5 NATIONS –  Lil’wat, Samahquam, Skatin, Xa’xtsa, and Sts’ailes hosting

Pulling Together Canoe Journey 2016

“Journey Back to the Future”

The Planning chairs and the Pulling Together Canoe Society (PTCS) announce that planning is underway for the 16th Annual Pulling Together Canoe Journey!

The journey will start with a send-off in Mount Currie and end with celebrations in Mission, touching the traditional territories of the Lil’wat, Samahquam, Skatin, Xa’xtsa, and Sts’ailes, traveling along Lillooet and Harrison Lakes to the Fraser River.

It will follow the original Harrison-Lillooet Gold Rush Trail, with stops in each of the host communities along the way and at historic Port Douglas. Closing festivities will be at the site of the former St Mary’s Indian Residential School.

The host nations’ youth accounts of leadership, friendship and cultural pride witnessed in past journeys, inspired In-SHUCK-ch Nation to coordinate with the 5 Nations to host the 2016 event.

The annual canoe journey brings together first nations and public service agencies with upwards of 25 canoes traveling on traditional waterways.  The hundreds of paddlers, crew and ground support will be an active display of unity, respect and relationship building.

Planning chairs Gerard (Eppa) Peters and (Lilylot) Kerry Lumsden, will coordinate the protocols and permissions that are needed to travel, to be welcomed and to visit the territories and communities of the Lil’wat, Samahquam, Skatin, Xa’xtsa and Sts’ailes First Nations.

Planning leads will bring together stakeholders and partners, all committed to a common vision of renewed relationships. Work begins now where planninand preparations will establish solid partnerships needed among the communities and agencies, bringing elders, youth, communities and neighboring municipalities closer together.

The planning committee will now begin to organize volunteers needed for the overall journey, and for work within the communities.

Hosting the 2016 Pulling Together Canoe Journey will require fundraising, for the journey expenses and for the communities’ celebrations. The planning chairs will also be seeking sponsorship from industry and governments and private donors.

The 5 Nations who have joined together to host the 2016 Pulling Together Canoe Journey welcome your active participation and support.

Inquiries may be directed to the Pulling Together email ptcanoesociety@gmail.com or by calling the planning chair Kerry Lumsden at (604) 820-6873