Recent News

The Hozomeen Gathering in September of 2009 was a SEEC weekend event inviting archaeologists, First Nation and Tribal groups and interested public to camp at Ross Lake in the Skagit Provincial Park and share what they know about the upper Skagit Watershed historically.  A documentary video of the Gathering has been produced for SEEC by Sandra Bonner-Pederson of Bear Image Productions and a short multi-media clip is currently being developed by Sara Joy Steele and Benjamin Drummond of Seattle, for use in presentations and on the website.

Yesterday, we spoke with Dr. Dave Schaepe about the significance of the flint rock called Hozomeen Chert in determining how this watershed was traveled and appreciated hundreds and thousands of years ago as people exchanged goods and stories here.  Hozomeen Chert has been found archaeologically as far away from the Skagit source as the upper Fraser Canyon in BC and LaConner, WA.

We also talked with Sonny McHalsie about the significance of placenames and the stories they allude to at the Ross Lake site.

The multi-media clip will be completed and launched later this fall while the 45 minute documentary will be viewed at SEEC's annual retreat on September 23rd.  Showings of the documentary will be scheduled for regional gatherings in the upcoming months so all interested groups and people will have an opportunity to see it.

The documentary video was supported with funding by SEEC and Seattle City Light.

Thanks to the work of many volunteers, Hope Mountain Centre for Outdoor Learning (HMCOL) has completed the trailhead infrastructure for the 1849 HBC Heritage Trail at Peers Creek.

For additional info check out Hope Mountain's 'Brigade Trail' info

.

The Skagit Environmental Endowment Commission invited Washington and BC First Nations, archeologists, anthropologist and other interested people to gather at International Point in the Skagit Valley September 12 – 13, 2009.

This two-day ‘Gathering at Hozomeen’ focused on understanding and honoring the long history of Indigenous Nation involvement within the Upper Skagit River Watershed.

The event included demonstrations of traditional activities, tours on Ross Lake, interpretive walks, displays, speakers and celebration.  Throughout the two-day program there were opportunities to share knowledge and stories about this unique mountain landscape.

A video documentary was completed in early July, 2010.  This 45 minute documentary was made possible with generous support from Seattle City Light and was produced by Bear Image Productions in Chilliwack BC.

SEEC has a unique mission to promote education, research, collaboration and cross-border stewardship of the Upper Skagit Valley.

Chattermarks is North Cascades Institutes's blog about living, learning and teaching in the North Cascades.  What's a chattermark anyway?