Samish and Swinomish tribes offer free canoe rides
OLYMPIA – May 18, 2016 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission Folk & Traditional Arts in the Parks Program invites the public to the 11th Annual Salish Sea Native American Cultural Celebration at Deception Pass State Park on Fidalgo Island.
The celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, June 11, at the Bowman Bay picnic area on the Fidalgo Island side of Deception Pass State Park, 41020 State Route 20, Oak Harbor. The event celebrates the maritime heritage of the two participating Coast Salish tribes. (Directions: https://goo.gl/maps/37KeXqmfFt62)
The June 11 event will feature canoe rides and native singers, drummers and storytellers. Artists from the two tribes will demonstrate traditional weaving, cedar work and woodcarving. A salmon and fry bread lunch also will be available for purchase. The Discover Pass is not required to attend this event. In recognition of National Get Outdoors Day, Saturday, June 11 is a State Parks “free day,” when day-use visitors to state parks are not required to display a Discover Pass. (More information about the Discover Pass is at www.discoverpass.wa.gov.)
Cultural event activities are presented by the Samish Indian Nation, the Samish Canoe Family, the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community and the Swinomish Canoe Family. Proceeds from food sales at the Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration support the Samish and Swinomish 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 2016 Canoe Journey will be hosted by the Nisqually Indian Tribe.
The event is accessible to persons with disabilities. If special accommodations are required to attend the event, please call (360) 675-3767 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 Canoe Families event 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 more information about the Folks and Traditional Arts in the Parks program, including upcoming events, visit: http://parks.state.wa.us/folkarts or contact Debbie Fant, Program Coordinator, at Deborah.Fant@parks.wa.gov or (360)902-8635.
About Deception Pass State Park
Deception Pass State Park is a 4,134-acre marine and camping park with 77,000 feet of saltwater of shoreline, and 33,900 feet of freshwater shoreline on three lakes. The park is best known for views of Deception Pass and Bowman Bay, old-growth forests, abundant wildlife and the historic Deception Pass Bridge. More information about Deception Pass is here: http://parks.state.wa.us/497/Deception-Pass
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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