My name is Sativa Johnson (ciʔəsəqilucid:) Means smiles as bright as the sun. My name was given to me by my mother. Princess Jones (“WinneiMi”). My name was decided based upon my smile and how bright it shines just like the sun no matter what the circumstances around me.  

I Hail from the Owl clan (Jones family). My mother is Princess Jones (“WinneiMi”). My father is Georger Johnson (Muckleshoot). My mother’s parents are Leland Richard Jones (Suit-Sahl) and (Kuul-əi-mi) Gloria “Toby” Jones “Sohappy” (Yakima). My mother’s adoptive mother’s names are.  Linda Keating (Puyallup) & Ramona Bennett (Puyallup). 

My father’s parents are (Muckleshoot), Andrea Lee Daniels & George William Purcer (white) my father’s adoptive Parents are Joann Jackson (Muckleshoot) & Benjimin Jackson (Muckleshoot).  

        My great-grandparents Are: “Doc” George Culver Jones Sr (swəlpəb) & Louella Pratt. My great-great grandparents Are: Alpheus E. Jones & Mary Snit-Sahtl (Dee-dah-bah). 

I have not been blessed with my own children yet, but I have been blessed with animal children, 2 dogs, 3 cats and foster children from when I was 19 years old to today, I have fostered 8 children from the age of 11 years of age to 18 years of age. 

I spent most of my childhood in Tulalip with my grandparents. From as early as I could remember my grandparent had me and my brother emersed in the culture for all gathering winter and summer powwows, canoe journey, cultural nights, Lushootseed language camp, etc. I can recall being brought to speak and introduce myself to many elders not just from Tulalip but from different tribes at the gatherings because my grandmother was proud that I was fluent in Lushootseed. The way we would speak to each other with no confusion except for those that did not know the language. It really did not feel like I was speaking a different language at all; it felt natural like breath or eating.  

The school I went to while I was still living with my family was Tulalip E-cap, starting at 3 years of age till I was 4.5 years old. Then I attended Tulalip Elementary from 5 until I was taken into foster care at 9. I do not remember most of my teacher’s names, but I can list the ones that I can.  

•Natosha Gobin -Lushootseed teacher at language camp  

•Lisa & (Whaakadup) Robert Monger -Taught me about the medicine and songs of the sweat lodge because I did not know why we did it when was a kid 

•Caroline Thornberry (Uppy) -Great-aunt Taught me to cook for the gathering  

•Lois Landgrebe (yəw̓yəɬdaʔ) -met while I was working in the longhouse as a kid also Lushootseed teacher 

•Sherman Williams & Arlean Williams – spoke Lushootseed with at Winter powwows, also gave a message to my family about me being chosen to walk that path in the future to come. 

•Candelaria Moses (Candi) – gifted me one of my favorite jingle Dresses for summer powwow and showed me how to dance that style. 

•Tulalip Boy’s and Girl’s Club – providing a after school program where kids can choose the activity, they are going to participate in. The Boys & Girls Club worked with local crafters and others to teach cultural art or activities for the young teens to participate in. 

•Mr. Angle Cortez – worked with the Tribe, Youth Services & The Boys & Girls club to make it possible for me and other Tribal and non-tribal teens to paint a mural created by (Smiley) Israel Simpson.   

I learned a lot from my family. I cannot give credit to just one side; all sides deserve the credit. But I would like to say one thing that I will hold on to is the teaching of respect and responsibility. Taught me in stories shared by elders at winter powwows and event ceremonies. Such as both powwows, Salmon ceremony, Canoe Journeys, The sweat lodge, and Lushootseed Camp.  

Before the age of 9 I was taught Lushootseed in Tulalip Elementary and by elders that I would be watching during events when my grandparents and parents were busy with their responsibilities. My grandmother Kuul-əi-mi would take me to lots of places to show her friends and family I knew my grandpa’s language. Both my grandparents would take me to all sorts of powwows to participate as a dancer. They would have me introduce myself. The Powwow that I recall the most was when they took me to The Gathering of Nations for me to participate as a dancer. 

The reason I joined the Lushootseed Language Department Is I wanted to wake up the language in me. I hope it can make me feel more connected to the community and my cultural heritage. I wanted to learn the history of why things are said and done in certain ways. I feel as if I have stepped into a whole new world, that I am eager and ready to explore and fall in love with. 

Sativa Johnson
Language Teacher Assistant
[email protected]
(360) 716-4492