Please use the following link to download the April 27, 2019 issue of the syəcəb: SYS 04272019
Category: Tulalip News
Tulalip Veterans Gathering, May 16
Native Art Festival highlights range of imagination from emerging Tulalip artists
By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
Hundreds of artistically inclined students strolled through the makeshift art gala that was the Don Hatch Youth Center on Thursday, April 18th, for the annual Native American Student Art Festival. Accompanied by their families, friends and teachers, the student-artists ranging from 1st to 12th grade wowed festival attendees and judges with their imaginative creations.
“The Art Festival is an opportunity for each student to express themselves in a positive way. It is the largest community event we have where we get to showcase our Native students,” explained Jessica Bustad, Positive Youth Development Manager. “It’s the pride each of the students have in their artwork, their parents and community members coming together to support our children that make this event so great.”
For more than two decades now, Marysville School District has partnered with the Tulalip Tribes to dedicate an evening to the art scene created by emerging Tulalip artists and other Native students within the district. The Festival gives these young people an opportunity to show off their creative talents to the community, while getting a chance to take home a coveted 1st place ribbon.
Artists were able to win 1st, 2nd or 3rd place, plus honorable mention, in a variety of artistic mediums. Categories included culture, drawing, painting, writing, mixed media, sculpture, digital art, and pure heart. The top four from each grade and category not only received a ceremonial ribbon as recognition for their talents, but a monetary prize as well.
grader. “My inspiration was Chihuly’s art, like his glass blowing. First, I had to cut all around these plastic water bottles to make the swirly parts. Then I painted every single one a different color because if they were all the same color it wouldn’t be artistic.”
“Everyone that attends is a winner by the end of the event because they’ve helped to create unity and teamwork,” said Josh Fryberg, Youth Services Manager. “The Festival turned out amazing. From all of the families sharing a meal together to seeing the looks on each person’s face when they win a raffle to seeing all the art being showcased for all to see.”
This year’s Native Art Festival received a whopping 700+ submissions, with the most popular category being painting. There were many young artists who showed off their diverse talents by submitting artwork in as many categories as they could. Taylee Warbus and Samara Davis were two such overachievers who claimed top honors in multiple categories.
“It was amazing to see just how talented our Native students are; the new ideas and concepts they come up with every year continue to surprise us judges,” marveled Native Advocate Doug Salinas. “Every kid has the capability to be an artist because their imagination has no limits.”
Native culture and art are often thought of us intrinsically tied together or, in the case of Savannah Black Tomahawk and Lilly Jefferson, they are sewn together. According to their mothers, neither Savannah nor Lilly had ever sewn before prior to creating traditional ribbon skirts to enter in the Festival. By putting a modern twist on a traditional concept, Savannah’s Disney princess skirt and Lilly’s metallic blue with shimmery pink ribbons both received high praise and earned an additional ribbon – 2nd place and 1st place, respectively.
“As coordinating staff, we look at every single piece of artwork and recognize how much work each student puts in. Some art pieces show real vulnerability in the students, they are showing themselves and expressing their thoughts, feelings and dreams,” added Jessica. “It is also very gratifying when students are already coming to us with their creative ideas for next year’s Art Festival.”
If you missed out on this year’s Student Art Festival, each and every piece of authentic Native American art that received a winning ribbon will be on display at the Hibulb Cultural Center from now – May 5th.
April’s Students of the Month
By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
In partnership with Tulalip’s own Education department, the Indigenous Education division of Marysville School District (MSD) recognized four praiseworthy youngsters for continued success in the classroom. Hosted during the MSD school board meeting on April 15, Ily Enick, Tessalyn Napeahi, Sebastian Gomez, and Imajine Moses were honored as students of the month in front of their proud families and dedicated educators.
One student was selected from elementary, one from middle school, and one from high school to represent the varying levels of education. An additional student was selected to represent the recently added Pure Heart category.
“The Pure Heart category is for our students who have exhibited kindness, caring and respect for others and who have worked to overcome various obstacles,” explained Deborah Parker, MSD’s Director of Indigenous Education. “Our Pure Heart students have provided us with inspiration and deserve recognition for their perseverance and willingness to grow as a student.”
Indigenous Special Education Liaison Amy Sheldon introduced 2nd grader Ily Enick as this month’s Pure Heart student of the month. “I have been blessed to know Ily since he was only 3-years-old,” she said. “We are really proud of how much he has accomplished this year. Ily loves science and is really good at technology. In fact, he regularly helps out his teacher when she is flustered with some new piece of classroom tech.”
His Kellogg Marsh Elementary teacher also shared, “He’s a joy to have in class and everyone is always excited to come work with him. Plus, he makes us smile all the time.”
Elementary student of the month honors went to Tessalyn. The 5th grader was described as a quiet leader who always stays on task. She was also described as being kind and courteous to all her friends and school staff.
Next up, 8th grader Sebastian’s sustained excellence in the classroom was heralded by tribal advocate Courtney Jefferson. “He’s honest, open-minded, and really good at staying focused. He’s just a real pleasure to work with,” she said. “What I really like about him is he’s a respectful self-starter who sets a positive role to all our students.”
The final recognition of the evening went to the 9th grader Imajine Moses. She was introduced by tribal advocate Doug Salinas. “I’ve watched her grow as student from being a kindergartener at Quil Ceda to now being a freshman at Marysville-Pilchuck,” he reflected. “I’m so proud of her and what she has accomplished. As a high school freshman, Imajine has a 3.5 grade point average and balanced school work with playing varsity basketball. She’s a wonderful person who also does volunteer work through her church.”
Going forward, a selection committee will review all student nominations based on their academics and community engagement. Each month the awardees will be recognized as students of the month during the MSD regular board meeting.
Officer Powers receives grand send-off
By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
On April 19, Officer Phillip Powers walked into the Marysville Mountain View Arts and Technology High School for his last day on duty as a School Resource Officer and his last day as a Tulalip Police Officer, until he returns to the country in 2020. As a member of the United States Army, Powers was called up to serve a yearlong deployment overseas to protect our Nation’s freedom.
Officer Powers found a home within the Tulalip community upon graduating from the Police Academy and becoming a member in blue for the Tulalip Police Department. Shortly after, he was named the School Resource Officer for all of the schools in the Tulalip area including the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy, Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary, Heritage High School and Marysville Arts and Tech, where he built strong connections with the community members, instructors and students.
As he said his final goodbyes at each school, he was met with cheers and applause at Marysville Arts and Tech, where the students organized a surprise farewell party for the officer. A look of shock, followed by a large smile spread across his face as he made his way through the school’s cafeteria to the center stage, while the young adults honored the local hero with a well-deserved standing ovation.
The law official was presented with a goodbye card, which all of the students signed, before a number of youth, school faculty, family, friends and fellow officers shared memories as well as expressed words of gratitude for the impact he’s had within the community. During the emotional morning assembly, nearly each speaker wiped away tears before embracing Officer Powers with a hug. The teens recalled games of gatorball and conversations about movies and pop culture. And some kids simply thanked him for acknowledging them on some of their toughest days.
“Powers, my man I love you dude,” stated an Arts and Tech student. “I just want to thank you. I know cops get a lot of crap nowadays, but I think you changed the way that’s perceived, especially in this community. You’re fun, you know the culture, you listen to hip hop, which is lit. I think you changed the way a lot of young people think and feel about law enforcement, because we got to know you on a more personal level. I want to thank you for dedicating your life to protecting and serving our country, whether it be locally or globally. Thank you for protecting our freedom.”
The sendoff ended with students lining up on both sides of the hallway while Officer Powers walked through, giving each student a high-five.
“I feel very appreciative,” said Officer Powers. “I try to make a positive, lasting impact on the kids as much as I can just by being genuine and bringing a caring aspect. Sometimes you don’t see the effect you have on people, some of the kids won’t ever show it. To hear some of them talk about their interactions with me in a heartfelt manner, that’s different than what I normally see on a daily basis, and it was so special.”
Hunting Meeting/Drawing for Special 418 Elk Permits
Annual Fishermen’s Meeting, May 7
April 20, 2019 syəcəb
Team Outreach provides support and encouragement to Tulalip youth
By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
The transition from adolescence into adulthood is no easy feat. The teenage years are filled with triumphs and numerous setbacks. In many Native communities, kids are exposed to much more pain growing up, witnessing their loved one’s attempt to fight through adversity and find ways to cope with the years of generational trauma that is embedded in our DNA. Sometimes we find healthy outlets to work through that trauma and other times we look for ways to escape it. In addition to finding their personal identity, studying, participating in social activities and preparing for college, Native youth face many similar challenges as the average teen, but arguably at a higher extent, such as depression, violence at school or at home, the pressure to abuse drugs as well as the loss of friends or family to suicide.
Teens often need an extra bit of encouragement to help them through their periods of struggle. Many kids look to confide in somebody outside of their families, who can listen, relate and provide a positive perspective to help them keep pushing forward. Tulalip Outreach workers, Dakota (Cody) Monger and Cassandra Jimicum, are providing exactly that for several local youth of the community.
The Family Haven program, Team Outreach, is designed to provide support to Tulalip youth, helping them accomplish their goals and get things back on track. Cody works with the young men of Tulalip between the ages of thirteen and twenty-two, while Cassandra works with the young ladies between fourteen and twenty-two. The teens learn how to set, prioritize and accomplish both short and long term goals while also receiving assistance with recovery, physical and mental health, legal issues, obtaining a driver’s license, money management and resumes. The program assists high school students get re-enrolled if they dropped out of school and also helps those who wish to transfer schools within the Marysville School District.
“We will help them with everything and anything really,” says Cody “It’s like a role model program or a mentorship. Everything you can think of that our youth needs, we cover it like self-esteem, or if they’re suicidal and too scared to talk with somebody about it. It’s hard to pinpoint a specific area we work on, but we work at their pace. The biggest thing is we want to earn their trust and just be real with them, like call their bluff out or if they’re doing something wrong, tell it to them like a friend would, like dude you’re messing up.”
“They set their own goals and we go at their pace,” adds Cassandra. “I just started in February and I’ve already helped my girls with TANF, I awarded a few shoe vouchers, I got one of my girls into Drivers Ed, I got two girls enrolled back in school and helped a girl get into counseling. We have a referral process and when we get referrals, we go out and just talk with them. They tell us everything they want to accomplish and then we narrow it down to two goals and then we work on those goals and once those are completed, we work on two more.”
Both Cody and Cassandra have seen a number of success stories from the youth who participate in their groups. They explained that they proudly watched several individuals overcome personal obstacles and achieve huge feats, rising to the challenge one issue at a time and getting things done.
“I had a young man who posted every day that he didn’t want to be here,” Cody states. “It took about six to eight months pinpointing where the issue stemmed from. We had to break everything down, just so he could be happy again. Now the only thing he posts are messages saying ‘I’m doing fantastic, I’m going to school today or I love being a stepdad.’ He went from a deep, deep depression to being happy and thankful every day. He’s holding down a job, getting his GED, he became a stepfather and recently he’s started traveling more.
“Another one of my guys got in a fight with a family member and literally barricaded himself in his room for months on end and had no communication with anybody, not even his mom. Now he’s into classical music, he’s holding B’s and A’s in school and is going to be doing a few concerts in the summer.”
The Outreach workers meet one-on-one with their teens on a weekly-basis, allowing them the chance to vent about any current difficulties they are experiencing as well as celebrate any new victories. Cody and Cassandra make the experience as smooth as possible for their clients by meeting them where they’re most comfortable, whether that’s at the Family Haven office, home, school, a coffee shop or a restaurant.
Since Cody’s program has been established for a few years, many members of his group are well-acquainted with each other and have created a strong support system within the group. Cody also holds a study day on Wednesdays as well as an end-of-the week gathering, where those who wish to participate can meet up to talk about the week or participate in a physical activity together, like weight training or a pick-up game of basketball at the Marysville YMCA. As Cassandra’s program continues to gain momentum and additional participants, she also wishes to hold group gatherings throughout the week to enhance life skills with cooking and exercising classes as well as fun art and craft activities.
Currently Cassandra is guiding six young ladies through the program and Cody is serving twelve young gentlemen on a consistent basis. They want to extend a friendly welcome out to other young adults in the area who can benefit from this program, as well as to those parents and teachers who may have someone in mind that could use a helping hand, and some encouragement to reach their full potential and beyond.
“It’s important for our kids to know that there is somebody out there willing to go above and beyond for them, to help them through their darkest times,” expresses Cody. “I know sometimes it’s hard to reach out to ask for that peer support, or help in general. It’s a good feeling for them, knowing that there are people who are genuinely looking out for what’s best for them and their future.”
Nodding her head in agreement, Cassandra adds, “I feel the same way. It’s important that people know we are here to help our kids get back in school and that we are here to assist in any way we can to make sure they are successful in life.”
For more information about the Team Outreach program, please contact Family Haven at (360) 716-3284.
Oscar Carl Jones, Sr. Tulalip Tribal Court 2019 Warrant Amnesty Week
By Alicia Horne, Tribal Court Director
The Tulalip Tribal Court is offering Warrant Amnesty Week from
Monday, June 3rdthrough Friday, June 7that the following times:
- Monday, June 3 – 10:30m
- Tuesday, June 4 – 10:00 am
- Wednesday, June 5 – 10:00 am
- Thursday, June 6 – 3:00 pm
- Friday, June 7 – 10:00 am
Warrant Amnesty means that on the scheduled days and times, a community member who has a warrant out of the Tulalip Tribal Court can come to Court and quash their warrant without a quash fee and will not be taken into custody regardless of case charge(s). YOU MUST BE HERE AT THE TIMES ABOVE OR YOU MAY NOT GET A HEARING!
You will be issued a new court hearing date to review your case.
There are over 300 active warrants in the system– costing police officer time, judicial and clerk time, and increasing jail costs, therefore, the Tribal Court is offering this Warrant Amnesty Week.
Please visit us at our new justice building: 6332 31stAvenue NE, Suite B, Tulalip, WA 98271.
If you have any further questions regarding our upcoming Warrant Amnesty Week, please contact the Tulalip Tribal Court at 360-716-4773.