May 10, 2019 Newsletter
For our upcoming Gathering, we are delighted to present Yvonn Peterson on Sunday, May 26th from 1 - 4pm, at Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation. Yvonn 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:
You're welcome to join us for:
Learning Right Relations Action Group Meeting
Tuesday, May 14
6 - 8pm
Olympia Unitarian Universalist Congregation
2315 Division St NW, Olympia
Forwarded message from Native Events:
(Note: If you would like to receive Native Events newsletter directly, please email your name, email address and phone number to bethbrownf@aol.com)
We are extending a very special invitation for you to gather with us for a Traditional Salmon dinner to support, learn about, and celebrate the upcoming Paddle to Lummi Gathering and to learn about other vital issues that affect The Lummi Nation. This event provides you with an important opportunity to come together and hear from native Leaders about the critical community issue of missing and murdered indigenous women. The recent signing of Bill 1713 by the Washington State Legislature highlights action to take steps to address this state and national epidemic.
When: Saturday, May 18
Where: Loomis Trail Golf Course, 4342 Loomis Trail Rd. Blaine
Time: 6:00 p.m.
Donation: $45 per person (suggested)
Paddle to Lummi Event Background: The Lummi Nation is hosting the intertribal canoe journey, Paddle to Lummi 2019 SQWESHENET TSE SCHELANGEN “Protecting Our Way of Life.” It will be held July 24th – 28th and at least 60 traveling canoes from Coast Salish territory are expected with more than 6,000 estimated people coming to Lummi Nation homelands.
Special panel for tonight’s dinner:
It is with great pleasure and honor that we announce special guest panelists:
Deb Lekanoff, Legislator 40th District
Deborah Parker, Tulalip Tribe Violence Against Women’s Act
Theresa Sheldon, Tulalip Tribe
Jeremiah Jay Julius, Chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council
Penny Carol Hillaire
Native Fashion Show, with featured designer, Shar Wilson
Ceremony Honoring Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
Lummi Blackhawk Singers and Dancers
This gathering will provide a powerful opportunity to bring attention to this issue locally and to support the interconnected work our community can engage in to work together to end this violence. Proceeds from the event will go to support the Paddle 2 Lummi 2019.
We look forward to seeing you at this special event. For more information and to RSVP please contact Althea at 360-824-1908 or altheadw@yahoo.com
Hy’shqe (Thank you)
Althea Wilson
Featured Fashion by Designer, Shar Wilson (info@finawear.ca)
Cultural Appreciation by way of Finaware, wearable Indigenous art. Each product features authentic Indigenous art by Shar Wilson, Gitxsan/Nisga’a. “When I draw, I feel I am in spirit that immerses me in the strength of my ancestors… (FINA is pronounced ‘fee-nah’ also means fine or well put together)
Loomis Trail Golf Course in Blaine is a real estate purchase of Lummi Nation that is about its past and future. This area is the traditional homeland of the Semiahmah people, who, after signing a treaty with the U.S were forced to move. “Many of the Semiahmah people moved to the Lummi Reservation and many from Lummi can trace their origins to these villages.
Native Events Newsletter also highlighted the Paddle to Lummi Blanket Project! Click here to learn more about this project.
Here is what was included in the Native Events newsletter:
2019 Paddle to Lummi Blanket Project
To make a donation to this project and receive your own blanket go HERE
*Donations are tax-deductible.
Learning Right Relations, an Olympia based, non-tribal people working in solidarity with Lummi Nation is helping with preparations for the event by sponsoring the blanket project and by volunteering for the event. These blankets will be given to Lummi Nation to gift during protocol when the Tribe welcomes their guests with sacred gifts.
The Blanket Project
“Blanketing” people is a traditional way of honoring them or thanking them. In 2016, donors gifted 1200 blankets to the Nisqually Canoe Family to give away to the over 100 other canoe families in gratitude for their coming to Nisqually. In 2018, donors gave 1200 blankets to the Puyallup Canoe Family to gift during “protocol” to paddlers, elders, youth, singers, dancers, drummers, cooks and to honor those who helped make the canoe journey special. Puyallup Canoe Family leader, Connie McCloud, especially appreciated being able to wrap elders with the blankets during the all-night protocols.
Mark your calendars! Paddle to Lummi 2019
July 24th - 28th
Click here for event website.
Click here for facebook event.
There's still time to register!
14th Annual Vine Deloria Jr. Indigenous Studies Symposium
May 17th & 18th
Northwest Indian College
Mitákuye Oyás'iŋ - All my relatives
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.