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It was a current event on a Swinomish Channel steeped in history.

Tribal canoe families from throughout the region arrived here just before noon a week ago Tuesday as part of the Paddle to Muckleshoot, the continuation of a cultural tradition dating to when the Salish Sea was a Native American superhighway.

The 2023 Canoe Journey was the first such celebration in four years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Swinomish and Samish nations were on its route.

The display of handsomely painted canoes on the channel, modeled after those that in previous eras regularly connected Coast Salish tribes, was a welcome sight, especially those crewed by young pullers serving as stewards bridging the past and future.

"Let them know we're here," an announcer encouraged the waiting crowd over a loudspeaker as the first of the canoes came into sight. "Give them a hand."

Indeed, each arrival was greeted by cheers from those gathered near the cedar hats at Swadabs Park. Spectators included best-selling home-grown author Matika Wilbur, whose critically acclaimed pictorial "Project 562" chronicles the nation's federally recognized Native American tribes.

Because the July 25 midday high tide was fairly low, the canoes made a soft-landing south of the park nearer Rainbow Bridge.

"There was still a sand bar where they usually come ashore," explained an onlooker.

At one point the channel in front of the Three Hats Pavilions was filled with vessels – a flotilla of canoes, support boats and pleasure craft of various sizes. The mood was festive.

Swinomish served as an overnight rest stop for canoe pullers and their support teams arriving from Lummi and Samish nations. Tents dotted Swinomish Village, from just south of Swadabs up to John K. Bob Ball Park.

Guests were treated to singing, drumming and a feast of salmon, halibut, scalloped potatoes and frybread.

The Swinomish kitchen crew led by Cathi Bassford and aided for a time by her brother, tribal senate chairman Steve Edwards, prepared dinner for 2,500 people.

By early the next morning the canoe families had set off for Tulalip, their next stop. After that they would land at Suquamish, on the Kitsap Peninsula, enroute to Alki Point in West Seattle. Their destination this past weekend was Muckleshoot, northeast of Tacoma.

Tony Cladoosby skippered a Swinomish canoe, taking on a demanding role requiring one who can read the wind and understand currents.

Over 120 canoes and 8,000 people descended upon Muckleshoot, which last hosted a Canoe Journey in 2006.

Canoe Journeys were initiated in 1989, coinciding with Washington State's centennial celebration, at the behest of renowned Quinault educator Emmett Oliver. His Paddle to Seattle was undertaken amid much fanfare. Also that year, Kevin Paul and family members carved the replica Swinomish story pole standing at the intersection of Snee-Oosh and Reservation roads.

In the years since, participants have hailed the Canoe Journey as a source of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual growth.

All were much in evidence at Swinomish.