Thomas Williams
ʔu ɬi gʷəlapu. haʔɬ syəyaʔyaʔ haʔɬ dʔiišəd.
Thomas Williams ti dsdaʔ. t̕ulʔal čəd dxʷlilap. stuhubš čəd, stuhubš čəd, stuhubš čəd. cələlac ti dbədbədaʔ; ʔi ti KC, ʔi ti Kane, ʔi tsi KT, ʔi ti Aloisius, ʔi tsi Lizzie.
Hello, all you good folks, friends, and family. My name is Thomas Williams and I live in Tulalip and am of Snohomish ancestry.
I am a Lushootseed language teacher assistant with the Tulalip Lushootseed language department. I teach at the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Center. I serve about 90 children Monday through Thursday, with Lushootseed curriculum, song, and dance.
I have had a great opportunity growing up as a member of the Tulalip community my whole life. I witnessed many elders teach within our community. Most of them have gone on before us, and we have work to do. I am 32 years old and have 5 children. My partner for 10 years Natosha Gobin, is also a language teacher. She’s been working here for 15 years. My grandmother was Lizzie Krise, a long-time speaker and supporter of the language department, Snohomish language, and the Tulalip community.
I am blessed to see that we are working in our community, as our elders did, to preserve and help the language and culture thrive. I’m even more blessed to be a part of this work. Currently, I’m enrolled in the Northwest Indian College’s 102 level of Lushootseed. After passing 102, I plan on continuing my higher education in Lushootseed. Sarah Miller is my teacher. Thank you to the Tulalip community for the opportunity to serve your youth.
Thomas Williams
Language Teacher Assistant
thomaswilliams @ tulaliptribes-nsn.gov
(360) 716-4478