Letter to the Editor: Thank you Inter-tribal Canoe Journey Volunteers!

Dance and celebration are part of the Canoe Journey. Photo courtesy of Sue Roundy

On July 21-23, Islanders hosted over 230 tribal members from Heiltsuk, Kakawinchitl (Ahousaht), Bella Bella, Clayoquat, Cowichan, Songees, Tsawout, Victoria, Kwmut leleum and Lummi Nations from July 21-23.  12 canoes and their support crews traveled through the San Juan islands en route to the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in La Conner. 78 canoes and thousands of people gathered in La Conner from July 25-31 for a week of traditional dancing, singing and celebration.

Friends of the San Juans was honored to coordinate this San Juan Islands stop-over with the support from individuals like you! It was truly an inter-island community involving many volunteers from service groups, churches, businesses and residents from Waldron, San Juan, Orcas, Shaw and Lopez (see names below).

This September we will host a special thank you party for all volunteers and share images, stories, and celebrate!  If you would like to share any special photo’s of this historic gathering I am preparing a slide show for this event. Please email images to: stephanie@sanjuans.org or mail cd’s to POB 1344 Friday Harbor, WA  98250.

The exchanges made between islanders and Coast Salish culture bearers, with their traditional knowledge from their communities, increases our collective understanding of culture, conservation and stewardship in the Salish Sea.

The resurgence of canoe journeys began in 1989 during the Suquamish Tribe’s “Paddle to Seattle.” Then, in 1993, the Heiltsuk Nation in Bella Bella, BC challenged all canoe nations to travel by canoe to their village participate in the Qutawas Festival. 28 canoes answered that challenge.

Today more than a 100 canoes from as many as 90 US Tribes, Canadian First Nations and New Zealand and an estimated 12,000 people participate in the annual Tribal Canoe Journeys. People pull together, sing and dance in a sharing of culture to honor past, present and future generations.

A special thank you Swinomish Indian Tribal Community for allowing the San Juan Community to support the 2011 Inter-Tribal Canoe Journey’s Paddle to Swinomish.

And many thanks to the following islanders for your service. Your efforts were deeply appreciated! And my apologies for any incorrect name spellings or names that do not appear below.

Support Boats: Jeff and Diane Dyer S/V Bluebird, Jeff Iverson and Jana Marks M/V Standard II, Marshall Davis and Gary Gero S/V Spike Africa, Rocco and Linda Cappeto M/V Study Girl, Cynthia and Gunner Stark-Wickman M/V Liz B, Jamie Stephens M/V Ledger, Colin Hermans and Mike Lemming S/V Alciope, M/V, Zack Blomberg, Ken Burtness, Lark Dalton, Chad Lyons, Arvid Lindstrum, David Lyod, Vessel Assist.

Waldron Volunteers: Bob Schmoker, Camilla Loyd, Carson and Otto Sprenger, David Loyd, Dorothy Shayler, Fran Chevalier, John Orlman, Josie Scruton, Julie Carlson, Laurie Glenn, Mike Conner, Norma Campbell, Ryan Drum, Steve and Linnea Bensel, and many more.

San Juan Volunteers and Service Groups:  Betsy Ferguson, Betty Nash, Dona Wuthnow, Rev Shannon, Jennifer Allen, Barbara Merritt, Brad Smith, Carol Anderson, Carol Kibble, Clark Casebolt, Cynthia Burke,  Eleanor Hartmann, Gay Wilmerding,  Helen Venata,  Janna Gingras, John Straub, Katie Nollman, Lee Anderson, Lee Brooks,  Maya Burnett-Thompson, Marilyn O’Conner,  Nancy Maryboy, Shel Bedsole, Tami Hayes, Soroptimists: Anita Barreca, Bonnie Hendricks, Carol Capps, Carolee Maya, Cathy and Emily Tochluk, Dana Bune, Debbie Staelin, Ellen Roberts, Jana Meredith, Joyce Johnson, Judy Adams, Kathyrn Farron, Katie Loring, Kim Galton, Laura Jo Severson, Laura Tuttle, Lenora Bayuk, Liz Illg, Lori Stokes, Mary Ellen Courtney, Michelle Lyons, Nancy DeVaux, Pat Hansen, Peg LaBlanc, Robin Jacobson, Stephanie Buffum Field, Stephanie Primo-Sarantopolous, and Vivien Burnett.  Marty and Paul Ahart, Amy and Malcomb Wynn, Sam McMain and Victor Capron.  Unitarian Fellowship: Joann and Steve Ashlock, Jean Staben, Dick Coffee, Joanruth Baumann, Steve Ryan, Doris Van Allen.  Friends of the San Juans:  Barb and Dennis Conrad, Bill Watson, Colin Hermans, Cy Field, David Hoopes, Jana Marks, Janet Alderton, Karrie Copper, Kyle Loring, Leslie Viers, Louisa Nishitani, Lynn Bahrych, Marc and Dennis Florenza, Marta Nielson, Mike Kaill, Phil Johnson, Shirly Zyph, and Terrea Bennett.  Lion’s Club: John Bostrom, Jim Carroll, John Towson; Leo’s Club: Shaughn Anderson.

Lopez Volunteers and Service Groups:  Bob & Jan Sundquist, Bob & Patty Maxson, Bobbie DeVore, Brian & Jennell Kvistad, Bruce Botts, Canoe Island French Camp, Carol Steckler, Charlie Behnke and Amanda Tyler, Lopez Conservation Corps, Chom Chuenchom, Sangarasri Greacen, Chris Grecean, Christine Langley, Clive  Prout, Cynthia Moffitt, Dandy Porter & Ernest Clifton, David Zapalac, Debbie Hayward, Deborah Bonneville, Diana Zapalac, Dianne Dyer, Dixie and Ken Budke, Donna Hasbrouck, Eric Hall and Elf Faye, Eric and Tina Nation, George and Carolyn Woodbury, George Lawson, Ginger Lowell, Gordon Gruenke, Gordon and Karen Jonasson, Gregg Blomberg,  Hawk Arps,  Henria Bainbridge, Irene Skyriver, Susan Bill, Jackie Ashe, Jaime & Summermoon Cordova, Jamie Stephens, Neal Andersen, John Ryan, Joyce Brinar, Juan Velasquez, Julie Van Camp, Karan Yvonne, Kathy Booth, Kay Keeler, Ken Akopiantz, Ken Burtness, Kenny Ferruggiarro, Kristi Carpine-Taber, Linda Brainerd, Linda Hudson Liz Illg, Lynn & Marlys Waller, Marjoe Davidson, Mary Bywater Cross, Milla Prince, George Meilak, Natalie Wilson, Nick Teague, Pamela Maresten, Patsy Haber, Patty Ward, Paul Lewis, Rhea Miller, Read and Marianne Langenbach, Ron Metcalf, Sally & Tom Reeve, San Olson, Shantparv Roloff, Sheila Metcalf, Steven Wrubleski, Sue Roundy, Susanne Cunningham, Tim Clark, Todd Goldsmith, Sandy Bishop, and Zack Blomberg, Lopez Community Land Trust, Cloud Community, Lutheran Fellowship.

Businesses, Schools & Government: Arctic Raven, Blossoms Grocery, Columbia Sportsware, Cynthia’s Of Course, Griffin Bay Bookstore, Heritage Farm, Islands Bicycle, Kings Market, Outdoor Odyssey, Otak, Moss Green Screen Printing, Port of Friday Harbor, San Juan County Fair,  Rising Tide Graphics, Roche Harbor, San Juan Coffee Roasting Company, San Juan Islands Visitors Bureau, San Juan Prevention Coalition, San Juan Propane,  San Juan Transit, Spring Street International School, Thrift House, Tif and Gif Creative, Town of Friday Harbor, U.S. Customs, U.S. Senator Cantwell’s Chief of Staff Sally Hintz.

Hy’Shqe for all your support! 

By Stephanie Buffum, Director,
Friends of the San Juans