible with Native beliefs, such as living in harmony with nature and protecting the environment.

“This solar panel project is about showing our community what’s possible with solar energy. I’m committed to renewable energy all the way and even have solar panels installed on my home,” states Bonnie Juneau, Tulalip Board of Director. “Solar energy is proven to be effective and reduces our harm to the environment. It’s phenomenal. Going forward, all of our buildings will have south-facing roofs so the panels can harness as much sunlight as possible.

“This project also gives us an opportunity to show our children what exciting things can be achieved with math and science. Teaching them about solar energy at such a young age will only help them in the future. Think about the possibilities, about what one of our children may be able to come up with in 15-20 years. I’m so excited just thinking about what is now possible.”

Indeed, the Early Learning Academy’s children have already begun learning about solar energy in fun and effective ways. Solar 4R Schools program delivers one of the most comprehensive renewable energy STEM education experiences in the nation. Through teacher training, science kits, teacher-generated activities and real-time access to energy generation data from 200+ solar systems nationwide, we are directly empowering the next generation of clean energy leaders.

“The preschool staff are thrilled to be learning new activities to teach our children,” explains Sheryl Fryberg. “They were part of an all-day training to learn how to teach their preschool children energy projects in the classroom. They learned how to build a solar energy car, bake with a solar oven and even make some Crayola shirts with a solar oven. Our children will be learning how to do these projects and we are hoping that it will spark a long term interest in them about how to do their part to save the planet.”

An underlying benefit to the Academy going solar is a reduction in utility costs, which will allow more dollars to be directed toward educational needs. The solar panel array has produced 8,767.4 kWh (kilowatt-hours of electricity) so far. Given that the school has the SNOPud general utility rate of $0.0891/kWh, the solar system has generated approximately $781.18 worth of electricity savings to date.

Located in the lobby of the Early Learning Academy is a very cool information kiosk that gives students, teachers, and visitors an in-depth look into solar electric energy generated by the panels. At any given time one can see live data in a variety of ways. Equivalency results detail the impact of conservation efforts made by using the solar panels. To date, 13,584 pounds of CO2 has been saved which is the equivalent of 14,767 miles driven by an average passenger vehicle, 6,575 pounds of coal burned, or 14.3 barrels of oil consumed.*

For more information on the Academy’s solar panel project please visit http://www.solar4rschools.org/kiosk-betty-j-taylor-early-learning-academy for live data and further renewable benefits.

*Source: https://www.epa.gov/energy/greenhouse-gas-equivalencies-calculator

Year of the Woman: Tulalip Honors Lifegivers

 

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News 

Honoring Lifegivers:

The women in our community are strong. We want to acknowledge their role in strengthening our people. As grandmothers, they continue to be our first teachers, building our foundation and shaping our cultural identity. As mothers, they nurture our future generations. As daughters, they are the promise that our people, our teachings and values, and our identity will live on.

 

This past March, the Tulalip Tribes elected Marie Zackuse to serve as Chair to its Board of Directors, making her the second Chairwoman in the Tribe’s history – the first woman to hold the position since Harriette Shelton-Dover. The Tribe also elected Teri Gobin as Vice Chairwoman, giving Tulalip its first-ever female majority of the seven-person Board, as the new Chair and Vice Chair joined Bonnie Juneau and Theresa Sheldon; as well as Mel Sheldon Jr., Les Parks and Jared Parks.

Following this year’s historic election, Les made a motion for the tribe to dedicate an entire day to honor the past, present and future women of Tulalip.

“This happened right after the election in March,” Les explained. “In the first meeting of the Board, we were trying to decide amongst the seven of us, ‘how are we going to identify ourselves as the new Tulalip Board of Directors?’ To me it was obvious because I was sitting around four women, now a majority of the board. It’s really exciting times for Tulalip to know that we now have Chairwoman Marie Zackuse, Vice Chairwoman Teri Gobin, Bonnie Juneau and Theresa Sheldon serving and leading our Board of Directors. It was really apparent that this is the Year of the Woman. It is so important that we come together to celebrate women because it’s you women who made us who we are today, we could not be here without you.”

On Wednesday August 16, the Tulalip Tribes hosted Honoring Our Lifegivers at the Greg Williams Court to pay tribute to the Grandmothers of the tribal community as well as celebrate the first female majority Board of Directors. Upon the ceremony’s opening speeches, the Board showcased a video which honors many Tulalip grandmothers, many of whom passed. However, Les expressed that the video is still a work in progress as it is the Board’s wish to have all of the grandmothers of Tulalip featured in the video.

During the event, the Tribe recognized and honored the ten eldest grandmothers of the community, Blanche James, Genevieve Williams, Etta Jones, Roberta Skoog, Lavinia Carpenter, Elizabeth Penn, Katherine Elliot, Geraldine Bill, Eleanor Nielsen and Loretta James. The honored guests were encouraged to speak to the community, and many of the women shared their family history as well as advice for future generations.

“My father was one of the first loggers on this reservation,” expressed Loretta James. “He always held that title but he was a policeman too. And then I was a judge, so that goes to show that there’s a leader in each generation. My advice for the future generations: if I had a dream it would be to find a way to get rid of all the drugs on this reservation. They have hurt and taken away the lives of our people who have been far too young. I have seven children, over one-hundred grandchildren and great grandchildren who all love me dearly.”

Traditional honor songs were performed by the Tom family as well as the Tulalip Salmon Ceremony singers for the grandmothers and the four female Board members.

“It is history making for our Board to have a majority of women,” stated Chairwoman Marie Zackuse. “And it’s because of the women we are honoring today, for the women that were on the film and for the ones not mentioned who we don’t have a picture for. I’ve said many times, if it wasn’t for the men and the women who were our early leaders, who laid that foundation for us, for our youth, for the young ones sitting here today, the ones that are in our Early Learning center and for the ones that are coming still – seven generations out. On behalf of our people, we are going to continue to do this in a good way – serve for our children and for our children’s children.”

Tulalips paid respect to the many strong women of the Tribe. Several female leaders spoke to the community sharing stories, advice for the youth, as well as who their female mentors were while growing up. Many community members were moved to tears as Deborah Parker, Karen Fryberg, Marci Fryberg Johnson, Inez Bill and Tulalip Tribes General Manger, Misty Napeahi passionately spoke about both their personal experiences as well as the resiliency of past female leaders during the colonization era.

“I’m honored to serve as your General Manager, I’m also honored to say that I come from a long line of strong women,” Misty stated. “My grandma is not here in physical body but I know she’s here in spirit. Her name is Genevieve Kona Williams and I know how proud she is of the work we are doing to honor the women of our community. Women always had a rightful place in our communities but through the acts of colonization we got put behind men. That’s why I’m so grateful for today, because there’s not one stronger gender, we’re all equal. It’s the balance we bring to one another that creates a community that’s full of love, blessings and safety. I’m a strong woman because I come from a long strong line of women but I also have strong men that stand beside me.”

Board Member, Theresa Sheldon thanked the community for uniting together to honor the Lifegivers.

“Our hands go up to every single one of you who are here today to celebrate our Lifegivers, our women, our mothers, our grandmothers, our aunties, our sisters – those who gave us the foundation of who we are,” said Theresa. “To be able to celebrate the Year of the Woman means to honor those who came before us and those who set the ground for us to stand upon today. It was not easy to be a woman in leadership; today we are able to stand on the shoulders of the great women of our Tribe and say thank you. Because of your work and all of the things you’ve done, you’ve lead the path for us to be where we are today. Thank you, t’igwicid, is never enough for the love, the strength, the beauty that’s in this room right now; I feel it in my heart.”

Etta Frances Jones (1931 – 2017)

Etta Frances Jones, 85 of Tulalip, WA, passed away August 20, 2017, in Everett, WA. She was born September 2, 1931, in Everett to George Craig Sr and Delia Jimicum. Etta was a Pow Wow Vender and collected jewelry. She was active on the Pow Wow trail. She was very active in her community being at almost every event. She was very generous. Etta graduated with an Associates Degree from Northwest Indian College. She is survived by her children, William L. “B.J.” Jones Jr., Rita (Dana) Matta, Virginia Nancy McClellean, Valerie Matta, Kirk (Bonnie Lancaster-Jones) Jones, Bonnie Jones, Georgia Bridges; sister, Darlene Grayloe; 49 grandchildren; 101 plus great-grandchildren; and five great great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Lawrence Jones; Dave Brown; children: Juanita Jones-Morales, Dale “Buck” Jones, Peggy Sue Shopbell; and baby Keith Jones. A Prayer Service will be held on Thursday at 12:30 p.m. at the Tulalip Gym with an interfaith service to follow at 6:00 p.m. Funeral Services will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the Tulalip Gym with burial following at Mission Beach Cemetery.

Tulalip Mountain Camp 2017

By Libby Nelson, Senior Environmental Policy Analyst, Treaty Rights Office, Tulalip Tribes Natural Resources Depoartment 

 

Mountain Camp 2017 kicked off with Kelly Moses storytelling and preparing the kids for their mountain journey, in the longhouse around a fire.

The kids backpacked the first three days into Barlclay Lake where they explored, hiked and stayed cool swimming

With guides Ross Fenton and Matthew Moses, the group then went to swədaʔx̌ali, our co-stewardship area in the Mt Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest, where they participated in our huckleberry restoration work. The kids joined Chelsea Craig, Patti Gobin and Melissa Gobin in cedar weaving and making cedar headbands.  Natural Resources Department staff members Ryan Miller, Daryl Williams, Ross Fenton, Matthew Moses, and Zach Lamebull talked with the youth about careers in natural resources.

It was hot at 5,000 feet, but nights were just right and skies were starry.  Michelle Myles from the Lushootseed Department and I spent Thursday night at camp, with Michelle telling stories under the stars before bed.  As before, kids learned to set up tents, carry their own gear, cook in the wilderness, conserve water, and support each other, and about their mountain culture.  Once again, Inez Bill helped contribute to the program with her ideas and feedback on our curriculum.

For the first time this year, we ended camp with a river trip. Kids got a lesson in kayaking and suited up for a three-hour downriver trip starting at the bridge in Skykomish.  We contracted with Outdoor Adventure Company of Index, and the kids seemed to love it!

Brenda Lyle

Dec. 1, 1965 – August 10, 2017 Brenda Lyle, 51, of Tulalip, WA was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away early in the morning on August 10, 2017. She was born December 1, 1965 in Everett, WA to Willis and Marcella (Williams) Lyle. Brenda loved camping, road trips, concerts, traveling with the Tulalip seniors, doing arts and crafts, she loved her berries, her favorite thing was spending time with her kids and grandkids. She is survived by her Mate, Daniel Jones; children, Sandy (Jeremy), Joe Myers Jr., Teresah Danielson, Frank Madison, William Madison, Sandy Sue Madison; grandchildren, Jaley, Marissa, Makaila, Gabriel, Desmond, Shiloh and Vatta; sisters, Pamela Peters, Lisa Lyle and Tina Lyle; brothers, Jeff (Kathy) Lyle, Mark (Sherry); numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and special friend Alvie McCollum. She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Galen, Keith, Trevor, Vincent and stepbrother, James Price; and grandchild, Deliah. Special thanks to Leanne and Veronica for the love they shared with her. Visitation will take place on Monday, August 14, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home. Interfaith services will be at 6:00 p.m. at the Tulalip Gym. Funeral services will be Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at 10:00 a.m. at the Tulalip Gym with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.

Tulalip community celebrate National Night Out

“Let’s continue to help bring our youth and community together in a good way.”

– Josh Fryberg, Youth Services Coordinator

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News 

On the sizzling summer evening of Tuesday, August 1, Tulalip citizens of all ages and their neighbors came out to meet the police officers who have sworn an oath to protect and serve the community. The occasion was the 34th Annual National Night Out, free to all and held in the Tulalip Youth Center parking lot.

Tulalip Police Chief Carlos Echevarria greeted community members with a warm smile and a slice of public safety insight during the community-building event.

“The purpose of National Night Out is for the local community and law enforcement to come together against crime. Law enforcement cannot fight crime alone, we must have community support moving forward,” stated Chief Echevarria. “Under the body armor and police uniform, law enforcement officers exist as real people. Positive interactions and open conversation allows for the human side of policing to shine through and from this foundation trust is gained.”

National Night Out has been an annual occurrence since its inception in 1984. The ultimate goal is to promote police-community partnerships and neighborhood camaraderie to make our neighborhoods safer, more caring places to live. Enhancing the relationship between the community’s youth and law enforcement goes a long way to bringing back a true sense of community. It also provides a great opportunity to bring police and neighbors together under positive circumstances.

In light of it occurring on one of the hottest days of the year, dozens of families took part in the National Night Out mingling. While enjoying tasty hot dogs, green salads, and sugar treats, community members strolled through the informative safety demonstration tables. There were games and activities for the young ones to partake in, giving parents and guardians the perfect opportunity to connect with emergency personnel.

“We, along with a lot of other families, really enjoyed National Night Out. I saw a lot of smiles from the youth and community along with great information that was being provided to the people,” said Josh Fryberg, Youth Services Coordinator, who attended the evening’s activity with his family. “We want to thank Carlos and TPD for all of the work that they do for the Tulalip Tribes and community members. We’ve created a great partnership with TPD here at Youth Services with ‘pop with a cop’. It has been a great time for the youth and staff to get to know numerous TPD police officers. Let’s continue to help bring our youth and community together in a good way.”

Youth could be seen interacting with all levels of law enforcement. From meeting and petting the unit’s K9 officer, taking pics with officers for the always active social media accounts, to the youngest among them requesting a hug with a real life superhero.

Chief Echevarria says his favorite moment from National Night Out “was when a 4-year-old young lady asked me for a hug. When I kneeled down and gave her a hug then another child requested a hug as well. This type of interaction with our youth and community definitely makes us, Tulalip, unique. Very proud moment as Chief!”