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April 17, 2025

Living Breath of wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ Indigenous Food Symposium

Join us for the 13th annual event of the “Living Breath of wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ” Indigenous Foods Symposium! Our annual event draws over 300 people from the UW campus community, regional tribal and urban Indigenous communities, and throughout the U.S, Canada, Mexico, and Aotearoa, New Zealand. Our symposium is a signature event for the UW Intellectual House and has become an important venue for bringing together people from diverse communities and organizations who share the same commitment to protecting Indigenous homelands and the environment. It serves to foster dialogue and build collaborative networks as Indigenous peoples strive to sustain cultural food practices and preserve healthy relationships to the land, water, and all living things.

This year’s theme is “Generational Food Sovereignty: Nurturing our Sacred Relationships“.

The agenda and list of speakers, including presentation titles and abstracts, are forthcoming.

Your registration includes continental breakfast and lunch with traditional Northwest Coast foods prepared by Indigenous chefs on both days. The symposium will be on May 2 and 3, 2025 from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM PST. Doors open at 8:30 am for check in and registration.

Ticket Information:

Adults: $20 for one day or $35 for both days
UW Students with valid ID (Seattle, Tacoma and Bothell): Free with registration (no exceptions)
Youth (12-21): $10 for one day or $15 for both days
Elders: (65 and over): $10 for one day or $15 for both days

NOTE: A one-day ticket allows you to attend on either day. One-day tickets aren’t issued specific to date.

Tickets will be available for sale at the door unless the event sells out.

For registration information or concerns, please contact Tia Yazzie at tyazzie@uw.edu.

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Shelly Vendiola

(she/her), Swinomish/Visayan, Community Engagement and Culture Director

Shelly Vendiola, (Swinomish/Visayan) is an enrolled member of the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community, and Visayan. She has served as an educator, facilitator, activist, and peacemaker/mediator for over 30 years. Shelly co-founded the native Community Engagement and Peacemaking Project and offers consultation in the areas of community engagement and facilitation services including: leadership development, strategic planning, organization mapping, dispute resolution, interest-based negotiations and peacemaking circles throughout the country.

Currently she works as a Community Engagement & Culture Director for the Na’ah Illahee Fund, and serves on the board of the Indigenous Environmental Network and the Skagit YMCA. She continues to work in partnership with the Swinomish Department of Environmental Protection, co-chairs the Protect Mother Earth Subcommittee, and is a member of the Swinomish Health, Education and Social Services Committee. Shelly developed a place-based curriculum about the history and culture of the Swinomish peoples and taught a series of cultural sovereignty courses for over 10 years at the Northwest Indian College – Coast Salish Institute within their Native Studies Leadership Program.

Previously her team provided leadership and consultation for the Lummi Cedar Project – Organized Generations Healthy Lifestyles Program. Ms. Vendiola served as President for the national Indigenous Women’s Network and a Campaign Director for the Indigenous Environmental Network. Shelly received several years of formal dispute resolution training from the Indian Dispute Resolution Services, Inc., and the San Francisco Community Boards Program. She is the recipient of the Native Action Network – Enduring Spirit Award, and a recognized educator and peacemaker in the Northwest region. Shelly has an M.Ed. in Higher Education and practices indigenous pedagogy and indigenous research methodology within all aspects of her work.

Following in her father’s footsteps, Shelly is passionate about gardening. She practices the ancient form of meditation known as Qi Gong for balance, energy, and resiliency, and is a certified Yoga instructor. Her motto is, “There is nothing permanent in the world but change, the key is how we flow with it!”