Kick-Off Event

Join us to celebrate the kick-off of Orca Action Month in Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Become a more knowledgeable citizen as we explore the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act with some success stories from the past half century, and honor some legendary Southern Resident orcas who leave behind “Lasting Legacies”. By learning about these ties, you can help protect, and be a part of the recovery of these amazing orcas.

Check out our calendar for more region-wide events throughout June!

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Orca Action Month Kick-off Event Agenda
Sunday, June 4th, 3pm to 5pm Pacific Time

A hybrid in-person/virtual event will be held from 3 to 5 pm, with keynote speakers Florian Graner of Sealife Productions joining from the Whidbey Island event and Jay Julius of Se'si’le and the Lummi Nation joining from the San Juan Island event!

In-person events to kick off Orca Action Month will be held in Seattle from 1 to 4 pm, San Juan Island from 1 to 5 pm, Whidbey Island from 3 to 5 pm, and Sidney, British Columbia from 11 am to 3 pm. 

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Welcome

Virtual event:

Zoom Event

3:00 - Welcome.
3:10 - Virtual visits from Orca Month Kick-off events in Seattle, Friday Harbor, and Sidney, B.C.
3:30 - Presentation from Jay Julius of Se’Si’Le and the Lummi Nation. Jay will be joining from San Juan Island.
4:15 - Presentation from Florian Graner of Sealife Productions. Florian will be joining from Langley Whale Center.

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In-Person Events:

Seattle

Facebook Event

• Free community event with face painting, orca coloring, music, speakers, chalk artist, and educational booths.

• Music by Erika Lundahl and Right as Rain.

•  Storytelling by Nora Nickum, author of Superpod, Jeff Hogan of Killer Whale Tales, and Chris Morgan of The Wild Podcast (invited).

•  Speakers: Ken Workman, Duwamish Tribal Councilmember, Jourdan Imani Keith, Seattle Civic Poet and Tammy J Morales, Seattle Councilmember (invited).

San Juan Island

Facebook Event

• Free community event includes storytelling and refreshments.

• Meet at San Juan County Courthouse for a parade to celebrate the Southern Resident orcas with life size dorsal fins. Parade through town, ending at San Juan Island Grange. If you want to sign-up to carry an orca fin in the parade, or if you have any questions, email Lovel Pratt, lovel@sanjuans.org.

• Features keynote speaker Jay Julius of Se’Si’Le and the Lummi Nation at the San Juan Island Grange. This presentation will also be part of the virtual event.

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Whidbey Island

Facebook Event

• Event at the Langley Whale Center, includes free admission and refreshments.

• Features keynote speaker Florian Graner of Sealife Productions. This presentation will also be part of the virtual event.

Sidney, British Columbia

Event Information

• A free community event to celebrate Ocean Week Canada and Orca Action Month.

• Organized by the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea.

• Activities about Southern Resident orcas led by Parks Canada.

• Family-friendly programs and educational booths from local organizations outside on the Sidney waterfront!

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About our Keynote Speakers: 

Jay Julius, W’tot lhem, is the former Chairman of the Lummi Nation, a full-time fisherman and father, and the Founder and President of Se’Si’Le. Read Jay’s recent Earth Day message on sanjuans.org.

Florian Graner started Sealife Productions, a family company that films and produces wildlife documentaries. Florian holds a Ph.D. in Marine Biology with specialization in marine mammals. He brings passion and extensive subject knowledge to his films. Learn more.

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Can’t make it to one of the kick- off events? See the full list of Orca Month events here.

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