Return from Sliammon

“Me and Lindsay (DFO)” – Photo by Ingrid Hierck –

I’m back.  From July 2-10, I was in Powell River, BC at the 2012 Pulling Together Canoe Journey – “Return to Sliammon.”  It was an amazing experience.  I met so many new people, reunited with others from Pulling Together 2010 & 2011, and paddled in another canoe.  This has been my third year pulling with the SD46 Spirit Canoe.  Half of the crew were new, the other half returnees.  I was an extra puller and paddled part-time with the SD46 Canoe, when needed, and paddled with the VPD Dimitri.  I truly enjoyed that experience.  As per usual, I had life lessons to learn on the Journey.  With that said, I had much gratitude for those pulling in the Sunshine Coast Pulling Together family, the youth, and the Sliammon People.  The hospitality was awesome.  We visited sacred ancestral sites, sang many songs, and enjoyed home cooked meals.  Thank you Pulling Together Society, the Vancouver Police, and Collingwood Canoe Club for orchestrating the 2012 Pulling Together Journey with the Sliammon Nation.  Lots of memories, lots of leadership, and lots of inspiration…  Pulling Together is an incredible opportunity to help build relations between aboriginal youth and police.  I feel honoured to be a part of this canoe journey.  If you are interested to see some pictures, stories, or people from the Sunshine Coast Crew, check out our SCPT Blog at http://sunshinecoastpullingtogether2012.wordpress.com/