Coast Salish Cultural Sharing

annual regional Waldorf event for all Washington Waldorf School’s 4th Grade classes.

Hosted and held by Whidbey Island Waldorf School on the land of Whidbey Institute.

WIWS and the Whidbey Institute are located on the territory of the Lower Skagit, Swinomish, Suquamish, and Snohomish tribes—the island Tscha-kole-chy, named Whidbey Island by colonial settlers.

a much beloved tradition…

The Whidbey Island Waldorf School is celebrating its 25th year of hosting the regional Coast Salish Cultural Sharing in 2024! It has grown in its scope and depth and its name has changed over the years to more correctly reflect its purpose and intention as we have strived to be in Right-Relationship with our First Nations relatives and All Beings.  We believe that the spirit of the Coast Salish Cultural Sharing is larger than we are and holding this space is an honor, sacred duty and privilege. Our students will be enriched by the three-day immersion each Spring and all the learning that can happen in Nature and intentional, traditional teachings of our First Nation Elders.

The Coast Salish Cultural Sharing is a gathering rich in education, tradition, celebration, socialization, and Story (or History), beginning our first day together.  We gather on the beautiful Whidbey Institute lands in a tent-camp (our “village”) setting. Adults shepherd the children throughout the activities. WIWS parents offer nutritious breakfasts, while the Whidbey Institute chef prepares our delicious dinners with local foods from the gardens. Daily activities are with our Elder/Presenters who represent Coast Salish First Peoples. Evening activities are storytelling, songs, and class presentations on the first night. The ceremonial Salmon Feast is held on our last night together, followed by a traditional Give Away.  

In the tradition of the Give Away, the children come together to give a class gift to another regional class.  This gift is made by the students in school ahead of time and presented at the Give Away. These special gifts are taken home by each receiving class to be treasured.  In the past, class gifts have included carvings, button blankets, hand-made drums, rattles and far too many creative items to even mention here!  We close on our 3rd day in the afternoon with a special goodbye ceremony.