This week’s episode of Origins: The Last Reefnetters brings the series full circle with a powerful look at cultural memory, ecological continuity, and the people carrying this work forward. From Raven Borsey’s efforts to publish Wayne Suttles’ long-buried thesis to the Lummi Nation’s continued stewardship of the last tribal reefnet, it’s a reminder that preservation isn’t passive—it’s an active, ongoing practice. For us at the Salish Center, it affirms what we’ve known all along: this work isn’t just about remembering the past. It’s about building the future.

While early forecasts point to a record pink salmon run in the Salish Sea—a hopeful signal for reefnetters and marine life alike—we’re equally focused on what’s growing just beneath the surface in Legoe Bay: seaweed. Our kelp farm is expanding, not only as a climate-positive food source, but as a foundation for local, regenerative economy. Seaweed requires no fertilizer, no fresh water, and no feed—yet it improves water quality, absorbs carbon at scale, and supports coastal biodiversity. In a changing climate, kelp is more than a crop—it’s a quiet revolution.

As we gear up for the first-ever Seaweed Festival this Memorial Day Weekend, we hope you’ll join us in celebrating this next chapter. The event will spotlight indigenous harvesters, ocean stewards, and the many uses of kelp—from skincare to soil to supper. And we’ll continue welcoming visitors to The Red Cabin, our honor-system storefront offering reefnet salmon and seaweed-based goods—all sustainably sourced and locally produced. It’s one more way we’re reconnecting people with place, season by season.

🌊 Get involved + learn more: salishcenter.org