NW tribes paddling canoes to Olympia for potlatch

More than 100 traditional cedar canoes from Northwest tribes as far away as Alaska have been taking part in this summer's annual Indian journey on Puget Sound.

Canoes have been landing at various tribal sites along the way. On Wednesday they were greeted by the Puyallup Tribe near Tacoma's Dash Point after a paddle from Seattle.

The News Tribune reports ( http://bit.ly/MnRKSl) the tribal journeys began in 1989 to coincide with Washington's centennial. They became an annual event with various tribes serving as hosts.

The Squaxin Island Tribe at Olympia is this year's host. The canoes will arrive Sunday for a week-long potlatch.

The canoes carry up to 15 paddlers. David Bean of the Puyallup Tribal Council says the canoe journey revitalizes traditional ways, especially for children.

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Information from: The News Tribune, http://www.thenewstribune.com

The Associated Press