TULALIP — The Tulalip Tribes’ Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve is scheduled to open Aug. 20. The opening festivities will include demonstrations by local artists and a salmon dinner.
The 23,000-square-foot center and accompanying 50-acre natural history preserve is designed to share the story of the Tulalip people with visitors and to offer a place for reflection about the historic Tulalip relationship to the land.
The center will also seek to incorporate the local language, Lushootseed, into activities, exhibitions, collections and cataloging at the site.
“We have dreamt about this day for many years. Soon, we will be able to share our dream with everyone, and that will be a beautiful day for the Tulalip people,” said cultural resources manager Hank Gobin.
The Hibulb Cultural Center is unique in that the collections and archaeological repository are fully certified. It is the only tribal facility to be certified by the state of Washington.
In addition to a main exhibit, the center will display a changing temporary exhibit, two classrooms, a research library and an interactive longhouse. A gift shop will feature Coast Salish-made products.
Coastal Salish tribes and bands including the Snohomish, Snoqualmie and Skykomish are represented at the cultural center. Ancestors from these tribes were among those who signed the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliot.
The center takes its name from a former stronghold at the mouth of the Snohomish River known as Hibulb. This area is commonly called Preston Point today.
According to the tribes, the creation of this center and reserve offers more than just the preservation of memories, beliefs, customs, tribal treasures and traditional lands. It is a way to educate future generations about a way of life that could be easily lost in the current era.
They intend to build intellectual resources and protect tribal knowledge using the research library and archives. Traditional skills such as carving, basketry, weaving, beadwork, poetry and native plant use will be studied and preserved.
Creation of this repository will also facilitate the repatriation of collectable items pertaining to Tulalip people that may have left the region.
In addition, the opening of the cultural center will provide jobs and skill-building opportunities for tribal members.
The Hibulb Cultural Center and Natural History Preserve is located at 6410 23rd Ave. NE, west of I-5 and Marysville. It will be open to the public Tuesday through Sunday. Admission will be $10 for adults, $7 for seniors and $6 for students, military or veterans. Children under 5 and Tulalip tribal members are free.
For more information about family or group rates, private tours or event rentals, go to www.hibulbculturalcenter.org or call 360-716-2635.
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