Kick-Off Event

Join the Orca Salmon Alliance as we kick off the 15th annual Orca Month. This year’s theme “We Are Family” underscores the distinct connection between Southern Resident orca lives and human lives while recognizing the whales’ individual community, strong family bonds, and unique culture.

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Orca Action Month Kick-off Event Agenda
Sunday June 6th 11am-3pm
Emcee Alan Budwill 

11:00 – Sign in

Part One – Tribal blessing, poetry, video, keynotes from elected officials, music, kids videos 

11:05 – 12:30
 

Welcome, History of Orca Month, Center for Whale Research superpod video, Poetry reading by Washington Poet Laureate Rena Priest, Tribal blessing by Rosie Cayou James and Bill Bailey of Samish Nation, Keynotes from Washington Representative Debra Lekanoff, and U.S. Representative Jared Huffman (CA), and Music by Pilots in Training. 
Plus, kids’ videos from Seattle Aquarium, Center for Whale Research, and a training session with Eba the Orca Research Dog! 

12:30 Break

Part Two – Southern Resident Orca Research

12:40 – 2:00
Learn about the history of Orca Survey, Southern Resident Orca Paternity, social behavior, acoustics and Conservation Canines, followed by a live Q&A with Mike Ford of NOAA, Michael Weiss of Center for Whale Research, Monika Wieland Shields of Orca Behavior Institute, and Giles of Wild Orca 

2:00 Break 

Part 3 – Zoom Around the World with Orcas 

2:10 – 2:55
Learn about Orcas Around the World including the AT1 “Chugach” transients, orcas from Norway, UK, Iceland, Russia, and the Strait of Gibraltar. 

Closing
2:55 – 3:00
Closing comments

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