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PADDLES UP
All Nations
All Nations is proudly
drug, alcohol, & violence free.​
Youth under 15 wishing to participate in our paddles must be accompanied by an adult over 18.
Please respect our rules.
2026 DATE ANNOOUNCED
Countdown to
Strong Women of the Water 2026
Testimony from a 2026 puller....
"My weekend at Strong Women of the Water with All Nations Paddles Up was nothing short of transformative. Pulling together with this group of Indigenous women, I felt the strength of tradition, community, and culture in every paddle stroke. The journey wasn’t just about being on the water—it was about the circle time we shared, the protocol we honored, and the movements that grounded us. We paddled through pristine waterways, singing to whales, sharing laughter and I connected deeply with both land and water and walked away with renewed purpose. It was a reminder that reconciliation is active work—done in community, through respect, and with open hearts".
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Emote - Huy ch Qu -Gilakas'la -Thank you
​Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 2025 Strong Women of the Water Canoe Pull from Vancouver BC to Keats Island. We extend a special thank you to our supporters including TransMountain, BC Parks Services, Sparrow Canoe Support and the crew of the Pearl, Paul and Michelle Robinson, Steven Recalma and the Singing Coho Canoe, PLACE Architects, False Creek Marina Dock E, Vancouver Maritime Museum, Jonnica Royal (Skipper), Glenda McKay (Skipper) and everyone who put their hands in to make the weekend so memorable.
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We are thrilled to announce Strong Women of the Water will be held
September 11 - September 14th, 2026.
Mark your calendars and be sure to join us. Registration will open in March 2026.
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For more information, please email allnationspaddlesup@gmail.com or call 604-374-5528 or 503-344-4472.
With the backdrop of Vancouver, the Strong Women of the Water and Singing Coho canoes maneuver around tankers anchored in the harbour.
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The journey to Keats Island was full of beautiful scenery, humpback and orca whales, and lots of laughter.
Congratulations to All Nations Skippers
Rachelle & Luke
The All Nations Family is thrilled to welcome our newest addition! Congratulations Rachelle, Luke, Keegan, Kaiden, and Tobais on the birth of Baby Girl Mack, August 6th, 2025 - we can't wait to meet her.
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2026 Women's
Memorial March
The 2026 Women's Memorial March will take place in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, British Columbia, in February. The March honors missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people (MMIWG2S+). It also protests violence, racism, inequality, and class disparity.
What to expect: The March will begin at the intersection of Main and Hastings streets and will proceed through downtown Vancouver. We will pause at locations where women's bodies were found and the names of the women and their family members will be read aloud. Family and supporters will pause to grieve.
Why it's important: The March keeps the memories of missing and murdered women alive and demands accountability from governments and systems that perpetuate violence. The March aims to prevent further violence against Indigenous women, girls, and Two-Spirit people
History: The march began in 1992 in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside after the murder of Cheryl Ann Joe, a local Indigenous woman
2026 All Nations
Paddle Schedule
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Although the 2025 canoe season is still in full swing, All Nations has begun to frame the paddling schedule for 2026. We are pleased to be resuming our regular offerings: Awaken the Canoes (June - Vancouver Island), Tribal Journeys 2026 Paddle to Nisqually, and Strong Women of the Water (2026 - Washington State).
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Location and dates will be circulated in late October.
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Should you require further information or if you would like to join the organizing committee, please call 604-374-5528 or email allnationspaddlesup@gmail.com
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We look forward to paddling together next summer!
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Emote.
So much more
than a paddle...
The All Nations Canoe program is so much more than a paddle. Our schedule is designed to allow for interactive activities where participants can learn or master skills, or share their expertise with the fellow pullers. Pictured here are Robin and Ruth crafting their medicine bags following a morning canoe pull in Alert Bay.
We welcome you to share your skills with the group - from cooking, to cedar work, to drumming and singing, to weaving, and more. Reach out and let us know if you are interested in hosting a session!
The Strong Women of the Water canoe will begin the 2025 season will a new complete set of paddles that honour the remarkable women who have inspired us. Eighteen members of our canoe family each provided up to four names which were inscribed on their new paddle.
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Our canoe family is honoured to carry these women and their stories on our journey. We do so with utmost respect and humility.
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Our deepest appreciation goes to Brice Malcom who oversaw the project and put his hands on each and every paddle to ensure they were done as envisioned. Emote.
New Paddles Honour
Inspirational Women
Emote - Huy ch Qu -
Gilakas'la - Thank you
It really does take a village!
All Nations extends its sincerest appreciation to all those individuals and organizations who have help launch our 2024 season aboard the Strong Women of the Water Canoe, especially:
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Tsawout Nation, Cowichan Tribe, Stz'uminus First Nation, Snuneymuxw Nation, Qualicum First Nation Campground, Snaw-Naw-As Campground, French Creek Marina, North Sannich Fuel Dock, Parkland Burnaby Refinery, True North, Hullo Ferry, Pacific Association of First Nations Women, and Captain Randy Sonnier and the crew of the Pearl.
We would also like to acknowledge our All Nations canoe family members who go the extra mile to ensure we are able to provide the best experience for our participants. Emote to the cooks, shoppers, and road crew who make everything possible.
We literally could not have done this without you! Emote!​​
Strong Women
of the Water Canoe
In 2018, Klahoose Elder Billy Barnes bestowed the name Strong Women of the Water to a group of pullers arriving in Port Townsend , Washington, enroute to Puyallup's Tribal Journeys.
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The women carry this sacred name with great pride and each year since, welcome others to join the Strong Women of the Water (and the men who support them) pull.
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Now, thanks to the generosity of All Nations supporters, we have placed our order for a new 36" Pacific Dance Canoe The Strong Women of the Water Canoe will arrive in time for Awaken the Canoes this spring.
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Emote - Hu Huy ch-qu. Thank you to all those who made this amazing purchase possible.
MUCKLESHOOT PROTOCOL:
THE COMPETITION SONG
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Sister Nations Klahoose, Tl'amin and Homalco brought their signature song to the floor during protocol. Always a favorite among the crowd, you be the judge...who has bragging rights this year, the Men or the Women?
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