Special Edition 2012 - Intertribal Canoe Journey Sustains & Builds Ethnic Identity

Indigenous people are acutely aware of their strong connections and interrelationships with the land, water, air, plants and animals. At First Nations Development Institute, we believe there is an obligation to retain this cultural identity and the wisdom of our ancestors.

That’s why we back the Intertribal Canoe Journey. With support from the Kalliopeia Foundation, First Nations supports Native American youth-centered projects that incorporate culture and tradition in addressing social issues.  It’s all part of our effort to strengthen Native American nonprofit organizations so they can continue to grow and sustain Native communities.

The Intertribal Canoe Journey is a project of the Potlatch Fund, which says the event revives the centuries-old traditions of transport and trade by the Coastal Tribes of the Northwest, many of whom traveled over open waters to meet and gather for festivities. “The canoe journeys have become a major catalyst for Coastal Salish people to re-learn, strengthen and reinforce their canoe traditions. The journeys teach people about canoeing, living, working and achieving in a community, and the value of knowledge and hard work. They create pride in, and respect for, Native Indian cultures,” according to Potlatch.

“Funding from First Nations was instrumental in allowing us to continue our support of Native youth participating in the Intertribal Canoe Journey, which is revitalizing coastal traditions and values,” noted Dana Arviso (Diné), executive director of the Potlatch Fund.  “With collective funding from First Nations plus tribal giving, individual donors and local family foundations, we provided grants to 32 participating canoes, organized our largest funders’ tour that took 53 funders to three tribal communities, and engaged Native youth in the grant-making process by having them serve on our grant-review committee.”

The grants helped with ground support, food, safety equipment, living costs and other things for the participants.

“For several years, we have supported the journey and helped hundreds of Native youth with creating ceremonial regalia for the events,” said Michael Roberts, president of First Nations.  “It is a stunning, colorful event.  Seeing the paddlers in their canoes and witnessing the traditional welcoming ceremonies, dancing, storytelling and songs is both remarkable and deeply moving.  There is respect, friendship and appreciation among the thousands who participate.”

The Intertribal Canoe Journey is similar in nature to a current but separate Indigenous event called the Pacific Voyagers, a group of Pacific Islanders from many nations.  In late January 2012, the Pacific Voyagers departed from San Diego, California, to start the second phase of their voyage across the Pacific Ocean. Using ancestral star-knowledge and nature’s cues, they are renewing their cultural connections to the ocean while promoting sustainability and eco-protection. According to the group: “We are respectful and gentle, always remembering our voyage motto – ‘Move your paddle silently through the water.’ The ocean provides us with the air we breathe, the food we eat, life-sustaining medicines and nourishment for our souls.”

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