By Tom Rohrer
It was clear to those in attendance yesterday at the Paddle To Squaxin 2012 landing site near Swantown Marina that the event was a special and timeless moment for all people in the Puget Sound region.
Over 10,000 people were on hand to witness the landing ceremony for the collection of canoes, including Governor Christine Gregoire and Mayor of Olympia Stephen B. Buxbaum.
The landing culminated a long trip for some of the canoe journey families, some of which had traveled from as far away as British Columbia before landing in Olympia.
From Monday, July 30, to Sunday, Aug 5, the various canoe families and tribes will participate in Potlatch Protocol on the Squaxin Island Tribal Headquarters near Kamilche.
A variety of vendors and informational booths were also on site at the event, including Puget Sound Energy, the Hands on Children’s Museum, and the Washington State Historical Society.
Upon entering the cove in front of the massive grandstands, the canoe families waited in line for the healing of the water ceremony.
Following the ceremony, canoe families traveled one at a time towards the shore, where they were greeted with thunderous applause, cheers and tears of joy.
Governor Gregoire gave a speech thanking those participating in the journey and the Squaxin Island Tribe before declaring the week as Paddle To Squaxin 2012. Mayor Buxbaum also thanked the various tribes and families participating, which, like Gregoire’s presentation, was greeted with cheering and applause
A moment of silence was held throughout the audience, allowing those in the crowd to fully grasp the significance of the moment and how many people it affects.
For more information on Paddle to Squaxin 2012, visit www.paddletosquaxin2012.org. A complete photo set of the journey and landing can be found by clicking here.
Paddle to Squaxin 2012 Photographs
