Page 4 - Chehalis Tribal Newsletter - July - August 2023

4

HERITAGE

Youth explore rivers in Rites of Passage

Team-building activity
teaches cultural practices

Tribal youth embraced tradition as they
traveled the Chehalis Reservation’s rivers by
canoe this summer during Rites of Passage.
The event was practiced in the 1980s
and ’90s and made a return in 2018. While
COVID-19 impacted the gathering, organizers
now hope to offer it as an annual event.
Rites of Passage is an engaging, team-
building, healthy activity. The following eight
Chehalis youth committed to participate fully
and complete the entire passage: Suzette,
Jayzen, Mason, Malikah, Micah, Joseph,
Lykaios and Jeremy.
Youth launched their canoes July 20 and
traveled down the Chehalis River for the day.
The group and adult supervisors paddled in
their canoes throughout the morning and
early afternoon, allowing youth to see parts of
the river seldom enjoyed without boat access.
After hours on the water, they pulled into Black
River at Percy’s Landing, named after former
Chehalis Tribe Chairman Percy Youckton. With adult guidance, Chehalis tribal
“It was smooth sailing in the river. My arm youth learn traditional ways on and
felt heavy after a while. That’s why I only do off the water during Rites of Passage.
short pulls,” Malikah said.
After they landed, participants went to
the fish pit near Tomahawk Stadium. Tribal
fisherman taught youth how to prepare
salmon the traditional way over an open
fire. Fisherman explained that the fish need
to cook for about 45 minutes on each side
(depending on the size of the fish and the heat
of the fire and rocks). Tribal youth left the fish
pit to return to Percy’s Landing and set up
camp for the night.
Chehalis Tribal Elder Mel Youckton spoke
to the youngsters as Philip Youckton prepared
breakfast for the group on July 21. Mel
explained that Percy is his older brother and
talked about the pride he feels knowing that
tribal youth are taking part in Rites of Passage.
He described how he knows there are future
tribal leaders among the faces he saw that day.
It was smooth sailing
in the river. My arm
felt heavy after a
while. That’s why I
only do short pulls.

– MALIKAH, RITES OF
PASSAGE PARTICIPANT