Swinomish Education Center opens on Swinomish reservation
SWINOMISH INDIAN TRIBAL COMMUNITY - A blessing ceremony and open house were held Wednesday to celebrate the opening of the Swinomish Education Center, an education hub for learners from kindergarten to adulthood.
The building will provide K-12 education, certificate and degree programs, Lushootseed language learning, community environmental health for the Swinomish community, and will have a stove and oven so students can learn culinary skills.
The space will also serve as an after-school care place for children in the area.
The building is the former site of Northwest Indian College.
Swinomish senators Barbara James, Brian Porter, Aurelia Bailey and Fred Cailloux spoke about the importance of the center at Wednesday's ceremony.
They shared stories about the college, and their hopes that the building's new purpose will help generations of students make a difference.
Catholic, Shaker and Pentecostal leaders and community members blessed the building in their own way.
VIDEO: Swinomish Education Center opens
A walkthrough of the Swinomish Education Center, newly opened on the Swinomish reservation in La Conner.
The leaders shared their hopes their hopes that the building will help students grow in knowledge, cultural appreciation, and to continue to positively affect their communities long after they graduate.
The Swinomish Canoe Family shared a song dedicated to the center.
The center was made possible largely by the Swinomish Tribal Senate. The building underwent some physical repairs, including new rugs, and interior and exterior painting.
"The goal is for the building to be used by as many people as possible, and my goal is we get to the point where we need a bigger building," said Swinomish Education Director Loran James.
The center is at 17113 Tallawhalt Lane on the Swinomish reservation.
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This story was originally published July 3, 2026 at 7:05 AM.