Calendar of canoe route activities

By David Turnoy

A number of people have asked for a guide to the events that are part of the upcoming Canoe Journey, so I’m trying to provide the best information I have at this point. This is the full route for canoe families, and I indicate where the public is welcome. Just be aware that there may still be changes later and some times are only approximate.

Wednesday May 25

07:00 Ground crew break camp on San Juan Island

8:00 a.m. Canoes paddle away from SJI for Camp Orkila on Orcas Island

9:00 a.m. Low tide

1 p.m. Canoe Lunch with family

4:00 p.m. Victory Paddle and landing at Camp Orkila (public welcome, bring your

own chair if desired)

5:00 p.m. Dinner (Camp Orkila serves canoe families, the public is welcome but must bring their own dinner and chairs)

6:00 p.m. Canoe Family Protocol (songs, dances, stories, sharing of gifts – public

welcome)

11:00 a.m. Closing

Thursday May 26

8:00 a.m. Breakfast (alone)

9:00 am Journey to the sacred site of Mount Constitution

12:00 p.m. Lunch (alone)

2:00 p.m. Afternoon, storytelling with the elders at the historical museum of Orcas Island

(public reception)

5:00 p.m. Dinner (like Wednesday, welcome the public, bring dinner and chairs)

6:00 p.m. Canoe Family Protocol (public reception) – ends at 11:00 a.m.

[8:00 Skippers Meeting]

11:00 a.m. Closing

Friday May 27

7:00 a.m. Ground crew break camp and head for the ferry

8:00 a.m. Breakfast (alone)

9:00 a.m. Departure of the canoes for Lummi (may be as late as 10:00 a.m.) – reception of the public

If you didn’t have the opportunity to donate to make this event happen, here are the three ways you can contribute:

Camp Orkila – Checks should be made payable to YMCA Camp Orkila. They should be posted to: PO Box 1149 Eastsound WA 98245

They should include a note that they are in support of the eagle rally canoe trip. The note should also state if they need a letter from a 501c3 saying they made a donation.

We cannot do this online as all online donations go to the general scholarship fund to be used where the need is greatest, not for a specific program.

Donate via Peter Fisher’s Kids and Canoes 501c3 to OICF: https://oicf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1146

Friends of the San Juans – donate online through their website or by sending a check to FOSJ, indicating the contribution is for the Orcas Island portion of the Gathering of Eagles or Indian Canoe Journey.

Please plan to come to some or all of the events. If successful, it may become a more regular occasion. And remember that the organizers ask that everyone who participated be vaccinated.

If you have any questions you can contact me at 360-376-4165 or davidgeri@rockisland.com.