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

InterTribal Canoe Journey

Coast Salish Canoe Culture

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

1. InterTribal Canoe Journey Marker

Inscription.

In 1989, the Canoe Culture was revitalized with the inception of the Intertribal Canoe Journey. The S'Klallam/Klallam Tribes participate in the Intertribal Canoe Journeys in which Canoe Families from dozens of Tribes travel to one destination each summer, celebrating together at each stop, and culminating in a potlatch on the Tribal lands of the host Tribe.

Although Port Townsend does not have a resident Tribe, local volunteers have worked in tandem with the S'Klallam Tribes to staff the stop at North Beach, with a celebration at Fort Worden State Park - the stop that lies between Port Gamble and Jamestown Beach.

[Photo captions, top to bottom, read]
• In 1992, in preparation for the journey to Bella Bella, the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe worked with experienced canoe carvers Bob Hoskins and Duane Pasco to build the canoe Laxaynem. Top, Matt Adams adzes the inside of an old growth Western Red Cedar tree harvested by the Tribe for the project. Middle, the canoe immediately after being steamed open. Right, Working on the details of the interior and exterior shortly before the canoe blessing and journey in July 1993.

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• Top, crew of the Canoe Laxaynem with its seawolf imagery, coming in for a landing. The canoe is named after Chetzemoka's father. Below, a raft of canoes coming into shore. Many more canoes waiting to land are visible in the background.

Erected by Northwest Maritime Center.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Indigenous Peoples and Communities • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is July 1993.

Location. 48° 6.967′ N, 122° 45.115′ W. Marker is in Port Townsend, Washington, in Jefferson County. It 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.

Regionally, this marker is in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Pacific Rim,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At

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

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

2. Coast Salish Canoe Culture Markers

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); Intertribal Trade (here, next to this marker); Trade With Newcomers (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 (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. Coast Salish Canoe Construction. (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
2. Tribal Canoe Journeys 1989-present Revitalizing Our Canoe Culture. (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)
3. Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe History. (Submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.)

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 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. This page has been viewed 336 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 13, 2021, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio.