The City of Bellingham welcomes members of tribal communities visiting our area for Paddle to Lummi, July 30 through August 4, when thousands gather for healing, hope, happiness, honor and hospitality.
The Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest have invited canoe families of every Pacific Northwest tribe to paddle their hand-carved canoes to the shores of the Lummi Nation. The journey seeks to honor the centuries-old custom of transport, harvest and trade by the Coast Salish tribes, many who traveled the waters to meet and gather for festivities.
Thousands are expected gather from July 30 through August 4. Last year’s Paddle to Muckleshoot hosted more than 40,000 participants and 60 canoes from as far away as St. Paul Island, Alaska and the Grand Ronde Tribe in Oregon, traveling the routes of ancestral highways.
The Lummi Nation will host the first potlatch in 70 years. Traditionally, the potlatches were the most distinctive feature of Pacific Northwest indigenous culture, helping to share local bounty, keep track of the shifting loyalties among the People, and legalize claims to nobly entitled names. Each one involved a formal display of crests, privileges, members, foods and resources in the presence of honored guests and witnesses, who accepted meals and gifts in return for supporting these changes in the social fabric.
This is a rare opportunity for the public to experience all of the elements of an authentic Native American festival and gathering. For information about Paddle to Lummi, including maps and driving directions, opportunities to volunteer, and more, visit www.paddletolummi.com
