||| FROM STEPHANIE BUFFUM |||
A totem pole carved at the Lummi Nation from a 400-year-old red cedar will begin a cross-country journey next month, evoking an urgent call to protect sacred lands and waters of Indigenous people. The journey called the Red Road to DC, will culminate in early June in Washington, D.C.
Lummi tribal member Jewell Praying Wolf James with The House of Tears Carvers will kick-off the Red Road to DC Totem Pole Journey to Protect Sacred Sites with three stop-overs in their traditional territory of the San Juan Islands:
- San Juan Island – Monday, May 10, 2:30-4:30 pm, Pe’pi’ow’elh, Mitchell Bay Lhaq’temish Village (English Camp, San Juan Island National Historical Park)
- Orcas Island – Tuesday, May 11, 12:30-2 pm Orcas Island, Madrona Point Lhaq’temish Village
- Lopez Island – Tuesday, May 11, 4-5 pm Sxw’alech (Odlin County Park)
After traveling across traditional lands and throughout the US, the totem pole will be gifted to the Biden administration in June and displayed at the Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, DC.
All gatherings will abide by covid-19 safety measures of mask-wearing, socially distancing, and hand sanitizing. Events will also appear on Facebook Live.
Donations can be made at the event or to the:Lhaq’temish Foundation c/o House of Tears Carvers, 2665 Kwina Road, Bellingham WA 98226 (360) 312-2114
For more information, please contact:
- NW Road Manager, Sul ka dub Freddie Lane (360) 391-7560
- National Director, Dr. Kurt Russo (360) 961-4554
- San Juan Islands Stopover Coordinator, Stephanie Buffum (360) 472-0404
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