Father and Skipper of the Blue Heron Canoe: Mike Evans, “didahalqid”, wears many hats and is also known as; The honorable Chair of the Snohomish Tribe of Indians. Colibrí Soul Studio has collaborated with the Blue Heron Canoe People and Natives Unite in Journey to help further their continuation of community building and educational programs.

The Blue Heron Canoe People are a collective group of adults and students that come together to participate in the yearly Native American International Canoe Journey. Everyone is considered family and learns the ways and importance in carrying on the indigenous culture of the Coast Salish People through:

• Carving paddles from Yellow Cedar and Big Leaf Maple for the canoe journey

• Collecting Cedar for gift making

• Gift making for the potlach gatherings and during journey

• Learning the Lushootseed Language

• Learning leadership through the Coast Salish Culture

• Story telling

• Plant identification and uses

• Paddle practice & canoe safety for Salish Sea waters

• Fundraising to help support other students participating in these culturally important events

• Public speaking and learning protocol for arriving at Host Nations during the canoe journey

Visit Blue Heron Canoe Family Website

Natives unite in journey

Karen Condos, president

• A 501c-3 program was created to benefit the Native American Youth in the greater Seattle area to achieve a higher education in a timely manner, while embracing their Native American Culture. This is through various activities and with a hands-on approach.

• Enhancing pride and self-esteem in our youth by encouraging community leaders and educating the community in the Indigenous ways.

• Support of the Canoe Journey with the Snohomish Blue Heron Canoe People

• Materials for gift making for canoe journey: wood burning, bead work, making drums, and weaving with Cedar bark.

• Carrying on indigenous traditions

Colibri Soul Studio has collaborated with the Blue Heron Canoe People & Natives Unite in Journey in creating greeting cards influenced by Snohomish Coastal Indigenous art and stories. All proceeds go to supporting Natives Unite In Journey and provide full and partial scholarships for students to take part in the canoe journey. Printing is sponsored and made possible by The Center for Service Learning, Edmonds Community College.

Each card features one of the images below with the Lushootseed name and English translation. Inside each card is the story of the Blue Heron Canoe People, written by didahalquid. If you are interested in purchasing a set of these cards, please contact Karen Condos, President of Natives Unite In Journey at Kcondos@comcast.net.

Events/programs

Antioch University, Seattle - Canoe teachings

Black Fish Celebration (3 years)

Bothell Historical Society (2 years)

Chinook 1st Salmon Ceremony (10 years)

Chinook Winter Gathering (10+ years)

Coastal Jams (15 years)

Duwamish Holiday Bizarre (11 years)

Edmonds Community College (EdCC) Gift Making Workshops (5 years)

Edmonds Community College (EdCC) Canoe Journey (7 years)

Ethnobotanical Garden, Gold Park (7 years)

Folk Life, Seattle (4 years)

Kent School District Native Program (2+ years)

Kent / Renton Music Program (3 years)

Kent Native Drum Making Class (2 years)

Kent International Festival (6 years)

For more information on Natives Unite in Journey

Contact Karen Condos, President at Kcondos@comcast.net