The 78th Annual Lummi Nation Stommish Water Festival, “Saluting Our Veterans through storytelling” is set for June, 14, 15 and 16, 2024, Lummi Stommish Grounds at Gooseberry Point, 15 miles west of Bellingham, WA. The theme has been set to listen to the stories of our veterans and show we care and appreciate them and their service.
The late and beloved Edith and Victor Jones recognized that the west side of gooseberry point was small, as people throughout Puget Sound attended the Stommish festival. They donated the land along Hales Pass where Stommish is currently held today. Their two sons Stanford and William both served in World War II, and it is because of Mr. & Mrs. Jones’s generosity that Stommish has had a permanent home all these years, donating the land to the Veterans.
This was the dream of the World War I Veterans Herbert John, Alphonso “Bunny” Washington. They talked of creating a celebration to welcome home their loved ones returning from World War II. They traveled throughout Puget Sound to other Tribes, into Canada and Vancouver Island to invite them to come and celebrate, bring your canoes to race, hear the songs & dances of our Lummi People, enjoy the famous traditional Barbecued Salmon and of course the fun at the carnival and games (three legged race, tug – o war, sack race, sprints) for the children in attendance.
Stommish was first held on the west side of Gooseberry point. The people came by car, truck and by boats/seiners; some Tribes traveled by their boats and placed their canoes on top of their boats. They thanked the people that traveled by giving them bread, eggs; water making sure all the Tribes that came were taken care of. Our people that worked during Stommish were not paid, whether it was judging/monitoring the canoe races, princess/warrior pageants, the song & dance groups from Lummi that performed to the cooks and parking attendants, no one was paid.
There will be many events at the Festival including the Lummi Stommish Princess and Warrior Crowning. The World Famous War Canoe Races will be June-14-16–, each day.
Our annual Veterans Parade “Honoring Our Heroes” is scheduled for Saturday, June -15th-, at 1200 noon. Beginning at Wexliem and ending at the Lummi Stommish Grounds.
Other events for the weekend include our traditional songs and dances performance, along with a Sla-hal (a traditional stick game). Special guest Performance with a evening concert on main stage by djbigrez with LilMike and FunnyBone, Oklahoma rappers and actors, they have been in the spotlight for their reoccurring role in the new FX series “Reservation Dogs.” ; as well as guests from diverse backgrounds Alaskan natives, Hispanic and The Hawaiian and Aztec groups have been invited, also featuring our Lummi style traditional BBQ salmon, and for the young the children’s relay activities, cutest baby contest, 3 on 3 youth basketball, we will be enjoying family day on Thursday; lots of food, arts and crafts vendors and the search for the eldest elder of the day and Also, we are spotlighting the legendary fight promotion FIGHT NIGHT XXI –Saturday Doors open at 4:00. Bout starts at 4:30—silver reef casino much, much more.
