By Bill Reynolds
La Conner Community News
The iconic Rainbow Bridge is the most visible example of how the La Conner and Swinomish communities are bound together.
But it’s not the only one.
The local chapter of Young Life, an international volunteer-led organization that ministers to and provides summer camp opportunities for middle and high school students, is another way in which La Conner and Swinomish partner in common purpose.
The La Conner-Swinomish connection through Young Life was a focal point of the chapter’s annual dessert fundraiser for student camp scholarships Sunday night at La Conner Elementary School.
Swinomish elder Janie Beasley, who also serves as a Young Life adult leader and La Conner Community News board member, opened the 90-minute program with a bilingual prayer delivered in Lushootseed — a traditional Coast Salish language — and English.
Later, Beasley joined Swinomish members Kevin Paul, Kenneth Cayou and Christina Adams to perform a tribal song blessing Young Life students.
Paul, an acclaimed Swinomish master carver, noted that he grew up in a Pentecostal household.
“I’m so really happy to be here and witness this tonight,” Paul told the large audience, which had earlier enjoyed rounds of charades and popular TV game shows such as “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal.”
Between dessert, games and fundraising pledges, attendees were reminded of the lasting impacts of the Young Life mission and the role Swinomish plays in that here.
“You can’t talk about Young Life in La Conner without mentioning our relationship with Swinomish,” said Wylie Thulen, who served as co-master of ceremonies with La Conner High teacher Peter Voorhees. “Wherever we go, people are always asking how we have such a harmonious relationship between Natives and non-Natives.”
Retired La Conner High teacher Mike Carrigan, a Young Life adult leader, lauded the level of Swinomish support that La Conner Young Life has received for a quarter century.
“The Swinomish Tribe is deeply spiritual, and we couldn’t have done these past 26 years without them,” Carrigan said.
Cayou, a Swinomish member and La Conner High alum who served eight years in the U.S. Navy, stressed how Young Life inspired him as a student and led to his becoming an adult leader.
“Young Life helped me on my path to follow Christ. Young Life opened so many doors for me.”
Cayou and his fellow adult leaders hope to keep opening doors going forward. The Sunday gathering sought funding for 60 students to attend Young Life summer camp.
Bill Reynolds is a general assignment reporter for La Conner Community News.
Swinomish members Kevin Paul, Kenneth Cayou, Christina Adams and Janie Beasley address the annual Young Life dessert fundraiser at La Conner Elementary School Sunday night.
