My family had a difficult week last week. We unexpectedly lost my favorite uncle to a massive stroke. He was only 57. In the Native American culture a funeral is much different than in the Caucasian culture. We had a lot to do last week - planning the funeral, shopping for giveaway items that are held after the funeral, buying burial clothing for my Uncle, eating a nightly meal with the rest of the reservation for three nights, holding a small ceremony at the funeral home for only close family, … [Read more...]
Passing Down the Importance of Faith and Sobriety
This post brought to you by New York Life. All opinions are 100% mine. The Keep Good Going Life Lessons New York Life has started the Keep Good Going campaign. These are little nuggets of wisdom and insight that are passed down in the family. Passing these things on, in big or small ways, is important for families and can positively shape lives. The My Grandfather video tells the story of a grandson connecting with his roots through his grandfather's influence. In what ways does your … [Read more...]
Canoe Journey 2012
Each summer Native Americans along the Pacific coast get together to celebrate culture and family in the annual Canoe Journey. This year we brought our family canoe down to Squaxin Island near the capitol, Olympia. Hard work, sweat, family closeness, and sharing culture with other Native Americans from other tribes - the Canoe Journey is quite the experience! Ten days of camping with two children? Not so easy... … [Read more...]
Pink Salmon
or Humpy fish. Whatever you call them, they are running. And all week we have spent the afternoon at the beach with family and friends. It is the biannual beach seining. What fun! By the end of the day we are dirty and exhausted. But we have lots of good memories and some tasty pink salmon. … [Read more...]
Protocol During The Canoe Journey
Final recap collage photos of the last week of our 2011 Loving, Caring and Sharing Canoe Journey. What fun we had watching and participating in all the canoe families' songs, dances, and stories. The food was phenomenal, the vendors great, and the company superb! Here is a YouTube video from the landing {I pulled canoe that day and it rained so hard I was drenched when we landed.} The governor of our state was also on our family canoe {pulling right in front of me}. What a great Canoe … [Read more...]
How To Find Lost Items: Canoe Journey Style
How do you find lost items? Dance for it. That is what happens on the Canoe Journey. If you have lost something, and you want it back, you have to dance for it. In front of every one! {Hundreds of people} My Princess loved watching this {who am I kidding, everyone loved watching people have to dance}. So she started a new game with us. She pretended to "lose" her hat and she had to dance to get it back. It was very cute! … [Read more...]
Canoe Journey: Our Tribe is Hosting this Year!
Last year we enjoyed the annual Canoe Journey; though camping for over a week with a toddler was a little crazy. This year is a much shorter canoe pull for our family canoe - the Salmon Dancer. 4 days of travelling on the Salish Sea is doable. {Well, I was not paddling just driving A LOT.} Each night we came home, since we were close enough. So no camping for us this year. {Which is fine with me.} Our tribe is hosting this year, so we are gearing up for a crazy busy week. Road … [Read more...]
