The Columbia River Maritime Museum is excited to host a special exhibit displaying an intimate look into the heritage, culture, and living maritime traditions of the Chinook Indian Nation (CIN) through the lens of documentary photographer Amiran White.

The exhibit, titled ntsayka ili/i ukuk, or “This is Our Place,” will open in mid-September and feature photos by White, along with a special video welcome from CIN Chairman Tony Johnson and other members of the tribe.

White was born and raised in the United Kingdom, but began her photojournalism career in North America stringing for The Associated Press in Portland, Oregon. From there, she spent 10 years working as a staff photographer on various daily newspapers in Oregon, Pennsylvania, and New Mexico before freelancing as a photojournalist.

The idea of using White’s photography as the centerpiece of an exhibit at the museum originated with Johnson. Last year, White had an exhibit opening at the Columbia Pacific Heritage Museum in Ilwaco, Washington, which our executive director, Bruce Jones, attended.

Jones and Johnson had first collaborated on a few projects when Jones served as Mayor of the City of Astoria. At the exhibit opening reception, Jones and Johnson discussed possibilities for further collaboration, and Johnson indicated that this type of exhibit was something he would like to see at our museum.

This will be the first time the museum has been able to share about Chinook maritime traditions and culture—past and present—from an Indigenous perspective, as the tribe continues to pursue federal recognition.

We are honored the CIN entrusted us to participate in telling their story in this beloved coastal venue through the documentary-style photography of Amiran White. Her array of photos—at once intimate, thought-provoking, and striking—gives a glimpse into the life of the people who have inhabited the Pacific Northwest since time immemorial and a variety of the ceremonies, activities, and other traditions that have been passed down through the tribe for generations—as well as how members of the Chinook live them today. That includes the inter-tribal Canoe Journey, foraging in the coastal forests, and the First Salmon Ceremony, to name a few. These are a few of the maritime traditions you will see displayed in the “This is Our Place” exhibit.

According to the official Chinook website, the Indigenous nation “is alive and well. Many still speak our language, tell our old ikanum (stories), sing our songs, and hold the same ceremonies our ancestors have done for the last 10,000 years.”

This is also an important milestone for the museum. We look forward to having this important story as part of what we are able to share with visitors, as it is impossible to tell the story of the Columbia River region without highlighting the Chinook Nation and those who have lived and worked here for millennia. Moving forward, CRMM is committed to having a Chinook presence, which may evolve as our relationship and collaboration with the tribe continues to grow and evolve.

The Columbia River Maritime Museum is located at 1792 Marine Dr. in Astoria. To learn more about the exhibit and its opening, visit our website or call us at (503) 325-2323.