Canoe journey stops in Birch Bay

Three canoes from the Nooksack Indian Tribe, six canoes from First Nations in Canada and one from the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community landed in Birch Bay on July 22 in a stop on the Paddle to Muckleshoot Canoe Journey. The canoe journey, which is returning for the first time since the pandemic, will end with over 100 canoes landing at Alki Beach in Seattle. This year’s canoe journey theme is honoring warriors, past and present.

Birch Bay was the northernmost stop in the U.S. for the canoe journey. Nooksack tribal chair RoseMary LaClair welcomed the paddlers, who were joined by others for food, song and dance, Nooksack tribal secretary Frank Leyva said. Nooksack tribal councilmember Victoria Joe gave a blessing as the paddlers departed to their next stop on Lummi Nation.