Page 12 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - July, 2018

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CHEHALIS TRIBAL NEWSLETTER
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Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation. OAKVILLE, WA
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12

JOURNEY
From page 1
river resources. Dozens of people gathered to give
blessings and support the Chehalis Canoe Family
as it prepared to start the first leg of the Paddle to
Puyallup the following day, July 11.
After an opening prayer by Dan “Bones”
Gleason and song by Theresa Youckton,
Chairman Harry Pickernell and fellow Business
Committee members welcomed everyone who
came out to show support at the ceremonial
send-off and blessing of the canoe.
Representatives from Percy’s family, including
his children and grandchildren, stood up and
expressed how significant it is to have the Canoe
Family choose to leave from a part of the river Percy Youckton’s family members thank everyone in attendance at the Canoe Journey
that has deep meaning to the family. departure ceremony for the Chehalis Canoe Family.
Percy’s son John Youckton shared memories of
when he went on the Canoe Journey 10 years ago.
He said he has looked forward to the day when
the tribe would begin the sacred voyage from the
Chehalis Reservation.
“It’s an honor. I’m glad to see this happen. I
was always hoping that our canoe family could
leave from our land,” John said.
Established to revitalize and teach Native THE KARSHNER MUSUEM AND CENTER FOR CULTURE & ARTS PRESENTS
American way of life before settlers colonized the
land, the Canoe Journey is a tradition that dates
back to 1989. It has many different meanings A Celebration to Honor the Canoe Journey:
and serves as a spiritual cleanse, time of prayer,
an opportunity to pay tribute to native ancestors, Power Paddle to Puyallup 2018
medicine for healing and much more. August 2 and 3, 2018 10 am—4 pm Free Event!
For the first time, the Chehalis Canoe Family
is departing from the reservation and completing
the entire journey from the banks of the Chehalis ARTIFACTS, STORYTELLERS,
River to the final landing site in Puyallup on
July 28. The group will travel hundreds of miles HISTORY OF CANOE JOURNEY
braving the currents through the Pacific Ocean Exhibits
and Puget Sound, which are their ancestor’s
original highways. Plenty of adventures are ahead. "Reviving Culture through the Canoe Journey" - A Photo History by Denny Hurtado, Skokomish
Mt. Tacobet to the Salish Sea: The Culture and Artifacts - Karshner Museum artifacts
An event of this magnitude requires a Secretary of State's Legacy Washington - "The Survival of Washington Indians: We're Still Here"
tremendous amount of preparation. The Chehalis
Canoe Family and many volunteers put in hours "Muckleshoot Indian Tribe Sla-hal 2015 Tournament"- film directed by Lyn Dennis, Lummi/Tahltan B.C.
of work prior to the departure. To cover some Native Arts Display Storytellers
expenses and coordinate logistics, fundraisers Tobey Joseph Lois Landgrebe
and meetings were held for months leading up to Films Barbara Lawrence-Piecuch
the moment they left their homelands. Engaging Activities Melvin Blacketer Gene Tagaban

309 4th St NE, Puyallup, WA 98372 253.8418748
Free Transportation to/from Canoe Journey