S MOKE S IGNALS
JULY 15, 2018
Tribal Canoe Family to begin annual journey
By Danielle Frost
Smoke Signals staff writer
The Grand Ronde Canoe Family and Tribal support staff are set to
begin the annual Canoe Journey when they leave Grand Ronde on
Thursday, July 19, for St. Helens on the shores of the Columbia River.
Fifty Canoe Family members will practice paddling in the Columbia
River for three days to become adept at navigating before they begin
the miles of paddling starting from Samish, Wash., and ending in
Puyallup, Wash. Stops are scheduled to occur at Swinomish, Tulalip,
Suquamish and Muckleshoot.
This year’s Canoe Journey is hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians
and has the theme “Honoring Our Medicine.”
Landing Day is Saturday, July 28. Protocol is set to begin Sunday,
July 29, and run through Saturday, Aug. 4, and attracts thousands. It
includes singing, dancing, sharing stories and food. The order of protocol
is the Tribe that travels the farthest to attend goes fi rst.
According to the website, paddletopuyallup.org, 99 canoes are regis-
tered for the event, representing approximately 68 Tribes, First Nations
and interTribal groups from all over the Northwest.
Grand Ronde’s Canoe Family fi rst participated in the 2005 Canoe
Journey, which landed on Hollywood Beach in Port Angeles, Wash.
The Canoe Journey began in 1989 with the “Paddle to Seattle,”
which was held in conjunction with Washington’s 100th anniversary of
statehood. That year, the state and indigenous governments signed the
Centennial Accord, recognizing indigenous sovereignty. Fifteen Tribes
and First Nations participated in the Paddle to Seattle.
Today, upwards of 100 canoes representing as many as 90 U.S.
Tribes and Canadian First Nations, and approximately 12,000 people
participate in the annual journey, paddling canoes, operating support
boats, acting as ground crew, singing, dancing and sharing their cul-
tures and traditions.
Canoe Journey was designed as a family-friendly event to familiarize
northwest Tribes with the trade routes used by their ancestors and to
promote a healthy lifestyle free of substance abuse. n
File photo by Teal Reibach
The Grand Ronde Canoe Family arrive to Campbell River, British Columbia,
for Landing Day of the 2017 Canoe Journey last August. The Canoe Family will
depart for the 2018 Canoe Journey “Paddle to Puyallup” on Thursday, July 19.
GED
General Educational Development
9
Elder Honor Day
The 2018 Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Elder Honor Day was
held in the Event Center at Spirit Mountain Casino on Monday, July 9.
Almost 500 people, representing 37 Tribes, attended the annual event
that included breakfast and lunch, recognition of veterans, drumming,
singing and dancing by the Grand Ronde Canoe Family and a perfor-
mance by Paradise of Samoa Polynesian dance troupe from Salem.
Photos by Michelle Alaimo
The Paradise of Samoa Polynesian dance troupe performs during the
2018 Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Elder Honor Day.
Tribal Elder Julie Little, middle, delivers a man basket to Ned Tillequots
Jr. (Yakama) after he won it during the 2018 Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde Elder Honor Day.
A GED Can
Help you get a
job
Help you get
into college
Increase your
income
Provide you
with a sense of
accomplishment
Adult Education Building
GED Classroom
Earn your GED today!
Contact Tracy Biery for more information
503-879-1345 or tracy.biery@grandronde.org
Confederated Tribes of
Grand Ronde
Adult Education
9615 Grand Ronde Road
Grand Ronde, Oregon 97338
Tracy Biery
503-879-1345
Tracy.biery@grandronde.org
We will help you every step of the way!
Ad created by George Valdez