[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 108 (Tuesday, July 19, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    HONORING THE S'KLALLAM TRIBE AND THE ANNUAL TRIBAL CANOE JOURNEY

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                            HON. JAY INSLEE

                             of washington

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 19, 2011

  Mr. INSLEE. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to announce that today the Port 
Gamble S'Klallam Tribe will host the annual Tribal Canoe Journey in the 
town of Port Gamble on Washington state's Kitsap Peninsula. The Tribal 
Canoe Journey has been held annually since 1989 to continue the 
historic intertribal canoe journeys of the Coast Salish people. The 
first annual journey culminated in Seattle and included nine canoes, 
one of which was from the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe. Canoe families 
train all year for the multi-day event and often carve their canoes, 
which is a traditional practice that has been revived for many tribes 
as a result of the annual Tribal Canoe Journey. Two years ago I was 
honored to watch the majestic parade of canoes as they came in on the 
Suquamish land. The beautifully carved canoes are a testament to the 
determination and renewal of our local tribes to preserve their sacred 
traditions.
  The S'Klallam tribe is one of the 29 federally recognized tribes in 
Washington state. Along with other Northwest Native American tribes, 
members have struggled to preserve their culture in the face of the 
United States' westward expansion. In 1855, the S'Klallam tribe ceded 
its traditional lands to the United States in the Treaty of Point No 
Point, and its current reservation, which is in my district, was 
created in 1938.
  I would like to highlight the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe's 
leadership in issues relating to economic growth, water resources, and 
land use while retaining many of its tribal practices. The tribe relies 
heavily on the traditional harvest of clams, oysters, and crabs from 
Port Gamble Bay, which is one of the only bays in the Puget Sound open 
to commercial shellfish harvesting. This year saw the opening of 
Teekalet Village on the reservation, which is an ``ecologically and 
financially-friendly'' housing development for low to middle income 
tribal members.
  I am pleased to announce that more than 1000 participants from many 
Native American tribes are expected to journey through Port Gamble on 
their way to Swinomish to celebrate the 22nd annual Tribal Canoe 
Journey. I am honored to recognize the journey's importance before 
Congress today in helping facilitate a cultural resurgence among Native 
Americans in the Northwest and for their dedication to this journey.

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