Samish Indian Nation debuts first village in 125 years to 'bring the elders back home'

The Samish Indian Nation on Friday debuted a new affordable housing project spanning 2 acres of tribal land in Anacortes. The project, called Xwch'ángteng, contains 14 two-bedroom cottages that are ADA-ready, along with a new community center and playground.

Samish tribal members who are seniors, disabled, and low-income will get priority for the new cottages, which are each roughly 1,000 square feet.

Tom Wooten, tribal chairman of the Samish Indian Nation, said there hasn’t been a Samish village in over 125 years.

“We’ve always had people living here, residing at our traditional territories as individuals, but this is the first time we’ve located [Samish elders] in one place,” Wooten said at a ribbon cutting ceremony for Xwch'ángteng on Friday.

“This is me trying to bring back our families,” he added.

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“I think the idea is to bring the elders back home, and for them to have a critical part in generational teachings,” said Sharon Paskewitz, senior director of essential services for the Samish Indian Nation.

“You can have the elder generation teach — what does it mean to pray when you have lunch, what does it mean to be a Samish citizen, what is the history behind that?” she said.

Marilyn Howard, a grandmother of five, will be among the first residents of the village. She currently lives in Bellingham.

“Can you imagine? I don’t think we realize when we stepped in…we’re more than blessed,” Howard said. “Blessed be all — that’s a great honor.”

The streets within Xwch'ángteng will be named after plants that are culturally significant to the Samish Indian Nation.