Fryberg resigns from Tulalip Tribes’ board of directors

TULALIP — Marlin Fryberg Jr., a longtime member of the Tulalip Tribes’ board of directors, announced his resignation from the board Thursday.

Fryberg, who has been on the Tribes’ board for 12 years, won re-election to his seat in March.

“My decision is mainly because I have young kids at home that I want to be with,” Fryberg said in a statement on Tulalip TV.

Fryberg, a former Tulalip Tribes police officer, thanked the tribal elders, leadership and membership for their support over the years and said he still planned to work with tribal youth.

“It’s very important to me to send this message to all of our young people who are growing up, to take the time to listen to your elders and hear their stories and to understand that the Tulalip Tribes didn’t just become rich overnight,” he said. “There were a lot of struggles, there were a lot of things that a lot of families sacrificed in their lives to help us get where we are today.”

In a statement, tribal Chairman Mel Sheldon Jr. thanked Fryberg for his many years of service to the tribes.

“We have been honored to have his wisdom and expertise on the council. He is looking forward to spending more time with his family and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors,” Sheldon said.

Fryberg has also been serving as president of the Quil Ceda Village Council, which oversees the business and development activities within the village, a municipal and corporate body on the Tulalip Reservation that includes the Seattle Premium Outlets shopping center and the Tulalip Resort Casino.

It is not clear yet whether he will retain that post, nor what process the board will use to fill Fryberg’s vacant seat.

In tribal elections, board seats are won by the candidates with the highest number of votes from among tribal members, rather than in head-to-head contests over specific seats. In the March elections, former Chairman Sheldon won election to the board with the most votes, and was selected chairman. Sheldon had been voted off the board a year previously. Fryberg won the second-highest number of votes, retaining his seat.

Chris Winters: 425-374-4165; cwinters@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @Chris_At_Herald.