Spring Nettle harvesting at Tulalip

Tulalip News Facebook, March 12, 2014

TULALIP, WA – Inez Bill, coordinator of Rediscovery programs at the Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve, took a few helpers to harvest early spring Nettle on Bluff Road in Tulalip.

She was joined by Tulalip tribal members Derek Houle and Lauw-YA Spencer. Lauw-YA, a summer youth worker in the Rediscovery program in 2012, discovered she loves to be in the forest helping to gather cultural items.

Nettles are rich in vitamins A, C, iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium and Inez uses them in recipes such as the famous “Hibulb bread” and even in a Fettuccini pasta dish, using nettles which she calls “nesto” instead of pesto.

Have you been nominated yet?

Tulalip Chairman Mel Sheldon Jr., emerges from the waters of Tulalip Bay during his 2014 Winter Challenge, where he also nominated staff at the Tulalip Administration Building. Photo/ Mike Sarich, Tulalip TV
Tulalip Chairman Mel Sheldon Jr., emerges from the waters of Tulalip Bay during his 2014 Winter Challenge, where he also nominated staff at the Tulalip Administration Building.
Photo/ Mike Sarich, Tulalip TV

Winter challenge takes on Coast Salish life in Tulalip

By Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News

TULALIP – If you are like millions of users who checked their Facebook newsfeed obsessively this past week, then you may have noticed a few of your friends posting videos of themselves dunking in frigid waters, yelling something about 24 hours. If you haven’t, then you may not know about the latest craze, the 2014 Winter Challenge.

It was started by a Vancouver Island, B.C. teen as a way to get her video-loving, outside-resistant brothers to separate from their beloved couch. “At first I wanted to go sledding, and nobody wanted to go sledding, and I thought that was so crazy,” said Kira Jacks to ChekTV News about the origins of the challenge, which requires the challenged or nominee to make a snow angel in a bathing suit. “We posted it to Facebook and then nominated some of our cousins to do it, and it just went from there.”

Melody Hatch braves the cold waters of Tulalip Bay to complete her 2014 Winter Challenge.Photo/ Mike Sarich, Tulalip TV
Melody Hatch braves the cold waters of Tulalip Bay to complete her 2014 Winter Challenge.
Photo/ Mike Sarich, Tulalip TV

True to Internet’s viral nature, the challenge exploded to astronomical numbers spreading into the United States and making quite a pit stop in Washington State.

Anyone familiar with Coast Salish people know they like to represent their culture in everything that they do. This characteristic morphed the challenge into a Coast Salish style, requiring the challenged to take a plunge into bodies of water, usually an inlet, river, or if you were in Tulalip, into the bay. All with a 24-hour deadline.

There was even a Facebook page dedicated to Lummi 2014 Winter Challenge videos.  If you were anywhere near Tulalip during the height of the challenge, then seeing people of all ages jump, run, or dunk themselves in the bay was common sight; you even grew nervous to check your Facebook notifications, afraid of multiple nominations.

When you get called out in front of everyone you don’t want to chicken out and show everyone you’re scared,” said Drew Enick, who was nominated four times.

24-hour-winter-challenge
Photo/ Mike Sarich, Tulalip TV

The rules were simple, video record yourself thanking the person who nominated you, challenge your friends and family to either a snow angel or a dip in the water (you needed to fully submerge yourself to make it count) then yell ‘you have 24 hours!’ Most nominees personalized their challenge to match their personality, some wearing favorite swimwear, compling elaborate stunts while entering the water, or in some cases going au naturale.

“I think it is cool that people are getting out and being interactive with each other,” said Tulalip tribal member Kesha Fryberg.

“This is just a fun thing for us to do, and with our connection to the water it just makes it even better,” said Tulalip tribal member Waynetta Iukes. 

Even Tulalip Chairman Mel Sheldon Jr. received his fair share of nominations, returning the favor on March 6, by nominating the staff at the Tulalip Tribes Administration Building.

“As you can see, I have tried to dress appropriately to jump in the water today,” he said in his challenge video, before he leaped off the free dock at Tulalip Marina.

As the weeks go by and the Winter Challenge packs up zigzagging itself across Indian Country, Natives continue to represent themselves and their culture in the most modern of times. ‘You have 24 hours!’

Brandi N. Montreuil: 360-913-5402; bmontreuil@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News

 

 

Keeping the cultural fires burning

 

Seattle University Prep students learn about the wedding dowry canoe during a school tour on March 11. The canoe was donated to the Hibulb Cultural Center by Tulalip member Wayne Williams, and was carved around the 1880s. Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Seattle University Prep students learn about the wedding dowry canoe during a school tour on March 11. The canoe was donated to the Hibulb Cultural Center by Tulalip member Wayne Williams, and was carved around the 1880s.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News

Hibulb Cultural Center breaks down Native American stereotypes through school tours

By Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News

“We call ourselves a cultural center not a museum, because we are still an intact and living culture. What you see here is how our lifeway’s were then and are today,” greeted Mary Jane Topash, Hibulb Cultural Center’s Tour Specialist to Seattle University Prep students on Tuesday, March 11, at the beginning of their tour.

The 23,000 square feet center with 50-acre natural history preserve will be celebrating it’s third year this August. Since its opening, it has become an important representative of Tulalip culture to hundreds of visitors through the use of tours.

Seattle University Prep students take time to read text about the Treaty of Point Elliot , which established the Tulalip Reservation. Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Seattle University Prep students take time to read text about the Treaty of Point Elliot , which established the Tulalip Reservation.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News

While most who visit the center have little or no prior knowledge of Tulalip, or Native American heritage, Topash says every school tour is treated as an opportunity to change perceptions and educate youth, who may one day work with tribal

As part of the special tour students were able to learn about traditional plants and how they were used. Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
As part of the special tour students were able to learn about traditional plants and how they were used.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News

councils.

Staff at the center is faced with an uphill battle. How do you engage youth to learn who you are as a cultural community when they have no idea you still exist?

“Our biggest problem is people think we are a static culture, that we have died off. Often times, I am the first Native American the students have met,” says Topash, who starts her tours with a video in the center’s longhouse to give visitors a foundation of who Tulalip people are and what they believe.

“I always like to make a point to show them our traditional headdress that we [Tulalip people] wear. It helps to quickly squash the Native American stereotype. A lot of patrons come in and say ‘I didn’t know you have canoes,’ or ‘I didn’t know you didn’t live in teepees.’ That is why I also explain in my tours why we are a cultural center. We are not done, we are still living,” said Topash.

During the hour-long tour, the nearly 30 students quietly trailed along, peering at hundreds of items that are distinctive to Tulalip culture. A few students lagged behind showing little interest in the beautifully handcrafted cedar woven baskets or interactive exhibits, but majority of the group listened. As Topash began to talk about why Tulalip is a federally recognized tribe and has sovereign rights, it became clear how much educating still needs to be done in public schools about the history of Native Americans.

“It isn’t what they typically learn,” said Topash about the lack of response from the students in the Treaty of Point Elliot portion of the tour. “They are not exposed to that. It is mainly based on what they have learned in textbooks, so to come

Hibulb Cultural Center Tour Specialist Mary Jane Topash discusses the craft of the welcoming figures carved by James Madison and Joe Gobin. Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News
Hibulb Cultural Center Tour Specialist Mary Jane Topash discusses the craft of the welcoming figures carved by James Madison and Joe Gobin.
Photo/ Brandi N. Montreuil, Tulalip News

in and see it for themselves is different. The biggest reaction we get is from teachers on how their students reacted to what they have learned in the classroom after coming here.”

A diversity of visitors in age and race populate the weekly tours with each one having a different level of Native American exposure. This spring Marysville School District, through the Indian Education Department, has signed up to have all district third graders visit the center.

“There are three portions that I make a point to reinforce in each tour, which is the treaty portion, the boarding school, and when I explain the inside of the basket structure, because that is how we have sustained ourselves through the three topics highlighted in that structure,” said Topash. “It is always a different reaction depending on the age group. I like educating people about Tulalip, it is a personal thing as a tribal member to teach about what we have done, and what we are still doing. It can be taxing, but it is rewarding because you get those light bulb moments where people understand who we are, that is my favorite part of the tours.”

 

Hibulb Cultural Center is located at 6410 23rd Avenue N.E., Tulalip, WA and is open Tuesday through Monday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. For more information on group tours and rates please visit www.hibulbculturalcenter.org or contact 360-716-2600.

 

Brandi N. Montreuil: 360-913-5402; bmontreuil@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Top Shelf, top notch:Young Tulalip entrepreneur opens first business

Wesley Monger shows with his favorite shoe at Top Shelf, the Nike Foamposite made for the Oregon Ducks released December of 2013. These are listed on ebay for as much at $1000, but at Top Shelf, these can be yours for only $600.
Wesley Monger shows with his favorite shoe at Top Shelf, the Nike Foamposite made for the Oregon Ducks released December of 2013. These are listed on ebay for as much at $1000, but at Top Shelf, these can be yours for only $600. Andrew Gobin/Tulalip News

Article and photos by Andrew Gobin, Tulalip news

Since the debut of Nike’s Air Jordans in 1985, sneakers have become more than necessary clothing, they are a social commodity. Wesley Monger, a young entrepreneur and Tulalip Tribal Member, aims to capitalize on the collectible shoe market with the opening of his first shoe store, Top Shelf, March 8th.

“There is a big online market for collectible merchandise, collectible shoes included. You really don’t see any places where you can go and sell or trade your shoes though. I thought, why not have a place to go and buy, sell, or trade your sneakers, rather than online,” said Monger.

Devante Edwards (left) and Wesley Monger (Right) are excited about the opening of Top Shelf.
Devante Edwards (left) and Wesley Monger (Right) are excited about the opening of Top Shelf.

He and his partner, Devante Edwards, both saw the need for a storefront location for the shoe market. On March 8th, after months of planning and preparation, they opened up Top Shelf, a unique store where patrons can buy, sell, and trade collectible sneakers.

“We had a pretty good opening day, and business is steadily picking up,” Monger said. Our website will be up in a few weeks, and then more people will know about us.”

The shop will potentially reach a wide range of customers, whether they are collectors or looking to make a fashion statement. Shoes range anywhere from $10 up to $600, varying in rarity and style.

The youth on the Tulalip Reservation may be some of his biggest customers, though some have concerns about trading shoes. When asked about their sneakers and the shop, students at Tulalip Heritage High School had interesting responses.

“That’s gross,” said Mikaylee Pablo. “What about all that fungus and athletes foot?”

Monger said, “All of our shoes are cleaned and disinfected when we get them.”

“I have six pairs of Jordans (Nike air Jordans), but I don’t think I would sell them in a shop. I wouldn’t get what I paid for them,” said Johnny Hendrix.

Hendrix raises an interesting point, how do sellers get a fair deal and the shop still make money?

“We offer comparable pricing. We look at ebay and shoe forums, and the condition of the shoe, to determine a fair price. Our offers start at about half of what the shoes are worth,” said Monger.

Right now, Monger and Edwards have no intentions of expanding Top Shelf to other footwear, such as women’s designer shoes, though they are constantly looking for ways to expand their customer base. With the launch of their website, they will begin trading and selling shoes online, though they will only purchase shoes brought to the store. Check out Top Shelf online at www.everetttopshelf.bigcartel.com or in store located at 3417 Broadway Ave Suite B Everett, WA 98201.

Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Phone: (360) 716.4188

Fish Wars convictions cleared: Senate House Bill 2080 vacates felony convictions of Treaty Indian fishermen

Article by Andrew Gobin, Tulalip News

Olympia – Senate House Bill 2080, introduced to the Washington State Legislature after session in 2013, was passed this year by the House on February 13th and the Senate February 5th, which coincides with the 40th annum of the Boldt Decision which settled the Fish Wars. The bill allows tribal fishermen arrested while exercising their treaty fishing rights and convicted prior to January 1st, 1975, to apply to the sentencing court to vacate their convictions including misdemeanors, gross misdemeanors, and felonies. With this bill, the legislature acknowledges that no crimes were ever committed in these cases, making these convictions void.

Rep. David Sawyer, (D), whose district includes the Nisqually and Puyallup reservations, introduced SHB 2080 after session in 2013. That move gave legislators time to read the bill and engage with it, allowing it to move rather quickly through the House and Senate.

“It is an excellent bill, it writes a wrong for so many,” said Sen. John McCoy, (D). He was one of the point people for the bill as it moved through the Senate.

The language of the bill is just as important as the bill itself. It is not a pardon. It is a new law allowing Treaty Indian fishermen, who were wrongfully arrested and charged, to clear their name through vacation and expunction. To vacate the conviction means it has been rendered void by the court. To expunge means to remove completely from the record. Those two terms, from a legal stand point, make these convictions as if they never occurred, as opposed to a pardon which acknowledges the crime and validates a conviction, yet forgives the crime and sets sentencing aside.

“A crime was never committed, they [the convictions] should be expunged,” said McCoy, referring to the imposition of state law over Treaty Indian fishing.

During the Fish Wars, the State of Washington filed injunctions to block Treaty Indian fisheries. Treaty Indian fisheries, which stem from treaties made with the United States, preempt state law, meaning the state had no authority over Treaty Indian fishing activities. The momentous Boldt Decision reaffirmed the treaties and the fact that the state had no authority to block Treaty Indian fisheries. In turn, that means the state had no jurisdiction to convict those participating in Treaty Indian fishing under state laws. Senate House Bill 2080 acknowledges that and makes a way for people who never should have been charged and convicted to clear their name.

McCoy noted, “This should have been done a long time ago.”

Through the passing of SHB 2080, the State of Washington realizes the sovereignty of tribes, acknowledging that they had no authority over what happened more than 40 years ago. This sets a precedent for Washington tribes, and for tribes across the nation.

 

Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Phone: (360) 716.4188

Tulalip Heritage Hawks Regional Champions: Advance to State Championships in Spokane

Brandon Jones swats a shot from Wilbur-Creston. Shawn Sanchey with the rebound.
Brandon Jones swats a shot from Wilbur-Creston. Shawn Sanchey with the rebound. Andrew Gobin/Tulalip News

By Andrew Gobin, Tulalip News

The WIAA Regional Championship game held at Everett Community College February 28th was the final qualifying game for the State Championships in Spokane. The Tulalip Heritage Hawks took the Regional Championship Title over the Wilbur-Creston Wildcats, with a final score of 81-64 Tulalip. This loser-out game advances the Hawks to State, where they will play the Neah Bay Red Devils.

The Tulalip Heritage Hawks have said all year that this was their year to return to state, and bring home the championship title from Spokane. In recent years, they have come close, losing to their rivals, the Lummi Blackhawks, stopping their dreams of taking state just short of the championships. The Hawks have had an incredible season, currently ranked second in the state class, with an overall 26 wins and one loss to rival Lummi Blackhawks earlier in the season. Heritage defeated Lummi three more times since, including one game for the District Championship.

Ayrik Miranda with his signature three pointer.
Ayrik Miranda with his signature three pointer. Andrew Gobin/Tulalip News

On Thursday, March 6th, Tulalip Heritage Hawks will face the Neah Bay Red Devils for the first game of the State Championships in Spokane. Tulalip defeated Neah Bay at the Tri-District Championship game 68-66, so this first game will be an intense rematch.

Keanu Hamilton fouled on the lay up. He made the basket, and both his foul shots.
Keanu Hamilton fouled on the lay up. He made the basket, and both his foul shots. Andrew Gobin/Tulalip News

Andrew Gobin is a reporter with the See-Yaht-Sub, a publication of the Tulalip Tribes Communications Department.
Email: agobin@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
Phone: (360) 716.4188