Lolita Update #150
March 15, 2018
Lummi Nation in Miami to call for Tokitae's Release

BIG week in Miami for the Tokitae Team!

LUMMI INDIAN NATION OF WASHINGTON STATE CALLS FOR RELEASE OF TOKITAE ("LOLITA")

Killer whale held captive at Miami Seaquarium is among Native American tribe's oldest and most revered relations

The press event unfolded at Levine campaign headquarters today with a wide range of local and national media present. The underlying message is that the Lummi Nation is wholeheartedly dedicated to bringing Tokitae home as a long lost relation, and to contribute to the public awareness and political will to protect and restore the salmon and the entire habitat of the Salish Sea.

Former Miami Beach Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Philip Levine opened the event telling about his years of efforts to return the whale held at the Miami Seaquarium for 47 years to her home and family.

Lummi Council Chairman Jay Julius then thanked the Seminole and Miccosukee tribes for allowing the Lummis to come on their land,

and to make clear that the Lummis will bring Lolita/Tokitae home whatever it takes.

Lummi Council member Fred Lane explained that Tokitae's abduction by the Seaquarium is much like the kidnapping of native youth to strip away their culture: and announced the 27-day, 9,000 mile Tokitae Totem Pole journey that will culminate in a two-day event in Miami on May 23-24.

A question and answer period followed with Howard Garrett answering concerns about the transport plan, possible disease issues, and the strength of Lolita/Tokitae's memories and membership in her family even after all these years.

We are so honored and thankful to the Lummi Nation for standing up to take the lead in the fight to bring Tokitae home.

We all agree, THE TIME IS NOW - for Tokitae, for her family,

and for the Salish Sea, Tokitae's home waters.

"She was ruthlessly taken from her family that lives in our traditional territory," said Jewell James of the Lummi Nation. "She is not an 'ambassador.' She is a captive and must be reunited with her family. It is our xa xalh xechnging [sacred obligation] to do this."

The killer whale, qw'e lh'ol' mè chen in the Lummi language, is one of the Lummi's eldest relations. The tribe has many songs, oral histories, and ancestral teachings about their spiritual connection, and their sacred obligation, to qw'e lh'ol' mè chen.

May Tokitae's journey home be swift and safe,

and may it help spread awareness of and promote action for

healing the waters of the Salish Sea ~

for Tokitae, for her family, a nd for all beings.

Stay tuned for more about the Tokitae Totem Journey in May

Read the Retirement Plan and Learn more about Lolita/Tokitae

Much is going on to help bring Lolita home and to inform and advocate for her and her family Please consider a tax-deductible contribution to help Orca Network continue this work. Thank you!