The Lopez Island Library, San Juan Islands National Monument, and San Juan County Parks join this Spring to present four (4) programs in support of the 2018 Intertribal Canoe Journey.
Tuesday, March 27th, 6pm, Woodmen Hall
Five Generations: Changes to the Coast Salish Peoples’ Relationship with the Salish Sea
Our first speaker is Timothy Ballew Sr., Senior of the Lummi Nation. Mr. Ballew is a community fisherman and a current faculty member in the Native Environmental Science program at the Northwest Indian College.
Saturday, May 12th, 2pm, Woodmen Hall
Tulalip Tribe Dance Group
The second presentation features a dance group comprised of several families from the Tulalip Tribe. The youngest dancer is two years old. They will share song and dances from their community. This is family-friendly event!
Sunday, June 10th, 7pm, Lopez Center
Master carver and artist Kevin Paul of the Swinomish Tribe
Kevin Paul will be describing his life’s work as a Coast Salish carver. Kevin is an enrolled tribal member of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and resides at Swinomish. Kevin is a master carver of contemporary and traditional Native American carvings.
Wednesday, June 20th, 7pm, Lopez Center
Stillaguamish Canoe Skipper and Lopezian Sam Barr of the Samish Tribe
Sam Barr, Lopezian, Samish tribal member and canoe skipper for Stillaguamish tribe will be sharing information on Tribal Canoe Journeys with some perspective on historical and contemporary practice. He will discuss the importance of canoes as a vessel of cultural revitalization within Coast Salish communities. Question and answer session to follow.
About the series:
The Intertribal Canoe Journey is a tradition for Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Each year, 60+ canoe families travel many miles from Alaska, Washington, and British Columbia in ocean-going canoes – some made with traditional materials and methods – to connect communities and share songs, dances, stories, and gifts. Along the way, the canoe families stop at host sites to rest and celebrate. Odlin Park (Sxw’alech) is honored to host the canoe families on July 20th en route to their final destination in the territory of the Medicine Creek Nation. The public is invited to volunteer in organizing or cooking, take part in a potluck, and experience the performance of the canoe families. To help facilitate relationships and understanding between the Lopez community and our Coast Salish guests, we invite you to attend four presentations by Coast Salish speakers and elders.
Photo of Canoes Arriving at English Camp by Raena Parsons