As the first canoe came around the bend and headed into the locks that would raise it from sea level to the higher level of the lake, the faint sound of drums and Native American songs became audible. The serenity of the water lapping at the shores, an occasional fish jumping and splashing back into the canal, and the call of seagulls was about to be broken�

This was the first view of the Tribal Canoe Journey as it neared its destination on the banks of Lake Washington in Seattle. The Tribal Canoe Journey, which is now an annual event, seeks to honor centuries-old traditions of transport and trade by the coastal tribes of the Northwest.

Many of the canoe pullers had spent three weeks working their way from the Quinault Reservation on the Pacific Ocean coast of Washington, up and around the northernmost point of the state, through the Straits of Juan de Fuca, and into the inland waters of the state. Others had started at various points around the Northwest, but all were amassed and ready to come ashore together.

After passing through the locks, they paddled on into the lake and the welcoming ceremonies. Each of the over 60 canoes, representing coastal tribes of Washington and Oregon, as well as British Columbia, and even two kayaks from Alaska, took its turn to request permission to land. This year's Journey host, the Muckleshoot Tribe, whose reservation is located just south of Seattle, welcomed them ashore.

The canoe pullers and their support crews then spent five days at the Muckleshoot Reservation in celebration of the journey.

HUD's Indian Housing Block Grant Program

Several tribes contribute a portion of their HUD/Office of Native American Programs, Indian Housing Block Grant funds towards their tribe's canoe journey program. The canoe program, which requires all persons involved with the journey to be absolutely drug and alcohol free and not associated with any gangs or gang activities, is eligible for funding as a drug elimination activity.

As soon as one year's journey is over, they will start planning for the next trip�making this a year-round program of physical and psychological training and mandating a drug-free environment. This is the ultimate youth sports activity�requiring both intense physical and mental conditioning�while learning the ways of their ancestors.