Category: News

Salish Spirit’s legendary killer whale encounter celebrated on World Whale Day

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

For generations, the Tulalip Tribes have been stewards of the land and sea. From ancestors long past to present day culture bearers, plus an entire Natural Resources department filled with committed employees, the Tribes’ stewardship is loudest in advocating for stronger protections of marine life. In particular, protecting the endangered Southern Resident killer whales and their primary food source, Chinook salmon.

Both the Southern Resident killer whales and Chinook salmon call the Salish Sea home. Their populations once thrived and flourished in the local waterways. Now, these two species face increasing threats due to global warming, pollution, habitat destruction, and an unregulated seal infestation.

In the spirit of Tulalip’s effort to restore ecological balance and ensure the survival of killer whales, the Tribes’ official logo, an intimate gathering took place within the Tulalip Resort Casino to celebrate World Whale Day. Taking place on the third Sunday in February, World Whale Day is an opportunity to honor these marine marvels and reflect on our culturally rooted relationship with them. 

“We regularly create content for our social media platforms to share about Tulalip’s history and culture. In honor of World Whale Day, I thought what better way to share about history and culture than to have Ray Fryberg share his experience with an orca,” explained Kelsie Pablo, H.R. Hiring Manager for the Tulalip Gaming Organization. She reached out to Ray, who with his family, agreed to have their story shared via the Resort’s social media accounts.

“Our team sat down with Ray and recorded his retelling of that legendary encounter. It was an emotional story and a really incredible experience for all the staff involved,” continued Kelsie. “It really didn’t feel like enough to just post a quick video to our socials. So, we asked permission to share the video in our hotel lobby so it could be seen by all our guests who visit and stay at the Resort. We’re so excited to have this video on display and super grateful to Ray and his family for allowing us to share with and educate a larger public audience.”

Adding to the Word Whale Day celebration was the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind, digitally enhanced photo that clearly captured the momentous 2004 encounter between a killer whale and the Salish Spirit canoe family. In the photo, Ray is sitting in his captain’s seat and is embracing a killer whale that emerged from the Salish Sea.

In his retelling of the encounter, Ray, a Tulalip elder and cultural historian for the Tribes, makes it very clear this meeting was not by happenstance. Instead, it was foretold by the late Muchalaht First Nations chief Ambrose Maquinna. Prior to his death, chief Maquinna said that his spirt would be leaving his body soon, but not to worry because he’ll be coming back as a killer whale.

“When Ambrose passed away, within a week that killer whale showed up to their village,” recalled Ray. So, he and his Salish Spirit canoe family journeyed north to determine for themselves if it really was chief Ambrose in killer whale form. “We went out there and tried and tried to see him, but nothing happened. When we headed to shore and were just about to pull our canoe in, that’s when we got word he was seen in the area. So, we jumped back in our canoe and headed out, again.

“It didn’t take long for us to spot the killer whale. We were told that if we saw him to let him know we were here, so we started to sing. We could see him swimming ahead and next thing you know he stopped and turned to look at us. Then he took off and was coming straight at us like a torpedo. He didn’t dive all the way under water, instead he was swimming at the top so that the water was flying up. Right before it looked like he was going to run into us he dove under water and disappeared from sight.

“We didn’t have any idea where he was at. We’re looking all around and then he popped up right between the two canoes, like in the picture,” continued Ray. “He popped up right between chief Kelly and I’s captain seats. When he popped out of the water, he let out this exhale that was so powerful and so loud. He turned his head and looked right at me. We locked eyes and, in that moment, I never felt such strong spiritual energy in my life.”

The Tulalip Tribes, the successors in interest for the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and other allied bands, have a profound spiritual and cultural relationship with the killer whale. Often referred to as “Blackfish,” they are considered family members, protectors, and spiritual guides my many of our tribal members.

The Tribes have long understood, the survival of the killer whale is linked to the survival of the salmon, and the health of both is tied to the well-being of the ocean. Tulalip’s advocacy serves as a reminder that the balance of nature depends on collective effort and respect for the interconnectedness of all life.

After watching his legendary story be played in the hotel lobby and looking upon the stunning photo on display, Tulalip elder reflected, “That is the ultimate validation in the beliefs of my people.”

Operation Heart to Heart: Delivering smiles and promoting inclusion 

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

A cargo van and a school bus were filled with high school students from Marysville Getchell High School. On the morning of February 11, they were enroute to a number of different schools located within the Marysville School District. Their mission, to bring smiles to their fellow students by way of songs and gifts, was officially underway and has become an event that hundreds of special needs students and MSD faculty look forward to every year. 

Operation Heart to Heart has been in effect over the past several years and is an amazing way for the MGHS students to show love to special needs classrooms each Valentine’s Day season. The participants are all members of either the Marysville Getchell Native American and Friends Club or the Leah’s Dream Activity Club, or both. 

MGHS Senior Charley Dick, President of the MG Native American and Friends Club, shared, “It’s nice to be able to go see everyone and to see all the smiles on everyone’s faces. It makes me feel like our club is doing good things and positively affecting the community, because we’re all about inclusion, building community, and making a good impact.”

The club members were warmly welcomed at each school with hugs and high fives as many students recalled engaging with them at previous gatherings. Operation Heart to Heart also gives the special needs students a break from their classroom settings as they greet their visitors in their school’s hallways or on the playground outdoors. 

At each school, after brief salutations, MGHS special needs instructor, Jim Strickland, retrieved his guitar from its case and kicked things off with a classic country song that many students knew and clapped and sang along to, “You are my sunshine”. Following Mr. Stricklands ballad, MSD Native liaison, Terrance Sabbas, led a traditional Lakota song on a hand drum, which was met with an uproar of applause from the kids, many of whom couldn’t contain their excitement and jumped up and down with joy upon hearing the cultural jam. 

The students were then gifted goodie bags with items such as coloring books, stuffed animals, bubble wands, fidgets and paint kits. The backpacks were tailored to each student’s sensory needs, making the experience even more heartfelt and personal. 

Amy Sheldon, Tulalip tribal member and MGHS Special Education Native American liaison, expressed an overall excitement to see inclusivity celebrated by students in today’s school system. During the Heart to Heart event, Amy beamed with pride as she watched the club members interact with the students at all eight campuses, which included Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary, Grove Street Elementary, Totem Middle School, and Marysville Pilchuck High School.  

Said Amy, “We started doing Heart to Heart because the Native American and Friends Club wanted to be able to give back to kids who are in self-contained classrooms, and it’s continued to grow over the years. We want to make a difference and bring a change of the culture, you know, inclusion and acceptance of everybody. And we like to see the joy on everyone’s faces. The club worked after school to get everything packed and ready to go. This year, we were able to give out 255 bags through the whole Marysville School District for all the self-contained classrooms.”

Operation Heart to Heart relies solely on donations for the gift bags, and unfortunately this past year there were not as many donations as in previous years. Thankfully, Leah’s Dream Foundation was able to pitch in some funds to ensure that each student walked away with a Valentine’s Day party favor. So, if you are reading this and would like to contribute to next year’s initiative, you can do so by visiting LeahsDreamFoundation.org.

When asked how it felt to see all the smiles throughout the day, Amy stated, “It makes me really happy. My daughter has autism. She’s 28 now and I wish she had stuff like this when she was younger. There is a lot of negativity going on in the world we live in now and to keep giving back to others is so important, so everyone knows they matter. I think we’re making a difference, like with bringing unified sports to our schools. We’re doing a lot of amazing things, and I think it’s important to highlight the good.”

In total, the clubs visited five elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school. Both of the clubs will continue to host events and activities for the remainder the school year. Be sure to follow the MG Native American and Friends Club and the Marysville Pilchuck High School Facebook pages for more information. 

“This is really important to me, because I just want to make sure that everyone feels included,” expressed Charley. “It’s really nice to know that we’re making a lot of these kids’ day. It’s important to let them know that they have a community, that they have people who care about them, because a lot of students do face bullying. Knowing that they’re included in activities like these and knowing that when they do go to middle school and high school, that they have people who are there for them and who will give them that safe space is important.” 

Pinning their way to perfection

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

In the world of high school sports, true dominance is rare. Maintaining a season-long undefeated streak? Even rarer. But this ‘24-25 school year, the Marysville Pilchuck wrestling squad didn’t just aim for success, they aimed to rewrite the history books. 

Culminating with a dominant 62-15 match victory over archrival Marysville Getchell, the Tomahawks did just that. They finished the regular season with an unblemished 17-0 record and, in doing so, cemented themselves in school history as the most formidable team to ever step onto the mat.

From the very first match versus Shorewood, when they dominated 67-12, it was clear that this team was something special. They opened the season with a statement victory, setting the tone for what would become a relentless march toward perfection. Match after match, they took down all opponents, including incredible shutouts over Archbishop Murphy, 84-0, and Kamik, 81-0. Over and over again, the M.P. boys outworked and outlasted every competitor who dared to stand in their way. With a combination of lightning-fast takedowns, relentless chain wrestling, and impeccable mat awareness, they dictated the pace in every dual meet.

Tomahawks head coach Marcus Haughian has been leading M.P.’s program for six years and knew early on that this squad had the makings of something historic. “A lot of these kids I’ve coached since they were wrestling in youth program. I knew we really had the makings of something great when many of them decided to come to M.P. and continue wrestling together,” he said in the immediate aftermath of the Berry Bowl victory. “It feels amazing. I’ve seen first-hand how much time, dedication, and hard work this team has put in day in and day out. They deserve all the accolades for coming together as a real team and accomplishing something historic.”

Among his coaching staff are two Tulalip tribal members, Tony Hatch and Sam Davis, who, as history would have it, coached Marcus when he was an M.P. wrestler years ago. Coach Marcus couldn’t praise their efforts and guidance enough as being instrumental to the program. “Tony meant so much to me when I was a high schooler. I still call him coach even though we are colleagues now. And having Sam as a lead youth wrestling coach be here and offer his insights from coaching several of our wrestlers since they were just little kids in invaluable. We have a bunch of tribal kids in this program. They are some of the toughest kids I know. Being able to further develop the connection between Tulalip and Marysville through our wrestling program is something we, as a coaching staff, are proud of.”

While wrestling is the ultimate individual sport, this Tomahawks team thrived on unity. Each wrestler contributed, but a few standouts rose to the occasion time and time again. Senior captain Danny Vergara dominated his 175-pound weight class with a series of flawless headlocks, fireman’s carries, and picture-perfect double-leg takedowns, securing crucial victories in high-pressure situations.

“For me, being a captain is all about showing everyone that’s younger how to practice the right way, how to work hard, and how to practice good sportsmanship regardless if you win or lose,” shared Danny. “This team know how to work hard. We sweat our butts off, literally, to maintain our wrestling weight and practice every day to make each other better. It’s all that hard work that drives us to be perfect.”    

Meanwhile, 120-pound phenom Garrett Turner has stunned the competition with explosive ankle picks, powerful tilts, and relentless riding time, proving that the future is just as bright as the present. In fact, it’s widely assumed by his coaches that Garrett (33 wins) will break former M.P. icon Drew Hatch’s all-time wins record (42 wins) either this post season or early next year.

“The wins have been great, but for me the real highlights of this season have come in practice,” shared Garrett. “Our biggest and best competition is in this locker room because we know what’s on the line for us. Our practices have been full of blood, sweat and tears, and maybe a curb stomp or two, but that’s because iron sharpens iron and we’re always grinding to get better.”

One of the most thrilling moments of the season came when 106-pounder Javohn Henry executed a textbook cradle in the final seconds of a match that seemed up for grabs. The Tulalip senior secured a dramatic fall that sent the home crowd into a frenzy. Proving this team isn’t solely relying on talent, they have the grit to persevere and overcome as well.

“Most people have no idea how much discipline it takes for us to maintain our weight through an entire season. Every pound matters for us and you can miss weight just by weighing in a couple ounces heavy,” explained Javohn who in also known as the heart and soul of Tulalip Heritage’s defensive unit on the football field. He seamlessly transitioned from his bulkier safety/linebacker build to a lean, mean 106-pounder on the wrestling mat. 

“Playing football for Tulalip and now wrestling for Marysville, it’s cool to see all the community and support who follow just sports in general. Of course, it helps when the teams are good, but I know for me I feed off that positive energy,” continued the dual sport 17-year-old. “I’m proud to be adding to this history of Tulalip tribal members who showcase their athletic talents as Tomahawks. We got a bunch of Tulalip representation on this team and now we’re a part of the greatest team in Marysville Pilchuck history. How great is that? It’s a legacy to proud of. That’s for sure.” 

Seasons come and go, but undefeated records are forever. With the regular season over, the focus now shifts to the postseason where several Tomahawks intend to become State champs. Given what they’ve managed to accomplish to this point, there’s no telling just how much more history they are going to make.

Clash of tribal titans. Round 3

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Tulalip vs. Lummi. Hawks vs. Blackhawks. Round 3. For the Northwest 1B District championship.

First, a quick refresher. Round 1 went to Tulalip at home, 68-63, in a thrilling game that saw the Hawks overcome a 15 point 4th quarter deficit. Round 2 went to Lummi at their place, 74-79, in another instant classic. In that game, Heritage jumped out a 13 point lead in the 2nd quarter, then trailed by 17 points to start the 4th, before falling just short of pulling off another comeback.

Both early rounds went to the home team. Both also featured a Tulalip team digging themselves into double-digit deficits in the 4th quarter before going into high gear and producing incredible scoring barrages. But now, we’re in the championship rounds. What would round 3 have in store?

In front of an estimated 500 excited basketball fans filling a jampacked Lummi gymnasium, chants of “Tulalip power!” rang out early as the Hawks found themselves down 0-5 ninety seconds in. Trailing 0-7, Amare Hatch splashed a 3-pointer to put Tulalip on the board, 3-7. 

After the offense was slow to produce, trailing 3-12, Heritage’s defense stepped up and forced four Lummi turnovers. Those defensive gems jump started the Hawks offense with high-speed transition buckets. With that infusion of easy buckets, Tulalip took a 15-14 lead into the 2nd quarter.

A figurative lid on the bucket resulted in the boys unable to knock down a 3-pointer after getting several quality looks and being unable to convert. Six minutes into the 2nd quarter, Tulalip had yet to score and trailed 17-24. Davien Parks finally broke the seal with a nifty elbow runner with ninety seconds to go until halftime. Lummi immediately responded with back-to-back buckets of their own. Another Heritage 3-point attempt clanged off the rim as the halftime buzzer sounded. Tulalip trailed 19-29 midway through.

On their second possession of the 3rd quarter, guard J.J. Gray pushed the tempo and found forward Davien in the corner who quickly shot and splashed a much-needed 3-pointer. Five minutes later, Lummi called a timeout to get their players a breather while leading 38-27. 

All the missed 3-pointers from Tulalip allowed Lummi to settle into a 2-3 zone defense, which basically begged the Tulalip boys to keep shooting from outside. With the offense still struggling, it was again the defense the made for a highlight. J.J. managed to steal the in-bounds pass and took it coast to coast for a layup to cut the deficit to 10 points, 32-42.

Entering the 4th quarter down by 10 points marks the third straight game vs Lummi where our boys trailed by double-digits and looked to make an epic comeback over the game’s final eight minutes.

The fighting spirit took hold early in the 4th as freshman Peyton Hatch showed his touch with a beautiful up and under reverse layup, followed by his brother Amare converting an and-1 on the very next possession. With the brothers cutting the deficit in half in mere seconds, 39-44, the crowd was electric and chants of “Defense!” roared from fans who did their best to fire up the Hawks. After forward Ziggy Miles cleaned up a miss with a well-timed offensive rebound and put back layup, he tightened the game at 41-44 with only four minutes left to play. 

Unfortunately, that aforementioned lid on the bucket continued to stymy Tulalip who kept shooting away from deep and just couldn’t buy one when it mattered most. The game was all but over with 11 seconds to go when a 3-pointer by J.J. finally found nothing by nylon. His bucket made the final score 48-52. The 48 points marks a season-low in scoring for Heritage.

With the loss, Tulalip can still take solace in a 2nd place finish at Districts and an automatic advancement to the Tri-District tournament. Early odds makers predict Tulalip and Lummi will meet again at Tri-Districts. Round 4?! Get your popcorn ready.

Captain Kirks smoked salmon, part of General Council gift giving

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

For generations, fishing, hunting, and gathering have been essential to sustaining Indigenous communities throughout the seasons. The coastal natives of the Salish Sea, for instance, mastered the art of smoking meats, extending their food supply while preserving traditional practices.


What was once a natural aspect of daily life transformed into a struggle as Indigenous peoples fought for their fundamental rights to fish in the waters that have nourished them for generations. The Boldt Decision in 1974 marked a significant turning point, restoring rights for Tulalip and many other tribes to reclaim their cherished fishing and hunting locations.


In the spirit of collaboration and community, tribal elder Kirk Jones, a lifelong fisherman and advocate for the Tulalip Tribes, is partnering with the Board of Directors and a select group of Tulalip small businesses. Together, they are creating unique offerings for upcoming General Council gifts, reflecting their shared commitment to the community.


Join Tulalip News as we explore the stories behind these small businesses in a six-part series that highlights the work enriching their lives and strengthening the broader community.


Becoming a small business owner is no trivial pursuit. While transitioning from a 9-to-5 job to owning your own business may seem to mean working around the clock, the freedom to provide for yourself and your family brings genuine joy, especially as you see your dreams materialize.


Kirk learned the art of smoking salmon at a young age by observing his relatives. “When I was young, I would watch my uncles hang the fish to smoke after chum season. Around age 10-12, I gained a true appreciation for fishing and what it takes to curate the fish,” said Jones. He recalls, “Back then, all anyone used was salt or rock salt, which made everything salty and dry like jerky, almost like leather.”


As a young adult, he took on more responsibilities and experimented with different flavors and styles of smoking through trial and error, incorporating technological advancements like the Big Chief Smoker. He used honey, brown sugar, lemon, and homemade brines, a mixture of salt water. Today, Kirk uses a smoke shack, a small shed with a fire pit on the floor. He brines and coats his salmon before hanging them up to be smoked.


Living off the land has been an essential aspect of Kirk’s life, shaping his existence through berry picking, hunting, and fishing. He says, “I have my boat and crew, and we fish whenever we can, smoking the fish we catch. I find other sellers to keep my stock up when I’m low. I truly enjoy the life I’ve built; doing what you love hardly feels like work.” Kirk’s expertise in smoking salmon and his dedication to his craft exemplify the hard work and passion in the Tulalip community.


This dedication extends beyond Kirk’s work to other Tulalip artisans whose creations reflect tradition, creativity, and innovation. Explore the creative world of Amoreena Anderson’s enchanting sugar scrubs, elevating self-care. Discover Elishia Stewart’s vibrant jams that tell sweet stories. Experience the beauty of Jen Tracy’s majestic orca paintings. Enjoy Bibianna Ancheta’s nourishing homemade chapstick, and the rhythmic elegance of Walter Moses’s Cedar Clappers, blending tradition and innovation.


This year’s General Council gifts are more than mere gestures—they are a showcase of Tulalip craftsmanship and entrepreneurial spirit. Designed to celebrate the resilience and creativity of the community’s artisans, these offerings provide a unique connection to locally made products. The gifts will be distributed at the General Council meeting on April 12, ensuring that each recipient takes home a piece of Tulalip tradition and artistry.


If you would like to enjoy some of Kirk’s smoked salmon, you can purchase it from him on his Facebook or call him at (425) 346-1769.

What’s Poppin’? TPD and Education dept join forces to promote positive interactions with local teens

Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

There was popcorn. There was Coca-Cola. There was Sprite. And of course, there was some Pepsi, also fondly known as ‘bepsi’ on reservations all throughout the nation. The salty snack and sugary beverages provided an opportunity for the Tulalip Police Department to connect with the future of the Tribe on the evening of January 29, at this year’s first Pop with a Cop gathering.

Nearly 20 local youth participated in the event at the Teen Center, which made for some fun and unforgettable interactions with Tulalip’s finest. Following a motivational speech by Sergeant Jira, the kids got to play some one-on-one against him, as he was the only one to step up to protect the rep of TPD. While a handful of kids faced off with Jira on the court, the remaining kids excitedly cheered on their friends from the sidelines while also taking the chance to ask the other officers about their day-to-day duties as a tribal police officers. 

As the laughter and playful smack talk ensued, TPD Officer and Tribal member, Alyshia Ramon dished out bags of freshly popped popcorn as well as activity bags to the kiddos. Taking a moment to speak with Tulalip News, Alyshia shared, “We teamed up with the Tulalip Education department and what we wanted to do was have some fun interaction with the kids and have some positive engagement with them. Sergeant Jira rounded up the kids today and talked to them about excelling in sports and getting good grades at the same time, so they can be really productive and successful when they go to college. And we just wanted to let them know that we are here to support them and that we want to be here with them.” 

Alyshia stressed that they felt it was important to reiterate to the teens that they are here to serve and protect them. Which is something that tends to get lost in today’s political climate, as the women and men in blue are often times painted in a negative light. 

Said Alyshia, “When you see all the stuff that’s happening on the news today, we thought it was really important for the kids to know that we are here for them. We want to support them and hopefully inspire them to take up a career in law enforcement. Because to me, this is the best job in the world – ever. It’s the only place where you’re going to learn three types of law; federal law, state law, and tribal law. And at the same time, engage with your community.” 

She continued, “When they see someone who comes from the same community, grew up in the same neighborhoods, knowing my path doesn’t look any different from theirs, that we can choose the choices we make, they can do whatever they want in life. And that’s what I hope to inspire these kids to do – one, use your voice, and two, they can do anything and be whoever they want to be. And whatever they choose, they got us behind them to support them 100%.” 

It can often be challenging to get teens to speak on feelings and about how they are affected in a positive manner during certain events. That could be said about the three teens who we caught up with, following the Pop with a Cop event. Actions and expressions often speak louder than words, and for Enrique Shrock, Hailey Craig, and Emma Barnes, the big smiles and hearty laughter were very telling. 

After catching his breath following an intense battle with Jira, Enrique exclaimed, “Yeah, I had fun. Today, I played one-on-one with a cop, and I was shooting threes to try to win a prize. I think this was important so we could make new friends.” 

Once Hailey and Emma got their picture with two officers, they gave quick statements before returning to their conversations with the policemen. 

Hailey stated simply, “It was awesome and a lot of fun!” 

Emma echoed, “Today was amazing. All the officers are really nice and they’re fun too. And they have cool haircuts!” 

Although the event’s duration was only a brief hourlong, it is safe to say the youth had a blast at Pop with a Cop. Alyshia shared that there will be two more gatherings at the Teen Center on February 12 and 26, from 4:30 p.m. to 5:30. She also mentioned that she is in talks with the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club to create a similar event to help build and foster relationships with the younger kiddos as well.

One-on-One with Archbishop sophomore Kyla Fryberg

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

For the uninformed, Archbishop Murphy girls basketball is one of the best programs going right now. They are currently 17-1 and ranked #18 in the State of Washington. Their only loss was a 54-58 nail biter to the #11 ranked Lynden Christian. 

Carving out a role for herself on Archbishop’s varsity team is 15-year-old Tulalip tribal member Kyla Fryberg. She’s normally a featurette on the junior varsity team, but because of her prowess as a defensive stopper and someone who can knock down the corner 3-ball, Archbishop head coach Ebany Herd has promoted Kyla into the big league rotation. 

During a recent matchup with Arlington High School, Kyla received playing time in the 2nd half and, in doing so, shared the court with fellow Tulalip tribal member Kierra Reese who balls for Arlington. It may be the first time ever two Tulalips shared the court while playing for the Archbishop Wildcats and Arlington Eagles. If not the first time, it’s definitely one of the only times, making it a noteworthy story in the long lineage of Tulalip hoopers. 

Following the matchup, Kyla was gracious enough to sit down with Tulalip News for a quick Q&A. 

Q: How excited are to be getting Varsity run in your sophomore season? 

A: “It’s an amazing opportunity. Playing on both JV and Varsity is letting me get to know so many of my teammates and to develop new skills. My time practicing and playing with Varsity is really making me better. I’m having fun.” 

Q: What is your role when playing with the Varsity team? 

A: “My role, specifically, is to bring energy and be a defensive threat. I’m comfortable picking up full court and using my speed [and agility] to stay with the player I’m guarding.” 

Q: There was a lot of community support in the gym. Do you get nervous playing in front of so many friends and family? 

A: “No, not really. When I’m playing, I don’t really pay attention to who’s watching or what’s happening off the court.” 

Q: Last question. If you could have the game of any basketball player, NBA or WNBA, who would it be? 

A: “LaMelo Ball. He just doesn’t care about what anyone says or is doing to try to stop him. He knows that he’s the best player on the court and doesn’t bother with all the stuff that doesn’t matter. Two years from now, I hope be leading Archbishop to a deep playoff run and be balllin’ like LaMelo.”

A call to Stewardship: Uniting for Earth Day 2025 

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
Our lands are sacred. Protecting our community and the surrounding environment is essential for restoring the land and creating a healthier future—not just for the people who call this place home but also for the plants and animals that depend on these lands. They don’t have a voice in how their environment is shaped, making our role as caretakers even more vital.


Natural Resources Environmental and Education Outreach Coordinator Melissa Gobin, reminds us that every day should be treated as Earth Day. She emphasizes the importance of being stewards of the land and inspiring others to embrace this responsibility. With this spirit in mind, the Natural Resource department is reaching out to gather ideas and support for this year’s Earth Day initiatives, which will take place on April 22 and the days leading up to it.

Last year’s events brought the community together for meaningful activities, including a plant walk that educated participants about native species and invasive plants, clean-up efforts at local rain gardens and public spaces, and salmon habitat restoration at Quil Ceda Creek. Multiple organizations collaborated to plant trees, create shade, and support the creek’s ecosystem. These events showcased the power of teamwork and community action, leaving a lasting impact.

Building on last year’s successes, the aim is to create an even more significant impact this year, focusing on trash removal, invasive species management, and maintaining public gardens. Community clean-up efforts will target areas such as 27th Avenue on the Rez, Tulalip beaches, and other local spaces.

This year’s initiatives include creating a seed bank and food-sharing program, encouraging community members to donate seeds, grow their gardens, and share homegrown produce to promote food security. Volunteers will clean and repair gardens across multiple Tulalip buildings and plant native vegetation to enhance green spaces.


Natural Resources will also be collaborating with local and national organizations, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Sound Solutions, the Marysville School District, and various tribal entities such as beda?chelh.


This is a community-driven initiative, and it needs your input to succeed. Share ideas for new activities or locations that need attention, volunteer at clean-up events, plant walks, or educational booths, or donate seeds, gardening tools, or financial contributions to support restoration projects. These initiatives are focused on Tulalip but are open to everyone—not just tribal members, to create a better future for all living beings who depend on these sacred lands.


Melissa Gobin emphasizes, “Raising awareness about our community’s health, the environment, and sustainability efforts is crucial. Let’s inspire everyone to love Mother Earth.”


  Please get in touch with Melissa Gobin at mgobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov to share your ideas, volunteer, or donate. Let’s make this year’s Earth Day a celebration of our shared commitment to protecting the environment and ensuring a thriving future for all.

Iconic McCoy quilt gifted to Tulalip Boys & Girls Club

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

As the legend goes, in 2003 John McCoy and his wife Jeannie attended a Boys & Girls Club Auction where they enthusiastically bid on, and ultimately won, a one-of-a-kind quilt. That quilt was so precious to John that he took it with him to Olympia where it remained a fixture for 17 years while he served in the Washington State Legislature.

Senator McCoy (deceased) served in the Washington State Legislature for 17 years, where he was one of the state’s longest-serving Native American lawmakers. 

While he served more than 10 years in the Washington House of Representatives, the quilt hung on his office wall. When he transitioned to the State Senate and proudly represented the 38th Legislative District for another 7 years, the quilt remained with him, still affixed to his office wall.

John retired from public service in 2020 and passed away in 2023, just a few months shy of his 80th birthday. Following his passing, Chairwoman Teri Gobin said, “John had a national recognition for being an innovative and visionary leader. He brought legislation forward not only for the Tribes but for the State of Washington and so many communities throughout Indian Country. He promoted bills on environment protection, health care, Native voting rights and education. Today, our children are benefiting from what John worked tireless to implement on the State, County, and Tribal levels.”

Recently, Jeannie McCoy was doing some reorganizing at her home and came across a particular quilt that had been folded and boxed up with this office things. As quickly as she recognized which quilt it was, she also recognized the need for it to be gifted to a new home. 

“The entire time he was in Olympia, he had this practice of hanging up quilts and Pendleton blankets in his office. That Boys & Girls Club quilt was the very first one he ever hung up. It was a constant reminder that he was always working to make things better for the kids,” explained Jeannie, John’s wife of an astounding 58 years. “I wasn’t sure if the Boys & Girls Club would even want it, but I thought it was important to reach out and ask them. The Club staff were happy to have it and I was thrilled for it to have a new home.”

When Jeannie and her daughter Sheila arrived at the Club with the quilt, they were met by staff who were eager to accept the heartwarming gift. One of those staff members was Diane Prouty, who the kids affectionately call ‘grandma Diane’.

John’s daughter Sheila, Tulalip Club office manager Diane Prouty, John’s wife Jeannie, Tulalip Club director Shawn Sanchey, and B&GC Club of Snohomish County executive director Bill Tsoukalas. (photo courtesy Shawn Sanchey)

“It was a literal blast from the past. When I saw the quilt, it brought me to goosebumps and tears because I remembered making it with two other wonderful ladies, Mona Vallo and Marie Davis, who are both deceased,” shared Diane. The quilt not only found a home, it had found one of its original makers.

“Within the quilt are hundreds of little hearts. Those hearts represent the hundreds of kids our Club serves every day,” she added. “And the hands that form the border, those represent the staff, mentors and coaches who protect the kids and want to help create the brightest, happiest memories for every kid who walks through our doors.”

John and Jeannie McCoy’s grandchildren and great-children are among the countless number of Tulalip youth who’ve found sanctuary at the reservation’s Club. A safe place where kids can just be kids and rely on the consistency of warm meals and warm-hearted staff members. Plans are in the works to have the quilt hung on one of the walls in the gym. Where it can serve as a reminder to make things better for the kids, like it meant to John for all those years.

“The development of the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club and all the partnerships it’s been able to establish that have really made not just the kids’ lives better, but the Tribe better, too, is something John was always proud of,” said Jeannie. “I can’t think of a better place for the quilt to be.”

Marysville School District’s first unified sports program

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

The Marysville Getchell High School gymnasium was nearly filled to capacity for Friday night hoops on January 24. The pep band and full cheer squad added to the ambiance, as well as dozens of students who donned their MGHS green and white colors, showcasing school spirit while they cheered on their team. 

The band played tunes such as The Final Countdown, We Will Rock You, and the Time Warp to help amp up the players on the floor while they hit a few warmup shots. And though some of the players were all business, with their game faces on, most couldn’t help but hide the smiles from their faces as they took in the moment.

This is the very first year that Getchell implemented a new extracurricular activities program known as Unified Sports. This program promotes inclusion by bringing students with and without special needs together on the same floor as teammates, helping build friendships and providing students with intellectual disabilities the chance to experience the excitement of high school sports. Something that they are often excluded from. 

As the opening buzzer sounded, the players hit the court to take on their opponents hailing from Burlington-Edison High. Just a few possessions into the game, Tulalip tribal member Xavier Jones got the ball on a fast break. As he hit the jets and drove the ball down the court, zigzagging between the opposing team members, he spotted fellow Tribal member, Sean “Optimus” Mace ahead of the pack near the low block and immediately passed him the rock. 

Optimus let one player zoom by and shook off another with a pump fake before going up strong and putting two points on the board for the home team. When his shot went through the net, the entire place erupted. And on his way back on defense he hit Xavier with the famous basketball nod and point of acknowledgment for the assist before blowing multiple kisses to the fans in attendance. 

Unified Sports was developed by the Special Olympics and is consistently growing across the nation with nearly 9,000 schools participating in the program today. MGHS is the first Unified Sports Champion School in the Marysville School District. And though she is quick to give credit to school faculty and leadership who supported her effort, the program was ultimately brought to the school by MGHS Special Education Native Liaison and Tulalip tribal member, Amy Sheldon. 

Amy shared, “A few years ago, I actually got invited to watch a Unified Champion Sports Game at Arlington High School and I was moved to tears to see how amazing it was and to see everyone playing together. I knew this was something I wanted to create for our school. We’re the only Unified Champion School in the district. We’re trying to make it grow and bring it to other schools like MP, but it’s a lot of buy in and a lot of work. It wasn’t easy. Without my friends, coworkers, our Native American Friends Club that shows up and helps us out, I wouldn’t have been able to do it by myself.”

Members of the MGHS Native American Friends Club were both in the stands supporting the team and also on the court, helping facilitate the game by distributing the ball to their teammates, ensuring that each person got the chance to score some points and show off their skills. What makes this story even more heartwarming is the fact that both the MGHS boys and girls varsity teams had games the very same night in Stanwood, which means everybody in attendance chose to show up for the Unified Sports team and root them on during their second game of the season. 

The unified team has numerous players on the roster, so much so that there were enough participants for three different rotations, all of whom wore the biggest grins as they made their way up and down the floor throughout the evening. The game was split into two 14-minutes halves and helped raise funds for the program by taking in donations for admission. 

Altogether, there were four representatives of Tulalip on the court, including Xavier, Optimus, and Leah Stacy, along with Sammy Reyes who is a partner of a tribal member. As the final seconds of the game ticked down, MGHS was down just a few points. The team collectively made sure the final possession went to the namesake of the local non-profit Leah’s Dream. And just before the closing buzzer sounded, Leah scored a layup to bring the game to an end. Leah jumped up and down in triumph after getting her bucket and was quickly joined by her entire team in her excitement. 

No one was more excited for her than her grandpa, Ray Sheldon Jr., who was watching from the bleachers and threw his arms in the air when she hit her shot. Said Ray, “That was really fun! I enjoyed that a lot. She’s getting better and we can see the progression. Every week she’s gaining more confidence. I think that’s what we’re trying to do here, build confidence in these kids so that they can do many, many good things in life. My grandson Sammy was able to play a little bit too. And this is a great way for them all to get some physical activity out of it. It’s exciting to see all these kids – to be able to play where they usually wouldn’t have the opportunity to play. It’s good that they all get this experience and learn how to work together.”

Following the game, Tulalip News caught up with Xavier Jones. Xavier expressed, “I had a lot of fun. We just learned how to play basketball and even though this is new, we all try our best. My favorite part is just playing more basketball with everyone and being the best player I can be.”

Amy shared that the team is currently in the process of getting in contact with other schools with a Unified Sports program and scheduling more games this season. They are also gearing up for soccer this Spring, something that all the kids are looking forward to.

“They’re amazing kids,” Amy stated. “This is important because it promotes inclusion and acceptance. We’re just starting off small and doing the best we can. I’ve always wanted this inclusion, and to see this happen is like the biggest blessing. For all the funding, I’m working on grants through the Special Olympics and Tulalip Special Olympics to help build unity. This is our first season and it’s so great to see how happy this makes people – the students, administrators, families. And I’m so proud that there are so many Tulalip students on the team, it’s amazing!”