General Protocols
Indigenous Leadership: This is an Indigenous-led event. To participate we ask that you agree to respect the vision of Lummi Nation and follow the direction of their representatives on land and on the water.
Messaging and visuals:
- Please bring red and wear red.
- We ask that you respect the vision of this event by refraining from bringing your own banners or signs that may distract from our simple message of unity and urgency for the Salish Sea. Signs stating “Protect the Salish Sea” and “Save our Orcas” and similar messages are welcome; however messaging not related to protection of the the Salish Sea will be asked to be put away.
- We also ask that you not advertise your own organizations. This is a prayerful event led by the Tribes and Nations and the flotilla itself will be the message.
No Drones: Please do not bring drones to the event. There will be a few official drones operated by authorized individuals for the purposes of recording the event.
Vessel Protocols
Registration: We’d like to keep track of vessels in the water for safety and communication purposes so if you are planning on attending, please RVSP at here.
Launching: Canoes, kayaks, and small craft can be launched from the public boat launch on Mulhullin Drive, at Blaine Harbor just inside Blaine Marine Park. Volunteers will be on hand to provide directions and assistance.
Vessel Positioning: Vessels are asked to meet up at the waters near the Blaine Marine Park Fishing Pier and raft up to Lummi Nation’s lead fishing craft, the “Salish Sea.” She will be center in the northern waters off the pier.
Choreography: Besides tribal canoes and designated kayakers, all other paddlers and boaters will raft together around the lead Lummi vessel named “The Salish Sea” and stay rafted until after the unity demonstration. There will be designated circling craft that will circle the outer perimeter of the flotilla when the demonstration is in progress, all other vessels are to remain in place.
Safety: All kayakers and canoes must bring and wear appropriate safety gear including a life vest / PFD. We will have medics and safety paddlers onsite. First aid and safety vessels can be identified by red armbands. First aid will also be available on the Salish Sea as well as on the pier.
Communication: Marine VHF radios will be used to coordinate movements on the water – channel to be determined on the day of. Please keep radio chatter to a bare minimum, so that you and others can be listening to the program and for directions.
For more information follow at Sacred Sea: for a living Salish Sea and our Netse Mot: One Mind for Xw’ullemy Facebook event page.