The K’ómoks Aboriginal Journeys will embark on a spiritual, social and cultural canoe journey on July 7, 2014 from Comox to Qatuwas, Bella Bella.
Qatuwas are expecting over 100 canoes with over 1,000 pullers and about 5,000 visitors to join in the opening of their new Big House. This Big House will strengthen their community now and for future generations. It will improve their quality of life, validate, give hope, a strong sense of identity, purpose and meaning.
We are asking for your help in financial support so we can fund this amazing, life changing journey.
For this to be possible we will need to find enough support boats, supplies and fuel. The boats will be carrying the gear, support crew and ensuring our safety. Our goal is to have our two canoes participating in this journey. Each canoe will have two crews to alternate pulling shifts.
We will also have a support crew to help support the pullers. We want as many community members to go that want to because we do not want anyone to miss this amazing opportunity. We do know that this journey is not for the faint of heart.
With the growing awareness of the increasing loss of our language and culture, there was a strong belief that the revival of the ocean-going canoe would be an important vessel for healing empowerment, self determination, youth and community development. We will learn about traditional ecological knowledge, and environmental stewardship in a drug and alcohol free environment.
We will gain a respect for the ocean and its power, and how to work together as a team. What we learn from the mental and physical challenges while on this journey we will be able to use in our everyday lives.
We would be pleased if you could contribute a cash or in-kind donation to make this the success we know it will be. If you like we could use your logo to acknowledge your support.
To provide support or for more information, contact Tina McLean at 250-339-4545 (daytime) or e-mail her at tina.mclean@comoxband.ca
— K’ómoks Aboriginal Journeys