Surrey locals take part in the Pulling Together Canoe Journey, fostering reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through cultural exchange and shared paddling.
Surrey Residents Join Indigenous Canoe Journey on Vancouver Island
Surrey community members were among over 220 participants in the 2025 Pulling Together Canoe Journey, a week-long cultural event held from July 6 to 13 across WSÁNEĆ territory on Vancouver Island. The annual initiative brings together Indigenous Peoples, youth, law enforcement, and public service representatives to promote healing, reconciliation, and relationship-building through the shared act of paddling.
A Personal Journey of Connection
Among the participants was Mera Dhillon, a Surrey-born articling student with the Law Society of B.C., who joined the journey as part of the Society’s canoe family. For Dhillon, the experience was both emotional and enlightening.
“Everyone was so welcoming and so patient, and we really worked together as a team,” she said. Coming from an East Indian background, she shared how the songs, ceremonies, and food felt deeply familiar, creating a powerful cross-cultural connection.
A Symbolic Path Toward Reconciliation
The 2025 journey was hosted by the WSÁNEĆ Peoples, including the Pauquachin, Tsawout, Tseycum, and MÁLEXEŁ Nations. Over seven days, 14 canoes traveled a route from Tsawout First Nation to Cowichan Territory, stopping at Indigenous communities to engage in cultural exchanges and open dialogue.
Organizers emphasized that the journey is more than a physical expedition—it’s a platform for “reconciliAction”, where genuine conversations between Indigenous communities and public institutions, such as police and military, are encouraged.
Strong Roots in Surrey Leadership
Linda Blake, a longtime Surrey resident and president of the Pulling Together Canoe Society, has been involved since the initiative began in 2001. Having served as a puller, skipper, and safety lead, Blake sees the canoe as a powerful unifying symbol.
“The canoe becomes this vessel that brings people together,” she said. “It provides a safe space for honest conversations and collective healing.”
Inspiring Youth and Public Service Members
Darryl Gray, also a former youth participant and current Canoe Society president, spoke about the long-term impact of the journey.
“You’re not just talking about reconciliation; you’re taking action to build it,” he said. “These relationships can ripple into adulthood and community leadership.”
This year’s journey welcomed participants from the RCMP, Vancouver and Victoria Police Departments, Royal Canadian Navy, and numerous provincial agencies. Youth from across British Columbia also took part, highlighting the event’s role in bridging generational and institutional divides.
Anticipating the 25th Anniversary
With its 25th anniversary approaching in 2026, the Pulling Together Canoe Journey is expected to return to the Vancouver area. Planning is already underway, with hopes to broaden participation and deepen its impact.
“It will be pretty amazing next year,” said Gray during the July 13 closing ceremony in Duncan.
