CANOE FAMILY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

1. PURPOSE
A. To encourage participation in all paddle activities.
B. To foster the culture, history and respect of our ancestors.
C. To provide training for safe and skillful paddle journeys in our surrounding waters.

2. EXPECTATIONS OF THE CANOE FAMILY
A. Members are committed to drug /alcohol free and violence free activities in keeping
with our Tribe and the other participating Tribes on the journey. Any participant
found to violate this policy will be sent home immediately. The Tribe will provide
transportation home.
B. Members are expected to follow these policies and procedures and conduct
themselves appropriately and respectfully at all times.
C. Participants who bring children under the age of 13 will be responsible for providing
adult supervision at all times.
D. Members are to be respectful of all property.
E. Members are to be respectful to all Elders and participants.
F. Members are representing the Jamestown SKlallam Tribe, their family and ancestors
and must remain mindful of at all times.
G. Pullers must be 13 years of age or older to participate on a journey.

3. RIGHTS OF THE CANOE FAMILY
A. Membership in the Canoe Family is open to tribal Citizens, descendants, spouses,
Jamestown staff and others who are interested in our culture.
B. All Jamestown SKlallam Community Members have a right to participate in Canoe
Family activities and to vote at meetings.
C. Members must be in good standing to vote.
D. Members must submit an annual signed copy of the policies and procedures to the
Cultural Coordinator.

4. RESPONSIBILITIES OF CANOE FAMILY MEMBERS
A. Canoe Family Members must observe the policies and procedures established by the
Culture Committee and approved by the Tribal Council.
B. Canoe Family Members must sign a release form, which includes health, medical
information, and use of photos.
C. Canoe Family Members must agree to signing a statement agreeing to observe all
Canoe Family Policies and Procedures.
D. Canoe Family Members must follow the canoe rules, as well as care and use of the
canoe, i.e., check canoe and equipment prior to practices.

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E. Canoe Family Members are encouraged to participate in community events, i.e.,
Intertribal Singing/Dancing, Jamestown Singing/Drumming, gift-making, etc.
F. Canoe Family will record and keep minutes of meetings and activities for our history
and archives.

5. RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CULTURE COORDINATOR
A. The Culture Coordinator shall provide oversight of the Canoe Family Policies and
Procedures and activities.
B. The Cultural Coordinator shall be present at Cultural Committee meetings.
C. The Cultural Coordinator or Canoe Family participants may go to Tribal Council with
issues and concerns if the Culture Committee is unable to resolve them.
D. The Culture Coordinator will oversee the Jamestown beach hosting.
E. The Culture Coordinator will work closely and coordinate with the Lead Skipper.
F. The Culture Coordinator will prepare a budget for the journey including gift-making,
and secure the necessary resources to support the canoe journey.
G. The Culture Coordinator will reconcile all revenues and expenditures through the
Tribal Accounting Department.
H. The Culture Coordinator will verify that all pullers have been properly trained for the
journey by participating in cold water training and righting the canoe in the water.
I. The Culture Coordinator will assist individuals in lead positions to access the
necessary resources for their assigned area of responsibility. The Culture Coordinator
will keep members informed of events and issues of concern during the Canoe Family
meetings.
J. The Culture Coordinator will ensure that each journey participant has read and signed
the Policies and Procedures, that each journey participant has completed an
information and disclosure form that includes any personal circumstance or medical
issue that could affect the participants performance, such as medications, insulin, etc.
(This information shall be included on Medical Release Form)
K. The Cultural Coordinator will ensure that the Canoe Family Members know the
protocols and are prepared to represent the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe upon arrivals
and ensure appropriate spokesperson(s) at the Port Townsend landing, Jamestown
landing, and all journey sites landings including protocol during the final week of the
journey.
L. The Cultural Coordinator will consistently provide canoe journey updates within the
Tribal Newsletter and promote tribal participation.

6. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE LEAD SKIPPER
A. The Lead Skipper will provide supervision for the Ground Crew, Support Boat Crew
and the Pullers.
B. The Lead Skipper will work closely with the Cultural Coordinator and provide
necessary updates to the Culture Committee and Tribal Council.
C. The Lead Skipper will train any qualified person interested in learning how to
become a Skipper.
D. The Lead Skipper or other identified Skipper appointed will train the Pullers prior to
the journey.

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E. The Lead Skipper shall ensure our songs are sung during practices and along the
Canoe Journey.
F. The Lead Skipper shall be responsible for the safety of the crew and the canoe.
He/she is responsible to:
a) be familiar with or anticipate hazards on the trip route:
b) be aware of weather and water conditions;
c) check the latest public marine forecast and tide tables along with the Support Boat
Crew and Coordinator before casting off;
d) discuss the objective of the trip with the crew, the route, the hazards, accident
prevention, signals, emergency and rescues procedures;
e) call a halt and board the support boat if it is believed there is a danger to the
Pullers;
f) ensure that all safety equipment is onboard and that all Pullers have a life vest on;
g) make sure the canoe is lifted out of the water with enough crew so that crew
members are not injured;
h) facilitate the talking circle to allow Canoe Family to voice concerns, problem
solve, resolve conflict between individuals;
i) make the final decision on who the Pullers will be on the journey by following the
following criteria: Training participation, ability to work with others, skill level,
attitude and most important how one respects our culture;
j) be responsible for arranging the transporting the canoes on trailers.
k) participate in a minimum of one cold water training per year

7. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SUPPORT BOAT CREW
A. The Support Boat Crew will report to the Lead Skipper.
B. The Support Boat Crew will wear a life vests at all times while on the water.
C. The Support Boat Crew will provide an increased level of safety for the canoe and
Pullers.
D. The Support Boat Crew will prepare appropriately for unknown waters and work with
the Lead Skipper on all navigation and destinations along the way.
E. The Support Boat Crew will know all Coast Guard safety and regulations when in
open waters.
F. The Support Boat Crew will provide an outline to the Canoe Family Members of the
route difficulties, times, and meeting place; and if possible, an alternate route if
conditions turn unfavorable. Feedback and input will be provided to the Lead
Skipper and Canoe Family Coordinator regarding trip planning. The Support Boat
Crew will stay with the canoe during the entire journey. The Support Boat Crew will
maintain a safe distance during the canoe departure and landings.
G. The Support Boat Skipper becomes the Lead Skipper if the canoe is abandoned or
secured to the support boat and the Pullers are aboard the support boat.

8. RESPONSIBILITIES OF PULLERS
A. The Pullers will report to the Lead Skipper.
B. Pullers will be at least 13 years of age. Pullers must participate in a minimum of 6
practices.
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C. Pullers must participate in the Cold Water Safety Training and canoe tipping annually
to maintain eligibility.
D. Pullers will wear a life vest at all times while on the water. Life vests will be turned in
after each practice
E. Pullers will be properly trained for the trip. No one shall be allowed to join the paddle
at any of our journey stops.
F. Pullers will know the appropriate procedures to follow if the canoe capsizes
G. Pullers will keep Culture Coordinator and Lead Skipper informed of any personal
circumstance or medical issue that could affect performance on journey, such as
medications, insulin, etc. (This information shall be included on Medical Release
Form). Pullers will also inform the Lead Skipper if experiencing any discomfort or
difficulty.
H. Pullers will know the proper procedure for lifting and carrying the canoe.
I. Pullers will read, understand, sign and agree to follow the Canoe Families Policy and
Procedures.
J. Pullers will prepare their gear and tent for Ground Crew
K. Pullers who arrive late on the day of the journey will be designated as an alternate
Puller.
L. Pullers will respect the hard work by the Ground Crew and will help out as much as
possible.
9. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE GROUND CREW
A. The Ground Crew will report to the Lead Skipper.
B. The Ground Crew will designate an individual to be at camp at all times to protect
property and give out snacks.
C. The Ground Crew will arrive at camp and set up before the Pullers arrive.
D. The Ground Crew will take down camp and pack all the gear.
E. The Ground Crew will load up all camp gear and the Puller's personal gear and
transport it to the next campsite.
F. The Ground Crew will do laundry as needed.
G. The Ground Crew will prepare food to help care for the Pullers well-being and
strength. All food preparation will be done in cooperation and with respect of the
spirit of the journey.

SAFETY STANDARDS AND EDUCATION
The Canoe Family is committed to ensure that its members participate in paddling
activities with the utmost attention to safely. Safety protocols will be closely aligned to
the U. S. Coast Guard or other international standards. Members will actively practice
safety on every outing.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE JAMESTOWN AND PORT TOWNSEND BEACH
HOSTING OF CANOES
1. The Hosting Crew will recruit volunteers to park cars at the landing sites and
other designated areas.
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2. The Hosting Crew will coordinate all necessary arrangements for feeding journey
participants.
3. The Hosting Crew will see that there are bathroom facilities, showers and a clean-
up crew.
4. The Hosting Crew will submit a budget to the Cultural Coordinator and will be
included in the Canoe Journey budget.
5. The Port Townsend Landing will be coordinated between the three SKlallam
Tribes.

MEETINGS
The first Canoe Family meeting of the year will be held in March to begin preparation
and planning for the upcoming canoe journey. Meetings will be held monthly to keep
participants updated on progress of all phases of the Canoe Journey. A final meeting will
be held in September following the journey, to review all phases of the canoe journey to
highlight the positives and discuss any problems.
Reports from Canoe Journey Coordinator and Lead Skipper will be presented to all
members along with other agenda items. Members are encouraged to suggest program
ideas. Recommendation to the Culture Committee may be made by the Cultural
Coordinator at the Culture Committees regular meetings.

USE AND CARE OF CANOE AND EQUIPMENT
An inventory list will be compiled in March of each year. The Canoe Family Members
are welcome to use this equipment, but must return it in good clean condition after the
event. Damaged equipment should be reported to the Coordinator for repair or
replacement. The canoe should be clean and stored properly after each event. Repairs
should be made in the spring of each year. If canoe is damaged, the Tribal Maintenance
Supervisor will be notified as soon as possible.

1. The canoe will be used in the context of the culture and representing the Tribe.
2. The canoe will be operated in a safe and responsible manner and be sea
worthy before being taken on a journey. The canoe will follow regulations
on shipping lanes and not be on the water during a lightning storm.
3. The canoe will not be used in the ocean after dusk.
4. A minimum of six Pullers and a Skipper are required to take the canoe out. At-
least four Pullers must have experience paddling the canoe and must have had
Cold Water Training.
5. The canoe may be used offshore provided that a support boat accompanies
the canoe during a Tribal canoe journey.
6. The canoe must be treated with care to minimize damage and wear and tear.
Hulls should not be driven onto the shore or into rocks. The canoe should be
stored so as to minimize stress on the canoe, whether on land or water. The
canoe needs to be rinsed and drained after each use.
7. The minimum necessary equipment for safety on trips are at least three large
bailing buckets, two paddles each per Puller, a siphon, an emergency kit that
includes watertight flashlights and flares strapped to each canoe.
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8. Each Puller will have a life jacket with a whistle attached and appropriate clothing
for the weather and water conditions. Each Puller will have a dry bag containing
dry clothes.



/ have read and agree to follow the Canoe Family Policies and Procedures.


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