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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.

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

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Drumming Group (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

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

Dates: 24 – 24 Apr, 2025

More Details