The Tulalip Tribes is a federally recognized tribe and successors in interest to the Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish, and other allied tribes and bands that signed the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott.
This grant funding is intended to revamp Woods Lake so that the Tulalip Tribes can host permanent wetland camps for future generations and have an area that tribal members can go to harvest the different plants traditionally used for medicines and food that grow only in wetlands. Wetlands where these plants grow are very rare. The Tribe aims to complete the project by spring 2025 and host a five-day camp at the grounds for youth (6th to 12th grade). The project involves fixing a dilapidated structure, clearing trails, removing invasive species, and planting native species.
Grant funds will be used to purchase the materials needed and provide stipends for high school and college interns to repair and prepare an area to process native plants gathered. The interns will work in collaboration with a Washington Conservation Corps (WCC) crew. Together they will remove the invasive plants such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and poison hemlock and plant native shrubs and trees. One tree Tulalip Tribes intend to plant is Cedar for future cultural purposes. Cedar bark is traditionally used for clothing, hats, baskets, mats, and the wood to carve canoes, paddles, rattles, and much more. The Tulalip Tribes will use the restored site for educational purposes for years to come.
Congratulations to the Tulalip Tribes of Washington! We are so grateful for the work you do.
