By Shaelyn Hood, Tulalip News
On February 11, the Tulalip Education Division began a weekly Friday 3:30-5:00 p.m. BBQ gathering for tribal youth. The overall goal started as a way to get kids out of their normal routines, in a healthy and safe environment, and to surround themselves with positive influences. Now they are looking for more community members to attend these events as well, and help share a nurturing space together.
As the Covid-19 state regulations begin to lift on social gatherings, the Education Division continues to expand their events calendar. The weekly BBQ’s offer hamburgers and hot dogs, transportation from the Youth Center to that week’s BBQ location, organized activities, various sports equipment to play with, and transportation back to the Youth Center if needed.
What is most exciting about these events to staff, is that they have brought in new faces that they don’t normally see. Youth and Family Enrichment Specialist Mikey Comenote said, “We want to reach out to all of the kids on the reservation. We have all these activities that we’re presenting, and the more kids and community member involvement that we have, the more that we can do.”
He went on to speak about possible plans for Spring Break, such as bringing back basketball tournaments on the reservation, and other events like Bullwinkles, skating, etc. “We want to bring our kids back to our community. If they’re struggling with school, or at home, we want parents to know that we are there to take care of them and treat them as our own. I used to be one of these kids, going to events like this with Dale Jones, the late Albert Young, Greg Williams. Events like this helped me a lot.”
Working closely with tribal youth, department staff have seen the negative side effects that come from teenagers having too much time on their hands. Teens who tend to bore easily are more likely to substitute their boredom with higher internet use and are more at risk to participate in dangerous and troublesome activities. In any situation, the department is willing to help guide local kids and be an ally to parents and their children.
The Tulalip Education Division will continue to hold BBQ’s every week and will post flyers online of each month’s location. They are looking to continue to grow their event’s involvement, but also are looking for any volunteers that can help run the events and look after the kids. If you are interested in helping or have any questions about the various events, please call 3607164909 or go to www.tulalipyouthservices.com.