Project History

**UNDER CONSTRUCTION**

-Community Canoe Building Project

ISan Juan Island youth (grades 5-12) worked with one of the world’s top canoe builders from Lummi Nation, Dean Washington, to build 2 Coast Salish Canoes and their paddles in one week. These canoes will be part of a fleet of canoes to be used to explore our local waters. Partners of this project are Island Rec, San Juan Island School District, Spring Street International School, Friends of the San Juans and Kaigani Voyaging Society. The two canoes and paddles will be fully finished in seven days.

In 2015, Governor Jay Inslee signed a groundbreaking piece of legislation that mandates Washington kids learn history, culture, and government with input from the state’s 29 federally recognized Tribes. Participating in the Kids in Canoes program could serve as a place based gateway to implementation of “Since Time Immemorial: Tribal Sovereignty Curriculum.”

The San Juan Islands are at the center of the Salish Sea’s complex web of life and cultural diversity. Over 50 US and Canadian indigenous nations call the Salish Sea home. There are 29 federally recognized Tribes in Washington State. They have treaty rights and responsibilities in their historical territories in the United States—they have their own governments, jurisdictions, and economies. 8 US Tribes claim the San Juan Islands as their historical territory: Lummi, Swinomish, Suquamish, Tulalip, Samish and three S’Klallam tribes.

-Spring Street International School Voyage

-Island Rec Canoe Survival Program

-Salish Sea Sciences Program

-Wisdom of the Earth, Salt Spring Island, BC, Canada, youth exchange & Peace Ceremony

-Salish Sea Sciences & Seattle "Unleash the Brilliance" Program Voyage

-Project Wayfinder, Stanford University

-Wayfinder Wellness of Friday Harbor co-host film screening of, "We the Voyagers, Lata's Children" with filmmaker Dr Mimi George, Pacific Traditions Society, Vaka Taumako Project

SOME ORIGINAL VIDEOS FROM THE ARCHIVES