Indigenous girls canoe leadership program is a chance to strengthen connections to heritage and have fun.
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In a canoe on the green, glassy waters of False Creek, a handful of girls dip paddles in unison, and glide toward the dock, vanquishing an invisible wind that blows them briefly off-course.
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They tumble and climb out onto the dock, laughing. One, still in her pyjamas, announces that she had unzipped her itchy life-vest, much to the chagrin of Elizabeth, a staff member.
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“It’s OK,” the girl says, cheekily. “I know how to swim.”
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Sunrise
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Thankfully, nobody had to swim Thursday morning, when the Indigenous girls canoe summer leadership program paddled around False Creek.
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The program, run by ACCESS, or Aboriginal Community Career Employment Services, is designed to help urban Indigenous girls and young women connect to their culture, and it’s clear that culture and humour fit together as naturally as bow and stern.
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Being grumpy and miserable isn’t allowed, for safety reasons.
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Skipper Remko Hess, 28, said a positive attitude and open heart is a requirement, and one of the teachings of the canoe: “Anyone can tip a canoe. You have to have trust in each other and bring positive energy.”
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It’s not hard to have an open heart in a canoe, and not just because skimming across the water is fun.
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“When we are out on the water, no one is judging,” said Hess.
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For urban Indigenous girls and young women, many of whom are distanced from their culture, a sense of disconnection can lead to shyness and isolation.
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“By the time we finish, everyone is coming out of their shell, talking and laughing and making jokes,” said Hess.
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Lynn White, CEO for ACCESS, said the canoeing program is fun, but it’s also hard work, and teaches valuable life skills: “When you are in a canoe, you all have to paddle together. If you aren’t paddling together, you don’t get anywhere.”
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Fourteen-year-old Josephine Creviston, who is Oweekano and Heiltsuk, said the program is all about connecting with her Indigenous roots.
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“My ancestors did this, and being one of the Coast Salish nations, it’s really important to connect with the water. It feels really peaceful out there,” she said.
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For 24-year-old Destiny Wells Lafleur of Katlodeche First Nation, and Dene and Cree heritage, who has paddled with the program for three years, it’s about leadership skills, and being an example to others.
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“My grandma was a residential school survivor, and just being here shows how resilient we are as Indigenous Peoples,” Wells Lafleur said.
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ACCESS runs the program in partnership with Canoe Cultures, an Indigenous organization dedicated to preserving the culture of the canoe through education, paddling, carving and storytelling.
