Two waka to participate in the Annual Tribal Canoe Journeys

Two waka representatives from Tauranga Moana join the Northwest Coast Tribes of the USA and Canada to participate in the Annual Tribal Canoe Journeys (est1990)

Tamahau Tangitu and Te Kerekau Nicholas have been selected as Leaders from Tauranga Moana to represent Toi Maori at the Tribal Canoe Journeys 2018, Paddle to Puyallup with the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde.

Both are born and bred from the Tauranga district and have been dedicated to kaupapa waka activities within their own communities alongside their mentor, teacher and Master Navigator Jack Thatcher. They also have a number of other skills and talents that they will be able to share with their hosts and other tribes while on the journey.

The Canoe journey exchange with the Grand Ronde has been on-going since 2009 with their tribal members also participating in the Waitangi Waka Pageants on the 6th of February in previous years.

Other previous leaders selected to go on the canoe journeys by Toi Maori in the past have also helped along with their families to host our indigenous whānau before heading north to Waitangi every year.

Both cultures share in the life skills and art form of pulling a canoe together, experiencing all the ups and downs of a journey. This journey is a course for success for all those involved and produces leaders for the future. Rituals are exchanged at each Reservation the Canoe Families stop off at. Food is shared in their communal Long Houses. Rituals begin immediately after with the furthest tribes beginning their ceremonies and continue late in to the night. Tamahau Tangitu and Te Kerekau Nicholas begin their journey from tomorrow onwards.

ENDS

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