Free canoe rides from the Chehalis, Nisqually and Puyallup Tribes
OLYMPIA – May 29, 2015 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to the Canoe Families Celebration at Millersylvania State Park in Olympia.
The celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 13, at the boat launch area on Deep Lake, 12245 Tilley Road South, Olympia. The event celebrates the cultural heritage of the local Chehalis, Nisqually and Puyallup Tribes.
The June 13 event will feature canoe rides and Native singers, drummers and storytellers. Artists from the tribes will demonstrate traditional weaving, cedar work and woodcarving. A salmon and fry bread lunch will be available for purchase for $10. The Discover Pass is not required to attend the event. In recognition of National Get Outdoors Day, Saturday, June 13, is a State Parks “free day,” when visitors to state parks are not required to display a Discover Pass.
Cultural event activities are presented by the Canoe Families from The Chehalis Tribe, the Nisqually Indian Tribe and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. Proceeds from food sales support the canoe families’ participation in an intertribal canoe journey where tribes and nations from the Pacific Northwest travel by canoe to different host communities along the Salish Sea. The next Canoe Journey is planned for 2016 and will be hosted by the Nisqually Indian Tribe.
The event is accessible to persons with disabilities. Those requiring special accommodations to attend the event may call (360) 902-8626 or (360) 753-1519 or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.
About the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program
The American Roots Music Series is part of a broader series of events celebrating Washington’s diverse cultures and presented by the Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program. The program is a partnership of Washington State Parks and Northwest Heritage Resources, with funding provided by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Parks Foundation. For a full schedule of Folk and Traditional Arts in the Parks Program events visit http://www.parks.wa.gov/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=121 or contact Debbie Fant, Folk & Traditional Arts Program Coordinator, at Deborah.Fant@parks.wa.gov or 360-902-8635.
About Millersylvania State Park
Millersylvania State Park is an 842-acre camping park with 3,300-feet of freshwater shoreline on Deep Lake. The park, filled with trails, is abundant in old-growth Cedar and Fir trees. Millersylvania was constructed almost entirely by hand in 1935 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. Deep Lake, located on the property, attracts boaters, swimmers and fishermen. The state capital is a few miles north of the park. For more information about Millersylvania, check http://www.parks.wa.gov/546/Millersylvania
About Washington State Parks
The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages more than 100 state parks and properties totaling approximately 120,000 acres. The Commission provides a variety of recreation opportunities for citizens and provides stewardship protection for a diverse array of natural, cultural and historic resources. State Parks’ statewide programs include long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation.
Follow Washington State Parks:
Share your favorite state park adventure on the State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.
Support state parks by purchasing your annual Discover Pass today, and enjoy a whole year of outdoor fun on Washington’s beautiful state-managed recreation lands. For more information, visit www.discoverpass.wa.gov.
Media contacts:
Debbie Fant, (360) 902-8635
Toni Droscher, (360) 902-8604
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service:(800) 833-6388
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