History

Stommish began in 1946, when our people came together to welcome home our warriors returning from World War II. Our relatives Edith and Victor Jones wanted a way to honor their sons and all Lhaq’temish veterans who served with pride. They called the celebration “Stommish,” a word that means “warrior” in our language. That first gathering lit a fire that still burns strong today.

What started as a simple homecoming grew into one of our most important yearly traditions. Families traveled from all over to take part—bringing their canoes, their songs, and their stories. Soon, the Jones family donated land along Hales Passage so we would have a permanent place to host the festival, surrounded by the saltwater and forest that have always held us.

Stommish isn’t just a celebration—it’s a time of remembrance, healing, and unity. We honor our veterans with a parade, we race our canoes in the traditional way, and we gather for salmon, songs, Sla-hal, and good medicine. We open our arms to relatives from near and far, because this is more than a Lummi event—it’s a gathering of Nations.

Every year, Stommish reminds us who we are and where we come from. It carries the strength of our ancestors and the hope we hold for our future generations.