HISTORY

On July 30th, 2007, Canoe Families from around the Northwest Coast will come together, as the Lummi Nation Reawakens, Renews and Revives their ancient traditions, by celebrating our first potlatch since 1937. Traditionally, the potlatches were the most distinctive feature of the Northwest, helping to share local bounty, keep track of the shifting loyalties among the People, and legalize claims to nobly entitled names. Each one involved a formal display of crests, privileges, members, foods, and resources in the presence of honored guests and witnesses, who accepted meals and gifts in return for supporting these changes in the social fabric. During this feast and elaborate give-away, a noble family dramatized their clan crests via songs, dances, masks, effigies, and natural rarities. Later, guests would host their own potlatches to share what they had with their former hosts. In the spirit of the tl’aneq’ (potlatch or gathering), Lummi welcomes each canoe family to the shores of the Lummi Nation with utmost hospitality.

The Canoe Journey is a time of healing, hope, happiness, honor and hospitality. The Journey began with nine canoes as the Paddle to Seattle in 1989. In 2006, the Paddle to Muckleshoot hosted more than 60 canoes and over 40,000 participants. Last year, canoes came from as far as St.Paul Island, Alaska and the Grand Ronde Tribe in Oregon, traveling the routes of our ancestral highways. The Journey seeks to honor the centuries-old custom of transport, harvest and trade by the Coast Salish tribes, many who traveled the waters to meet and gather for festivities. Relationships are strengthened, family ties are renewed, and young and old gather together during this drug and alcohol free event. Our Elders believe that through canoe-pulling, we achieve perfect harmony and balance. This is schelangen, the Lummi way of life.