Musqueam Nation hosts canoe races for first time in 40 years
Posted August 14, 2021 4:04 pm.
Last Updated August 14, 2021 4:06 pm.
MUSQUEAM (NEWS 1130) — The Musqueam First Nation is hosting canoe races for the first time in over 40 years Saturday and Sunday.
Kelly Louis, organizer and owner of the Musqueam Nation Canoe Club, says he and his dad decided to revive the traditional canoe races.
“What inspired me and my dad is, it’s cultural, and it’s pure and good,” he says.
This weekend, for the first time in generations, Musqueam will be hosting canoe races on the Fraser River in front of our community. First Nations from across Coast Salish territory will participate. @Musqueam @GlobalBC @cbcnewsbc @City_tv @CTVVancouver @musqueam @jarmstrongbc pic.twitter.com/TFH0yli17C
— Wade Grant (@WadeGrant) August 13, 2021
“It keeps our youth away from drugs and alcohol, because due to generational trauma from residential schools, a lot of youth witness drugs and alcohol, and start at a young age, so we want to put a stop to that and having them training year round so they can compete in these races. Not only that, it teaches traditional values and traditional knowledge”
Louis says they’re expecting hundreds of people at the races, with about 14 clubs participating across different categories.
“We’ve had enormous support from our community and administration, and Chief and Council. A huge, huge backing, and fans following us to other communities for their races, and Musqueam Chief and Council and Administration help to fund and organization of the races.”
Louis says that while other communities have been hosting canoe races, it’s been a long time for Musqueam — the Nation also hasn’t participated in races in three decades.
“Musqueam has been out of the circuit for a long time, for 30 years, and me and my dad revived it in our community,” he says. “So this year we managed to get some traditional canoes again, to get our youth paddling, and with the excitement of the races, we decided to host our own own event on traditional Musqueam waters.”
Louis says the event features race events for all ages, and is going until Sunday night at the Musqueam beach, along the Fraser River.
