MUKILTEO—In a celebration of ancestral fishing grounds and the continued connection of the Tulalip peoples to the land of Mukilteo, Mayor Joe Marine joined by Chairwoman Teri Gobin and members of the Tulalip Tribes celebrated the unveiling of two 10-foot Welcome Poles by world renowned artists Joe Gobin and James Madison during the Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival on Saturday, September 6, 2025.
“These poles will stand as a welcoming symbol of strength and of enduring relationships between the Tulalips and the community of Mukilteo,” Tulalip Tribes Chairwoman Gobin said. “I would like to thank the city of Mukilteo and the Mukilteo Lighthouse Association. Our carvers, Joe and James, and the community for coming together to make this day happen. May these poles stand for generations to remind us of who we are, where we come from, and what we share.”
Tulalip Tribes Councilman Glenn Gobin opened the ceremony with a prayer brought back by former Chairman Stan (Scho Hallem) Jones to ask the great spirit to watch over everyone, answer prayers and provide guidance. Drummers and singers performed two songs, a song about remembering one’s roots and passing along traditions; and a second to release the negative energy and experiences that no longer serve a person.
The Welcome Poles, carved out of red-ceder wood were designed in traditional Tulalip Tribes style representing the Lummi, Muckleshoot, Nooksack, Sauk-Suiattle, Stillaguamish, Suquamish, Swinomish, Snohomish, Snoqualmie, Skykomish and Upper Skagit tribes. The figures display no weapons to emphasize a welcoming people of the territory and shores.
The first Welcome Pole unveiled on the bandshell post of Lighthouse Park’s waterfront amphitheater by Tulalip master carver Joe Gobin, represented the symbol of the Tulalip Peoples he said.
“There’s a lot of thought that went into what we should make here,” said Gobin. “The significance of where we’re at, our home villages, all the different events we’ve had here.”
Since 2011, Joe Gobin has made significant contributions to public art in Mukilteo: a 4-foot aluminum six-sided metal cube sculpture located in the Lighthouse Park’s cul-de-sac area; traditional Salish design carvings scattered throughout the Lighthouse Park’s pathways, benches, and retaining walls, and features; and six pieces Mukilteo Ferry Terminal that opened in December 2020.
The second Welcome Pole unveiled on the bandshell post of Lighthouse Park’s waterfront amphitheater was a story pole by Tulalip master carver James Madison, nephew of Joe Gobin.
“This is my modern version of Blackfish,” Madison said. “These are three orcas. This is myself. This is my son Jevin and Jaden. And this is my dad who’s the sea wolf. And this is my grandfather down here who’s a bear. And that’s a basket symbol for a bear. There’s also another meaning which is an old story that my grandfather told me about saving a village. Three brothers and their three orca whales. And they turned themselves into three orca whales to save the village…. And a lot of art pieces that I do you’ll see three orca fins or three orcas. And it represents me and my two boys or it represents that story [from my grandfather].
Madison has also contributed to Mukilteo’s public art scene: The two dual-sided glass displays in the elevator shafts of the Mukilteo Ferry Terminal; a massive 18-foot-old-growth cedar log sculpture located in the center of the roundabout at Lighthouse Park’s southern entrance called the Mother Earth Driftwood Log Sculpture; and a wood carving at Lighthouse Park portraying the legendary Tulalip Seal Hunting Brothers as orcas.
“These welcome figures are a meaningful addition to our community,” said Mayor Marine. “They have been in our long-range plans for the park and honor the cultural heritage of the Tulalip Tribes.”
Mayor Marine added that he hopes “a little more artwork to be done in the future.”
Chairwoman Gobin shared with attendees that at the very first Mukilteo Pioneer Festival in 1966, one of their Tulalip elders, Harriet Hayalc̓aʔ Shelton Dover, spoke about the Treaty of Point Elliott.
“From the beginning, Tulalip voices have been woven into the spirit of this celebration,” Gobin said adding, “We hope to honor this place we call home through partnerships, cultural recognition, and shared stewardship.”
Mukilteo Lighthouse Festival Executive Director Megan Reed shared with the Lynnwood Times it was an honor to unveil the Welcome Poles with the Tulalip Tribes leadership during the festival.
“This festival has been around for so long with a rich heritage,” said Reed. We will continue to honor the indigenous lands of the Tulalip peoples.”
The two Welcome Figures were part of the “Band Shell Artwork” of the Mukilteo Lighthouse Park Redevelopment Arts Plan paid for with $200,000 from the City’s ARPA funds and $3,699 from the Waterfront Parking Fund.
Author: Mario Lotmore
