Solidarity for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut on the 50th anniversary of her captivity

O Si’am ne schaleche sii’am (dear friends and relations),

We thank you for standing with us in solidarity for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut at a virtual event on September 24th, the 50th anniversary of her captivity at Miami Seaquarium. We traveled to Miami and held ceremony as part of our Xa xalh Xechnging (sacred obligation) to care for our relation and work to bring her home. Estitem-sen (we are trying our best)!

This hour-long  Facebook LiveStream event featured:

• Seminole opening prayer
• Water Ceremony for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut
• a short film about Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s history
• Statement of Solidarity from International Indigenous Leaders
• words from our partners at Earth Law Center, Northwest Indian College, Florida International University’s Global Indigenous Forum, and Whale Sanctuary Project
• Ways for the public to engage with and support the work
• the Blackhawk Singers of Lummi Nation
• videos from international Indigenous ceremonies for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut

Bringing Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut home will help heal her family and ours. Bringing her home will help heal the Salish Sea. Bringing her home will be a step in upholding the rights of Indigenous Peoples throughout the world who are working to protect their homes, their relations, and their ancestral ways.

Hy’shqe (thank you)!

Squil-le-he-le and Tah-Mahs