Aug 6th, 2021: Beach Clean-Up @ Richmond Beach Saltwater Park & Canoe Landing

A young man and beach clean-up volunteer checks out the carving style of a Coast Salish canoe paddle that the Blue Heron canoe family uses to pull during canoe travel.
Why we work with Coast Salish tribes & support Canoe Journey

We integrate cultures in the Salish Sea to re-forge healthy, reciprocal
relationships that were historically strained while cultural genocide was
perpetuated through colonialism. Canoe culture is social permaculture and
representative of the permaculture ethic: Care of People. Understanding
canoe culture is a vital element to understanding Coast Salish peoples and
leads to the permaculture ethic: Care of Earth. Travel on the water by human
and wind power teaches leadership, teamwork, softens our fossil fuel footprint,
and provides a vessel for marine environmental science and naturalist skills.
Wildlife viewing is non-invasive without engine noise or exhaust. The
historical practice of fish harvest and trade using canoes demonstrates the
permaculture ethic: Share the Surplus.
relationships that were historically strained while cultural genocide was
perpetuated through colonialism. Canoe culture is social permaculture and
representative of the permaculture ethic: Care of People. Understanding
canoe culture is a vital element to understanding Coast Salish peoples and
leads to the permaculture ethic: Care of Earth. Travel on the water by human
and wind power teaches leadership, teamwork, softens our fossil fuel footprint,
and provides a vessel for marine environmental science and naturalist skills.
Wildlife viewing is non-invasive without engine noise or exhaust. The
historical practice of fish harvest and trade using canoes demonstrates the
permaculture ethic: Share the Surplus.
2021-2022 Programming:

On Sacred Ground has been awarded a grant by the Hazel Miller Foundation for its Salish Sea Traveling Marine Environmental Education Program to teach how canoe culture, tribes, Orca, salmon and healthy shorelines and headwaters are an integrative and vital practice to supporting healthy fisheries and a robust marine ecosystem in the Puget Sound. We value the linking of island and mainland communities to acknowledge the complete mountains to sound ecosystem.
San Juan Island Community Foundation has also supported this program ~
Thank you to our foundation supporters for this great work!
Photo Header: Samish & Stillaguamish Nation canoes land at Camp Orkila on Orcas Island
Photo Top Left: Kaigani transports students from Spring Street International School around San Juan Island Photo Above Right: Sam Barr of Samish Nation skippers Xwecheng around Brown Island Photo Right: Dr. Deborah Giles of Wild Orca shares Southern Resident Killer Whale science with students at Lynnwood High School Photo Below Right: Mike Evans, Chair of the Snohomish Tribe & the Blackfish dancers from Blue Heron Canoe Family perform for Lynnwood High School 9th graders Photo Below: Sarah Hanson and Matt Wickey skipper Island Rec students around English Camp ( Pep'iewelth) on San Juan Island |