We recently celebrated Salmonfest with a trip to Eagle Creek. Ms. Maura (1st grade intern) and Juanita (Nina's Mom) chaperoned and drove. We watched the giant, travel scarred Salmon playing, battling, nesting, spawning, and offering their bodies to the river. They had returned home from the ocean and far away waters to bring their blessing of courage. The children offered them a song we have been singing every morning.
"The great salmon swimming upstream, brave and true, of you we dream."
They watched in awe, admiration, and playful joy. Juanita gave them some tobacco to offer the Salmon and Ms. Maura offered some lavender. Thank you!
We had been hearing the story of Salmon Boy, which can be found here:
http://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/SalmonBoy-Haida.html
(Please don't read this to your children off the internet. When I share this story, it is from my own heart after I've first strived to fill it with meaning for myself. It's not a story I was raised with or is in my cultural tradition, so I first had to decide whether it was appropriate to pass along. Then I strive to fill it with meaning for myself, so it will come alive and I can tell it "by heart." It would be wonderful if you'd like to do the same around this time of year with your child! Just picture the story inwardly as you read it everyday for three days. What do the symbols mean? How might this story relate to you and your child's life? On the fourth you can begin retelling it to your child "by heart.")
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