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Samish Libraries

Samish Indian Nation has three libraries!

Summit Park (Physical) Library

We have a physical library located at the Summit Park campus with over 4,600 titles! It is a resource for Samish citizens and the local Fidalgo community who wish to learn more about native culture, language, history, and other aspects of native life. While our collection here focuses on Northwest Coast (including First Nations), we also have books on Plains, Southwest, and Woodlands tribes. We have books on native plants and their uses, famous native artists, native crafts (including how-to books), and local history. We even have large children's and young adult sections and a wide selection of DVDs!

Libby (Digital) Library

In 2023, we started a digital library through the Libby app! We have a rapidly growing selection of e-books and audiobooks, and you can find our book club selections through Libby.

Sní7new7 (Living) Library

Debuted in 2024, we call our third library Sní7new7. It's a living library only accessible to Samish citizens, a place to ask questions to elders about Samish culture and traditional lifeways. Answers will be documented for the next seven generations.

Our hands go up to Samish citizen Jan Flagg who started the physical library and nurtured it for 20 years. Jan had an amazing talent for recognizing and purchasing books that enhance our collection.

We now have free e-books and audiobooks available! Click here to learn about the Libby app.

Samish Book Club

Did you know we have a book club at Samish? We meet virtually once a month to discuss books available in our library! Previous books include Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley, One Story, One Song by Richard Wagamese, Two Old Women by Velma Wallis, and The Language Warrior's Manifesto by Anton Teuer.

Our upcoming books are Jestinel: Living Wisdom from Coast Salish Elders by Children of the Setting Sun Productions on November 12 and Haboo: Native American Stories from Puget Sound by Vi taqʷšəblu Hilbert on December 10. To join us, please email RSVP@samishtribe.nsn.us for the link!

readers window

Fall 2020

Nov 4, 2021, 10:27 by Cheryl Chatt, Samish Library Assistant

Hello, and welcome to the fall edition of Reader’s Window! 

In this edition, we will be showcasing two new titles of particular interest: Looks Like Daylight: Voices of Indigenous Kids by Deborah Ellis and #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale. In addition, we will also be giving you a quick look at a couple of other new titles.

In Looks Like Daylight, author Deborah Ellis “traveled for two years across the United States and Canada interviewing indigenous young people.” With amazing honesty and clarity, these young people ages 9-18 give a unique perspective on their lives and the way they see the world around them—and their hopes and dreams for the future. Each chapter features a different young person sharing their life story. Reading about how these young ones see their families and their culture and how they understand their past and make plans for their future was inspiring and left me filled with hope. I absolutely loved this book and highly recommend it.

Our next title in the spotlight is #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale. This book uses the art and poetry of over 50 contemporary artists to shatter stereotypes of indigenous women and to lift everyone up in the process. It displays the talents, diversity, and strength of Native American girls and women across North America. Visually striking and certainly thought provoking, I recommend this book as well.

Some of our other exciting new titles cover a variety of topics. One of the new books that has come in recently is Interwoven Lives by Candace Wellman. It is the companion volume to her first book, Peaceweavers, and examines the lives of four women involved in cross-cultural marriages in the Bellingham Bay area in the mid-1800s.

Another recent addition to our library is a book entitled We are Cowlitz: An American Ethnicity by Darleen Fitzpatrick. Ms. Fitzpatrick is also the author of Tulalip: From My Heart, the book that was reviewed in our last newsletter.

I look forward to serving you and sharing these new titles with you. 

Salish Sea Day (Bowman Bay)


Join Samish and Swinomish Canoe families for free canoe rides on the bay, songs, stories, and artist demonstrations.

Dates: 07 – 07 Jun, 2025

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Culture Talk: Community + Family Teachings (online)

Anacortes, WA

Learn about cultural, community, and family teachings.

Dates: 10 – 10 Jun, 2025

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Wild Waves (Federal Way)


Gather for a fun day out with other Samish families and individuals.

Dates: 14 – 14 Jun, 2025

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Anacortes Pride (Anacortes)

Anacortes,

Walk with Samish in the Anacortes Pride Parade.

Dates: 21 – 21 Jun, 2025

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Annual Elders Luncheon


Samish Elders and intertribal Elders are invited!

Dates: 27 – 27 Jun, 2025

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June Culture Day (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Join us at Samish’s Summit Park campus! Explore the Beaver Lodge carving studio, Chelángen building, and our library of more than 4,000 titles.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Lunch (Summit Park)

Anacortes, WA

Meet and catch up with Samish families over a shared lunch.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Canoe Naming Ceremony (Cannery Building)


Come to celebrate the naming of Samish’s repatriated cedar canoe.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Salish Sea Háwe7 (Anacortes)

Anacortes, WA

Explore the Samish homelands by water with Island Adventures.

Dates: 28 – 28 Jun, 2025

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Culture Talk: Community + Family Teachings (online)

Anacortes, WA

Learn about cultural, community, and family teachings.

Dates: 08 – 08 Jul, 2025

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Samish Youth Playday

Anacortes, WA

Come celebrate summer with us at a fun-filled afternoon designed just for Samish youth and families! This community event is all about joy, movement, and connection — and it’s completely FREE.

Dates: 19 – 19 Jul, 2025

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Canoe Journey - Samish Landing (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Canoe Journey is landing in Samish territory for a shared dinner, followed by open floor.

Dates: 25 – 26 Jul, 2025

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Camp Samish (Samish Island)

Bow, WA

Save the date for Camp Samish 2025!

Dates: 29 Aug – 01 Sep, 2025

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Fall Cultural Gathering (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Fall Cultural Gathering at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 20 – 20 Sep, 2025

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Harvest Fest (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Samish Harvest Fest at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 01 – 01 Nov, 2025

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Christmas Party (Fidalgo Bay Resort)

Anacortes, WA

Save the date for the annual Samish Christmas Party at Fidalgo Bay Resort.

Dates: 06 – 06 Dec, 2025

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Virtual Christmas Party (online)


Save the date for the annual Virtual Samish Christmas Party.

Dates: 12 – 12 Dec, 2025

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