The A;kwul'muxw canoe family arriving on Nanaimo's shores in 2017. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

long journey

SFN’s Tribal Journeys canoe event in Nanaimo postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic

Mar 31, 2020 | 4:57 PM

NANAIMO — An important event for Snuneymuxw First Nation is now postponed indefinitely.

SFN chief Mike Wyse announced on Monday, March 30 the Tribal Journeys event being held on SFN territory in late July won’t go ahead. The annual event sees hundreds of canoes travel along the west coast and stop in various Indigenous communities to honour and share local culture.

“We know how important it is for us at times like this to continue to pass our culture, practices and traditions, but it is also our tradition to protect our people and ensure everyone is safe when a threat like this pandemic faces us,” Wyse said in a release.

“While we are focused on keeping our Elders and people safe, our Nations have not experienced a health crisis like this for generations, and we must do everything in our power to keep our people safe from the spread of COVID-19.”

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Organizers previously said the event was designed to highlight not only SFN culture but also of the entire Nanaimo area.

No date was provided for when the event will go ahead.

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