Lummi Nation hosting local gathering for the Salish Sea and its orca population

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The Lummi Nation is coordinating a Blaine gathering of tribal leaders, environmental groups and faith organizations to encourage greater protection of the Salish Sea and the southern resident orca population.

On Friday, September 27, the Lummi Nation will host an event titled Netse Mot: One Mind for Xw’ullemy (the Salish Sea). People will start to gather at 4:30 p.m. at the Jorgensen Pier at the end of Marine Drive in Blaine. Meanwhile, kayaks, canoes and boats will gather around the Salish Sea purse seiner in the water. Small crafts can launch from the public boat launch on Milhollin Drive.

“The goal of the event is to inspire engagement and hope for people who wish to help preserve and protect the Salish Sea and the orcas,” said Kurt Russo, one of the organizers. “We want to inform the public of what a remarkable treasure we have in the Salish Sea, so that we can bring it back to its full vigor.”

On the fishing pier, remarks will be delivered by Lummi Nation leaders and tribal leaders from north of the border, as well as representatives of environmental NGOs and faith organizations. The family-friendly event will also feature singing, a water blessing and a unity circle.

Commemorative photographs of southern resident orcas who have perished will be on display. There will also be a special focus on Tokitae, or Lolita, an orca who is currently being held in captivity at a Miami marine park.

Blaine was chosen for the event because of its location on the U.S.-Canada border. “Orcas and salmon and indigenous people don’t know borders,” said Russo. “The Lummis have relatives that are very tight on both sides of the border. The border is an artifact of another way of looking at the world.”

For more information about the event, visit sacredsea.org.

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