Excitement has been building in Southeast for the re-dedication of the Chief Shakes Tribal House in Wrangell, which has undergone a two-year restoration. Hundreds of people are expected to turn out to the community for the event this week. That includes about 70 people who paddled much of the way in large fiberglass canoes from communities around southeast. The One People Canoe Society organized the journey. On the trip south, crews from Yakutat, Sitka, and Juneau contended with terrible weather for much of the way and lost a canoe that was under tow before they reached Kake, where another canoe joined the group. They’ve been accompanied by three larger support vessels for safety.
Petersburg Indian Association members drum and sing to welcome One People Canoe Society to North Harbor in Petersburg Tuesday.
The crews received warm welcomes, food and shelter from communities along the route. In Petersburg, Matt Lichtenstein produced this sound portrait of their arrival and departure:
For mobile-friendly and downloadable audio, click here.
Three canoes with crew from several communities including Yakutat, Sitka, Kake, and Juneau prepare to come ashore in Petersburg Tuesday..
Along with the three canoes from northern Southeast, two more headed to Wrangell from the Prince of Wales Island communities of Kasaan and Thorne Bay.
Canoes about to depart on Wednesday
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