Port Townsend in Jefferson County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Intertribal Trade

Coast Salish Canoe Culture

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

1. Intertribal Trade Marker

Inscription.

For centuries, the S'Kallam people traded with other Tribes within the continental U.S. and across the Strait in Canada. Direct trade was the Native method of food and materials redistribution across geographical bounds, and from great distances.

Seafood was a prized trade item to inland Tribes, and for settlers. Klallam traded baskets, reed mats, camas bulbs, woolen cloaks, fish and roe, for specialty items brought by other tribes (including bones and oil of whale, raw copper, and other items). When item-for-item trade was not possible, dentalia shell was used up and down the west coast as currency.

Canoes As Cargo Vessels

For an idea of how canoes might be loaded for an extended voyage, we offer this description from Caroline C. Leighton in her Life at Puget Sound with Sketches of Travel in Washington Territory, British Columbia, Oregon and California, 1865-1881, published in 1884: "Today when we were coasting along the shore, we saw Yeomans preparing his canoe for a long excursion. It was lined with mats. In the middle were two of the baskets Indians weave from roots, willed [sic - filled?] with red salmon-spawn. Against them lay a grey duck, with snowy breast, then deer-meat and various kinds of fishes. Over the whole he had laid great green leaves that looked like the leaves of

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the tulip-tree. The narrow end of the canoe was filled with purple sea urchins, all alive, and of the most vivid color...."

[Photo caption in photo is not legible]

Erected by Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe and Northwest Maritime Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Native Americans • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical year for this entry is 1884.

Location. 48° 6.967′ N, 122° 45.115′ W. Marker is in Port Townsend, Washington, in Jefferson County. Marker is on Water Street east of Monroe Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is in the passageway at the Northwest Maritime Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 431 Water Street, Port Townsend WA 98368, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. The S'Klallams, The Strong People (here, next to this marker); Canoes Were Made Of Locally Available Materials (here, next to this marker); The Unique Coast Salish Design (here, next to this marker); Trade With Newcomers (here, next to this marker); InterTribal Canoe Journey (here, next to this marker); Chief Chetzemoka (here, next to this marker); Partnering With The Northwest Maritime Center With A Shared Respect For The Sea

Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

2. Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers

(here, next to this marker); Honoring Eleanor Stopps (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Townsend.

Also see . . .
1. Celebrating Our Coast Salish Canoe Culture (Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe). (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Northwest Maritime Center. (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., August 1, 2021

3. Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers

Looking toward Water Street

Credits. This page was last revised on August 14, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 117 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.