2025 "Living Breath of wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ" Indigenous Foods Symposium

This symposium brings people together to share knowledge on topics such as traditional foods, plants, food sovereignty, and much more.

About this Event

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 dHlhenppZSB8IHV3ICEgZWR1.

For more information on past symposia or to learn more about the Living Breath, please visit our website: livingbreathfoodsymposium.org.

You can also contact Dr. Charlotte Coté at Y2xvdGlzZSB8IHV3ICEgZWR1

The 2025 Planning Committee Team: Dr. Charlotte Coté, Dr. Dian Million, Bridget Ray, Michelle Henry, Natalie Vaughan-Wynn, Chase Puentes, & Tia Yazzie.

Note: We will have afternoon breakout sessions so that attendees will be able to collaborate and share knowledge.

Please see the University of Washington's COVID-19 protocol page here: https://www.ehs.washington.edu/covid-19-prevention-and-response/covid-19-health-and-safety

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully.
Accessible parking information:
Map of accessible entrances.
Printable campus mobility map.

For general accessibility accommodation requests: contact the Disability Services Office via email or at 206.543.6450, 206.543.6452 (TTY), preferably at least 10 days in advance of the event.
For interpreting, captioning, amplification services, and TTYs: contact the Coordinator of Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services via email or at 206.543.1415, 206.543.6452 (TTY), preferably at least 10 days in advance of the event.

ADA Parking:
ADA compliant parking options for College of Arts & Sciences events:
N1: 6 stalls that serve The Burke Museum and Gates Hall
N22: 26 stalls that serve HUB, Hall Health, Thompson, Communications, and Padelford
Central Plaza Garage (C1-C6): 39 stalls that serve Kane, Suzzallo, Gerberding, Meany, Henry Art, Odegaard
C1: 12 stalls ‐ dispersed between exits/entrances to Meany Studio Theatre (2), Odegaard (2) and Kane Hall (8)
C2: 3 stalls ‐ located near 15th Avenue exit/entrance
C3: 12 stalls ‐ dispersed between exits/entrances to Meany Theatre (7), Odegaard (2) and Kane Hall (3)
C4: 4 stalls ‐ located near exit/entrance to Henry Art Gallery
C5: 4 stalls ‐ dispersed between exits/entrances to Odegaard (1) and Kane Hall (3)
C6: 4 stalls – located near exit/entrance to Henry Art Gallery

For additional questions/accommodations, contact the Transportation Services Events Office via email or at (206) 616-8710.

Day 1 Agenda


🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration and Continental Breakfast

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Opening Welcome: Living Breath Team

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Keynote Presentation: Mateus Tremembé

Info: Mateus Tremembé is a Youth Indigenous Leader of the Tremembé da Barra do Mundaú Indigenous Lands, in the municipality of Itapipoca, Ceará, Brazil. Mateus is an Indigenous agroecological farmer, food security and Indigenous food culture researcher, and Agronomy student at the University of International Integration of Afro-Brazilian Lusofonia (UNILAB). He is a community organizer for traditional Tremembé festivals, including the Ancestral Food Ritual, the Murici and Batiputá Festival, and the Yemanjá Festival.

🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Panel Presentations

🕑: 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM
Food Blessing and Lunch

🕑: 01:00 PM - 02:30 PM
Panel Presentations

🕑: 02:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Breakout Sessions

Day 2 Agenda


🕑: 08:30 AM - 09:00 AM
Registration and Continental Breakfast

🕑: 09:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Welcome: Living Breath Team

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Youth Keynote Speakers from New Zealand

Info: Dr Rāwiri Tinirau and members of Te Morehu Whenua (Manaaki Hogg, Ata Rangi Pehi, Inglis Tinirau-Williams, and Tumanako Pehi) hail from Ngāti Ruaka hapū (sub-tribe), affiliated with Rānana Marae, Whanganui River. Te Morehu Whenua – the name bestowed upon this group of youth by their pahake (elders) and hapū – reminds participants of their connection to their ancestral lands and environs, and their inherent responsibilities to these special places and spaces. This group utilises traditional and newly-created waiata (song) inspired by ancestral knowledge, to teach, share and reinforce practices associated with whakapapa (genealogical connections), kai (food) gathering and environmental restoration.

🕑: 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Presentations and Panels

🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
Food Blessing and Lunch

🕑: 01:30 PM - 05:00 PM
Breakout Sessions

🕑: 05:00 PM - 05:30 PM
Closing Comments and Raffle

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