'A Taste Of Tradition' Fundraiser Celebrates Indigenous Canoe Cultures

SOUTHAMPTON, NY — The Shinnecock Indian Nation will participate in event this August that spotlights an integral part of its legacy and journey.

Blossom Sustainable Development will host its inaugural "A Taste of Tradition," a fundraiser for its Tuktu Canoe Club to participate in the annual Tribal Journeys from August 5 to August 10 in Vancouver, B.C.

Tribal Journeys is an annual gathering of indigenous canoe cultures with participants from as far away as Hawaii and the Philippines.

Shinnecock is one of the first northeastern tribes to have consistently participated in the Tribal Journeys in the past five years.

Sponsored by Red Thunder Fisheries and Tuktu Paddle Tours, tickets are sold only in advance by clicking here or at the Shinnecock Smoke Shop, located at 50 Montauk Highway, on the Shinnecock Reservation.

Red Thunder Fisheries will light the fire pit at 1 p.m., serving up traditional clambake dinner plates, which include a whole 1 1/4 lb. lobster, corn, potato, clams, and local catch of the day fish.

Tuktu Paddle Tours will offer visitors two opportunities for an educational paddle tour off the coast of Shinnecock Reservation at 3:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Tickets cost $35 for a traditional Shinnecock Clambake Dinner, served at 5 p.m.; or $75 for dinner and a one hour Tuktu Paddle Tour.

Blossom Sustainable Development is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering Long Island's indigenous communities to live healthy and sustainable lifestyles.

At the forefront of its mission is the protection, preservation and progression of indigenous culture, which Blossom accomplishes by focusing its efforts on Native American youth, a release said. The revitalization of northeastern canoe culture plays an integral role in the preservation of the coastal history of Long Island's indigenous tribes, the release added.

Patch courtesy photo.