BY PEPPER FISHER
Port Angeles – On July 31, the canoes of Indigenous Tribes throughout western Washington and western Canada will begin to arrive for Paddle To Elwha, 2025’s version of a tradition that started in 1989, this year hosted by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe.
Thousands of paddlers in traditional dugout canoes will make the journey along ancestral routes, many of them traveling for weeks and hundreds of miles, for the 6-day celebration near the mouth of the Elwha River.
This year’s theme is, “Dams Removed-A River Reborn-Spirits Renewed”. On Wednesday, Elwha Tribal Chairwoman Frances Charles described for the members of the Port Angeles Chamber of Commerce the importance of hosting the international event for the first time in 20 years.
“Were humbled. We’re gratified about doing what we’re doing, because it is about our children. It is about our grandparents. And it connects the families. Sharing the knowledge, but also sharing the stories, and sharing those relationships. That’s the goal of this for us.”
As is tradition, the Paddle To Elwha will include several days of camping along the beaches for the thousands of paddlers and their families, but everyone is welcome to attend the ceremonies and watch from the beach as the canoes come in from the Salish Sea and Pacific coast.
There will be 140 vendors of food and handicrafts. Parking for visitors will be at the Lower Elwha Clinic off highway 101, and there will be a regular shuttle service to the waterfront.
Volunteers are needed. To learn more go to paddletoelwha.com.
Photo: Chairwoman Frances Charles (center) is joined by Keri Ellis and Carmen Watson-Charles.