The Tribal Cultural Affairs program was honored to host Patti Lillie, the director of the Indigenous Arts and Culture Program at Alaska State Council on the Arts, during her visit to Washington State last month. The visit was the first step in an intentional collaboration between the states to better support Alaska Native artists living in Washington State. 

The visit included a meeting at the Burke Museum with multiple Alaska Native artists to discuss current barriers for Alaska Native artists in Washington State and generate ideas for the Silver Hand certification, granting, and how programs can honor the knowledge and experience of each artist regardless of where they reside. Program staff also had the privilege of visiting Suquamish, where Barbara Lawrence, a Suquamish Elder and Storyteller, shared stories and provided historical context to the Suquamish lands and peoples. The House of Welcome was host to the final day of the visit, where Managing Director Laura VerMeulen provided a view into the textiles, weaving, and carving programs at the Longhouse.