Page 5 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - July 2019

5

YOUTH
From page 1
The males
Tribe’s territory and an area the who
Chehalis people frequented prior participated
to colonization. The tribe still in the journey
owns land in the area west of the enjoy a
town Chehalis. moment
While at Rainbow Falls on together after
July 10, the children explored swimming
sacred land, and identified local and setting
plants that native ancestors up camp
gathered for food and medicine. at Percy’s
The following day, a group Landing.
that included those from the
Youth Program, Chehalis Canoe
Family and Community &
Culture Department gathered
at Independence Bridge to send
off members of the 2019 Rites of
Passage. The Canoe Family shared
a song and said a prayer before
they launched on the first leg of
the passage. Sid Smith and Samuel Secena
Philip Youckton, Events spoke about what it was like for
Manager and Chehalis tribal them growing up along the river.
member, helped coordinate the They both said how important it is
event to recreate an activity that for them to witness this generation
hasn’t been practiced in more than out on the water.
30 years. They told the youth that these
Cherished memories moments and the trip down the
Chehalis are times they will carry
Youckton shared his thoughts with them forever.
on the Rites of Passage and the
purpose of sending youth down Encouraging a healthy life
the traditional highways of the Decades ago, when the Rites of
tribal people. The main goal was Passage was introduced, it was a
to introduce the youth to the river. program meant to keep the youth
It also encouraged the rest of the away from drugs and alcohol
tribe to discover more about the abuse, something the tribe dealt
Chehalis River. with daily.
“It’s a learning experience for Although this year’s message
all of us – the staff, families and wasn’t focused on substance
kids all involved,” Youckton said. abuse, tribal elders briefly
The youth paddled from addressed the issue and said that
Independence Bridge to Percy’s by participating in events such as
Landing, a well-known area of the Rites of Passage, it will help
the river. They set up tents and keep youth out of trouble and
camped for the night. ultimately lead to better lifestyles.
Youngsters cooked dinner and The next morning, they broke
listened to stories told by tribal down camp. Dan shared Coastal
elders and tribal linguist Dan Participants of the Rites of Passage cruise by the Balch fishing and
Penn. See YOUTH, page 6 swimming hole during their paddle down the Chehalis River.

Youth Program members stand in admiration while sending off the Rites of Passage bunch. Many were inspired to take the paddle down the river.