By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News
If education is a passport to the future, Swinomish youth have a new opportunity for going places in the years ahead.
The development of a tribal education hub, a long-held community dream, became a reality with the July 1 dedication and blessing ceremonies for a multi-purpose learning resource center on the Swinomish Reservation.
Tribal leaders and prayer warriors, Swinomish Education Department Director Loran James and his staff, and community members celebrated conversion of the former Northwest Indian College satellite campus into its new mission during a one-hour program and open house event.
The venue will serve as home base for after-school programs, Swinomish Youth Council gatherings, Lushootseed language and cultural education projects, collaboration with the Swinomish Boys & Girls Club and summer field trips and environmental hikes, while also providing office space for James and student advocates who assist in La Conner School District classrooms during the academic year.
“It will be an active building,” said James, who was Master of Ceremonies for the grand opening.
James, who hailed the celebration as “an amazing day for our education department,” was joined by several Swinomish senators, representatives of three reservation churches and the Swinomish Canoe Family.
“Now we have a home here in the village and I love it,” he said. “It’s a gift that we have here.”
Swinomish Senator and elder Barb James specifically referred to the new education facility as “the gift of knowledge.”
Swinomish Senator Brian Porter, who grew up a short walk from the Tallawhalt Way site, also stressed the importance of Swinomish having an education center.
“We have a saying that ‘when the tide is out, the table is set,’” he said. “This fills the rest of the table.”
Swinomish Senator Aurelia Bailey, the Swinomish Director of Cultural Events, thanked education department staffers for their commitment to student success and achievement.
“The love and passion you have for our children is apparent,” she said. “Now you have a place where you can put your plans, your ideas, and your strategies in motion.
“What you’re doing,” Bailey said, “is laying the foundation for our youth.”
The converted tribal education building opened in 1999 as Northwest Indian College’s Swinomish Extended Campus Site, serving the tribal community here for a quarter-century through college course offerings, community education and food sovereignty.
Bailey was among Swinomish members who earned a two-year, associate in arts degree at the facility. She also taught classes there.
Northwest Indian College, with an enrollment of 1,200 students, continues to maintain its main campus at the Lummi Reservation with five other extended sites, including Tulalip and Muckleshoot.
Meanwhile, at Swinomish, the focus going forward will be for the building to serve as a magnet for students of all ages.
Barb James perhaps put it best when addressing the Swinomish Education Department staff.
“Everyone has a gift to take these children under their wings and help them grow,” she said. “I’m also thankful for the senate always making education a priority.”
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
Archive photo by Nancy K Crowell
