Located at the edge of the pacific northwest, the Stillaguamish Tribe is completed of descendants of the Stoluck-wa-mish River Tribe. In 1855, the population resided on the main branch of the river, as well as the north and south forks. The name Stillaguamish, under various spellings, has been used since 1850 to refer to people who lived along the Stillaguamish River and camped along its tributaries. [1] Following a treaty in 1855, under the spelling “Stoluck-wa-mish, no separate reservation was established, some moved to the Tulalip reservation, but the majority remained in the aboriginal area along the Stillaguamish River.[2] Today, this thriving community of about two hundred and thirty Tribal members continues to seek opportunities for growth.
In support of their Tribal youth prevention programming, the Stillaguamish Tribe education department has spent time supporting youth with the development of a community garden that engages youth from early spring ground preparation, seeding, plant care, harvest, and winterization. Nancy Long, Stillaguamish Tribal Youth Program Coordinator, shared that year one of the Youth Garden Program included the planting of a pumpkin patch, growing flower and vegetable gardens, and shaping a secret Native trail.
In the 2019 season, the youth program focused on planting, dehydrating, and learning to bottle new and interesting herbs for use in cooking, sachets, and other plant based elements. The secret Native plant trail has provided a beautiful quiet place for group and individual reading and Native plant identification. The garden efforts align with the idea that in order to work toward effective prevention of substance abuse amongst Native youth, communities should incorporate local expertise and knowledge, build on strengths and resources within the communities, and integrate unique cultural practices.[3] The garden offers youth an opportunity to learn about native species and to identify plants and flowers that grow best in the regional climate. As food is produced youth harvest and gather. Data indicates that American Indian communities suffer from some of the highest rates of obesity related illness and American Indian adolescents have a higher frequency of being overweight than other ethnic groups in the United States.[4] Teaching youth the skills to support local food growth, economy, and the value of healthy food choices is a step in the direction of supporting an overall lifestyle of health and wellness.
To learn more about prevention resources to support Tribal youth visit TribalYouth.org
[1] Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians, “About Us”, https://www.stillaguamish.com/about-us/
[2] Id.
[3] Walsh, et al., American Indian Substance Abuse Prevention Efforts: A Review of Programs, American Indian Substance Abuse Prevention, Volume 22, Number 2 (2012)
[4] Obesity and American Indians/Alaska Natives, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Minority Health, Source CDC, 2017 https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/omh/browse.aspx?lvl=4&lvlid=40
