Of Cedar And Salmon

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

Join our journey to Tillicum Village on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTq0g7AxpWQ&t=756s

In this special field-recorded episode, the Of Cedar and Salmon Podcast travels to the now-closed Tillicum Village on Blake Island; a place once alive with First Nation's art, architecture, and cultural experiences, but now locked away from the public.

Invited by Washington State Parks, we joined Long Claw as he reclaimed artwork he originally created for the village in the early 1990s, giving us a rare opportunity to document pieces of indigenous craftsmanship that may soon disappear from the landscape forever.

Equipped with microphones, a recorder, and some smartphones, we captured an on-the-ground conversation surrounded by the art, stories, and structures that shaped this historic site.

In this episode, you’ll hear reflections from Long Claw and our guests at Washington State Parks, and the deeper significance of preserving these cultural works. Plus discussion on the future possibilities for this unique place.

It's a special look inside Tillicum Village, perhaps before the doors close for good?

--

Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

In this episode, we dive into the legend of Gooma’quay, the powerful Chief of the Undersea Creatures from the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest.

When the world is “upside down and backwards” and the people face hunger, a group of fishermen travel to the mysterious Bird Island, where their song draws forth Pag’wis, a merman and messenger from the deep.

Through this story, we explore ancient realms, spiritual balance, and the relationship between humans and the natural world.

Long Claw helps unpack the symbolism of the four realms, the meaning behind the fishermen’s sacred song, and the deeper teachings carried through potlatch traditions and oral storytelling.

Join us as we uncover how this legend connects to the salmon runs, cultural reciprocity, and the enduring Indigenous teachings that continue to guide life along the Pacific Northwest coast.

Keywords: Pacific Northwest legends, First Nations stories, Indigenous mythology, coastal oral traditions, Gooma’quay, Pag’wis, merman mythology, potlatch traditions, salmon stories, undersea creatures, Pacific Northwest history, cultural storytelling.

--

Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

Humans have explored less than 5% of the world's oceans.

The rest remains a mystery.

What lives in the deep waters is something we don't fully understand, and maybe were never meant to.

For thousands of years, the Coastal People spoke of mist-covered places on the water. Regions so dangerous and sacred that no one dared to go there.

But when the salmon run fails and the survival of the community hangs in the balance, the fishermen have no choice.

They venture further into the realm where the ancient spirits hold dominion.

Their nets sink deep into the cold, dark ocean. And what they pull up is unlike anything they could have imagined.

Something that would change the Coastal People's understanding of the ocean realm for all time.

Their encounter with Pagwees, The Merman, forces them into an impossible choice: strike a risky bargain with this mysterious being... or face the fury of Lord Gooma'quay, Chief of the Undersea Creatures.

What follows is a defining legend of the Pacific Northwest, echoing through First Nation's stories, coastal mythology, and ocean lore for generations.

Join us as we dive into the Legend of Gooma'quay.

Keywords: Indigenous Legends, Mythology, Pacific Northwest Folklore, Story-Driven Podcast.

---

Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

In the coastal villages of the Pacific Northwest, stories live as long as the sea itself.

Among them is the legend of Puffin Rock, a tale of love, loss, and transformation that speaks to the deep spiritual beliefs of Indigenous coastal communities.

Today, we dive into:

• The origins of Puffin Rock and how it came to be passed down over generations
• The symbolic role of the canoe as both a tool of survival and a vessel of spiritual connection
• Grandfather’s role as a silent guide and the moral questions raised by his choices
• The transformation of the children into puffins, and what puffins represent in coastal worldviews
• Themes of reincarnation, nature’s agency, and the belief that “there is no death, only change”

Through these questions, we uncover what this story teaches about responsibility, respect for nature, and our relationship with the unseen world. And why its message is just as powerful today.

Tune in to “Exploring: Puffin Rock” for a conversation that blends storytelling, cultural history, and a timeless reminder that the natural world is full of wisdom, if we’re willing to listen.

For fans of: coastal folklore, Indigenous storytelling, Pacific Northwest myths, puffin symbolism, oral tradition, ancestral wisdom, myth interpretation, cultural heritage.

---

Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

Along the ancient coast, connections run deeper than the waters of the Pacific.

Connections between the people and the land...

Between the land and the sea...

And between the generations.

In a coastal village shaped by tides and tradition, a mysterious and ancient elder, Grandfather, gifts a very special canoe to the children.

A canoe that connects land, sea, and spirit.

And while the children are grateful, they are also excited to explore more of their great wide world.

When their curiosity leads them to a forbidden rock in the ocean, their journey turns into a lesson written in storm and song.

Witnessing the storm, the people begin to worry and cry for their missing children.

Then, Grandfather shares the deep connection between the people, the canoe, and the sea.

And his words become a lesson passed down through the generations: "There is no death for our people. Only change."

This is that story. This is "Puffin Rock."

A story of curiosity, loss, and renewal. And the powerful coastal beliefs that still shape how we see life, death, and the spirit of the sea.

For fans of: Indigenous legends, Pacific Northwest mythology, First Nations stories, puffins, coastal folklore, oral storytelling, transformation myths, nature and spirit, ocean stories, cultural preservation.

---

Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

According to the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, there are forces in this world that humans were never meant to know, mysteries better left undisturbed.

The Owl Chief is one such legend. Those who seek its ancient power may discover too late that some paths can’t be retraced.

In this episode, we explore the legend of The Owl Chief. We'll discuss the sacred role of the Chief within coastal Indigenous communities, and how leadership is passed down through generations. We’ll also uncover why owls are seen as powerful omens of death in First Nations stories; symbols of warning, and the thin line between worlds.

Finally, we reflect on the story’s timeless lessons about resisting peer pressure, controlling emotions and pride, and staying grounded amid today’s polarizing politics and social media frenzy.

Have you ever gone too far and realized it only when you couldn’t turn back?

Listen now to uncover what the legends can still teach us today.

---

Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Like our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

Happy Halloween! This week, we’re venturing deep (perhaps too deep?) into the misty forests of the Pacific Northwest to share another spine-tingling Native legend — a tale whispered through generations and steeped in mystery.

In the shadowed woods, where the cedar trees stand like ancient sentinels, there are things humanity was never meant to see… and powers best left undisturbed.

But when a group of prideful young villagers goes searching for secrets, they awaken something far older - and far more dangerous - than they could ever imagine.

Join us as we explore the haunting legend of “The Owl Chief,” a chilling story of pride, foolishness, and the unseen forces that dwell beyond our understanding.

Perfect for Halloween, this episode from Of Cedar and Salmon dives into First Nations mythology, Pacific Northwest folklore, and the timeless lesson that some mysteries are better left alone.

---

👉 Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

🎶 Love our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

For more than four decades, the Of Cedar and Salmon program has transformed ordinary classrooms into living museums of Pacific Northwest First Nations culture.

The smell of cedar, the rhythm of drumbeats, the shimmer of beadwork and pelts, all coming together to awaken young imaginations across Western Washington.

This week, we welcome Mrs. Nikko Linn, a 4th-grade teacher at Silver Firs Elementary School in Snohomish, WA, who has witnessed that magic firsthand.

She shares how Long Claw’s program connects students to the legends, art, and traditions of Native American heritage - sparking awe, empathy, and lifelong curiosity.

It’s a conversation about culture, connection, and the power of storytelling to bridge generations. Whether you’re a teacher, a parent, or just someone who believes in the value of learning through experience, this episode will remind you what it means to truly bring history to life.

---

👉 Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

🎶 Love our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Keywords: Native American culture, First Nations, Pacific Northwest, Indigenous education, cultural storytelling, Of Cedar and Salmon, Long Claw, Washington schools, experiential learning, classroom inspiration, heritage education

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

In this episode, we’re opening the doors to a brand-new series: From the Museum Box, where we explore the fascinating artifacts, heirlooms, and handcrafted items that hold the spirit and stories of Long Claw’s cultural collection.

Our journey begins with the Sun Rattle — a stunning example of First Nations artistry and symbolism.

Guided by our resident expert and storyteller, we uncover the deep meanings behind rattles in Indigenous culture: from their role as tools of ceremony and power to their use as guides in traditional dance and ritual.

We also dive into the creative process behind these sacred objects: how they’re made, what materials and colors are chosen, and how each design carries its own spiritual, artistic, and historical significance.

It’s a close look at the intersection of art, tradition, and storytelling - and a reminder that every rattle, every sound, tells a story worth hearing.

---

Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

Love our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Keywords: First Nations art, Indigenous culture, Native American artifacts, traditional crafts, ceremonial rattles, storytelling podcast, cultural history, handcrafted art, museum collection, sacred objects, creative process, Indigenous design.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Support the Podcast: https://buymeacoffee.com/cedarsalmon

"What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger."

"The strongest steel is forged in the hottest fire."

"Smooth seas never made a skilled sailor."

Every culture has wisdom about how struggle shapes strength, and in this episode we bring that timeless truth to life through the powerful legend of “The Loon Chief and The Boy.”

We’ll explore how challenges are often less about defeating an outside force and more about confronting our own ego, resilience, and capacity for forgiveness.

Is forgiveness something we give others? Or a way to heal ourselves?

In today’s divided world, these lessons are more relevant than ever.

This episode blends storytelling, myth, and life lessons into an exploration of how struggle transforms us, and why forgiveness might be the ultimate act of strength.

✨ Tune in to hear:

• Ancient wisdom through the story of The Loon Chief and The Boy
• How hardship can become a path to healing and growth
• The role of forgiveness in building resilience and unity

🎧 Perfect for listeners who enjoy mythology, life lessons, personal growth, resilience, forgiveness, storytelling, and spiritual wisdom.

👉 Want more immersive storytelling? Check out our audiobook Echoes of Our Elders: https://play.google.com/store/audiobooks/details/Ronn_Long_Claw_Wilson_Echoes_of_Our_Elders?id=AQAAAEAq8XaxTM

🎶 Love our music? Listen here: https://ofcedarandsalmon.bandcamp.com/album/songs-of-the-coast

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.