LUMMI NATION — Tribal youngsters gathered Wednesday at the tribal veterans’ hall on the Stommish Grounds to thank the veterans for agreeing to share their building with a new after-school cultural education program.

Kids and veterans in Veterans of Foreign Wars caps sat together for a traditional salmon dinner, and the young people presented the veterans with pillows and necklaces they made under the direction of certified teacher Doralee Sanchez. She is the director of the Cultural Learning Center that will operate in the veterans’ hall every school day from 3 to 6 p.m.

Sanchez said the youngsters who participate in the program will learn traditional handcrafts such as drummaking and the weaving of baskets and cedar hats, among other things.

“My job description is prevention,” Sanchez said. “I’m here to give people healthy alternatives.”

Cheryl Sanders, Lummi Indian Business Council member and the tribe’s youth wellness coordinator, said she was excited to see the new program up and running.

“It’s a great opportunity for our children to learn about our culture, from making baskets to listening to stories,” Sanders said.

At the closing of the gathering, veterans and the rest of the group “retired the colors.” They honored the U.S. flag with drumming, a tribal farewell song and “God Bless America” before the color guard left the building.

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Richard Hillaire said the decision to share the veterans’ building with the young people was an easy one to make.

“We like to see this culture continue on through the younger generation,” Hillaire said.