By Rick Eggerth, Mount Baker Group
From July 24-28, 2019 canoe families from around the Northwest Coast and abroad will come together as the Lummi Nation welcomes them with the theme of Sqweshenet tse Schelangen: "Honoring our way of life with hope, healing and revitalization." This event is open to the public.
The Lummi people are honored to welcome all their relations traveling the traditional highways of the ancestors to participate in this year’s journey. Paddle to Lummi ( P2L) will celebrate, honor and preserve the unique cultural heritage of the Coast Salish people. Over 10,000 people and 100 canoes will be coming to the Lummi shores to participate. All who attend are invited to share in potlatch traditional song, dance, and testimonies that have provided generations of Lummi people with hope, healing, and happiness.
The journey honors the rich traditions of Coast Salish tribes of the Northwest, who travel the waters to meet and gather for trade, ceremony, and celebration. Canoe Journey holds special significance to Coast Salish Tribes as a time-honored way to honor and nourish the unique relationships and connections with the land, water, and one another.
The P2L Community Connections in Bellingham have been working hard to help the Lummi Nation prepare for welcoming an expected attendance of 10,000 people a day. Three areas need your support:
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Donations of money, goods and services
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Organizational work
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Fundraising, making gifts for potlatch, publicity and special events
Volunteers are needed to help out before and during the event. If you wish to volunteer, please go to: https://rebeccakinley.typeform.com/to/L5u2SF. If you like to donate, please go to: https://paddletolummi.org/.
If you would like to be connected with the local Community Connections group email Beth Brownfield at bethbrownf@aol.com (include full name, email, phone, in that order).
Tax deductible donations may be made to: LhaqTeMish Foundation (Memo to "Paddle to Lummi"), 2665 Kwina Rd., Bellingham, WA 98226.
For more information, see the Lummi Facebook page, and https://paddletolummi.org/.
Please contact us at MtBaker@washington.sierraclub.org if you have any questions or concerns.