“We are the Cowlitz Tribe and this is our land! Welcome to our land!”… continued…
A long time ago, a very, very long time ago, clams had feet. They could walk everywhere — just like everybody else. And they were kind of nosy and extremely curious. They were especially interested in humans. You’d be getting home from work and the clams, they’d be watching while you told your family about your day. You’d be brushing your teeth and if you looked down, a clam or two would be standing there, waiting to see what you’d do next.… continued…
Many years back I rode my bike up to Daybreak Star in Discovery Park and found myself at the Seafair Powwow, a big event with drums and chanting and dust. There were beads for sale and photographers with giant lenses. I bought fry bread and wandered around, not knowing what to do at a powwow as an outsider. I stood on the edge of things, let the deep bass of the drumming bump up against my insides, and felt very much like a tourist observing a tradition I couldn’t crack.… continued…
“It’s a cedar bark hat” he said. “We’re making the Canoe Journey. We’re going to Suquamish next. It’s 30 miles.” His name was Joe, he was a big guy, and friendly, and told us they’d had a great day, the weather was good and the tides were on their side. I was feeling lucky to find the paddlers at Alki – especially because we had a guest in our company for the afternoon and this was an event unique to the Pacific Northwest.… continued…
