Traditional Cedar Hat Ceremony honors La Conner tribal graduates

It was hats off to La Conner High School's tribal seniors Thursday, May 30.

And hats on, too.

That's because those members of the school's Class of 2024 were honored during the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community's annual Cedar Hat Ceremony at Swedebs Park, an upbeat outdoor evening event featuring tributes from speakers that included four Swinomish senators and departing La Conner School District Superintendent Will Nelson, a member of the Blackfeet Nation.

The grads, donning their finely woven cedar hats and colorful robes, were escorted by the Swinomish Canoe Family and introduced by Swinomis...