Notes from Paddle to Swinomish, Canoe Journey 2011

Attached photo of beautiful art, by an unknown artist, taken at the Paddle to Swinomish Canoe Journey 2011, author (L) with Holly Calica (R)

Paddle to Swinomish Theme: Loving, Caring and Sharing

26 July 2011 

During a reunion at the Seattle FANHS’s 2010 conference (Filipino American National Historical Society), an invite came from a college-friend, Shelly Vendiola and her mom, Diane Vendiola, proud Indi-pinays (Swinomish-Bisayan), to participate/volunteer with the Protect Mother Earth Task Force ~ as they celebrate and host for the first time in the annual Pacific Northwest tribal canoe journey.

It was my first time attending this event and an honor to be part of it. Amazed by the community building I observed: In one canoe family, the youngest in the canoe was 3-years-old and there was an elder included in another canoe family; the farthest traveler from the South were the Chumash from Santa Barbara, CA, and as far North from Alaska, and also folks from the East Coast (New York) and two men from an Amazon tribe from Brazil. It was an AWEsome-filled experience.

Protocol day 1 of 5 to start today. Hay’lacheska to the Vendiola family and the Swinomish people. I am deeply honored and blessed to have this opportunity. Daghang salamat po. Mabuhay!

At the tail end of the California Natives, the Chumash protocol, I met Dr. Darryl Babe Wilson, whom i call Lolo Babe. Later, we gathered at a healing circle. It was an exciting and electric moment. Hay’dut’sila – a seed has been planted.

Day 5 of Paddle to Swinomish 2011

Right after the Swinomish took the floor for protocol, a dialogue ensued with Master Carver Philip H. Red Eagle, one of the co-founders of the  canoe journey movement in the state of Washington. He asked: “Where is the Filipino canoe?” Instantly, my thoughts were: ‘Well, they are all back home (referring to the home island of the Republic of the Philippines).’ But instead the reply was: “We are working on it.”

Post- Paddle to Swinomish Tribal Canoe Journey: I prayed and I dreamt of pintados and majestic giant crystalline horses in the waters of the San Francisco Bay. As I learned more about native spirituality and my own growth within, I am inspired to learn more about our seafaring traditions. Lolo Babe encourages Enunja Ti Taninmiji Hataji (Baby Girl with a Rainbow in her heart) to “learn about the dream that caused the canoe to appear, learn the song the canoe-maker sang, Build a big canoe from rainbows and teach it to all who will listen. spread the dream.  “