Memorials for Tokitae are planned in Tacoma and Coupeville this weekend.
Tokitae, the last of the captured Southern Resident orcas, died Aug. 18 at Miami Seaquarium, where she was known as Lolita, just as plans were underway to return her to a sea pen in the Salish Sea. She was estimated to be 57 years old.
From 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, a memorial is planned at the Foss Waterway Seaport in Tacoma.
Tacoma student Nateli Sanderson plans the South Sound memorial for Tokitae. The event, sponsored by Foss Waterway Seaport with support from Orca Network, will include information and displays about Tokitae, presentations from Nateli and Orca Network staff, opportunities for attendees to share memories and thoughts, and a waterside ceremony to honor Tokitae and her family.
From 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday in Coupeville, Coast Salish Elders Rosie Cayou James and Bill Bailey will present the first of a series of salmon ceremonies to honor Tokitae. Additional dates and locations will be announced soon, they said.
The ceremony will take place near the Whale Wheel at the corner of Front and Alexander streets in downtown Coupeville on the shores of Penn Cove, where Tokitae was captured 53 years ago.
Organizers request that everyone wear black and white. There will be cedar available to place in the water during the ceremony, but participants can bring their own if they want to do so.
The evening also will include words from Howard Garrett and Susan Berta of Orca Network and Mayor Molly Hughes of Coupeville.
The memorial is sponsored by Orca Network, Town of Coupeville, Port of Coupeville, Coupeville Chamber, Friends of Ebey’s, Ebey’s Landing Trust Board, Penn Cove Water Festival and others who want to honor Tokitae.
