From July 31 through August 6, the Nisqually Indian Tribe hosted over 100 canoe families – over 10,000 people – on the Nisqually Reservation near Dupont. Several East Shore members spent time cooking and making gifts before the gathering, then greeted canoes at the soft landing at Steilacoom. It takes many people pulling in the same direction to host thousands of people for a week! Imagine 55 large pans of meatloaf, 70 large pans of spaghetti with elk burger sauce, and lots of salmon, potato salad, hotdogs, and more. Marilyn Mayers and Carrie Bowman cooked and crumbled a lot of burger, and they were joined on the beach in Steilacoom by Lynn Roesch and Mike Radow to welcome canoes and offer snacks to weary pullers.
Canoe Journey 2026, Paddle to Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch, continued an inter-tribal celebration and annual gathering of Northwest indigenous nations. This year the journey included canoe families from Native American tribes (present day mainland US), First Nations peoples (present day Canada), Alaska Natives, Inuit, Maori, Native Hawaiians, and other indigenous peoples from across the world.
Canoe Journey gatherings are rich in meaning and cultural significance. Canoe families travel great distances as their ancestors did, and participation requires physical and spiritual discipline. At each stop, canoe families follow certain protocols, asking permission to come ashore, often in their native languages. At night in longhouses there is gifting, honoring and the sharing of traditional prayers, drumming, songs and dances. Meals, including evening dinners of traditional foods, are provided by the host nations.
We were honored to support this significant gathering, connecting with old friends and meeting new ones, including next year’s hosts. We hope to venture north to Saxman, AK (near Ketchikan), where canoes will land in 2027!
by Carrie Bowman