At least 14 canoes launched from Point Beach in TIXEN, part of the Tsawout First Nation territory, on Tuesday (July 8) morning, marking the start of the annual Pulling Together Canoe Journey.
At least 250 pullers, including Indigenous Peoples, youth, police officers and public service personnel, are embarking on this journey through WSANEC and Malahat territory, culminating in the Cowichan territory on Sunday, July 13.
Tsawout hosted a welcoming feast on July 6 to kick off the event, emphasizing the importance of community and shared experience.
Linda Blake, vice-president of the Pulling Together Canoe Society, explained the event's core mission: fostering stronger relationships between public service and law enforcement agencies and First Nations communities.
"The idea is to build better relationships through using the canoes and learning culture, finding the time and space to have an opportunity to have conversations and build relationships in a very positive way," Blake said.
Since its inception in 2001, the Pulling Together Canoe Journey has grown significantly, evolving from a primarily law enforcement-focused event to one that deeply involves Indigenous youth.
Blake noted that young people now comprise between 50 to 60 per cent of the participants.
The organization aims to improve cultural exchange and trust between communities that haven't always enjoyed a positive history.
Sgt. Chris Bigland of the West Vancouver Police Department highlighted the collaborative spirit of the journey.
"We're trying to create positive interactions between youth and police officers, particularly Indigenous youth and police officers. It's about taking a group of individuals who normally wouldn't spend time together, creating a common experience, and everyone learning about each other and evolving together."
The journey through Saanich Inlet will conclude with a closing circle in Duncan on July 13.
This year, the WSANEC Peoples – Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum, and MALEXEL Nations – are proudly hosting the event.
Pulling Together Canoe Journey was inspired by the 1997 Vision Quest Journey, a similar initiative that saw Indigenous Peoples and the RCMP journeying together to visit Indigenous communities along British Columbia's west coast, laying the foundation for reconciliation through shared experience.
