Whatcom / Lummi / Nooksack / Bellingham area residents: 

If you feel so moved, please sign & share (!) this petition encouraging the City of Bellingham and Whatcom County to issue Proclamations recognizing the natural rights of killer whales, specifically our Southern Residents.

https://www.change.org/p/encourage-whatcom-co-bellingham-proclamations-recognizing-the-natural-rights-of-orcas?utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=custom_url&recruited_by_id=067fea90-b4b8-11ea-8f59-41e78f83d9f6

WHEREAS, we make our homes and live our lives on Lhaq’temish and Coast Salish territories, and strive to embody the traditional ways of this place by practicing right, reciprocal relationship with these lands and waters and the native life contained herein,

WHEREAS, the Lhaq’temish term for orca – qwe’lhol’mechen – means “people under the water,” and recognizes the many ways in which orcas and humans are alike, both of us having unique and complex societies, loving families, language, culture, rituals, and song,

WHEREAS, ancestral teachings hold that that Lhaq’temish people and the Southern Resident Orcas in particular are one single family, with some members living above the water, and some wearing orca regalia that allows them to live below water, and all depending on wild Pacific salmon for physical, cultural, and spiritual sustenance,

WHEREAS, the natural rights of the “people under the water,” like the natural rights of those of us on land, include but are not limited to the right to life; sovereignty; culture; free and safe passage; and freedom from human-caused conditions causing famine or any other physical, emotional, or mental harm,

WHEREAS, our Southern Resident qwe’lhol’mechen neighbors and relations face extinction if we humans do not take meaningful action to ensure their survival and well-being, and the survival and well-being of the wild salmon on which they depend,

WHEREAS, we recognize that those among us who are Lhaq’temish, the qwe’lhol’mechen, and the wild salmon are profoundly entwined with one another, and so our love and good action for one is love and good action for all,

NOW, THEREFORE, we urge the governments of Whatcom County and the City of Bellingham to immediately pass Proclamations that in no way compromise or infringe upon Lhaq’temish Treaty rights and do positively affirm and promote the natural rights of qwe’lhol’mechen to exist as they have since time immemorial.

 

All events and activities are open to the public!

Esqalph etse Kwelengsen 

(Gathering of the Eagles) 

May 21-29, 2023

CANOE PADDLE • POTLATCH & ALLIANCE OF PROTECTORS STRATEGY SESSION

 

We are so honored to be hosting the 3rd Annual Esqalph etse Kwelengsen ‘Gathering of the Eagles,’ a mini-canoe journey, potlatch and strategy session with the Alliance of Earth, Sky & Water Protectors, May 21-29, 2023. We invite you to celebrate a week-long canoe journey throughout the San Juan Islands with our destination landing at Lummi Nation on Friday, May 26^th about 4:00 pm. 

• Event details for each day can be found here:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/348680987204571 or full details on events happening right now and throughout May 29th,
• Check the info packet here: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vPDfHkO1xDGPBSAhTmBTuReRQ5XrMA61/view?usp=share_link

 

Help support the event, connect with Tribal members, explore and experience Tribal cultures and learn how we can support a shared future honoring the Earth and each other.  Volunteers are needed to:

• Help manage the various activities and events (food prep and service, clean-up, etc.)

• Homestays for visitors (many will be UUs)

• Potluck meal contributions (or grocery items)! if you're planning on attending any of the meals, please consider bringing a food disk item to share.

Contact Deb Cruz @ dwcruz@comcast.net if you’re interested in lending a hand.

 

Financial donations are needed and gratefully accepted as well.  It is with your generous contributions that the Gathering of the Eagles is able to Unite Earth, Sky & Water Protectors with infrastructure needs, travel and food for all who visit our territory. All gifts are tax-deductible in partnership with our allies at Catskill Mountainkeeper.

Donate here:  https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/house_of_tears_carvers_donations

 

Join and follow the Canoe Paddle • May 21-26

Canoes:  Carvers Camp from Tacoma WA, Chief Leschi School from Puyallup and Hawaiian Voyaging Canoe Society from Maui HI

• May 21st Lopez Island
• May 22nd San Juan Island
• May 24th Orcas Island 

On Lummi Nation reservation join in the Potlach and Strategy Sessions • May 26-29

2877 Lummi Shore Drive Bellingham WA 98226

• May 25th Volunteer Orientation (Wex’liem Community Bldg)
• May 26th Canoe Landing @ Lummi Nation (Stommish Grounds)
• May 27th Honoring Potlatch (Wex’liem Community Bldg)
• May 28th Alliance Strategy Circle (Wex’liem Community Bldg)
• May 29th Alliance Strategy Talks (Wex’liem Community Bldg)

May 26^th Canoe Landing at Lummi

4:00 pm - Landing Ceremony, Lummi Stommish Grounds

5:00 pm – Dinner, Wex’liem Community Bldg (bring a potluck dinner dish)

6:00 pm - Protocol Ceremony, Wex’liem Community Bldg

 

May 27^th Potlatch & Honoring Ceremony

Esqalph etse Kwelengsen will host an honoring ceremony potlatch-style with a water blessing ceremony, public testimony, food and gift-exchanges including a healing ceremony.  Our featured speakers include:  Jim Thomas (Tlingit), Jewell James (Lummi), Esther Lewis (Dine’) Rueben George (Tsleil-Waututh).  The Gathering will also be Honoring Women Warriors:

Amy George – Tsleil-Waututh

Fawn Sharp – Quinault Nation

Deborah Parker – Tulalip Tribe

Winona LaDuke – Anishinaabekwe

7:00 am:  Breakfast (bring a potluck breakfast dish)

9:00 am:  Water Blessing Ceremony

10:00 am:  Welcoming and Public Testimony

11:00 am:  Lunch (bring a potluck lunch dish)

12:30 pm:  Calling of Witnesses and Explanation of Spiritual Work

1:30 pm:  Ceremony

4:00 pm:  Healing and Protectors Blessing

4:45 pm:  Acknowledgements

5:00 pm:  Dinner (bring a potluck dinner dish)

6:30 pm:  Coastal Jam • Cultural Exchanges • Presentations

11:00 pm

 

May 28^th Alliance Strategy Sessions

7:00 am:  Breakfast (bring a potluck breakfast dish)

8:00 am:  Prayer Circle

9:00 am:  Alliance of Earth, Sky & Water Protectors

12:00 pm:  Lunch (bring a potluck lunch dish)

1:00 pm:  Afternoon breakout Session I

3:00 pm:  Afternoon breakout Session I 

5:00 pm:  Dinner (bring a potluck dinner dish)

 

May 29th, 2023 Alliance Strategy Talks

7:00 am:  Breakfast (bring a potluck breakfast dish)

8:00 am:  Prayer Circle

9:00 am:  9:00 am:  Alliance of Earth, Sky & Water Protectors and Apache Stronghold (Oak Flat)

12:00 pm:  Clam Bake