Canoe Journey is a celebration of tribal heritage in the Pacific Northwest. The tradition began in 1989, and has continued more-or-less annually ever since. It serves as an important venue to connect families and communities to tribal heritage, while providing a substance free atmosphere. Each Canoe Journey is hosted by a different tribe, highlighting the unique traditions of Pacific Northwest tribes. In the past, participants have stemmed from up and down the west coast, and as far as New Zealand. The paddlers (called “pullers”) face long days in hand carved canoes as they journey from British Columbia to the hosting tribe.
The 2016 Canoe Journey, dubbed “Paddle to Nisqually” will be hosted by the Nisqually Indian Tribe. The celebrations will occur from July 30th to August 6th, with the boats landed at the Port of Olympia on July 30th.
This year’s theme is “Don’t Forget the Water,” stemming from the Nisqually Mountain story. The event is drug and alcohol free, promoting a sense of recovery, health, and spirituality. In many cases, the pullers follow the same paths as their ancestors did, allowing youth and adults alike to connect to their heritage. For instance, at each stop-over point along the way, the pullers request permission to land, often in their tribe’s native language. During the evenings, pullers exchange gifts, share traditional players, prepare traditional food and more.
Preparing for the event is no small task. Over 10,000 people are expected to attend parts of the event, requiring immense planning and preparations. The Nisqually Tribe has been in planning mode for over a year. Besides the logistical considerations–like parking, traffic control, and food service–the Tribe is preparing thousands of handmade gifts to share at the event. Volunteers are kept busy making gifts, such as weaving baskets and making salves.
The Nisqually River Council’s Nisqually Watershed Stewardship Plan (NWSP) recognizes that community wellness is a key component of creating a sustainable watershed. We embrace the people who live in the Nisqually watershed, their sense of identity and responsibility that has existed for generations. Strong communities require, among other things, access to the arts and high community health indicators. Paddle to Nisqually represents a unique opportunity to highlight the many efforts the Nisqually Tribe makes to promote community wellness, including a culture free of drugs and alcohol, access to traditional and healthy foods, and close ties to Nisqually heritage.
