More than 100 Canoes coming from British Columbia, Oregon, Washington and as far away as Alaska arrived on Alki Beach, Seattle on Sunday, July 30. Present to cheer on the arrival of the Canoe families were hundreds of allies, volunteers and curious observers among whom were at least nine East Shore members and Rev. María Cristina. The Muckleshoot tribe hosted the intertribal event, welcoming the canoes to shore and subsequently hosting the visiting canoe families and guests for a week-long celebration of song, dance, and prayer at the Muckleshoot reservation near Auburn. East Shore volunteers and financial donations supported the Duwamish Canoe and the Lummi Canoe for this year’s event.
This is the first year the annual Canoe Journey resumed since the Paddle to Lummi in 2019 after which Covid canceled plans for 2020, 2021 and 2022. The theme this year was “Honoring Our Warriors Past and Present.” Indigenous communities continue to fight for their survival, rights, and communities. Reverence for the natural world inspires their fight to protect Mother Earth. Canoe journeys revitalize tribal traditions and connections among tribes and between tribes and the wider, non-indigenous community. In the spirit of celebration, we raise our hands to all the paddlers, volunteers and supporters who came out to honor the spirit of this year’s Paddle to Muckleshoot Canoe Journey.
by Marilyn Mayers