shared waters
 Seeing a lack in Native representation in regional natural resource management, Friends has been cultivating critical partnerships with Native American Communities and First Nations on the topics of critical habitat protection for salmon and orca whales.
Friends was also responsible for involving the Samish Indian Nation as co-petitioners on the Orca Endangered Species Act petition. In 2001, Friends formed a strategic partnership with the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community to create a highly effective marine refuse project. Friends also works with the Samish Indian Nation on numerous projects, including herring surveys, cultural resource mapping and native student internships. This innovative college internship program is designed to provide students interested in natural resource management and cultural preservation with an opportunity to serve as a policy intern. One of our student projects led to a petition to the President, Navy and local senators to stop sonar testing in regional waters. 
Through these relationship Friends was invited to serve as the only non-native host of the 2003 Canoe Journey for participants traveling through our waters. This was an incredible honor that has strengthened tribal relations throughout the region.
The Canoe Journey is a significant cultural event for many Canadian and Washington State tribes and serves as an effective anti-drug and alcohol alternative for Indian Country youth and adults. Participants in the Canoe Journey make a commitment to a life of sobriety while training and participating in the Journey. During July 2003 participating tribes from Sechelt, Suquamish, UNYA, Powell River, Squamish, Suquamish, Lummi, Samish and Swinomish Tribal canoes arrived in local tribal waters.
Friends of the San Juans was a conduit for facilitating the Journey’s arrival to the Islands. We educated our local community about the importance of the Journey, raised funds, and led the County and Town in drafting Proclamations of Support for the Journey. Through our participation with the Canoe Journey an important cultural link has been created. Friends would like to continue to support the goals of the Canoe Journey by hosting the 2004 Journey’s visit to the San Juan Islands.
 Friends of the San Juans will continue to facilitate cultural ties between Tribal Nations and San Juan County. The Samish Indian Nation, Lummi Nation and the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community are active partners in the development and implementation of many Friends of the San Juans’ programs. We have identified speakers to serve as a cultural educator and we will be reserving a position with our organization for another Native intern.
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