8 • The Southwest Portland Post
FEATURES
July 2016
NAYA family begins journey north with canoe blessing in Willamette Park
By Jack Rubinger
The Southwest Portland Post
Family, friends and members of the
Native American Youth and Family
Center gathered together on June 12
at Willamette Park to bless a 35-foot-
long cedar canoe destined for a serious
journey — the paddle to Nisqually.
“Today’s a good day,” said tribal elder
Frank Alby. “We’re going to launch a
canoe.”
Burning sage, chanting, a backdrop
of blue sky, sunlight on the river, and
colorful garb was the setting.
“Every tribal nation has its own
spiritual rejuvenating ceremony.
The Northwest coastal nations have
used the canoe journey for thousands
of years to celebrate and honor its
heritage,” explained Mary Renville,
who is from the Sisseton Wahpeton
Oyate, a people far away with a totally
different worldview.
This year from July 22 through
August 7, the NAYA family canoe will
join hundreds of families in the annual
event which is hosted by the Squalli
Absch people.
The NAYA family canoe journey
was started three years ago by a small
group of NAYA elders who saw a
spiritual need in this urban inter-tribal
community and knew elders were the
community leaders.
The paddle starts near Hood Canal
and includes stops in Port Gamble and
Olympia, Washington. Participants will
include people from upstate New York,
Hawaii and Alaska.
Everyone is welcome to join. The
skipper, 35-year-old Lucas Angus, a
Nez Perce, makes a decision on who
pulls. There is usually an elder at the
front of the bow, strong pullers behind
and the skipper is at the back.
Ground support crews travel ahead
of the canoes to set up, cook and tear
down the camp. Volunteers serve
double duty as pullers and/or ground
support.
Native American heritage, cultural
protocols, practices and traditional
potlatch ceremonies are important.
Tribal nations survived and the canoe
journey survived, Renville said.
“We have grown organically into a
dynamic community made up of people
from all walks and races of life to honor
our ancestors, impact our youth and
document history,” said Renville.
The colorful vests worn by NAYA
community members are made of
wool with red felt bias and decorated
with abalone shell buttons and the
individual’s totem (family) symbol.
Historically, natives traded with
traveling merchants for these valuable
goods because of their durability and
beauty.
The hats worn by NAYA friends and
family were harvested and woven from
cedar strips. Cedar is sacred, a medicine
used in many ways from clothing and
hats to canoes and healing. Historically
each nation wove cedar hats in their
unique style.
There were a number of women
praying and blessing the day, some
calling out in loud voices for all the
world to hear or speaking just to the
pullers or praying on behalf of the
people or silently sending them off in
a good way.
Those who were chanting included
the Native Bridge canoe family from
Seattle. The Chinook people also
honored all with songs and traditional
dancers.
Little ceremonial paddles used
as clackers or noise makers were
distributed during ceremonies. They
are carved from cedar and donated
by local people. Traditionally they
signified one’s totem and are usually
given as gifts to the host tribe.
The canoe’s figurehead is carved
from an ancient cedar in the form of
a wolf, NAYA’s symbol. The wolf is
much like NAYA — family oriented,
monogamous, faithful, dependent and
respectful of each other, revered and
feared by those who don’t understand.
NAYA was started about 45 years
ago by a group of young adults who
saw an unmet need, the need to end
cultural barriers, discrimination and
police brutality.
One of NAYA’s founders, Ron True
from the Haida Nation, was at the bow
of the canoe. Although he now suffers
from advanced Parkinson’s disease, he
made a valiant effort to lead by example
at the helm.
“I do hope all will learn more about
the 40,000 plus Native American
community here. We are often called
the Invisible Visible,” said Renville.
“Keep us in your prayers on this
canoe journey we are undertaking.
Miigwetch, Wopida, thank you!”
Skipper Lucas Angus helps NAYA founder Ron True aboard the canoe.
(Post photo by Jack Rubinger)
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Paddlers test the waters of the Willamette River in a Native American canoe.
(Post photo by Jack Rubinger)