Tour Guide

Valerie Segrest (Muckleshoot)

Valerie Segrest is a Native nutrition educator who specializes in local and traditional foods. As an enrolled member of the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe, she serves her community as the coordinator of the Muckleshoot Food Sovereignty Project and also works as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction. In 2010, she co-authored the book “Feeding the People, Feeding the Spirit: Revitalizing Northwest Coastal Indian Food Culture.” Valerie received a Bachelor of Science in Nutrition from Bastyr University in 2009 and a Master’s Degree in Environment and Community from Antioch University. Valerie aims to inspire and enlighten others about the importance of a nutrient-dense diet through a culturally appropriate, common sense approach to eating. Learn more about Valerie at www.tedxrainier.com/speakers/valerie-segrest/

Itinerary

Sunday, June 9 
Meet your tour guide, First Nations’ team members and fellow travelers for traditional meal at our welcome dinner at the Muckleshoot Cultural Center, including a private tour and entertainment.

Monday, June 10
Muckleshoot Indian Tribe & Squaxin Island Tribe
Today we visit the Muckleshoot Tribal College, learn about the tribe’s Traditional Healthy Beverages Campaign, and visit the Elders Herbal Pharmacy. Then we’ll take a traditional canoe ride, and enjoy a seafood feast.

Tuesday, June 11
Makah Tribe
We travel northwest on a scenic drive with coastal views to what the  Makah refer to as “the beginning of the world” and visit their Cultural and Research Center.

Wednesday, June 12
Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe and Suquamish Tribe
Tour of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribal Cultural Center and visit the Suquamish Museum Artist-in-Residence Program followed by a beach-side traditional salmon bake.

Thursday, June 13
Swinomish Indian Tribe & Tulalip Tribes
Today we learn about local efforts to promote traditional food systems, visit the Tulalip Tribes’ interactive Hibulb Cultural Center and meet area artists.

Friday, June 14
Seattle, Daybreak Star Indian Cultural Center
Today we visit the United Indians of All Tribes Foundation’s Sacred Circle Gallery and learn more about its Emerging Urban Native Artist Cohort and participate in a private tour and a talk by Tlingit artist Preston Singletary.

Saturday, June 15
Breakfast at hotel and departures to the airport.

Cost to Attend

1 Adult: $3,750
2 Adults/Couple (sharing a room): $6,750

Cost is all-inclusive with the exception of airfare and transportation to the hotel.

After May 10, 2019, cancellation will result in the loss of 50% of the total trip cost.
Non-payment will result in the loss of space on the tour.
Tour cost includes accommodations, meals and non-alcoholic beverages, activity fees and tips.

Lodging Information

Jona Charette, Development Officer

Due to the travel and multiple hotels, please contact Jona Charette at (303) 774-7836, ex. 221 or jcharette@firstnations.org to make your hotel reservations after registering.

Jona and others from First Nations will also be attending the entire tour and will help ensure that it’s an experience of a lifetime for you.

About the Northwest Tour Art

The Artist

Joseph H. (wahalatsu) Seymour, Jr.
Squaxin Island/Pueblo of Acoma

“In my career, I’ve worked with glass, photography, Salish wool weaving, prints, wood, and rawhide drums.  I’ve been very fortunate to have a community of artists that I’m able to work with and that are very supportive of my career.  If it were not for their caring and sharing of ideas, I would not be the artist that I am today.”

Story Behind the Art

The design is called “Our Journey Together”: The Raven, The Eagle and The Bear in the Canoe signify different clans working together for a common goal. Although we come from many different clans we are in the same canoe. When paddling in a canoe, it is essential that everyone in that canoe work together to maximize the energy of everyone paddling. If no one works together in the canoe, then the canoe moves slow and the journey is long and hard. When everyone works together, the canoe seems to move effortlessly through the water.

“I think that this theme is universal. It goes beyond just paddling a canoe. No matter where we come from, what our heritage is, it is important that we learn to work with each other.”

Artist Contact Information
Joe Seymour
1071 Fairview St. SE
Olympia, WA 98501
360-556-0965
joeseymourart.com
Facebook – Joe Seymour Artist