In 1989 during the Suquamish "Paddle to Seattle" a canoe from the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella, BC, challenged all nations to travel to their village in 1993 in travelling canoes to be part of the Qutawas festival. 28 canoes answered that challenge and that was the start of our modern day Canoe Journey.

Today, over 100 canoes from as many as 90 US Tribes and Canadian First Nations and an estimated 12,000 people participate in Tribal Canoe Journeys. We pull canoes, provide ground support, sing and dance, share our cultures for the past, present and future of our peoples.

Up to 110 canoes, as many as 12,500 peole, and we expect 3,500 campers to travel to Sqquamish starting Monday, August 3, 2009. This is expected to be one of the biggest Canoe Journey Hostings ever. Suquamish will serve breakfast and dinner for 6 days. We will be providing camping, showers, meals, and other amenities to make our visitors as comfortable as possible. It will take many staff, Tribal Members and volunteers to make this historical event a success.

For more information, contact Tina C. Jackson, Tribal Journeys Coordinator @ (360) 394-8455 or tjackson@suquamish.nsn.us . PO Box 498, Suquamish, WA 98392