Squaxin Island Tribe was proud to host Canoe Journey 2012.
Cedar canoes are the traditional mode of transportation for coastal people of the Pacific Northwest.
The resurgence of canoe journeys began in 1989 during the Suquamish Tribe’s “Paddle to Seattle.” Then, in 1993, the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella, BC challenged all canoe nations to travel by canoe to their village participate in the Qutawas Festival. 28 canoes answered that challenge. Today more than a 100 canoes from as many as 90 US Tribes, Canadian First Nations and New Zealand and an estimated 12,000 people participate in the annual Tribal Canoe Journeys. We pull together; we sing and dance; and we share our culture – everthing in honor of our past, present and future generations.
Past Tribal Canoe Journeys
• 1989 Suquamish, WA
• 1993 Bella Bella, B.C.
• 1994 Puget Sound
• 1995 Puget Sound
• 1996 Indigenous Games
• 1997 LaPush, WA
• 1998 Puyallup, WA
• 1999 Ahousaht, B.C.
• 2000 Songhees Nation, B.C.
• 2001 Squamish Nation, B.C.
• 2002 Quinault, WA
• 2003 Tulalip WA
• 2004 Chemainus, B.C.
• 2005 Lower Elwha, WA
• 2006 Muckleshoot, WA
• 2007 Lummi, WA
• 2008 Cowichan, B.C.
• 2009 Suquamish, WA
• 2010 Makah
• 2011 Swinomish
• 2012 Squaxin Island
• 2013 Quinault
Upcoming Hosts
• 2014 Bella Bella
