PORT ANGELES – The Peninsula College longhouse – lauded as the first longhouse on a community college campus in the nation – opened its doors to the public for the first time Monday to an audience of about 500.
The concepts and planning of the longhouse came out of a group of about 25 people which included Peninsula College representatives as well as members of six of the region’s tribes – Jamestown S’Klallam, Lower Elwha Klallam, Hoh, Quileute, Makah and Port Gamble S’Klallam.
“To me it doesn’t matter if we [Peninsula College] have representatives in the group, it is the tribal representation that makes the difference that brings the purpose to it,” said Maria Peña, who has worked with the group since the foundation.
“Without these people, it is just another four walls going up.”
Tom Keegan, president of Peninsula College, welcomed elected officials and tribal representatives as well as young Native Americans who attended the ceremony.
“I would like especially to welcome the tribal youth,” Keegan said.
“You are why we are here today, and you are why the longhouse is here today.”
