Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Smoke signals. (Grand Ronde, Or.) 19??-current | View Entire Issue (Aug. 1, 2018)
S moke S ignals AUGUST 1, 2018 13 Canoe Journey began in 1989 CANOE JOURNEY continued from front page serving in the support boat. “I help out wherever it is needed,” he said. “My favorite part of the journey is in the evening and the things we do as a family. It shows us how close we are.” Martineau said he also uses downtime to talk to youth about the dangers of substance abuse and the most recent wave of synthetic drugs. “These are educational moments that might save their lives,” he said. When asked to name a favorite aspect of Canoe Journey, Martin- eau is hard-pressed to choose one. “It’s really difficult to say a favor- ite part,” he said. “It’s really amaz- ing the things that have happened over the years.” Tribal Council member Lisa Leno has been on most of the Canoe Journeys since the Tribe began participating in 2005. “My favorite part is Landing Day and working together as a family,” she said. “The most challenging part is the logistical piece and mak- ing things work with a large group of people.” Leno said she enjoys the visits with other Tribes along the journey as well. “Getting the chance to visit their homelands, and showing our sing- ing and dances helps build new relationships,” she said. The Tribe’s Youth Prevention Department does much of the work with setting up camp and preparing food. Youth Prevention Program Coordinator Cristina Lara, Youth Programs Assistant Shannon Stan- ton and Teen Pregnancy Prevention Coordinator Valeria Atanacio were at camp on Friday helping to en- sure Canoe Family members were comfortable and nourished for the journey ahead. “We start preparing a month ahead of time for the food,” Stanton said. “We figure out the ingredients, plan the menu and figure out how much to buy. … I love to cook and do things for people.” The Tribe took two canoes on the journey: Stankiya (coyote) and UlX- ayu (seal). Skippers are Cultural Education Specialist Brian Kreh- Photos by Michelle Alaimo A group, including Tribal Planning Director Rick George, third from right, and Tribal youth Sedona Williams, behind George, carry ulXayu from the water after coming ashore during Landing Day of the 2018 Canoe Journey “Power Paddle to Puyallup” in Tacoma, Wash., on Saturday, July 28. biel and Cultural Advisor Bobby Mercier. As of Friday, July 20, 115 participants were registered. In addition to helping new par- ticipants feel welcomed, Jordan Mercier said another Canoe Jour- ney goal is keeping the feeling alive throughout the year. “I want to work on keeping it liv- ing and bringing it home,” he said. Isabelle Grout, 14, is participat- ing in her third Canoe Journey. She said she enjoys protocol and the dancing. “I also like to go and watch people from other Tribes that I have met,” Grout said. Kyoni Mercier, 20, has been part of Canoe Journey since she was a small child. This year, she is serv- ing as a lead puller. “I enjoy getting to witness ev- eryone else’s culture and knowing where they are from,” she said. “It is cool that we can recognize each other. … Journey is a form of heal- ing. It is a powerful feeling to be on the water. It lifts up our spirits and A group, including Grand Ronde Canoe Family skipper Bobby Mercier, front right, carry Stankiya from the water after coming ashore during Landing Day of the 2018 Canoe Journey “Power Paddle to Puyallup” in Tacoma, Wash., on Saturday, July 28. everyone takes something from this they didn’t know before.” Andrea Grijalva, 20, made her first journey in 2007 and said she enjoys being on the water. “It is one of my favorite parts,” she said. “One year I got to do the last paddle and there were 90 ca- noes lined up for Landing Day. It is one of my favorite memories of journey.” The Canoe Journey began in 1989 with the “Paddle to Seattle,” held in conjunction with Washington’s 100th anniversary of statehood. The state and indigenous governments signed the Centennial Accord that year, recognizing indigenous sover- eignty. Fifteen Tribes and Canadian First Nations participated in the Paddle to Seattle. This year, 20,000 people are expected at protocol. The Tribe began its 2018 Canoe Journey on Thursday, July 19, when family, friends, employees and Elders gathered at the Com- munity Center to wish the travelers well. Tribal Elder and past Tribal Council Chairwoman Kathryn Har- rison offered an invocation. Current Tribal Council members Brenda Tuomi and Kathleen George also attended. Bobby Mercier thanked staff members who had worked tirelessly in preparing for the Power Paddle to Puyallup. “There is a lot of work that goes into this and I am thankful for the staff, and the many hours and meetings they attended to get this done,” he said. Bobby Mercier, Jordan Mercier, Krehbiel, Cultural Protection Spe- cialist Chris Bailey, Cultural Re- sources Manager David Harrelson and several Canoe Journey youth and staff sang and drummed, as those gathered joined in. The Canoe Family was joined in St. Helens by two Māori represen- tatives from the Tauranga district in New Zealand, Tamahau Tangi- tu and Te Kerekau Nicholas. The Canoe Journey exchange between Grand Ronde and the Māoris has been ongoing since 2009. This year’s Canoe Journey is hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of In- dians and has the theme, “Honoring Our Medicine.” Landing Day was Saturday, July 28, in Tacoma, Wash. Dinner was served to all partic- ipants that evening in Puyallup with protocol set for the next seven days. Protocol continues all day from about 9 a.m. to midnight, allowing canoe families to share their songs and dances. The order of protocol is that the Tribe traveling the farthest to attend goes first. Protocol was held at Chief Leschi School, 5625 52nd St. E, Puyallup. 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. Look for more coverage of Canoe Journey on the Smoke Signals Facebook page, www.grandronde. org and in the Aug. 15 print edition. Information can also be found at paddletopuyallup.org. Meagan Flier, left, and Valeria Atanacio help prepare lunch at the Grand Ronde Canoe Family’s camp in St. Helens on Friday, July 20. The family camped and practiced paddling on the Columbia River for three days before beginning the 2018 Canoe Journey “Power Paddle to Puyallup.”
