Update: Tribal canoes landing at Alki during Paddle to Squaxin 2012

Canoes participating in the annual Pacific Northwest tribes’ journey are landing at Alki Beach this afternoon – the first arrivals are already here. Alki is a stop along the way to Squaxin Island in the South Sound, which this year is the site of the gathering to which, according to the official announcement, as many as 130 canoes in all are headed (starting with a landing in Olympia next Sunday). Here are the many stops along the way, including Alki. More to come.

2:15 PM UPDATE: More canoes continue to approach the shore, many of their crews chanting and singing. There’s a big crowd all along the seawall and on the beach to greet and to watch. At least half a dozen more are visible offshore; many of these canoes left Suquamish on the North Kitsap Peninsula this morning.

3:05 PM UPDATE: The group of canoes that all arrived together have finished coming ashore; there are now two more in the distance, possibly having launched from Tulalip in Snohomish County. The Muckleshoot Tribe hosts the Alki stop, including support from uniformed security, with a vehicle patroling the boardwalk. The Duwamish Tribe is part of this year’s journey too – Linda Dombrowski tells us that the Duwamish Canoe Family is participating in the Duwamish Raven Canoe. She adds, “Raven Canoe skipper is Justine Finkbonner. Support crew on the beach today include Cecile Hansen, the Duwamish Tribal Chairperson and great-great-great-great-grandniece of Chief Seattle, and Ken Workman, Duwamish Tribal Councilman and great-great-great-great-grandson of Chief Seattle. This year’s Raven Canoe Paddlers include Duwamish youth leaders.”

8 Replies to "Update: Tribal canoes landing at Alki during Paddle to Squaxin 2012"

  • Duwamish Longhose July 23, 2012 (3:07 pm)

    West Seattle’s Duwamish Canoe Family from the Duwamish Longhouse & Cultural Center is participating in this year’s canoe journey. Due to rough weather, canoe’s will probably continue to arrive for another hour. Support crew on the beach include Duwamish Tribal Chairwoman, Cecile Hansen, the great-great-great-great grandnice of Chief Seattle and Ken Workman, Duwamish Tribal Councilman and great-great-great-great grandson of Chief Seattle. The Raven crew is Duwamish Youth Leadership skippered by Justine Finkbonner.

  • gatewooder July 23, 2012 (4:21 pm)

    It is a beautiful sight!

  • datamuse July 23, 2012 (7:00 pm)

    What beautiful boats!

  • patti July 23, 2012 (9:33 pm)

    Any idea what time they will set out on Tuesday morning?

    • WSB July 23, 2012 (9:45 pm)

      The map lists the visit as two days, which would suggest they’re staying till Wednesday morning, but I haven’t found definitive info yet … TR

  • Jacqueline July 24, 2012 (10:42 am)

    Seeing the landings last night was a moving experience, there is something mystical about witnessing the ceremony, the connections these tribes have, to each other, the earth, the universe. I felt blessed and honored to witness this ceremony. It was very emotional to be in the presence of such oneness, connectedness that included me in. Much gratitude.

  • Nancy Pennington July 24, 2012 (3:39 pm)

    Does anyone know when they will be leaving? What time?

    • WSB July 24, 2012 (3:53 pm)

      If no one has info sooner, we will be asking upon a return trip tonight. We asked a security guard at the beach today and he didn’t have an exact time for tomorrow morning. – TR

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