Since time immemorial, the Sḵwx̱wú7mesh People have lived around the coastal inlet known as Átl’ka7tsem, known today as Howe Sound. The ocean was our highway and our ancestors travelled from village to campsites in our canoes. 

The Squamish Nation Seagoing Society canoe was first brought out in 1993 on its maiden voyage to Bella Bella. The Family has two 45-foot-long red cedar dugout canoes that were made on the reserve in North Vancouver. The first one, called Kxwu7lh, was made between 1992-93. Kxwu7lh was carved by Cedric Billy from an old-growth tree approximately 700 years old, this was made possible through Bob Baker’s vision to have a seagoing canoe within the Nation. 

The canoe participates every year in what is called Tribal Journeys in the summer months traveling to different host tribes and bands within the Salish Seas, paddling from as far north as Bella Coola 2008 and as far south as Quinault 2002 (outside coast Washington state). All paddlers (known as Pullers) live a drug and alcohol-free life and participate in sharing Squamish culture in the way of traditional songs and dances. The canoe family is based out of the Mosquito Creek Marina.

On behalf of past, present, and future pullers of the Squamish Ocean Canoe family we thank our elders and master carver for leaving this legacy of our canoes, so we may travel the highway of our Ancestors.