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The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community enjoyed its cameo role Friday as part of an oar-iginal maritime event.

Swinomish welcomed ashore crews from North Puget Sound tribes making this summer’s “Paddle to Quinault” Canoe Journey.

A half-dozen traditional Coast Salish family canoes were applauded by a large crowd gathered near the canoe landing beach at Swadabs Park. The visiting canoe families were greeted with traditional singing and drumming and enjoyed a feast and a night’s lodging.

Swinomish, which hosted the 2011 Canoe Journey, this time served as a stop-over point for canoe families bound to Quinault, which is on the Pacific Coast north of Ocean Shores. Canoe families from throughout the Pacific Northwest are expected to arrive at Quinault on Aug. 1.

Canoes that stopped at Swinomish will be joined by the Swinomish canoe families as they travel to the coast, with stops at Coupeville and Port Townsend along the way.

“We want to thank you for coming to our homeland and accept your request to come ashore,” said Swinomish Tribal Community Senate Chair Brian Cladoosby, as he greeted the visitors on Friday. “We gladly offer you food, shelter, and showers, and an opportunity to sit together and share your stories.”

The annual Canoe Journey, of course, is a story unto itself.

It grew out of a concerted effort during the 1989 Washington State Centennial to recapture elements of traditional Coast Salish culture.

Historically, hand-carved canoes served as economic engines for Puget Sound tribes, which ventured great distances over water to villages and trading posts while carrying precious cargoes of meat, plants, shellfish, and fin fish.

The initial “Paddle to Seattle,” coinciding with the Centennial, was so successful it led to annual journeys intended in part to help restore the nearly lost Native American art of canoe carving.

This year followed suit, as well.

One couldn’t help but notice the merging of cultures Friday as brightly painted native canoes shared sunlit Swinomish Channel with sleek yachts and sailboats and snow-capped Mount Baker, clearly visible to all.

To avoid confusion, canoe pullers — when referring to their vessels — were strictly forbidden from using the b-word.

As in boat.

Three offenders from Lummi were sentenced to a dip in the channel as punishment, which on a warm summer afternoon was gladly accepted.

Same with Swinomish hospitality.

“We are tired, hungry, and in need of a place to rest,” said a Lummi canoe puller, whose day had begun near Anacortes and ended with repeated paddle strokes against the channel current. “We’re asking permission to come ashore while on our journey to Quinault.”

It was quickly granted

“Come ashore,” assured Tribal Senator Kevin Paul. “We’ll take care of you.”