Pulling Together canoe journey marks 25 years of reconciliation

More than 200 people took part in the 2026 Pulling Together canoe journey, a nine-day event intended to promote healing, reconciliation and respect for Indigenous host nations.

The journey began Aug. 15 near Agassiz and travelled the Harrison and Fraser rivers before ending after stops at Matsqui Regional Park, Barnston Island and Wellington Point Park in Delta. The route passed through the territories of Katzie, Matsqui, Kwikwetlem, Tsawwassen and Musqueam First Nations.

Participants included Indigenous people, youth, police and public-service personnel. Agencies involved included the Royal Canadian Navy, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Indigenous Policing Services, the West Vancouver and Vancouver police departments, Stantec, the Justice Institute of B.C. and Simon Fraser University.

Pulling Together Canoe Society president Betty Kruger-Cardenas said the journey’s shared paddling, work and camping create opportunities to learn together and strengthen relationships. Photos and stories are being posted on the organization’s Facebook page and at pullingtogether.ca.