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Samish Libraries

Samish Indian Nation has three libraries!

Summit Park (Physical) Library

We have a physical library located at the Summit Park campus with over 4,600 titles! It is a resource for Samish citizens and the local Fidalgo community who wish to learn more about native culture, language, history, and other aspects of native life. While our collection here focuses on Northwest Coast (including First Nations), we also have books on Plains, Southwest, and Woodlands tribes. We have books on native plants and their uses, famous native artists, native crafts (including how-to books), and local history. We even have large children's and young adult sections and a wide selection of DVDs!

Libby (Digital) Library

In 2023, we started a digital library through the Libby app! We have a rapidly growing selection of e-books and audiobooks, and you can find our book club selections through Libby.

Sní7new7 (Living) Library

Debuted in 2024, we call our third library Sní7new7. It's a living library only accessible to Samish citizens, a place to ask questions to elders about Samish culture and traditional lifeways. Answers will be documented for the next seven generations.

Our hands go up to Samish citizen Jan Flagg who started the physical library and nurtured it for 20 years. Jan had an amazing talent for recognizing and purchasing books that enhance our collection.

We now have free e-books and audiobooks available! Click here to learn about the Libby app.

Samish Book Club

Did you know we have a book club at Samish? We meet virtually once a month to discuss books available in our library! Previous books include Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, One Story, One Song by Richard Wagamese, Two Old Women by Velma Wallis, and The Language Warrior's Manifesto by Anton Teuer.

Our upcoming books are Jestinel: Living Wisdom from Coast Salish Elders by Children of the Setting Sun Productions on November 12 and Haboo: Native American Stories from Puget Sound by Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert on December 10. To join us, please email RSVP@samishtribe.nsn.us for the link!

readers window

Fall 2023

Nov 14, 2023, 08:16 by Cheryl Chatt, Samish Library Assistant

Welcome to the Fall Edition of Reader’s Window! As I write this, I cannot believe that fall is arriving already. This has truly been the speediest summer that I can recall. With the arrival of fall, some of our thoughts turn to cozy days and finding our favorite place to read.

As I mentioned in our June newsletter, Samish Citizen Abigail Bergan, representing her organization Papaji’s Pages, has gifted our library with another very generous donation.  This is the third gift that Samish Library has received from Papaji’s Pages.

In keeping with Ms. Bergan’s request that this gift was to be used for educational books and materials, it is my privilege to share what was purchased with this thoughtful and timely gift.

One of the purchases made possible by Ms. Bergan’s donation was a class set of thirty copies of the book The People of Cascadia by Heidi Bohan. This title will be put to good use by our education department during classroom visits to local public schools. From the back cover of this book: “Visually rich and comprehensive, this book engages learners of all ages and learning styles. Over three hundred pen and ink illustrations, photographs and paintings depict the daily life of the four major cultural groups in the Pacific Northwest.  Reviewed by tribal members and cultural experts, and approved for school social studies curricula this book is a ‘must have’ for anyone wanting to know more about the first people of the Pacific Northwest.”

In addition to the class set, as you can see in the photograph, numerous other titles for young children were purchased, as well as titles that adults will surely enjoy reading.

 Two of these titles are the sequels to Neither Wolf Nor Dog by Kent Nerburn. The first sequel is The Wolf at Twilight (which was our book club selection at our meeting last week).  This book continues the story of Dan, his friend Grover, and Kent as they hit the road once again to find the truth of what may have become of Dan’s sister, when the two of them as children attended an Indian boarding school. The third book in the series, The Girl Who Sang to the Buffalo is also a new addition to our library.

Two other new titles that cover the topic of Indian boarding schools are The Witness Blanket: Truth, Art and Reconciliation by Carey Newman and Kirstie Hudson and The Secret Pocket by Peggy Janicki.

Our hands go up to Abigail and Papaji’s Pages once again for the continued support of Samish Indian Nation Library.  Your generosity has enabled our library collection to grow, and to support learning opportunities for all.

The Samish Indian Nation Library is open Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. As always, I look forward to sharing these and other titles with you.

Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Slam the Scam


Samish Elders will learn about fraud awareness and prevention.

Dates: 06 – 06 Mar, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 13 – 13 Mar, 2025

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Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Spring Gathering


Join us for an afternoon of great conversation, culture talk and bingo.

Dates: 21 – 21 Mar, 2025

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Ribbon Skirt Class (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn to sew a ribbon skirt.

Dates: 22 – 22 Mar, 2025

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FULL - Quarter Bags Class (online)


Learn to weave a quarter bag, taught by Emily Blackinton Baker.

Dates: 25 – 25 Mar, 2025

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Community Dinner (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2025

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Drumming Group (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2025

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History Talk: Lopez Island (online + Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Join Tribal Chairman Tom Wooten to learn the Samish history of Sx’wálech (Lopez Island).

Dates: 08 – 08 Apr, 2025

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Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Spring Fitness Challenge


Samish Elders will learn about increasing their daily movement activity.

Dates: 10 – 10 Apr, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 10 – 10 Apr, 2025

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Wool Skirt Class (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn to loom weave a Coast Salish wool skirt, taught by Leslie Eastwood.

Dates: 12 – 12 Apr, 2025

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Samish Youthfest

Anacortes, WA

Samish is excited to host its first Youth Fair on April 19, 2025, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Fidalgo Bay Event Center!

Dates: 19 – 19 Apr, 2025

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Community Dinner (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

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Drumming Group (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

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Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Bingo Fun!


Samish Elders are invited to Bingo Fun!

Dates: 25 – 25 Apr, 2025

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Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Grief and Self-care


Samish Elders will learn about grief support resources and how to practice self-care.

Dates: 08 – 08 May, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 08 – 08 May, 2025

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Community Dinner (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 22 – 22 May, 2025

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Drumming Group (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Learn Coast Salish singing and drumming, taught by Chairman Tom Wooten.

Dates: 22 – 22 May, 2025

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Annual Elders Luncheon


Samish Elders and intertribal Elders are invited!

Dates: 27 – 27 Jun, 2025

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June Culture Day (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Join us at Samish’s Summit Park campus for craft classes, carving, cultural activities, and more.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Camp Samish (Samish Island)

Bow, WA

Save the date for Camp Samish 2025!

Dates: 29 Aug – 01 Sep, 2025

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Fall Cultural Gathering (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Fall Cultural Gathering at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 20 – 20 Sep, 2025

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Harvest Fest (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Samish Harvest Fest at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 01 – 01 Nov, 2025

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Christmas Party (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Samish Christmas Party at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 06 – 06 Dec, 2025

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Virtual Christmas Party (online)


Save the date for the annual Virtual Samish Christmas Party.

Dates: 12 – 12 Dec, 2025

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