08/09/2026
You can experience a multitude of lifetimes each day on Journeys. The full range of human emotions, done together, communally. You get a taste of what our lives were meant to be lived like. Because of it being just a taste, you mourn and grieve what should've been. Each joyful moment has an ache in back. But there's comfort in knowing that you can share this with your family, because they know, they feel it too.
I feel like Canoe Journey is broken up in different experiences.
Being on the water, pulling to each landing. Navigating hard waters and unforseen currents and tides. Laughing and sharing stories. Working hard, together. Setting up and breaking down camp, feeding everyone. Running on little sleep with very tired and hurting bodies. Reuniting with friends and relatives you might not've seen since last year. Walking through conflict, planning logistics. Acknowledging that none of this could happen without the very hard work and dedication of each person involved.
Protocol. Arriving on the host's territory. Turning the corner to being present as much as possible. Sitting in the big tent, soaking in the songs and dances of each canoe family. Holding your hands up to them in gratitude and respect. More laughing and sharing stories. Having the honor of going on the floor with other families, being trusted to carry their songs and dances. So many prayers. Still, very little sleep. You see so much beauty. Elders just steeping in the medicine. Taking cute little naps, wrapped in blankets circling the floor. Little kids and young folks, singing and dancing their hearts out, not having experienced a life without this. Babies, held by Aunties and Uncles. Deep heartfelt conversations. All kinds of laughing.
Then it's over.
The blues set in, sometimes 12-24 hours before it's going to finish. You can feel it creeping in. Even though you're trying to stay in the moment. You know how different things are going to be when you go back into your everyday rythyms and responsibilities. It's also amazing to reunite with your family that didn't make it on the road with you, catch up on what you've missed and sleep in your own bed.... Caption cont. in the comments
