Tradition is so important to the Native American community, and because of the COVID pandemic one of the traditions that has been so important to tribes in the Pacific Northwest for many years has had to be cancelled.

But this year it’s back.

The Tribal Canoe Journey returns and the Suquamish Tribe is hosting the last stop before the final landing at Alki Beach, hosted by the Muckleshoot Tribe.

An estimated 100 canoes from throughout the Northwest and Canada will arrive on the beach in front of the House of Awakened Culture in Suquamish Friday. About 9,000 people will spend two nights in the area before making the final paddle Sunday to Seattle.

In order to prioritize the integrity of the ceremony and the safety of canoe families and hosts, the activities are mostly for tribal members. The public is welcome to watch the canoes come in and out of Suquamish and along the route, which will include the northern and eastern sides of Bainbridge Island.

Canoes will arrive and rowers will request permission to come ashore to rest, tell stories and share traditional foods. Suquamish hosts welcome them, and canoes are carried to the lawn in front of the longhouse and community gathering space. Seafood dinner is then served to 9,000-plus people traveling on the water or supporting the canoe families. Later, visiting canoe families share songs, dances, stories from their travels and gifts. The tribes that traveled the longest distances are the first on the floor.

Ceremonies continue the next day before canoe families are released for the final stage of the journey Sunday. Canoes are packed down the boat ramp by paddlers and volunteers. Suquamish canoes, which joined other canoe families in Bellingham, on Lummi land, continue with the other canoes paddling the last leg of the journey.