In about two weeks a group of people will venture off on a canoe to paddle to Juneau for Celebration. Celebration is one of the largest Southeast Alaska Native gatherings. It’s a biennial festival held by SeaAlaska Heritage Institute. The last time people paddled to Celebration from Wrangell in their own canoe was in 2014. So, a decade ago. Other communities will meet in Wrangell as well this year to make the paddle journey. Two paddlers, John Martin and Corey Marsden, speak to KSTK’s Colette Czarnecki about their experiences and what they’re looking forward to for this upcoming journey.
There will be a community potluck on May 28, at the Nolan Center for everyone. It’s to send off the paddlers who will venture off in the waters early the next morning.
A fundraising account at First Bank exists. It’s called “Wrangell Canoe Community” for those who would like to donate. Gear and food donations are accepted too. Contact Ken Hoyt at khoyt@searhc.org for gear donations.
