NEAH BAY — For many, the 2002 Paddle Journey is about spiritual healing and self-pride.
For others, it provides hope and helps them connect with their ancestors.
For Donie Venske, a Makah tribal member and canoe skipper, it is about helping others and preserving personal healing.
“It is my healing from my younger days,” Venske said. “And I can really teach the kids who want to learn a lot on the journey.”
Venske, 45, who returned to the journey for the 10th year, said he does it for the children and because he enjoys the challenge.
“The journey helps save some of our troubled youth,” he said. “It shows them people care and helps them spiritually.”
He said the drug- and alcohol-free event helps youths connect to their culture through elder leadership and participation.
“Every day they learn something new,” he said. “You learn to almost taste what the wind is going to do and learn to read the swells.”
Venske said half of his crew has been on a journey this year and he looks forward to watching the half that hasn’t learned about the Makah culture, the journey, themselves and other tribes.
Makah tribal canoes are pulled by men, women and children — some as young as 5 years old.
Venske said he was excited to see tribal youths taking interest in Paddle Journey 2002 and watched with others as a canoe named “Many Hands” was blessed Saturday.
The canoe was built by students at Neah Bay High School and made its maiden voyage Saturday to greet 14 canoes from the Northwest and Canada as they arrived in Neah Bay.
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The rest of this story appears in the Monday Peninsula Daily News. Click on SUBSCRIBE to get the PDN delivered to your home or office.