Kids and Canoes

Similar canoes built at English Camp last August – Tim Dustrude photo

Kids and Canoes – A Place Based Curriculum during the week of April 21-28

Canoe builder Dean Washington – Tim Dustrude photo

San Juan Island youth (grades 5-12) will work 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. Amazing!

Schedule:

• Friday, April 21, will be a public talk by Salish elder and canoe master builder Dean Washington at the Friday Harbor HS STEM building from 6:30-8:00pm. Public is Welcome!
• Saturday through Friday, April 22-28, 14 students will build 2 strip cedar canoes and paddles at the Friday Harbor HS STEM building. Full days on Saturday and Sunday, and after school on Monday through Friday.
• Friday, April 28, will be a public viewing of the canoe and paddles at the Friday Harbor HS STEM building from 3:30 -5:30 pm. Public is Welcome!

Sponsorship:
A GoFundMe account is set-up for donations – Click here to make a donation.

• $1,000 – your name will appear on one of the seats in the canoe , you will receive a custom built canoe paddle built by the youth, you will be invited to go on a celebratory canoe trip, and be able to attend the canoe launching picnic
• $500 – you will receive a custom built canoe paddle built by the youth, your name will appear on one of the canoe’s paddles, and you will be able to attend the canoe launching picnic
• $250 – your name will appear on one of the canoe’s paddles and you will be able to attend the canoe launching picnic
• $100 – you will be able to attend the canoe launching picnic

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.

For more information contact Lowell Jons 360-643-3024; Stephanie Buffum 360-378-2319 or any partner group.

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