Chinook Nation to welcome historic ships

Leaders of the Chinook Nation will travel by 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 Baker Bay rendezvous, Lady Washington, Hawaiian Chieftain, and the Chinook Nation canoes will proceed together to the Port of Ilwaco, where the tall ships will offer public tours and sailings.

2008 is the fourth year for the welcome to Ilwaco of the Lady Washington by the Chinook Nation. The activities echo the visit by the original Lady Washington in 1792, when she was greeted by native peoples in canoes at the mouth of the Columbia River. The ship was on a commercial voyage to trade for furs.

Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain are returning to Washington after a seven-month tour of California and Oregon ports. While in Ilwaco, the ships will conduct educational programs for area school children. The ships will also offer dockside tours and sailings to the general public. For a schedule, visit http://www.historicalseaport.org. On May 19, the ships will sail up the Columbia River for stops at the Oregon communities of Rainier and St. Helens, as well as Vancouver on the Washington side, before participating in the Portland Rose Festival May 29 to June 5.