It was a perfect day for a launch.
More than 400 participants, including Indigenous Peoples, youth, police, and public service personnel, entered the water in the Shuswap River at Belvidere Park in Enderby on Tuesday, July 12, under bright blue skies and glorious sunshine to start their Pulling Together canoe journey.
The event is making its triumphant return after a two-year COVID break.
The 20th journey, hosted by the Splatsin, Cstélnec (Adams Lake), Simpcw, and Tsq’escenemc (Canim Lake) First Nations, in cooperation with Tk’emlúps te Secwe̓pemc, promotes healing, reconciliation, and respect for Indigenous host nations, as well as the sharing of Indigenous cultures.
The eight-day journey began with participants and their canoes being drummed into Shuswap Lake by Splatsin members. More than 100 supporters lined the Bawtree Bridge to watch the canoes take off and make their way north.
The trek will include stops at Grindrod Park, Mara Lake, Pierre’s Point and Blind Bay on Shuswap Lake. It will wrap up at Green Lake, a traditional summer gathering place for the Secwépemc People, on July 20.
See the 2013 journey, Where the Canoe Takes Us: The Story of Pulling Together here.
You can follow the journey on social media:
Facebook: Pulling Together – Official
Twitter: @ptcanoe
Instagram: Pullingtogether
Hashtags: #Pullingtogether2022 and #PTCJ2022
Website: https://pullingtogether.ca/
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First NationsNorth Okanagan Regional DistrictSalmon ArmSicamous
