Food Sovereignty and Security
Our Goal
We are building a Tulalip Food Sovereignty and Security (FSS) program that is guided by our people. This program will protect our foods, support our health, and help us care for the land and one another. Our goal is to create a strong community work plan that reflects Tulalip values, food knowledge, and future needs — all grounded in our teachings about respect, connection, and responsibility.
➞ Read a Foreword by Inez Bill on the spirit of gathering and protecting our foods
What Food Sovereignty Means to Us
Food sovereignty means that we have the right to grow, gather, and eat our own First Foods. These are the foods our people have relied on since the beginning of time.
It is our right and responsibility.
We have the right to choose how we feed our families and our community. But we also have a duty to take care of our foods, our land, and the knowledge that has been passed down. This helps protect our way of life for the next generation.
Food sovereignty includes:
- using local foods to support our health, our economy, and the land
- teaching our community about healthy eating and food systems from our culture
- dealing with challenges like not having enough access to food or being affected by outside rules
- keeping our foods and knowledge safe and sharing them with the next generation
These foods do more than feed us. They help us remember who we are. They connect us to our teachings, our ancestors, and the spirit of the land.
This meaning will grow as we grow. We decide what food sovereignty means and how we live it.
What Is Food Security?
Food security means having enough healthy, culturally important food to support the well-being of our Tulalip families and community.
Ensuring we have the right kind of food — food that is meaningful to us and helps us stay strong in body and spirit.
We believe that you cannot have true food security without food sovereignty.
Emergency Food Preparedness
Emergency food preparedness means having food and water ready in case something happens. This could be a natural disaster, a pandemic, or anything else that stops us from getting food the normal way. Being prepared helps us take care of our elders, our families, and those who need help the most. It keeps our community strong when times get hard.
On-Reservation Restoration & Wetlands
On-reservation restoration means taking care of the land within the Tulalip Reservation so we can gather and hunt in healthy ways.
We work to restore places where plants grow and animals live. These places are important for food, medicine, and culture. They are part of who we are.
Restoring the land helps our people stay connected and makes sure future generations can use these areas too.
Taking care of these places is a spiritual responsibility. We harvest with gratitude and respect, knowing that these plants and animals are our relatives.
Many of our foods, plants, and medicines are found in or near the wetlands. These places are important for our foodways and cultural health. ➞ Learn more about Tulalip wetlands
Get Involved: Join the Garden Club
We are starting a Tulalip Garden Club. It will be a space for learning, growing, and sharing.
Whether you are new to planting or already have experience, this is a way for us to help one another, grow healthy food, and build stronger connections in our community.
We are looking for:
- volunteers
- culture bearers and knowledge sharers
- people who want to learn how to grow food
- youth, families, and elders who want to connect through gardening
If you are interested in joining the Garden Club or helping in any way, please sign up to be part of our distribution list. You will get updates about meetings, events, and ways to get involved.
Project Timeline: July 2025 – March 2026
We are working with consultants who are leading the development of a five-year work plan, gathering community input, and helping organize the work ahead. The Food Sovereignty Work Group plays a supportive role by connecting with the community and providing feedback throughout the process. The timeline below reflects our current planning efforts from summer 2025 through spring 2026.
pədʷədbixʷ (native blackberry season) – July 2025
We begin designing the community food sovereignty and security survey. The consultants and work group start planning and preparing outreach materials.
pədt́aqa (salal berry season) – August 2025
The survey is shared across the Tulalip community. We focus on reaching as many voices as possible to gather input about food access, knowledge, and goals.
pədkʷəxʷic (silver salmon return) – September 2025
Survey results are reviewed. The work group and consultants begin discussing how this information will shape the next phase of planning.
pədxʷit́xʷit́il (many leaves fall) – October 2025
Tulalip community members and the work group are encouraged to attend the Native Grown & Gathered Expo. The group meets afterward to reflect on the event and begin visioning for long-term planning.
pədƛ́xʷayʔ (Chum salmon returns) – November 2025
Consultants begin outlining strategy ideas and possible next steps for the work plan and program. The work group reviews and discusses these ideas.
səxʷšićəlwaʔs (sheath the paddles) – December 2025
This is a time for rest and reflection. No formal meeting is held, but internal planning continues.
ƛ́iq́s (stomach sticks to your backbone) – January 2026
A check-in meeting is held to review progress and updates. The group shares what has been done and prepares for the next phase of planning.
səxʷpupuhigʷəd (windy times and hard winds) – February 2026
A draft of the plan is reviewed in preparation for presentation to the Tulalip Board of Directors. Talking points and recommendations are finalized.
waq́waq́us (frogs sing) – March 2026
The five-year work plan is presented to the Tulalip Board of Directors. This plan will help guide future grant funding and program development. The Board provides feedback and direction on next steps. This marks a turning point as we move toward implementation and long-term planning.
About the Work Group
The Tulalip Food Sovereignty Work Group is made up of community members, staff, and partners who are helping guide and support this effort. The work group helps shape ideas, gather input, and connect with the community. Their work plays an important role in making sure the voices of Tulalip people are centered throughout the process. The Tulalip Board of Directors provides leadership on the overall direction for this work. The work group moves forward based on the guidance of the Board and in partnership with the community. The goal is to build a Food Sovereignty and Security Program that is strong, supported, and fully led by Tulalip.
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