Photo/Niki Cleary, Tulalip News
**Revised: The Annual Tulalip War Canoes Races have been rescheduled to July 29-31
By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News
Last August, the Tulalip Tribes revived war canoe races and in doing so brought back what used to be an annual event on our waters before a very sudden and lengthy hibernation period. Through the efforts and perseverance of several tribal members dedicated to reviving the practice of hosting and competing in war canoe races, the cultural event returned to our reservation, along with the prestige that comes from being a tribe included in the war canoe races circuit.
Last year, hundreds of racers of all ages, from single rowing to 11-man teams, rowed intently across Tulalip Bay in physically demanding and spiritually uplifting competition. The Tulalip war canoe races brought nearly 200 participants from Coast Salish tribal communities both near and far. There were several canoe clubs who journeyed from Canada to attend.
In preparation for this year’s Tulalip war canoe races and all the competitors and spectators sure to be involved, the originally scheduled 2-day event has been expanded to a 3-day event to take place Friday July 15 through Sunday July 17.
The history of war canoe races stems from canoes being a traditional means of transportation for coastal and island tribes along the Northwest’s continental fringe. Not only did people use canoes for fishing and trading trips, but they also used them for raiding. Needing to be as quick as possible during these raids, tribes became experts at making canoes that could maneuver through the waters with ease. Both the individual manned canoe and team manned canoes required highly disciplined paddlers or pullers. These pullers often trained for months on end in order to become one when in the canoe. In some cases, the pullers would make use of a rhythmic chant to help ensure proper technique as they chanted their way across the shimmering, sunlit water.
In our modern era, tribes no longer raid each other, but find our connectedness to nature and the life giving water remains inherent to what it means to be Coast Salish. So the practice and traditions of war canoe racing evolved into what it is today, becoming an inter-tribal event that spiritually uplifts individuals and community while honoring traditions of our ancestors.
Join in on the fun and excitement this weekend, as the Tulalip war canoe races kick-off Friday July 15. There will be plenty of food and merchandise vendors to shop from between races.
The war canoe race schedule is as follows:
Friday (races to be done separately, unless circumstances change day of race)
Singles
- 7 and under girls
- 7 and under boys
- 10 and under girls
- 10 and under boys
- 13 and under girls
- 13 and under boys
- 16 and under girls
- 16 and under boys
- 19 and under boys
- 19 and under girls
Doubles
- 7 and under (open)
- 10 and under (open)
- 13 and under (open)
- 16 and under (open)
- Men
- Women
- Mixed
6 man
- 10 and under
- 19 and under
11 man
- 10 and under
Saturday
11 man
- 13 and under
- 16 and under
- Women
- Men
- Mixed (6 women min)
6 man
- 13 and under
- 16 and under
- Women (lady skip)
- Men
Doubles
- 13 and under
- 16 and under
- Women
- Men
- Mixed
- 45 and over
Singles
- 13 and under
- 16 and under
- Women
- Men
- 45 and over women
- 45 and over men
Sunday
11 man
- 13 and under
- 16 and under
- Men
- Women
6 man
- 13 and under
- 16 and under
- Men
- Women
Doubles
- Men
- Women
- Mixed
Singles
- 13 and under tip over race
- 16 and under tip over race
- Women