MSD asks you to vote yes

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

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

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

The Marysville School District (MSD) is claiming that two of their elementary schools are outdated and well past the point of renovation and are asking for support from their community.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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Elders gather to celebrate long-awaited Senior Center renovations

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Tribal member ships off for military career

By Cullen Salinas-Zackuse, Tulalip News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EPA disregards science to rescind Clean Water Act regulation

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

You are water vapor rising high up to the atmosphere. With thick moisture in the air, other vapor molecules began to attach to you and you begin to grow. It’s mid-winter and the cold temperature causes you to freeze to ice crystal form and now nearby crystals also cling to you, all while attaching to particles like dust and pollen in the air. And as this process continues, a cloud is formed around you and shortly you’ll begin your descent back to the Earth’s surface. Once you are heavy enough, it happens; you fall quickly to the ground. Your voyage is short lived, however, as you fall to the top of a mountain and now you wait once again, but this time for warm weather while more snow gathers around you.

In what seemed like a few short months, you patiently stood the test of time and, due to the damaged ozone layer, the sun heats up the Earth sooner in the year and at a much faster pace. You leave your frozen state, slowly transforming to liquid and begin a journey through nature. Traveling down the mountainside, rushing through rivers, flowing through streams, passing through culverts and even trickling through underground soil corridors, you eventually find yourself at a standstill. With no wind and not nearly enough water to form a stream, you’re left to wait again either for rain or evaporation. 

A nearby farm just received the okay to utilize fertilizer and pesticide on their grounds, and unfortunately for you, they are no longer required to worry about any body of water that is located in close proximity of their agricultural business. When the rain comes, your journey will continue but this time you’ll be accompanied by new pollutants. Wherever your journey ends, whether it’s through consumption by humans, fish, bird, animal, insect or plant, those byproducts will be intertwined with you, and thereby can negatively impact the health of the consumer, and the Earth itself.

In 1972, the Clean Water Act was established to protect the waterways of the United States from harmful pollution. Since then, a political debate has taken place about the verbiage in the act, specifically the term ‘navigable waters’. The divide stems from the lack of a clear definition of which bodies of waters exactly are protected by the Clean Water Act. 

Many farmers, land developers and capitalists argue that small creeks, ditches and streams shouldn’t be considered navigable waters and have little to no impact on the environment since they are not directly or constantly flowing through the waterways and ecosystem.  Environmentalists and scientists have conducted countless studies, proving that all water eventually feeds back into the ocean, causing further disruption in the food chain and endangering the health of Mother Earth and all of her inhabitants if that water is contaminated. 

“Prior to a decision that was made during the Obama administration there was some confusion about what the ‘Waters of the United States’ are,” explains Ryan Miller Environmental Liaison Program Manager of the Tulalip Tribes Treaty Rights Office. “Those are the waters that are protected by the Clean Water Act, which in general terms states you can’t pollute waters of the United States. In 2015, the Obama administration defined the waters in a way that protects the environment, which was the intent of the Clean Water Act in the first place, protecting ephemeral streams or waterways, commonly referred to as seasonal waterways, or wetland that isn’t wet all year round that, during a wet season, feeds into a creek or stream. Essentially their definition stated that anything that feeds into these permanent waterways are considered Waters of the United States because it contributes to a stream or river that flows all year round.

“That benefited tribes because it helped protect the trust resources that are guaranteed to tribes in their treaties,” he continued. “It helped protect water quality for all the different salmon species. It helped protect against the release of toxins which build up in southern killer whales as they consume fish species, it helped protect Native people and all citizens against toxins that build up in shellfish and finfish that we consume. Obviously that’s important for Native people because we consume higher rates of shellfish and finfish than non-Indian people do.” 

On January 23, the Trump administration and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the repeal of the Waters of the United States rule, the evidence-based amendment to the Clean Water Act made by the Obama administration. The EPA rule, also known as the Navigable Waters Protection Rule, not only removes protection from ephemeral streams and wetlands, it also allows landowners to deconstruct and build over ponds, wetlands and watersheds, which in turn can lead to polluted waterways. 

But there’s more. Since the start of his campaign to presidency, Trump has promised the removal of the Waters of the United States rule. He took it a step further by lifting restrictions for landowners and farmers which prohibited them from dumping hazardous chemicals directly into the waterways. 

The removal of federal protection from these streams and wetlands could have some serious effects on our health and our drinking water. And the water that is consumed by the food we eat, i.e. animals, plants and fish, is now more than ever susceptible to pollution. 

“The repeal was proposed last year and of course the way that these types of processes legally have to take place, they had a public comment period,” Ryan said. “Lots of tribes, environmental groups, states, counties, submitted comments and expressed their concern about what this would do to the protection of waterways and the natural resources that depend on them. The reality is that this administration places a significantly higher priority on making it easy for businesses to make as much money as possible, to extract resources, to damage natural resources. Their priority is that over the protection of the environment, watersheds and even human health.”

With the salmon population already irrevocably damaged by pollution and an endangered southern killer whale population as a result, the Salish Sea cannot afford any setbacks or any more pollution. Unfortunately, this new rule sets the stage for years of struggle as we prepare for a long fight against the government and EPA to protect our natural resources. That fight began when the repeal of the Waters of the United Stated was put in motion last Fall, and fourteen states took initiative by filing lawsuits against the EPA. 

It is important to note that at the end of 2019, the Scientific Advisory Board of the EPA, comprised of many officials handpicked by President Trump himself, stated that the regulation repeal and its replacement ‘neglects established science’, is ‘failing to acknowledge watershed systems’, and also there was ‘no scientific justification’ for stripping the protection from the smaller bodies of water. And still, even with those findings, the final decision was made by ‘political management’ within the EPA. 

“I believe that there are numerous states who already filed suit over this issue,” Ryan stated. “Washington, I’m sure is one of them. We had conversations with the department of ecology, which regulates toxins in the waters in Washington State, and I’m pretty sure they already filed suit against the federal government over this. It’s probably going to play out in court like many of these things do and hopefully we’re going to have a better outcome. In the long run, this could end up being a good thing if we can get a clear court decision that defines the Waters of the United States in a favorable way, which we really didn’t have before. But, for right now it limits the protection that these ephemeral streams and seasonal wetlands have under the Clean Water Act. Essentially, they no longer have any protection.”

So what can you do to help ensure the waterways are protected and clean? In addition of limiting your single-use plastic products and recycling your plastics and metals, you can also safely dispose of any harmful chemicals including paint thinner, pesticides and fertilizer at the Snohomish County Household Hazardous Waste Drop-Off Station in Everett. They are open Wednesday-Saturday between 7:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. You can participate at local beach clean-ups and utilize your voice to help raise awareness about the fading salmon and orca populations at rallies and gatherings that occur regularly throughout the year. 

“My recommendation on anything like this is always, call your representatives; state, county, federal and let them know that you don’t like this and you want them to do something about it. The reality is, for elected officials, there are only two things they respond to; money and pressure from the people who vote for them. And as regular citizens, most of us don’t have the money to influence political outcomes or political campaigns, so what we can do is vote with our voice and tell our elected officials that this is an issue that matters to us and that we want them to do something about it.”

Franklin A. Cladoosby Jr.

Franklin Alexander Cladoosby Jr. Franklin A. Cladoosby Jr., 64 of Lummi passed away on January 19, 2020. Frank was born on the Tulalip Indian Reservation and moved with his mother, where he grew up and lived for many years on the Lummi Indian Reservation, to be close to his children and family. He loved his three kids tremendously with his entire being. He adored his grandchildren and great grandchildren to no end. While enrolled up until his mid 40’s Frank loved to Commercial Fish, seasonally Sockeye Salmon, King Salmon, Chum Salmon, and Halibut. He loved to work on cars and help out others with their car troubles when he could. Frank is survived by his children, Joleine, Monica, Jasper (Denae’) Cladoosby; 15 grandchildren; 12 Great grandchildren; sisters, Tina Cladoosby-Solomon, Patricia Solomon, Tracy Olsen, April Olsen-James, and Lola Lee Lawton; brother, Troy Herman Olsen; and his Uncle Mike Cladoosby. A visitation will be held Monday, January 27, 2020 at 1:00 pm at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home with an evening service at 6:00 pm at the Tulalip Gym. Funeral Services will be Tuesday at 10:00 am at the Tulalip Gym with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.

Native American community quilt show comes to Tulalip

By Cullen Salinas-Zackuse, Tulalip News; photos courtesy of Colette Keith, NWIC Tulalip Site manager

On February 11-13 Northwest Indian College Tulalip campus is hosting a quilt show called Humble Stitches, Generous Quilts from Indian Country. It will be held at the Tulalip admin building from 9am – 4pm and will feature quilting styles from five tribal regions, including Northeast, South East, Southwest, Northwest, and Plains. There will be over 30 unique quilts on display with noticeable traits to their respectable region of influence. Whether it is Coast Salish design with trigons, crescents, and circles, a plains lone star quilt, a Northeastern woodland ribbon flower design, a Southwest Hopi pinwheel, or a Seminole patchwork style, all were beautifully crafted with a labor of love. 

Traditionally, quilts in all regions are to be gifted to loved ones or someone you want to honor. A symbolism of generosity and respect that can be gifted during ceremonies and gatherings. Tulalip has a long history of crafting and sharing during community gatherings. In 1950, at what people in the local area called the thrift shop at the bottom basement of an old gathering community hall is where a lot of the traditions of quilting were passed down. The tradition is being carried on at NWIC Tulalip campus where students and community members gather together and craft quilts that will soon be displayed for everyone to marvel at the workmanship.

Colette Keith, NWIC Tulalip Site manager, explains how the quilt show came to be. “When we received a grant [for the quilting class] from the Stillaguamish Tribe, we then attended the Everett Quilt Show two springs ago. I said, ‘Why don’t we have our own show?’ So, I asked the staff and students and they were excited about the idea. ”

The Tulalip Tribes contributed to the showcase by donating a quilting machine, space for the quilt show to be held, and informative catalogues for attendees. With the generous donations and hard work put in to make this vision come to reality, the anticipation level for the quilting showcase is rising. 

“This is big! There has not been a show even close to one like this since the University of New Mexico did one 20 years ago. And they are a large university, we are one small humble, but extremely talented and resourceful, satellite campus. As we get closer to the Feb 11th show date, people are starting to realize just what a significant deal this is,” Colette exclaimed.

Anyone in the community can submit their own quilting work to the show. It must be submitted to the Tulalip NWIC site by January 31. There will also be a free quilt raffle and free admission to the general public.

Tulalip Tribes Administration Building, 6406 Marine Drive, Tulalip WA 98271

Making beaded earrings with Stephanie Jones and Chelsea Martinez

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Strands upon strands of vibrant beads covered two entire tables in a classroom at the Hibulb Cultural Center (HCC). Choosing from the many hues of yellow, blue and red, seven local ladies sat down for a fun, cultural experience together on January 18. Picking up their needle and thread, some ladies exchanged stories and laughter while they worked, and others seized the opportunity for some alone time as they zoned in on their project at hand, designing and crafting medallion earrings.  

Tulalip tribal member Stephanie Jones, along with step-mother Chelsea Martinez, returned to the cultural center to host their third beaded earrings class, as part of the HCC’s Culture Series.

“I’ve been beading these types of earrings for about three years now, but I’ve been beading ever since I was 8 or 9,” said Stephanie. “Originally I started beading key chains and feathers, but I saw these earrings being sold by other artists and just started learning by asking other artists. And YouTube has helped me a lot. And honestly, just practicing with my stepmom, Chelsea, we’re helping each out other along the way.”

The relationship between Indigenous people and beadwork dates back generations prior to colonial times when our ancestors crafted beads from bone and stone. Beads were worn as a status symbol of wealth with beaded items featured on traditional regalia, jewelry and artwork. As the years progressed, so have many of the stitching designs. Due to the introduction of glass, metal, crystal and various beads through trade, the colorway and pattern possibilities for Native beadwork are infinite. Today, many Natives coordinate their beaded jewelry with their outfit of the day, matching their colors and patterns to those on their fabrics.

“I did a class here at the Hibulb about a year ago and learned how to make a beaded bracelet,” said class participant and local resident, Susan Stachowiak. “I thought I’d come down today and try my hand at earrings too. It was a wonderful learning experience, trying new techniques and my earrings turned out pretty cool. Keeping the culture alive is primo, I come to as many events at the Hibulb as I can to help support and soak in the knowledge, even as a non-tribal member.”

Three-and-a-half-hours passed by quickly and by the end of the class, most ladies completed one half of a pair of earrings, and then packed the rest of their materials up to finish their projects at home.

“It makes me feel good to pass this on and teach other people,” expressed Stephanie. “Personally, it helps me get in touch with my spirit. It’s medicine, putting a piece of myself into my work. You give away that work to other people, and by doing so, you give that piece of yourself to other people. I think putting yourself out into the world through your art is important.”

For more information about upcoming culture series workshops, please follow the Hibulb Cultural Center on Facebook. And for any beading inquires, feel free to reach out to Stephanie Jones, preferably through Facebook.