Page 4 - August 2011

4 Canoe Journey All canoe family members (continued from page 1) sign a waiver and code of conduct Each person was responsible for promising to adhere to the Chehalis canoe family’s mission statement and decorating their own regalia and philosophy. We promise to promote making gifts for the fnal protocol. the growth, healing and well being of Free time was well spent in camp as our tribe through cultural experiences adults and youth were seen working aimed at strengthening, preserving on their items. This is a unique and rebuilding Native American opportunity to learn and share some values, beliefs and practices related to of their skills with each other from: the canoe tradition. beading, carving, basket weaving or Adhering to the mission statement sharing family’s history or stories and philosophy of the canoe journey strengthening the families bonds. promotes growth, healing and Final Landing well-being of our tribe through On Monday, July 25 in the midst The Chehalis Canoe Family pictured after performing formal protocol in the Suquamish Tribe’s cultural experiences. The goal is to of a down pour the 75 canoes and “House of Awakening Culture.” Pictured top row (L-R) are April Romo, Ongelic “OJ” Johnson, strengthen, preserve, and rebuild families reached their fnal destination Julie Lee, Sylvia Cayenne, Lisa Lipsy, Tony Higheagle, Asa Simmons, Brent Simmons, James Native American values, beliefs, at the Swinomish shore. Witnessing Cayenne II, Gail White Eagle, Todd DeLamater, PJ Simmons, Ronnie Rosbaugh, Lykais Bracero- and practices related to the canoe Rosbaugh, Skylar Bracero. Middle row (L-R) are Halisa Higheagle, Haila Higheagle, Jodie Smith, and participating in the Final Landing Marcus Youckton, Haley Parkinson, Danelle Sarabia, Skyler Baker, Joy Hamilton, Ed Hamilton, traditions and to promote Native will last for a lifetime in each person Fred Shortman, Deidra Hawkes. Front row (L-R) are Valea Higheagle, Whitney Lewis, Cheyenne family values. who was there. Pickernell, Connie Baker, Richard Romo, Jr., Shayden Baker, Ethan Wittwer, Keyshawn Lorton, Sean Rules to Remember A special note for the landing Allen, Antonio Sanchez, Alex Shortman, Kayley Trott. Canoe journey participants agree Washington State Governor Christine fnal destination is greatly appreciated. season and their dedication to learn coastal to the following code of conduct: Gregoire was a puller paddling on the To Elders Donna and Ellery Choke for salish song and dance are beginning to show.  Be kind and respectful to others. hosting Swinomish Canoe “Salmon Dancer.” assisting us in reserving our spots in various There was cold water training was held Compliment and help others, especially Hands Up to those that helped along the locations, those were some very early at Arcadia Point in Squaxin Island. There youth. Be positive with our actions and Journey. morning for you. Again, Thank you so very were weekly practice pulls for the new youth words. Refrain from use of negative talk, The Swinomish Tribe and it’s people much!!! and adults. This builds timing, strength feelings, thoughts and complaining. Practice worked hard in preparation of hosting this and endurance in preparation for the canoe positive thoughts to carry the canoe in a annual event. It was the frst time they have Final Protocol journey. These are very important training to good way. hosted in the 23 years of the canoe journeys. One youth, Skyler Baker was voted to prepare for any worse case scenarios while  Respect the canoe journey leaders, their Hosting is a lot of work, and it improved their lead our songs in fnal protocol at Swinomish. travelling on tougher, open water. advice and opinions, honor their age and tribe immensely spiritually, culturally and He did an awesome job! We took the foor at On July 17, tribal and community wisdom. economically. What an outstanding job they 2:00 am and our youth all made us proud as members witnessed the blessing of the  Respect the works and actions of the did, providing clean campsites, bathrooms, they sang and danced our canoe family songs. Chehalis canoe. Bones performed a blessing skipper and support boat captains. showers and laundry rooms. Can’t forget The men carried the songs singing “Loud and for the canoe and prayed for the safety of all  Participate in the activities – setting up the volunteers as they cooked, cleaned, Proud” while the ladies danced. Our youth the canoe family members and other canoe and taking down camp, pulling the canoe, others who provided rides to and from the were outstanding and made everyone beam families who were participating in this years protocol and dancing. campsites. We offer our a huge thank you for with pride. It was a thrilling and inspiring journey. Canoe family Elders, members and  Never refer to the canoe as the “B” word. this honorable work! performance. Hands-up to honor our youth leaders used cedar boughs and Chehalis river Consequences for that will be to take a Hand-Up in Thanks for a job well done! water to bless the canoe, praying for a safe swim to apologize and bring honor back to It was an honor to have our Chairman The Swinomish council honored us by journey. the canoe. David Burnett show up in different location playing the Slahal games were played during  The use of profanity will result in the to support our canoe family. Even in the our Secena Stick game song during our give What is the Canoe Journey? offender to be required to perform 25 push- down pour on the landing, he volunteered to away. The canoe journey is a spiritual and ups. It’s a good lesson and gets you in shape help bring our canoe to its resting place on healing time. It is a time for participants to for the following days pull. the Swinomish Shore. Thank you so much Canoe Journey Preparation strive to conduct themselves in a manner that chairman for your support. The Chehalis Canoe Family worked very, is honorable for the Chehalis people. The Next years journey will be hosted by the Our canoe family give a “Hands Up” to very hard this year to make sure that this canoe journey is not a vacation: It is serious Squaxin Island Tribe. For more information John and Mary Setterstrom for your time and year’s journey would be a success. The youth work. The canoe is a sacred cedar tree, a please contact with Sylvia Cayenne at 360- effort in providing with their support boat are a huge part of our fundraisers effort. We healing medicine to our spirit, a connection 888-6638. “The Clarity” for the fourth year in a row. had numerous meetings to learn to drum, to our ancestors and the Native and Chehalis Chehalis Canoe Family Dinner is Providing pullers with much needed rest, and sing and dance. Many of the youth attended tribal spirituality. We learn to care for our Saturday, October 8 starts at 1 in the assisting our canoe and family to get to our different coastal jams through-out the off canoe with dignity and respect. Gathering Room. The ground crew is essential on the journey. They set up camp, and moved from day to day. Adults and youth worked together unloading the cargo van, Chehalis Canoe Family “Circling Up” to bless the canoe and pray for a safe setting up tents, journey before loading the cargo van and leaving for the Squaxin tribal camp and assembling a ground. makeshift kitchen at Squaxin Island. Youth Puller Cheyenne Pickernell stands up to request permission to come ashore at Solo Point in Nisqually. It is an honor to be The Swinomish Elders, Council and Royalty greeted each canoe family selected to request during the final landing ceremonies. It was an emotional and awe-inspiring permission to land moment for everyone who witnessed the event. or leave a hosting tribe’s shores. Our hands go up to honor John and Mary Setterstrom for providing their support boat “Clarity” guiding us safely on the water. Pictured here is an early foggy morning as John receives During Final Protocol hosting Swinomish tribal leaders came and played supplies onto the slahal games during the Chehalis Canoe Family “Secena Stick Game” his skiff to be song. Tribal youth Skyler Baker was voted to lead the songs. Pictured (L-R) transferred onto are Ethan Wittwer, Pat Johns, Keyshawn , PJ Simmons, Skyler Baker, and his support boat. Cheyenne Pickernell.