Book Club: Early Relationships to Whales of the North Pacific

Scholarship available for this class:

Yes

Apply Here

Registration opens:

April 24, 2026

Seats available

Class Cost:

$449

Submit your scholarship application by August 1, 2026. The selected candidate will receive notification of the decision by September 1, 2026.

This series of books will take us back in time, giving a historic perspective on our relationship to whales of the North Pacific through three different lenses. Neptune’s Ark explores the evolution of whales and the journeys of the paleontologists who made key discoveries; Where the Sea Breaks Its Back chronicles the adventurous explorations of German naturalist Georg Steller; and Spirits of Our Whaling Ancestors examines indigenous perspectives on whaling, weighing Native rights and animal rights. As always, our unique book club will include movie watch parties, guest speakers, and an optional field trip!

Seats available:

Full seats $449 (including in-person field trip to the Burke Museum in Seattle)

Virtual only seats at $399 (field trip not included)

Included with the class are:

9 two-hour virtual Zoom sessions that include group book discussions, lectures, author Q&As, guest speakers, and virtual "watch parties" of curated films

Access to a private Discord server to connect with instructors and build community with other participants‍

A custom class bookmark

*Optional in-person field trip to the Burke Museum (Seattle)

Not included with the class:‍

Copies of the 3 books

Resources: Get your copy of Spirits of Our Whaling Ancestors Here

There are no specific prerequisites other than a willingness to learn and engage with others throughout this educational experience. No specific background is needed; in fact, we anticipate everyone's unique backgrounds, perspectives, and feelings will enrich the experience for all involved. The general expectation is that participants will read each book before the deadline, generate thoughts and questions about each book and/or film, and engage with their peers in lively discussions and Q&As.

"If you are interested in learning more about whales in the Salish Sea and participating in group discussions with other whale lovers, join this book club! It was a wonderful mix of education, discussion, passion and creativity."

"The book club was full of thoughtful discussions, engaging guest speakers, and a community of like-minded people. I loved how the moderators were able to acknowledge the difficult themes of the books while still driving discussion forward and encouraging different points of view. Each meeting was always a safe, thought-provoking forum, and the class was an overall wonderful experience!"

"Whether it’s fellow classmates, or guest speakers, this book club offers the opportunity to connect with folks from around the world who all have one thing in common - a love for whales! If you’re whale obsessed just like the rest of us, I couldn’t recommend this class more!"

Who is this course designed for?

Anyone 18 and older who wants to:

Expand their knowledge and understanding of regional killer whales

Enjoys "deep diving" on topics and considering different perspectives

Can keep an open mind while engaging in respectful conversation

Looks forward to building community with other individuals who share the same passions

What does it cost ?‍

The cost is $449 (including in-person field trip to the Burke Museum in Seattle) Or $399 (field trip not included).

‍What is your cancellation policy?

Cancel by August 31 for refund minus a $50 administrative fee. No refunds after September 1.