Let's just get the rain cloud outta the way.
This year's Stommish Days was SOGGY. But the races were beautiful. the racers were badass, the food was delicious, and Slahal was loud and powerful. If you've never been, you're truly missing out on a beautiful community event rich with culture, diversity, and love. Xwlemi (Lummi) Nation honors the service, bravery and commitment of their veterans in June, while the United States holds a day of remembrance in November.
"It began in 1946 when tribal members Edith and Victor Jones planned a community celebration to honor and welcome home their two sons, Bill and Stanley Solomon, from World War II. Of the 720 Lummi members in 1946, 104 served in the armed forces and 101 of them returned safely home to return to their Lummi way of life." - Cheryl Crooks
Today, Stommish has turned into a full-blown celebration of both veterans and Indigenous people alike. With other surrounding Tribes and Indigenous people joining in and showing off their own dances and traditions -- each deserving a big Hy'shqe for sharing them with us all.
Stommish means "warrior"...
...in the language shared between Lummi and Cowichan tribes, and let us say: the rowers for the war canoes are just that. All the way down to the 8yo and under category. They faced the gamut of Washington weather over the weekend, from bright days and beautiful sunsets to beating down hail and torrential downpours with high winds. They faced it, fought it, and finished through it all. With everyone cheering from the sidelines!
Let's talk about the Volunteers and Vendors
Stommish warriors included more than just our rowers this year! The volunteers and vendors fought through rain, hail, high winds, collapsed tents, a smoking generator, and more. And still we persisted. That deadly Indigenous resiliency runs as deep as our joy and we stuck it out, selling art through it all! Even the Slahal tent broke and somehow the crew managed to find a new one and set it up just in time to keep everyone dry from the downpour. Well... mostly dry.
Summer Collection soft launch at Stommish Days
For our own booth we decided, after finishing our photoshoots with Backcountry Bohemians, to soft launch both our Summer and Pride collections at Stommish Days. And it turns out you all LOVED them because I even sold a pair right from my ears! Giaxsixa as always for your never ending and enthusiastic support!
We brought so many new colors it was hard to keep them on the table. From neon pear salmon ghosts to hot pink crescents and even glittering octopus eyes. Other new designs you'll see soon are our Urchins, Serpents, and Mesas. With soft pastels you can't resist and powerful shapes that start conversations, each piece and every color were handpicked by the CCW team to bring you joy!
If these shapes, designs, and colors excite you like they do us, keep an eye on our Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and website for release dates and launches! They'll be coming to you faster than you think.
Thank you to the hosts, volunteers, racers, and patrons that made Stommish Days so beautiful this year through everything the sky threw at us! We appreciate working alongside you and can't wait for next year. Walas Giaxsixa, your support means the world.