Snoqualmie Tribe opens store selling native crafts

The Snoqualmie Tribe has long considered downtown Snoqualmie the heart of its tribal territory. Today, the tribe expands its presence there with the grand opening of Paddle, its first native-crafts store.

Located two doors from tribal headquarters on Railroad Avenue Southeast, the store will offer cedar hats, jewelry, drums, baskets, masks and other handmade crafts.

The goal is to support tribal creativity and provide a window into the tribe's heritage, said Matt Mattson, tribal administrator.

The tribe has been building more of a base in downtown Snoqualmie since April 2006, when it moved its headquarters from Carnation to the city. The offices are just minutes from the site of the tribe's new casino off Southeast North Bend Way, near Snoqualmie Valley Hospital. The gaming and entertainment center is slated to open in fall 2008.

Suzanne Sailto, a tribal member helping with store operations, said several area residents have dropped by the shop already to talk and look at the ever-growing collection of items. Among the most expensive works is a handcrafted wooden clock retailing for $400, Sailto said.

"We have a lot of artists that are gifted — unrecognized artists, I guess you'd say," she said.

Arts and crafts are a hallmark of Native American culture, and the store has on display pictures of Snoqualmie elders learning beadwork and other such skills, Sailto said.

The store will help those who make traditional arts and crafts for income, said Arlene Ventura, tribal secretary.

"I can remember my mother being really busy knitting this time of the year," Ventura said. "This was her money she would earn for Christmas."

The tribe will celebrate the grand opening with refreshments, traditional drumming and cedar craft demonstrations, Sailto said.

Sonia Krishnan: 206-515-5546 or skrishnan@seattletimes.com