On Saturday, August 17th, the Squaxin Island Tribe and the Deschutes Estuary Restoration Team (DERT) are joining forces for the 2nd Festival of the st̓əč̓as (Steh-Chass) to celebrate the cultural and ecological importance of the decision to remove the 5th Avenue dam and restoring the estuary in Downtown Olympia.
Enjoy a packed day at Heritage Park of workshops, vendors, tabling, and performances. Highlights include an address by Squaxin Island Tribe Chairman Kris Peters and a morning of inter-tribal cultural exchange, followed by an afternoon of poetry by the 6th Washington State Poet Laureate Rena Priest of the Lhaq’temish (Lummi) Nation, storytelling by Squaxin Island Museum Director Charlene Krise, and musical performances by Suquamish hip-hop fusion artist Calina Lawrence and Ts’mysen rock artist Saltwater Hank. The afternoon will also feature hands-on environmental workshops with the likes of Metamimicry, South Sound GREEN, and Squaxin member and scientist Shawnell McFarlane. At 5:30 pm, the day culminates in a Healing of the Waters Ceremony by the 5th Avenue dam.
Festival of the st̓əč̓as coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Boldt Decision’s signing and the 30th anniversary of the last Healing of the Waters Ceremony in Budd Inlet, highlighting the intersections between ecological restoration and the health of water, salmon, and culture.
If you are interested in volunteering, learn more and sign up at tinyurl.com/festivalsteh-chass
