SEAVIEW – On Aug. 25 a distinctive and colorful group gathered at the Peninsula Church Center in Seaview. Members of St. Peter’s Episcopal and Ocean Park Lutheran churches gathered to host the fourth annual “Honoring the Chinook” ceremony. In attendance were elders and council members of the Chinook Tribe, including Tribal Chairman Ray Gardner. Also attending were representatives of the First Nations Committee of the Diocese of Olympia, and members of our Peninsula community.

The idea for this ceremony came out of the struggle of the Chinook for federal recognition, a struggle covered over the years in the Chinook Observer. While the government insisted that the Chinook were extinct, those of us who live here were able to visit their Tribal Office, interact with them as our neighbors, watch them operate a food bank as an outreach to the community, work on recovering their culture and language and otherwise see that they are very much alive. The two churches decided that if the government would not recognize them or acknowledge their existence, at least we could.

Unlike many events where Native Americans are asked to show up to teach, to play music, or to entertain an audience, the churches decided they wanted to simply hold an honoring ceremony at which the Chinook would be invited guests. They also wished to provide a forum for tribal council members to speak to the community, passing on whatever information they thought would be good for those present to hear, to tell their side of the issues we read about in the papers. Eventually, the clergy of the two churches, Fr. Blaine Hammond and Pastor Linda Smith, met with the Chinook Cultural Committee, who approved the idea and agreed to participate.

This year’s session opened with a blessing by Chairman Ray Gardner, which included a prayer for Episcopal Bishop Warner, who had planned to attend, but was turned back by health problems. Prayers and song followed. At one point, members of the Chinook Council presented Fr. Hammond and Pastor Smith with button blankets designed by Tony Johnson, created by Lisa Elliott. Pastor Smith then presented Mr. Gardner with an eagle feather.

Talking Circles followed, with the theme “What have been your experiences of race and culture?”

The group regathered for a salmon dinner, prepared by the members of the two churches. Salmon was donated by several people, with other food coming from the separate churches, and from a donation from the First Nations Committee. Members of St. Peter’s Bishop’s Committee made desserts.

Following the meal were more songs and some storytelling. The 1987 “Apology to Native Americans,” signed by officials of many Pacific Northwest churches, and reaffirmed in 1997, was read aloud. Members of the council were offered the opportunity to speak about where they are now and to take questions. One piece of information that was new to many was that the Tribe is now pursuing restoration rather than recognition. This has been a successful avenue for other tribes in similar situations.

Finally, the Chinook elders and council members were presented with quilts made by the quilters at Ocean Park Lutheran Church. Members of the First Nations Committee also gave everyone necklaces, which had been created for the recent “Agapefest,” a retirement party for Bishop Warner after 18 years as Bishop. Mention was also made of the fact that Bishop Warner had planned to make a presentation to the Tribe, and that would follow as soon as possible as he recovered.

We are still learning our way through this developing relationship, but it has become more of a feature every year of our life at St. Peter’s. One phenomenon of American life is different cultures living side by side, but rarely getting to know one another. The beginning of a cure is to sit down together and try to do just that.