NWIN #15 – May 2006

Lummi Tribal member Chenoa Egawa hosts the program from the Muckleshoot Reservation near Auburn, Washington, where the Muckleshoot Tribe is preparing to host the 2006 canoe journey  entitled: “Past and Present, Pulling Together For Our Future.” NWIN visits with the Canoe Family during culture night, to talk with Captain Walter Pacheco and Cultural Coordinator Dawnda Nahanee.

“Tlingit Ancestral Lands in Glacier Bay National Park”
Glacier Bay National Park in southeastern Alaska was once home to the Huna Tlingit tribe. Today, the park service and the Tribe are working together to allow Tribal members access to their traditional ceremonial and hunting grounds. Morgan Howard, Tlingit, reports.

“Heritage University”
About twenty four years ago, two visionary women had an idea to create what is now ‘Heritage University.’ Today,  Heritage University is a four year, accredited,  non-profit university located on the Yakama Indian Reservation. More than 13 hundred students from many diverse cultures, primarily from south central Washington State, are on their way to receiving  degrees, as a result of the vision and effort of the two women.
Ronnie Washines, Yakama, reports.

“Canoe Carving”
As Tribes throughout the Pacific coast make ready for Canoe Journey 2006, a group of Native youth led by Haida Master Carver, Saaduutz, are carving a seagoing canoe, so that they will be able to participate in the event taking place this year on nearby Lake Washington. The Red Eagle Soaring, acting and performing troupe, make up the majority of the youth learning how to carve. Many are Tribal members from Bands and Tribes that have not traditionally carved seagoing canoes. The project gives the youth an opportunity to participate in an event they might otherwise not be able to attend.
Rachael Nez, Navajo, reports.

Program Close: The Muckleshoot Canoe Family practices their Tribal songs and dances in preparation for hosting the upcoming canoe journey 2006.