Grateful for the old year; excited for the new one

by | Jan 8, 2023 | Uncategorized

We are hopeful that 2023 will see Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut come home

We wish you all a happy new year! We are grateful for what 2022 gave us. Highlights include:

  • Lhaq’temish prayer and healing ceremonies for Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut and her family;
  • the Listening Conference in December;
  • Eduardo Albor’s declaration that he, Miami Seaquarium, and the Dolphin Company are “100%” supportive of bringing Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut home when she is ready.

Our hearts are glad knowing that Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut is now receiving the best possible care. We remain committed to the work to bring her home. The next few steps in this work must be taken mindfully, so that the steps that follow are sure and swift.

Next steps include:

  • Continued improvement of Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s health. We need to make sure that her health is robust enough to withstand the journey and the incredible change of being in home waters.
  • Continued enrichment. These experiences and exercises are good for her right now and also help prepare her mind, body, and soul for coming home.
  • Strategy and negotiations for permits, permissions, and funds to secure her transport and Xwlemi Tokw (Lummi Home). We have determined a few excellent candidate sites for her seapen in the Salish Sea. Governmental agencies, tribal entities, or other stakeholders in her potential Xwlemi Tokw site will be appropriately engaged at the right time.

As always, we will share news on this process when there is news to share.

Bringing Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut home is our Xa xalh Xechning (sacred obligation). It is work to heal families, to repair that which has been broken. This work takes all of us, Netse mot I shwolowen, of one mind and one heart. We are always grateful for your engagement, generosity, prayers, and love. Hy’shqe!

This video is of a ceremony convened by Lhaq’temish matriarch Squil-le-he-le Raynell Morris. The prayers offered at Xwe’chi’eXen (Cherry Point) included messages to Sk’aliCh’elh-tenaut’s mother Ocean Sun and her qwe’lhol’mechen family. For use of this video, hy’shqe to Annette Martinez, who also hosts Toki TV on Thursdays and Sundays.