By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News
On the bluff overlooking Tulalip Bay, four young women proudly stood tall on the afternoon of July 27. They watched the distant waters as dozens of canoes approached the shoreline one by one. A representative from each canoe family spoke of their travels on the water, and kindly asked permission to come ashore to rest, share a meal, and offer the songs and dances of their people during protocol. And the young Tribal members responded in unison, inviting their visitors into the village while speaking completely in Lushootseed, their ancestral language.
It was a gorgeous Sunday, with minimal clouds in the sky and around an 85-degree temperature, the community of Tulalip setup their canopies and lounge chairs in front of the longhouse, the perfect spot to view the arrival of the canoes. Tulalip was one of many stops on this year’s Canoe Journey, as the pullers make their way to the final landing destination of Lower Elwha.
For spectators and pullers alike, the annual summertime Canoe Journey continues to be a symbol of resiliency for Northwest Tribal nations, as well as a great way for the youth to connect to their history and traditions.
And though one might initially think of the beautiful cedar dugouts cruising the Salish Sea when they hear of the Canoe Journey, decades of this gathering have proven it to be much more. Many can attest that on a personal level, it is a healing journey; helping individuals find their way by fully immersing in the culture, helping addicts attain and/or maintain their sobriety, passing on near-lost traditions to the next generation, connecting Natives with people from different tribes, and finding solace by living how our ancestors did since time immemorial.
“The first time I got out on the canoe and went outside of Tulalip Bay, I felt a deep connection not only with the water, but with the canoe,” expressed Tulalip tribal member and Canoe Puller, Monie Ordonia. “I felt my ancestor’s gratitude for me being on the water, the silence of serenity is palpable. It was like an interconnection meditation for me. Every time my paddle digs into the water, it’s like a prayer for my people, the community, and for the water with all that live in it.”
This event is highly anticipated throughout the entire year, and many Tribes spend months preparing for Canoe Journey. For Tulalip, preparations begin as soon as springtime arrives, where they hold an awakening ceremony for their three family canoes, Big Brother, Big Sister, and Little Sister. The participants then practice building their endurance on the water in the subsequent weeks leading up to the journey. Additionally, Tulalip also hosts weekly culture nights where the people can create their own regalia as well as gifts to distribute to other tribes along the way.
Following the first canoe practice of 2025, Tulalip youth, Maleia Kickingwoman, shared, “This is my third year pulling, so going back out on the water was pretty nice, got to feel the sacred connection again. The water was a little rough at the beginning, but once we got towards Hermosa it got calmer, and we got to cruise a bit. We saw two whales. It was pretty fun. We had some laughs and funny jokes out on the water. I am excited about meeting new friends at Canoe Journey this year.”
For those who aren’t familiar with the origins of the Canoe Journey, it began in the summer of 1989, when Quinault tribal member, Emmett Oliver, organized an intertribal canoe pull for Seattle’s centennial celebration. The success of that event inspired tribes to keep it going, resulting in a cultural revitalization movement that continues to grow each year. Today, hundreds of canoes travel across local waters to celebrate their heritage, embrace their traditions, experience that special connectedness to the waterways, and represent their tribe and people.
As mentioned earlier, this year’s Canoe Journey will conclude in Elwha territory, and the canoes are anticipated to arrive at the final landing destination on July 31. A weeklong celebration will then take place, where each participating tribe and canoe family will have the opportunity to share their songs and dances, as well as showcase their regalia and tribal pride, in front of thousands.
Once all the canoes arrived safely, the people enjoyed a traditional meal and several hours of protocol at the Tulalip Gathering Hall. The canoe pullers camped out in various lots throughout the reservation. And following a short night’s rest, the canoes departed the shores of Tulalip Bay in the early hours of July 28.
Said Tulalip Skipper, Taylor Henry, “Getting in the canoe and being on the water is such a huge medicine for us. These canoes have been designed for us for over 10,000 years the same way. When I say we have to take care of them so they can take care of us, this is part of it. And when we go out there, they return that. Because every stroke we take, we’re leaving some of that hurt, some of that pain, or whatever you’re going through. We let some of it go with every stroke, that’s what we’ve always been told.”
To follow along with the canoes and to stay up to date on the protocol schedule, as well as follow any other Canoe Journey related news, be sure to follow the official Tribal Canoe Journeys page on Facebook.