MUCKLESHOOT RESERVATION, Washington — As the late July heat beats down on the rivers and forests of western Washington, the waters of the Salish Sea provide a cooling, healing sanctuary for many Indigenous tribes crossing the waters.
The annual Canoe Journey event for Indigenous tribes across the Pacific Northwest and beyond is well underway, with families coming together to paddle to the host nation. The journey takes different lengths of time for each family, depending on where they first put in their canoe and where they are traveling from.
This year, for the first time in nearly 15 years since deconstruction began on two dams, the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe is the host nation. After landing in Elwha, west of Port Angeles, Washington, comes five days of protocol with the sharing of songs, dance, meals and gifts