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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

Summer 2020

Nov 4, 2021, 10:25 by Cheryl Chatt, Samish Library Assistant

Hello everyone and welcome to Samish Indian Nation Library! My name is Cheryl Chatt and I am your new Library Assistant. 

Our hands go up to Jan Flagg, who has built this amazing and beautiful library collection and we are looking forward to sharing it with you.

We will be spotlighting titles and areas of interest in the newsletter to bring you up to date on what the library has to offer. 

Samish Indian Nation Library has a wide selection of books and a few DVDs that are available for check out. The library collection itself is primarily nonfiction and topics cover a wide range of Native American history, culture, art, plants as medicines, spirituality and other topics pertaining to native culture and tribes across the United States. While the library office is currently closed to the public due to the Covid-19 pandemic, I am in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:00 am – 1:00 pm.  We are arranging with patrons individually for book check out. I am happy to assist patrons with finding the book or topic that they are interested in. 

Our book recommendation in this issue is Tulalip: From My Heart by Harriette Shelton Dover. Harriette was the daughter of Ruth Sehome Shelton, of Samish lineage, and Chief William Shelton, a noted Tulalip leader and carver. Born in 1904, Harriette recounts some fascinating history of her memories of growing up on the Tulalip reservation, her experiences attending the Tulalip Indian Boarding School, and her memories of elders coming to her home as a child and talking about being present at the signing of the Treaty of Point Elliott.

This autobiographical account was the result of a collaboration with anthropologist Darlene Fitzpatrick, who recorded Ms. Dover’s memories over a ten-year period.

Again, welcome to the library, and I look forward to serving you! 

Drop-in Class: Flat Beading (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Learn flat beading, making a beaded medallion or beaded barrette.

Dates: 16 – 16 Jan, 2025

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Samish Elders Chat & Learn - Home Safety & Emergency Planning


Samish Elders will learn about home safety and emergency preparedness.

Dates: 16 – 16 Jan, 2025

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Drop-in Class: Flat Beading (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Learn flat beading, making a beaded medallion or beaded barrette.

Dates: 17 – 17 Jan, 2025

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Drop-in Class: Flat Beading (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Learn flat beading, making a beaded medallion or beaded barrette.

Dates: 18 – 18 Jan, 2025

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Treaty Day (online + Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Join Chairman Tom Wooten for a discussion of the history and significance of signing of the Treaty of Point Elliott.

Dates: 22 – 22 Jan, 2025

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Community Dinner (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 23 – 23 Jan, 2025

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Drumming Group (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

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

Dates: 23 – 23 Jan, 2025

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Culture Talk: Community + Family Teachings (online)

Anacortes, WA

Learn about cultural, community, and family teachings.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jan, 2025

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Samish Elders Virtual & In-Person Bingo Fun!


Samish Elders are invited to Bingo Fun!

Dates: 31 – 31 Jan, 2025

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Drumming Group (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

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

Dates: 06 – 06 Feb, 2025

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Drop-in Class: Peyote Stitch (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Learn peyote stitch beading.

Dates: 13 – 13 Feb, 2025

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Drop-in Class: Peyote Stitch (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Learn peyote stitch beading.

Dates: 14 – 14 Feb, 2025

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Drop-in Class: Peyote Stitch (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Learn peyote stitch beading.

Dates: 15 – 15 Feb, 2025

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Culture Talk: Traditional Teas (online + Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Learn about traditional teas, their preparation and benefits.

Dates: 18 – 18 Feb, 2025

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Community Dinner (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 20 – 20 Feb, 2025

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Drumming Group (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

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

Dates: 20 – 20 Feb, 2025

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Drumming Group (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

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

Dates: 13 – 13 Mar, 2025

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Drop-in Class: Ribbon Skirts (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Drop-in and learn to sew a ribbon skirt.

Dates: 20 – 20 Mar, 2025

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Drop-in Class: Ribbon Skirts (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Drop-in and learn to sew a ribbon skirt.

Dates: 21 – 21 Mar, 2025

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Drop-in Class: Ribbon Skirts (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Drop-in and learn to sew a ribbon skirt.

Dates: 22 – 22 Mar, 2025

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Virtual Class: Quarter Bags (online)


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

Dates: 25 – 25 Mar, 2025

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Community Dinner (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2025

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Drumming Group (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

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

Dates: 27 – 27 Mar, 2025

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Drumming Group (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

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

Dates: 10 – 10 Apr, 2025

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Community Dinner (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Come to gather over a shared community dinner.

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

More Details

Drumming Group (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

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

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

More Details