Two waka representatives to joihn Annual Canoe Journeys   9 Jun 2014

Monday 9 June 2014

Two waka representatives join the Northwest Coast Tribes of the USA and Canada to participate in the Annual Tribal Canoe Journeys (est1990)

Ihaia Puketapu and Caleb Wharepapa have been selected as Leaders to represent Toi Maori at the Tribal Canoe Journeys Paddle to Bella Bella 2014 in British Columbia with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde. This is a 900 kilometre journey by water, starting at Victoria British Columbia. Ihaia and Caleb are dedicated to kaupapa waka activities within their own communities and also have a number of other skills and talents that they will be able to share while on the journey.

The Canoe journey exchange with the Grand Ronde has been on-going since 2009 with their members also participating in the Waitangi Waka Pageants on the 6th February since 2010.

Both cultures share in the life skills and art form of pulling a canoe together, experiencing all the ups and downs of a journey. This journey is a course for success for all those involved and produces leaders for the future. Rituals are exchanged at each Reservation the Canoe Families stop off at. Food is shared in their communal Long Houses. Rituals begin immediately after with the furthest tribes beginning their ceremonies and continue late in to the night. Ihaia and Caleb’s journey to Vancouver begins on the 22nd

ENDS

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