EPIC Basketball Camp more than just hoops

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News 

A one-of-a-kind basketball camp was offered to the youth of the Tulalip Community during the week of August 13-17. The camp was brought together by a team led by Sharmane Joseph and Tulalip Community Health, with help from Tulalip Youth Services and the Tulalip Diabetes Care and Prevention Program. The camp taught local kids the fundamentals of the game and brought a number of guest speakers to talk with the youth about growing up Indigenous.

“It’s called EPIC Basketball Camp and stands for Explore, Pursue, Invest and Challenge,” says Sharmane. “It’s our first year and I’m part of the Community Health department and we wanted to show the community that we don’t work with just one age, we work with the entire community and we’re here for everyone. The first day we had about eighty-one participants and we opened it up at the Boys and Girls Club for the kids who don’t get to come to the youth center.”

During morning drills, the kids worked on their ball handling skills and their shooting techniques. The kids also listened to many keynote speakers throughout the week including Native American rapper Sten Joddi of Tattoo Muzik Group, Native Comedian Mylo Smith Jr. as well as Dereck Stonefish and the Reawakening Warriors and Patty Stonefish of the Arming Sisters group. 

“The kids learn about a variety of things from the guest speakers,” Sharmane explains. “Like Sten, he taught about cultural identity; Patty Stonefish taught self-defense; Dereck Stonefish and the Reawakening Warriors talked about the different things the men go through with abuse and connecting with each other; and Ryneldi Becenti, the first Native American woman to get drafted in the WNBA, had an amazing story about never giving up and building family support.”

Since the camp was split into two different groups, one at the Boys and Girls Club courts and the other at the Greg Williams court, Ryneldi instructed the kids at the youth center while Randy July Jr. ran his Elevate Your Game basketball camp at the Club. Randy had an impressive ball career at Haskell University with potential to play at a professional level. Randy went undrafted in the 2015 NBA Draft but continued his journey with basketball by bringing both his experience and message to kids on reservations across the entire country. Ryneldi is in the same line of work and played professionally for the WNBA team Phoenix Mercury in 1997. 

“I’ve been here all week,” says Ryneldi. “I travel to all different reservations and do youth work. I enjoyed my time here in Tulalip. The kids were great, we did a lot of passing, dribbling, shooting drills, footwork and agility moves and then we scrimmaged in the afternoon. It’s been a lot of fun.”

After a week of basketball and motivational speeches, the kids received their own basketball designed with Coast Salish art by the Native American company, Trickster.

“I live in Everett and I love basketball,” says young camper Junior Parrish. “I learned a few new tricks on how to get my hops up. The speaker who stood out to me the most was the lady that taught us about self-protection. Learning about self-defense is really important and I think I could use that in real life. Every morning we’d run a few drills first and then we’d have some fun scrimmaging and playing king of the court later in the day. It was definitely a lot fun and felt good to get some runs in.”

Managing directors hired to lead tribal government

By Niki Cleary, Tulalip News 

Tribal government is going through an organizational restructure and the process began by hiring four Managing Directors.  Each of the four Managing Directors will be responsible for a different aspect of tribal government. Their domains are Business Operations, Community Enrichment, Health Services and Regulatory Affairs. 

Wendy Fryberg.

Wendy Fryberg, Managing Director of Regulatory Affairs

My career started at our Casino and have over 25 years of leadership experience. Along with experience, I have an Associate’s Degree from NWIC. My work experience includes; Regulatory Compliance, Gaming, Strategic Planning and Executive Director all of which will contribute to my success in this position. Additional experiences include Leadership Snohomish County and MSD Board Member. Living and working in this community, I have knowledge of the needs and understand the concerns. My long term career goal has always been to work in leadership at out Tribal Government Office, I am grateful to start this new opportunity.  

Michelle Gettsy, Managing Director of Business Operations

Michelle Gettsy.

Fresh out of college I worked for Tulalip as a Land Use Planner, compliance officer, and GIS tech all rolled into one. Since then, I have been with the Muckleshoot Tribe in various capacities. I began there as an Executive Assistant to the Tribal Council. From there I moved to the Public Works Department as an Account Manager and in 2015 I earned a position at the Muckleshoot Tribal School 

as the Business Manager. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in 2006 from the University of Washington and in 2016 I earned my Master’s degree in Jurisprudence in Indian Law from the University of Tulsa, College of Law. I am so thankful for the opportunity to be able to bring my knowledge and experience back to my Tribe. 

Norma Razote.

Norma Razote, Managing Director of Health Services

I began my career with The Tulalip Tribes in 1992 in which I worked for the Tulalip Gaming Organization as a Table Games Dealer.  I started working for the Tulalip Tribes Government in 2001 at the Housing Authority and continued to work in various departments which include the Housing, Health Clinic, Finance, General Manager, and Quality Assurance Department.  I have a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in Accounting.  I am appreciative for the opportunity to serve my tribe and looking forward to working with a great managing director team. 

Shawneen Zackuse Managing Director of Community Enrichment

Shawneen Zackuse.

I began my working career for the Tulalip Gaming Organization in 1994 in Food & Beverage and Finance Departments then started my journey on the government organization in 2004 in TTHAP’s, Housing, and Higher Education Departments. I have an Associate in Arts, Associate in Science in Criminal Justice, Bachelor in General Studies, Bachelor in Criminal Justice, Bachelor in Business Administration, Master in Business Administration in Project Management, and currently working on my Doctorate in Criminal Justice and Business Administration. I am thankful for the opportunity to use my skills and serve my tribe.

Together we create a healthy and culturally vibrant community

As we have gathered as a team, we believe tribal members want better communication, inclusion and understanding. Our tribal members are our 

customers, we will strive to accomplish the mission and values of our Tribe, to better serve ourmembers and provide services at a higher level. 

Together we will enhance wrap around services to our people and work as a team to ensure collaboration throughout the governmental organization. 

Youth create LEGO robots during STEM week

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News 

Located behind the Tulalip Boys and Girls Club, a group of young Tulalip summer school students occupied one classroom in each of the three Tulalip Education Department buildings during the week of August 6– 10. Separated by age, the kids intently worked behind laptops as they constructed a series of robots, programing them to move and perform tasks. The youth had so much fun in fact, they got lost in the LEGO robotics software and forgot they were in summer school learning about science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). 

After two successful years of STEM ROBOTICS week, the Tutoring and Homework Support Program of the Education Department once again reached out to Kathy Collier and her team at Robotics.how.com to bring the fun, hands-on learning experience to the students of the summer school.

“They don’t even realize they’re inventing,” says Kathy. “They are taking part in what is called upper-level critical thinking but they’re having fun. They’ve learned two different physics principals this week and had a blast with it.”

The students are split into three groups based on which grade they will be entering at the beginning of the school year; kindergarten through second grade, third through fifth grade and sixth through twelfth grade. The students began each day with a new science experiment and assembled their bots in the afternoon. 

“K through second graders are doing science experiments in inertia, centrifugal force, momentum, stored energy and they use the Lego WeDo Robots,” explains Kathy. “They are doing simple coding, they can actually explain to you the function of each LEGO piece, interpreting the software language at a kid level. The third through fifth grade kids are using the EV3 Robots, that’s the latest version of LEGO robots, which is actually being used at MIT. First year college students in engineering have a course where they explore all kinds of principals using the EV3 robot. It’s a very sophisticated little machine. And the sixth through twelfth are teaching their robots. They built a custom obstacle course and have to program the robots to make a decision at each turn like forward, right or left.”

Through a set of commands on their laptop, the kids are able to control their bots. While the older kids created one spider-bot that they worked with throughout the week, coding it to make directional choices, both younger groups assembled a number of robots. The youngest group built lions, monkeys and airplane robots and the third through fifth grade students invented both rolling EV3 robots as well as a dog robot. 

 “This entire week we’ve made a bunch of different little LEGO robots and took them apart because that was our practice for programing, it’s been a lot of fun,” said Alexis Bowen while putting the finishing touches on her bot.

“We learned how to build robots!” young Jala Jimenez enthusiastically expressed. “The airplane one was fun. We put the human LEGO in it and made the propeller spin. We did a lion yesterday, that was the most fun. I learned how to make it move on the computer, it was good and easy. Oh and you can record your own sounds like a roar for your lion. After the lion we built a drumming monkey and he drummed on some cups.”

Tulalip Youth Employment worker, Quintin Yon-Wagner, attended the camp to assist the Robotics.how.com team during STEM week. Quintin, who will be a freshman this year, also built a spider-bot and used it to race his fellow peers through an obstacle course comprised of text books and wastebaskets. 

“This past week has been amazing because we’ve learned so much,” states Quintin. “Starting with programming the computer and learning how the Bluetooth connects with the robots that we made out of LEGOS. The building process takes some time but the benefits that the students take away and how much you learn about programing is amazing. But this isn’t just about programming, it expands on different, new ideas like artificial intelligence and machine learning.

“My favorite part has been building my robot and programming it to move its way through an obstacle course, knowing where and when to turn at the exact time and angle,” he continues. “We actually got it through a huge obstacle course and it was a huge accomplishment. I’ve made great friends and connections this week. This all can help you get different types of jobs or into a good college. Learning about STEM can ultimately lead to a new career path for your future.”

For additional details please contact the Tulalip Tutoring and Homework Support Program at (360) 716-4646.

TELA students receive first diploma during Moving Up ceremony

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Family members gathered in the lobby of the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy to cheer on their kids as they completed the very first phase in their educational journey. On August 14, forty-two students graduated from the Early Head Start birth to three program and took a symbolic walk across a mini podium as they moved up from the Early Head Start side of the Academy to the Montessori and ECEAP side of the building.

The kids received certificates for completing Early Head Start along with cedar-carved pendant necklaces. Many of the students have been enrolled in the program since infancy and are ready to expand their knowledge as well as see what the big kids have been up to in Montessori. 

“My son will be going into Montessori, leaving the birth to three program,” says parent and Early Head Start teacher, Teresa Frane. “He’s been in the program since he was six-weeks old, he started right away. It’s been very emotional but very exciting at the same time watching him go through the whole Early Head Start process. My son has grown into this amazing little man because of Early Head Start. I especially love the cultural aspect because they do a lot of the drumming and get to learn about the canoes and the salmon. It was a very emotional day; I’m excited to see what the next two years brings him through this academy.”

Tulalip opens high-end retail cannabis shop

Remedy Tulalip is one of the first cannabis dispensaries to open on a reservation in the U.S

Tulalip Tribes Vice Chairwoman Teri Gobin and Tribal Council Members Les and Jared Parks cut the ribbon at the Remedy Tulalip soft opening.

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News 

“Today is the big day. We’ve been waiting for this day for many, many years,” said Tulalip Board of Director, Les Parks, as he addressed a large crowd at the Remedy Tulalip Grand Opening on August 9. “I’ve been challenged as a Board of Director for the last three years to get this door open. Today we’re finally there, there’s so many good things that are going to come out of this.”

The Tulalip Tribes held a ribbon cutting ceremony and soft opening for the new recreational marijuana dispensary located in Quil Ceda Village at the old Key Bank. Remedy Tulalip is the tribe’s flagship cannabis store that was long rumored since Washington State voters passed bill I-502, legalizing the use of recreational marijuana for citizens ages twenty-one and older, back in 2012. Word was, the Tribe set their sights on the Key Bank location nearly two years ago, which kept community members debating if and when the store would open. 

“We were very deliberate in our negotiations with the state of Washington in getting this place open,” says Les. “We wanted it done our way, and it took a long time for us to get there.”

The Tribe believes it will be well worth the wait and plans on Remedy generating plenty of revenue because of its prime location near the Tulalip Resort Casino, the Seattle Premium Outlets, Walmart and Home Depot, which is sure to attract a number of cannabis enthusiasts, from locals running errands to high rollers at the casino. 

“Remedy Tulalip is one of the first stores to open on a reservation,” stated Remedy Tulalip Assistant General Manager, Jonathan Teeters. “We are also one of the first who have this sort of location, many of the others are tucked away or are smaller shops. We have the opportunity to succeed immensely and we planned for it. That’s one of the reasons we’re one of the most technologically advanced stores in the state. We employ seventy plus people and I’m very optimistic that this going to turn into quite the endeavor for the tribe.”

Upon stepping into the store, your eyes are immediately drawn upwards to the artwork along the inside of the building’s corners which showcases an orca swimming in the Salish Sea, Big Foot walking amongst the trees and the Cascade mountain range. Another thing you may notice is the number of staff, or cannabis concierge, who are available to help you find the perfect strain. The concierge in red shirts work the retail floor and are equipped with iPads. These team members typically have prior experience in the marijuana industry and are very knowledgeable about the products offered at Remedy Tulalip. The concierge in green shirts assist guests from behind the counters, retrieving their orders from the inventory room as well as taking their payments.

“If you walk into most dispensaries in Washington State there’s really only one or two type of workers, there’s the budtender behind the counter waiting to take your order and sometimes there’s the manager,” Jonathan says. “The cannabis industry hasn’t really created a lot of opportunity for people to gain experience and move up because it’s been managed by the people who started and founded it. We’re taking a different approach here, we recognize that as a wholly-owned tribal entity, part of our major responsibility is to create economic opportunity in the form of jobs here on the reservation both for tribal members and others in this community. Not just any jobs, but well-paying jobs and ones that leave them more empowered and ready to move on to something bigger and better and hopefully take some of the experience they learned here and pass that forward.”

The new recreational pot shop will work with local companies to provide a variety of cannabis products including flower, oil, edibles and wax. The store also offers an assortment of glass and CBD products as well as a membership program.

“As a flagship store for the Tulalip Tribes, we recognize that we are in charge of making sure the products that folks find in the store meet the experience that they expect and the brand expectations that come with the Tulalip name. This going to be your top-of-the-line stop for cannabis,” Jonathan explains. “When you come here you’re going to see things you haven’t seen on other shelves, a lot of things from small craft growers, producers and processers. Part of our mission is to make sure that we use our economic influence to help not only small producers and processers, but especially those that are Native-owned and Native-affiliated. This is a Native movement and we want to celebrate that.”

The Tribe has big plans in the future for Remedy Tulalip which may include expansion stores along I-5. Tulalip also intends on exploring the many benefits the plant can offer medicinally, to help heal their people and combat the opioid crisis. 

“Opening a retail shop is really just the tip of the iceberg for the Tulalip Tribes,” Jonathan explains. “Under the company Traditional Biologics, we have plans to open not only a few other cannabis dispensaries here on the reservation but also other companies in cultivation and manufacturing. Eventually we have our eyes set on making an impact when it comes to reminding people that cannabis is medicine. There’s an epidemic facing this country, and certainly here, the opioid epidemic. The folks who really pushed to have cannabis become part of this reservation were forward thinking enough to know that cannabis is actually something that is proving to have a very positive effect on communities that are ravaged by opioids. In many cases CBD has proven to break the addictive pathways in the brain. It’s a natural product that we can grow with the love and spirit that it’s intended.” 

Remedy Tulalip is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. For more information, visit www.RemedyTulalip.com.

Cecile Rose Elworth-Menge (1963 – 2018)

Cecile Rose Elworth-Menge was born February 14, 1963 in Seattle, WA, and passed away on August 6, 2018 in Everett, WA. Cecile was named for both grandmothers. Cecile loved to spend time gardening, tending to her animals, being outdoors, and taking care of people. She had a quick and infectious laugh. Cecile entered into the US Army in San Jose, CA, as a radio operator and separated in Fort Gordon, GA, after serving four years. She is preceded in death by her father, Charles Elworth and granddaughter, Aiden; granddaughter of the late: Margaret (Henry) Holmes and Charles S. Oliver Sr. and Mildred and Anthony Kazmirski; Aunt Catherine (Oliver) Rivera, Uncle “Manny”, Charles H. Oliver Jr. and first cousin, Michael Proo. Cecile is survived by her husband of 20 years, Scott Menge; mother, Alma Louise Elworth; daughter, Angelina Elworth; son, Anthony Elworth; son, Jean-Luc Elworth; siblings, Julie, Brian and Christopher Elworth; grandchildren, Leila, Kurian, Kaimira, Henry, and Jordan; best friend, Dena McClinton; and John and Jean Chilcott, Colleen (Donnelly) and Generoso Tandiama, Patrick (Karyn Barnes) Donnelly, Janie Lynn (Donnelly) and Kurt Moose, Kevin Kazmirski, Terrence Kazmirski; Aunties, Cecile (Oliver) Hansen and Carolyn Oliver. An Interfaith service will be August 10, 2018 at 6:00pm at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be August 11, 2018 at 10am at The Tulalip Tribal Gym.

Alpheus E. Jones Sr. (1940 – 2018)

Alpheus Edwin Jones Sr. was born July 8, 1940 in the Tulalip Old Hospital and entered into rest on August 5, 2018. He was a commercial fisherman, and would fish with Wheatie on Sarah Jean and Skipper on the Night Owl, salmon ceremony fish cooker, and enjoyed traveling, playing basketball, softball, and hardball. Alpheus coached the Tulalip Chiefs and Tulalip co-ed team and The Bad Company Youth Basketball team. He was inducted into the NIAA Hall of Fame in 2007. He is preceded in death by his parents, George and Louella and numerous family members, as well as special grandchild, Dontae Wayne Jones. He is survived by his wife, Mildred L. Jones of 53 years, as well as his children, Charlie and Roxanne, Jeff Jones Sr., Alpheus Jones Jr., Dana Jones, Luella Ann and Leon Enick, and Allison Jones; siblings, Stanley and JoAnn Jones Sr., Virginia Carpenter, Dawn Simpson, Joy Lacey, Dale Jones and Barbara Jones, Marvin Jones, Richard Jones and Toby Jones, Delmer and Bev Jones, Virginia Cross, Lorraine Cross, Marlene Cross, George Cross Jr.; granddaughter, Brittany Nelson-Jones; and numerous grand-children and great-grand-children. Special Caretaker Bernard Duplessis. He also leaves behind his special cat, Simba. Visitation will be held on August 9, 2018 at 1pm at Schaefer-Shipman Funeral Home. Interfaith will be at 6pm at the Tulalip Tribal Gym. Funeral service will be August 10, 2018 at 10am at the Tulalip Tribal Gym with burial to follow at Mission Beach Cemetery.