What Is The Canoe Journey?

The Canoe Journey, also known as the Tribal Canoe Journey or Tribal Journey, is an annual tradition of traveling on ancestral waterways by canoe. This event, which began after years of government oppression of Indigenous cultures, has grown from an experiment to revive indigenous maritime traditions to a part of a renaissance among indigenous peoples. Over 120 canoes and canoe families will start their journey from their home territories or other locations along the coast in July. Tribes from Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and British Columbia have participated and hosted landings.

The Canoe Journey has grown from its origins 30 years ago as an experiment to revive indigenous maritime traditions to its current role as part of a renaissance among indigenous peoples. After a three-year hiatus, Tribal Canoe Journeys brought thousands of Indigenous people from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond to the Muckleshoot Indian Tribe for a healing experience.

The annual Canoe Journey is a gathering of canoe cultures from Indigenous Nations from the coasts of Alaska, British Columbia, Oregon, and Washington. It challenges elders and youth to revive old songs and dances and compose new ones so they can paddle onto their neighboring shores proudly. The larger Canoe Journey has been in existence for over 20 years and is run through partnerships between indigenous peoples from across the Pacific.

The Canoe Journey Benefit was developed to encourage participation of Tribal Members and their families in the Annual Canoe Journey. The story of the Shell House Canoe Family begins with a canoe, not just any canoe, but the Willapa Spirit Honor Canoe, once the honor canoe of the Shell House tribe.