Canoes land in Suquamish

Published 12:00 pm Wednesday, August 2, 2006

SUQUAMISH — The excited shouts of children waiting, none too patiently, for canoes welcomed friends and neighbors to downtown Suquamish Saturday. The youngsters were waiting for a sign — if just a glimpse — of the approximately 60 canoes expected to land in the community.

The swarms of kids would shout every time they spotted a boat, be it a kayak or a skiff, as they strained their eyes to see the fleet of canoes and their pullers as the Tribal Journeys arrived in town.

The annual event brings tribes from throughout the greater Northwest to destinations including Suquamish where they share their cultures and pass knowledge onto younger generations.

While Saturday this exchange was full of joy, it turned somber Sunday as attendees experienced an honoring ceremony for Chief Jerry Jack from Gold River, British Columbia. Jack died last Wednesday on the Journey when the canoe he was in capsized at Dungeness Spit near Sequim. The celebration of Jack’s marriage, set to take place in Suquamish during the weekend, was replaced with an earnest remembrance of his life.

“Sunday we facilitated a recognition of Jerry Jack,” said Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman. “His family came down. It was very powerful.”

Despite the sadness of losing Jack, family and friends celebrated the journey, shared their culture and continued onward to Seattle, their final destination.

Throughout the weekend, Suquamish residents had their work cut out for them in providing about 3,000 people with food and housing. Many camped in the downtown areas, with the grounds at Suquamish Elementary School, among other areas, reserved to accommodate overflow.

Early Saturday afternoon, residents and visitors started lining the roads and beach, watching for the canoes.

“I haven’t been able to see (my husband) since he left,” said Neah Bay resident Deena Barton, adding that she had been busy setting up camp and preparing for his arrival, having little time to worry about her husband pulling. She also said that the slab provided a nice place to sit and wait. “I like the views here.”

“I’m pretty excited,” said Suquamish resident Joan Bagley.

And the excitement for the Canoe Journey has grown over the years.

Suquamish resident Jill Howard said the number of canoes during this journey had grown to nearly 60, with 20 coming from the Neah Bay vicinity and 40 coming from other northern regions.

“It just gets a little bigger every year,” Howard said, smiling.

“This is something that is an inspiration for us,” Bagley said. “Especially for the young people. Every year, more people are joining, teaming together. It’s wonderful.”

But before tackling the final stretch into Suquamish, pullers stopped at George’s Head near Indianola for a quick hot dog. Across the water, the excitement grew as children called out at the slightest movement on the water.

When the first canoe was spotted, however, it surpassed all expectations of the younger crowd. A lone group of pullers decided they’d rather have clams than hot dogs, and continued on to Suquamish.

“There’s no greater sign than to see that smoke,” said Puyallup canoe puller Robert Satiacum, adding that the smoke was a sign that there was better food awaiting the pullers in the form of a salmon dinner and clam bake. He was accompanied by his wife, Elizabeth Ward and Ted Franzen.

“This is the first time I’ve ever seen people arrive by canoe,” said Suquamish resident Bill Boon. “It’s very interesting the way they are cooking the salmon. I’ve never seen that before.”

The meals, Forsman said, went off almost without a hitch, with only a few minor problems. Volunteers came out of the woodwork to assist with both the salmon and clam bake Saturday evening and the Suquamish Olalla Neighbors potluck on Sunday.

“The challenges were more trying to get everybody camped,” Forsman said, noting that the number of canoe pullers and their families expected fairly accurate. “Port Gamble S’Klallam helped out a lot. They provided camp areas for us.”

This year’s Tribal Journeys was good practice for 2009, when Suquamish will be the final destination, Forsman said. This year, as the second to last destination, the tribe was able to determine not only what issues might turn into problems in three years but how to address them as well.