Paddlers prepare for weeklong journey to Celebration
Share
Tweet
May 8, 2024
Brian Ashton
Canoeists sync up their paddle strokes during practice April 29 to prepare for the 150-mile journey to Celebration in Juneau at the end of May. They have been practicing in a 30-foot cedar canoe but will make the journey in a 39-foot fiberglass canoe donated by SEARHC. (Starting with the stern and moving forward; back row first): John Martin, Isaiah Hale, Ken Hoyt, Jerry Knapp, Chuck Jenkins, Colette Czarnecki, Vydell Baker, Quinn Davies, Becca Clark, Lane Fitzjarrald, Jonas Crabtree and Marina Fitzjarrald.
On May 29, a 39-foot canoe of Wrangell paddlers will start the week-long, 150-nautical-mile journey to Juneau for Celebration, the biennial Native culture festival.
This year marks the first time Wrangell will have its own canoe making the journey since 2014, signifying a return of enthusiasm for canoe culture in town.
Canoes from other communities will make the journey alongside Wrangell, including Juneau, Kasaan, Metlakatla and a veterans' canoe - all beginning here.
Up to seven other canoes are expected to arrive in Wrangell in the days leading up to May 29.
A community potluck will be held...
For access to this article please
sign in or
subscribe.
Reader Comments(0)