Indigenous Stories

Young paddlers compete in a traditional canoe race as part of Swinomish Days at Swinomish Nation near LaConner, Washington

Carving Cultural Connections. Over a two year period, Haida artisan Saaduuts, who had rediscovered his culture after a long absence from his native community, taught a group of elementary and middle school students at Alternative School 1 in Seattle, how to carve a traditional cedar canoe by hand. Then the group journeyed to Saaduuts Childhood home of Hydaburg Alaska, where they gave the canoe to the community. Here, a Haida youngster tests the canoe.

Traditional Haida Canoe Decorations. Over a two year period, Haida artisan Saaduuts, who had rediscovered his culture after a long absence from his native community, taught a group of elementary and middle school students at an alternative School in Seattle how to carve a traditional cedar canoe by hand. Then the group journeyed to Saaduuts' Childhood home of Hydaburg Alaska, where they gave the canoe to the community. As Saaduuts beats a cadence the canoe is carried up the beach and through the village to the school gymnasium, where a ceremony and Potlatch have been prepared. The interior of the Canoe is decorated with the outline of the builders' hands and small items of religious and cultural significance to the Haida people.

Carving Cultural Connections. Over a two year period, Haida artisan Saaduuts, who had rediscovered his culture after a long absence from his native community, taught a group of elementary and middle school students at Alternative School 1 in Seattle, how to carve a traditional cedar canoe by hand. Then the group journeyed to Saaduuts Childhood home of Hydaburg Alaska, where they gave the canoe to the community. A Haida elder with her traditional carved staff watches as the canoe lands.

Carving Cultural Connections. Over a two year period, Haida artisan Saaduuts, who had rediscovered his culture after a long absence from his native community, taught a group of elementary and middle school students at Alternative School 1 in Seattle, how to carve a traditional cedar canoe by hand. Then the group journeyed to Saaduuts Childhood home of Hydaburg Alaska, where they gave the canoe to the community. Ashore at Hydaburg Saaduuts must ask permission of a village elder (in a traditional button robe and cedar hat) before the canoe is allowed to land.

Carving Cultural Connections. Over a two year period, Haida artisan Saaduuts, who had rediscovered his culture after a long absence from his native community, taught a group of elementary and middle school students at Alternative School 1 in Seattle, how to carve a traditional cedar canoe by hand. Then the group journeyed to Saaduuts Childhood home of Hydaburg Alaska, where they gave the canoe to the community. As Saaduuts beats a cadence the canoe is carried up the beach and through the village to the school gymnasium, where a ceremony and Potlatch have been prepared.

Carving Cultural Connections. Over a two year period, Haida artisan Saaduuts, who had rediscovered his culture after a long absence from his native community, taught a group of elementary and middle school students at Alterenative School 1 in Seattle, how to carve a traditional cedar canoe by hand. Then the group journeyed to Saaduuts Childhood home of Hydaburg Alaska, where they gave the canoe to the community. As Saaduuts beats a cadence the canoe is carried up the beach and through the village to the school gymnasium, where a ceremony and Potlatch have been prepared.

On the banks of the Columbia River a member of the Yakama Tribe fishes for salmon using a traditional dip net, a technique used for thousands of years by indigenous fishers. Before a series of dams were built blocking the fish passage on the river the salmon runs were so large that the Native people used to say you could walk across the river on the backs of the fish. Fishing shack and platforms have been on the same places on the river bank for generations and are traditionally held and used by one family group. The salmon are the most important cultural touchstone for the Tribes of the Pacific Northwest and the runs of wild salmon have been almost entirely wiped out.

A view of the Columbia River as it winds through the lands of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Nation in north central Washington State.

Mel Tonasket, a longtime leader of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation, served as President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). Mr. Tonasket led the Colville Tribes’ fight against termination and as President of NCAI mobilized national support for major tribal legislation, including the Indian Health Care Improvement Act and the Indian Child Welfare Act.

A young Indian construction worker helps to build the new headquarters for Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation in Nespelem , Washington State.

A young Indian construction worker helps to build the new headquarters for Confederated Tribes of the Colville Indian Reservation in Nespelem , Washington State.

Students at Waterfalls Immersion School on the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation learn their native language and culture in addition to conventional studies.

A youthful member of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation is part of the team at a tribal owned and operated salmon hatchery on the Columbia River

A drummer performed at tribal Protocols in Nisqually Washington as the Nisqually Nation hosted tribes from across the Northwest at the Paddle to Nisqually, an iteration of the Native American Canoe Journey, which has been an annual event since 1989 and celebrates the cultural and physical strength of Native American Communities.

Dancers performed at tribal Protocols in Nisqually Washington as the Nisqually Nation hosted tribes from across the Northwest at the Paddle to Nisqually, an iteration of the Native American Canoe Journey, which has been an annual event since 1989 and celebrates the cultural and physical strength of Native American Communities.

Young dancers performed at tribal Protocols in Nisqually Washington as the Nisqually Nation hosted tribes from across the Northwest at the Paddle to Nisqually, an iteration of the Native American Canoe Journey, which has been an annual event since 1989 and celebrates the cultural and physical strength of Native American Communities.

Children at tribal Protocols in Nisqually Washington as the Nisqually Nation hosted tribes from across the Northwest at the Paddle to Nisqually, an iteration of the Native American Canoe Journey, which has been an annual event since 1989 and celebrates the cultural and physical strength of Native American Communities.

Paddle to Nisqually 2016 Protocols

Photographs made at the Protocols in Nisqually Washington as the Nisqually Nation hosts tribes from across the Northwest and the world at the Paddle to Nisqually, the 2016 iteration of the Native American Canoe Journey, which has been an annual event since 1989 and celebrates the cultural and physical strength of Native American Communities.

Elders of the Lakota Sioux pose in the winter sun on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota

Lakota Sioux children at play on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota

On the island of Panay in the central Philippines and across much of the country indigenous groups have been forced off their traditional lands by agribusiness and resource extraction companies controlled by the rich elites in Manila. Many live in abject poverty.

On the island of Mindanao in the central Philippines and across much of the country indigenous groups have been forced off their traditional lands by agribusiness and resource extraction companies controlled by the rich elites in Manila. Many live in abject poverty.