Setting Sun Circle

06/17/2026

Setting Sun Circle’s Young & Indigenous podcast is back with a new podcast series exploring what Land Back can look like in practice while challenging the lack of cultural awareness surrounding the history of Whatcom County. Through conversations with community members, we aim to share a fuller and more truthful understanding of this place and the Indigenous peoples who have called it home Since Time Immemorial.

In our new episode, Setting Sun Circle Researcher and Podcast Producer Santana Rabang speaks with Executive Director Darrell Hillaire about what it means to return to an ancestral village site with deep family ties, the organization's vision for the future, and how reclaiming space can help build stronger communities and a more equitable future.

🎧 Listen now on our website, Spotify or Apple Podcasts

🔗 https://settingsuncircle.org/young-and-indigenous-podcast/2026/6/15/returning-home

06/12/2026

Hey Soccer Fans and World Cup travelers, did you know Bellingham is on Sea&Win – the official mobile game of Seattle FIFA World Cup 26?

Featured on the app is Sunset Alley – a two-block stretch of a downtown alleyway transformed into a lively cultural corridor. In collaboration with local businesses, these colorful, dynamic artworks have been installed, linking downtown to one of the city's most iconic waterfont sunset views! Located on the alley wall of our future home, Setting Sun Circle, is the incredible Coast Salish Living Mural designed by artists Free Borsey (Tsx'vilum), Raven Borsey (Xwesultun) and Roy Nicol (De'sh'he'um).

Stop by Sunset Alley, the Coast Salish Living Mural and more! Explore featured locations throughout Washington State to earn points by visiting stops, completing tours, taking quizzes and completing challenges to unlock prizes while discovering the best of our region’s art, culture and small businesses.

🎨 Learn more about the mural: https://settingsuncircle.org/livingmural

📱 Download to play: https://www.seattlefwc26.org/seaandwin

⚽ Check out the Bellingham Fan Zone: https://www.bellingham.org/fan-zone

06/12/2026

Hy'shqe for visiting us! \o/

06/10/2026

More stunning photos from Friday's historic ceremony and the community introduction to Setting Sun Circle captured by Finn Wendt with Cascadia Daily News.

Setting Sun Circle (formerly Children of the Setting Sun) hosted a community gathering Friday, June 5, roughly one year before its new building at 210 W. Ho ...

06/09/2026

Powerful scenes from last Friday photographed by the talented Ray Morris. Hy'shqe to everyone who joined us for a rainy, cleansing, and momentous day of community and culture!

Early in the evening, WestShore CanoeFamily paddled up Whatcom Creek to assist the Swe’lus family in returning the name Xw’otqwem to their ancestral village site in Bellingham.

Following the ceremony, roughly 400 people gathered for a community introduction to Setting Sun Circle, an event featuring an Indigenous Art Market with more than 20 vendors, songs and dances from Black Lodge Singers and West Shore Canoe Family, and remarks from community leaders including Lummi Nation Chairman Anthony Hillaire, Bellingham Mayor Kim Lund, North Sound ACH CEO Liz Baxter, Washington Conservation Action CEO Alyssa Macy, and Setting Sun Circle Executive Director Darrell Hillaire.

The evening concluded with a tour of Setting Sun Circle's future home for Indigenous storytelling and innovation currently under construction on West Holly Street in Bellingham's Downtown Arts District.

To honor the Coast Salish tradition of feeding the people, we shared tickets for discounted dinner at neighboring downtown restaurants. Our hands go up to our new neighbors in the downtown Bellingham food scene, including Cheba Hut "Toasted" Subs, Black Sheep Bellingham, Goat Mountain Pizza Co., La Fiamma, Fiamma Burger, Bellingham Cider Co., and Soy House.

Interested in learning more about Setting Sun Circle? Sign up for our e-news for updates on the creation of our new space in downtown Bellingham, as well as our storytelling, research and education work.
https://settingsuncircle.org/newsletter-sign-up

06/06/2026

Hy'shqe Friends & Relatives for making it out today! If you enjoyed the evening of Indigenous art, music, dancing and culture, you're in luck! The celebration continues!

✨️ All are welcome to the Spring Powwow! ✨️

Catch us at Northwest Indian College's Health & Wellness Center!
🥁 Sat. June 6 | Grand Entry 1 & 7 pm
🥁 Sun. June 7 | Grand Entry 1 pm

06/06/2026

✨️The celebration continues! All are welcome to the Spring Powwow! ✨️

Catch us at Northwest Indian College's Health & Wellness Center Sat. June 6-7!

‼️Drug and alcohol free event. No camping.

Join us for a Spring Powwow Sat. June 6 and Sun. June 7!

Don't forget to join us on Fri. June 5 at 6 pm at Maritime Heritage Park for The Journey Begins: A Community Introduction to Setting Sun Circle – a part of Bellingham's Indigenous Art Walk!

Make it a full weekend of culture and community with Setting Sun Circle! ☀️☀️☀️

06/04/2026

We welcome you and your family to an evening of culture and community as we introduce Setting Sun Circle during Bellingham’s Indigenous Art Walk TOMORROW — Fri. June 5th!

✨ The Journey Begins: A Community Introduction to Setting Sun Circle
🗓️ Fri. June 5, 2026
🛍 Indigenous Art Market 5 pm
🎤 Program begins 6 pm
📍Maritime Heritage Park – 500 West Holly Street in Bellingham, WA

✉️ RSVP not required, but appreciated for planning purposes:
https://settingsuncircle.org/new-events/2026/6/5/introduction

Through powerful voices, Indigenous art, music, and dance, we will share the vision for this transformative gathering place — and the journey we are beginning together.