Journeying: Paddle to Puyallup 2018

We boarded the 7 o'clock ferry early Saturday morning. "Honoring our Medicine" is the theme for the 2018 Paddle to Puyallup Canoe Journey and in our way, we two were journeying to join the more than one hundred canoes and paddlers. The journey is a sacred one, infused with meaning on all levels. The many canoe families were retracing ancient trade routes their ancestors have long traveled. To physically commit to the challenge is one thing (a big one) but the spiritual elements are equally important, if not most important. Pete and I traveled less than a hundred road and water miles to be present. Those physical miles added to the internal mileage are what really builds character, and where the 'medicine' lies.

This spring and summer are times of many dawnings for me. Reality checks and deeply revealing episodes are part of the threshold work going on. I don't think I'm alone in this process as I see friends around me dealing with how to manage and adapt to the need for medicines -- both literally, and metaphorically -- or treatments to realign, restore or add longevity and harmony to body, mind and soul.

In our case, the threshold work for this spring and summer has been focused on recognizing consciously what it takes to live in community, adding our needs, beliefs, perspective and ways of being to the culture into which we have immersed ourselves.

Several years ago, and the year my brother David passed into spirit, I began studying the work of Angeles Arrien, and specifically Arrien's work The Second Half of Life Opening the Eight Gates of Wisdom. Arrien writes:

"At the Bone Gate, we realize that our homeland of authenticity is within, and there we are sovereign. Until we discover this ancient truth in a way that is unique for each of us, we are condemned to wander, seeking solace in the outer world where it cannot be found."

To get to the landing spot in Pullayup the canoe families have prepared themselves in the long way -- historically reclaiming their rights, restored traditional practices, and reestablish sovereignity  politically. The journey is painful, difficult, and rewarding when an event such as this annual sacred celebration marks one more example of being here against all odds.

Personally, I can relate to the long term preparation and unfurling it has taken to know the many emotions involved in decolonizing that inner homeland of authenticity. Without kumu teachers and elders to teach me first-hand my learning has been a wanderer's journey between this Pacific Northwest coastline and her islands with the islands of my birth.

It was vitally important for me, and Pete to do everything we could to get from here to there. Using the guidance from Arrien, I reflect on her thoughts:

"Indigenous peoples say that in order to return to our true nature, we must befriend four essential symbolic bones in our body: the backbone, a metaphor for courage; the wishbone, which represnts our lives' wishes, hopes and dreams; the funny bone, a symbol of our sense of humor, which keeps us resilient and flexible; and finally the hollow little bone, whic allows the Mystery to work us rather than us trying to work the Mystery."

To get there in practical terms I needed to make clear choices about how to spend our money wisely, and road trips take energy to complete. There were other events during the month that would have been fun to attend (Bon Odori, the Dance to honor the Ancestors in Seattle; a picnic, also in Seattle with MCS friends; more trips to the Hibulb Cultural Center in Tulalip). But rather than spend resources we didn't have a lot of, I committed to the canoe journey and Pete and I worked together to do it.

In befriending those four essential symbolic bones, I recognize how the Universe and the Mystery are definitely working me, and not the other way around. Arrien asks "At the Bone Gate we ask ourselves; Which of these four bones, with it's essential character and qualities, needs strengthening or realigning?" Twice during the past month my backbone has been tweaked: first by a freakish accident that led to whiplash; and second a small but jostling turn of my foot while I searched for props for my upcoming storytelling. With ice packs, rest, and reflection that bone is being realigned and strengthened, consciously.

Sighting the canoes as they prepare to land, sitting on the beach.

We made the trek, joined families from faraway and near. We listened to the speakers who gave their formal greetings and announcements to the crowd in the heat of a late July, post red moon full moon eclipse. Eagle and Hawk along with all the other Ancestors came to bless and be with us all.

Beside us as Pete and I watched the canoes land we listened to a haole man pepper a pair of native women about the schedule and the meaning of many of the customs and practices implemented at this ceremony. I tracked my personal 'affort' to his prying inquisition, but said nothing. Never once did I turn to see the body language on the women who answered all his questions. The haole man persisted with one question after another at one point adding the disclaimer, "Excuse me for my ignorance, but... " as he continued with his digging.

Later Pete and I talked about the episode. I spoke about what it's like for me to hear this kind of exchange. It had no feel of respect on the part of the haole man. And to those womens' credit, they answered his questions but did not promise him any permissions; they simply answer the questions.

The ceremonies continued in Puyallup that day and will continue through August 4, 2018.  We left just before one 'o clock, standing in a long line to get back on the bus that shuttled people to and fro the parking area a couple miles away. "Elders can go to the front of the line," a volunteer dressed in a beautiful deep blue top tightly fitted to show off her amble breasts said. I did not hesitate a moment and followed the couple just ahead of us. When it was time for me and Pete to step onto the steps of the bus I thanked the woman, who humbly and softly said, "You're welcome."

Our field trip, and journey to honor our medicine was not quite complete when we finally reached Seattle. There was one more important stop to make. We hadn't seen our two dear friends, Glenda and Lee, for many months; a visit was long overdue. Without calling before showing up I knocked on the deep green door; first the front door and then the back one. The tiny woman opened the back door not expecting a brilliantly colorful woman under a big straw hat wearing red rubber boots.

For an hour or so we sat in the shade of our friends' huge Locust tree sipping Pelligrino while we told stories and laughed and laughed and laughed. The conversation took many routes, and surprised and delighted us all. This pair of friends were our first people, as in first people to embrace, welcome and guide me through the changing reality of living with MCS. Through a set of unpredictable circumstances, I met our guide into what would become new-normal. What a fortunate day that was for us those eleven years ago. And on a Saturday afternoon it was a pleasure to feel my funny bone having such a grand time, engaged in delight, in the shade of the Ancestor Locust!

"The Bone Gate brings us to the "bones of who we are" -- a metaphor for our authentic self...The Bone Gate urges us to develop character, integrity, and wisdom...We are reminded of Gertrude Stein's words, "No one is boring."

Back on the prairie I'm back inside the kitchen which we share with the community each weekend during the Farmers' Market Season. The sound of traffic on 525 alternates with the hum of the solar powered refrigerator a few feet away from the keyboard. Pete is doing laundry in between eating his pot of oatmeal. Bright sunshine fills this space. I wear my big papale even as I write.

My bones literally and metaphorically settle into living this Monday morning, and we my bones and I are grateful to not be boring. Mahalo nui loa to the Puyallup Tribe for hosting and welcoming us to this historic event. Mahalo to our friends for being our 'first people' who continue to inspire hope and laughter in our lives.

And you, how goes the journey?



To honor the medicine of the canoe journey, the people and the protocol of asking permission you can view the Paddle to Puyallup website with authorized videos, photos, information and schedules go here.