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group. We’d all come from the Puget Sound area.
    So, while we were camped at Malahat, all the southern canoe families held a meeting. We picked a time and place that we’d all gather before entering the landing area. That gathering place was about a mile from the landing site.
    I really couldn’t sleep much that night. The sounds of hundreds of pullers and ground crew members floated in the air until the wee hours of the morning. They were singing, and talking, even dancing. Were our tribal ancestors watching us? Were they as excited as we were about the coming day?
    The clamor of pots and pans awoke me the next morning. It was still dark, but our valiant ground crew was up and at ’em. As I was struggling out of my tent, Mr. Franks came up to me.
    â€œWe wanted to wait until this morning to tell you,” he said.
    â€œTell me what?” Did I miss something?
    â€œThe family has voted to have you ride in the bow of the canoe when we arrive.” He was smiling a big grin.
    â€œBut that’s
your
place,” I protested.
    â€œI’ll be right behind you,” he replied. “But you’ve been an inspiration to all of us. You have some surprising gifts given to you by the Creator.”
    â€œA few things
have
happened that really surprised me,” I admitted.
    â€œI think the surprises in your life are just beginning,” he said. “Anyway, we’re proud to call you a member of the Raven Canoe Family.”
    â€œI don’t know what to say,” I said.
    â€œJust say yes.”
    â€œYes.” I repeated.
    â€œGood. I have some regalia for you to wear. We’ll have it on the support boat. You can ride there this morning. Later, we’ll put you in the canoe.”
    â€œThank you, Mr. Franks.”
    â€œHave some breakfast. I’ll see you on board the Sockeye.” He headed back to the main group as Jessy stepped up.
    â€œI’m here to help you with anything you need today,” he said.
    â€œReally?”
    â€œYou’re like a dignitary today. That’s why you’re riding in the front.”
    â€œOkay then,” I said. I wanted to take full advantage of the situation. “I’ll have pancakes,maple syrup, and hot chocolate with whipped cream. On the double!”
    â€œDon’t push it,” Jessy said with a laugh. I laughed too.
    It turned out to be a calm day out on the water. The sun was shining. A slight breeze cooled the air. The pullers were quiet for the most part. After two weeks of hard work, sometimes in dangerous conditions, everyone was thinking about the journey. We all had mixed emotions: both glad and sad that it was coming to an end.
    As the Raven approached the gathering place for the southern canoes, it slowed. The Sockeye pulled in beside it so I could be lowered into the front seat. I’d put on the regalia Mr. Franks had for me. It included a red and blue blanket with small shells sewn all over it. And there was a cedar branch wreath that went on top of my cedar hat.
    Mr. Franks, also dressed in his regalia, took the seat behind me.
    When all the southern canoes were ready, we began pulling the last mile of ourjourney. We formed a single line of about twenty-five canoes.
    As we neared Cowichan Bay, we began to see the clusters of canoes from the other directions—the north, east, and west. I was startled as I began to understand the grand size of the whole scene. How many canoes were there?
    Our skipper signaled that it was time for us to start our arrival song. We’d practiced this many times along the way. Our paddles stroked the water in sync with the song. Other canoes began their arrival songs as well.
    The Raven was about in the middle of the line of southern canoes as we approached the shores of the Cowichan First Nation. Again I was startled to see the size of this event. There must’ve been five thousand people lining the shore. They were clapping, singing, hollering,