Sx̌ʷnítkʷ Canoe Journey, the revitalization of Sinixt and Secwépemc journeys to Kettle Falls, brings together paddlers from Interior B.C. with those from Spokane Reservation to celebrate the long-standing work to feed local nations and care for the waterways and food sources.
“The canoe journey is a representation of what we’ve done for thousands and thousands of years, which is to go to our fishery at Kettle Falls, and manage that fishery,” Stevey Seymour, executive director for Inchelium Language House said.
For those heading out of the Interior, the paddle begins June 12 out of Revelstoke. Plans are still in the works for what activities and ceremonies will be taking place that day, Seymour explained, but an open invitation for all is already being spread.
“Sx̌ʷnítkʷ Canoe Journey really helps us be able to get people on the land for an extended period of time and interacting in culturally significant way,” Seymour said, noting that transboundary nations such as the Sinixt Nation are still working to reclaim their rights to travel and connect with lands that the Canada and USA border now divides.
“The whole goal is reconnection. We want to connect not only to the land but the communities that are here on the land.”
That reconnection with the land around Revelstoke and the community has been in the works and efforts are showing, Seymour said.
“Revelstoke has a community that wants to interact with us and wants to learn with us and work with us,” Seymour explained when asked why Revelstoke was chosen as one of the travel points. “The area means a lot to this journey, yes, but the community has those kinds of relationships that have been built up and really make a difference.”
The trip with pass through Nelson and Syringa, culminating in a paddler’s day and salmon ceremony at Kettle Falls.
Those wishing to help volunteer for Sx̌ʷnítkʷ Canoe Journey Revelstoke location can sign up on the Sx̌ʷnítkʷ Canoe Journey website. To learn about events for Wednesday, June 12 and receive more information about the journey, sign up for the Sx̌ʷnítkʷ newsletter on their website.
Editor’s Note: This story was originally published for the Revelstoke Mountaineer and has been modified slightly. Read more about The Wren’s sibling outlets here.
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