John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial (JMLSTI)
In 2015, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill 5433, requiring the Since Time Immemorial (STI): Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State curriculum—or other tribally-developed equivalents—to be taught in all schools. In 2024, House Bill 1879 officially renamed this body of work the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial Curriculum to honor the legacy of the late Tulalip Tribes member and Senator John McCoy.
Project Milestones and Resources
To support this mandate, the Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors initiated an official directive to develop authentic, localized resources. These units are co-created by Chelsea Craig (Tulalip Tribes Member and Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary Principal) and Lisa Sofie (Tulalip Tribes Sovereignty Curriculum Writer), in collaboration with Tulalip Tribes members and participating school districts.
Each Tulalip-specific unit provides comprehensive lessons and resources designed to be implemented alongside or in addition to the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial tribal sovereignty curriculum found on the OSPI website.
The Tulalip Tribes Sovereignty Curriculum (TTSC)
The Tulalip Tribes sovereignty curriculum editor and writer have currently completed the majority of K–12 grade-level units, with a projected completion date for the full series by 2027.
Beyond standard lesson plans, the Tulalip Tribes offer a robust suite of educational materials, including:
Literacy Series: Culturally relevant texts for various reading levels.
Visual Aids: Educational posters for classroom environments.
Outdoor Learning: Guided experiences that connect students with the land.
Accessing Materials: You can explore these resources, including the completed K–12 units and literacy materials, in the navigation menu to the right of this page.
Localized Learning
It is essential for educators to incorporate the specific history, culture, and government of their local federally recognized Indian tribes. While the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial Curriculum provides a statewide framework, this specific curriculum focuses on the unique heritage and contemporary sovereignty of the Coast Salish Tulalip Tribes.