San de Fuca

San de Fuca - ƷȧƷop

ƷȧƷop (head of bay) was another Lower Skagit settlement located at the present location of the town of San de Fuca. ƷȧƷop was a permanent village that was used by others on the island in the summer for getting mussels. Also from this village, there was a trail that led straight over to the Ocean Beach on the extreme west coast of Whidbey to a look-out for the enemy. San de Fuca was said to have been the home of Chief Goliah at one time.

It is possible that many of the villages at San de Fuca were small, individual encampments located around the lagoon and tidal flats situated for access to clam grounds and other resource sites.

There were a number of hunting areas on the prairies and within the surrounding villages of Penn Cove. Resources gathered from this area included deer, waterfowl, blackberries, wild currants, flax for medicinal purposes, and strawberries.

Canoe burial was widespread and appears to have been standard practice for tribal elites. Canoe burial areas were typically situated a short distance from certain villages, within view of the water. The image below shows another burial tradition of burying a Chief or someone of high esteem in a canoe, which would then be placed in a tree. Please see image below