INDIANOLA — North End residents were given a unique opportunity Sunday afternoon to tour the Doe-Kag-Wats, Suquamish Tribal saltwater marshes with important cultural significance. Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman invited local residents to be his guests and opened the land to non-tribal members for an hour during the sixth annual Suquamish Olalla Neighbor’s Potluck Camp Indianola.

“This is one of the reason’s it’s so important to the tribe,” Forsman said of the marsh. He said it is also one of the last places remaining for tribal members to use for traditional events, modern celebrations or to just sit at and reflect. Other residents must have the permission of the tribe to use the area. “I was nervous about bringing more people out here and exposing the beach to more people, but it’s important to me that you are all friends of the tribe, and you understand this is our sanctuary.”

At the gathering, tribal archaeologist Dennis Lewarch explained how the marsh has changed over time. About 40 people followed him and Forsman, listening to the information centering around the largest saltwater marsh in Washington.

“It’s incredible that we have this environmental buffer out here, it’s just a gold mine as far as the environment goes,” said Camp Indianola director Pete Simpson. “The camp owns a 5-acre slice of the marsh.”

During the tour, stories were swapped about Uncle Virgil, a tribal member who lived in the area and was blinded after being kicked by a mule when he was 12.

“There were two people visiting Virgil, and they stayed so long, it got dark out,” Forsman said. They had forgotten their flashlight, and were stuck. “Virgil said, ‘Don’t worry, I know the way out.’”

Tribal elder Ted George told another story about how Virgil could differentiate people’s footsteps.A local man went to fight in World War II, and when he returned, he walked up to Virgil without saying anything. Virgil knew exactly who he was and greeted the man as if he hadn’t been away at all.

This was the first year the tour was held, and Forsman and SON members expressed hope that in the future, tours of other tribal areas will be arranged in conjunction with the potluck.

“We had quite a few people from Indianola, some people that don’t come because we usually have the event in Suquamish,” said SON secretary Mary Ann Dow of the 80 to 100 attendees. “There was lots of food there, the potluck didn’t disappoint. Potlucks are amazing, everything’s there, and we always have extra.”

The Miller Bay Singers performed a blessing song before dinner, and sang later in the evening. The Suquamish Song and Dance Group also provided entertainment. SON members honored outgoing SON treasurer Glynis Burns with a Salmon People blanket and plaque for her service.

“Ted George retold the story of meeting (Sarah Van Gelder) at the public hearing,” Dow said. “It’s a favorite story about how Suquamish Olalla Neighbors got started, and they tell it every year.”