Canoe Journeys Indigenous Youth Ambassadors

Text: Coryanne & Howard Photo: Howard

A delegation of Taiwanese Indigenous people traveled to the USA to take part in the annual Tribal Canoe Journeys with the Native Americans of the Pacific Northwest. These two youth ambassadors experienced the canoe culture and the hospitality of different host nations.

On the morning of July 25th, we eagerly arose at 4 a.m. with a twofold purpose: to witness the captivating spectacle of canoe sailing and to make necessary preparations in case we had an opportunity to partake in canoe pulling ourselves. The beach of Lower Elwha was adorned with approximately 25-27 canoes, each waiting for its journey to commence. Prior to their departure, an invigorating scene unfolded, as people gathered around, chanting to the rhythm of drums, encouraging the paddlers for the day's adventure.

Having immersed ourselves in the enthralling display of canoeing, it was eventually time for us to bid farewell to the scene and embark on our own journey. With our tents to be packed and our spirits still filled with excitement, we set off towards our next destination, Jamestown S’klallam, where we anticipated witnessing the canoes' graceful landings.

En route to Jamestown S’klallam, the roadside treated us to an enchanting sight - an abundance of lavender, its vibrant hues casting a picturesque aura all around.

As we continued our expedition, we cherished the memories of the morning's canoeing spectacle and eagerly looked forward to what awaited us at Jamestown S’klallam.

I will never forget the moment we arrived at the Nisqually camp, when someone called out from outside the tent at four o'clock in the morning: "Paddlers, wake up!" The first thought that crossed my mind was, "How amazing! As if they were meant to accomplish something great. Even though I wasn't a paddler back then, I was eager to witness their journey unfold. Every experience of the journey has been etched indelibly into my memory. Canoe journeys, being grand undertakings focused on tracing roots, naturally draw in a multitude of enthusiasts and interested individuals. Along the way, I encountered numerous culture enthusiasts who joined us. This makes me proud, not only as a Taiwanese, but also as a Taiwan indigenous. Through this journey, I acquired a heightened reverence for our elders, a deeper understanding of the significance of culture, and insights into the essence of humanity. After the journey concluded, I felt immensely honored to become a paddler. Lastly, I want to thank Gary for driving and pushing us to many occasions, so that people can better know Taiwan, Orchid Island and our culture.

Watch Han Cheung’s Interview of Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Howard of the Tao Peoples https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DcM2pxeNRho

Howard 王浩 (Si Mateneng) - Tao People

Ambassador at Indigenous Bridges - ATAYAL

Tao, located on the southeastern coast of Taiwan, is a maritime Indigenous nation. In the future, I hope to bring my culture to more people around the world and connect with the world, and also not to be forgotten on the international map of the world.

Coryanne

On the day of my first pull, my phone got soaked and stopped working. Finally, my phone was fixed yesterday, and thankfully, all the precious photos from this journey are still there.

2023/07/25 - 2023/07/26

We joined the Chehalis canoe family, and we all gathered in one circle that night. It was clear how much this journey meant to everyone. The elders shared their wisdom and past experiences, telling us young folks, who were going to paddle the next day that, we should not rely on others for water and food – we had to prepare everything ourselves.

They encouraged us to speak up, if anyone felt uncomfortable during the journey, and paddlers would switch places to ensure everyone's wellbeing. Guess what? There was this funny rule that if someone accidentally said "the B word," they had to jump into the water! Imagine the laughs when one girl accidentally said that!

Waking up at 4 am the next day was a bit tough, but the excitement kept me going. We met the crew, and I joined the support boat crew, while Howard joined the paddlers. On our way to the support boat, we saw a family of seals, which was such a cool surprise!

“Support boat ain’t support.”

Finally, it took us 2 hours to locate our canoe. They had already landed on one of the beaches along the way and were waiting for us to give them lunch to eat, LOL. After a quick lunch, I joined them on the canoe and began my first pull.

“Guys, you’re pulling for those who cannot make it on the journey, another 30 for them!”

“1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! … 30!”

(The canoe moves faster.)

“Hey, let's pull another 50 for those who have cancer!”

“1! 2! 3! 4! 5! 6! … 50!”

As I pulled for the first time and paddled my heart out with the crew of the canoe family, I realized this journey was about more than just canoeing. It was about youth and elders paddling together, discovering their roots, and honoring those who came before us.

After two hours (four hours for Howard) of pulling, we finally reached Port Townsend beach. Tired but excited, we humbly asked the tribe for permission to come ashore. Due to the Chehalis canoe family tradition, Howard and I had to jump into the water as well, since this was our first pull. So, we all jumped in, along with the girl who had accidentally called out the dreaded B word, the day before, and called the canoe a BOAT! It was a chilly but unforgettable moment.

This journey is showing me the power of unity, the joy of laughter, and the richness of traditions. It's an incredible adventure that is leaving me grateful and inspired. Can't wait to share more stories soon!

Watch Han Cheung’s Interview of Indigenous Bridges Youth Ambassador Corayne (Saisiat) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGM58wRmmr4

Coyanne (A-way Maya Tityon) - Saisiyat People

Ambassador at Indigenous Bridges - ATAYAL

So’o kayzaeh ay! My name is A-way (ah-wai) Maya Titiyon and my mother is from the Saisiyat People. Our language has become endangered, with only about 1000 fullyfluent speakers. I believe that one day I should become someone who brings the hearts of the Austronesians closer together by carrying our Taiwanese indigenous culture forward to the international stage.