51st Annual Cutus Lake War Canoe Race Group Tour

2008 Departure Dates:

May 31st - June 1st

The 51st Annual Cultus Lake water sports event has paddlers traveling from the Lowermainland, Vancouver Island and Washington state to compete in dug out cedar war canoes up to 50 feet long. Plan to savour the Salmon BBQ and native arts and crafts.

The Soowahlie First Nation is host to the War Canoe Races at Cultus Lake where 8,000 First Nation people gather annually for the Cultus Lake Indian Festival Celebrations. Soowahlie First Nation is located south of Chilliwack, BC, between Chilliwack River and Cultus Lake.

Every summer, Salish waterways are filled with the sounds of crowds cheering their favorite canoes. On the water, the pullers strive to out-distance the competition in their sleek boats. They know they are part of a canoe racing heritage going back over a hundred years and of a canoeing legacy of thousands of years.

Coast Salish competitive canoe racing emerged in the mid to late 1800s. The earliest races were held as tourist events using the larger style canoes. In 1884, the Canadian Government outlawed the traditional potlatches, ceremonies of great religious and political importance, usually held in the winter months.

Potlaches went from large, public affairs to small underground private events. At the same time, the canoe races were gaining in popularity. Dances, salmon barbecues, games and other events were added. Non-First Nations people viewed these events as economic tourism.

Salish peoples used these times of gathering for strengthening their sense of community and maintaining their culture. They also used them for public relations withnon natives. . By the 1930s several of these events had grown to draw many thousands of visitors. Today, the canoeing season lasts from early May to late August/early September.

Departs From: Varies

Number of Guests: Group Tours Maximum 20 guest

Location: Fraser Valley