OLYMPIA – May 20, 2014 – The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission invites the public to attend the Ninth Annual Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration with the Samish and Swinomish tribes. The event takes place at Deception Pass State Park on Fidalgo Island, between the cities of Oak Harbor and Anacortes.
The celebration runs from noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, June 7, at the Bowman Bay picnic area on the Fidalgo Island side of Deception Pass State Park, 41020 State Route 20 in Oak Harbor. The event celebrates the maritime heritage of the two participating Coast Salish tribes and features canoe rides, singers, drummers and storytellers. Artists from the two tribes will demonstrate traditional weaving, cedar work and woodcarving. A salmon and fry bread lunch also are available for purchase during the event.
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 celebration support the Samish and Swinomish canoe families’ participation in the annual intertribal canoe journey. Each year, tribes and nations from the Pacific Northwest travel by canoe to different host community along the Salish Sea.
The Discover Pass is not required to attend this event. Saturday, June 7, is a State Parks “free day.” Visitors are not required to display a Discover Pass to access state parks on free days.
To get to the Bowman Bay area at Deception Pass State Park, use the park’s entrance at the junction of Rosario Road and State Route 20. The entrance is north of the Deception Pass Bridge, by Pass Lake.
The event is accessible to persons with disabilities. For special accommodations requests, call (360) 902-8626 or (360) 675-3767 or the Washington Telecommunications Relay Service at (800) 833-6388. Requests must be made in advance.
For more information about the Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration, contact: • Jack Hartt, State Park Manager, (360) 675-3767 or jack.hartt@parks.wa.gov
• Leslie Eastwood, Samish Indian Nation, (360) 293-6404• Srey Ryser, State Parks, (360) 902-8626 or srey.ryser@parks.wa.gov
Celebrating the Salish Sea Cultures
The Salish Sea Native American Culture Celebration 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 between the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Northwest Heritage Resources with funding provided by National Endowment for the Arts and the Washington State Parks Foundation.
The combined waters of the Puget Sound, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Strait of Georgia, Deception Pass, Bowman Bay and all their other interconnecting inlets and bays comprise the “Salish Sea.” The name was officially recognized by the United States Board on Geographic Names in 2009 and the Geographical Names Board of Canada in 2010. As a result, this event was renamed in 2010, formerly called the Native American Culture Celebration, to reflect the international recognition of the Salish Sea.
About Deception Pass State ParkDeception 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 features old-growth forests, abundant wildlife, Deception Pass Bridge, diverse recreational opportunities, miles of sandy beaches and hidden coves, and wedding venues. More information about the park, including driving directions, is available here: www.parks.wa.gov/497/Deception-Pass
June is Great Outdoors Month. Enjoy Washington’s many recreational activities and celebrate the month dedicated to environmental stewardship and the appreciation of the outdoors. Many state parks host a variety of events in June. For more information, visit www.parks.wa.gov/calendar.aspx .
Stay connected to your state parks by following Washington State Parks at www.facebook.com/WashingtonStateParks, www.twitter.com/WaStatePks_NEWS, www.foursquare.com/WAStatePks and www.youtube.com/WashingtonStateParks. Share your favorite state park adventure on the new State Parks’ blog site at www.AdventureAwaits.com.The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. For more information about parks and services, visit www.parks.wa.gov/events/.
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 contact:
Toni Droscher, (360) 902-8604
Srey Ryser, (360) 902-8626
Wash. Telecommunications Relay Service: (800) 833-6388
-30-