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.
Strong Women of the Water
Fast Approaching
On Friday, September 6th, the All Nations Canoe Family will gather in Lummi for the start of the Strong Women of the Water Canoe Pull. At capacity since June, this unique event brings women pullers (and the men who support them) from throughout British Columbia and Washington State. This year, the Strong Women of the Water canoe will embark on a circle journey which will include stops on Canoe Island and Waldron Island. The canoe, skippered by Jonnica Royal of the Oliver Canoe Family, will be put away for the season follow the weekend.
On behalf of All Nations, many thanks are extended to Lummi, the staff of Canoe Island French Camp, the residents of Waldron Island, and all those who helped make the weekend so successful.
emote - hu huy ch q'u - thank you!
Pictured here is Steven Oliver , Skipper of the Oliver Canoe Family holding the canoe steady as each of the pullers takes the plunge into the cold waters in front of the Stommish Grounds in Lummi before departing on the Journey.
Paddle to Puyallup 2024
​
Each tribal journey is different no matter how familiar or new the canoes are that we support. Canoe families and even individual paddlers bring with them different traditions and ways of doing things. Our goal is to ensure we provide them each with exceptional service and support so they feel safe and secure on the water.
​
This Journey we saw a canoe swamped and its paddlers needing immediate assistance. We are so proud to have been part of this experience and so happy to have gotten them safely on board the Pearl and their sacred canoe upright and ready for them to resume their journey.
​
These moments are traumatic and no matter how much we prepare for them, as they unfold in real time, it's different. As the 2024 Paddle to Puyallup comes to a close, we raise our hands to the skippers and leaders of all the canoe families who take the time to bring awareness of the challenges we all face on the water and how to successfully navigate them together.
Providing pre-departure cold water training is an important element of these preparations. In May, Sparrow Canoe Support will join with All Nations Paddles Up for their Annual Awaken the Canoes Olympic Training Day and Pull. Please reach out for information if you would like to join us. It is a fun-filled way to experience cold water training and a great way to start the 2025 season!
​
The Captain and Crew wish you all safe journeys home. We will enjoy few days rest before we recalibrate and prepare for the All Nations Strong Women of the Water Paddle in September, the last of our season.
​
​
While most All Nations participants can be found during the day on the canoe or supporting road crew, a handful of youth spend their time lending a hand aboard The Pearl. Here Mason and Kaiden are seen stepping up to help pull the anchor with the Captain and Magnus, as the canoe prepares to move to its next stop. So proud of these boys for volunteering and leading by example.
​
Emote!​​
Everyone Has a Role
The Pearl Prepares for Tribal Journeys 2024
Following back to back pulls on Vancouver Island, the Pearl has returned to Washington State for a few days rest. While in Port the crew will enjoy some downtime before returning to Lummi to join the Oliver Canoe Family for Tribal Journeys 2024 being hosted by the Puyallup Tribe of Indians.
​
​
.png)
Strong Women of the Water 2024
​
The Strong Women of the Water Canoe Pull is already at capacity for 2024. We thank all those women who are interested in joining us. All Nations is happy to take your name for the waiting list in the event space becomes available.
This sacred healing journey around the San Juan Islands has limited space, no road crew, and only one support boat. We appreciate your understanding and hope you will consider participating in 2025 when the route will be broadened to allow us to accommodate more pullers and canoes.
Emote!
The big impact of the All Nations Canoe Season
Nothing is more rewarding for Captain Sonnier and the crew of the Pearl than providing support to the All Nations and Oliver Canoe Families.
​
We kicked off the season with Awaken the Canoes and it was amazing and inspiring to launch the Strong Women of the Water Canoe on her maiden voyage.
We have also been blessed to see so many familiar faces and have been introduced to dozens of first time pullers on the Parkland Pull, the Loving Waters Canoe Pull, and the Young Warriors Canoe Pull.
​
The Pearl Gets Treated To An Amazing Light Show
The crew of the Pearl are in the final days of prep work before pulling anchor and heading north to join with All Nations Paddles Up for the Awaken the Canoes, the first pull of the season.
​
Over the next five months, the Pearl will travel hundreds of miles along the coastal corridor supporting canoe journeys before completing the 2024 season with Strong Women of the Water.
​
As always, our goal is to update you as we make our way from Vashon Island to central Vancouver Island. We visit dozens of villages and communities along the way and we hope to see you along the way.
​
Safe travels everyone!
​
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.
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.
​
Prepping for the 2024 Season
emote - hu huy ch q'u - thank you
​
​
Although we spend just five months on the water, we spend equal time preparing. This year, we added a new wheelhour which enables the crew to man the wheel in all sorts of weather. We will also be adding a forward mast in early July in time for Tribal Journeys 2024.
​
There are so many people who support our work: Dockton Park and Staff, Allen Stover, Parkland Burnaby Refinery, Paul Robinson, Quarter Master Marina, French Creek Marina, North Saanich Fuel Dock, Saysutshun-Newcastle Island.
.
​
​
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
​
Be a part of the story by sharing your photos and videos!
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