“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.
