May 3, 2019 Newsletter

For our upcoming Gathering, we are delighted to present Yvonne Peterson on Sunday, May 26th from 1 - 4pm, at Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation.  Yvonne is part of 8 generations of Chehalis Tribal artisans and an Indigenous studies instructor at The Evergreen State College. We hope to see you there!

Read further for upcoming events and news:

TIME TO REGISTER!
14th Annual Vine Deloria Jr. Indigenous Studies Symposium
May 17th & 18th
Northwest Indian College
Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ - All my relatives
Early Registration ENDS May 3rd - $210
Late registration available May 4-18 - $310


This years' theme relates to moving away from the idea of managing "resources" and towards honoring relatives. The title is: Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ (All my relatives) Moving from resources toward reciprocity, respect, responsibility and resistance. The poster, included below, was designed by DAKO.5TUDiOS and illustrates what the Lummi Nation did for their relative the Blackfish. They understood their relative was in distress and wanted to exercise their responsiblity by doing what they could.

Click here for event website. 

7dcd4c51-c39d-4e1f-a0d7-43e2163fcae4.jpg

IN THE NEWS: 

As highlighted in the above poster for the upcoming Vine Deloria Jr. Indigenous Studies Symposium, the Lummi Nation is honoring their responsibility to their relations in a bold way, by ceremonially feeding salmon to southern resident orcas. 

Learn more: 
The Guardian article A pod of orcas is starving to death. A tribe has a radical plan to feed them 

Seattle Times op-ed by Raynell Morris, from the Sovereignty and Treaty Protection Office of Lummi Nation: Lummi's sacred obligation is to feed orcas, our relations under the waves

Locally, the Nisqually Tribe is also changing how it spawns hatchery chinook in an effort to give orcas a more nutritious meal. Northwest Treaty Tribes, a service of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission, published this article last December: Nisqually Tribe Raising Bigger Chinook to Feed Orcas

Canoe Journey Blanket Project


You are invited to support the 2019 Paddle to Lummi Blanket Project! Learning Right Relations is working in solidarity with Lummi Nation in helping with preparations for the Paddle to Lummi by sponsoring the blanket project and volunteering for the event. These blankets will be given to Lummi Nation to gift during protocol when the Tribe honors their guests with sacred gifts. 

There are a few different ways that you can support this project. 

  • Donate towards the project in any amount! A contribution of $90 will purchase 10 blankets, and donors contributing $90 will be able to keep a blanket for your own gifting. (Checks may be made out to Learning Right Relations, with "Lummi Blanket" on the memo line, and mailed to LRR, 5515 40th Ave SW, Olympia WA 98512 OR donate via https://www.gofundme.com/paddle-to-lummi-blanket

  • Share with your friends, neighbors, family, co-workers, churches and community centers! Click here for the final flyer, which has more details about the project and can be posted and distributed as you see fit. This is a great opportunity to spark a conversation about your own journey of learning around right relationship and solidarity with the First Peoples of this land, and invite more people into this work and dialogue.  

  • Share the gofundme fundraiser on your social media outlets.

  • Continue to watch this newsletter and our website for updates on this project.

Design for this year’s Paddle to Lummi Blanket, by Al Charles

Design for this year’s Paddle to Lummi Blanket, by Al Charles

Mark your calendars! Paddle to Lummi 2019
July 24th - 28th
Click here for event website. 
Click here for facebook event.

Amy Troyer-Karas