Thursday, October 1, 2026
The Nisqually Indian Tribe is hosting the "Paddle to Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch Canoe Journey."
The canoe journey, which takes place from Friday, July 31, to Wednesday, Aug. 5, looks to continue a celebration and gathering of Northwest Indigenous nations.
Since 1994, the Nisqually Tribe has been part of the annual Canoe Journey, which is used to strengthen their culture, community, and families.
According to the Nisqually Tribe website, “At each stop, canoe families travel great distances as their ancestors did and participating in the journey requires physical and spiritual discipline. At each stop, canoe families follow certain protocols, they ask for permission to come ashore, often in their native languages.”
Host nations provide traditional meals to canoe families. At night in longhouses, canoe families share gifts, traditional prayers, drumming, songs and dances with each other.
The Canoe Journey in the Pacific Northwest region dates back to 1989, where it was sparked by the Paddle to Seattle, an event that was part of Washington State’s Centennial celebration.
Since then, pullers from Canada, Alaska and Washington have voyaged from their home communities to sites in the Pacific Northwest.
The Canoe Journey has grown to include over 100 canoes, and it is one of the largest gatherings of Indigenous people anywhere in the world.
Canoe families from American tribes, First Nations peoples, Alaskan natives, Intuit, Maori, native Hawaiians and other Indigenous peoples from across the world have participated in past Canoe Journeys.
For more information about the Canoe Journey, click here.
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Snevets
What an incredible tradition. I'm glad they've been able to bring the journey into today and hope for a successful future.
I'll definitely check out the website for pics and more info. Thank you for sharing.
Saturday, August 1 Report this
Boatyarddog
Snevets. I agree 100%+ I love to see this Traditional Journey continue over the Years.
Monday, August 3 Report this