2020 Paddle to Snuneymuxw,
Nanaimo, BC!! – Cancelled
Snuneymuxw cancels Tribal Journeys Paddle to Snuneymuxw due to COVID-19
Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the emergency public health crisis that is impacting communities, Snuneymuxw First Nation has cancelled hosting Tribal Journeys on July 27 – August 1, 2020 in Snuneymuxw territory. Protecting the health and wellbeing of the public is the greatest priority while following the health orders issued by the Public Health Officer.
Chief Mike Wyse said on behalf of Snuneymuxw First Nation that “Covid-19 poses a serious threat to the health and well-being of paddlers, Canoe Families and First Nations across the Pacific North West. Given the enormous health and safety risk to participants of Tribal Journeys 2020, we have decided that it is in the best interest of everyone that Snuneymuxw cancel hosting Tribal Journeys this year. There will be many questions given we are in unprecedented times. We ask for the understanding and support of those who are assisting to plan, organize and fund Tribal Journeys 2020. Your partnership with Snuneymuxw is appreciated and I know we will work through this together. If there is an opportunity for Snuneymuxw to resume as hosts for Tribal Journeys sometime in the future, we are honoured to do that.”
Tribal Journeys is a longstanding tradition that unifies Indigenous Nations and is a celebration of Indigenous peoples. Chief Wyse says “it is a way for our culture and tradition to be shared with the world. While large gatherings is our custom, the health risk due to COVID-19 is substantial and we cannot bring thousands of people together for a number of days with the presence of the pandemic. The long-term impacts of COVID-19 is unknown and we must err on the side of caution to protect everyone.”
Chief Wyse assures all that “there will come a time when we will celebrate Indigenous culture and resilience with friends, relatives, Canoe Families, Elders, children and youth. Until then, we wish you all health and safety and send our solidarity as you care for each other during this crisis.”
The Canoe Journey is an annual event in which Pacific Northwest Tribes travel the ancestral highways of their cultures. Tribes from Oregon, Washington, Alaska and British Columbia have participated and hosted landings. The landings are events that occur along the canoe journey route The Canoe Journey began in 1989, part of the 100th anniversary of Washington Statehood in which the state and indigenous governments signed the Centennial Accord, recognizing indigenous sovereignty. Canoe Journeys have organized up and down the whole Pacific Northwest Coast and being hosted by many different Northwest Native communities.
In the past several years, UU congregations throughout the region have been finding ways to work with and support Pacific Northwest Tribes in the U.S. and Canada in these journeys.
Recent Canoe Journeys can be followed on the Tribal Canoe Journeys Facebook page.
1989: Paddle to Seattle, WA
Emmett Oliver’s 1989 Paddle to Seattle
1993: Paddle to Bella Bella, BC Qatuwas
1994: Youth Paddle (Olympia, WA, with the 2nd Cedar Tree Conference)
1995: Full Circle Youth Paddle, in Puget Sound, Washington
1996: Full Circle Youth Paddle, in Puget Sound, Washington
1997: Paddle to LaPush, WA
1998: Paddle to Puyallup, WA
1999: Paddle to Ahousaht, BC
2000: Paddle to Songhees, BC
2001: Paddle to Squamish, BC
2002: Paddle to Quinault, Taholah, WA
2003: Paddle to Tulalip, WA
2004: Paddle to Chemainus, BC
2005: Paddle to Elwha, Port Angeles, WA
2006: Paddle to Muckleshoot, Auburn, WA
2007: Paddle to Lummi, WA
2008: Paddle to Cowichan, Cowichan Bay, BC
2009: Paddle to Suquamish, WA
2010: Paddle to Makah, Neah Bay, WA
2011: Paddle to Swinomish, La Conner, WA
2012: Paddle to Squaxin Island, Kamilche, WA
2013: Paddle to Quinault at Taholah, WA
2014: Paddle to Bella Bella, Qatuwas Festival, at Bella Bella, BC on Campbell Island, BC
2015: Various locations in the Salish Sea, BC and WA
2016: Paddle to Nisqually, Olympia, WA
2017: We Wai Kai Nation and Wei Wai Kum Nation, Campbell River Spit, BC.
2018: Paddle to Puyallup, Tacoma, WA
2019: Paddle to Lummi, Bellingham, WA
2020 Paddle to Snuneymuxw,
Nanaimo, BC!!
Lummi Members to sue Seaquarium to bring captive orca home EVENT
July 27th, 11:00 am, Lummi Nation Reservation
Northwest tribes land at Alki during annual canoe journey
Brian Contreras, “The canoes are coming!” a young girl cried from the crowd of onlookers. “They’re right there!” The 20-odd canoes approached Alki Beach just before noon Thursday as part of the “Paddle to Lummi” — or Sqweshenet Tse Schelangen (“honoring our way of life”) — a journey through the Salish Sea toward the Lummi Nation, this year’s host. During the annual Tribal Canoe Journey, tribes and nations from throughout the Pacific Northwest join up with one another on the way toward Lummi, starting from different points but picking up new canoes along the way. Read more here.
PHOTO GALLERY: 2019 Canoe Journey lands at Jamestown Beach
By Keith Thorpe, Peninsula Daily News, July 17, 2019
The 2019 Canoe Journey Paddle to Lummi saw canoes arrive at Jamestown Beach on Tuesday, territory of the Jamestown S’Klallam Tribe. Canoes from Western Washington, Hawaii and Canada’s Vancouver Island took part in Tuesday’s landing.
Read more here and see the rest of the photo gallery (some very excellent photos, indeed!)
Paddle to Lummi Community Volunteer Orientation and sign-up info
Thursday, June 27, 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm Bellingham Unitarian Fellowship, 1207 Ellsworth Street
This will be the only community volunteer orientation before the Landing.
On July 24, 2019 Canoe Families from Washington, Vancouver Island and mainland British Columbia will land at Lummi Nation. Four days of songs, dances and stories from each tribal nation take place until July 28. The journey honors the rich traditions of Coast Salish tribes of the Northwest who travel the waters to meet and gather for ceremony, and celebration. Canoe Journey holds special significance for Coast Salish peoples as it honors and nourishes the unique relationships and connections with the land, water and one another. Come to learn many of the details about this amazing gathering of Coast Salish tribes of the Pacific NW, and Indigenous Peoples who are arriving as Guests of Lummi Nation. You will learn about:- The history of Tribal Journey
- Ways to support the event through your contributions and volunteer efforts
- What is involved in hosting 10,000 people a day and serving over 11,000 meals a day
- What to expect about noon landing of tribal canoes, June 24, and start of cultural protocol after dinner that night
- What cultural protocols are followed by host nation and the visiting Tribal Nations?
- Where to park and get from one venue to another
BRING A FOOD ITEM/S TO THE EVENT FOR LANDING CANOE FAMILY'S GIFT BOXES
Bring a food item for a Welcoming Gift Box for each arriving canoe family: (Large Sized)peanut butter, jam, canned tuna or salmon, soup or stew mixes, pasta sauce, canned beans, baked beans, dried packaged meals (the kind which need meat added), spaghetti, almonds, cashews, Pistachios, peanuts, roasted peanuts in the shell, unsalted mixed nuts, crackers (wheat, Graham, animal, rice), canned fruits and vegetables, noodles, salad dressing, energy bars, meat and fish jerky, dried fruit & fruit rolls/sticks, cases of bottled water, cases of Capri Sun or similar drinks.FURTHER THINGS TO DO NOW TO SUPPORT 2019 TRIBAL CANOE JOURNEY
DONATE to help lower $1.1 million dollar cost to Lummi: tax deductible donations Sign up to Volunteer: Fill out the form with contact information and skills, etc. Once contacts for people are received information will be sent out about specific volunteer positions and shift choices. Support the 2019 Paddle to Lummi Blanket Project sponsored by Olympia UUs. Donors are asked to contribute $90 to purchase 10 blankets; one you may keep for your own gifting. The remainders are given to Lummi Nation to give as gifts to members of each canoe family. In the last two years 1,200 blankets were given to each Nisqually and Puyallup Nations when they each hosted the 2017 & 2018 Tribal Journey.
Support Lummi Nations Hosting of 2019 Tribal Canoe Journey
CALLING ALL HANDS! Paddle 2 Lummi Community Connections (July 24-28) In the upcoming months we will be raising awareness, fundraising, mobilizing volunteers to help prepare for this event. All hands-on-deck to work together with Lummi Nation to:
- Raise $300,000 towards the $1.1 million cost
- Help make handmade gifts as part of the handmade 10,000 that will be gifted
- Help create an official acknowledgement of theOriginal Peoples of These Lands and Waters(July 13, Maritime Heritage Park)
- Recruit volunteers for the work involved to bring funds, gifts, and services from the entire county, and afar to support this amazing event!
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