Portland All Nations Canoe Family came into existence in 2013 when Ojibwe Elders Larry Dauphinais and John LaVadure participated in building a traditional birch bark canoe at Evergreen College. It’s the first the canoe family has gathered since the fall before the pandemic began, when they went to “Paddle to Alcatraz” in 2019. They are gathering in ceremony to bless and awaken the canoes from their long sleep during the winter months. Portland All Nations is sharing the name of their long awaited first youth canoe, Bangii Ma'iigan, "little wolf" in Ojibwe. So, this morning on the Columbia is significant. It's such a blessing to be able to help with that, to be a part of helping create that wonder.” Knowing what an impact that the canoes had on my life, I couldn't have imagined what life would be like if I had it when I was younger, when I really truly needed some foundation of who I was or where I was going. “I was still trying to say prayers every day and that canoe was keeping me happy because I knew at some point that the next generation would be able to enjoy that canoe. And so even during this pandemic, it once again was saving my life,” says Krehbiel. “Just picking up some of those tools that our ancestors left behind has been a lifesaver for me.
From January to June 2020, Krehbiel worked alone on the canoe during the uncertain early stages of the pandemic. Original plans were for PANCF youth to work with Krehbiel in the process, but COVID altered those plans. Of Chinook, Cree, and Ojibwe heritage, Krehbiel makes canoes for canoe families, tribal entities, and tribal members through his business Agency Creek Canoes.
Portland All Nations Canoe Family received a grant to work with Indigenous carver Brian Krehbiel to carve a 24-foot traditional Chinook canoe for the canoe family. These grants support community-driven, equity-centered, arts and culture-based efforts that strengthen people’s connections to each other and the places they care about. In 2018, PANCF was awarded a $25,000 Community Placemaking grant from Metro. At any given time, the canoe family works with between 15-40 youth and elders who represent over 20 tribes. “Being on the water gives the youth confidence in themselves, builds self-esteem, builds teamwork, builds kinship,” says Renea Perry, the executive director of PANCF. Instilling confidence through canoe culture and connections between elders and youth is the foundation of Portland All Nations Canoe Family (PANCF), a multi-generational intertribal organization. This is my healing this is my way of life now.” Just being here, it makes me feel comfortable with myself. This is just kind of like a healing thing for me. Being skipper today, it took a lot of courage. They give commands, like paddles up, paddles ready, pull, right side, reverse, all that stuff. They control the canoe by steering with the skipper’s paddle. She paddles from the back of the group’s new youth canoe, guiding the other youth pullers with her voice as they move through the water.Ĭ¿dom¿ says, “The skipper is the leader who takes the role at the back of the canoe. 14-year-old C¿dom¿ (pronounced cheedome) is a member of the Portland All Nations Canoe Family and this is her first time serving as youth co-skipper. Parents, elders, and community members watch from the banks as two Chinook canoes make their way through the water. On the first Sunday in June, Portland All Nations Canoe Family gathered at Chinook Landing Marine Park along the Columbia River.
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