In the testimony of Master Carver Jewell James, the totem itself is not sacred — it is only when it is touched and shared by many communities standing together that the totem becomes a lasting part of our memories and a symbol of our resistance.
The Lummi Nation’s annual Totem Pole Journey is taking a stand against coal and oil export in our region. Stand with them at events in Billings, Spokane, Olympia and Seattle.
Coal and oil extraction and export threaten the lands, waters, resources and human health of all of us, but none more so than the indigenous people who sit right in the path of destruction.
The coal terminal proposed for Cherry Point, WA would sit right on the ancestral lands of the Lummi. The mining of that coal would destroy Northern Cheyenne lands in Montana, and transport by rail would harm the fishing and treaty rights of Native Americans all along the way.
In protest against dirty and dangerous coal export and oil transport, Lummi carvers have created a new totem pole, which representatives from different tribes are taking on a journey from the Lummi ancestral home at Cherry Point to where the pole will be erected in the tar sands of Alberta. Along the way, tribal elders and community leaders will bless the totem pole.
If you can, please take part in this important journey by attending one of these stops along the way:
• Billings: August 24, 5-7pm at Riverfront Park. 7334 South Billings Blvd (Info and RSVP)
• Spokane: August 26th, 11-12:30pm at The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist 127 E 12th Ave (Info and RSVP)
• Olympia: Wednesday, August 27th, 1pm at Medicine Creek, Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge. To RSVP for the event or for information on carpools from south of Olympia email beth@climatesolutions.org
• Seattle: Friday, August 29th, 11:00 am—12:30 pm at St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, 1245 10th Ave East (Info and RSVP)
For more information visit www.totempolejourney.org
Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/totempolejourney
Follow us at #totempolejourney
Make No Bones About It 