Suquamish Canoe Days
Monday, July 27 was the start of the 3-day Suquamish Tribe Canoe Days. I’m providing feedback from the perspective of a non-tribal volunteer at the event.
First some background. This event recreates what probably happened annually in the Salish Sea (Puget Sound) region for thousands of years (the recent 250 year celebration of the United States pales in comparison to the much lengthier legacy of the indigenous people, stretching close to 10,000 years). Local tribes used the inland waterways as their superhighways, relying on sturdy, 30’ long, cedar-built canoes. “Canoe families”—paddler’s & support staff—represented the participating tribes in a journey from tribal lands/reservations to neighboring tribal locations on the Salish Sea. Upon arriving a “potlatch” event consisting of sharing stories, dances, and food takes place. The contemporary “Canoe Days” events have been happening for close to 40 years. This year, the Suquamish Tribe hosted all participating tribes in a 3 day potlatch. Seventy canoes are expected to ultimately arrive in Suquamish stretching from Vancouver Island to the Columbia River.
What I observed or gathered from interactions with tribal members:
Some tribal members were coming from far away as McCall (Northern Idaho), Neah Bay (NW Olympic Peninsula) and the Columbia River Basin. This was the first time the Suquamish Tribe had hosted the event where all tribal groups would meet in Suquamish. The expectation was for 70 canoes families to attend from both north and south of Suquamish.
Canoes coming from Pt. Gamble (mouth of Hood Canal)3the recent stop southbound on the trek across the Salish Sea—started arriving at 12:30 p.m., originally coming from Neah Bay (WA), S’Kallam Bay (WA) and Victoria (B.C.). An hour later there were already 6 canoes onshore.
The ceremony to welcome tribal canoes was conducted in the native language—all but lost in the previous era that focused on Native American assimilation into the “white” civilization. Canoes approaching the Suquamish shoreline would first request permission to come ashore and once granted by the Suquamish spokesperson their boat would be hauled out and carried to the overlooking bluff by volunteers (Bainbridge Is. High Sch. Football Team, local Navy personnel & others)
Temporary shelters, eg. tents, camping trailers, etc., filled every nook & cranny of Suquamish and neighboring areas to the event… clearly there were a lot of tribal participants, with all age groups represented
Scenes of canoes arriving at the Suquamish Tribal potlatch:
Cooking huge quantities of salmon and crab
Canoes arriving Suquamish & the welcoming process to land
Canoes moved inland near the potlatch gathering spot
A very well-organized event! A large contingent of volunteers managed road closures, provided first aid/hydration services, shuttle services for both visitors & volunteers, food service support, and “muscle” to move the heavy canoes from shore to potlatch area.
As I read two books recommended in the Summer Challenge list (The Bitters Waters of Medicine Creek and Tulalip, from My Heart: An Autobiographical Account of a Reservation Community) I’m reminded of how successful the indigenous population was in creating harmony between diverse cultural groups (both white & native born), being exemplary stewards of their natural preserve and finding ways to preserve and retain their culture when faced with extreme measures to eliminate it. We should take heart from their example that adversity can make us strong and just causes can persevere and prosper. I’m truly humbled by the fortitude and grace that the local indigenous people have demonstrated in spite of injustices wrought on them by white culture and politics. We have much to learn from our local brethren.
Phil Fergusson
Chairman, Summer Challenge Steering Committee