Tribal canoes to meet tall ships

Tribe to welcome state ship May 14Leaders of the Chinook Indian tribe will canoe on the Columbia River to trade goods in the traditional manner with the tall ships Lady Washington, the Official Ship of the State of Washington, and her companion ship Hawaiian Chieftain, when the vessels return to Washington May 14.

After the rendezvous in Baker Bay, the tribal canoes and tall ships will proceed together to the Port of Ilwaco, where the replica sailing vessels will offer public tours and sailings.

This marks the fourth year the Chinooks are welcoming the lady Washington to Ilwaco. The activities harken back to a visit to the Columbia River by the original Lady Washington in 1792, when traded for furs with native peoples.