Lushootseed Language & Culture

Lushootseed Language & Culture/Swinomish Community Library

Lushootseed language, stories, culture and crafts offered for adults and children. Adult classes can be taken for college credit. All ages community library, by appointment. Onsite computers based in library, for adult use only.

Carmen Pastores Joe (Upper Skagit Tribe) is the language teacher for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community; this is her first video lesson in

"How to Welcome the Tribal canoes that will landon the shores of the Swinomish Tribe on July 25th 2011."

They will be traveling on the open waters of the Salish Seas. Some have already left their shores on July 2nd, traveling down from their First Nations traditional homelands. Others will be canoeing from as far away as Oregon and California; while other indigenous canoe families from Hawaii & New Zealand will also travel with the NW and First Nation Canoe families.

When they all land, there is special protocol that takes place. Skippers of the family canoes will ask permission (often in their own dialects/language) to come ashore. The response from the host speakers will be to welcome them ashore, to take part in the weeklong celebration and potlatch that happens on July 31st.

This video will help teach the traditional response & greetings from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Carmen was fortunate to learn the language from her Aunt Vi Hilbert "Taq-sha-blu" (also from the Upper Skagit Tribe)-she left specific words for her friends & family to welcome the canoes. There will be other language videos forthcoming also based on "Taq-sha-blu's" work.

Carmen Pastores-Joe, Librarian
PHONE: 360/466.7356

Tamara Cayou, Library Assistant
PHONE: 360/466.7357

Location & Mailing Address

Social Services Building
17337 Reservation Road
La Conner, WA

Hours of Operation

Call for appointments and for more information.

Lushootseed Language & Culture

contact

General Reception
Phone: (360) 466.3163