Canoe Journey 2016, Paddle to Nisqually, continues
an inter-tribal celebration and annual gathering of
Northwest indigenous nations. The annual tribal journey
in the Pacific Northwest region was sparked by the
Paddle to Seattle in 1989 as part of Washington State’s
Centennial celebration. Over 20 Canoe Journeys have
been held since 1993, when pullers (the preferred
term because of the pulling motion on the paddle)
from Canada, Alaska and Washington voyaged from
their home communities to Bella Bella, B.C. The Canoe
Journey has grown to include over 100 canoes and the
participation of canoe families from other native canoe
cultures, including Native American tribes, First Nations
peoples, Alaska Natives, Inuit, Maori, Native Hawaiians,
and other indigenous peoples from across the world.
Photo taken by Allen Frazier
Canoe Journey gatherings are rich in meaning and cultural significance. Canoe families travel great distances
as their ancestors did and participating in the journey requires physical and spiritual discipline. At each
stop, canoe families follow certain protocols, they ask for permission to come ashore, often in their native
languages. At night in longhouses there is gifting, honoring and the sharing of traditional prayers, drum