SEATTLE, Washington — More than a dozen tribal canoes departed from Alki Beach in Seattle Friday morning as part of an annual Native American celebration.
Members of the Muckleshoot Tribe greeted the boats Thursday afternoon. They arrived in under calm water and sun.
Tribes throughout the Northwest gather a team of pullers for the journey. They leave their own shores in canoes and visit other tribal lands as they make their way to the host tribe's land.
After pulling the canoes onshore Thursday, pullers and volunteers hefted each one overhead some 50-yards or more up the beach and above the high tide zone.
It takes at least two dozen pullers and volunteers to carry the canoes up the beach.
The journey ends on Lummi land on July 24, where about 100 canoes are expected.
