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Paddlers prepare for a traditional voyage to Haa Kusteeyi

Friday, 21 July 2023 14:49

By Juliann Fraser

Six of the paddlers making the trek to Atlin for Haa Ḵusteeyí  (left to right), canoe leader Donna Johns, Amaya Cherian-Hall, Brooke Tanaka, Christopher Boucher, Goochuxoo (Wolf Teeth), and Ryker Johns.

'We're following our ancestors' ancient waterway'

A team from Carcross will paddle by canoe over five days to join their relatives for Haa Ḵusteeyí including 13-year-old Ryker Johns who made a similar trip when he was only 10.

The biennial celebration among the Inland Tlingit is being hosted by the Taku River Tlingit First Nation in Atlin.

Donna Johns is the canoe leader with Carcross/Tagish First Nation – and Ryker’s auntie.

She will lead the journey and eight other paddlers on Sunday in a packed voyageur canoe created by master carver Wayne Price.

They hope to arrive in Atlin on Friday, July 28.

"We are following our ancestors' ancient waterway," said Donna Johns.

“So now, it's been 123 years that we're going to be going from Carcross to Atlin. And it's really good for our youth, and all of us, to be learning our own traditional waterways."

The trip in the opposite direction took five days in 2019. Johns anticipates a longer, tougher trip against the current this year.

The team will have two support motorboats following along, but Johns would rather avoid using them unless they have to.

“Our ancestors didn't have anyone towing them,” she said.

Haa Ḵusteeyí is a summer celebration, meant to be a break from the harsh winters and an opportunity to share knowledge, art, language, and history. This year’s celebration takes place July 28 to 30.

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