#EASTCOASTALHEALING

On July 24th, 2016 10-12 paddlers from the Coastal Algonquin indigenous communities will participate in the 2016 Paddle to Nisqually Tribal Canoe Journey, to help in the coastal healing for awareness of environmental Community need. 

Our coastal tribes utilize the waterways as ancient highways for thousands of years. As the original population of the American Northeastern region, we have faced European assimilation. Traditional culture is difficult to practice. Unity of the Indigenous groups and communities continues to strengthen through cultural customs being encouraged and expected. Much of the American History and “Native American” history begins with our geographical Northeastern Coastal Algonquin history through the waterways. It is important to share the history to continue to educate. 

Over 15 years the Northeastern indigenous communities continue to hold paddle ceremonies in honor of our ancestors. 

Falmouth to Martha's Vineyard Paddle

For example, the Wampanoag Paddle at Falmouth to Martha’s Vineyard, Passamaquoddy Paddle, Sly Fox Canoe Race, Nimpuck Sacred Paddle from Deer Island through the Boston Harbor, include historical paddles from Shinnecock territory of Long Island, New York.

Deer Island Paddle 

Mystic River Paddle

Long Island to Connecticut Paddle 

Recently created was the largest Mishoon made in over 400 year. 14 paddlers launched the Mishoon within the Mystic River holding fourteen tribal members of the Wampanoag, Shinnecock, Narragansett, Schaghticoke, and Pequot tribes. Unity amongst this year’s tribal groups includes greeting the Hokulea Voyage crew arrival to the northeastern Algonquin coastal territory. 

Paddle events are large and exhilarating experiences, assisting the resurgence of our responsibility as indigenous people to the water for all humanity. Global water crisis’s such as the NAVAJO WATER CRISIS and the FLINT WATER CRISIS are examples to pray for during paddle gatherings. 

Traditional Canoe Protocol from Shinnecock 2011

Traditional Canoe Protocol from Shinnecock 2016 

This year’s Tribal Canoe Journey theme is “Don’t forget about the Water”. As coastal people, we were placed on the coast to protect and serve the water and the land. Many of our sister tribal communities NO LONGER HAVE WATER RIGHTS and are fighting for indigenous water rights. Water crisis happens in Indigenous communities far more than none native communities. These rights have been taken away from them as early as 1636. 

Once landed in Seattle, WA on July 24, the paddlers will be transported to the first launch where they will paddle from and set camp. At each stop canoe families will follow common protocols, asking permission to come ashore, often in their native languages. Once ashore, they are invited to set camp. At night in the longhouses, there is gift giving, honoring, and the sharing of traditional prayer, drumming, songs, and dances. Meals, including evening dinner of traditional foods, are provided by host nations.

This canoe journey allows the continuous survival of our threatened heritage as coastal people. We hope to travel and take part in the 2016 Paddle to Nisqually Tribal Canoe Journey’s to learn how regional coastal communities are working towards truth and reconciliation within their towns, cities, and states. We are seeking to create a stewardship to compare and learn how assimilation has impacted indigenous coastal communities. It is our goal as paddlers to foster the restoration of our traditional practice. 

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

 

Costs will cover

•    Flights for 10-12 people round trip 

•    Fuel for transportation from airport to destinations

•    Camping gear for 10-12 people 

•    Food for nine days for 10-12 people 

•    Paddle supplies for 10-12 people

We kindly seek your support in hopes to provide water unity of the native communities. Youth and young adults are participating in bringing back the medicine for our communities. We request your assistance in helping us and our fundraiser to go viral not only for sponsorship but to create awareness around the world that the indigenous communities here on the Northeast coast not only are still here but continue to practice the custom of heritage.  

 

Kuttabutash wutche kenauau annumau, (thank you for your support)

Sagkompanau Mishoon Netooeusqua (I lead canoe I am butterfly woman)

PRAY FOR OUR WATERS

I was bailing out a Mishoon at Plimoth Plantation

As indigenous people we protect the land and the water and have been doing so since we were created. As time passes in this society our strength grows as the battles become more and more complicated.

The strongest we are is TOGETHER.Northwest Tribal Canoe Journey's I have paddled and held protocol for communities here in the North Eastern Coastal region twice. I was not able to make it to the Qatuwas 2014 PEOPLE GATHER TOGETHER.

All over Native people feel the pain of the land and water because we are connected to them. One of the most powerful healing ceremonies I have ever experienced in my life is the canoe journeys. I was unable to make it this year; however, I have been following with canoe families, sent prayers and will be sending gifts.

Paddling through the Peconic Bay
(2013 Paddled From Shinneock to Pequot & Mohegan)

As a paddler I have experienced first hand the pain of the waters both PACIFIC OCEAN and ATLANTIC OCEAN. I have seen the red tide, the oil, the pollution of tankers, trains, boats, ferries, etc.

In Indian Country Today Richard Walker writes and very interesting read Canoe Journey Message: Protect Our Fragile Environment He states "Canoes from the Lummi Nation near Bellingham passed Cherry Point, a sacred and environmentally sensitive area where Gateway Pacific proposes a coal train terminal; early site preparation was done without permits and desecrated ancestral burials."  Talk about #IDLENOMORE we cannot neglect our environment.!!!!!!!!!!Remember to take the time out of our assimilated lives to honor what our ancestors fought for. This is the reason why WE NEED more presence in the water ALL OVER. When you are travelling by canoe your become more intimate with the environment. Our ancestors show us what we have failed to pay attention to.

Bryson (Quileute Nation) Sing Paddle song in Canoe Journey

To know that beaches are being shut down because of high bacterial count in the water should raise more than a few eyebrows. In recent news Rhode Island State Health Department  tells the public "State health officials have recommended the closure to swimming of six beaches in Rhode Island because of high bacteria counts in the water" These waters are sacred to our people. EAST COAST, WEST COAST, IN-LAND, MAIN-LAND, CREEK, RIVER, STREAM, POND, LAKE. We need to help heal these waters. I encourage people to start praying for the water.

Just paddled to Conscience Point Long Island
(2013 Paddled From Shinneock to Pequot & Mohegan)

More than often we go to the water to heal us, we cleanse ourselves in the water, we let all of our frustration and emotions go and release them into the water. It's time to take the strength the water has given us to HEAL THE WATERS ALL OVER. This is ceremony. Doing this individually together is powerful! Doing it together in our individual communities strengthens us as individuals to come together for our environment! We cannot be like the immigrants and their ancestors who have came here to continuously take from the earth and never give back! We must give back to the environment.  

Nahaan Speaks Up

Tattooing is a tradition that our people have been practicing for generations. Indigenous people from all four directions have many traditional ways of tattooing.  These tattoos represent different clans, tribes, and even individuals’ status in their communities. Today there are still traditional tattoo artist that perform tattoos. I got the opportunity to vibe with a Tlingit tattoo artist!  At the Northwest canoe journeys there can be over 10,000 natives in one location. So many people were holding raffle ticket signs, selling amazing cedar work from carving to weaving. My homeboy Keet Dayeen was walking around holding a sign that said "Tlingit Tattooing by Nahaan". Tlingit Tattoo and Design by Nahaan https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TlingitTattoo I got the chance to meet Nahaan from the Tlingit nation.

Tattooing has been a large part of the Tlingit culture since time began. It is ceremonial to give and receive tattoos whether it is done through tapping, sewing, or gunning.

Keet Dayeen, Nahaan, and myself--Paddle to Squaxin Island 2012

Not only is Nahaan a tattoo artist, but he is a carving and a design apprentice under Nathan Jackson. He paints, draws, craves, sculpts, sings, writes and speaks on many issues that he is passionate about. 

 I am so ecstatic about Nahaan’s work!  From being an Eastern Algonquin native I can say that the coastal designs in the west are very different from our traditional coastal designs here in the east. Our traditional designs were found near the edge and border of our garments and even pottery. Sometimes designs would be found in the center of mantels, bags, and breech cloths. They were also abstract and had minimal detail. Sometimes when looking at a eastern Algonquin design you can see many different types of things in one design. That could also depend on who was viewing the design.

Nahaan’s designs are so lively with so much consistency. It is artist like Nahaan that helps to keep our traditions alive. The exsposure of his work we will become relevant in today’s society because it will intrigue people to look further into what not only native artist are doing but what is happening in Native America!

He is an active vigorous advocate for native rights. My Facebook newsfeed floods with the current work in his movement. I know many people have the perception of Facebook being a negative platform; however, I think it depends on who you choose to follow and who follows you. The posts that Nahaan includes on his page, creates awareness in the social media network for Native America. The content of the posts that he projects is an artistic outlook on important issues from our native languages to our fight and struggle in standing for our rights.

You know how people use the phrase “ A man of many hats”?  LOL…Well I would say Nahaan seems to be the artist of many hats!

I just want say to Nahaan--keep the fire burning because your work provides our people with the enlightenment that we need to prosper. Specifically our youth! Role models and mentors seem to be short in numbers these days. However, people like you and many others I have blogged about are those role models and mentors that our youth need to lead our nations.

              Be sure to check out Nahaan’s work

Instagram @nahaan206

Facebook:

Nahaan Speaks Up https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/nahaan?fref=ts

Tlingit Tattoo and Design by Nahaan https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/TlingitTattoo