About the Class
| Taught by Tony & Michelle Cladusbid |
Coupeville received its designation as a State of Washington Creative District in 2024, with a primary goal of forming the swədəbš Cultural Center and Creative Hub. The word swədəbš is pronounced “Schwedobs” which means “People of the Salmon” in the Coast Salish Lushootseed language. The vision for the swədəbš Cultural Center and Creative Hub is to educate, elevate, and build community between the local Indigenous people, and every race and culture of people who cherish and want to protect the Salish Sea.
Tony and Michelle will provide a brief history of how the swədəbš Cultural Center and Creative Hub came to be, the partnering community organizations that will host public events and an update on the programs they have already put in place to educate and build community, including:
- An overview of Indigenous stewardship, including restoring salmon populations, camas harvesting and rebuilding clam gardens
- Presentations from the Island County Historical Museum
- Introducing Indigenous cultures like Canoe Journey and canoe building
- Introducing Indigenous artists, musicians, and authors
- Efforts to preserve the Lushootseed language
- Building allyship by coming together for monthly potlucks to learn the values passed down through oral histories
| About Tony & Michelle Cladusbid |
Tony & Michelle Cladusbid opened Beaver Tales Coffee, located on the wharf in Coupeville in March of 2024. This location on Whidbey Island was home to Tony’s ancestors since time immemorial. Tony is a member of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. Michelle is an adopted member of the Tlingit tribe in Alaska.