KULLEET BAY, British Columbia — As 52 canoes bearing hundreds of tribal members from throughout the Northwest and Canada ceremoniously circled Kulleet Bay, a crowd of about 2000 people cheered, drummed and sang from the shore Wednesday.
Makah, Quileute, Hoh, Quinault, Lower Elwha Klallam and Port Gamble S’Klallam tribal canoes were among the flotilla.
Tribal representatives from each nation asked Chemainus First Nation leaders, who are hosting this year’s Paddle Journal, for permission to come ashore during a three-hour welcoming ceremony.
The rites included speeches, singing and drumming.
“We have come a long way, and it has been an honor to share the waterways with all of my brothers and sisters,” said Lower Elwha Klallam canoe skipper Phil Charles.
“We are honored to be here with all of you today.”
Three days of celebration
The journey’s end will be celebrated during the next three days with dancing, drumming, storytelling and feasts, which will include a ceremonial landing at Ladysmith on Friday.
The small city south of Nanaimo is celebrating its centennial.
About 20 canoes made stops in Port Townsend, Jamestown Beach and Port Angeles before crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca last week to reach British Columbia.
Lower Elwha Klallam, Hoh and Quinault tribal members joined the Paddle Journey last Thursday with a nine-hour crossing to Esquimalt, British Columbia.
“It was fun and exciting,” said 12-year-old Lola Bright, a Lower Elwha tribal member.
It was her first Paddle Journey.
“I have never seen this many canoes before,” Bright said. “I can’t wait until next year.”
