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Gallery: Lummi Nation, Tokitae supporters honor orca

August 27, 2023 10:15 pm

A Tokitae supporter cries while listening to whale sounds recorded from a pod of Southern Resident orcas gathering near San Juan Island on the day Tokitae passed. — A Tokitae supporter cries while listening to whale sounds recorded from a pod of Southern Resident orcas gathering near San Juan Island on the day Tokitae passed. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Cedar Posey, 7, plays in the sand while wearing a shirt advocating for the breaching of the Snake River dams, which have reduced salmon supply — a vital food source for Southern Resident orcas. — Cedar Posey, 7, plays in the sand while wearing a shirt advocating for the breaching of the Snake River dams, which have reduced salmon supply — a vital food source for Southern Resident orcas. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Tokitae's home waters of the Salish Sea extend beyond San Juan Island. — Tokitae's home waters of the Salish Sea extend beyond San Juan Island. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Hundreds honored Tokitae through songs and speeches. One speaker called the orca a "great leader" for her ability to bring people together to work on a joint mission. — Hundreds honored Tokitae through songs and speeches. One speaker called the orca a "great leader" for her ability to bring people together to work on a joint mission. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Lummi Nation member Tallan Paul, 24, speaks about Tokitae. — Lummi Nation member Tallan Paul, 24, speaks about Tokitae. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Buddy Lawrence, 16, skewers filets of salmon to grill over an open fire during a potluck at the end of the Celebration of Life. — Buddy Lawrence, 16, skewers filets of salmon to grill over an open fire during a potluck at the end of the Celebration of Life. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Members of the Lummi Nation sing to honor Tokitae (also known as Sk’aliCh’elh’tenaut) at a Sunday, Aug. 27 Celebration of Life at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island. Hundreds celebrated the life of the beloved Southern Resident orca who died in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium last week, more than 50 years after she was taken from her home waters. — Members of the Lummi Nation sing to honor Tokitae (also known as Sk’aliCh’elh’tenaut) at a Sunday, Aug. 27 Celebration of Life at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island. Hundreds celebrated the life of the beloved Southern Resident orca who died in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium last week, more than 50 years after she was taken from her home waters. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Lummi Nation member Cu-se-ma-at, Cathy Ballew, receives a hug during the ceremony. — Lummi Nation member Cu-se-ma-at, Cathy Ballew, receives a hug during the ceremony. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

People lift their hands to say, "Hy'shqe" — the Lummi word for "thank you." — People lift their hands to say, "Hy'shqe" — the Lummi word for "thank you." (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

W'tot Lhem, Jay Julius, places a basket with old eagle feathers on the totem. — W'tot Lhem, Jay Julius, places a basket with old eagle feathers on the totem. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Members of the Lummi Nation gather to sing in front of the totem. — Members of the Lummi Nation gather to sing in front of the totem. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Hundreds gathered to honor Tokitae — the Southern Resident orca who died Aug. 18 in captivity at the Miami Seaquarium — on Sunday, Aug. 27 at Jackson Beach on San Juan Island. Over the last few months, the Lummi Nation has worked to return the whale to the Salish Sea. At the gathering, members of the tribe mourned her passing and celebrated her life with songs, speeches and tears.