The traditional lands of the S’Klallam, on the present-day beaches of Fort Worden State Park, welcomed tribal canoe families on Friday, July 26, as the landing served as a stopover on the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey.

The stopover was hosted by the Lower Elwha Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam and Port Gamble S’Klallam, who prepared for as many as 25 canoes, each carrying up to 43 people, to ask the host tribes’ permission to come ashore, and share in ceremonial songs and dances.

Canoe landings occurred throughout the day on the beach near the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. A number of volunteers helped move people and gear from the landing site to the campsite.

The tribes worked with park staff to accommodate the crowding and congestion of increased visitor traffic with park staff providing personnel and signage to help direct traffic.

An area was designated for public viewing for those interested in watching and learning more about the canoe journey. The S’Klallam Tribes also hosted an information booth near the site of the canoe landings to provide information on Coast Salish traditions and practices.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission issued a public statement that it was “honored to lift the voices” of the indigenous peoples who gathered for the youth canoe journey.

Although Washington State Parks is the current steward of a number of these lands, its statement acknowledged that “these are the traditional lands of the S’Klallam people since time immemorial,” and “as an indigenous ally, State Parks is privileged to use its platform to share these stories,” in partnership with the tribes.

The larger journey, which features thirteen canoes from tribes around the Salish Sea, will be hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, near Tacoma, from July 31 to August 5. About 5,000 tribal members are expected to attend the annual event.

Connie McCloud of the Puyallup Tribe said that “the whole point of this youth journey is to teach our children, so that you have the adults (and) the Elders working with the youth, to train them to be in the leadership position. It doesn’t eliminate any canoe families from participating. It puts the focus on training our youth.”

The Puyallup Tribes expanded that statement to add that “our Puyallup shores are open to all,” so tribal adults can impart their knowledge while guiding and supporting tribal youth, so they in turn can step into roles of leadership. “This will assist in ensuring that the culture is continued on through future generations.”