Deborah Parker teaches youth about Native history, culture and voting

Article and Photos by Jeannie Briones

TULALIP, Washington – With the 2012 Presidential Election upon us, attention has turned to Native American voting. Political analysts say the Native voters could easily affect the presidential race this year.

Historically, Native Americans have one of the lowest voter turnout rates of any ethnic group. Considering the fact that Native Americans were the last group in theU.S.to get the right to vote, in some cases at late as the 1960’s, it’s no wonder that campaigns and organizers are struggling with ways to reach Native Americans. This year, tribal leaders are speaking out more than ever, encouraging tribal members to vote.

Deborah Parker, Tulalip Tribes Vice Chairwoman spoke to students at TotemMiddle Schoolin Marysville, on October 11th about Tulalip Tribes culture, history, and government and the importance of why Native Americans should vote.

“It’s important for our people to vote because we need leaders inCongress,U.S.Government, state, and local governments that understand who we are. If we get the wrong person [in office] that doesn’t understand our treaties and way of life, we could lose what our ancestors gave up and what our people have worked many generations to preserve and protect, as a sovereign nation,” said Deborah.

As Chairwoman, Deborah talks with the United States Government about treaty rights and agreement s with the federal government. She even shook hands with President Obama, reminding him to not forget about the U.S. Constitution and the treaties.

By meeting with students, Deborah aims to teach them about the true history of Native Americans, something she feels is still largely ignored in today’s curriculum.

“I went to speak at few years ago at a high school in Lynnwood, and some students raised their hands, and said they didn’t even know Indians existed,” said Deborah. “Our government and our schools do not educate our people about what took place in Native American history. I encourage each and every one of you to educate your mind, it makes you a stronger person.”

Deborah also encouraged the students to search the internet to discover true facts of United States history and learn more about their history, to not only expand their minds, but to understand how the past links to the present and the future, and the importance of making your voice heard in the electoral process.

Heritage Lady Hawks pull in victories

Teri Jimicum serves the ball for the Lady Hawks

Article by Sarah Miller

Tulalip, WA— Though their volleyball season was off to a rocky start with a few losses, the Heritage Lady Hawks have pushed through the defeats to find their first two wins. On Friday, September 28th, the girls faced Skykomish and emerged victorious with a score of three to one. Tuesday, October 2nd, they faced Lummi Nation and triumphed over them with a score of three to zero. Way to go Lady Hawks!

Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center welcomes new exhibit

Gilbert King George spear fishes on the White River during the “Fish-Ins” of the 1970’s.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article by Sarah Miller; photo courtesy of Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center

TULALIP, Washington – A new exhibit will be coming to the Tulalip Hibulb Cultural Center. Salish Bounty: Traditional Native American Foods of Puget Sound will be on loan from the Burke Museum until the end of January. This exciting new exhibit features Tulalip artifacts that are currently not on display, including items used for hunting, fishing, cooking, gathering and storing, along with historic photos. There will also be real food ingredients on display as well as videos and audio of Coast Salish people talking about food. This exhibit will open November 3rd.

“This is a traveling exhibit,” said Marketing/Membership/PR Mytyl Hernandez. “It will be located at the end of the Canoe Hall, outside of the classrooms. Salish Bounty connects archaeological and historical research about thousands of years of food traditions in the Puget Sound area to current efforts to revitalize these food traditions in the region. Salish Bounty was created in close partnership with members of the Native Coast Salish community and features their history, voices and efforts.”

Visitors will learn about the cuisines of the Coast Salish people, along with the cultural values of respect, hospitality, community, and the environment of this region.

“This exhibit is broken into three themes,” Mytyl went on. “The way things were, dispossession and struggle, and the way things are. Our visitors will get the opportunity to learn about each in detail as well as over 280 plants and animal species used as food found from various archeological sites around Puget Sound.”

Coast Salish diets are incredibly diverse and always have been, according to Mytyl. The cuisine and its underlying values have survived major cultural shifts, from depopulation and loss of access to land and water, to intrusion into cultural practices, families and communities. Nowadays, there is serious revival of traditional foods that incorporates new ingredients, new communication technologies, and regained access to land and water, yet it maintains the same cultural values.

This is not the only new exhibit coming to Hibulb. At some point in 2013, the Veteran’s Exhibit, which is a rotating gallery, will be removed and replaced with a yet unknown exhibit. Hibulb will be rotating the temporary gallery two to four times a year. Sounds like a good time to stop on by the Cultural Center and check things out. Remember, admission is free for tribal members, $10.00 for adults, $7.00 for seniors and children five years and younger are free. For more information on prices and times, visit www.hibulbculturalcenter.org.

 

Halloween Safety Tips

Wear clothing that reflects light when you go out trick or treating

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article by Sarah Miller

There are many precautions to take when preparing for your Halloween season. Trick or treating is fun, but it can be dangerous at times. The same goes for carving up your scary Jack O’Lanterns. It’s important to take care when you are preparing for this holiday.

We will start with pumpkin carving. This is a fun activity that gears everyone up for the Halloween season. However, it involves using sharp objects to carve a vegetable with. A child should NEVER be given a knife to cut with. There are many pumpkin kits out there with safety tools appropriate for kids to use if they are the ones doing the carving. Even then, be sure that an adult is around to supervise. Though they are safe, accidents can still happen.

If you are doing the carving sans the pumpkin carving kit, be sure that your child does not jerk the pumpkin or table the pumpkin is sitting on. You don’t want to get cut while carving that pumpkin. Make sure your child is safely seated away from you and the knife.

If you aren’t interested in carving pumpkins, an even safer alternative is painting them. This is an activity that everyone can partake in. You can even get some glue and decorate the pumpkins with sequins or other decorations.

With that said, the biggest thrill of the Halloween season is dressing up and going out trick or treating for candy. This can be a lot of fun, but kids going out should be supervised by a responsible adult.

Make sure your child is dressed in a safe costume. If they are wearing masks, make sure they can see out of the eyeholes. Though some costumes require the person to dress completely in black, this can be dangerous when trick or treating late into the night. Make sure there is a bit of white or something that will reflect light on them. Also, don’t forget flashlights!

Be sure to know your route when taking the kiddies out to gather candy. This will ensure that you don’t get lost in an unfamiliar neighborhood. Also, get on the website and check the neighborhoods you plan on trick or treating in for registered sex offenders.

Make sure your child does not go into any stranger’s house or car. These people could just be being nice, but better safe than sorry. Kids may be confused by this but explain to them that some people aren’t nice and want to hurt others. Then tell them that if anyone tries to coax them into a house or car, or approaches them and tries to grab them, to scream as loud as they can and to kick and flail as much as possible.

Watch your children as they cross streets. Teach them how to cross properly and not just run in front of cars driving by. Make sure they hold your hand as they cross the street.

When taking your kids trick or treating, be sure that they respect the yard they wander through to get to the front door. This means no vandalism! Some people enjoy a little trickery more than treats on Halloween. Some kids toilet paper houses, egg houses or even smash those perfectly carved pumpkins. This is rude and not funny. Though it seems funny at the time, the person who has to clean up that mess doesn’t really think so. Also, be kind to any of the owner’s pets. They may seem loud and annoying, but they’re probably just freaked out that so many costumed individuals have wandered into their domain.

Once the Halloween fun is over, it’s time to inspect the candy! Throw away all candy that has an opened wrapper. Inspect all candy and anything that looks odd, throw it away. It’s also important to make sure your child doesn’t snack on any candy while they’re out trick or treating. As for baked goods, this is a judgment call to be made by the parents. If it came from someone you trust, then you can let your kid eat it. If it came from someone you don’t know, maybe toss it.

Keep these tips in mind when you prepare your child for a night of fun trick or treating on All Hallow’s Eve!

Hitch a ride with Tulalip Transit

Mary Hargrove discusses Tulalip Transit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Article and photos by Sarah Miller

This month’s community meeting, held at the Tulalip admin building on September 25th, was presented by the Tulalip Transit Department. During the meeting, the employees of said department discussed how the transit program works and new changes that they hope to make.

“This program is a free service,” said Associate Planner II Mark Hamilton. “We don’t get revenue from it. It is funded by grants that allow us to operate this service. It is open to the public, both tribal members and nontribal members.”

The planning process for Tulalip Transit went into effect in 2009. A survey was mailed and emailed to the community and tribal government. It was discovered that there was a need for a transit program specific to Tulalip and different than the Marysville City Transit bus that comes through the reservation. Mark was able to get grants from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the WSDOT Consolidated Grant Program and the Public Transportation on Indian Reservations Program. These grants ensure that this program remains free to its riders.

“We calculated the number of employees and residents that were in need of this service,” Mark went on. “We were able to implement two routes, and we hope to implement a third.”

The two routes are the John Sam Lake route and the Tulalip Bay route. The third route they are working on is the Bay to Village route.

According to Transit Supervisor Mary Hargrove, the Tulalip Bay route has had a ridership of 11,796 while the John Sam Lake route has a ridership of 2,920. This was calculated from January 2011 to July 2012.

“Last year, we evaluated the data, and started proposing different suggestions,” Mary said. Those changes include Demand Response Service. This service would provide on-reservation transit services for riders at social service locations. Riders could call a number and get a ride to places like the pharmacy, beda?chelh, family services and the homeless shelter, to name a few. Also discussed was a Rideshare service. This service is similar to a carpool for people who work on the reservation. Participants would be matched to others who live in their neighborhood and assign vehicles for them to travel to and from work. Operating expenses for this service would be covered by the employees that participate. It would be $20 to $25 a week. These services aren’t provided yet but could be in the near future.

“We are also working on getting permanent bus stops,” Mary continued. “We are working to get these installed, though it has taken longer to do. They will replace the pylons that mark Tulalip transit stops.”

If you need to get a ride from Tulalip Transit, you can call 360-716-4206 or you can email at tulaliptransit@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov.

Central Employment is going paperless

New online format streamlines application process

Article by Jeannie Briones    

Tulalip, Washington- Imagine yourself no longer having to handwrite an application for every job that you apply for. Tulalip Central Employment has made the application process faster and easier by partnering with iCIMS Inc., a software company that offers talent acquisition solutions. This enables organizations to manage sourcing and recruiting for jobs all within a single web-based application. What does this mean for you? That it is convenient and secure and all your information is just a mouse click away. Effective November 2nd, paper applications will no longer be accepted at Central Employment. This change is a win-win for the applicants and the community as a whole.

          “iCIMS is a great tool to use. It allows applicants to apply online rather than coming into the office and filling out an application every time they want to apply for a job. Once they complete the application process, they can apply for as many jobs as they wish. If they do not have a computer or internet access, they are welcome to schedule an appointment to come to the Central Employment office and use one of our computers,” explained Sasha Smith, Central Employment Tribal Advocate.

          “It’s [iCIMS] definitely cost efficient for us and accessible. The applicants can apply from the comfort of their own home, or they can apply here if they don’t have a computer. We have terminals that are available during our office hours between 9:00 a.m. to 5:00p.m.,” explained Desiree Day, Interim Central Employment Manager.

          Other benefits to using iCIMS include 24-hour online access, faster pre-employment screening and an applicant tracking system. The increase in efficiency means a timely email response to applicants, the option of printing previous applications, and the ability to link to job search websites like CareerBuilders.com and Monster.com.

          Angela Davis, Central Employment Coordinator explains that iCIMS software not only reduces the cost of office supplies, but also allows more time for staff to spend helping applicants with concerns and questions.

          If you need help using the online application process, feel free to contact Sasha, Angela, Desiree, or other Central Employment staff members, they are here to help people through this transitional period.

          For listings on current positions, visit www.employment.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov or call toll free 888-272-1111.

Time to gear up for Halloween

Trick or treating is right around the corner!

 

Article by Sarah Miller

It’s getting to be that time of year again. The weather is getting cooler, the days are getting shorter and soon, Halloween will be upon us. Though it’s only the first week of October, it never hurts to get ready for the All Hallow’s Eve a bit early. Getting your pumpkins and costumes early will ensure that you get the best quality, and not leftovers.

Many pumpkin patches open up at the end of September, which gives you plenty of time to plan a trip and browse through the selection. Bailey Family Farms, located in Snohomish, has a great pumpkin patch as well as a hay maze, hay pyramid, play barn, food and rope swings. It’s a lot of fun for the whole family. Their pumpkin patch is open every day from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. For more information on costs and how to get there, you can go to www.baileyveg.com/pumpkins.

Another great place to get pumpkins is Biringer Farm. Located at 2431 Highway 530 NE, in Arlington, this patch is open from September 29th to October 31st. There is free admission to the pumpkin patch, all you have to do is pay for your pumpkin. These orange beauties range from $2.00 to $12.00. Biringer also offers a corn maze, skeleton graveyard and a picnic in an old covered wagon. For more information call 360-435-5616.

Carleton Farms is another great place to find that perfect pumpkin. Their pumpkin patch is already open and will be until Halloween. Hours are 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information on how to get there, go to www.carletonfarms.com/pumpkins.

A lot of pumpkin farms offer some pretty cool Halloween fun. A favorite of mine is Stocker Farms. They have both a regular corn maze, a haunted corn maze and a ‘Hunt For Zombies’ ride, in which you get to paintball for zombies while making believe that the world is under siege in a zombie apocalypse. They also have a pumpkin patch, and two locations to serve you. You can check out their website at www.stockerfarms.com to check out their attractions.

Nothing signifies the beginning of the Halloween season more than the search for the perfect costume. If you’re like me, you’ve had your costume planned for half the year and need only to find the proper getup, dress or makeup. But some people aren’t sure what they want to be until they see it, and enjoy browsing different costume stores. On Evergreen Way in Everett, there’s the Display and Costume store. They have many different costumes and makeup for you to choose from.

There is also Halloween City, located in the Albertson’s plaza off of State Street in Marysville. On weekdays they are open from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. On the Saturdays, they are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. There is also the Spirit store, which has lots of good costume selections. They are located on Everett Mall Way South. And don’t forget that Value Village, WalMart, K-Mart and Fred Meyers also have costumes and other Halloween goodies that are worth checking out.

If you’re not sure what you want to be for Halloween, and have no ideas, you can always do a Google search for Halloween Costume Ideas and see what comes up. A cool website is www.costumeideazone.com, they have a lot of ideas for group costumes, or single costumes. It’s a great website to help you form an idea of what you would like to dress as. Remember, Halloween is not just for kids, it’s for anyone with imagination.

If you’re dressing up, there’s a good bet that you’re going trick or treating as well. Watch upcoming See-Yaht-Subs for articles on Halloween safety.

November is National Native American Heritage Month

Article by Sarah Miller

In 2011, President Obama declared November as National Native American Heritage month, with November 25th being Native American Heritage Day. This was done to herald the rich heritage and culture of the Native American people. It was a way for Obama and his administration to show appreciation and support to tribal sovereignty, tribal self determination, and prosperity for all Native Americans.

Obama’s administration has worked to address issues that have plagued Native communities. These issues are expanding access to affordable healthcare, broadening educational opportunities and the Let’s Move! In Indian Country program, which was started by the First Lady.

With that said, November is a month to embrace the Native American heritage. For those who grew up on the reservation, work on the reservation and have started a family on the reservation, it can be easy to celebrate a heritage you were raised in. However, there are some people who don’t have access to their culture as easily as others. And there are nontribal people who aren’t sure how you would celebrate a month devoted to Native American heritage. Here are a few ideas to embrace Native culture.

A great way to start off the month would be to read a book by a Native author, or a book about Native American history. There are a variety of books out there on Native history. You can do a Google search on it to find the one that interests you the most. If you’re interested in reading a Native author, Vine Deloria Jr. is a great choice. Sherman Alexie is another great author and his stories are very well told. One of my favorite books is actually a compilation of native writers. The book is called Genocide Of The Mind: New Native American Writing. Another favorite of mine is Lakota Woman written by Mary Crow Dog.

Another way to celebrate Native American heritage is to watch a movie about Native Americans or starring Native Americans. Sure, everyone will flock to Dances With Wolves, or even Smoke Signals, as they are quite popular movies about Native Americans, but there is a variety of movies to choose from out there. Last Of His Tribe, starring Jon Voight and Graham Greene is a powerful and emotional film. Pow Wow Highway is a great independent film about friends and family. I Will Fight No More Forever is a potent tale of the war between the United States Army and the Nez Perce Nation.

Another way to immerse yourself in this culture is to try out a few Native American recipes. If you go to www.nativetech.org/recipes, you’ll find a few good ones to try out.

For those who are tribal members, celebrating your heritage is a welcome event. There are many ways to do that, such as engaging in a powwow, making an Salish craft, or even sharpening your Lushootseed skills. If you go to www.tulaliptribes-nsn.gov, and you click on the Lushootseed section, you can check out the phrase of the week. That page will also take you to the main Lushootseed language page.

Of course, there is always the Hibulb Cultural Center. Their exhibits can educate you on Tulalip history plus you get to see some cool exhibits. Go to www.hibulbculturalcenter.org to check out what they have going on during month of November. In addition to exhibits there is are also a lecture series featuring prominent figures in the Tulalip community. Then there’s the cultural series, which is usually a demonstration on a native craft. It is a great way to celebrate National Native American Heritage month and maybe, learn something new.

Civilians attempt to outrun cops at Tulalip

Inaugural Run From the Law 5K raises funds for charity

 

Article and photos by Jeannie Briones

 Tulalip police officers “chase ” civilians for a good cause. Nine volunteer police officers from Tulalip and the surrounding area joined 75runners of all ages in the first annual Run From the Law 5K charity event, which began at the Tulalip Amphitheatre on September 16th. . Runners paid $25 to participate in the race, raising funds for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

 “Our goal is to raise $2,500 for the Make a Wish Foundation because they do wonderful things for the kids, such as sending a family to Disneyland for a dream vacation,” said Tory Klementsen, owner of Journey Fitness, a sponsor for the race.

Participants arrived at the Amphitheater to cold overcast weather, but the conditions didn’t damper their spirits. Runners eagerly waited for the sound of a buzzer to start the race, and in flash, they faded away in the distance. Tulalip police officers gave the citizens a five minute head start before “chasing” them down to the finish line.

 The first runner to beat the police to the finish line was Ken Jones, who after catching his breath, expressed he was glad to be a part of this fundraiser because the efforts are going to a good cause. The first police officer to cross the finish line was Seattle South Precinct police officer Nate Shopay.

This event was sponsored by North Sound Physical Therapy, RoadID and Journey Fitness.  These sponsors donated their time and resources, along with items for raffle give away, which included cool items such as hats, backpacks, gift cards, and boot camp certificates. Medals were presented to the top-placing runners, and Officer Shopay received a medal for being the first officer to cross the finish line.

It was a great turnout for a good cause. For more information on the Run From the Law 5K, including race results got to www.runfromthelaw5k.com.