Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey Information
The Snoqualmie Tribe’s Canoe Family Department is honored to invite all Snoqualmie Tribal members and their families to attend this year’s Canoe Journey, Paddle to Nisqually Medicine Creek Potlatch: dxʷsq̓ʷali?abš People of the River, People of the Grass (July 21, 2026-August 6, 2026). Carnation Camp will be open on July 21st. Final landing will occur on July 31st. Final Protocol will begin on August 1st.
The upcoming gatherings offer Tribal Members the opportunity to make their own regalia, learn songs and dances, learn how to make traditional art and help prepare gifts for the hosting tribe and guests, ready the participants who want to pull in the canoe, and learn how to speak Lushootseed while on the Canoe Journey.
Tribes who host canoe families and the people who work at those locations must be treated with respect. These tribes have opened their lands to visitors and it is the responsibility of participants to honor those lands, maintain a clean environment, and show respect for Tribal Elders, canoe families in ceremony, and vendors or event staff.
Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey Frequently Asked Questions & Tips
Intent: This document provides an introduction to the Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Family and the Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey. It includes Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), helpful tips, and a glossary of related terms. The Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Family welcomes everyone who wishes to share and practice our Snoqualmie Tribe culture and heritage.
Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey Experience
If you would like to view the Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey Experience & Photo Gallery, please click on the ‘View Live Map’ button below. The overall goal for this product was to create an environment where all Snoqualmie Tribe members, staff, and the public can experience the Canoe Journey and feel connected along our path. The Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey Experience works on any device, though the preferred method of viewing is on a computer-sized screen.
Each point on the map invites users to add photographs of locations from years past or in the current year! The Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey Experience live tracking map and photo submission e-form are located on this web page.
For questions, please contact the Snoqualmie Tribe GIS Department by email at GIS@snoqualmietribe.us
Background
The Canoe Journey “Journey” was formed for the revival of the Canoe Culture of our ancestors, and to educate those of these practices. It is the largest event held by Native Americans in the Northwest region and is hosted by different Tribes in the US and Canada.
The Canoe Journey is family oriented and is a drug and alcohol-free event.
All Tribes, federally recognized or not, are invited to attend this event as well as those who have their own canoe not associated with a specific tribe. The majority of attendees are Native American, but everyone is invited to attend. The events focus on revitalizing canoeing to those who have canoeing ancestry. Participants have come from as far away as Mexico, Japan, and Peru. Tribes who participate in Tribal Canoe Journey often have an organized team or what is called a “Canoe Family”, to organize the group. There are several different roles to fill for the preparation of the Journey.
At the end of the Canoe Journey the participants take part in Final Protocol, held at the hosting Tribe’s land. All the canoes that landed in the hosting Tribe’s territory are expected to participate in Final Protocol. This is done by sharing a variety of cultural information, songs, dances, and stories. To complete the etiquette of Final Protocol, participating Tribes will thank and gift the hosting Tribe and the guests who’ve taken part in witnessing their sharing.
Contact Us
Canoe Journey Committee
canoejourneycommittee@snoqualmietribe.us
Canoe Journey Manager Whitney Coby
W.coby@snoqualmietribe.us
Canoe Journey Assistant Stirling MacArthur
Stirling.macarthur@snoqulamietribe.us
Ten Rules of Canoe Journey
- Every stroke we take is one less we have to make.
- There is to be no abuse of self or others.
- Be flexible.
- The gift of each enriches all.
- We all pull and support each other.
- A hungry person has no charity.
- Experiences are not enhanced by criticism.
- The journey is what we enjoy.
- A good teacher allows the student to learn.
- When given any choice at all, be a worker bee–make honey!
Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey Experience Photo Gallery E-form
As part of the Snoqualmie Tribe Canoe Journey Experience live tracking map, users are encouraged to add photos at each landing along the route. These photos can be from years past or from the current year and will give visitors and Tribal Members an idea of what to expect along the way!
To access the e-form and submit your own photos, please click on the ‘View E-form’ button below.
Camping
Checklist
Canoe Journey Route
Canoe Journey Transportation and Lodging Assistance E-form
PURPOSE: The Canoe Journey Benefit was developed to encourage participation of Tribal Members and their families in the Annual Canoe Journey. This benefit is a seasonal benefit that is approved and administered yearly per Snoqualmie Tribal Council approval.
ELIGIBILITY: To receive this benefit, the applicant must be an adult enrolled member of the Snoqualmie Indian Tribe.
Checks in Advance: Applicants requesting checks in advance must have their complete application submitted to the TCR Program by Wednesday, July 8, 2026.
Reimbursement: Applicants requesting reimbursement for lodging/ferries/toll must have their complete application submitted with all original receipts to the TCR Program by September 30, 2026. Vendor payments are not being offered for this program.
To learn more about this benefit, please contact TCR@snoqualmietribe.us
To apply to the Canoe Journey Transportation and Lodging Assistance via e-form, please click on the button below.
Countdown to Canoe Journey
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