sNok signflz
AUGUST 15, 2023
13
ors Past and Present’
l at the Paddle to Muckleshoot
y Center.
portunity to take the
stage for protocol.
Approximately 100
members of the Ca-
noe Family began at
approximately 9 a.m.
and concluded two Grand Ronde Canoe Family skipper Bobby Mercier asks the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for permission to come ashore during the
Paddle to Muckleshoot 2023 Landing Day at Alki Beach Park in Seattle, Wash., on Sunday, July 30.
hours later.
At protocol, Merci-
er introduced himself in Chinuk
Indigenous governments signed
Wawa and English.
the Centennial Accord, recognizing
“Let’s wake up this crowd,” he
Indigenous sovereignty. Fifteen
said. “Let’s wake up the people still
Tribes and First Nations participat-
sleeping in camp.”
ed in the Paddle to Seattle.
Although the hour was relatively
Today, upwards of 120 canoes
early and most Canoe Family par-
representing as many as 90 U.S.
ticipants hadn’t had much sleep,
Tribes and Canadian First Nations
they performed traditional songs
and up to 12,000 people participate
with enthusiasm and pride.
in the annual journey, paddling
Afterward, Mercier thanked the
canoes, operating support boats,
Muckleshoot Tribe for its hospi-
acting as ground crew, singing,
tality.
dancing and sharing their cultures
The 2023 journey marked the
and traditions.
31st anniversary of the event, first
Canoe Journey was designed as a
held in 1989. Canoe Journey wasn’t
family-friendly event to familiarize
held during 2020, 2021 or 2022 due
Northwest Tribes with the trade
to COVID.
routes used by their ancestors and
Grand Ronde’s Canoe Family
to promote a healthy lifestyle free
first participated in the 2005
of substance abuse.
Canoe Journey, which landed
The 2023 Canoe Journey closed on
Tribal member Kaylene Barry dances during the Grand Ronde Canoe Family’s
on Hollywood Beach in Port An-
Sunday, Aug. 6, with Muckleshoot
protocol at the Paddle to Muckleshoot 2023 Canoe Journey at Muckleshoot
geles, Wash. Some participants
songs and dances, giveaways, trans-
Indian Tribe’s Community Center.
fondly recall subsisting on Clif
fer of the stick to
Bars and Red Bull energy drinks.
the next hosting
Nowadays, they travel with a full
Tribe and a retir-
support staff who set up camp and
ing of the colors.
prepare meals.
The Suqua-
The Canoe Journey began in
mish Tribe in
1989 with the “Paddle to Seattle,”
western Wash-
which was held in conjunction with
ington will host
Washington’s 100th anniversary of
the 2024 Canoe
statehood. That year, the state and
Journey.
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Tribal member Alexis Contreras dances while Stankiya
is sung as the Grand Ronde Canoe Family perform
protocol during the Paddle to Muckleshoot 2023 Canoe
Journey at Muckleshoot Indian Tribe’s Community
Center on Wednesday, Aug. 2, in Auburn, Wash.
Photos by Michelle Alaimo