The Squaxin Island Tribe recently launched PaddleToSquaxin2012.org, an information and news
website for the final stop in the 2012 Intertribal Canoe Journey. The website will be the main
conduit for public information for one of the largest tribal cultural events in the region.
The journey is an annual intertribal celebration of Pacific Northwest canoe culture and tradition.
A different tribe hosts each year. The Squaxin Island Tribe has selected “Teaching of Our
Ancestors” as the core theme for the 2012 journey hosting. More than 100 canoes will land at
the Port of Olympia, in Washington state, on July 29th, with thousands of people joining together
to welcome each arrival. Canoe Families, friends and relatives then move to a celebration &
Potlatch Protocol at the Squaxin Island Community, Kamilche, WA, July 30 – August 5. Both the
landing and potlatch protocol are open to the public.
For centuries, Pacific Northwest tribal people navigated the waterways in intricately carved
dugout canoes. The Salish Sea, the body of water that encompasses Puget Sound, the Strait of
Juan de Fuca and the Strait of Georgia in Canada, was the central force that connected canoe
cultures for intertribal communication and trade. But early federal government mandates
outlawed many tribal traditions, resulting in ceremonial practices and the art of canoe building
and ceremonial practices being nearly lost. In 1989, the Canoe Journey, originally called “Paddle
to Seattle”, was organized as a revival of the canoe culture traditions and the Native American
contribution to the Washington State Centennial. Today, tribes from Washington, Oregon, Alaska,
Hawaii, Canada, New Zealand, Japan and the Seminole Tribe in Florida participate. The Squaxin
Island Tribe has reached out to all marine based indigenous peoples to participate in the 2012
Journey.
2012 Canoe Journey staff is working in partnership with the Port of Olympia, cities of Olympia
and Shelton as well as Thurston and Mason Counties and their communities.
A Canoe Journey Green Team Subcommittee is working to create a zero waste event. Paddle to
Squaxin 2012 is a drug and alcohol free event.
