Lopez Indigenous Celebration 2024 was a beautiful intercultural collaboration and an inspiring opportunity to recognize and celebrate the history, culture, and present-day leadership of the Coast Salish tribes.
Tribal members from more than 15 sovereign nations came to Lopez Island to share culture, environmental stewardship, history, and delicious food. This year’s celebration coincided with the arrival of canoes from the Coast Salish Youth Coalition (Madrona Institute) and the Blue Heron Canoe People. More than 300 people gathered and it continues to grow!
Lopez Indigenous Day was launched two years ago by LIFRC’s staff and Voices and Visions leader Aurora Sqwemey7ileshewó:t Martinez and Contessa Downey (Confederated Tribes of Siletz).
We are immensely grateful to NorthSound ACH (NSACH) who has invested in Lopez Island. Their mentorship, guidance and grant funding are invaluable. An Indigenous Planning Council has been meeting since 2023 with the goal of expanding the “annual indigenous celebration” to include land acknowledgements through intertribal youth mural projects. The regional Planning Council, which coordinates with 8 tribal nations, includes Sam Qol7ánten Barr (Coast Salish Youth Coalition),and Marco Morales and Michaela Vendiola (NSACH) and Aurora Martinez, Contessa Downey, and Susannah Dunlap (LIFRC).
Multiple murals are being developed for Lopez Island thanks to a NSACH grant to LIFRC. Two mural have been designed by Sam Qol7ánten Barr. One will be installed at the Lopez Island Historical Society and Museum, and another will be installed on the LIFRC building. Additional murals are currently being planned for other Lopez locations.
In May, Lopez youth artists Kimber Estey, Saskia and Beate Fischer Downey, Jake Jones, and Ana-Sophia Rempel traveled to Whidbey Island to attend the Coast Salish Youth Coalition Camas Bake and participate in the mural painting.
Aurora Martinez explains, “The mural project is intertribal, intergenerational work with youth and adults, each adding an integral piece to the mural. Elders share stories about the work that is being done and why these projects are so important.”
Thanks to funding from the North Sound ACH, the Inatai Foundation grant for Voices & Visions leaders, and community donations, LIFRC is able to support tribal members with food, lodging and logistics that they request, which in turn has resulted in numerous other indigenous led projects.
Building upon LIFRC youth engagement/leadership programs, this year’s event also provided an important youth leadership opportunity. More than 27 Lopez youth helped plan, prepare, deliver and serve meals to the canoe families. They were invited to share campfire time, protocol and join the CSYC paddle to Shaw Island for stewardship learning and camas planting.
The Lopez Farmers Market hosted tribal vendors and performances. Rosie Cayou James and Ginger James cooked up their amazing frybread. The Blue Heron Canoe Family, including Loni and Scott Long and their children, showcased traditional weavings, baskets, and beadwork, and shared songs and dances.
At Odlin Park, a series of community education sessions were held including: Peter Ali, a flutist who performed, and Leslie Eastwood & Sam Barr who shared Coast Salish History, and plant-based crafting.
The day culminated in an epic potluck – Sx’wálech Style. Hugs all around to the Lopez parents who worked with the youth leaders on the potluck: Belen Godinez, Candace Downey, Claudia Rempel, Liliana Coro, Maria Teresa Hernandez, and Sara Jones.
And a VERY special thanks to all the cooks, farmers, local catering companies, restaurants and organizations who made all of the wonderful meals over several days: Belen Godinez; Christine Langley; El Taco ‘Bout It; Friends of the Lopez Canoe Landings; Holly B’s Bakery; Liliana Coro, Lopez Famers Market; Lopez Island Historical Society and Museum; Maria Teresa Hernandez; San Juan County Parks, Recreation & Fair Department; Sweetbriar Farm; Taproot Community Kitchen; Traditional Foodways (from Orcas Island); Vita’s Wildly Delicious, and Vortex Cafe.
We are grateful for our friends and partnerships with Coast Salish tribes, leaders, educators and communities. We humbly acknowledge that we reside on the ancestral lands and waters of the Coast Salish people, their sacred territory since time immemorial. We strive to honor inherent, aboriginal and treaty rights that have been passed down from generation to generation. We are thankful to work together to support the next generation of land stewards and cultural leaders who are building an intercultural collaboration that is creating a better world for us all.