Swinomish March Against Addiction coincides with new federal bill

Perhaps the largest gathering yet met for the 10th March Against Addiction last Wednesday, a stirring and emotional four-mile trek through Swinomish Village neighborhoods to raise awareness and offer support to combat the opioid crisis.

Federal lawmakers weren’t there but were clearly in step.

Seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives last week co-sponsored bipartisan legislation introduced by Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Everett, to give tribal courts and law enforcement agencies more tools and resources to battle the nation’s devastating opioid epidemic.

Tribal leaders, including Swinomish Senate Chairman Steve Edwards, also emphasized how the new bill, entitled the Protection for Reservation Occupants Against Trafficking and Evasive Communications Today (PROTECT) Act, enables tribal courts and law enforcement to hold drug traffickers accountable to build safer and healthier communities.

“Tribes in my district have told me about the unique challenges their courts and law enforcement face to hold drug traffickers accountable,” Larsen said in a statement issued Aug. 8. “The PROTECT Act takes significant steps toward addressing the many concerns I hear.”

Edwards agreed, specifying key points in the legislation, also sponsored by Washington U.S. House members Adam Smith, Derek Kilmer and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, all Democrats.

“This legislation is important for three key reasons,” Edwards said. “First, this bill will enhance our ability to investigate crimes, which in turn will help ensure the safety of our community. This bill will allow our tribal law enforcement to utilize the prompt review by a Swinomish Court judge of a request for a search warrant on social media platforms that will be honored by the platforms, and as a result we can quickly tackle incoming drugs and other illegal activity.

“Second,” he said, “this bill helps restore the inherent sovereignty of tribes by recognizing tribal criminal jurisdiction over offenses involving drugs and firearms. Restoring tribal criminal jurisdiction over these offenses will allow for swift and certain repercussions for those who are violating the criminal drug and firearms laws of the tribe.

“Third and finally,” said Edwards, “the ability to utilize the Bureau of Prisons Tribal Prisoner Program provides access to a potentially useful resource for tribes.”

Edwards is a frequent participant in the Swinomish march, whose theme is “This Has to Stop,” and invites supporters to march shoulder-to-shoulder while calling for an end to drug and alcohol abuse.

The event seeks prayers – not condemnation – and uplifts the memories of those who’ve lost their fight with addiction. Families mourning the passing of loved ones displayed photos of the deceased while marching.

Marchers this year donned tee-shirts bearing the logos of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, Sauk-Suiattle Tribe and Didgwalic Wellness Center.

“We started with 50 shirts the first year,” recalled event organizer Eugene “Huge” Edwards. “The next year we had 100 shirts. The following year it was 200 shirts. Last year and this year, it was 900 shirts.”

The marchers were encouraged prior to setting out by prayer warriors of various faiths and Beverly Keyes, CEO of Didgwalic, the tribe’s outpatient treatment center on March Point Road, which serves natives and non-natives alike.

“It’s truly an honor to be part of the Swinomish community,” said Keyes, who thanked Eugene Edwards for his work coordinating the march.

“Recovery is a process,” she stressed. “Every day we go to work, we see little steps. Eventually that turns into major progress.”

A corps of tribal singers and drummers and Eugene Edwards led. Swinomish Police officers and Fire District 13 crews provided traffic control.

Eugene Edwards, like Keyes, inspired the marchers to carry out their mission on what was a hot summer afternoon. After each had received a water bottle and towel, he reminded them of their purpose.

“We’re here, making a statement,” he said. “We’re making this walk for our children and grandchildren. None of us is perfect. If we were perfect, we wouldn’t be here. We’re not here judging one another. We’re here to celebrate one another and show that we can beat this.”

He took inspiration from those participating.

“I look around,” he said, “and I see people visiting with one another, hugging one another. Why do I do this every year? It’s not for me. It’s for everybody.”