Members of the Snohomish Tribe of Indians presented a number of indigenous artifacts to the city of Langley and the South Whidbey Historical Society last week.

The representatives attended a Langley City Council meeting on Nov. 6, during which Councilmember Rhonda Salerno read aloud a proclamation recognizing November as Native American Heritage Month and celebrating the culture of the Snohomish Tribe, whose ancestral lands Whidbey Island is located on.

“We are committed to continuing to learn from the rich heritage of the sduhubš (Snohomish), their contributions and approaches to protecting and preserving the environment,” Salerno read as part of the proclamation.

During the meeting, Pamela SeaMonster, vice chair of the Snohomish Tribe, gifted three items of cultural and historical significance intended to be displayed at the South Whidbey Historical Society’s museum in Langley.

The artifacts included a cooking rock used in earthen ovens and a crab basket weight.

“You can feel where our ancestors had their hand right here, pulling this out of the crab basket and out of the water for thousands of years, probably,” SeaMonster said.

The last item was a wool arm piece that was part of a full set of regalia made from her father’s boarding school blanket.

“We just want to offer this up to the historical society and to the city of Langley and all the people who come here to visit so that you know that we are still here and that we are still wanting to be very much part of the community here,” she said.

Mayor Scott Chaplin said he couldn’t think of a better way to celebrate Native American Heritage Month.

“More than heritage, it’s current culture as well,” he said.