JMA-Designed Tour Boats Spotlight Pacific Northwest’s Native Culture

Salish Sea Tours, a soon-to-be attraction at Pier 57 on Seattle’s waterfront, recently unveiled two new JMA-designed tour boats incorporating Native American art and culture.

“The boats are designed around the Salish Sea traditional canoe and incorporate art from descendants of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation, Chinook, Skokomish, and Duwamish tribes,” said JMA Principal Robin Murphy who designed the boats alongside JMA Designer Sara Vernia. “The Salish culture is even represented inside the lines of the hulls and the colors of each vessel.”

The boats, named Orca One and Orca 2, are owned by Seattle company Great Western Attractions and manufactured by All American Marine in Bellingham. Each tour will provide a historic perspective of Seattle while cruising around Elliot Bay, and include a recording of Duwamish Native American Ken Workman speaking in his native tongue. Workman is a direct descendant of Chief Seattle.

“Jolene Haas, a Duwamish Native American and director of the Duwamish Longhouse, reviewed the vessel designs with us,” said Bryan Nichols, director of marine operations at Great Western Attractions. “She also helped with script ideas as it pertained to the Native Americans and was a huge help with recommending the local native talent for the art, music and voices.”

Marvin Oliver of Quinault and Isleta-Pueblo heritage and Mark Henderson of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation designed many of the boats’ prints. Bill and William Henderson of the Wei Wai Kum First Nation carved the masks, paddles, and wood carvings. John Smith with the Skokomish Tribe, known for his unique style of Salish Art applied to his self-constructed canoes as well as carvings and weavings, designed the hull art and our logo.

Read more about the tour boats in a sneak peak from Seattle Refined.