SPARROW CANOE SUPPORT
The Pearl
Built in 2004, this Alden designed vessel was donated to Captain Sonnier by Chuck Wagner on behalf of the Suquamish Warriors. Stationed in Washington State, the Pearl is able to transport canoes and
canoe families year-round along the coastal corridor.
Watch the Captain and Crew receive the Ship.
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All Nations Canoe 2024 Schedule
MAY
17-20
Awaken the Canoes
Tsawout - Cowichan - Shell Beach - Snuneymuxw
MAY
24-26
Parkland Pull
Qualicum-Nanoose-Snuneymuxw
JUNE
7-9
Loving Waters
Qualicum-Nanoose-Snuneymuxw
JUNE
14-16
Young Warriors
Snuneymuxw-Shell Beach-Snuneymuxw
Sept
7-10
Strong Women of the Water
Lummi-Waldron-Orcas-Lummi
Routes subject to change. For more information or to join contact All Nations.
Please note Loving Waters is restricted.
Supporting the new All Nations
Strong Women of the Water Canoe
Like All Nations Paddles Up, the Pearl team are eagerly awaiting the arrival of the new
Strong Women of the Water Canoe (pictured here).
The Strong Women of the Water Pull (and the men who support them) is a favourite among our crew and we are thrilled to join with All Nations to welcome her to into the Tribal Journeys family in time for the 2024 canoe season.
Remembering our Friend
Mike Edwards
We were saddened to learn of the passing of our friend, Mike Edwards.
A fixture in Tribal Journeys, Mike was a strong and enthusiastic supporter who shared his knowledge and teachings freely.
We wish his family and community strength and comfort in the days ahead.
2023 Christmas
Baker City, Oregon
Captain Sonnier was able to spend a few days visiting family in Oregon over the holidays. No matter what your plans, we hope you were surrounded by family and friends.
Merry Christmas!
2023 Potato Bowl
Boise, Idaho
Captain Sonnier and his new friend Spuddy Buddy take in the 2023 Famous Potato Bowl on December 23rd..Held at Boise State University, the game featured Georgia State versus Utah State and was played under beautiful blue skies and on beautiful blue turf.
Lighted Boat Parade
Tacoma
The Point Defiance Marina played host to the annual Lighted Boat Parade on December 14th. Onlookers had plenty of vantage points to watch the procession, which included the Pearl, all decked out for the holidays.
Salmon Home Coming
Seattle
Twenty canoes braved challenging weather conditions to land on the Seattle waterfront to honour the return of salmon to the Salish Seas. The Pearl and her crew were delighted to provide on-water support in this final event of the 2023 canoe season.
2023 Canoe Season Draws to a Close
After an unforgettable Strong Women of the Water Pull on northern Vancouver Island, the Pearl and her crew are headed south to participate in their final event of the year, the Salmon Homecoming in Seattle.
The past few months have been both exhilarating and challenging, and the Sparrow Canoe Support team will spend the next few months reviewing what went well, and what we can do better, in our quest to provide the best on-water support possible for the canoes.
Our relationship with All Nations Paddles Up placed our focus on British Columbia where the majority of our pulls originated - we accompanied canoes in May for the Sacred Journeys Pull to Victoria Inner Harbour, in June at the Parkland Pull in Qualicum, in July for Tribal Journeys 2023 Paddle to Muckleshoot, and in September for Strong Women of the Water in Fort Rupert and Alert Bay.
emote - hu huy ch q'u - thank you
This has been one of the most robust and rewarding seasons for Sparrow Canoe Support and we are forever grateful to the people and communities that have welcomed us as we travelled through traditional territories enroute to our destinations. From our home port on Vashon Island at the Quartermaster Marina, to the North Sannich Marine and French Creek Fuel dock, to the management and staff at Campbell River's Ocean Pacific Marine, you have all been amazing.
Special acknowledgement goes to our fuel supplier for 2023, Parkland, to Steven Recalma for allowing All Nations use of the Singing Coho, to the Klahoose First Nation for the use of Tl'emtl'ems, and to all the skippers who guided the canoes safety through the Salish Sea.
Most importantly, emote - hu huy ch q'u - thank you , to every puller, road-crew volunteer, cook, and organizer. You have, both individually and collectively, inspired us on the water, allowed us to share in your journey, and to sit in the sacred circle along side you. We have shared your tears and shed many of our own throughout our travels. We have laughed, reminisced, and created new memories which will carry us through the long, dark days of winter.
We look forward to seeing you all again when Tribal Journeys meetings for the 2024 Paddle to Ahousat get underway in January.
Strong Women of the Water 2023
From September 8-11, Northern Vancouver Island played host to the 2023 Strong Women of the Water pull. Participants enjoyed a night at Scotia Bay Resort, followed by two nights at Fort Rupert's Cluxese Campground outside Port McNeil. Breathtaking scenery, a visit to U'mista Museum in Alert Bay, time spent together around the campfire making medicine bags and playing a rousing game of Indian Bingo, along with a welcome by two humpback whales, made this an event to remember.
The Strong Women of the Water 2024 pull is set for early September and will travel through southern Vancouver Island into Washington State. Be sure to watch the allnationspaddlesup.com site for details.
Emote - emote - hu huy ch q'u - thank you to Margaret Chisholm for capturing the whales welcome from the shore of the Cluxese Campground
Memory Bank
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We try and upload new images weekly.
Interested In Joining the 2024 Crew?
If you are interested in learning more about Sparrow Canoe Support, please contact us for information