Gathering in Community, Working Toward a Better Future
At Setting Sun Circle, we believe gathering is essential to building strong communities and creating a healthier future for generations to come. This month, we put into practice circling up together in community. In this work, we find commonalities and cross-cultural understanding to share solutions for the betterment of Mother Earth.
Setting Sun Circle Executive Director Darrell Hillaire joined World Without Hate and Town Hall Seattle for a special screening of "Pain and Peace." The film was followed by a panel of thought leaders who answered questions on human rights, the process of healing and forgiveness, and a world where we expand empathy.
Our staff joined the Free the Snake Flotilla — an annual gathering to listen, learn and take meaningful action towards salmon recovery in the Columbia Basin and healing the Snake River. The gathering celebrated connections between people, place and our animal relatives. We presented our latest film "The River Remembers" and participated in a community Q&A on a shared vision for healing.
Earlier this month, our research team joined Lummi Nation representatives who hosted the National Institutes of Health and National Institute on Drug Abuse. Delegates from the NIH were welcomed by Lhaq'temish Canoe Family and several talks focused on health research and Tribal consultation. Setting Sun Circle team members participated in listening sessions with Lummi Nation leaders to discuss the work on Native Collective Research Effort to Enhance Wellness (NCREW) projects.
Across each of these gatherings, we were reminded of the power of coming together — to share knowledge and strengthen relationships in hopes to build a better future.
Whatcom Peace and Justice, Native Action Network Recognize Santana Rabang
Santana at the Whatcom Peace and Justice Center's 23rd annual International Day of Peace
(Courtesy of Sattva Photo)
The Whatcom Peace and Justice Center awarded Santana Rabang with the 2026 Dotty Dale Youth Peacemaker award. As the host of our Young and Indigenous podcast, Santana's work helps us fulfill our commitment to increasing cross-cultural understanding and community building. Santana also recently joined the Native Action Network's Legacy of Leadership Cohort program for Native women. Congratulations, Santana!
Building for Generations to Come
Setting Sun Circle is moving deeper into the internal design phase of our future home, with the team honing furniture, fixtures and equipment (FFE) details while shaping a cohesive street-facing façade, including new moment frames that will bring the building together as one unified presence. As the project takes shape, it is becoming an anchored Coast Salish presence in downtown, with all the cedar for the façade finish now harvested and beginning fabrication.
"We’ll welcome everyone, not just Indigenous people. We want everyone to come together, to come around the fire," Setting Sun Circle's Josh Hillaire told Bellingham Alive. "We are doing it for the next ones. Giving them a space to feel comfortable and safe to be who they are."
Where We’ll Be
"The River Remembers" Upcoming Screenings
Sept. 26 | Port Townsend, WA at Port Townsend Film Festival*
SOLD OUT: "The River Remembers" screening
Still available: Indigenous Storytelling Through Film Forum with Setting Sun Circle staff
Oct. 3 & 11 | Bellingham, WA a special double feature with "Respect the Rez" from Cascadia Daily News at Pickford Film Center's Doctober*
Oct. 9-11 | Bend, OR at Bend Film Festival
Oct. 17 | New York, NY at Chelsea Film Festival
Oct. 24 | Friday Harbor, WA at Friday Harbor Film Festival*
Nov. 6-14 | Los Angeles, CA at Red Nation International Film Festival
*Post-screening conversation or Q&A
Oct. 16 | Bellingham, WA Doctober Screening of "Powwow People" followed by a Q&A with director Sky Hopkina at Pickford Film Center
Seeds of Change
Part IV: The Statue | Billy Frank Jr. Statue Project
How does a foundry cast clay into bronze? The process might surprise you. In this video produced by Setting Sun Circle, learn how artist Haiying Wu worked with the team at Classic Foundry to cast the clay model of Nisqually leader and humanitarian Billy Frank Jr. into a stunning bronze statue. Along the way, learn about Billy's lasting significance through historical footage and the voices of people who knew and loved him.
What is Darrell Reading?
Executive Director Darrell Hillaire is known as a prolific reader. We’re often asked, “What is Darrell reading right now?” He is currently reading "A People's History of the United States" by Howard Zinn and "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer.