MARROWSTONE ISLAND — It’s been said that perseverance is the pride of pullers when it comes to the Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey. On Thursday, pullers arriving at Fort Flagler State Park on Marrowstone Island proved this to be true.
In the wake of the death Wednesday of one of the canoeists — Mowachaht/Muchalaht hereditary chief Jerry Jack of British Columbia — when the canoe in which he was pulling capsized near Dungeness Spit, those who continued on the journey Thursday persevered.
“It made people stronger,” said Jack Sexton, who paddled into Fort Flagler on a Jamestown S’Klallam canoe in the afternoon.
“[Jack] wouldn’t have wanted us to stay ashore. He would have wanted us to pull harder.”
Jack, 68, was known for his enthusiasm toward renewing tribal traditions in the canoe journeys and how he enjoyed getting out on the water.
Slightly somber tone
Although Thursday’s Fort Flagler leg of the 17th annual Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey carried a slightly somber tone compared with previous legs, pullers and those welcoming them tried to keep Jack’s dedication in mind.
Mary McQuillen, a Makah tribal elder who has lived in Port Townsend since 1955, led the welcome party for the arriving canoes.
She said that after she heard about Jack’s death, she was unsure if the arrival at Fort Flagler would take place.
But she spoke with Jack’s son, Jerry Jack Jr.
“He said, ‘You have to sing on the beach so the canoes know where you are,”‘ said McQuillen, who is a close friend of the Jacks.
So singing is what McQuillen, other Makah tribal members and onlookers did Thursday afternoon.
Donned in red and black tribal outfits, Makah tribal members stood proudly as the first canoe pulled onto the beach about 2:30 p.m.
They beat on drums and McQuillen, 74, sang a traditional welcome song to the arriving canoeists of the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe.
While this was going on, young children from the Jamestown tribe drummed off to the side, viewing a piece of a tradition they rarely get to see or participate in.
When the canoe finally made it to shore, a puller rose from his seat and formally asked McQuillen for permission to beach the vessel.
McQuillen later explained that asking permission to come ashore is a tradition meant to honor elders.
She said even if no one was on the beach, people would still have to ask permission to honor elders who have died.
McQuillen granted permission to the canoeists, but spoke briefly about Jack’s death and the perseverance of those who continued on the journey.
“We know how hard it was to get back in the water,” McQuillen told the canoeists.
“But the Creator has put us here to heal our hearts.”
