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The Swinomish and Tulalip photographer, filmmaker, podcaster and author Matika Wilbur shares her Indian/Spirit name "Tsa-Tsique," meaning "she who teaches children," with her mom, Nancy Wilbur. During an hour phone interview, Wilbur shared the story of her decade long journey leading to her new photography book "Project 562: Changing the Way We See Native America." The 10 inch by 10 inch 416-page book can be ordered now. Her research took her to all 50 states. It started in 2012 as a Kickstarter...
In 2020, during the Christmas holiday season, Fire District 13 and the Swinomish Police Department drove through the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community with Santa Claus for the first time. This year, however, the SITC community was also asked to participate. Swinomish tribal elder Carneen Allen decorated her van with Christmas presents and snowflakes, with the help of her friend Mike Playter. She said, “it was a wonderful feeling seeing family and friends coming out, waving at Santa and having a...
On Sept. 19, 2004, nearly 17 years ago, the House of Tears carvers from the Lummi Nation in Bellingham, WA delivered and dedicated “Freedom, Liberty & Sovereignty” to the Pentagon, one of three tragic targets for the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the United States. The Lummi delegation brought three cedar totem poles nearly 5,000 miles on a cross-country road trip to Washington, D.C. This ceremony made a lasting impression on me as I watched in tears both times, as the totem poles wer...
This time last year was a different story for our Skagit County tulip farms and gardens. The pandemic caused by the COVID-19 virus prevented in person visits to these beautiful flowers, so often a very popular tourist destination. The impact was immediate. There would not be the month long infiltration of tourists visiting the Skagit Valley – the annual economic shot in the arm upon which the region depends. Due to worldwide mandates and restrictions in 2020, activities like visiting farms were taken off our “things to do” list. How...
Last Wednesday the attendance record was broken at the sixth annual March Against Addiction at the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Due to the pandemic, everyone had to be in a vehicle to participate. A staging area was set up on the SITC’s ball field. Participants drove up to a check in booth where they were given a T-shirt with the motto “This Has To Stop” on it. This year’s design was by Ricardo Lopez. A NARCAN booth was onsite as well, distributing revival kits. Some participants taped p...
Andrew Miller and four of his Skagit county high school friends and alumni bought Tulip Town last June from Anthony and Jeannette DeGoede, who owned it for 35 years. The group organized as Spinach Bus Ventures. They felt they could carry on the DeGoede’s tradition, not only as a passion, but as a profitable agricultural business and popular tourist attraction. Miller says, “we are in the smile business here.” Tulip Town provides an opportunity for tourists and locals alike to photograph, film an...
With social distancing the new normal due to a global pandemic, local health care professionals are turning more to technology in their patient care. La Conner area medical clinics have employed secure video platforms to connect with patients anywhere at any time, while also regularly communicating with the public on how best to avoid COVID-19. “For the past two weeks we have been fully telemedicine capable, completely morphing our practice of in-person visits overnight, managing patients in their home for common illnesses such as b...
The Lincoln Theater teamed up with the Children’s Museum of Skagit County and Skagit Bag BANd Wagon’s Carol Sullivan to host screening the documentary “A Plastic Ocean” April 26. Sponsored by Skagit County’s Public Works Solid Waste Division and the Skagit Valley Food Co-op, the movie was free for the 300 attendees. Before the movie started, a group of women took turns speaking from the stage. A backdrop of a blue whale diving was behind them. Carol Sullivan wore a necklace made out of plastic b...
Close to 100 people from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community gathered with handmade signs at the SITC’s gym March 27. Holle Edwards, march coordinator said, “this is the fourth (annual) March (on Drugs) …. it was really empowering … the youth center made signs with the kids the day before the March that said things like ‘Say No to Drugs’ and ‘Do Drugs and Your Brain Turns into Slugs.’” The tragic loss of family members and friends due to opioid deaths has reached frightening a...
On an unusually sunny Saturday March 10 at the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Swinomish Police Department’s Community Service Officer Brian Geer was spreading some sunshine of his own. Officer Geer stationed himself and waited alongside a locking strong box, at the SITC’s outdoor basketball court on the corner of First Street and Snee Oosh Road. He was there to kick off a new SPD “Prescription Drug Take Back Program” designed to collect and store unwanted or expired prescription medicat...
World War II veteran John K. Bob was honored by his Swinomish tribe with a retirement ceremony for a special American flag and his war medals at a dedication at the Swinomish Social services building Dec. 7. Veterans from all over the region were asked to participate at the request of John K. Bob’s family. This ceremony marked the seventieth anniversary of Bob’s return home and paid tribute of this fallen WWII war hero and was attended by over 200 people. Bob enlisted in 1942 while still a sen...
Over 200 people, including Veterans from all over, came together to participate in a special flag ceremony being hosted by the Swinomish Tribe Dec. 7. Family members of John K. Bob were the honored guesst. They wanted to return the 48 starred American flag that once had draped John’s casket. Along with the flag, they wanted to give his Purple Heart and Silver Star medals, back to the Swinomish Veterans. The Veterans accepted the flag and also took this opportunity to also honor his memory, h...
As the seasons change, many are already thinking of winter. Recall the bitter cold last winter. Being prepared for the wet and cold is critical, even though it’s hard to shift gears with all the beautiful sunshine that we have had this summer. Regardless, as seasons change, some are unable to provide enough warm clothing or even find shelter from the cold for themselves or their families. However, one local family is not only getting themselves ready, but they want to help others who are less fo...
Swinomish Tribal Member, Cassandra Gonzales made sure her eight-year-old daughter Aaliyah Gonzales had the proper ISO approved glasses to watch the historic Solar Eclipse. Aaliyah was the very first participant to show up at the John K. Bob baseball field at 7:30 a.m. on the Swinomish Reservation. Swinomish Elder Ray Mitchell and his wife Jennie, along with nearly 60 other people, mostly Tribal employees, their families and various community members joined Aaliyah throughout the morning....
The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community (SITC) invited Native American and First Nation people, their family, friends, and those wanting to learn more about Indigenous culture to their Reservation for the 4th Annual Swinomish Days, August 11-13. Indigenous people have traveled and gathered together during different seasons to socialize and compete for decades. This is a chance to see family and friends, especially if absences were long. The summer season gives many a chance to be outdoors where...
Taking a quick break from Friday afternoon’s store-to-store trick-or-treating in La Conner were Shawntey Perry, 5, Alexi Perry, 2, and Bradley Williams, 9. – Photo by Robin CarneenTaking a quick break from Friday afternoon’s store-to-store trick-or-treating in La Conner were Shawntey Perry, 5, Alexi Perry, 2, and Bradley Williams, 9. – Photo by Robin Carneen...
Two deer families gathered for a feast of fallen pears near a fruit tree on the Swinomish Reservation recently. – Photo by Robin Carneen...
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community provided a rest stop for paddlers on this year’s annual Canoe Journey, “Tribal Youth Pull 2015,” which is a youth paddle to Muckleshoot. After coming ashore, the canoe crews hoisted their vessels to carry them to dry land for the night. This year’s Canoe Journey consists of a number of smaller regional events. Still, dozens of canoe families came ashore at Swinomish on Sunday and Monday. – Photo by Robin Carneen-Edwards...
Cousins Kimi Ward, left, Chas James and Raylee Ward were taking advantage of open gym night on Friday at Ground Zero Gymnastics in Burlington. – Photo by Robin Carneen Edwards...
This bee’s legs were loaded with pollen as it did its buzzywork on a Ceanothus bush blooming on the Swinomish Reservation last week. – Photo by Robin Carneen...
Ever-loyal 12s were in high spirits on Friday with the prospect of our home team in Sunday’s Super Bowl. Enjoying a tailgate party held at the Swinomish Casino were Susan Ann and Brent Bob and their son Brent Jr., who looks just like the Seahawks' Richard Sherman with that mask on. – Photo by Robin Carneen...
This is one of several hummingbirds that have decided to stick around Swinomish and La Conner this winter. This little hummer was part of a group feasting on winter blooms at Swinomish. – Photo by Robin Carneen...
