TAHOLAH — A new totem is keeping watch over Taholah in the center of the Washington’s rugged Pacific Coast.
The 70-foot-tall structure was dedicated Saturday to Emmett Oliver, 99, oldest living member of the Quinault tribe, and the man whose efforts led to the renewal of the canoe journey tradition with the Paddle to Seattle in 1989; and Phil Martin, 82, community leader and grandson of the tribal leaders who signed the treaty making the Quinault a sovereign entity.
The totem overlooks an encampment where more than 10,000 members of tribes from the Pacific Northwest, Canadian First Nations and even Hawaii and New Zealand have gathered for celebrations that end Tuesday.
Bella Bella, home of the Heiltsuk First Nation, is next year’s Canoe Journey destination.
Headquartered 346 miles northwest of Port Angeles on Campbell Island off the British Columbia coast, the Heiltsuk have not hosted the event since 1993.
The new totem was carved by Quinault tribal members James DeLaCruz, Jr., Marco Black and Brian Comenout, from a 1,000-year-old red cedar tree selected from a section of Quinault Reservation forests set aside for ceremonial purposes.
“The totem reflects the connection of the Quinault people with the land and the animals,” ” said Guy Capoeman, Canoe Journey coordinator for the Quinault Tribe
“These are the things that make us Quinault.”
Nearby, the Paddle to Quinault potlatch continued, even as event organizers prepare to hand over the annual event to next year’s hosts.
Throughout each day and into the night, the tribes take part in the Protocol — taking a turn performing traditional dances and songs, presenting gifts and words of honor, said Steve Robinson, spokesman for the Quinault.
Both the Protocol, taking place in a large tent on Point Grenville, and the potlatch outside it are open to the public.
The tribal ceremonies also are being streamed live at www.GHWebTV.com.
The schedule of tribes’ turns in the Protocol tent is flexible.
It generally starts at about 10 a.m. each day. It can continue late into the night, Robinson said.
Generally, the tribes who have traveled the farthest perform first, with host tribe’s neighbors later on, and finishing with the host tribe.
The final Protocol of the event is expected to take place tonight or Tuesday, Robinson said.
The Heiltsuk First Nation are scheduled to perform traditional dances and music at Taholah, just prior to the Quinault performances, he said.
In 1989, nine traditional canoes traveled from the coast to Seattle, in celebration of the Washington State Centennial.
Four years later, in 1993, the Heiltsuk First Nation hosted the first annual Canoe Journey, the Paddle to Bella Bella, when 23 canoes made the trip to the northern coastal tribe’s home.
This year, 89 canoes made the trip to Taholah escorted by the tall ships Lady Washington and the Hawaiian Chieftain, in celebration of the 225th anniversary of the first meeting between the original Lady Washington and the tribes of the Pacific Northwest.
More information on the event is available at www.PaddletoQuinault.org.
Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
