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Gallery: Canoe journey stops in Birch Bay, Lummi

July 24, 2024 5:45 pm

Chairwoman RoseMary LaClair of the Nooksack Indian Tribe welcomes members of the Swinomish Tribe in the Salmon Dancer Canoe at Birch Bay State Park on Monday, July 22. — Chairwoman RoseMary LaClair of the Nooksack Indian Tribe welcomes members of the Swinomish Tribe in the Salmon Dancer Canoe at Birch Bay State Park on Monday, July 22. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Lummi Nation Vice Chairman Terrence Adams looks for incoming canoes on Monday, July 22 at Birch Bay State Park. — Lummi Nation Vice Chairman Terrence Adams looks for incoming canoes on Monday, July 22 at Birch Bay State Park. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

A canoe heads out on Birch Bay to meet the incoming canoe families. — A canoe heads out on Birch Bay to meet the incoming canoe families. (Finn Wendt/Cascadia Daily News)

Tribal members sing, dance and create music together at Birch Bay State Park. — Tribal members sing, dance and create music together at Birch Bay State Park. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Simon Williams, who traveled from Chilliwack, British Columbia, dances with others at the sun sets at Birch Bay State Park. — Simon Williams, who traveled from Chilliwack, British Columbia, dances with others at the sun sets at Birch Bay State Park. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Canoes approach the Lummi Nation Stommish Grounds on Tuesday, July 23, during a stop on the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey. — Canoes approach the Lummi Nation Stommish Grounds on Tuesday, July 23, during a stop on the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Canoes are prepared, ready to officially land at the Stommish Grounds.

Northwest Indian College hosted a canoe, one of three from the Lummi Nation to land at the Stommish Grounds.

Sonny Curley of Quinault Indian Nation sings a prayer song while canoes enter the water at Gooseberry Point. — Sonny Curley of Quinault Indian Nation sings a prayer song while canoes enter the water at Gooseberry Point. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Canoes depart Gooseberry Point.

Members from Sts'ailes, a Coast Salish First Nation, arrive to the shore. — Members from Sts'ailes, a Coast Salish First Nation, arrive to the shore. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Tsilakadim, a member of the Lummi Nation's Youth Council, welcomes the Nooksack Indian Tribe to their ancestral lands on July 23. Different youth took turns welcoming the canoes to shore. — Tsilakadim, a member of the Lummi Nation's Youth Council, welcomes the Nooksack Indian Tribe to their ancestral lands on July 23. Different youth took turns welcoming the canoes to shore. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Youth fill the canoes. This journey was focused on empowering the next generation to carry on tribal practices. — Youth fill the canoes. This journey was focused on empowering the next generation to carry on tribal practices. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

A canoe is carried out of the water. — A canoe is carried out of the water. (Hailey Hoffman/Cascadia Daily News)

Canoes from several Tribal nations landed at Birch Bay State Park to be hosted by the Nooksack Indian Tribe on Monday, July 22, and at the Lummi Nation Stommish Grounds on Wednesday, July 23. Hundreds of people and dozens of canoes are participating in the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey, which will finish at the Puyallup Tribe on Wednesday, July 31.