Between Two Worlds

Answering a need for Indigenous science education for Swinomish youth, the DEP developed Between Two Worlds (BTW) in 2019. The program is directed to create and implement Indigenous science curricula for 9th-12th grades at the La Conner High School. We also offer opportunities for youth to participate in our programming outside of the La Conner School District class, and can offer extra-curricular credits for students who participate in our activities outside of the registered class. 

2024–2025 School Year

This year the Between Two Worlds program is participating in the La Conner Learning Community (LCLC), and offering classes throughout the year and a 6-week block in the spring semester. We are excited to be able to offer students longer blocks of time to engage in our activities, including longer field trips, deeper conversations with community members, and more culturally inclusive programming. 

How the Curriculum is Created

BTW instructors collaborate with scientists in the DEP as well as other contributors from the Swinomish Tribal departments, community, and local environmental education organizations. The content is then shaped through a Swinomish cultural lens, considering our history, traditions, values, and ways of knowing. As the curriculum is designed to be experiential and place-based, field trips to our natural areas on the Reservation are a key element for our Youth to experience and see our Swinomish science on the ground.

High School Credits

This program is an accredited class available to any students registered at La Conner High School. Students are able to experience natural science topics relevant to the area such as hydrogeology, nearshore, water quality, air quality, salmon populations, restoration, habitat and ecosystems, and ethnobotany, while also being provided hands-on activities that give back to the community.

Our Collaborations

We've collaborated with many organizations and are always grateful for new and recurring contributions. Here's a few generous people we've worked with over the last few years:

• Swinomish Fisheries;
• Swinomish Wildlife;
• Skagit River System Cooperative;
• Padilla Bay National Estuarine Reserve;
• Swinomish Archives;
• Swinomish Tribal Historic Preservation Office;
• Swinomish Education;
• Senators, Elders, & Community members.

If you or your department are interested in participating in the Between Two Worlds program, please get in touch.

Highlighted Activities

While our curriculum and activities change yearly, below are some highlights from past school years. We hope to provide similar experiences for our students in the upcoming school year. 

• Lunch and Learns: Community members join our class to share food and discuss topics like Tribal sovereignty, Swinomish history, food sovereignty, and stewardship. This provides the opportunities for students to meet with knowledge-holders in our community, ask questions, and have an inter-generational sharing of knowledge.
• Sea to Table: In the Sea to Table experience, our students had the opportunity to join Swinomish crabbers and experience the full process of ethical harvesting, processing, and enjoying a freshly caught crab lunch. Students learned about the Swinomish crab harvesting areas and practices from Tino Villaluz and Jesse Edwards.
• Overnight camping: We have brought students on extended trips, including camping overnight at locations including Washington Park (Anacortes), Deception Pass State Park, and throughout the Swinomish Usual and Accustomed Areas. We hope to provide more extended camping opportunities in the future!
• San Juan Island field trips: We have had the opportunity to take our students out to the San Juan Islands to explore James Island, go whale watching, harvest camas, and identify culturally modified trees. We are excited to continue collaborating with the Salish Sea School to provide more opportunities like this in the future!
• Salmon in the Classroom: The Between Two Worlds class hosted the Skagit Fisheries Enhancement Group’s Salmon in the Classroom program. We received 200 Coho salmon eggs in January and helped care for the eggs and juvenile salmon until they were ready to be released. The Between Two Worlds class and second grade classes took a field trip to Hansen Creek to release the juvenile salmon in April 2024.
• Seattle Aquarium: Students did a behind the scenes tour to see how the aquarium operates, learned from aquarium staff about their career development and educational training, and careers related to the aquarium.