On June 8 we crossed the Lengthy Island Sound from Weekapaug Seashore, Rhode Island at 8:30 a.m. at slack tide. Three Shinnecock males ready a assist boat to come back all the way in which from Shinnecock territory to Watch Hill, Rhode Island to assist our paddle throughout the Lengthy Island Sound. The air high quality was horrible as a result of wildfires in Canada. I used to be gifted six bandanas, onto which I rubbed cedar oil and inspired every paddler to put on one rather than a masks so the cedar may help with respiratory.
The islands all through the Lengthy Island Sound weren’t as seen as typical as a result of air being so thick with smoke, so I relied on my Conventional Information of understanding how the land and water got here to be. We paddled within the route that stored us away from any ferry and boat visitors. We bypassed what is named Plum intestine, the place riptide, particularly close to Plum Island, is important even on a relaxed day. Beneath the turbulent waters lies a pointy reef that draws baitfish and predators. This space is what Elders have all the time informed me to keep away from. Paddling on the opposite aspect of Plum Island would possibly seem like an extended route on the map, however it’s a sooner and safer route in accordance with the water patterns. After 33 miles of paddling, we have been greeted by our Cuchaog relations who graciously hosted us in Orient, New York.
On June 9, we ready ourselves for an necessary paddle via the Shinnecock Canal. The Tribe ready a water and tobacco ceremony as we have been to paddle via this historic canoe route. There’s a wealthy historical past on this canal that led to the significance of the water and tobacco ceremony. In 1556, Monotucksee sachem (chief) of the Montaukett individuals in Lengthy Island and a number of other surrounding Lengthy Island tribes dug a secure passage for mishoons (canoes) to go from one aspect of Lengthy Island to the opposite. That is identified right now because the “Shinnecock Canal.”
Earlier than the huge inlet within the Shinnecock Bay was created, there have been freshwater ponds and brackish waterways. The colonists capitalized off of the intelligence of the Aboriginal Peoples of those waterways and created ports and harbors from one aspect of the island to the opposite, ultimately taking management of the canal and stealing the land round it. The east finish of Lengthy Island is surrounded by the ocean; gaining secure passage within the water from one aspect of Lengthy Island to the opposite remains to be a combat we face right now as we train our rights to paddle via.
Throughout this journey we paddled via the routes our ancestors have all the time taken to get from the ocean to the bays and into the Lengthy Island Sound. Nonetheless, as a result of an unlucky occasion, we have been swamped by a large yacht that had zigzagged in a no-wake zone. As we paddled from Orient that morning, the water was so calm. Shinnecock relations have been gathering to see us come via the canal. The assist boat was nonetheless with us and was in communication with all who have been on the bottom to replace them on our ETA. As we approached the canal I may see the Shinnecock flag being held by our Tribal Chairman, and standing subsequent to him to assist have been Elders and drummers, who have been singing.
As we continued to paddle via, I may hear the group of individuals cheering and shouting for us. It was historic to have Canoe Individuals come via one of many oldest canoe routes within the space. I used to be overwhelmed by the variety of Tribal members who got here out to witness and expertise this historic second. I heard the ladies singing a Shinnecock track that interprets to “Collectively we transfer ahead.” Sitting within the entrance of the canoe, I stored my eyes on the water and will see the robust present. Though the water was calm, we nonetheless wanted to remain in sync and concentrate on getting via the canal.
