Warm Welcome For Canoe Families
by Darren Moore
Honoring our Medicine is the theme for the Power Paddle to Puyallup, hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians. That is the name for the 2018 Canoe Journey which is currently in its final stages. The Landing is the main event, an evocative experience for all as a multitude of beautifully created and patiently decorated canoes come into land on the host’s territory.
The landing this year was held on the 28th of July in Tacoma, Washington. In attendance to welcome the canoe families onto shore were the Puyallup tribal council, Connie McCloud who is the director of the tribe’s culture program, and Chester Earl, Chairman of the Puyallup Tribal Canoe Committee who was also the MC for the event.
For a whole week after the landing, each canoe family will present themselves to the hosting tribe, one at a time, in what is known as Protocol. They will share stories, songs, and teachings as well as sharing gifts with their hosts.
