Community Healing in the Salish Sea
Donation protected
In August 2016, our Coast Salish families from Lummi Nation and WSANEC Nation (on both sides of the 49th parallel) will be dedicating on behalf of all people a Reef Net Captain Totem Pole and two Salmon Story Boards to the San Juan Island National Historical Parks 100th Centennial Anniversary. This ceremony will be held in the spiritual site of our ancestors’ 600-800 foot long house at Pe'pi'ow'elh, now known as English Camp.
The Reef Net Captain Totem Pole and Salmon Story Boards tell the story of the Chi'lange'lth, birth rights, which were a sacred gift from the Creator and on behalf of the next seven generations, the universal desire for peace, unity, balance, and sustainability for the salmon people are worth saving and we are all salmon people indigenous to mother earth.
We invite you to join with us by supporting this historical event to build intergenerational community knowledge, as well as understanding amongst cultures who share stewardship of Pe'pi'ow'elh and the 300,000+ annual site visitors.
All donations will directly support event expenses and be ceremonially distributed through the potlatch tradition - or gift giving tradition, practiced by the Coast Salish. WE is proudly sponsored by Lummi Nation Service Organization 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
"Hy'shqe, Thank You”
For joining us in support of community healing and the telling of our story at Pe'pi'ow'elh, English Camp.
For we understand the profound impacts these events will have on our community for, as respected elders have said the first part of any healing process is to know who you are and where you come from.
In the beginning two brothers were placed on earth in Somane. Finding no salmon, the older brother stopped at Melaxat (Saanich), but the younger brother, Swetan, continued to San Juan Island (Lummi), where he stopped to make a home. To both brothers, Xeles, gave gifts of the Salmon, the Reef Net (Sxwo’le), the Spear, Suin and Fire. (Excerpt from the Lummi Creation Story, Stern, 1934; Straits Salish History, Gary Morris, 2010)
Sxwo’le – The Reef Net
The reef net tradition is a cultural resurgence of Coast Salish social, economic, spiritual, and educational society. Lummi and Saanich relatives have built and set the first reef nets at hereditary fishing locations that have not been used in over a hundred years.
LUMMI REEF-NET REVITALIZATION
SAANICH REEF-NET REVITALIZATION
In Summer 2014, members of the Lummi Nation re-introduced the reef net fishing tradition to Lummi youth from the shores of San Juan Island National Historical Park's English Camp unit, Pe'pi'ow'elh. Hereditary Chief Bill James of Lummi Nation addressed the ceremony and gathering in Xwlemi Chosen (Lummi Language). The beach was blessed with the sand and water from Lummi Nation, and the traditional reef net canoe was launched. The Lummi Youth Canoe family paddled around the bay, as their ancestors once did, singing the Flood Song--Lummi Nation's creation song.
VISIT TO ENGLISH CAMP
In Summer 2015, members of the Lummi Nation held a traditional naming ceremony for two tribal members on the beach at Henry Island, a fishing site that has not been available to the tribe for generations. The naming took place in honor of the Spirit of the Sxwo'le, and the Keepers of the Tradition and Protectors of the Circle of Life.
This work builds upon the long-term vision for a Coast Salish Tribal Heritage Field Institute and Interpretive Center in the San Juan Islands.
Whiteswan Environmental [WE]
Whiteswan Environmental [WE] is the organizer of 100th NPS Centennial Anniversary Reef Net Captain Totem Pole & Salmon Storyboard Dedication, the Coast Salish Mini University camps, and the vision keepers for a future Coast Salish Tribal Heritage Field Institute and Interpretive Center in the Salish Sea.
Whiteswan Environmental (WE) have been working on short to long term restoration projects with the San Juan Islands National Historical Parks, San Juan Islands National Monument, FRIENDS of San Juans and San Juan Islands Conservation Corps to provide community healing through the natural, cultural and historical restoration to the Salish Sea for the next seven generations.
WE believes that by integrating and respecting our Schelangen (way of life) and the western science/STEM curricula, there will be intergenerational indigenous education on the ecological health issues of the past, present and future, therefore creating a resurgence of the Keepers of the Tradition and Protectors of the Circle of Life, or - next generation of historians and conservationists.
WE honor and welcome all to join us for the Totem Pole Dedication.
EVENT REGISTRATION
WHEN: Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (PDT)
WHERE: Pe'pi'ow'elh, English Camp
San Juan Island, Washington State
HY'SHQE: John and Charles Elliott from Saanich and Jewell James from Lummi Nation House of Tears, Nick Claxton, PhD and Lou Claxton from Saanich, San Juan Island (SJI) National Historical Parks, SJI National Monument, SJI Conservation Corps, Friends of the San Juans, Potlatch Fund, Whatcom Community Foundation, Lummi Nation Service Organization, Lummi Behavioral Health, Lummi Systems of Care Expansion, Lummi Law and Order, Lummi Natural Resources, Lummi Schelangen Department, Northwest Indian College, Indigenous Education Institute, UW Indigenous Wellness Research Center, Northwest Treaty Tribes; as well as the many other volunteers from the bio-regional Coast Salish universities, colleges and communities. And especially to those of whom we honor as the Keepers of the Tradition and Protectors of the Circle of Life at Lummi Youth Academy, Lummi Nation and Ta'kaiya Blaney who have ignited the fire for all that has manifested in the efforts to protect our ecological and holistic health.
The Reef Net Captain Totem Pole and Salmon Story Boards tell the story of the Chi'lange'lth, birth rights, which were a sacred gift from the Creator and on behalf of the next seven generations, the universal desire for peace, unity, balance, and sustainability for the salmon people are worth saving and we are all salmon people indigenous to mother earth.
We invite you to join with us by supporting this historical event to build intergenerational community knowledge, as well as understanding amongst cultures who share stewardship of Pe'pi'ow'elh and the 300,000+ annual site visitors.
All donations will directly support event expenses and be ceremonially distributed through the potlatch tradition - or gift giving tradition, practiced by the Coast Salish. WE is proudly sponsored by Lummi Nation Service Organization 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
"Hy'shqe, Thank You”
For joining us in support of community healing and the telling of our story at Pe'pi'ow'elh, English Camp.
For we understand the profound impacts these events will have on our community for, as respected elders have said the first part of any healing process is to know who you are and where you come from.
In the beginning two brothers were placed on earth in Somane. Finding no salmon, the older brother stopped at Melaxat (Saanich), but the younger brother, Swetan, continued to San Juan Island (Lummi), where he stopped to make a home. To both brothers, Xeles, gave gifts of the Salmon, the Reef Net (Sxwo’le), the Spear, Suin and Fire. (Excerpt from the Lummi Creation Story, Stern, 1934; Straits Salish History, Gary Morris, 2010)
Sxwo’le – The Reef Net
The reef net tradition is a cultural resurgence of Coast Salish social, economic, spiritual, and educational society. Lummi and Saanich relatives have built and set the first reef nets at hereditary fishing locations that have not been used in over a hundred years.
LUMMI REEF-NET REVITALIZATION
SAANICH REEF-NET REVITALIZATION
In Summer 2014, members of the Lummi Nation re-introduced the reef net fishing tradition to Lummi youth from the shores of San Juan Island National Historical Park's English Camp unit, Pe'pi'ow'elh. Hereditary Chief Bill James of Lummi Nation addressed the ceremony and gathering in Xwlemi Chosen (Lummi Language). The beach was blessed with the sand and water from Lummi Nation, and the traditional reef net canoe was launched. The Lummi Youth Canoe family paddled around the bay, as their ancestors once did, singing the Flood Song--Lummi Nation's creation song.
VISIT TO ENGLISH CAMP
In Summer 2015, members of the Lummi Nation held a traditional naming ceremony for two tribal members on the beach at Henry Island, a fishing site that has not been available to the tribe for generations. The naming took place in honor of the Spirit of the Sxwo'le, and the Keepers of the Tradition and Protectors of the Circle of Life.
This work builds upon the long-term vision for a Coast Salish Tribal Heritage Field Institute and Interpretive Center in the San Juan Islands.
Whiteswan Environmental [WE]
Whiteswan Environmental [WE] is the organizer of 100th NPS Centennial Anniversary Reef Net Captain Totem Pole & Salmon Storyboard Dedication, the Coast Salish Mini University camps, and the vision keepers for a future Coast Salish Tribal Heritage Field Institute and Interpretive Center in the Salish Sea.
Whiteswan Environmental (WE) have been working on short to long term restoration projects with the San Juan Islands National Historical Parks, San Juan Islands National Monument, FRIENDS of San Juans and San Juan Islands Conservation Corps to provide community healing through the natural, cultural and historical restoration to the Salish Sea for the next seven generations.
WE believes that by integrating and respecting our Schelangen (way of life) and the western science/STEM curricula, there will be intergenerational indigenous education on the ecological health issues of the past, present and future, therefore creating a resurgence of the Keepers of the Tradition and Protectors of the Circle of Life, or - next generation of historians and conservationists.
WE honor and welcome all to join us for the Totem Pole Dedication.
EVENT REGISTRATION
WHEN: Thursday, August 25, 2016 from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM (PDT)
WHERE: Pe'pi'ow'elh, English Camp
San Juan Island, Washington State
HY'SHQE: John and Charles Elliott from Saanich and Jewell James from Lummi Nation House of Tears, Nick Claxton, PhD and Lou Claxton from Saanich, San Juan Island (SJI) National Historical Parks, SJI National Monument, SJI Conservation Corps, Friends of the San Juans, Potlatch Fund, Whatcom Community Foundation, Lummi Nation Service Organization, Lummi Behavioral Health, Lummi Systems of Care Expansion, Lummi Law and Order, Lummi Natural Resources, Lummi Schelangen Department, Northwest Indian College, Indigenous Education Institute, UW Indigenous Wellness Research Center, Northwest Treaty Tribes; as well as the many other volunteers from the bio-regional Coast Salish universities, colleges and communities. And especially to those of whom we honor as the Keepers of the Tradition and Protectors of the Circle of Life at Lummi Youth Academy, Lummi Nation and Ta'kaiya Blaney who have ignited the fire for all that has manifested in the efforts to protect our ecological and holistic health.
Organiser
WE - One Mind for the Purpose of the Work .
Organiser
Bellingham, WA