The Ten Rules of the Canoe

As developed by the contingent of Washington State’s Quileute people to the Northwest Experiential Education Conference in 1990

1

Every stroke we take is one less we have to make. Even against the most relentless wind or retrograde tide, somehow a canoe moves forward. This mystery can only be explained by the fact that each pull forward is real movement and not delusion.

2

There is to be no abuse of self or others. Respect and trust cannot exist in anger, it must be thrown overboard where the sea can cleanse it. It has to be washed off the hands and cast into the air so the stars can take care of it.

3

Be flexible because the adaptable animal survives. If you get tired, ship your paddle and rest. If you get hungry, put in on the beach and eat a few oysters. If you can’t figure one way to make it, do something new. When the wind confronts you, it is sometimes because you are supposed to go the other way.

4

Every story is important. The bow, the stern, the skipper, the power puller in the middle, everyone is part of the movement. The elder sits in her cedar at the front, singing her paddle song, praying for us all. The weary paddler resting is still ballast.

5

We all pull and support each other as nothing occurs in isolation. When we aren’t part of the family of a canoe, we are not ready for whatever comes. The family will never let itself sink. When we know that we are not alone in our actions, we also know we are lifted up by everyone else.

6

A hungry person has no charity so always nourish yourself. The bitter person, thinking that sacrifice means self-destruction, shares mostly anger. A paddler who doesn’t eat at the feasts doesn’t have enough strength to paddle in the morning. The gift of who you are only enters the world when you are strong enough to own it.

7

Experiences are not enhanced through criticism. Who we are, what we do, why we continue, flourishes with tolerance. The men and women who find the lightest flow may sometimes go slow, but when they arrive, they can still sing.

8

The journey is what we enjoy. Although the start is exciting and the conclusion achieved, it is the long, steady process we remember. Being part of the journey requires great preparation; being done with a journey requires great awareness; being on the journey, we are much more than ourselves.

9

A good teacher allows the student to learn. We can berate each other, try to force each other to understand, or we can allow each paddler to gain their awareness through the ongoing journey. Each paddler learns to deal with the person in front, the person behind, the water, the air, the energy, the blessing of the eagle.

10

When given a choice, choose to be a worker bee and make honey.