Since Time Immemorial

John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial (JMLSTI)

In 2015, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 5433, requiring the Since Time Immemorial (STI): Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State or other tribally-developed curriculum to be taught in all schools. In 2024, the Legislature passed House Bill 1879, officially naming the curriculum the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial (JMLSTI): Tribal Sovereignty in Washington State Curriculum in honor of the late Senator John McCoy.

To support this continuous teaching and learning, the Tulalip Tribes Board of Directors initiated an official directive. This directive allowed STI-Tulalip Tribes units to be authentically designed and co-created by Tulalip Tribes Member and Quil Ceda Tulalip Elementary Assistant Principal, Chelsea Craig and Quil Ceda Tulalip STI Mentor Coach and Curriculum writer, Lisa Sofie.

Alongside Tulalip Tribes Curriculum & Engagement Manager, Marjorie James, their work has expanded to other school districts participating in the Tulalip Tribes Sovereignty Curriculum team (TTSC). Each STI-Tulalip Tribes unit offers a variety of lessons and resources for implementation, either alongside or in addition to the John McCoy (lulilaš) Since Time Immemorial tribal sovereignty curriculum found on the OSPI website.

It's crucial for teachers in each school district to incorporate lessons about the history, culture, and government of their local federally recognized Indian tribes, as each tribe has its own unique heritage. This particular unit focuses on the Coast Salish Tulalip Tribes.

Access the Since Time Immemorial Sovereignty Curriculum