Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey 2011

Port Townsend landing at Fort Worden a success!

Since its inception, the Intertribal Canoe Journey, celebrated by the Northwestern tribes, has evolved into a dynamic agent for social change. It has sparked a cultural renaissance with Native youth. Most importantly, the Inter-tribal Canoe Journey mandates that all participants have healthy sober lifestyles so that they are physically, mentally and spiritually prepared for this intense undertaking. Native youth have been enriched by the “Paddle” and their interest in participating continues to grow each year.

Shown at right is Marlin Holden, a direct descendant of Chief Chetzemoka of the Jamestown S'Klallam tribe. On July 19, 2011 Marlin welcomed paddlers from across Puget Sound and even Canada, who arrived in canoes on the beach at Fort Worden in Port Townsend, Washington - part of the ancestral homelands of the Jamestown S'Klallam tribe.

Check out the pride of accomplishment!

THANK YOU to everyone, who made this event such a success. We could not have accomplished this without our dynamic and committed Port Townsend volunteers! Our organizational and parking volunteers were simply the best. Cookie bakers were awesome. Set-up crews showed their strength. Meal preparers and servers were incredible. Clean-up crews did a bang up job. Our official photographers came through for us. We even had a security crew who worked the night shift to watch the canoes! 

Thanks also to the following organizations, who gave generously to support this special event: the Port Townsend Food Co-op, Chimacum Corner Farmstand, QFC of Port Hadlock and Port Townsend, the Peace Fruit Stand of Port Hadlock, Sunshine Coffee Company and Safeway of Port Townsend. Thanks also go to those, who gave direct donations to help offset the costs of the Canoe Journey - special thanks to Mary and Larry...

At the campground at Fort Worden I saw this warm-hearted Native-American father patiently attending to his daughter. When I asked if I could take his photo, he was glad to say yes and he removed her bottle from her mouth for the photo. You can see her reaction to that idea on her face. She was clearly not pleased!

You can see what she looked like before this interaction in the photo to the left - she has her father's devoted and undivided attention. So nice to see such healthy families in our tribal communities. It's a wonderful day!

I also enjoyed a group of tribal mothers, who were watching their toddlers play in the sand on the beach at Fort Worden. There were little drummers and longhouse builders - all having a great time as part of the Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey.

A high level of respect was evident throughout this event. In fact, our clean-up crews had little to do when it was all over because of the consistent care that was shown from the participants, even though hundreds of people were camped out on the parade grounds - I wish all our events in Port Townsend were so carefully accomplished.

THANK YOU ALL FOR EVERYTHING AND FOR CONTRIBUTING TO SUCH A WONDERFUL DAY IN OUR COMMUNITY. I LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU NEXT YEAR AS THE INTER-TRIBAL CANOE JOURNEY CONTINUES!

TOGETHER WE'RE BETTER!

Girls paddle too - and they are a strong bunch!

(You can click on all images to open larger format.)