Native American kids learn about humanity

YETI club members at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club.
YETI club members at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club.

Article by Jeannie Briones and Kim Kalliber; photos by Jeannie Briones, Tulalip News Staff

The Tulalip Boys & Girls Club has incorporated a new program into their learning curriculum. YETI (Youth Education To Inspire) Tribal is an Internet-based club designed to help children explore their bodies and emotions, and learn about the wonders of humanity. What’s more, these children will be connecting with others around the Northwest via the Internet.

Kids in the YETI club, guided by adult supervision, make a fun-filled journey with children from other cultures, learning the complexity of the human body. The age group ranges from 2nd to 4th grade, and the club currently consists of kids from Tulalip and other reservations located in Spokane, Wash., Warm Springs, Or., and Lapwai, Idaho. Tulalip YETI clubbers meet every Wednesday at the Boys and Girls Club, from 3:30 p.m.- 4:30 p.m., to engage in online conversations and activities, along with arts and crafts and games in the Club’s Immersion Room.

These live chats engage kids from all over the Northwest to help each other understand who they are and learn to respect themselves, others, and other cultures, in a safe and non-judgmental environment.

“I like everything about it. We are getting kids together around the Northwest and different reservations to talk about what they like and what they don’t like, and they learn about their bodies, minds, and feelings. What I hope is that this program expands across the entire country. It’s a very good program. So far we are in our second week and the kids love it, they’re having a blast,” said Jay Davis, Tulalip Boys & Girls Club Yeti Club Facilitator and Games Room Coordinator.

Jay, along with Christina Gahringer, Director of Education Technology, for the Club, are currently working with the kids on body exploration. Kids are learning about their bodies and the functions of body organs, such as the heart, lungs, stomach and brain. Students then create a life-size drawing of their bodies, coloring in their inside parts. By learning bodily functions, kids can learn to better appreciate their bodies and to respect them.

“I like learning about the body parts,” said Tulalip Boys & Girls Club member Eian Williams.

YETI club members will also be learning about emotions, such as happy, sad, angry or scared, and the affect they can have on the body. Kids will explore the physical sources and reactions of emotions.

As a whole, YETI is designed to help kids to gain a sense of personal appreciation, to see themselves in others and gain patience and understanding in their relationships, now and in the future.

The YETI Tribal Club is a part of Wholeschool, a non-profit educational organization, started in Spokane, Washington. YETI also operates with support from Tulalip Tribes Charitable Funds.

To learn more about the YETI Club, contact Jay or Christina at the Tulalip Boys & Girls Club at 360-716-340 or visit www.bgclub.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.

Stillaguamish Tribe sponsors salmon habitat restoration on Cherokee Creek

Coho salmon swim in newly restored habitat in Cherokee Creek.
Coho salmon swim in newly restored habitat in Cherokee Creek.

Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, http://nwifc.org

The Stillaguamish Tribe recently partnered with the state Department of Natural Resources Family Forest Fish Passage Program to restore access to Cherokee Creek, near Darrington.

Cherokee Creek provides spawning, rearing and refuge for coho and other species of Pacific salmon, as well as cutthroat and bull trout. However, the creek also was home to a deteriorating metal culvert that had been poorly installed and was too small to withstand floods.

“The culvert had created an artificial waterfall that was too high for salmon to swim or jump past on their way upstream,” said Scott Rockwell, Forest and Fish biologist for the tribe. “It was also interfering with natural stream ecology, interrupting the downstream movement of water, fallen trees and gravel.”

The Family Forest Fish Passage Program replaced the culvert with a steel bridge and an 80-foot-long section of stream channel that restored fish access to more than a mile of productive spawning habitat. The state program helps small forest landowners comply with forest practice rules by covering 75-100 percent of the cost of eliminating stream barriers.

At a fall event celebrating the project’s completion, many coho salmon swam through the restored area.

“Their genetic compasses guided them back to habitat that had not been accessible for years,” said Washington State Forester Aaron Everett, who worked on the project.

As a project sponsor, the Stillaguamish Tribe conducted landowner outreach, collected habitat data, provided matching project funds, and managed project design, construction oversight, permitting and billing.

Cherokee Creek is a spawner index stream for coho salmon. For the past 12 years, Stillaguamish natural resources staff have documented the number and location of spawning adults and redds (egg nests) to help forecast the size of future coho runs.

For more information about the state’s Small Forest Landowner Office, visit www.dnr.wa.gov/sflo.

Back to the River documentary premieres at Seattle Aquarium

 

Dana Wilson, Lummi tribal fisherman, pauses in front of a sign for the movie, Back to the River. Wilson and his father are both in the documentary.
Dana Wilson, Lummi tribal fisherman, pauses in front of a sign for the movie, Back to the River. Wilson and his father are both in the documentary.

http://nwifc.org

 

The premiere of the documentary, Back to the River, was held at the Seattle Aquarium Feb. 2. The movie details the story of the treaty rights struggle from the pre-Boldt era to tribal and state co-management. The movie includes the voices and personal accounts of tribal fishers, leaders and others active in the treaty fishing rights struggle. More photos of the event can be found here and you can watch the movie on Vimeo. To order a copy of the movie, e-mail: contact@salmondefense.org.

Tribal member shines at poetry competition

By Kim Kalliber and Jeannie Briones, Tulalip News Staff

Eighteen year-old Tulalip tribal member Braulio Ramos took an unexpected journey into self-discovery during his senior year at high school. What did he learn? That he’s pretty darn good at public speaking, and reciting poetry.

Braulio Ramos

With no real interest in learning poetry, Braulio, a student at the Bio Academy at Maryville’s Getchell High School campus, joined the Poetry Out Loud nationwide recital contest. His natural charisma, topped with mad memorization skills, won him first place in the high school level competition in December 2012.

That win landed him in Burlington, Washington where he took part in the regional poetry recital competition on January 30th.

Over 50 audience members, including four judges, filled the Burlington Library to watch 13 contestants from high schools around the northwest, do their thing. Each contestant had to recite two poems of their choosing from the Poetry Out Loud pre-approved list of poetry. Their performance is judged on physical presence, voice articulation, dramatic appropriateness, level of difficulty, evidence of understanding, and overall performance.

Braulio spent hours rehearsing lines to ‘Bilingual/Bilingue’ by Rhina P. Espaillat and ‘Jabberwocky’ by Lewis Carroll.

“The first one [I read], I was kind of scared, for the second one I was more confident and playful,” said Braulio.

Though Braulio did not place in the regional competition, he’s confident that he put on a good performance.

Numerous audience members thanked Braulio for his performance, praising his strong voice, and the originality and flare that he lent to his poems.

“I felt like a superstar,” said Braulio.

Sound Publishing to purchase Everett Herald

Sound Publishing, Inc. announced today that it has signed an agreement with the Washington Post Company to acquire the Everett Daily Herald, a 46,000 circulation daily and Sunday newspaper and its other print and online products. The transaction is expected to close in early March.

The Herald has been owned by the Washington Post Company (WPO:NYSE) for 35 years and is a leading provider of local news and information for the Snohomish County area.

“We are thrilled to have The Daily Herald join our growing family of newspapers,” said Gloria Fletcher, President of Sound Publishing. “The Herald is a very well respected newspaper and it is a great fit with our print and digital products serving the greater Seattle area.”

Sound Publishing is the largest community media organization in Washington, with 39 newspaper and digital titles, including The Arlington Times and The Marysville Globe, with a combined circulation of over 730,000. Sound is a subsidiary of Black Press, Ltd. Black Press publishes more than 170 newspapers and other publications in British Columbia, Alberta and Washington, as well as the Honolulu (Hawaii) Star-Advertiser and the Akron (Ohio) Beacon-Journal daily newspapers.

Marysville wrestlers head to 3A Wesco Regionals

Wrestlers By Roy Pablo, Tulalip News Guest Writer

Marysville Pilchuck High School made a great showing at the District Wrestling Tournament this past weekend.  The tournament was held at Stanwood High School on Friday and Saturday and is sending 10 wrestlers on to districts.

There were two first place winners, Ishmael Perez in the 195lb. weight class and Drew Hatch in the 160lb. weight class. Two second place winners, with Killian Page at 145lbs and Ryan Daurie at 126lbs.  Jacob Green 120lbs, Iggy Gabov 220lbs, and Jory Cooper 285lbs all placed 3rd and Johnathon Neuman 106 lbs took 4th.  Jake Merrick 182lbs and Sam Foss 106lbs advance as alternates.  Tony Hatch was also honored at this event with the Assistant Coach of the Year award.
Ishmael Perez, a senior this year, said, “I am really pumped to go on to regionals, and really excited about taking first. I worked really hard in High school and I am glad the work paid off.  This is my last chance so I really hope I make it to state. “ Ishmael pinned his opponent from Stanwood in the second round.

Drew Hatch also took first and dominated his opponent Josh Crebbin from Oak Harbor, pinning him in the second round.  “I was really excited and it was a great feeling after pinning Josh in the finals.  I guess it was especially cool because my Dad got that award for all of his hard work with the team,” said Drew.

Tony Hatch thinks his son’s win is much more exciting than the award, but is still incredibly honored.

When asked Tony to share his feelings about the nomination and the award Tony had this to say, “Being selected Wesco North 3A Assistant Coach of the year is very humbling. I just believe that this sport teaches kids very important life lessons, and that is why I have pushed my kids, nephews and other Tulalip kids to stay with it.  I have always tried to coach kids that being a classy champion is so much better than an arrogant champion, and that an athlete’s character is being judged at all times.  Even if we lose, we have to learn to lose like champions, but the next time we meet, the outcome will be different.”

“These kinds of teachings and philosophies have brought the kids that we coach to a whole different level,” continued Tony.  “I am glad the other coaches have noticed the job that we have done with our athletes.  I was surprised to see that my name had been nominated for Assistant Coach of the Year, but to see that the Wesco Coaches voted me Wesco North Coach of the Year was pretty cool.  I am honored and kind of humbled that they think of me like this.”

Marysville Pilchuck High School has the honor of hosting the 3A Wesco Regionals this Saturday February 9th.  They hope to send all 10 of their wrestlers on to the WIAA Mat Classic State Championship at the Tacoma Dome February 15th and 16th. They had three state placers last year and hope to at least double that figure.

Calling all bands and musicians for 2013 ‘Sounds of Summer’ Concert Series

MARYSVILLE — Marysville Parks and Recreation is seeking musical talent and will be booking soon for the annual “Sounds of Summer” Concert Series, which is set to take place this year over the course of five Thursdays, from mid-July to mid-August.

Interested individual musicians or bands should call 360-363-8450 for details on how to submit their information for consideration in this series.

Source: Marysville Globe

Volunteers needed for Walk MS 2013 at Tulalip

TULALIP — If you can volunteer to check in or cheer on walkers, or pass out food, you can help people living with multiple sclerosis on Saturday, April 13, when the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, conducts its annual Walk MS in Snohomish County.

The Chapter is looking for volunteers — individuals and groups alike — for the event, which begins at 9 a.m. at the Tulalip Amphitheatre, located at 10400 Quil Ceda Blvd. in Tulalip.

Funds raised by this year’s Walk MS will support direct services for the more than 12,000 people living with MS — as well as their families — in Alaska, Montana, and Western and Central Washington. Proceeds also fund national MS research, to find new treatments and a cure for this chronic disease of the central nervous system.

“Volunteers are the backbone of this event,” Chapter President Patty Shepherd-Barnes said. “People can help with planning weeks before the Walk, as well as by setting up during the weekend, registering walkers, monitoring the route, and cleaning up or cheering on walkers. There is a place for everyone’s time and talents.”

For more information or to volunteer for Walk MS 2013, contact Volunteer Coordinator Cara Chamberlin of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Greater Northwest Chapter, by phone at 800-344-4867 — press 2, then dial 40205 — or via email at cara.chamberlin@nmss.org. You can also log onto www.walkMSnorthwest.org.

Marysville teen organizing Relay for Life fundraiser

Kayla Dowd, 16, a junior at the International School of Communications at Marysville Getchell High School, is the volunteer public relations organizer for the upcoming Marysville-Tulalip Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event will be held the last weekend of June. Photo:Genna Martin, The Herald
Kayla Dowd, 16, a junior at the International School of Communications at Marysville Getchell High School, is the volunteer public relations organizer for the upcoming Marysville-Tulalip Relay for Life fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. The event will be held the last weekend of June. Photo:
Genna Martin, The Herald

Marysville student is organizing fundraising event for her community

By Gale Fiege, Herald Writer, http://www.heraldnet.com

MARYSVILLE — Raising money for the American Cancer Society is a major focus of volunteer efforts in Snohomish County. During May, June and July, there are 10 Relay For Life fundraisers scheduled.

Marysville Getchell High School junior Kayla Dowd is one of the hundreds of people planning the Marysville-Tulalip event and those elsewhere.

Kayla, 16, is the public relations chairwoman for the relay. As a student in the International School of Communications at Marysville Getchell, Kayla hopes to use some of her new-found writing and speaking skills to let people know about the fundraiser.

The Marysville-Tulalip Relay for Life, like all the other relays, is an overnight event during which teams of people take turns walking or running laps around the field. Each team keeps a member on the track at all times. Relay for Life celebrates those who have survived cancer, helps people whose loved ones have died from cancer, raises money for cancer research and encourages people to fight cancer in their own lives, Kayla said.

Last year, the Marysville-Tulalip relay had 50 teams, honored 100 survivors and raised about $155,000. This year, organizers have set a goal to honor 150 survivors, involve 80 teams and raise $200,000.

“I think we can do it,” Kayla said. “Interest is growing each year. I’m involved because I’m one of those people whose life has been touched by cancer.”

A few years ago, Kayla lost her maternal great-grandmother to cervical cancer. Then her grandfather, Pat Dowd, 67, of Smokey Point, was diagnosed with stage-four lung cancer.

“He overcame that, but two months ago we learned that my grandpa has brain cancer. Recently we found out that his tumor has gotten a little smaller,” she said. “So, this has been a journey of ups and downs for my family. Grandpa is so dear to my heart. He is a go-getter and a role model for me. The money we raise at this remarkable event can help keep alive mothers, fathers, grandparents, sisters, brothers and friends.”

Kayla leads her own Relay for Life team of elementary school-age students, who raised $1,200 last year. When not working on fundraising, Kayla spends Tuesdays after school helping at the food bank in Marysville. She hopes to attend Washington State University and would like to study to be a nurse.

Raising awareness about cancer research in the state and Cancer Society services to cancer patients is big part of her job, Kayla said.

And Kayla’s just right for the task, said Kristin Banfield, the chairwoman of the Marysville-Tulalip Relay for Life. In her day job, Banfield is the public information officer for the city of Arlington.

“It’s really exciting to see a young woman, a teenager, stepping up in her community,” Banfield said. “This is a great experience for Kayla and we’re already getting a lot of good work out of her.”

Kayla said she is happy to help with Relay for Life.

“It’s a worthwhile thing, because everywhere you look, there is cancer,” Kayla said.