"They will come as their ancestors did, from various places across the Pacific Ocean and the Salish Sea, from Quinault and Hoh and Quileute, from Makah and Elwha and Jamestown, from First Nations on Vancouver Island and lower mainland British Columbia, from as far north as Bella Coola on B.C.’s Central Coast.

Canoes participating in the Canoe Journey — the annual gathering of Northwest Coast indigenous nations — will stop at Port Gamble S’Klallam July 20 and Suquamish July 21-22 en route to the final destination, the territory of the Squaxin Island Tribe, July 29 to Aug. 5.

The landings and evening ceremonies are open to the public. The Suquamish Tribe and Suquamish Olalla Neighbors will host a community potluck July 22.

We encourage the greater community to experience the wonders of the Canoe Journey. The Journey is significant on many levels: It builds cultural understanding and relationships between Native and non-Native peoples. It’s keeping alive the traditional form of travel on the ancestral marine highways. And it’s a cultural renaissance that has grown in economic, environmental, political and social influence."

Get the Story:
Editorial: Experience the Canoe Journey (The North Kitsap Herald 7/13)

Also Today:
Canoe Journey: 21st annual event visits Kitsap July 20-22 (The North Kitsap Herald 7/13)

Related Stories:
Editorial: Tribes keep traditions alive with annual Canoe Journey (6/25)
Tribes in Pacific Northwest get ready for annual Canoe Journey (6/11)