NEAH BAY — The Makah Cultural and Research Center will celebrate its 45th anniversary from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.
The annual celebration will be at the center, 1880 Bayview Ave.
The center, which first opened in 1979, has served as the repository for Makah material culture; exhibits on permanent display feature artifacts excavated at the southernmost village of Ozette on Makah lands.
The center also is the home for the Makah language program, which endeavors to strengthen Makah language proficiency within the community.
The anniversary celebration will showcase the Makah arts community and provide an opportunity to hear traditional storytelling.
Each year, the center recognizes the work of one of the People’s artists; this year, it will showcase the life’s work of Theresa Parker, a lifelong resident of Neah Bay who comes from a long line of cedar bark weavers.
“I am a basket weaver. This is my first love — weaving,” Parker said.
She is known for both her range of traditional styles of weaving and for her innovative and playful pieces. She is as skilled in ancient techniques and styles as she is for pushing the bounds and creating items such as travel mug covers and sun visors.
Parker is a founding member of the Northwest Native American Basketweavers Association and has been the center’s education department coordinator since 1992.
Steve Jimmicum, a traditional Makah storyteller, will unfold tales of trickery, heroism and tell of mutual characteristics in humans and animals of the Makah world.
“Storytelling and oral tradition forms the foundation of traditional Makah values and morals, and offers visitors a glimpse into Makah history and traditions,” said Janine Ledford, the center’s director. “When we share our stories, we are expressing in words how our legends come to life; you can see figures here in designs on objects in the Ozette collection on exhibit at the museum and woven on historical basketry or in modern Makah paintings, but it is really the words of the people that bring this rich history to the forefront.”
For the third year, the center will host more than 30 vendors, many of whom are Makah artists, offering a range of unique handmade items including wood carvings, beaded jewelry featuring indigenous shells, drums made of rawhide, Makah art forms printed on paper, basketry and other items woven in the traditions of the Makah people.
There also will be an array of locally made food from a variety of vendors, including freshly caught salmon roasted next to an open fire on upright sticks, in the traditional Makah way, and served with sides, thanks to Ocean Thunder, a Makah community canoe racing club.
Flavorful Mexican cuisine, Indian tacos, chowder made with local clams and other options will be available as well as a local ice cream truck and an array of other homemade desserts.
Proceeds from purchases go directly to the sellers; the center recommends bringing cash, although vendors may accept some forms of electronic payment.
For more information, visit www.makah.com.
