It’s been 10 years since KNKX became an independent station, thanks to the incredible support and encouragement from listeners, which helped us get over the finish line.
One of the ways we’re celebrating is by presenting special events in communities across the region. You’re invited to join us for KNKX’s 10th Anniversary event at SPARK Museum of Electrical Invention in Bellingham on Thursday, June 11, 2026. WE ARE SOLD OUT OF ADVANCE TICKETS. WE MAY HAVE TICKETS AT THE DOOR DEPENDING ON AVAILABILITY.
Happy Hour and Museum Access
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a happy hour in the Museum’s theater including complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and snacks. During that time, we also encourage you to take some time to view the Museum's world-class collection of artifacts representing the historic development of electricity, radio, and early technology. Don’t forget to try out the interactive exhibits!
Program
Our special program begins at 7:30 p.m. First up: KNKX Environment Reporter Bellamy Pailthorp moderates a conversation about the successful conservation of marine mammals in the area with Dr. Cindy Elliser, associate director of the Salish Sea Institute and Ellie Kinley, a member of the Lummi Nation, president of Sacred Sea, and a commercial fisherwoman.
This will be followed by KNKX music host Justus Sanchez's Tree of Jazz presentation exploring the throughline of jazz songs with an ecological theme. We'll cap the evening with a performance by Vancouver, B.C. saxophonist Cory Weeds and his trio.
About the Participants
Bellamy Pailthorp, KNKX Environment Reporter
Bellamy Pailthorp covers the KNKX environment beat with an emphasis on climate justice, human health and food sovereignty. Bellamy likes reporting stories about how we will power our future while maintaining healthy cultures and livable cities.
Justus Sanchez, KNKX Jazz Host
Justus Sanchez hosts KNKX's The Lounge and Tree of Jazz programming. He's passionate about the power of music and its ability to bring people together. He hopes to share unique and diverse music to broaden musical horizons and bring his appreciation for different genres and artists to Evening Jazz. He’s excited to discover more great music and to connect to the Northwest music scene and share it with you on KNKX!
Sul ka dub ~ Freddie Lane, Speaker, Activist, Event Organizer
Welcome and Land Acknowledgment
Sul ka dub ~ Freddie Lane, enrolled citizen of the Lummi Nation Lhaq’temish, organizes the annual Gathering of the Eagles canoe journey throughout the San Juan Islands each Memorial Day Weekend. A speaker, activist, and event organizer, Freddie is also part of the totem pole journeys undertaken by House of Tears carvers.
Dr. Cindy Elliser, Salish Sea Institute Associate Director
Dr. Cindy Elliser is Associate Director of the Salish Sea Institute at Western Washington University, a marine mammologist, and educator based out of Anacortes. Dr. Elliser is the Founder and Research Director at Pacific Mammal Research, a non-profit organization focused on surveying and educating the public about harbor porpoises and harbor seals. She works effectively on the academic front as well as engaging with people and science throughout the Salish Sea region.
Tah-Mahs Ellie Kinley, Sacred Sea President
Sacred Lands Conservancy dba Sacred Sea President Tah-Mahs Ellie Kinley is an enrolled Lummi tribal member and fisherwoman. In her work to protect the life and waters of her people’s traditional territory, she has testified before U.S. and Canadian governmental agencies, worked for Lummi Nation’s Sovereignty and Treaty Protection Office, and currently serves as an elected member of Lummi Nation’s Fisheries and Natural Resources Commission. She is a founding and current board member of both the Whatcom Commercial Fisherman’s Association and SeaFeast.
Cory Weeds, Tenor Saxophonist
Tenor saxophonist Cory Weeds was the founder and owner of Cory Weeds' Cellar Jazz Club in Vancouver, B.C. which he successfully ran for 13 years. Cory has served as the artistic director of Frankie’s Jazz Club in downtown Vancouver since 2016. He has recorded more than 20 albums as a leader, including his latest release Meets Jerry Weldon. Cory's trio for this event also includes Michael Glynn on bass, and Harrison Ivaz on guitar.
Event attendees will also receive a complimentary copy of In the Spirit of Right and Respectful Relations/Conversations about Indigenous Ways of Knowing and Being in Nature. Published by Braided River, the book promotes dialog with Indigenous Peoples to increase understandings, build relationships and momentum, and inspire action to support, protect, and restore our region’s imperiled lands, waters, life, and lifeways, as told to Kurt Russo, co-executive director of Se’Se’Le with an introduction by Jay Julius, former chairman of the Lummi Nation and the founder and president of Se’Se’Le.
Se’Si’Le (saw-see’-law) is the Lummi Indian word for “our grandmother.” The nonprofit's mission is "to utilize Indigenous ancestral knowledge for the benefit of our Mother Earth, Indigenous lifeways, and for future generations. We provide protective management strategies and plans for Indigenous sacred sites, areas, resources, and landscapes, and invoke, preserve, and promote understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing the nature of Nature."
KNKX thanks Mountaineers Books for their generous donation.
