Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut Update and World Water Day Blessings

BUF has supported Lummi Nation over the years in their efforts to secure the return of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut/Tokitae/Lolita, who was forcibly taken from our waters in the 1970s.  We’ve hosted two Totem Pole Journeys with her at the focus and have supported other efforts and events to protect the Salish Sea and the Southern Resident Orcas.  The USDA has recently told the Miami Seaquarim (MSQ) that they will no longer be allowed to publicly display her, use her to perform and the stadium where she now resides will no longer be open to the public.  Should MSQ decide they want to continue her public appearances, they will be required to apply for a new license.  This past summer the USDA conducted an investigation of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s health, treatment, and facility and found many problems, hence, the shutdown.  

Here's a background video:  https://vimeo.com/266726774

Here are updates over the past few weeks:  

• TokiTV Episode 1:  https://www.facebook.com/annette.martinez.562/videos/650675879476173
• TokiTV Episode 2:  https://www.facebook.com/annette.martinez.562/videos/652208605898662
• TokiTV Episode 3:  https://www.facebook.com/annette.martinez.562/videos/1034844380461638

On March 20^th, in honor of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut and UN World Water Day, we are calling on everyone to offer a Blessing for the waters which are so vital to our survival and to our relatives of the water and elsewhere.  Take a few minutes out of your day either on the 20th and offer up a prayer with us for the Qwe 'lhol mechen (Relatives under the Water-Orcas), Sk'aliCh'elh-tenaut, Chief Tsi'li'xw Bill James - who tasked us to bring her home and protect the Salish Sea and for the Gift of Water that has been given us.  We will be livestreaming Blessings starting at 12:00 pm on YouTube and Facebook.  Watch the Orca Network Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/groups/529407417240057)