By Wade Sheldon, Tulalip News
On Wednesday, April 18, an overcast sky did little to stop more than 70 community members from gathering at the Hibulb Cultural Center to help awaken the canoes. Members of the Tulalip canoe family were joined by Wellness Court participants, who showed up in full support, all coming together to prepare Big Brother, Big Sister, and Little Sister for the upcoming canoe season.
Tulalip tribal member Thomas Williams opened the day with a prayer and words that grounded the gathering’s purpose. He spoke about bringing the canoes out of their winter slumber, preparing for canoe practice, and the upcoming journey to the Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch, scheduled for July 31 through August 6.
Raising his hands to acknowledge the crowd, Williams reflected on his own path to the canoe journey. “I came into the canoe journey later in life,” he said. “When I was younger, I wanted to run around and not think about structure or responsibility. It takes a strong mind and heart to be part of the canoes, the songs, and the dances. I wasn’t ready for that until I got older.”
“It means a lot to have you here and show up with good intent,” he continued. “We want to be in a good mood, think about the things that make us happy, laugh, and enjoy ourselves while we’re doing this.”
Williams also spoke about teaching youth through hands-on experience, including bringing a replica canoe to the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy. Before students begin washing the canoes, he encourages them to ask the Creator to brush away anything negative. “When our families get on, I want them to be protected,” he said.
He reminded attendees that the canoes themselves carry life and spirit. “These canoes come from trees that were alive. Everything has spirit, everything has a conscience. The canoe thinks when it’s on the water and guides itself in many ways,” he shared. “We have to show up to these things with good intent.”
Before the washing began, each participant was handed a cedar bough and invited to walk around the canoes, offering blessings. “We ask that the cedar tree bless these canoes,” Williams said. “Not just to get through this part of the day, but because we truly need those prayers for the canoes.”
Among those who came out to support the canoe awakening were Tulalip tribal members Maleia Kicking Woman and Eagle Bear Jones, both of whom reflected on what the gathering meant to them.
Kicking Woman shared, “I’ve been part of this canoe family for about five or six years now. I show up every year and haven’t stopped since I started. My grandpa, Leroy Fryberg Jr., was one of the first men on the crew for the first canoe journey. Keeping this tradition alive means a lot to my family and me.”
Jones spoke about his reconnection as his reason for attending. “Just to get back in touch with my culture,” he said. “I’ve been distant from it, so I come here to be reawakened and deal with good medicine.” He added that he had participated in the canoe journey twice when he was younger.
Reflecting on what it meant to return, Jones said, “It’s an honor to come back out here and reconnect with the community, especially with the support of Wellness Court.”
Canoe practice is held on Wednesdays from 5-8 p.m. at the Tulalip Marina. Contact Natasha Fryberg for info.