The Abundance of Salalberries pədt’aqa: Celebrating the Suquamish Tribe
The Abundance of Salalberries pədt’aqa is a vibrant, museum-wide celebration honoring the Suquamish Tribe through art, fashion, and living cultural practice. All are welcome!
The day opens with a song and dance blessing, followed by curator-led tours exploring Indigenous craft, fashion, and Coast Salish design. Activities throughout the day include beadwork demonstrations, Lushootseed letterpress printmaking, and an Indigenous fashion zine. There will also be a featured panel, Suquamish Style: Past, Present, & Futurism, which will bring Tribal voices into conversation around history, contemporary expression, and Indigenous futurism. The day concludes with a festive reception, inviting community connection and celebration.
Header image: Barbara Lawrence (Suquamish/Duwamish), Cedar Hat, 2024, Red cedar, yellow cedar trim, black dyed yellow cedar, abalone ribbon, leather bead, BIMA Permanent Collection, Gift of Greg Robinson, Photo by Laura Zander.
When
10:00am – 6:00pm
Where
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SCHEDULE
10:00 AM – Opening Blessing
- The day will begin with an Opening Blessing as the museum opens, welcoming visitors into the full day of events and activities. This will include dancers and singing.
10:30 AM & 11:30 AM – Meet the Curator Tours
- Robin Little Wing Sigo (Suquamish/Duwamish), co-curator of the Indigenous Craft exhibition, will lead two tours of the exhibition (approximately 30 minutes each), highlighting the Indigenous fashion on view and speaking to the history and evolution of Indigenous fashion, jewelry, and craft.
All Day Activities:
- Sovereign Style video screening on loop in the auditorium for drop-in viewing
- Live beadwork craft demonstrations by 3 artists in the galleries
- Interactive weaving station in the Orientation Gallery with BIMA’s Learning & Engagement team
3:00-4:30 PM – Curated Conversation – Suquamish Style: Past, Present, & Futurism Panel Discussion (Ticket required, here)
- Robin Little Wing Sigo will facilitate a conversation with Suquamish Tribal Members about Coast Salish fashion, presenting historical and present day images and and what those tell us about the future. An audience Q&A will follow the discussion. Additional themes include craft vs. art, Coast Salish art vs. formline art, and the value of craft in relation to time, labor, and cultural knowledge
4:30-6:00 PM – Reception/Party
THANKS TO OUR 2026 EXHIBITION SPONSORS