HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 2018-4681, by Representatives Stambaugh, Sawyer, Dolan, Haler, Irwin, Jinkins, McDonald, Peterson, McCabe, Barkis, Muri, Johnson, Ryu, Stanford, and Fey

WHEREAS, July 28, 2018, in the Puyallup Indian Reservation, upwards of 20,000 visitors will enthusiastically welcome the arrival of more than 100 tribal canoes as they conclude long distance journeys as participants in this year's Tribal Canoe Journey, "2018 Paddle to Puyallup," hosted by the Puyallup Tribe, whose homeland is south Puget Sound; and

WHEREAS, The Puyallup Tribe whose name translates to, "generous and welcoming to all people," will welcome those at the end of their canoe journey; and

WHEREAS, The canoes will arrive in Commencement Bay and represent over 60 tribes from Washington, California, Idaho, Oregon, Alaska, British Columbia, and other states and countries; and

WHEREAS, Following their arrival on Puyallup Indian Lands, the canoes will join together at the Puyallup Tribe's Chief Leschi School in multiday cultural festivities, which are open to the public and last until August 4, 2018; and

WHEREAS, The Tribal Canoe Journey, "2018 Paddle to Puyallup," represents a revival of traditional canoe culture fundamental to traditional Native American life around Puget Sound, the Salish Sea, the Strait of Juan de Fuca, the Pacific Ocean, and other Pacific Northwest marine waters that frequently involved long journeys for economic, social, and cultural purposes; and

WHEREAS, Tribal Canoe Journeys have become a vital activity for the revitalization of cultural expression for Native American families to pass along their traditional way of life to younger generations; and

WHEREAS, The inaugural Tribal Canoe Journey, "Paddle to Seattle," coincided with the 1989 State of Washington's Centennial Celebration and brought 17 tribes together as a tribute to the Salish Sea's tribal canoe tradition and cultural heritage; and

WHEREAS, "2018 Paddle to Puyallup" is a community-building, youth-focused, drug-free, alcohol-free, and waste-free event, with the motto "Honoring our Medicine";

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives heartily welcome to the state capitol the many tribal members and tribal paddlers, support teams, hundreds of volunteers, and thousands of enthusiastic visitors who will participate in this historic gathering, Tribal Canoe Journey, "2018 Paddle to Puyallup"; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives congratulate the Puyallup Tribe for its leadership in organizing and hosting the Tribal Canoe Journey, "2018 Paddle to Puyallup" event and further express their appreciation to the City of Tacoma, the Port of Tacoma, Pierce County, and hundreds of volunteers for their active support of this historic event; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives express their admiration for the personal fitness and endurance of the tribal paddlers, many of whom will have paddled for hundreds of miles to Puyallup; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be immediately transmitted by the Chief Clerk of the House of Representatives, to the Puyallup Tribe, the City of Tacoma, the Port of Tacoma, and Pierce County.