We Will Rise Again: Lummi Nation Totem Pole Journey – Coupeville

Join the Tokitae Totem pole on the 2019 Journey – full list of locations and events at: https://www.facebook.com/pg/totempolejourney/events/?ref=page_internal

Orca Network and the Lummi Nation invite your participation in a gathering in Coupeville, Whidbey Island, on the shores of Penn Cove, where Tokitae/Lolita was captured in 1970. This event is dedicated to the vision of Qwe lhol mechen, the Lummi word for killer whale which translates to “our people that live under the sea”. It is part of our Xa Xalh Xechnging (“sacred obligation”) to bring home from Miami Seaquarium the captive killer whale Tokitae and return her to her family. During this event, Lummi will share her appropriate cultural name to help call her home ~

We especially invite those who witnessed the orca captures to join us for this special healing event, and share your stories.

The gathering is also dedicated to the survival and revival of her imperiled extended family—the Southern Resident Killer Whale population that live in our Salish Sea (Puget Sound) and range up and down the west coastal waters from California to BC, Canada. The Salish Sea orcas are a sort of “miner’s canary” for the health of the sea and the wider ecosystem. Critically endangered, the threats they face range from climate change, starvation, toxic and sound pollution, oil pipelines and tanker traffic.

This journey is ultimately a vision of resilience, truth, belonging, and healing for the for Qwe lhol mechen and for us all in a troubled time from which We Shall Rise Again.

Joining us in Coupeville will be some of our favorite musicians:
~ Dana Lyons – Rise for the Orca Tour
~ Swil Kanim
~ Peter Ali

Presenting during the event will be Howard Garrett and Susan Berta of Orca Network, and Jewel and Doug James, Lummi Nation Totem Journey.