QIN canoe rowers moving along the coast as part of the Paddle to Lummi

SEATTLE (AP) – More than a dozen tribal canoes arrived at Alki Beach in Seattle as part of an annual Native American celebration.

Members of the Muckleshoot Tribe greeted the boats Thursday afternoon.

Tribes throughout the Northwest, including teams from the Quinault Indian Nation, gather a team of pullers for the Paddle To Lummi. They leave their own shores in canoes and visit other tribal lands as they make their way to the host tribe’s land.

QIN President Fawn Sharp posted to Facebook saying that the local rowers landed at Port Gamble S’Klallam on Thursday, over half way to Lummi.

After pulling the canoes onshore, pullers and volunteers hefted each one overhead some 50-yards or more up the beach and above the high tide zone. It takes at least two dozen pullers and volunteers to carry the canoes up the beach. They came in under calm water and sun.

The journey for all canoes ends on Lummi land on July 24, where about 100 canoes are expected.