Cedar and Sea Exhibit

Columbia River Maritime Museum’s latest exhibit opened November 1^st, which showcases the incredible talents of contemporary Indigenous artisans presenting their work as part of their living traditions. Visitors have the opportunity to learn about the various tools and implements fashioned from stone, bone, shell, wood, and other natural materials, representing thousands of years of innovation. This exhibit covers a large geographic scope, covering southern Oregon all the way through Alaska.

The exhibit was inspired, in part, by Hilary Stewart’s book, Cedar, which introduces readers to the tree itself and the way people have used it in their art, culture, and in their daily uses. Cedar trees have been used to make canoes, homes, carved poles, dance masks, baskets, and much more. The book takes readers on an immersive journey of drawings and photographs, introducing them to the stunning history of cedar, the tools and techniques used to craft cultural objects, and more. 

Heidi Bohan’s book, The People of Cascadia: Pacific Northwest Native American History, also provided an overview of the Indigenous people of Cascadia. Cascadia is known as the geographic area of the Pacific Northwest and the Columbia Plateau, and includes parts of California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, British Columbia, and Alaska. The book features enriching graphics that give readers a glance at the robust history of four major groups of the Northwest: the Coast Salish, Wakashan, Chinookan, and Sahaptin.

When planning for the exhibit, Storyline Studio of Seattle wanted to include some process illustrations and line art drawings that would help visitors learn more about how cedar was used and harvested. Karen Lewis, a Seattle-based illustrator for children's storybooks and resident cartoonist for Cobblestone, an American history magazine for kids, was chosen and her drawings are now featured in part of this new exhibit.  

Cedar and Sea is a permanent exhibit that is included with Museum admission.  It showcases a breathtaking traditional canoe carved by renowned Tla-o-qui-aht Elder Joe Martin of Tofino, British Columbia. In addition, the exhibit features ‘knowledge giver’ videos that uplift the voices of living Indigenous people, allowing them to share their ongoing traditions, as well as links to their history and heritage. Tribes represented in this video include Skwxwú7mesh, Stó:lō, Tsimshian, Suquamish, Tla-o-qui-aht, and Tlingit.

Jeff Smith, Curator at the Museum shared, “Hilary Stewart's illustrations provide prehistoric insight, the Mungo Martin film (credit UC Berkeley) reveals a historical narrative, and the knowledge giver videos illuminate contemporary processes, weaving a rich tapestry of understanding across eras."

Plan your visit to learn more about these amazing Indigenous People groups and their fascinating histories at Columbia River Maritime Museum. Located at 1792 Marine Drive in Astoria, the Museum is open every day from 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, except on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Learn more about admission or how to become a museum member here.