Tribal Welcomes: What are they and why do we do them?
When North Sound ACH hosts large partner convenings and events, the Tribal Liaison is typically asked to find someone to do an opening for the convening or event. The Tribal Liaison asks tribal leaders and/or tribal members from the tribe whose traditional lands the gathering is being hosted on. For example, if an event is being hosted in Bellingham, tribal leaders from Nooksack or Lummi would be asked to do a welcome; if an event is being held in Darrington, a tribal leader from Sauk-Suiattle would be asked to do a welcome.
The significance of inviting tribal leaders to do an opening at North Sound ACH events is to recognize and respect the tribal nations who have been in this territory since time immemorial and will continue to be here into perpetuity. Tribal leaders and elders carry a vast and true type of historical knowledge of the land and places across Turtle Island. According to the Urban Native Collective, “‘Turtle Island’ is a term used by some Indigenous peoples, primarily those in North America, to refer to the continent. This name stems from various Indigenous creation stories which describe the landmass as being formed on the back of a giant turtle. The concept of Turtle Island is deeply significant in many Native American cultures as it reflects our spiritual beliefs and relationship with Mother earth.”
Left: danisəntən Michael Vendiola (Swinomish) doing the opening for the 2023 August Partner Convening at the Swinomish Casino and Hotel.
Right: Cheryl Raser (Swinomish), Huge Edwards (Swinomish), and Sophie Bailey (Swinomish) providing opening words and a song for the January 2023 Partner Convening at the Lynnwood Convention Center. Bailey is a longstanding Swinomish Senator. Edwards is an esteemed tribal leader of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Raser was the chair of North Sound ACH’s Tribal Alignment Committee.
Photos by Stacey Wegley
The history of Turtle Island from across Indian Country is shared and taught through generations of Native families and lineages, to the next leaders, and the next, and so on. Tribal leaders and elders carry historical knowledge in their DNA that stretches back over 10,000 years on this land. So when we ask a tribal leader to do an opening for our event, it is to honor that long history, survival, and perseverance of the First People of this land; it is to hear the words that they choose to say that day with the hope of learning something that we can carry forward in our work and in our lives.
Since 2019, North Sound ACH has been intentional about inviting a speaker from the tribes to open for events and convenings. It has become more of a common practice to ask a tribal leader to open at events that are put on by social justice minded organizations. Offering space at North Sound ACH convenings and events is an example of how we embody commitments and value the relationships to the tribal nations in the North Sound region.
Originally published in August 2024.