The traditions vary family to family - Tulalip is a confederation of tribes that each bear unique history - but often begin with sharing food, songs and prayers at the family’s home. When a tribal member dies, the ceremony often lasts days. “That’s been the hardest one,” said Teri Gobin, chairwoman of the Tulalip Tribes.

“When it came to Grandma Katherine’s frybread,” Parks said, “it was special because it was hers.”įamily members haven’t been able to hold true memorial services. Less than a week later, the tribes lost Katherine Maryanne Monger, known by many as Grandma Katherine.

Indian Police Academy in New Mexico and the first Tulalip police officer, died in early 2021. Gerald Fryberg, the first Tulalip Tribal member to complete the U.S. I look at it from afar like an over-worried parent.” “And this virus is capable of taking away any growth we’ve had as natives - killing everything we’ve ever wanted. “This virus is capable of wiping out any tribe,” said Terry Fast Horse, a Tulalip resident of Lummi and Lakota descent. The sudden, surprising loss of two elders reignited concerns about a culture on the brink.įor many, the fear has been ever-present since the first case of coronavirus in the country was recorded in Snohomish County. Two sisters, Geraldine Williams and Christine Enick, were among the first to die from the virus. Tulalip elders are bearers of Coast Salish language and traditions that were illegal and almost went extinct in the 20th century. At least nine of those were COVID-related deaths.Īmong them were elders - living links to the tribes’ history. Dozens of Tulalip tribal members died during the pandemic.

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