A canoe festival drawing in hundreds of people is returning to the North Shore.
The səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation) is holding their canoe festival at Whey-ah-Wichen/Cates Park July 4-6 in North Vancouver. Indigenous communities across B.C.’s southwest coast and Washington state compete in races and celebrating culture.
Kevin O’Neill, who is part of the canoe festival committee, said he’s feeling excited to have the festival for another year on home grounds, as the nation spends several months planning for the big event.
“What I like most is seeing all the community members come together to make sure the events go smoothly, but also connecting with all the neighbouring nations,” O’Neill said. “Just to see how they’re doing, to see what struggles they’re going through, or why they choose to canoe race, because everyone can do this for a different reason.”
Race categories include youth (10 and under, 13 and under and 16 and under), women’s, men’s and masters for 50 and older, according to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s website. Rowers compete in traditional dugout style racing canoes, which are sleek, narrow and fast.
The canoe festival can draw in as many as 600 people, O’Neill said.
Because of the high turnout, O’Neill wants people to be cognizant of the limited parking at Whey-ah-Wichen, but there are locations nearby where people can park their vehicles.
Canoe racing central for Tsleil-Waututh Nation
Canoe racing is deeply connected to the Tsleil-Waututh Nation community. Racing with canoes began in 1910 when former Chief George Sla-holt carved a canoe he named Earwigs, which shortly earned a reputation as a great racing vessel, according to the Nation’s website.
O’Neill has been attending the festival since he was a kid. He said the festival helps people connect with their culture.
“[The festival] connects us to our culture more and it helps everyone heal in their own way,” he said. “It’s just like when you speak the language, that’s when your ancestors can join you. Same thing when you’re on the water in these canoes, that connects you with your ancestors.”
Mekwalya (Zoe George) is one of the canoe paddlers participating in the festival through the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s Salish Serpent Canoe Club.
She has been paddling with the canoe team for six years but has been doing the activity since she was 13 years old. For the festival, George said she has been training for about six months, practicing six days a week for an hour and a half.
But there is a deeper element to paddling for George – helping her feel connected to the community.
“In our home community, Tsleil-Waututh, we’re always taught to listen to our elders, and all of them have kept the traditions of canoeing alive and around us, and I understand why,” George said. “So, when we’re on the water and paddling together as a team, you just feel a part of something, and it’s really special.”
“It’s the one weekend of the whole year that we get really excited for,” she said.
On top of watching the races, members of the public can check out food trucks during the weekend event. The festival will take place from Friday, July 4 to Sunday, July 6.
Weekend race schedule:
Friday, July 4
Captain's meeting 4 p.m., races start at 4:30 p.m.
Singles: 19U Boys & Girls, 16U Boys & Girls, 13U Boys & Girls, 10U Open
Doubles: Buck-Fifty Race (19U Buck w/10U), 13U Mixed, 16U Mixed, 19U Mixed
6 Paddles: 7U Open, 10U Open, 13U Mixed, 16U Mixed, 19U Mixed
Saturday, July 5
Captain's Meeting 11 a.m., races start 11:30 a.m.
Singles: Men, Klootchmen
Doubles: Men, Klootchmen, Masters 50+ Mixed
6 Paddles: 7U, 10U, Jr. Buckskins - 13U, Generations Race, Buckskins, Klootchmen, Men, Masters 50+
11 Paddles: 10U, Jr. Buckskins (13U), Buckskins (16U), Klootchmen, Men
Sunday, July 6
Marathon singles 7:30 a.m., Captain's meeting 9:30 a.m., races start 10 a.m.
Marathon Single: Men, Klootchmen
Singles: Masters 50+, Golden Masters 60+
11 Paddles: 10U, Jr. Buckskins (13U), Buckskins (16U0, Klootchmen, Men
6 Paddles: Women, Men
Doubles: Klootchmen, Men, Mixed, Masters 50+
Abby Luciano is the Indigenous and civic affairs reporter for the North Shore News. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.
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