Update: Tribes’ canoes on the beach at Alki for Tribal Journey

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1:59 PM: This afternoon on Alki (thanks to Dan for the tip!), the Blue Heron Canoe landed ahead of other tribal canoes that are expected as part of this year’s Tribal Journey, in which Native Americans from all over the Northwest are canoeing to a rendezvous hosted by the Swinomish in the La Conner area of Skagit County. Michael (didahalqid) Evans of the Snohomish skippers the Blue Heron (and can be heard, according to tradition, asking for permission to land). The rest of the Blue Heron’s itinerary is listed on its website. Other canoes are expected at Alki — as reported here, Linda Blackinton shared news of the Samish‘s plans to launch from here tomorrow morning — so if you’d like to see them, keep an eye on the beach (we will too).

5:17 PM UPDATE: Just went back to Alki, and as of around an hour ago, we counted 15 canoes:

Journey participants are all expected to join the Swinomish next Monday.

7:08 PM UPDATE: Alki photographer David Hutchinson shared photos from the canoes’ arrival:

ADDED THURSDAY MORNING: While at Alki for a different story early today, we asked the security officer guarding the canoes when they were scheduled to take off. “Between 9 and 10” was his reply.

msc July 21, 2011 (8:42 am)

Glad to see a cool cultural event like this. Nice photos too.

WSB July 21, 2011 (9:13 am)

Huge thanks to the brilliant David Hutchinson. We caught the Blue Heron Canoe arrival after diverting to the beach thanks to a tip, but had no idea when the others were arriving, so we didn’t get back to Alki till later in the afternoon, but magically he was there for those awesome shots of the others’ arrival. – TR

Livinonwater July 21, 2011 (2:24 pm)

Just came from voluneering at Jeff Head where the Suquamish Tribe is hosting a “soft” landing for those canoe families that want to gather, rest, and arrive together at Suquamish for hosting there later this afternon. A salmon and clam dinner later. Tomorrow the Suquamish tribe and non-tribal community members are hosting a potluck dinner. I am so blessed being involved and supportive of the cultural resurgence within the Coastal Tribes. Hands up to all those who make the journey.