Today we deepened our salmon senses and shapeshifted into other creatures—some, like bears, who feast on salmon, and others, like fox spirits and chickens, called forth by our love for them…
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Salmon have begun to return to Vashon Island streams. And -
We Wind Gatherers changed into salmon! We started “upriver,” a trail, then swam downriver to arrive in the ocean (Dupar Meadow).
Read MoreSeptember 20th, 2024
What a sweet first day the Wind Gatherers had on the land! On our wanderings, we met an old friend: the Evergreen Huckleberry and observed its leaves, stems, and berries
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September 20th, 2024
What a sweet first day the Wind Gatherers had on the land! On our wanderings, we met an old friend: the Evergreen Huckleberry and observed its leaves, stems, and berries
Read MoreDecember 8, 2023
We shared a beautiful day together on Friday. In the morning we brought fire (hud) into our circle and heard a story from Mélou about their first time tending hud through the night as a pre-teen, and the support they received when they remembered to practice deep listening to their body and the land.
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December 1, 2023
The Wind Gatherers shared a sunny day back together after break. Building shelters, playing games to honor salmon, making leaf prints and relaxing in the warm sun!
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October 6, 2023
We shared another bright and sunny day together. hawadubš (thank you in Lushootseed) for those helped us carry wood for the many fires to come!
We gathered in our morning circle and heard a silly story about the bəlups (racoon) who inspired one of our mentors to get creative with one precious tomato she grew to court the bəlups out and away from the chickens she tends.
Read MoreSeptember 29, 2023
Blue skies, crisp cool air, and sunshine greeted us all last Friday as we gathered the wind for the second time this program year. At our home base, Toads Crossy Roads, we heard a story about Skywoman and the birth of Turtle Island in a story from oral tradition, reimagined by Robin Wall Kimmerer of the Potowatomi Tribe.
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September 22, 2023
We shared such a sweet and sunny first day together on the autumn equinox!
During morning circle, we greeted the land in the Twulshootseed language that has been interwoven in the land/Vashon since time immemorial by saying "hello taču!" (Sounds like: touch-oh). VWP staff learned this phrase from David Turnipseed, a Puyallup tribal member and teacher for the Puyallup Tribal Language program.
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January 31, 2020
At VWP we love to see and support the natural affinity that exists between young children and Elders. In the Fall we host a special Grandparents Day that many of our family members participated in with us. Grandparents Day is one of our favorite program days! But, of course, many of our childrens' grandparents live far away and cannot make it to Grandparents Day. When those Elders come to town we are so happy when they ask to come and join us. We had just such an opportunity last Friday …
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December 6, 2019
Last Friday was a fun and spontaneous one! We had Kristiana (one of our elders) spend the day with us. She brought with her such wisdom, in the form of joy, curiosity and playfulness. We all absolutely love when she spends the day with us. As an instructor it is hard not to feel alive and inspired when she is around, and I could see the same sentiments reflected in the children.
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November 8, 2019
We had a lovely day together! It was cold, but dry. Of course, many of your little ones seem to strip off their layers very quickly!
After a time of gratitude, we gathered around a warm fire and had a bit of theatre. Many children enjoyed acting out a scene they experienced in Nature and we all had fun guessing! Maybe your kiddo is paying a bit more attention to the natural world in the hopes that they have some news to share for next program...