Timothy Ballew, Sr., to Speak on Salish Sea History Oct. 13 at Western

Timothy Ballew, Sr., from Northwest Indian College will discuss the history of the Salish Sea region as part of the WWU Huxley College of the Environment Speaker Series at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 in Miller Hall 138 on the Western Washington University campus.

The presentation is free and open to the public.

As this quarter’s Salish Sea Speaker, Ballew will describe changes to the Salish Sea over the course of numerous generations, particularly with regard to fishing. In his talk titled “Five Generations,” Ballew will discuss how fishing is a way of life for Coast Salish community members and how the act of fishing is about the relationship to the sea. He will also describe how changing settlement patterns, the commodification of fish, and external pollutants all impact this relationship, and, ultimately, explore how to move forward.

Ballew is a lifelong fisher, former chairman of the Lummi Indian Business Council and a current faculty member in the Native Environmental Science program at Northwest Indian College (NWIC). Ballew also held a distinguished career in law enforcement with Lummi Nation prior to joining the faculty at NWIC.

The presentation will include a question-and-answer period. Anyone interested in the topic is encouraged to attend and participate. Ballew will also present a talk at noon on Oct. 11 at the NWIC Cultural Learning Center.

This talk is part of the Salish Sea Speakers Series, co-sponsored by the Northwest Indian College. The Huxley College Speaker Series, sponsored by Western’s Huxley College of the Environment, is intended to bring together environmentally-minded members of the WWU and Bellingham communities. Speakers address topics of contemporary environmental concern in the region and the world.

WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment is one of the oldest environmental colleges in the nation and a recognized leader in producing the next generation of environmental professionals and stewards. Huxley’s distinctive, interdisciplinary curriculum reflects a broad view of the physical, biological, social, and cultural world, and has earned international recognition for quality.

For more information, please contact WWU’s Huxley College of the Environment at (360) 650-2554.