Two new Salish welcome figures greet ferry riders inside the Bainbridge Island walkway

By Diane Rhodes

Skokomish tribal artist Andy Wilbur-Peterson tells the story behind his pair of welcome poles as they’re unveiled on April 8 inside the new Bainbridge Island pedestrian walkway.

A pair of Salish welcome figures newly installed in the passenger walkway at our Bainbridge Island ferry terminal wish passengers a warm welcome and safe travels. The 10-foot-tall hand-carved red cedar welcome poles were unveiled to the public on April 8. Carved by Native American artist Andy Wilbur-Peterson and titled Crossing the Water, they are mounted in two pier houses along the walkway.

See a short video (Facebook Reel) of one of the two welcome poles being installed and unveiled.

“I started carving when I was 19,” Andy said. “Before that I was making baskets. The designs on these poles combine several marine elements such as orcas and waves. The male has a strawberry tattoo on his arm for the island’s strawberries.”

Andy grew up in Shelton, Wash. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Native American studies from Evergreen State College in Olympia where he worked with Makah artist Greg Colfax on a 12-foot female welcome figure for the college. Andy has taught both carving and painting classes to all ages through various tribes and local schools. Andy and his wife Ruth Peterson run their carving studio and gallery from Skokomish, Wash.

WSF consults with federally recognized tribes with treaty rights where our projects are located to include tribal cultural design elements at our terminals. While these pieces add beauty, their presence signals something deeper. Story poles like these are an integral part of Native American culture in the Salish Sea. Often, they tell a story of the place or history of the tribe. And they remind travelers that local tribes and their customs live on here. By showcasing their thriving and vibrant culture to the traveling public, we also honor tribal treaties.

The story of the poles:

A long time ago, after the humans were created, the Creator gave power to the humans to rule the land. When humans came to the water, they wanted to cross to the other side. So, they created a canoe to help them get to where they wanted to go. One day as they were crossing the water they looked down and saw life, so they jumped in and caught Salmon and Octopus and took them to the other side of the water. When they got to the other side, they fed everyone.

Eagle was so appreciative that she gave them some of her feathers so that they could travel far.

Salmon gave them power to cross the water with great ease.

Octopus gave them the ability to go wherever they needed to be.

These poles represent the ability that all humans may travel and have great strength to go wherever they desire and have protection and power within.

--Ruth Peterson

Local community members selected this artwork through a process managed by the Washington State Arts Commission in partnership with WSDOT and WSF.