Tribal Canoe Journeys

Participants in the Paddle to Squaxin, 2012

Tribal Canoe Journeys is a celebrated event for the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast. Nations from the coast of Alaska, British Columbia, and Washington state participate every year in these Tribal Canoe Journeys. These are a sequence of canoe journeys taken up by canoe families, nations, and groups who travel in ocean-going canoes, either authentic replicas of traditional canoes, made out of solid cedar logs or various replicas using more modern techniques and materials.[1]

History

These majestic vessels, crafted from a single log often hundreds of years old, all but disappeared early in this century. It is hard to explain why so little has been written about them, as they are probably the single most important aspect of Northwest Coast culture.... the canoe was as important as the automobile is now to North America. [2]

The Tribal Canoe Journey is a revival of the traditional method of transportation and is a significant cultural experience for all the participants. The canoe culture had all but disappeared until 1989 when the "Paddle to Seattle" was initiated during the 100th anniversary of Washington Statehood. That year, the state and local tribal governments signed the Centennial Accord recognizing tribal sovereignty.[3] In celebration, coastal tribes organized the Paddle to Seattle to help revive their canoe culture. Fifteen tribes participated the first year. The journey started in La Push, home of the Quileute tribe, and included stops at traditional village sites along the way. Each year, a different nation hosts other Indigenous nations coming from coastal communities of Alaska, British Columbia and Washington. Depending on distance, the trip can take up to a month. Participants learn traditional canoe carving and decorating, and learn to work together as a "canoe family". All Tribal Journeys activities are family-friendly, drug- and alcohol-free.[1] On arrival, the host tribe holds a Welcoming ceremony, with the canoe families asking permission to land. Cultural festivities, such as drumming and dancing, last for days. In 2009, the Suquamish tribe hosted the 20th anniversary in their new House of Awakened Culture with over 6,000 participants and 84 canoes coming ashore.

The 2011 Tribal Journeys event was hosted by the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community the Swinomish Territory near Anacortes,WA. http://www.swinomish-nsn.gov/Resources/Canoe-Journey-2011.aspx

List of journeys by year

Future Journeys

References

  1. 1 2 Paddle to Quinault Canoe Journey Staff. "Paddle to Quinault 2013". Quinault Nation. Retrieved 13 January 2013.
  2. ↑ Neel, David The Great Canoes: Reviving a Northwest Coast Tradition. 1995. Douglas & McIntyre. Vancouver. p. 1. ISBN 1-55054-185-4
  3. ↑ Olympic Peninsula Intertribal Cultural Advisory Committee (2002). Native Peoples of the Olympic Peninsula. Norman, Oklahoma: University of Oklahoma Press. ISBN 0-8061-3552-2.
  4. ↑ Need, David. The Great Canoes: Reviving a Northwest Coast Tradition. 1995. Vancouver/Toronto. Douglas &McIntyre. p. 3. ISBN 1-55054-185-4
  5. ↑ "Triba Canoe Journeys". Washington Tribes. Retrieved 19 April 2015.
  6. ↑ Walker, Richard. "Short Strokes: 2015 Canoe Journey Will Be Several Mini-Journeys". Indian Country Today Media Network. Retrieved 19 April 2015.

External links

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