0 AUGUST 1,2011
Smoke Signals
Tribal Canoe Family
paddles to Swinomish
By Michelle Alaimo
On Monday, July 18, the Grand Ronde Canoe Family left from
Squaxin Island, Wash., on the annual Tribal Canoe Journey.
Landing Day for "Paddle to Swinomish" occurred on Monday,
July 25, at Swadabs Park located on the Swinomish Indian
Tribal Community across the Swinomish Channel from La
Conner, Wash. More than 100 canoes, mostly from the Pacific
Northwest area, took part in the journey. Each canoe entered
the channel one at a time and requested permission from the
Swinomish Tribe to come ashore. Events continued throughout
the week with each Tribe getting protocol time to sing, dance
and share their history and culture. More photos will appear
in the Aug. 15 issue of Smoke Signals.
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Grand Ronde Canoe Family Skipper Bobby Mercier requests
permission from the Swinomish Tribe to come ashore after
arriving at the beach of Swadabs Park on Landing Day of the
"Paddle to Swinomish" Canoe Journey on Monday, July 25.
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Tribal Elders Linda
Brandon, left, and
Kathryn Harrison watch
Landing Day activities
of the "Paddle to
Swinomish" on Monday,
July 25.
The Grand Ronde Canoe Family
canoe is carried from the Swadabs
Park beach to make room for
other canoes on Landing Day of
the "Paddle to Swinomish" Canoe
Journey on Monday, July 25.
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
The Grand Ronde Canoe
Family, center, waits
in the pouring rain on
Swadabs Park beach on the
Swinomish Channel with
other canoes they arrived
with as the canoe crews ask
for permission from the
Swinomish Tribe to come
ashore during Landing Day
for "Paddle to Swinomish"
on Monday, July 25.
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