"Our Hearts Beat As One" Community Honoring & Book Launch

Event Details

When
Sep 19, 2024 from 07:00 PM to 08:30 PM
Where
Sehome High School, Bellingham
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A Nature of Writing speaker series event, presented in partnership with Village Books

FACEBOOK EVENT DETAILS

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Dive into the story of a young NW orca who was stolen from her family and sold to a theme park. Learn how she became a beloved performer, inspired people across the world to fight for her freedom, and how Lummi Nation worked to bring her home. Follow the story of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut, the orca also known as Tokitae or Lolita. Stolen from her family in 1970, this Puget Sound orca was sold to the Miami Aquarium where she performed for over 50 years.

The Lummi people, a Native tribe in Northwestern Washington State, consider the local orcas to be part of their human family. Members of Lummi Nation worked to bring their relation back home, and succeeded in bringing tribes, politicians, corporations, philanthropists, and activists together for common cause. Sk’aliCh’elht-tenaut was on the verge of homecoming when she suddenly died in captivity.

This book's creative team includes members from the Lummi Nation. It  aims to include and honor Native stories, values and perspectives. This event will include music, an honoring of the Lummi tribal members who worked to bring Sk’aliCh’elht-enaut home, a bilingual reading of the story and display of the artwork.