Surrey residents were among more than 200 people who joined this year’s Indigenous Canoe Journey, a week-long event aimed at building trust and understanding between Indigenous Peoples, youth, police, and public workers.
From July 6 to 13, paddlers traveled the waters between Tsawout First Nation and Cowichan Territory on Vancouver Island. This year’s journey, hosted by the WSÁNEĆ Peoples, focused on reconciliation, teamwork, and respect for Indigenous cultures.
Mera Dhillon, who was born and raised in Surrey, joined the Law Society of B.C. canoe family. She had never paddled before but quickly felt at home on the water.
“Everyone was so welcoming and patient,” Dhillon said. “We really worked together as a team. You can feel the emotion and energy.”
Dhillon said she was deeply touched by the openness of Indigenous Peoples in sharing their traditions. As someone of East Indian background, she found familiar elements in the singing, dancing, and food.
“There are some very big similarities,” she said. “It resonated with me. In my own culture, we value those things, too.”
Currently articling to become a lawyer, Dhillon appreciated the support from the Law Society and stressed the importance of connecting beyond formal roles.
“We need to make personal connections to repair and rebuild trust,” she said. “This journey is one of the best ways to share stories, meals, and moments.”
More than 220 participants and 14 canoes took part in the journey. They moved from one host community to another, joining traditional ceremonies, meals, and shared learning experiences. The journey not only honored the land and water but also the cultures and histories of the people living there.
Linda Blake, also from Surrey, has been involved since the very first Pulling Together Canoe Journey in 2001. Over the years, she has served as a paddler, skipper, safety consultant, and society president.
Blake believes the canoe is more than just a boat—it’s a powerful symbol.
“It becomes this vessel that brings people together,” she said. “It teaches teamwork, patience, and respect.”
Darryl Gray, the current president of the Pulling Together Canoe Society, began attending the event as a youth. He now plays a key role in organizing the journey and believes it creates lasting impacts, especially for young people.
“It’s more than a journey,” Gray said. “It’s a form of reconciliAction. We’re not just talking—we’re doing the work to build better relationships.”
He added that the bonds formed on this journey often continue into adult life, building bridges between communities that may not otherwise connect.
This year’s host nations were the WSÁNEĆ Peoples, which include the Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum, and MÁLEXEŁ Nations. These communities welcomed participants with cultural teachings, meals, and celebrations throughout the week.
At the closing event held in Duncan on July 13, organizers announced the 2026 journey will return to the Vancouver area. Planning is already underway for what will be the 25th anniversary of the Pulling Together Canoe Journey.
Since its founding in 2001, the journey has brought together diverse groups in a shared spirit of healing and mutual learning. It has become a respected tradition that continues to grow each year.
For Surrey residents like Dhillon and Blake, the experience was not only about paddling, but also about listening, sharing, and building trust—on and off the water.
