Canoe Families host celebration at Deception Pass

Published 1:30 am Friday, June 7, 2019

Washington State Parks Folk and Traditional Arts Program invites the public to the 14th annual Salish Sea Native American Cultural Celebration at Deception Pass State Park.

Hosted by the Swinomish and Samish Canoe Families, the celebration is noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 8, at the Bowman Bay picnic area on the Fidalgo Island side of Deception Pass.

Join the tribes’ canoe families for a wood dugout canoe ride, share a traditional meal and engage with tribal music, storytelling and arts. The celebration raises awareness of the rich cultural heritage of the tribes and honors their deep connections to Washington’s lands and waters.

The family-friendly event will feature free canoe rides and a salmon and fry bread meal for purchase. Proceeds from food sales support the canoe families’ participation in the annual Tribal Canoe Journey — where tribes and nations from the Pacific Northwest travel by canoe to different host communities along the Salish Sea.

The 2019 Paddle Journey will be hosted by the Lummi Nation near Bellingham from July 24-28.

In recognition of National Get Outdoors Day, June 8 is a State Parks free day.