Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the coast salish people traditional…

Awards issued prior to january 20, 2025, were funded under previous administrations and may not reflect the priorities and policies of the current administration.** the coast salish people traditional lifestyle consisted of gathering plants, collecting shellfish/salmon and hunting animals such as deer (smeyes,) bears (SCH'EX'WEN,) and ducks (MOE'QXW.) learning how to gather and harvest helped ensure the survival of our people. Throughout the seasons we all had a role, and had to learn and know how to live off land.northwest indian college (nwic) is located on the lummi indian reservation in bellingham, WA, which is home to the lhlaq'temish (people of the sea.) lhlaq'temish elders taught the younger generations on how to use sustainable harvesting techniques, so our traditional plants and foods continue to thrive for future use. Using the techniques allows US today to gather western red cedar (xepy'ilch) for basketry weaving, and go fishing for king salmon (yomech), and walk along the trails to collect salmonberries (e'LI'LE) or go to the mountains to gather devil's club (kwenen-eplh.) the devil's club will beprocessed into an herbal healing oil for salves and lotions. After the devil's club is fully processed the stick can be made into beads or a drum stick.there are many excellent programs that address curriculum that are focused specifically on traditional foods and medicines. Under this project, the cultural educational activities will incorporate many styles of learning including engaging the senses such as going on gathering walks around the lummi community (portage, PT. Francis, stommish.) we will demostrate and host hands-on activities EX. Making healing salves, collecting native plants to process into herbal teas or into herbal infused oils to make soothing lotions.) these types of activities help encourage people to remember teachings and build new knowledge from this. Throughout the academic school year, the traditional plants and foods program will also invite local tribal elders to share their oral stories about growing up on the reservation, learning about past traditional gathering/harvesting sites, etc.