Tribal fishing season starts with blessing

The annual Blessing of the Fleet at Swinomish Indian Tribal Community last Thursday, culminated in an offering of salmon, crab, prawns, clams, mussels and berries being sent out to the four directions by boat.

Previously, the Swinomish served a seafood feast to hundreds in the Swinomish gymnasium and outside in tents. Prayers of thanksgiving were given for the resources of the Pacific Northwest; thanks were given to their ancestors; and protection and a bountiful harvest were asked of the Creator.

Representatives from many different faiths, including the Indian Shaker Church and the Catholic Church were on hand to bless the fisherman and the coming harvest and to give thanks to the Creator for their way of life. Conspicuously missing was Father Pat Twohy, who was ill and unable to attend but sent his best wishes and prayers.

This year’s blessing was dedicated to the late Billy Frank, Jr., legendary human rights activist from the Nisqually tribe, a Native known by many as a hero, and by a few as a criminal having been jailed over 50 times to fight for the treaty rights of Native Americans in the “fish wars” of the 60s and 70s. Frank, who died May 5, was a fearless warrior, defending tribal sovereignty and fishing rights. His son, Willie Frank, was on hand to represent his tribe and be a witness to the oral proceedings.

Swinomish Indian Tribal Community Chairman Brian Cladoosby invited guests and dignitaries from more than a dozen tribes, including Lummi, Elwa, Stillaguamish, Sioux, Sauk-Seattle, Yakima, Makah, and many more to dig in and eat the generous offering. They came from as far away as Alaska.

Also represented were many federal, state and local officials.

After the feast and many speeches speckled with humor, the crowd proceeded to the dock area, singing traditional songs and drumming. Four woven baskets lined with cedar boughs and filled with the first salmon of the season, crab, clams, mussels, prawns, strawberries, raspberries and blueberries as an offering were blessed by clergy of different faiths, including the Indian Shaker Church, the Catholic Church and Pentecostal.

Each basket was given to a tribal member who then took the responsibility of taking the offering by boat out to sea — one for each direction, insuring a healthy salmon run so the people could be fed for another year.

J. J. Wilbur, drove his boat to the west, Deception Pass, while Gasper Sylvester carried the basket and offered it to the spirit of the sea after more prayers. Three other offerings were taken to the north to Padilla Bay, another to the Skagit River and the last south towards Camano Island. The offering was set afloat on a calm, sunny day, when Skagit Bay “looked like a lake,” said Wilbur.