Canoe Journey Guidebook - Squaxin Island Tribe

the
water
ceremony
In preparation for the Squaxin Island Tribe’s hosting
of the 2012 Canoe Paddle, the Tribe has asked the Canoe
Nations from Alaska, Canada and other regions to bring
their sacred or homeland waters with them as they make
the journey to Budd Inlet this July.
On Sunday, July 29th, the canoe landing ceremony
will begin with the beating of drums. Then, as the drum
rhythm quiets the crowd, the Tribal Journeys song will
rise above the water for all to hear.
All of the paddlers will sing the canoe anthem, a song of
spiritual protection that was shared with us by Chief Frank
Nelson from Alert Bay, BC, a respected cultural leader. As
the song calls to all to look upon the waters, a selected
Canoe Family member from each canoe will hold up their
container of water and gently pour it into Budd Inlet. This
will be an unspoken prayer for all the waters.
George Krise from the Squaxin Island Tribe teaches the
younger generation the importance of water to all people,
“Our grandmothers and grandfathers have taught us, water
is medicine. Whenever we are sick or sad in spirit, water can
help give us strength. On the canoe we have the greatest
respect for the water because we recognize the strength of its
power. There is no other element that can fall so gentle as the
dew or ride so high in
the sky like an eagle, yet
carve out hillsides and
disguise itself as a cold
rock of ice. Water has
power to help us, but we
need to take care of the
power by being respectful
in whatever we do on
the land.”
2012 Landing Protocol
Soft Landing at burfoot park
The Squaxin Island Tribe is asking that all Canoe Families
participate in a soft landing at Burfoot Park just north of
the Port of Olympia landing. This will expedite coming
ashore at the Port of Olympia in the afternoon.
On the day of arrival, all canoes should be set to
come ashore at Burfoot Park at noon. Due to the often
changing conditions of water travel, Canoe Families will
receive further instructions regarding official landing after
arrival at Burfoot Park.
Food, water, shade and restroom facilities will be offered at
the soft landing. Pullers, support boat crews and skippers
are encouraged to use this time to prepare themselves for
a long day of protocol on the water.
Canoes will raft together according to the routes they
traveled at the protocol dock area.
Then the Water ceremony will take place.
Landing at the Port of Olympia
Visitors whose lands are farthest away from Squaxin Island
will proceed first.
Squaxin asks that all canoes perform a brief introduction
of their Canoe Family, Tribe or Nation.
Canoes will be brought ashore only after all Canoe Families
have completed protocol.
Volunteers from Kitsap Naval Bases will be on hand to help
pack canoes from the water.
Canoes will not be allowed to tie up at the Squaxin dock. It
is designated for support boat moorage.
Canoe Families will be able to store their canoes on trailers
for three (3) days at the Port of Olympia. At the Squaxin
Island community, canoes will be parked in the designated
canoe parking area.
Headwaters of the Deschutes River — the source of sacred
water of the Squaxin People
27 • paddle to squaxin 2012