Hawks memorable season comes to an end at Regionals

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

The whirlwind experience that was the 2023-2024 basketball season ended abruptly in the WIAA Class 1B regional round. Hosted in what was supposed to be a neutral site at Arlington High School on Saturday, February 24, was anything but, in the best kind of way, as the (17-8) Heritage Hawks fans descended upon the gymnasium like a home game. Meanwhile, their opponent, the (18-7) Columbia Adventist Academy Kodiaks came all the way from Battle Ground, a suburb of Vancouver near Oregon.

A raucous environment with all the patented sounds expected of a true Tulalip home game: from chants of “Defense!” and “Tulalip power!” to roars of applause when a Hawk connected on a 3-pointer and immediate uproar when a foul was called on Hawks defenders.

The game’s stakes couldn’t have been higher, and both teams played like it. Their energy and intensity befitting a proper playoff game, with an opportunity to play in the holy grail that is Spokane Arena up for grabs. 

The first half was a battle of contrasting styles that played out to an apparent stale-mate when the score was tied 32-32 late in the 2nd quarter. Heritage exerting every effort to dictate tempo with their run and gun style predicated on forcing turnovers and knocking down 3-pointers. While Columbia Adventist wanted to control the boards and funnel their offense through their power forward, a musclebound 6’2 blondie by the name of Tristan White. 

Senior center Damon Pablo was effective in the game’s early going, scoring three times in the painted area. Then freshman guard Amare Hatch caught fire right before halftime when he made three consecutive 3-balls; each one receiving a louder roar from the dedicated Hawks fans.

Coming out of halftime, the boys trailed by just 1 point, 36-37. The 3rd quarter proved to be decisive. Heritage struggled to get quality jump shots against the adjusted Columbia defense. Meanwhile, the Kodiaks fed Tristan White over and over again to the tune of five buckets; more than the entire Heritage team combined in the 3rd. The Hawks got outscored 11-18 in the frame, and entered the 4th trailing 47-55.

In the 4th quarter, Heritage raged against the dying of the light and continued to shoot from deep until they found their range, once again. Amare hit two more 3’s and fellow guard Chano Guzman connect on two of his own to scratch back to within 4 points, 63-67 with 90 seconds left. This prompted the Kodiaks to call timeout, which was immediately met with another thunderous chant of “Tulalip POWER!”

Unfortunately, that feel good moment would soon dissipate as the boys were unable to muster another point. The buzzer sounded, the scoreboard illuminated a score of 63-70, and so ended Heritage’s memorable season.

Amare led Tulalip in scoring with 17 points off the bench, Hazen Shopbell notched 14 points, and Chano added 12 points. As for that Columbia Adventist center with locks of gold, he scored 27 points.

Finishing just one win shy of a State bid and team journey to Spokane was visible on the emotionally exhausted teenagers who rode a high for the last 3 weeks of playoff basketball.

“We were not so good in the beginning the season (1-3 record), but the coaches kept believing in us and we were able to come together as a team,” said senior forward Hazen Shopbell postgame. “We got better and better the more we practiced, and when we finally got all our players eligible, then came the confidence that we could beat anyone. Playing in gym after gym filled with our fans cheering us on and yelling “Defense!” to get our opponents out of rhythm was huge. We fed off of our fans’ energy all season. This season is something I’ll never forget.”

“This team, man, we grew so much. We really grew into a family,” added senior guard Chano Guzman. “We used to do our own thing on the court, a bunch of iso and what not, but once we got over that and started working as a team, our chemistry just grew and grew. As a senior and lead guard, I always had my team’s back and did my best to be there for them on and off the court. Whoever I ball with, I’m always going to have their back.

“For me, the best moment of the season was getting the huge win over Muckleshoot during the Tri-District tournament. We lost to them earlier in the season when I wasn’t eligible and knew that if I played, we’d beat them. So when we got a chance to play them again, and I got my get back with the W, that meant everything to me. Looking forward, I plan on staying involved in the community and helping the younger players continue to develop their skills. If a college team comes a knocking, I’ll answer for sure.”

Until next time Hawks fans.

Acknowledgement, spoken into existence

By Micheal Rios

We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the sduhubš, and their successors, the Tulalip Tribes. Since time immemorial, they have hunted, fished, gathered on, and taken care of these lands and waters. We respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination and honor their sacred spiritual connection with these lands and waters. We will strive to be honest about our past mistakes and bring forth a future that includes their people, stories, and voices to form a more just and equitable society.

Those words are read aloud to begin Everett City Council meetings. Those words are the city’s official land acknowledgement. Those words were approved in 2021 after being developed by the Everett Diversity Advisory Board in partnership with the Tulalip Tribes. 

Now, those words have spoken into existence the permanent installation of Coast Salish imagery to adorn the outside of the Everett Municipal Building. Serving as a constant fixture to all those who pass by or enter the city’s primary office building that you are on Native land. 

“Our city lies on the historic land of the sduhubš people and their successors, the Tulalip Tribes, and as such, I believe it’s essential for us to pay respect to the original inhabitants of these lands,” said Cassie Franklin, Mayor of the City of Everett. “I’m proud to have James Madison create such a beautiful and impactful piece of art to honor Indigenous peoples and our ongoing commitment to acknowledge their connection to these lands.

“Previously, this building had no color nor any beauty to it, but now it has gorgeous reds and yellows that really bring the building to life, and is sure to catch the eye of our city’s residents and tourists when in the area,” she added.

Tulalip’s neighboring city to the south, Everett, is the seventh-largest city in all of Washington State by population, and it’s by far the largest city in Snohomish County. Established in 1890, the city of Everett is situated on a peninsula. Its city boundaries are designated by the Snohomish River to the east and the Salish Sea to the west.

In precolonial times, long before imaginary map borders, the land Everett was built upon was home to our Tulalip ancestors. As a sustenance-based people who thrived with the many offerings of the natural environment, they flourished in the ideal fishing and hunting location.

Tulalip culture bearer Tony Hatch offered further historical insight when speaking at the installations unveiling on February 22 to those in attendance. “Not too far from this very spot was a traditional village of our ancestors that we named our cultural center after, Hibulb. It’s precise location is what’s now known as Legion park. Hibulb was a central hub and primary village of the Snohomish people who we do our best to honor today.”

Following Tony’s words, a group of Tulalip citizens offered a traditional song to those Everett residents and city officials who gathered on the picturesque winter day. Those gathered were also treated to a taste of Tulalip fine dining in the form of Ryan’s REZ-ipes.

The enormous, metal fabricated art installation consists of bold red, striking yellow, and stout black colors is impossible to miss for pedestrians and commuters alike. But forged into the durable aluminum and medicine wheel colored pallet is a traditional teaching that has been passed down for generations.

“With this project, I wanted to pay respect to our culture as this region’s first people,” explained Tulalip’s own James Madison. “I tried to showcase our culture and who our people are, while paying respect to the Salish Sea through the blackfish, salmon, and our stories that have been passed on for generations.

“The salmon run that wraps around the building represents Sockeye,” he continued. “They used to be so abundant in our local waters, but now their runs are really short and even desolate in some places. It’s important that we continue to raise awareness of the dwindling salmon runs because their well-being is interconnected with the well-being of both blackfish and human populations. My grandpa, Frank Madison, always told me that it’s up to us to keep the blackfish and salmon alive because if they go away, then humans will go away as well.”

At the heart of this latest collaboration between a Washington State municipality and one of our talented artists is a respect for a cultural heritage that pre-dates the urban landscapes that have taken over Coast Salish territory. As the physical manifestation of a land acknowledgement and traditional teaching, James Madison’s latest creation serves as a reminder to respect the environment, engage in sustainable practices, and respect the Indigenous peoples who have called this land home since time immemorial.

Journey Delayed: Ahousaht calls off Canoe Journey 2024

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Off the coast of Vancouver Island, only accessible by boat or plane, is the home of the Ahousaht First Nation band, an island community where close to 40% of its 2,224 enrolled membership reside. The culture and traditional ways are strong within this band and many travel hundreds of miles to witness and partake in Ahousaht events and family potlatches. 

Whenever Ahousaht singers and dancers are offering their medicine, they captivate the crowd with the execution of their songs and chants. And wherever they have the floor, whether at Thunderbird Hall in Ahousaht or at protocol during canoe journey, onlookers can count on Ahousaht to bring plenty of energy for hours on end, as their singers are known to perform well into the early morning of the next day. 

While each tribe is a must-see during protocol at canoe journey, Ahousaht is a fan favorite for many people, who will go as far as to plan their day according to when Ahousaht will be hitting the floor, to ensure they won’t miss their set. 

If you were to ask lifelong canoe journey men and women, you will find that many will fondly recollect on the 1999 paddle to Ahousaht – it’s remoteness from the busy world, the natural scenery of the sea and nearby uninhabited islands, as well as the people’s hospitality and their connection to their teachings and traditions. 

With a great reputation for their showmanship and remarkable performances at canoe journey, there was much excitement when a handful of Ahousaht members shared that the band would be hosting the summertime cultural sharing event in 2024. As soon as that announcement was made on the Tribal Journeys Facebook page last August, anticipation immediately began to build, and social media was buzzing as people started planning for a long pull to Ahousaht. 

However, it appears that that announcement was made prematurely and the request to host the 2024 canoe journey did not go through the proper channels or follow the band’s traditional protocols or procedures. 

This is according to a February 6, media release shared by Ahousaht’s leadership which informed their fellow tribes that they will not be hosting this upcoming journey. Since the Ahousaht community is located on an island, event goers would need to park their vehicles in the small tourist town of Tofino, which has limited parking space as it is, and arrange a ride via water taxi to Ahousaht. Additionally, the band does not yet have the space to host an event of such a large scale, as canoe journey has gradually grown over the years since Ahousaht last hosted 25 years ago. 

The release stated, “… Ahousaht and the surrounding region, including the District of Tofino, are not prepared to host the 2024 Canoe Journeys. Ahousaht and Tofino currently lack the necessary infrastructure (ex. parking. accommodations, food services, washroom facilities, medical and security services, etc.) to effectively and safely host the volume of canoe families that participate in Canoe Journeys. Ahousaht are currently in the development stages of several key infrastructure projects that are due to be completed in the coming years.”

At the bottom of the media release, Ahousaht did promise that they would host canoe journey once they have the capacity to do so, which they estimated would be in about five years or so. 

The release was initially met with a bit dismay, but also an overall understanding, given the band’s reasoning to not host this year. Many were supportive and commended Ahousaht’s leadership for making the hard but necessary choice to hold off until they are able to safely host a weeklong gathering for hundreds of people. 

When asked how this decision will affect Tulalip and the canoes that sail under its banner, Skipper Andrew Gobin said that the canoe family has yet to meet to discuss whether or not they will awaken Big Brother, Big Sister, and Little Sister this year. Andrew did note that the Tribe organized a pull to Lopez Island during the canoe journey’s last gap year in 2020, and also mentioned that participation in Puyallup’s youth paddle could be a possibility for local kids and teens. But he quickly followed with the reiteration that a decision has not yet been made in regard to the Tulalip canoes following Ahousaht’s media release. So, keep an eye out for any future updates by following the Tulalip Canoes Facebook page.

The next canoe journey is set for the summer of 2025, which will be hosted on the Olympic Peninsula by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. 

Valentine’s Day Social unites community for joyful celebration

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News 

On February 14, the Greg Williams Memorial Gym became a hub of delight and celebration as 477-TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) hosted a lively Valentine’s Day Social in collaboration with Child Support Enforcement. As a heartfelt way to express gratitude to their clients, the memorable occasion brought together supporting staff, clients, and their families in an informal and lighthearted setting.

 The atmosphere was brimming with excitement as parents and kids alike reveled in various activities, games and face painting, to pizza, cookie decorating, and a cakewalk. Tulalip tribal member Aiden Leora, who was having a blast running around and playing games with his mom, said, “my favorite part was the skatepark and painting cookies.” 

“It was a wonderful event,” tribal member Rosemarie Runningwater said. “I have five grandkids and live in a one-bedroom apartment, which means a lot. The kids get to be themselves, and grandma gets a little break. It’s wonderful.”

 “The highlights of this event are collaborating with the other departments and seeing all the kids run around and enjoy themselves,” 477-TANF manager Laura Wiggins said. “That’s what we live for. We are here for the children and keeping families together. As the saying goes, it takes a village, and following that, it takes all our departments and community members to enable a great path forward for our tribe.”

Laura continued,  “With staff turnover and new clients coming in, this event gives the clients and the staff a chance to meet one another in a not-so-formal event. It’s a great way to show our appreciation for our clients. We wouldn’t have a job if we didn’t have them.” 

As the Valentine’s Day Social ended, the lively atmosphere lingered, echoing the successful efforts of 477-TANF, Child Services, and our community. Laughter smiles, and meaningful connections defined the day, reinforcing the essence of our tribe. A special thanks to all who contributed, and as a parting gesture, each attendee left with a gift bag—a token of appreciation. Stay tuned for upcoming events and initiatives.

If you have any questions or want to know more about 477-TANF, call (360) 716-4719 or email TANF3@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov. 

Heritage Hawks soar into Regionals

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

Ok, Hawks fans. For those of you who have journeyed with the team from as far north as Lummi and as far south as Tacoma, then major props to your dedication to fill the bleachers and cheer on the boys getting buckets. For everyone else, here’s your much-awaited playoff update. 

The last two weeks whizzed by at a frenetic pace that resembles the high-octane offense that fuels the Tulalip Hawks deep playoff run. Last we checked in, Tulalip had just claimed 2nd place in the NW1B District tournament. Falling to their inner-league rival and fellow tribal school, the Lummi BlackHawks. The silver showing punched Heritage’s ticket into the Tri-District tournament, and with it the right to host a 1st round home game.

1st Round:

Tulalip hosted Concordia Christian Academy at Francy J. Sheldon gymnasium on February 10. Friends and family who filled the bleachers were treated to a good ol’ fashioned Christian beatdown. Adrian Jefferson got the party started with a transition layup, followed by Tokala Black Tomahawk hitting a midrange jumper to put the home team up 4-0. Then the boys got to work on defense; trapping ill-prepared ball handlers, coming up with one steal after another, and preventing Concordia from any quality shot attempts. Their 4-0 lead ballooned to 20-2 late in the 1st quarter.

Both offense and defense continued to fire on all cylinders well into the 3rd quarter when the boys were up 61-30. Doubling up their opponent, Coach Sanchey made the most of the moment by putting in a full unit of bench players. One by one, the bench got buckets to the delight of their fans and teammates who actively cheered them on through each 3-point attempt. Mercy finally came to those Concordia Christians in the form of the game-ending buzzer. 

The 75-38 blowout W was an ideal way to get their Tri-District tournament started. Freshman guard J.J. Gray led all scorers with 23 points to go with his 10 rebounds and 13 steals…that’s a triple-double with steals! Amare Hatch added 13 points. Notably, Tulalip had 10 players score a bucket and, as a team, amassed a whopping 29 steals. 

“Being this is Tri-Districts, we told our team pregame to view this as a whole new season. The regular season is behind us, Districts is behind us. Each team is reset and all our records go to 0-0,” said Coach Sanchey after the home W. “Now, after this win, we’re 1-0 and have to focus on keeping up the momentum and continue to play this energy on each possession moving forward. So long as we play our game like we know how, then I like our chances no matter who the opponent.”

2nd Round:

The Hawks ventured south to take on the Sound Christian Lions in Tacoma on February 13. It was a slow start for the boys as their shots just weren’t falling in the early going. Meanwhile, the Lions were feasting on offensive rebounds and getting high percentage shots at the rim. End of one, Tulalip trailed 11-15.

In the 2nd quarter, J.J. and Tokala started to sizzle. Both players made a 3-pointer, connected on a running floater and made a free-throw, which sparked a dominant 23-11 run by their team, resulting in a 34-26 halftime lead. The remainder of the game would be a near equal battle, with the Lions continuing to pursue buckets in the painted area while the Hawks used their athleticism and shooting touch to execute their offense from the perimeter. 

Threes being worth more than twos, Tulalip’s shooters connected on 10 deep balls as a team and left Tacoma with another W. This time by the margin of 62-54. J.J. once again led all scorers with 24 points, while Tokala scored 14 points and Chano Guzman added 11 points.

3rd Round:

Next up, the Hawks journeyed north on February 16 for yet another matchup with their version of basketball kryptonite, Lummi Nation. Worth knowing: if we didn’t include Lummi games, then Tulalip would be riding a massive 13-game winning streak. But that’s not how it works, so over their last 16 games Tulalip had a still impressive 13-3 record, yet all 3 of those losses came at the hands of the dreaded BlackHawks. Would the fourth time be the charm?

First quarter. Down 0-4, J.J. used a burst of speed to blow by his defender and score on a two-handed scoop shot to give Tulalip their first bucket. After Lummi hit a 3-pointer, Tokala countered with a 3 ball of his own to keep it close, 5-7. Then, Lummi did what Lummi does, which is play the classic Rez ball style better than anyone else around. They took a double-digit lead by the end of the 1st quarter and never relinquished it. 

Tulalip would trail 10-25 in the 2nd, 33-48 in the 3rd and ultimately lost 45-61. Tokala and J.J. both scored 16 points, Chano added 10 points, and Amare chipped in 5 points. With the loss, Tulalip still advanced to the Tri-District 3rd place game with significant Regional seeding impact still on the line. 

4th Round (3rd place game):

Tulalip had less than 24 hours to shake off the L to Lummi when they again travelled north. This time for a February 17 matchup with Muckleshoot at Mt. Vernon Christian’s gym. These two teams previously met way back on December 4 in Tulalip, when the Hawks were defeated 52-69. 

The second time around did not start off well. In fact, the boys trailed 0-12 midway through the 1st quarter before senior forward Hazen Shopbell put his team on the board with a tough transition bucket. Moments later, now trailing 4-16, J.J. corralled an offensive rebound and found a wide-open Hazen in the corner. Hazen splashed a 3 ball that gave his team new life.

Tulalip would start clicking on both sides of the ball and managed to claw their way back to tie the game 36-36 late in 3rd quarter. With the pressure clearly on Muckleshoot after blowing their big lead, all their players except one would buckle in the game’s decisive 4th quarter. 

In the final frame, Muckleshoot could only muster consistent offense from their senior forward. Meanwhile, Hazen continued his hot shooting and welcomed the added offense of the team’s freshman phenom. J.J. Gray would explode for 12 points in the game’s biggest moment to cap off the comeback victory. With eager chants of “Tulalip Power!” echoing from the Mt. Vernon bleachers, the boys basked in the 65-59 W knowing they had claimed 3rd place in the Tri-District tournament and punched their ticket to Regionals.

The Hawks were led by J.J.’s 20 points and Hazen’s 19 points. Tokala chipped in 13 points, 11 of which came in the 1st quarter to keep his team competitive. 

Looking ahead:

After adding a 3rd place finish in Tri-Districts to their in-season resume, Tulalip now soars into the Regional tournament with one simple goal: win and move on to State. They’ve been designated the #9 seed and will play the winner of #16 Columbia Adventist vs #17 Mount Vernon Christian. 

Mark your calendars. Tulalip’s one and only regional game will be played on Saturday, February 24, at 8pm at Arlington High School. Win and their season continues at State. Lose and their memorable run comes to a sudden end.

Operation Heart to Heart

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, 15 high school students of the Marysville School District (MSD) organized a beautiful and heartwarming event that brought endless smiles to special needs students across the district.

Officially dubbed Operation Heart to Heart, the event originally made its debut three years ago and was organized entirely by the Marysville Getchell Native American and Friends Club. The club planned the first gift giving event to spread love and kindness to developmental learning program (DLP) classrooms within MSD, and it’s grown every year since. 

This year the Marysville Pilchuck United Native Club joined-in on Operation Heart to Heart. The two clubs also partnered with Leah’s Dream Foundation and the Tulalip Tribes, both of which made contributions to the project. Additionally, the clubs released a flyer at the top of the year which asked the community for donations of coloring books, crayons, fidgets, colored pencils, stickers, stuffed animals, and small toys. The club members then assembled gift bags to distribute to several schools throughout the district in the few weeks leading up to the annual event. 

Said Charley Dick, President of the MG Native American and Friends Club, “Today we delivered all the Operation Heart to Heart donations, which was really heartwarming. It’s nice to be able to go see everyone and to just see all the smiles on everyone’s faces. It really makes me feel like our club is doing good things and like we are positively affecting the community, because we’re all about inclusion, building community, and making a good impact.”

Operation Heart to Heart 2024 kicked-off on the morning of February 13, at Quil Ceda Tulalip. In a classroom of just four students, as the new DLP is still in its infancy stage, the two clubs presented the first gift bags of the holiday season. The clubs, along with a handful of MSD Native liaisons, then offered a traditional song to the students before saying their farewells and continuing on their journey. 

In total, the clubs visited seven schools, four elementary schools, two middle school schools, and one high school over a two-hour span. Getchell’s 18-21 special needs teacher, Jim Strickland joined the excursion at the second stop and brought out his acoustic guitar to sing ‘You Are My Sunshine’ to the DLP students while the club members distributed the gift bags. 

The clubs were met with warm welcome at each of the seven campuses, some classrooms even made posters and valentine’s cards for the high schoolers in anticipation of their arrival. And though the amount of time the clubs spent at each school was brief, there was still plenty of laughter, dancing, hugs, smiles, and warm fuzzies to go around during the Valentine’s Day event. 

Amy Sheldon, MSD Special Education Native American liaison, expressed an overall excitement to see inclusivity celebrated by students in today’s school system. All throughout the Heart to Heart event, Amy beamed with pride as she watched the club members interact with the students at each and every school. 

Amy shared, “I think the important thing is for our students to realize that they’re making a difference by including others, and understanding, and being accepting of others. I’m really proud of what they’ve accomplished, and they’re really enjoying what they’re doing. My favorite part of the day was seeing the smiles on everyone’s faces. I want all special needs kids to feel like they’re part of something in our schools – and I’m really happy that our students [in the clubs] are stepping up.”

After making their rounds at Quil Ceda Tulalip elementary, Marshall elementary, Marysville Pilchuck high school, Cedarcrest middle school, Kellogg Marsh elementary, and Grove elementary, Operation Heart to Heart concluded at Totem middle school. Following the distribution and song offering, the two clubs elected to take one big group picture together. And with the success of today’s event, the groups expressed a desire to work on future endeavors together, in addition to supporting each other’s upcoming projects. 

“This is really important to me, because I just want to make sure that everyone feels included,” expressed Charley. “It’s really nice to know that we’re making a lot of these kids’ days. It’s important to let them know that they have a community, that they have people who care about them, because a lot of students do face bullying. Knowing that they’re included in activities like these, and knowing that when they do go to middle school and high school, that they have people who are there for them and who will give them that safe space is important.” 

Both of the clubs will continue to host events and activities throughout the school year. Be sure to follow the MG Native American and Friends Club and the Marysville Pilchuck High School Facebook pages for more information. 

Dr. Karen Foster-Schubert joins Tulalip Health Clinic

By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News

On December 18, Dr. Karen Foster-Schubert, a seasoned medical professional with a rich background, has assumed the crucial role of the new medical director for the Tulalip Health Clinic. With roots in Seattle and a long career with the University of Washington Veterans Affairs (V.A.), Dr. Foster-Schubert brings a wealth of experience to shape the future of healthcare delivery for the Tulalip community. Emphasizing the collaborative approach needed for success, she notes, “There is so much to learn and many decisions to make going forward.” 

Karen achieved her medical degree from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and did her internal residency in San Francisco. Then, she returned to the Pacific Northwest to finish her fellowship at the University of Washington before becoming a faculty member at the VA.

While immersed in roles at the V.A., Dr. Foster-Schubert found herself at the nexus of administrative leadership with an unwavering commitment to improving healthcare systems. Little did she anticipate that her extensive background, including spearheading the endocrinology department and serving as the Vice Chief of Medicine, would draw the attention of Jeremy Howell, the Health System Administrator for Tulalip. 

“I knew Jeremy from the V.A. and several specialty care work,” Karen said. “So when he reached out, I was like, this seems like a good opportunity to work with some amazing people, make a difference in how the healthcare system is organized, and bring in some specialty care. I am an endocrinologist, so I do a lot of work with diabetes and metabolic disease.”

Dr. Foster-Schubert’s decision to embark on this new chapter stemmed from a desire to make a tangible impact. Moving away from the expansive yet bureaucratic V.A. environment, she sought a more hands-on role where her insights could directly influence positive change. The pressing goal for Tulalip became clear – accreditation, which is a review process to determine if programs meet official regulatory requirements and standards of quality

“One of our biggest goals is accreditation,” Karen explained. “The accreditation process helps ensure a safety and healthcare excellence culture and improves access and equity. We have a consulting team to help look at every aspect that needs to be addressed to become accredited.”

Karen continued, “Another goal would be to focus on a culture of respect. That means that we all need to respect one another, respect everyone’s rules, and have a good understanding of everyone’s rules. This is not only for our staff and providers but also for our patients so that we are treating our patients with respect and, in return, creating a better sense of trust.”

As the tribe endeavors toward accreditation, Dr. Foster-Schubert lays out the multifaceted approach necessary for success. Addressing fundamental aspects such as the healthcare environment, safety protocols, and infection prevention systems, the tribe aims to overhaul its primary care system. 

While acknowledging the enormity of the accreditation process, Dr. Foster-Schubert views it as an opportunity for constructive change. She envisions a roadmap that aligns with Tulalip’s goals, emphasizing that accreditation isn’t a sign of past shortcomings but a collective journey toward more efficient and effective healthcare delivery. The tribe’s investment in training, particularly launching the patient-centered medical home (PCMH) process, underscores the commitment to coordinated care and continuous improvement.

“This is a little bit of a learning process for me,” Karen said. “I’m trying to understand how this system focuses on primary care delivery. I’m particularly concerned with ensuring efficient communication within our system and with external referrals. Since we can’t offer every specialty care in-house, it’s crucial to streamline the process for a seamless experience. We want to make it so that when we can’t provide the care in-house, and when they travel outside our health system to get the care they need, they know they have our support and understanding of navigating the health care system.”

Dr. Foster-Schubert concluded with a focus on change management and the importance of transparency and engaging tribal members in the process. “Change can be scary, and I want to do that in a way where everyone is engaged and excited. Be willing to be transparent; our tribal members must hear people’s voices around what perceived gaps we have and what needs aren’t being met.”