青瓜视频

3D rendering of the Coast Salish Style longhouse showing tall timbers flanking an entry door and two low slung roofs projecting from each side of a taller central structure.
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Coast Salish Style Longhouse

Vision

In partnership and close collaboration with Coast Salish tribal nations and the 青瓜视频 Native American Student Union, 青瓜视频 Washington University (青瓜视频) seeks to build a traditional Coast Salish style longhouse in honor of the historic importance of place that it occupies and in acknowledgement of the University鈥檚 responsibility to promote educational opportunities for Native students. 青瓜视频 requests $4.9 million in the state鈥檚 2021-23 capital budget for the construction of the Coast Salish-style longhouse.

 

Longhouse Informational Flyer

Building Design

  • The longhouse will reflect traditional Coast Salish architecture and design.
  • The longhouse will support Native students by providing a gathering and ceremonial space to promote cultural exchange and understanding.
  • Longhouse structure will include a gathering hall, indoor and outdoor kitchens, and student lounges.
  • The University will assemble a group which will include Native students, faculty, staff, alumni and tribal community members who will advise on the design for the longhouse.

Dedication Ceremony

Many from the 青瓜视频, Bellingham, Whatcom County and local Indigenous communities came together on Thursday, April 11 to celebrate the groundbreaking ceremony for 青瓜视频's new House of Healing longhouse.

The longhouse is the result of a 2016 letter written by Native American Student Union (NASU) members at 青瓜视频 looking for more support. This will be the first longhouse in the City of Bellingham, located at the south end of Sehome Hill Arboretum. 

鈥淭his is important that 青瓜视频 is answering the call,鈥 Tribal Liaison Laural Ballew said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 important because this shows that our students have a voice.鈥

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8 individuals standing with gold colored shovels outside on grass in front of a stand of evergreen trees.
Native American tribal members across generations wear traditional clothing, with some raising their right hand

Background

The vision for a Coast Salish longhouse on 青瓜视频鈥檚 campus originated from the Native American Student Union, as Native students sought to find ways for the University to address current and historical issues faced by American Indian students on 青瓜视频鈥檚 campus. The newly created 青瓜视频 Office of Tribal Relations is committed to building the Longhouse as an integral cornerstone in support of their mission.

  • Pursuing justice and equity in its policies, practices and impacts for advancing a deeper understanding and appreciation for the sense of place.

  • Pursuing the academic, personal and professional success of its Indigenous students, faculty and staff.

  • Building and sustaining beneficial working relationships with the Coast Salish people and expanding 青瓜视频鈥檚 strength in academia to serve the current and future needs of tribal communities.

While the Tribal Relations Department has been very successful in their mission and outreach, not having a cultural center for meetings, workshops, educational seminars, and cultural gatherings has hindered their ability to fulfill their mission.

Contact the Office of Tribal Relations

To learn more about how you can support the creation of 青瓜视频鈥檚 longhouse, please contact Tribal Liaison Laural Ballew at Laural.Ballew@wwu.edu or (360) 650-3110.