Category: Tulalip News

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

“My hands go up to all our friends and relatives who are joining us on this most important day – the day to acknowledge the missing and murdering Indigenous women who have been taken from us. To be honest, it’s been a really heavy day of talking about atrocities that have been inflicted upon us for 500 plus years now, since the beginning of colonization. 

“We talk about statistics and about how 3 out of 5 Native Americans will experience violence in their lifetime and have sexual crimes committed against them. We talk about statistics in a way that never make it personal because it’s too hard to talk about our own experiences and share what we’ve been forced to go through ourselves. So I’d like to acknowledge anyone who as a child experienced sexual abuse or as an adult been a victim of physical, emotional or mental abuse…it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault what happened to you as a child. It’s not your fault for what happened to you as a teenager. It’s not your fault what happened to you as an adult. That trauma does not define you.

“The abuses and the atrocities that continue to happen to our people are not our fault. We are reminded that colonization has used rape as a war crime against us. That war crime is intended to silence us; it’s to take our voice and make us feel like we have no rights. And sometimes the law, the police and the justice system make us feel like we don’t have any rights either. This gathering today proves our voices have not been taken away, that we will not be silent, and that we are not giving up.

“Together, we say ‘we will not silence anyone and enough is enough!’ in one united voice. That is so powerful. When we speak we are standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, who never knew us but prayed for us in this moment. They knew we would need their prayers and their strength to continue and carry on. So I ask us to make the prayers for our next 7 generations. I ask us to make a commitment to work on our own hurt and pain, a commitment to do more, a commitment to be better. 

“I thank you all for stepping into this space because I know it’s not comfortable and to talk on these issues isn’t fun. To say you have an abuse problem in your family is not comfortable. To say that you come from sexual abuse and physical violence in your family is not comfortable, but it’s a reality many of us share. 

Let us continue to find ways to work together and continue to find ways to be healthier because we don’t have to carry those emotional scars any longer. I am so thankful for everyone being here and love you all for the good work that we’ll continue to do together.”

Those eloquent, heartfelt words were shared by Tulalip’s own Theresa Sheldon as she welcomed hundreds of community members as they assembled at the grass covered lot across from Hibulb Cultural Center on Wednesday, May 5. Friends and relatives from both near and far respectfully dawned an assortment of red clothing, red regalia, and red handmade signs in a united effort to recognize the national crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).

Sobering Statistics

• Indigenous women are murdered and go missing at a rate higher than any other ethnic group.
• Indigenous women are murdered at a rate 10x higher than all other ethnicities.
• Murder is the 3^rd leading cause of death for Indigenous women.
• More than 4 out of 5 Indigenous women (84.3%) will experience violence in their lifetime.
• More than half of Indigenous women experience sexual violence (56.1%).
• More than half of Indigenous women have been physically abused by their intimate partners (55.5%).
• Nearly half of all Indigenous women have been stalked in their lifetime (48.8%).
• Indigenous women are 1.7 times more likely than white American women to experience violence. 
• Indigenous women are 2x more likely to be raped than white American women. 
• Murder rate of Indigenous women is 3x higher than white American women. 

*source: National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

To understand the complex and ongoing MMIW crisis one must first admit the current systemic response to violence against Native women is immensely inadequate. Then one must realize the rate at which Tribes are losing their life-giving women is devastating to not just the tribal communities, but to the entire nation as a whole. Insufficient resources on the state level and lack of clarity on jurisdictional responsibilities on the federal level combine to severely hinder efforts to locate those who are missing. Furthermore, the current legal framework for persecuting crimes committed on tribal citizens by non-tribals is exceedingly complicated and creates many barriers for victims and Tribes working to protect their membership. 

Despite a federal trust obligation to protect Native American communities, violence against Indigenous women in the United States continues at epidemic proportions. It greatly exceeds that of any other demographic of women across the country. While many issues need to be addressed to confront this human rights issue, it is clear that limitations placed on tribal government jurisdiction by the federal government are a key contributing factor, with non-Native perpetrators falling through the cracks in the system time and time again.

“A huge thank you to each and every one of you joining us in the circle here today. We know that we come with our prayers and that’s the strongest medicine we have. The thoughts we have in our mind create reality,” shared Deborah Parker, who serves on the National Indigenous Women’s Resource board and is renowned for her critical role in the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). “When I was a young girl I witnessed violence in our community, and I said a prayer then that when I get older I’d like to be a person to help change the laws to protect our people. 

“If we speak forward with our voice and with our truth and with all of our strength, then we can move mountains. And truly there are others who believe in our words and will stand beside us,” she continued. “These are our lands. We’ve been taught we are caretakers of these lands. That’s a big responsibility for us as Indigenous people. Each and every person in this circle, from youth to elder, can fulfill this responsibility and bring about change that benefits us all. We need our women to be safe. We need our young people to be safe. We need our future generations to be safe. By standing together and working together we will make this prayer a reality.”

By learning from the experiences of surviving family members, the MMIW movement can work to achieve the changes needed to safeguard the lives of Indigenous women and strengthen the authority of Native nations to protect their citizens. Exemplifying this notion was Tulalip tribal members Udora Andrade, Veronica Jimicum, Lynette Jimicum and Denise Hatch-Anderson who together brought forward prayers and a reminder of the ongoing search for Mary E. Johnson. Mary is a Tulalip woman who has been missing since December 1, 2020.

Following a series of speakers from all levels of Tulalip leadership and enrichment programs, Deb Parker led a large contingent of singers and drummers in sharing the Women’s Warrior Song, which was gifted from her First Nations family in British Columbia. The cohesive red wave continued to share in culture, song, and a united purpose to raise MMIW awareness well into the twilight hours.

“Our hands go up to each and every one of you who attended and helped make this moment possible,” said event coordinator Josh Fryberg. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all in need. It will take each and every one of us to continue to be the difference, not just for us but for our future generations. By living in a good way that honors our Ancestors we will continue to bring unity, to raise awareness, and strengthen our culture, together.”

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

During the morning of May 10, tribal council officially broke ground on what will soon be emergency transitional living units for Tulalip’s membership. Located across the street from Tulalip Bay fire department, this will be the first of several planned sites intended to prevent homelessness. This first site will consist of five units that will be fully furnished, including a kitchenette and washer and dryer. The living space is small (240 square feet) and meant for emergency purposes and short term living only. 

“I’m so appreciative of the work that has been done to get us ready for today. These transition units will be a blessing for our community,” stated C.O.O. Wendy Fryberg. “We recognize that our people sometimes have transition requirements, and homelessness should not be a concern for our members who have find themselves in such challenging circumstances.

“Clients who stay in one of these units will be connected with a Case Worker to assist them in obtaining additional resources to help with obtaining permanent long term living accommodations,” she added. “The goal is for the Case Worker to provide information, support and wrap around services for clients to work through the processes in place to obtain services, such as getting on lists for housing, finding funding, applying for jobs, etc.”

In addition to providing a sense of stability for families who will use the transitional units as a stepping stone to independent living, each unit will provide essential comforts like water and sewer utilities, electricity, the ability to have cable and a Wi-Fi connection.

Rent will be $300 per month to cover the water, sewer and PUD bills. There will be more information coming out about the policy, eligibility, and application process for Tulalip membership interested in temporarily residing in one of these transitional units.

By contrast, the Tulalip Tribes homeless shelter utilizes shared utilities, including a shared kitchen area. Many of the region’s tiny home villages that have become more and more common, also lack running water and cooking facilities. 

“This is our first project of this type. Yes, we have the homeless shelter, but these units have their own bathroom and kitchenette,” explained Vice-Chairman Glen Gobin. “These transitional units will provide a foundation for tribal members to build upon and carry on in a good way. We pray this will be a success for individuals and families who find themselves in such circumstances. This project is intended to assist and help them build a good positive foundation and move forward in that good way. It’s always about our future and the steps we take for the next generation.”

Immediately after the ground breaking ceremony, Tulalip’s committed construction team eagerly got to work on what is sure to be a game changer for those of most need in our community. 

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News; photos courtesy of Paula Cortez

“We stand here today to honor our fallen brothers and sisters in law enforcement,” said Sgt. H.G. Whapeles of the Spokane Sheriff’s Office. “To honor their commitment, and to pay homage to the sacrifice they readily gave for the safety of their community and their partners. We proudly swear to them to strive as law enforcement community, to pick up the torch that these brave men and women have passed off to us, to make our communities safe, and to set in place the training needed so no more names needlessly end up on these sacred stones. We gather here today so that we will remember them, so that their legacy will be kept alive in the hearts of the men and women who serve and risk their lives every day.”

On the morning of May 4, law enforcement officers from multiple departments across Washington State convened outside of the Public Safety building in the city of Spokane. The bright Spring day brought some much-needed healing and closure to families, as well as fellow officers, as they gathered to remember their loved ones who fell in the line of duty over the past year. 

For 33 years, the Spokane Police Department has organized a special ceremony, with the exception of 2020 due to the worldwide pandemic, in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fulfilling their vow to protect and serve their respective communities. This year, eighteen brave individuals and two K-9 officers were honored and recognized for not only dedicating their lives to the badge, but also for the heroes they were while off-duty, to their family and community members alike. 

Among the eighteen law officials honored at this year’s ceremony was Tulalip tribal member and police officer, Charlie Cortez. Beloved by the people in his community, the news of his disappearance broke the hearts of those he held dearest and shocked the masses, as people from around the Nation followed the story closely each day, hoping and praying for any positive word. 

“Our family is honored to have our son recognized for his great sacrifice for his community,” shared Charlie’s mother, Paula Cortez. “The law enforcement world out there seems to know what to do to make sure the survivors of officers are uplifted. We have this deep debt of gratitude for the efforts that they’ve been working on to keep his memory alive.”

In order to safely gather, due to the continued presence of COVID-19, there was a limited number of guests invited to the ceremony. However, the two-hour event was livestreamed over Facebook for those who wished to watch but could not attend, and then later posted to YouTube so family members can revisit and watch the honorable and special occasion whenever they please. 

“We were actually informed by the Chief of Police that the Spokane Police Department was honoring Charlie,” said Paula. “We got up early, we went to the memorial wall. Everyone who made the trip was mom and dad, grandma, auntie, cousins, nieces and nephew, his brother, his children Dominic and Peyton, Tawnya and her husband, the Chief of Police and most of the Fish and Wildlife team from the Tulalip Police Department.”

The ceremony began with the presentation of colors, followed by a vocal performance of the National Anthem. To further honor the fallen officers, beautifully arranged wreaths were placed on a large granite wall, over the newly-etched names of all eighteen officers and the two K-9 officers, while the somber sound of bagpipes filled the air. 

After a number of heartfelt words and prayers were shared by special guest speakers, each fallen officer was commemorated by the Chief of their departments as they read the officer’s eulogy aloud, before a member of the family officially unveiled their loved one’s name on the wall. As Chief Sutter memorialized Charlie, noting his love for hunting, fishing and digging for geoduck, Paula, along with Charlie’s children and his father Alan, held a flag up-high that featured Charlie’s photo, the TPD seal, the Tulalip Tribes killer whale emblem and a soaring eagle, while they also wore similar-designed t-shirts that read ‘Our Fallen Hero’.

“When we read his name, we really felt like the organization that put this honoring on – they are like an extended family to us. They really do care about the sacrifice our son made while serving his community,” mama Paula expressed. “When the bagpipes were playing ‘Amazing Grace’ – that song always brings tears to my eyes. I think the main thing was the honor guards were so professional in the way they presented the whole thing, it was beautiful and honorable to be able to witness that for my son.”

Charlie’s name and legacy will live throughout the Tulalip community for generations to come. And with this recent honoring, fellow officers who gather at the remembrance wall in Spokane will also know the young Tulalip officer’s name as well as everything he stood for, including upholding the law, protecting his tribes treaty rights and of course his everlasting love for his family, people and community. 

As the event came to a close, the honor guard, which consisted of officers from various departments state-wide, performed a ceremonial bell-service which often replaces the 21-gun salute at memorial services for police officers. Upon leaving, the guests were encouraged to visit the ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’ trailer, which is a truck that will travel around the country to raise awareness and honor those officers whose lives were lost in the line of duty. 

The memorial ceremony in Spokane was just the first of many as Charlie’s family has been informed his name will be etched into several remembrance walls in the upcoming months, to ensure his memory lives on. Charlie’s name will be displayed not only in Spokane, but also in Olympia and Washington D.C.

“It still hurts the family,” Paula expressed. “We have to look at our waters in a different way now. But I think all the different organizations and foundations are honored to be of service to the families and are dedicated to uplifting our son’s name and his memory. It helped to have the Tulalip Police Department by our side, they were very supportive. We definitely made a mark over there. The Spokane news also mentioned Charlie’s name in their publication because we traveled so far to get there. We will plan times to go over there and to the other memorial walls once the COVID-19 pandemic goes away. It’s an honor for us to be able to witness the ceremonies that they work so hard at putting together for the families.”

It’s been nearly six months since the Tulalip Fish & Wildlife officer went missing at sea and the search for Charlie continues while his family, community and fellow law enforcement officers and agencies find ways to celebrate his life, times and legacy as a Tulalip man, father, son, uncle and cousin. Upcoming events include a visit from the ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’ trailer on May 29, a day after Charlie’s birthday. The truck, a motorcycle club and a TPD escort will journey from the Tulalip Justice Center to the Tulalip Marina at 9:30 a.m. where a mid-morning b-day celebration and BBQ will take place in his memory.  

Charlie’s name will also be spoken in remembrance at a number of Virtual Roll Calls, including a virtual candlelight vigil that will be held May 13, at 5:00 p.m. at www.lawmemorial.org 

Thank you for keeping Charlie’s family and the Tulalip Police Department in your prayers. As always, please send any potential evidence, information or your own informal searches to us by texting 360-926-5059, or emailing bringofficercortezhome@gmail.com, or leaving a voicemail at (909) 294-6356.