Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey 2024 set to stopover in Fort Worden, how to support

qatáy/PORT TOWNSEND – The traditional lands of the S'Klallam, known as qatáy, on the present-day beaches of Fort Worden Historical State Park, will welcome traditional canoe families on Fri., July 26. The landing is a stopover on the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey.

The stopover will be hosted by the ʔéʔɬx̣ʷaʔ (Lower Elwha Klallam), stətíɬəm (Jamestown S'Klallam) and nəxʷq̕íyt (Port Gamble S'Klallam). As many as 25 canoes, each carrying up to 43 people, will ask the host Tribes permission to come ashore and share in ceremonial songs and dances.

Day of the landing

Canoe landings will occur throughout the day on Friday at beach near the Port Townsend Marine Science Center. Landings are a large-scale community event and require many volunteers to help canoe families, shuttle Tribal Elders and carry people and gear from the landing site to the camp site.

The former boat launch parking lot in front of the Cable House Canteen will be reserved for Tribal Elders and visitors with a disability placard.

Jazz Port Townsend, a week-long jazz music workshop, will also host a concert at the park’s mainstage at the McCurdy Pavilion in the evening.  

Visitors to the park on Friday should expect and plan for increased traffic congestion, limited parking and crowds. In support and partnership with the Tribes, Parks staff is responsible for the park logistics and will have staff and signage available to help direct traffic. If you have questions or not sure where to go, ask uniformed Parks staff.

How to share the park during Canoe Journey

Canoe Journey is a sacred ceremony to the Coast Salish People and State Parks asks the public to support by respectfully observing while visiting Fort Worden on July 26. There will be a designated public viewing area for those interested in watching and learning more about Canoe Journey.

The S’Klallam Tribes will also host an information booth near the site of the canoe landings to provide information to the public who may be interested in learning more about Coast Salish traditions and practices.

During the canoe landing, please follow these guidelines to respectfully share the space:

• Pay attention to what is happening and step back to allow space for this to be about the Indigenous people.
• Listen and observe. Do not interrupt preparations or ceremony to ask questions. Please visit the information booth instead.
• Be quiet and respectful. Don’t talk during a prayer, when an Elder is talking or when a canoe family is requesting permission to come ashore.
• Avoid swearing, speaking loudly, or speaking in degrading ways.
• Do not touch the canoes unless you are invited to do so.

The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission is honored to lift the voices of the Indigenous People who will gather for the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey. Though State Parks is the current steward of some of these lands, these are the Traditional lands of S’Klallam People since time immemorial. As an indigenous ally, State Parks is privileged to use its platform to share these stories in partnership with the Tribes.