Unkitawa

What started as a vision is now making history.
Our Reentry Director, Jeremy Garretson, who oversees Unkitawa’s State contracts for Native American Services within WA DOC and WA DCYF, worked with a Washington State correctional facility—using culture, mentorship, and healing to transform lives.
This is what Indigenous-led reentry looks like. 🪶
Thank you to everyone who made this possible, especially Al Smith, whose teachings continue to inspire the next generation.
🪶✨

Building a carving community inside Washington State Corrections - ICT A totem pole carving program at Cedar Creek Corrections Center supports healing for incarcerated individuals looking to connect with inter-tribal and intergenerational traditional practices.

For the 2nd year in a row and the 2nd time in Washington State history, Unkitawa and the Tribal Sons Native American Group at WCC raised a tipi inside a men’s correctional center.

It was a return to learning for a few, a new experience for others, and a beautiful day for all. The group learned how a plains style tipi is put together from start to finish, the history and significance of why this type of home was built and why it made sense for a people on the unforgiving plains.

Unkitawa worked with and is thankful to the facility Superintendent, Chaplain, Grounds crew, and most of all the men who continuously strive to strengthen themselves in their culture and in their healing. The tipi was raised and will be used at this Sunday’s Powwow at the prison.

The men of the Tribal Sons (and in all of the prisons in the state) work all year on hosting a one day Powwow and creating an incredible memory with their families, their community, and with each other. We’re so happy to see the seeds of their love and care grow into the healing they, their families, and our communities need. Hoka!

Han mitakuyapi, please join us tomorrow! We will have tomato and strawberry starts, tea making and medicine bundle making!

It was a beautiful Sunday. Thank you to all who carried wood, all who helped start the fire, all who brought food, all who helped set up, all who sang songs, all who offered guidance, all who taught, all who were open to learning, all who gave rides and checked in on others to make sure they were doing ok. We're incredibly grateful to all of our relatives for continuing to show up for themselves, for each other, and for their community. We appreciate who you are, where you're at in your journey, and the lengths you've gone to strengthen your walk, your prayers, and your lives. We'll see you again. Toksa Ake!

Han mitakuyapi, please join us this month for our first Crafting and Community !

Han mitakuyapi, please join us for this month's Community Night.

Han mitakuyapi, please join us for this month's Elder's Luncheon.

Hau hau Relatives!! We’re fresh off the excitement of Folklife and ready to reset, recharge, and reconnect. There’s no better way to return home than brushing off the old and praying in the new. Bring your sweat gear and your towel and come let the steam and sage smoke get all that up off you. 😤 We’ll see you Sunday!

Hah mitakuyapi,
Here is our June Events Calendar.