Exciting New Updates
January 10, 2025
Join us as we honor the matriarchs both behind the scenes and on screen in Indigenous media. In a collection of shorts films and a special screening of the feature documentary, Resident Orca, we amplify stories that challenge narratives, celebrate our culture and celebrate the experiences and creativity of Indigenous women in cinema.
Starting on January 23rd, TDFF kicks off at the Silver Reef Casino. This screening is exclusive to community members with free admission and snacks! January 25th will be hosted with our longtime friends, the Pickford Film Center. Tickets for these showings are sold out but see below for more listings.
We’re also so excited to be including students for a 3rd year, expanding our programming to additional districts and schools within Whatcom county. On January 27th - 29th, students will gather at the Mount Baker Theater to watch a selection of films in alignment with the WA State Since Time Immemorial Mandate. About 2000 students were in attendance in 2024 and this year that number will almost double!
Lastly, we will be extending our reach and hosting two additional screenings at the Lincoln Theater in Mount Vernon, WA on February 4th and the Hibulb Cultural Center in Tulalip, WA on February 6th. purchase here!
Historic Fish Farm Ban
Washington has made history with a permanent ban on commercial net fishing, a major victory for our environment. For too long, net pens—large containment systems that farm fish like salmon—have harmed our waters and ecosystems. The 2017 fish spill near Cypress Island, where hundreds of thousands of non-native Atlantic salmon flooded into the Salish Sea, is a prime example of the damage these farms cause. Our people, from Lummi and other tribal communities, stepped up to clean up that mess, dedicating time, energy, and resources to protect what’s ours. We do this work not for recognition, but because it's our responsibility to care for the land and waters that sustain us.
We’re proud of our fishermen and all those who answered the call to protect the salmon and the health of the waters. Our documentary, Scha'nexw Elhtal'nexw: Salmon People, dives into these issues and celebrates the resilience of our people in the fight to preserve this way of life. With this ban in place, we’re not stopping here. We’re now turning our efforts to Canada, determined to protect our shared waters across borders. Our fight for the land and waters isn’t over—it’s just beginning.
Story Pole on the Move
Next week, the story pole originally carved by Samuel Cagey Jr., a Lummi Elder, and completed by Jason LaClair, a Coast Salish artist, will find its new home at the new Allied Arts building! A celebration will take place to honor, reflect and come together as a community. Our gratitude extends to all the hands and hearts that contributed to the completion of this beautiful artwork.
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While going through this process we have documented it step by step. This film will make its community debut as a part of our Treaty Day Film Festival programming at each of the events.
Article Featured in the Cascadia Daily!
Healing Women Heals Mother Earth
The latest episode in Young and Indigenous Podcast multi-part women's initiative is live now! Vanessa Castle is a proud Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe member and serves as the Tribal Engagement Coordinator at Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group. Listen as she discusses her advocacy work, the Elwha River dam removal project, and how she does all of this while also taking care of her mind, body and spirit.
Healing Women Heals Mother Earth is a podcast series highlighting the unique role Indigenous women play in cultural preservation, environmental stewardship, and leadership. Most importantly, we will share how women take care of themselves while being involved in high level advocacy work.
CSSP Leaders Speak at Generations of Eco-Feminism Event
On March 6th, Western Washington University will host Generations of Eco-Feminism, a powerful gathering where Raynell Morris and Santana Rabang will share their wisdom on the ways femininity and land intersect. This is a conversation across generations—one rooted in history, struggle, and triumph, and one that looks toward the future, where ecological restoration is led by the hands of women. Moderated by Alexandra Pec, we’ll hear from these fierce voices in two panels: first, a reflection on the women who fought for this work before us, and second, a vision for what’s next in the fight for the land and all its life. It’s a chance to sit together, listen, and dream of a world where the earth and its caretakers—especially women—are honored.
Whatcom Museum’s Coast Salish exhibit
The Whatcom Museum’s Coast Salish exhibit offers a living, breathing celebration of the Coast Salish peoples, honoring the rich history, art, and culture of the Lummi and Nooksack communities. With a mix of traditional and contemporary works, this exhibit invites you into a world that’s both timeless and ever-evolving. Hidden easter eggs throughout the space pay tribute to our films, art, and stories that connect the threads of history to the pulse of today. As you step in, sensors greet you in our language, reminding you that you’re walking through a legacy that still speaks. And because knowledge should be shared freely, the museum offers free admission every first Friday, making this dynamic experience accessible to everyone.
Children of the Setting Sun Productions is a 501 (c)3 non-profit
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Hy'shqe \o/
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