The Two Row on the Grand Canoe Paddle is getting set to take place later on this summer from July 19-28 and a community information session is set this week.

This year will mark the eighth annual Two Row on the Grand canoe paddle.

Ellie Joseph, co-founder of the event, spoke with CJKS on the history of the annual canoe paddle, saying that it was developed after her and a group approximately 200 paddlers took part in Two Row Renewal Campaign that took place on the Hudson River from Albany to Manhattan in 2013. After coming back from the 2013 trip, Joseph and four others created the Two Row on the Grand. The 10 day canoe paddle from Cambridge to Port Maitland travels the length of the Grand River and consists of paddling and travelling anywhere from 13-23 km a day to establish a firm physicals connection to the water. Participants also take part in different cultural and environmental teachings throughout the trip.

Participants with the Two Row on the Grand Canoe Paddle will take part in cultural and environmental teachings throughout the 10 day excursion along with travelling along the Grand River. Photo courtesy of Two Row on the Grand Facebook Page.

Joseph said the meaning behind her 2013 trip with the Two Row Renewal Campaign was to remind each other and share knowledge about the Two Row Wampum, one of the older Wampums that the Haudenosaunee people have that's seen as an agreement between the Haudenosaunee People and settlers that encourages peace, friendship and respect.

"It was a way to remember and to revitalize and to encourage people to live in that allyship in a friendly way," she said.

Joseph said there has been strong growth with the annual canoe paddle since the launch of the Two Row on the Grand in 2016.

"We started the only Two Row on the Grand in 2016 and it was only meant to be a one year, one summer paddle which was seven days long, and when we got done that year it was such a successful, emotional, and, really, spiritual thing for us and all of the people that were involved in it, that we thought we would try it again the next year," she said.

Joseph added that she's excited that Ontario University students will be taking place in this years paddle as well. The McMaster University School of Indigenous Studies and School of Social Work are providing a pilot program that will turn into a full university credit and a part of the class work will be participating on the 10 day paddle. A group of 10 students from the University of Guelph will participate in the 2023 paddle with the hope of eventually garnering interest for a land based learning class to participate in the paddle.

Baillie Schmitz, Healthy Lifestyles Coordinator for Six Nations Health Services, said the canoe paddle encourages cultural education, not only for Indigenous people but for people of all different backgrounds.

"We're coming so many different communities, different first nations, and so many people coming together and its really exciting to see that next generation of university students taking part and learning, and getting a to understand and have a better idea of the culture and the traditions and all of the teachings that come from Six Nations".

A community information session is set for April 13 from 4:30 p.m.- 6:30 p.m. at 1676 Chiefswood Rd. in Ohsweken.

Six Nations community members who are interested in taking part on the 2023 canoe paddle can register for free through Six Nations Health Services and non community members the cost of participation is $75 per day per participant ($50 for children) covering food, camping, and logistical support. However, nobody will be turned away due to lack of funds. There's also different registrations options available for those not interested in taking part for the entire 10 day paddle. You can find all of the registration information, visit the website.

For the full CJKS story, listen below: